Ultraman Ace Episode 1: Shine! The Five Ultra Brothers

Ultraman Ace (ウルトラマンAエース, Urutoraman Ēsu) is the 5th show in the Ultra Series. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, the series aired on Tokyo Broadcasting System from April 8, 1972, to March 30, 1973, with a total of 52 episodes.

Starting from this show, the Ultra Series begins to shift from a sci-fi/mystery adventure to superhero fantasy fare. All previous Ultramen (Ultraman, Ultraseven, Ultraman Jack, and Zoffy) make regular appearances in this series, whereas they only made guest appearances in the previous show Return of Ultraman.

Ultraman Ace Episode 1:

Impressed by the sacrifices of Seiji Hokuto and Yuko Minami by protecting the people during an attack of Verokron who was created by Dimension Man Yapool, the 5 Ultra Brothers gave the two humans lives, and send their new member Ultraman Ace to be their human host to fight off an age of new Monsters know as Choju.

An alien from another dimension called Yapool is hellbent on invading the Earth. He brings with him genetically altered, cyborgian creations called Choju, or Super Beasts; more powerful lifeforms than any other seen before. The first such creature leading the attack is Verokron. Sent to destroy Fukuyama, the Earth Defense Force is powerless to stop the monster's advance. Seiji Hokuto, a bakery delivery man, and a nurse named Yuko Minami are killed in the destruction while trying to help fleeing citizens. Ultraman Ace, accompanied by four other Ultra Brothers, appears and revives the two bestowing upon them Ultra Rings that, when shining, allows them to transform into Ultraman Ace. Hokuto and Minami become members of TAC (Terrible-monster Attacking Crew), a Self Defense Force funded by thr global combat organization tasked with battling the Yapoolian threat and their army of inter-dimensional monstrosities.

Verokron is seen again with new missiles used by it. TAC weakens the beast with Seiji and Yuko being told by Ace about the Ultra Rings. Then as Verokron destroys Seiji's plane, Seiji and Minami turn into Ultraman Ace. Ace is nearly defeated by Velekron but Ace uses the Metallium Ray to finish Verokron. The age of Yapool and the Choju had begun.

Credit: Tsuburaya Production