Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey (2000)

A perfect extended ending

The Final Odyssey could have very easily screwed up what is already a perfect ending to a series, but this bridge between the outgoing Tiga and incoming Dyna packs the same emotional core and incredible storytelling that made Tiga one of the best Ultra shows, to begin with.

Two years after the events of 'Ultraman Tiga', Daigo is forced to pick up another Dark Spark Lens in an attempt to stop three evils the once, dark Tiga worked with 30 million years ago, to stop destruction in Japan once and for all.

Everything about The Final Odyssey is bigger, badder and sleeker; the elongated runtime and larger budget that is afforded thanks to this being a feature-length movie mean everything is to the highest standard, top-notch in its design and execution. The widescreen presentation allows for an impressive variation of shots and set pieces, director Hirochika Muraishi outdid himself with this. It's gorgeous to look at through and through. The underwater fight between Tiga and Darramb is incredible but only equally matched by the final showdown against Camearra (I'll get to her in a moment) and the suitmation is very clean although I'm not majorly fond of the digital effects used to transform Camearra into darkness at the very end.

Seeing how much our cast has changed since the finale of Tiga, the relationship and impending wedding of Daigo and Rena make for a great personal motivation for the duo. Daigo's hesitation and self-doubt manifest in his desire to save the world one more time with Rena supporting and trusting him nearly every step of the way. Their decision to take up arms again is met with this gorgeous little sequence of minimal dialogue accompanied by an excellent musical score and dynamic camera. The chemistry between Hiroshi Nagano and Takami Yoshimoto is on full display here and you are totally engrossed in their story. The rest of the GUTS squad are all on fine form even if they aren't the starring party this time around but does serve as an equally nice introduction to the eventual successors making a big splash near the end.

With all the strength in its character writing, it's the film's villains that bring a fresh perspective to The Final Odyssey. We've seen Evil Tiga in the TV show and although he was only limited to the second half of a two-parter, Three ultimately evil Ultra's make the impact needed to give the film a world-ending and indeed universe-ending threat. Camearra, Darramb, and Hudra are all equally memorable for a multitude of reasons, but it's with Camearra where the real antagonist lies. Tiga's former lover from a bygone era, all the credit goes to actress Miyoko Yoshimoto for carrying that amount of sass and power into her suit performance as well. Catch me simping for her on an off day.

The excellent musical score from Tiga is carried over and Tatsumi Yano provides some equally beautiful new material as well as some repurposed older material from the show. Opening with Brave Love Tiga was an inspired choice accompanying the montage of notable moments from the TV show before beautifully transitioning into the film. Of course, the use of Take Me Higher is relegated to the end credits but as it always does, it makes an impact.

Overall, Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey is a beautiful epilogue to Tiga as a whole, it sends our beloved characters off with gorgeous style.

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