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What did you think of Ultraman Arc episode 23?

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Ultraman Connection – Official Site

Ultraman Arc WIKI

Going Ultra! Ultraman Arc Episode 23: Calamity Thrice – Revelations and Relationships

By MJ Muñoz – Author, Artist, Analyzer – MJMunoz.com

Character Bonds Take Center Stage

Ultraman Arc Episode 23, “Calamity Thrice,” brings us back to the main plot after some interesting detours, and what really shines in this episode is the evolving relationship between Yuma and Shu Ishido. Their bromance – and the tension within it – creates some of the most emotionally resonant moments of the series so far.

Shu came to SKIP as an outsider, initially appearing to be spying on them (likely monitoring the Monogelos horn in Hoshimoto City and searching for the mysterious Onyx). From his diaries, we’ve learned that Shu grew up in America with his mother, maintaining some contact with a Japanese grandfather. This background explains much about his isolated personality and difficulties forming connections with others.

Character Growth and Mutual Influence

What’s particularly satisfying about this episode is how it showcases the mutual growth between Yuma and Shu. When Shu confronts Yuma about being Arc (he’s pretty sure at this point), he doesn’t demand explanations. Instead, he says something quite profound – that while in the past he would have insisted on full disclosure from a teammate, he’s “learned to be empathetic” from Yuma.

This exchange beautifully illustrates how their relationship has evolved. Shu has softened his rigid approach, becoming more understanding and empathetic. Meanwhile, Yuma has grown tougher and more willing to question people, picking up some of Shu’s more pragmatic traits.

We’ve seen this mutual influence throughout the series. When Shu was ready to shoot Alien Krikoro (from the “Welcome to the Akebono Inn” episode), Yuma’s intervention led to Krikoro becoming an ally who later provided valuable information. These moments aren’t just told to us as viewers – they’re explicitly acknowledged between the characters, creating genuine emotional connection that raises the stakes for the rest of the episode.

Mysterious Communications and Cool Effects

This episode introduces some fascinating tokusatsu elements, including the mysterious Biorno communicating through YouPI . The scene where Biorno “hacks” YouPI’s electronic brain through the phone is a clever nod to old-school phone phreaking (where people could hack phone systems by playing certain tones).

The visual effect of turning off the lights and spotlighting YouPI, freezing time for him while it continues for Yuma, creates a memorable scene. I also loved the moment where Arc appears in a reflection, giving Yuma a reassuring nod that this mysterious communicator can be trusted. These smaller character interactions build the world in interesting ways.

Returning to the Main Plot

After several episodes that felt like detours (including the Arc/Blazar crossover), we’re finally returning to the main threat of Earth’s potential annihilation. The episode ends with a cliffhanger after a battle with Trigelos (not to be confused with Digelos from previous episodes – a fact that creates a humorous correction moment between Rin and Chief Bon).

Following the battle, Ark goes missing, setting up high stakes for the next episode. Now that Shu knows Yuma’s secret identity, it will be interesting to see how he handles this crisis – whether he shares this knowledge with the team or keeps Yuma’s confidence while searching for him.

Connections to Earlier Episodes

I went back to Episode 3, where Yuma fought Digelos. When he defeated that kaiju, it exploded into rubble, leaving only two horns that Arc then destroyed. Similarly, this Trigelos appears to explode into rubble before Arc disappears.

More importantly, the episode circles back to Episode 15, revealing that the mysterious Onyx somehow transformed into the Galaxer through Rution’s power of imagination. This callback demonstrates that the series has maintained consistent threads, even when taking narrative detours.

Final Thoughts

“Calamity Thrice” successfully returns us to the main narrative while deepening character relationships. The emotional connection between Yuma and Shu feels earned and adds genuine stakes to their dangerous situations. As we move toward what appears to be the endgame, the focus on these personal bonds gives weight to the larger cosmic threats they face.

I’m curious about several elements going forward:

• The cause of Yuma’s shaking hand (possibly a side effect of the Onyx within him)
• Whether Shu will reveal Yuma’s identity to the team now that Ark is missing
• The inevitable return of Sweed and the reopening of the hole in the sky

This episode proves that Ultraman Arc can balance character development with larger plot movements, making for a satisfying viewing experience that leaves me eager for more.

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If you enjoyed this analysis, check out more of my Ultraman and tokusatsu coverage at MJMunoz.com, where you’ll find all my artwork, writing, and analysis.

Also, visit Grobugs.com to learn about my upcoming book featuring magical bugs battling monsters! I’ll be releasing more information about the book’s availability and release date soon.

Until next time, take care and be well!