studiobondurri Chapter 43 Machinery and Dreams – Towards the Universe
Chapter 43 Machinery and Dreams – Towards the Universe
Jinghai City, Chasing Light Studio.
At three in the morning, the rendering machine was still roaring.
Gu Nan stared at the progress bar on the screen.
"Seriously, Brother Nan, does the modeling of this mechanical island really need to be this detailed?"
Wang Kai rubbed his head, which felt like it was about to explode, and pointed to a huge mechanical island floating in space on the screen. "With our current computing power, it takes ten minutes to render just one frame. The electricity bill for this episode is enough to buy a Wuling Hongguang minivan."
Gu Nan didn't even look up: "It has to be this detailed. Maybe before we focused on live-action and miniature models, relying on texture to win. But the protagonist of this episode, 'Heading to the Universe,' isn't Tiga, but the power of humanity. The Machine Island is a product of extraterrestrial civilization, so it must have a cold, hard, and oppressive feel completely stripped away from Earth's industry. Simple models can't capture that kind of terror from deep space; we need to combine CG with models."
This episode marks a crucial turning point in Ultraman Tiga.
If the previous episodes explored human nature, then from this moment on, Gu Nan will begin the prelude to human civilization's march towards the stars and the sea.
This also lays the groundwork for Dyna's worldview in the future.
"Understood."
Wang Kai gritted his teeth and sat back down. "Since we're going to do a mix of CG and live-action, I'll go all out with the details. For the hangar of the Atlas, I used a live-action model as a base and then covered it with a layer of CG-rendered metal skin to make sure the audience can't spot any mistakes."
"Not only do we need to make sure the mistake isn't obvious, but we also need to get them excited."
Gu Nan looked out the window at the pitch-black night.
In this world, during the Showa era of the older generation, tokusatsu (special effects) had never had such a grand narrative.
People are used to the simple story of heroes fighting monsters, but they have never thought that beneath this shell lies an epic tale of a civilization's survival and development.
……
Friday, 8 PM.
The Ultraman Tiga section on Bilibili is always buzzing with excitement.
Fans' anticipation for Gu Nan has been whetted to the heavens.
Before the video even went live, the number of people making real-time online reservations had already exceeded 200,000.
The screen was filled with comments like snowflakes:
[Everyone stand up! It's time for the weekly Ultraman Tiga segment!]
[Have you heard? This episode used large-scale CG technology; I wonder if it can maintain the previous god-like quality.]
[Regardless of the technical aspects, as long as it's directed by Gu Nan, I'd blindly guess a 9.9 out of 10!]
The screen went black, and episode 19, "Heading Towards the Universe (Part 1)," officially began.
The scene begins not with a battle, but with a mysterious, late-night cityscape.
The streetlights were dim, and a humanoid monster dressed in heavy metal armor—a steel-plate masked man—walked slowly down the street.
The camera used a lot of side shots and low-angle shots, combined with heavy sound effects that made a metallic scraping sound, instantly creating a terrifying atmosphere.
[Holy crap, why does this opening feel like a horror movie?]
[This sense of oppression... Brother Nan, you really understand horror movies.]
[The sense of oppression is overwhelming!]
Then, the scene shifts to the GUTS command center.
Lina is piloting a uniquely designed pure white fighter jet—the Snow White—and is conducting an ultra-high-altitude flight test.
When the Snowsnow activated its Magus propulsion system and its exhaust flame emitted a dazzling blue-white light, the audience held their breath.
"Magnus Power System, start!"
As the Snow White leaves a trail in the sky that nearly tears through the atmosphere, the story introduces the most epic scientific background of the work: the Magus propulsion system.
That is a top-tier aerospace method that uses light generated by the collision of protons and antiprotons as an energy source.
In fact, besides the Magus power system, there is another way to start independent research together.
That's Zero Drive.
However, six years later, the Zero-type driven experimental plasma 100 disappeared in the light during a test...
The pilot became a legend of "disappearing into the light".
Therefore, the plan was frozen...
However, these plot points will only appear in the audience's view in the future.
In the scene, Dr. Tomoe (the Eight-Tails from the original work) appears—the scientist with a wrinkled face but eyes full of childlike innocence.
His debate with Horii about "scientific value" gave many adult viewers a jolt.
Could he be a "mad scientist"?
When Sawai mentioned whether the Magus power system would be harmful to the human body, Dr. Tomoe, the chief developer, said:
"Since this is a new driving force for humanity, we need to test it gradually to know for sure."
In other words, Dr. Tomoe hasn't considered whether the new system will have any impact on the human body...
Dr. Tomoe displayed a smug yet seemingly nonchalant attitude.
This quickly drew the ire of Horii, who was also a scientist but placed greater emphasis on the sense of responsibility that scientists should have towards humanity and society.
But Dr. Tomoe, the portly scientist, had no intention of continuing the argument and turned to leave, citing the research data as the reason.
However, Daigo caught up with him, hoping that Dr. Tomoe would continue to discuss more information.
In the elevator, looking at this endearing young man, Dr. Tomoe gave a general explanation of his invention.
"The Magus System is not power, it is light!"
[Faster than light? Warp drive?]
It's normal for debates to arise when humanity explores the unknown; being overly cautious about the unknown, or trying to change or avoid problems, is not advisable.
This thing is actually a high-energy particle collider engine. In the real world, it is very difficult to achieve controllable energy output. The plot is already exploring whether it can be put into practical use.
[A light-speed engine? We really need to consider whether the human body can withstand that!]
……
However, a crisis soon followed.
Previously, Lina had spotted the giant floating island, the Mechanical Island, in space orbit, which gave everyone a warning.
Subsequently, Shinjo piloted the Flying Swallow No. 1 to conduct reconnaissance, but was attacked by flying robots sent by the Mechanical Island.
This aerial combat sequence left all the viewers speechless.
Although Shinjo, one of the legendary crash kings, has once again lost a Flying Swallow No. 1.
However, this battle was indeed a treat for everyone to watch.
Moreover, unlike the previous miniature model collisions, the mechanical island, enhanced by CG, presents a despairing grandeur in its details.
It was a city made entirely of gears, conduits, and cold lights, silently suspended against the dark backdrop of space, exuding a chilling aura that did not belong to Earth.
[These special effects... are you sure an ordinary team could have produced them?]
The oppressive atmosphere of this mechanical island is so intense, I want to run away even through the screen!
[Holy crap! Is the Flying Swallow No. 1 really that strong in air combat? This is the first time it's been shown!]
The plot takes a sudden turn at the climax.
At the TPC's top leadership meeting, in order to confront the robots, everyone unanimously passed a resolution to deploy the Atdis.
Prior to this, the Magus propulsion system, which would serve as the main power source, had not yet been completed, so the construction of the Atedis remained a secret.
The Atlas was originally designed for space activities, as well as for transporting large materials and facilities.
After a large number of monsters appeared, the mothership's functional positioning and detailed design were also adjusted.
Faced with the fierce attack from the mysterious mechanical island, the top leadership meeting deemed it necessary to dispatch this giant mothership to retaliate.
Although Dr. Tomoe emphasized that the Atdis was not designed for war, he ultimately heeded the advice of the GUTS team and agreed to send the giant mothership to attack Machine Island.
At this point, Horii specifically asked Dr. Tomoe why he had spent twenty years researching the Magneto power system.
Dr. Tomoe looked a little embarrassed, like a child whose secret had been exposed.
"Dr. Tomoe, I heard you've spent twenty years researching the Magneto dynamical system, is that right?"
Horii asked:
Why did you do that?
Tomoe seemed to be recalling the past:
"This is because..."
"From childhood until now, I've always wanted to build a super big ship that no one has ever seen before."
"I understand. I'm so sorry about what happened last time. I wish you success soon, Dr. Tomoe."
Horii smiled knowingly after hearing Dr. Tomoe's heartfelt reply, while also apologizing for the previous argument.
His mentor, Dr. Mizuno, taught him that "daydreaming is beautiful," and that scientists who always remember their childhood dreams and persevere in pursuing them, and who are positive and idealistic, are always pure of heart.
Horii understood that Dr. Tomoe was actually the same kind of person as his mentor, and therefore was willing to sincerely apologize to this scientific master.
So, from what they're saying... this thing is a transport ship?
[Holy crap, this is some amazing Zentradi technology! A light-speed transport ship converted into a flagship—it's all for combat!]
Wow, Dr. Tomoe's dream is just like mine! A man's romance is a giant spaceship.
A man who pursues his dreams is forever a youth!
……
At this point, the scene changes.
Something has happened inside the base!
Previously, in order to study those alien machines, they gathered a large number of robots at the GUTS headquarters!
And these "goblin corpses" actually came back to life!
The Victory Team members quickly took their positions and intercepted the enemy.
Countless steel-plate masked figures resurrected, combined into the giant robot Goblin, and approached the TPC base from the seabed.
In response to these robots of unknown origin and the enormous island, the TPC Supreme Council decided to deploy the giant mothership, Atdis, which had been kept under secrecy.
As the massive hangar door slowly opened, revealing a corner of the Atlas's enormous hull amidst the roar of the Magus engines, a remastered version of the background music "GUTS Theme" blared out.
At that moment, countless male college students watching videos in their dormitories couldn't help but shout out in response.
"It's too big...it's really too big!"
The breathtaking spectacle of the Atlas taking off in the footage is no less impressive than that of the Star Destroyer in Star Wars.
The combination of CG and live-action footage elevates the overall quality of the image to a whole new level!
That was the culmination of human wisdom, a clarion call for counterattack.
To escort the Atlas, Daigo transforms into Ultraman Tiga to stop Goblin.
This battle took place in water.
To convey the damping effect of deep-sea pressure, the overall shot used some slow motion.
Adding filters definitely makes the battle more immersive!
To everyone's surprise, this robot named Goblin had absolutely no sense of martial ethics.
It didn't have any flashy skills; instead, it was like a heavy piece of iron, firmly locking Tiga in place.
Even after Tiga transformed into his Power Type, he was still held tightly by Goblin.
Meanwhile, the lights in Goblin are going out one by one.
"That's a self-destruct program!"
As the lights on the robot's head flashed, Tiga was trapped on the verge of explosion.
After a difficult struggle, Tiga finally broke free!
To prevent the explosion from affecting the base, Tiga lifted the "bomb" and launched it into the sky!
The scene freezes on the moment when the Atlas flies into space and Tiga is engulfed by a giant fireball.
Wow! This robot is incredibly powerful!
[Holy crap, is this Ultraman Tiga's first defeat?!]
Even the strongest type can't shake it off?!
[Holy crap!!! It broke right here?!]
[Brother Nan! You have no heart! Hurry up and release the next episode!]
[Tiga is dead? That can't be!]
[The Atlas has gone to space, what will happen to the base? What will happen to Ultraman Tiga?]
The upgraded visuals of "Heading to the Universe" have captivated countless viewers, who are completely unaware that the progress bar is nearing its end...
……
Meanwhile, online discussions about "who sent the mechanical island" and "whether the Magus power system will go out of control" have already topped the Zhihu hot list.
Why did this robot appear as soon as the "light-speed engine" called the Magus System appeared? My deduction is that the existence of the Mechanical Island might be a manifestation of the Dark Forest theory, eliminating technologies that threaten higher civilizations.
So, is this a plot similar to The Three-Body Problem?
[You'll have to wait for the next episode to see the full plot! Damn it, Light Chaser Animation! Isn't this supposed to be an episodic series?! Why are they doing this two-part thing?!]
Goodness, if this were the Three-Body Problem universe, could they even defeat Ultraman Tiga?
Ultraman Tiga is light, so the Dark Forest Theory shouldn't apply to a superhero of his caliber!
[The Trisolaran: 666, let me fight Ultraman?]
I don't care about any rules, I just want to see the Atlas fire!
[Just wondering, was Ultraman Tiga really destroyed in the explosion? We still haven't found Daigo's human form!]
Amidst the commotion, Gu Nan was searching for the most suitable background music for the final scene of episode 20—the identity struggle between Tiga and Daigo.
That's not just science fiction, it's destiny...