The first iteration of Ultraman was named "Bemular" and had a human host in his late 20s named "Officer Sakomizu", described as a "tough guy" in early drafts. Captain Muramatsu would have been the only SIA member to know his secret identity, and a female SIA member was added late in production. Pre-production and story layout began in December 1965 as Bemular: Scientific Investigation Agency. Writer Masahiro Yamada completed a sample teleplay titled The Birth of Bemular that featured an unused scenario originally written for Ultra Q. TBS producer Takashi Kakoi demanded that Bemular have a metallic complexion and be distinguishable from similarly designed monsters to avoid confusion. As a result, Tsuburaya and Kinjo discarded Bemular's original design in favor of a humanoid appearance. The name "Bemular" was dropped for the hero but given to Ultraman's first foe in the debut episode "Ultra Operation No. 1".
The first iteration of Ultraman was named "Bemular" and had a human host in his late 20s named "Officer Sakomizu", described as a "tough guy" in early drafts. Captain Muramatsu would have been the only SIA member to know his secret identity, and a female SIA member was added late in production. Pre-production and story layout began in Decem.ber 1965 as Bemular: Scientific Investigation Agency Writer Masahiro Yamada completed a sample teleplay titled The Birth of Bemular that featured an unused scenario originally written for Ultra Q. TBS producer Takashi Kakoi demanded that Bemular have a metallic complexion and be distinguishable from similarly designed monsters to avoid confusion. As a result, Tsuburaya and Kinjo discarded Bemular's original design in favor of a humanoid appearance. The name "Bemular" was dropped for the hero but given to Ultraman's first foe in the debut episode "Ultra Operation No. 1".