collection--I've had them since 1969. They came in little boxes
marked "20 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle." No manufacturer name or other
information, just a simple "Made in Japan" notice on the bottom.
I believe the art was very likely originally intended for menko
cards--possibly the larger variety as they are quite detailed.
Something that viewing these images on a monitor can't convey is
that they are 5 color prints--all have metallic gold borders
and pictorial areas. I've collected many more Ultraman pieces
since then and yet these remain some of my most treasured pieces.
O-tanoshimi ni.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouE7dCO-bKLZSFFE2-i-LPFhCVgfdCk3L6sNqelcNu561UFfy3E-8YXDzFQfNCscUPUDBBcSODn5c_6xDdMQtjAuakmxRnEq_m3JCHQhBG-O7jgjl7OPMTzY0wCzEoTFebb32/s400/jigsaw_gabora.jpg)
Ultraman tai Kaiju Gabora
I have a small sized menko with the same image that I found
around the same time. Though the monsters were the main
attraction for me back in '69 (it was some years before I'd
learn the word "kaiju") I became fascinated by the humanoid
figure. Who was that glowing-eyed being with the mysterious grin?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR3sOYzAAdZg7szYxqUD6ovNyzm2G1un56wk47B-H3oEUIIvt6j_5qcL_3lcSluyKPtoFtLWCRMj04MgerFQW58JJ7PRSiMdxoeo5t-08a9Y_VeaiwWFn1OXnnHkC2Y368pc5/s400/jigsaw_bemlar.jpg)
Bemlar • Gavadon O-abare!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzo79ZcqLQrw8N0jyV_C5q8yzpA9JuiprA0UlReTXcTKxqFldgjJvPKf3QyfgZHqeKT2JHGxMkfVfZYZvjF6fjSGEGG7_H_iLblM98uPdKqSopsoogxQugEmK_XoEfnL0GUgVm/s400/jigsaw_antlar.jpg)
Hassha! Baltan • Antlar o Taose!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtTq2fU3d3mn8gnzjXl5aKNWtBqvCbyedXx05hhzonMzfSRQx36efFJi2vLIS-m_P8j1S8vtQ_qakem3hcfYYk8OiCRDN4_91CU3KQsMs2bmgrq3L3BwehWkPMFG6MtfdIShl/s400/jigsaw_gyango.jpg)
Ultraman tai Kaiju Gyango
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIinCXiMDnwGQQ5BnDPpQRtJh0gVYBbDNqf5S7vEDyw7x7AmzlvGNdk1IP2gUGmy0lygD9ctG0K-SQHV7eA70z_pZVPCcLTvzYQJVE3YzvBWnDxY7GaRVxAMYZDgafaU67hrFg/s400/jigsaw_magma.jpg)
Magma Taishi • Kaiju Aron • Kaiju Gappa (Mama Gappa!)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xHiMEOJOEgpAVh-9TJgBd7BZw_mjR98Tebs0r1FTJe9pQUF9Fo1HH8MJ6ciyMTjziuIjBtRpglxuSznU19Nu5l2I5nxRhBy-aiTUS-Wyhaa6PrDUzLTuzZDSf40mtWnLsivC/s400/jigsaw_bats.jpg)
Batman and Robin! Kairyu Daikessen!
For most American fans, this final card is the mind-blower of
the set. Batman's costume colors are definitely "off-model" and
Robin has a pistol! I didn't realize that the helmeted shooters
were Ultraman's Science Patrol team members until I became
more steeped in Ultra Lore.