The original ULTRAMAN series has undergone the “HD Remaster 3.0” process for a new Japanese Blu-ray set. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions.
©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
Source: Tsuburaya Productions press release
Official Site: m-78.jp/movie-nex/man (Japan)
Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and photos for ULTRAMAN 55TH ANNIVERSARY ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES: ULTRAMAN MovieNEX Release (ウルトラマン55周年記念ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES『ウルトラマン』MovieNEX発売, Urutoraman 55 Shūnenkinen ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES “Urutoraman” MovieNEX Hatsuba), a deluxe Blu-ray box set which will be available in Japan on November 25.
ULTRAMAN (ウルトラマン 空想特撮シリーズ, Urutoraman Kūsō Tokusatsu Shirīzu) is the gold standard of Japanese special effects television series. At the time of its original broadcast in 1966, it recorded an audience rating high of 42.8%. Even now, 55 years after the hero’s debut, new generations of Ultraman are born, and the franchise has expanded to the whole world.
Using the latest technology, the 39 episodes that are the starting point for the immortal giant hero have been restored to the clearest possible image quality. In addition, the set includes a bonus disc with a new Premium Talk featuring 69 testimonials from members of the ULTRAMAN cast, creative team, and more, plus never-before-seen footage from the show’s production.
Here’s the ULTRAMAN you didn’t know!
HD REMASTER 3.0
Achieve even clearer images with the latest technology.
With EXA Quality Advanced Service (EQAS), a composite technology that beautifully restores images, processing was done to remove excess picture noise while leaving the appropriate graininess. This complete “HD Remaster 3.0” of ULTRAMAN is suitable for high-definition large-screen TVs, far superior to the HD Remaster 2.0 version released on Blu-ray in Japan in 2013. The new master is converted to Blu-ray while maintaining the original high image quality with Panasonic’s original MGVC technology. EQAS + Panasonic’s Master Grade Video Coding (MGVC) was used for all 39 episodes.
Comparison of the 2.0 version and the new 3.0 remaster using EXA Quality Advanced Service. Photos courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions.
©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
PREMIUM DISC
■ Premium Talk: Ultra Revolution 1966: Advent of the Giant Hero / Its Creation and Impact
An unprecedented collection of 69 testimonials!
The main feature on the bonus disc is a new Premium Talk of 69 newly recorded testimonials from members of the ULTRAMAN cast, production team, plus fans who are creators and cultural figures from various fields. Also included is a previously unreleased interview with the late ULTRAMAN screenwriter, Shozo Uehara.
The set includes an 8mm behind the scenes film. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
■ Unseen “Making Of”
Another feature on the bonus disc is a recently discovered 8mm film shot by by members of the ULTRAMAN production team. Watch the filming of a scene that no one has seen!
MovieNEX
Stream the world of ULTRAMAN wherever you are.
Purchasers of the ULTRAMAN 55TH ANNIVERSARY ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES: ULTRAMAN MovieNEX set will have access to exclusive bonus video and content on the TSUBURAYA MovieNEX streaming service.
LIMITED QUANTITY BONUS
As a first-come-first-served limited bonus, customers who preorder ULTRAMAN 55TH ANNIVERSARY ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES: ULTRAMAN MovieNEX will receive an autographed photo by Satoshi Furuya, the actor who played Ultraman, while supplies last.
Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
PRODUCT DETAILS
■ ULTRAMAN 55TH ANNIVERSARY ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES: ULTRAMAN MovieNEX
Japanese Release Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Product Code: PCXE-60190
Number of Discs: 6 (5 Main Discs + 1 Premium Disc)
Price: ¥30,000 (Approximately $286.45 US, Plus Tax)
● Main Feature (Episodes 1-39) Running Time: Approximately 986 Minutes
● Premium Disc (Extras) Running Time: Approximately 170 Minutes
● Main Feature Specs: 4:3 (1080p High Definition) / AVC / BLinear PCM (Stereo/Monaural), Dolby Digital 5.1ch
● Special Disc Specs: 16:9, 4:3 (1080p/1080i High Definition) / AVC / Linear PCM (Stereo)
Manufacturer: Tsuburaya Productions
Distributor: Pony Canyon
About Tsuburaya Productions
Tsuburaya Productions, creator and copyrights owner of the superhero ULTRAMAN series was founded in 1963 by Eiji Tsuburaya, world-renowned special effects wizard also known for his special effects work on the Godzilla series. With more than fifty years’ experience, it is one of Japan’s oldest and most respected independent film and television production houses. Its popular Ultraman TV and film series which premiered in 1966 has been seen in over 100 territories worldwide and has spawned over 3,000 licensed products. In addition to production, the company also handles character licensing and program distribution and staging live stage shows both domestically and internationally.