Screenshots from the upcoming OPERATION: MYSTERY Blu-ray Box from Japan. Photos courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © Tsuburaya Productions

Author: Keith Aiken Source: Tsuburaya Productions, Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: toei-video.co.jp/special/kaiki-bd

Photo courtesy of Toei Video. © Tsuburaya Productions

Tsuburaya Productions` OPERATION: MYSTERY (?????, Kaiki Daisakusen, 1968-1969) will be released in a Blu-ray box set in Japan on March 6, 2019. Also known as THE MYSTERY FOE, this was the final television series supervised by FX legend Eiji Tsuburaya, and featured a team of agents investigating strange and paranormal events denied by the government. OPERATION: MYSTERY was a ratings hit, averaging a 22% audience share during its original broadcast run. The set has been remastered in the same manner as Tsuburaya`s recent Blu-ray Boxes of the classic Ultraman shows, with the episodes of the series digitally restored to fix film scratches and damage, adjust color tones, and improve image quality while retaining the graininess of the original 16mm film. This process allows for the maximum presentation of OPERATION: MYSTERY available with the latest technology. The OPERATION: MYSTERY Blu-ray BOX is being distributed by Toei Video. SYNOPSIS The agents of the Science Research Institute (SRI) investigate paranormal crimes and phenomena... An eerie moth that dissolves humans with phosphorus powder. A French doll attacking people with a knife. A phosphorescent human being fused with sulfur. Each bizarre and eerie incident -- and the inner darkness of those behind it -- is tackled with the latest scientific technology and knowledge.

The members of SRI. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © Tsuburaya Productions

CREDITS Cast Kyosuke Misawa: Homare Suguro Shiro Maki: Shin Kishida Kiyoshi Matoya: Yasumi Hara Hiroshi Nomura: Seiji Matsuyama Saori Ogawa: Reiko Kobashi Taizo Machida: Akiji Kobayashi Staff Supervisor: Eiji Tsuburaya Producers: Koji Morita, Koichi Noguchi, Ken Kumagai, Yoji Hashimoto Screenwriters: Shozo Uehara, Tetsuo Kinjo, Mamoru Sasaki, Bunzo Wakatsuki, Shinichi Ichikawa, Jun Fukuda, Tatsuo Takahashi, Keisuke Fujikawa, Torao Tanabe, Yoshiro Ishido Directors: Toshihiro Iijima, Hajime Tsuburaya, Akio Jissoji, Toshitsugu Suzuki , Tsuneo Kobayashi, Takashi Nagano, Tatsumi Ando, Shigeo Nakagi, Jun Fukuda Special Effects: Toru Matoba, Jun Oki, Koichi Takano, Kazuo Sagawa PRODUCT DETAILS Japanese Release Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Product Code: BSZS 10084 Region Code: 0 (Region Free)? Number of Discs: 5 Price: ¥30,000 (Approximately $266.43 US, Plus Tax) Main Feature (Episodes 1-26; Excluding Episode 24*) Running Time: Approximately 625 Minutes Bonus Disc (Extras) Running Time: Approximately 80 Minutes Main Feature Specs: 4:3 (1080p High Definition) / Linear PCM (Stereo/Monaural) Bonus Disc Specs: 16:9 (1080i and 1080p High Definition) / Linear PCM (Stereo/Partial Monaural) Extras ? Staff and Cast Interviews: Toshihiro Iijima (Director), Kiyoshi Suzuki (Cinematographer), Yuzo Inagaki (Cinematographer), Minoru Nakano (Optical Effects), Hiroko Sakurai (Actress) ? OPERATION: MYSTERY 50th Anniversary - Toshihiro Iijima x Akio Jissoji: talk show held August 19, 2018, featuring Toshihiro Iijima, Kiyoshi Suzuki, Yuzo Inagaki, Minoru Nakano and Hiroko Sakurai. ? Episode 2: MAN-EATING MOTH First Preview Version (HD) ? Episode 7: THE WOMAN WITH BLUE BLOOD Trailer (HD) ? Episode 9: THE WALKING NECK Synthetic Rush Print - Video Only (HD) ? Scripts for Select Episodes Bonus Content: 8 Page Reference Book Manufacturer: Tsuburaya Productions Distributor: Toei Video * Tsuburaya has pulled Episode 24 from circulation over concerns of that show`s portrayal of mental illness.

Logo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © Tsuburaya Productions

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. About Toei Company, Ltd. Established in 1951, Toei Company is not only producing and distributing films, but is also one of the major exhibitors in Japan. The company owns two film studios located in Tokyo and Kyoto. The films produced cover a wide range of genres, exceeding 20,000 titles.