Direct-to-DVD digests of the Heisei Ultraman series Author: James Ballard Beginning next month in Japan, Tsuburaya Productions and Bandai Visual will be releasing re-edited, direct-to-DVD episodes of the Heisei Ultraman TV series; ULTRAMAN TIGA (Urutoraman Tiga, 1996), ULTRAMAN DYNA (Urutoraman Daina, 1997), ULTRAMAN GAIA (Urutoraman Gaia, 1998), ULTRAMAN COSMOS (Urutoraman Kosumosu, 2001), ULTRAMAN NEXUS (Urutoraman Nekusasu, 2004), ULTRAMAN MAX (Urutoraman Makkusu, 2005) and ULTRAMAN MEBIUS (Urutoraman Mebiusu, 2006). Being released under the banner of "Climax Stories", these one-hour specials re-tell the highlights of each series, each carefully guided by veteran Ultraman directors. While the Climax Stories will contain no new footage, the intent is to introduce new fans to each series, showing the first and last appearance of the Ultra heroes, and all their adventures along the way. As the initial description for the ULTRAMAN MEBIUS release reads, "even for beginners, if you see this you will understand all of Ultraman Mebius." All the discs are Region 2 (Japan/Europe) and are Japanese language only (they contain no English subtitles or audio tracks.) The standard retail price is 2,940 Yen each (approx US$25), although they can be found cheaper from online retailers.
Release Schedule
CLIMAX STORIES - ULTRAMAN MEBIUS (Kuraimakkusu Sutooriizu Urutoraman Mebiusu) Director: Tomoki Sano Release Date: December 21st 2007 Catalogue Code: BCBK-3184 CLIMAX STORIES - ULTRAMAN TIGA (Kuraimakkusu Sutooriizu Urutoraman Tiga) Director: Hirochika Muraishi Release Date: January 25th 2008 Catalogue Code: BCBK-3185 CLIMAX STORIES - ULTRAMAN DYNA (Kuraimakkusu Sutooriizu Urutoraman Daina) Director: Kazuya Konaka Release Date: January 25th 2008 Catalogue Code: BCBK-3186 CLIMAX STORIES - ULTRAMAN GAIA (Kuraimakkusu Sutooriizu Urutoraman Gaia) Director: Hirochika Muraishi Release Date: January 25th 2008 Catalogue Code: BCBK-3187 CLIMAX STORIES - ULTRAMAN COSMOS (Kuraimakkusu Sutooriizu Urutoraman Kosumosu) Director: TBC Release Date: February 22nd 2008 Catalogue Code: BCBK-3188 CLIMAX STORIES - ULTRAMAN NEXUS (Kuraimakkusu Sutooriizu Urutoraman Nekusasu) Director: TBC Release Date: February 22nd 2008 Catalogue Code: BCBK-3189 CLIMAX STORIES - ULTRAMAN MAX (Kuraimakkusu Sutooriizu Urutoraman Makkusu) Director: TBC Release Date: February 22nd 2008 Catalogue Code: BCBK-3190