Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: kaijustep.com

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Tsuburaya Productions has provided SciFi Japan with information and images for their new Ultraman KAIJU STEP (?????????, Kaijuu Suteppu) Project. The family-friendly campaign is particularly focused on young children, and will include merchandising, anime shorts, live events and more. The main characters of KAIJU STEP are the “Little Kaiju” (?????????, Chiisana Kaijuu), based on the monsters and aliens of the ULTRAMAN series, who are popular along with the Ultra Heroes. Over the decades, the creatures have become more than just enemies defeated by the heroes; each has their own special powers, looks, and characteristics which make them all unique. With KAIJU STEP, some of the most popular kaiju from the ULTRAMAN series have been redesigned as though they are little kids. The story is set on the “little planet” where the unique Little Kaiju try new things, meet new friends and portray each of their little “first steps” in life.

Prior to the official release of KAIJU STEP, the brand was introduced this past September in Mebae (???), an educational magazine for kids and infants. The new series has been loved by both boys and girls, and Tsuburaya Productions has received positive comments from parents, including fathers who enjoy spending time with their children as they figure out the names of the kaiju, and mothers who aren’t familiar with the ULTRAMAN series now drawing the kaiju with their children. On November 1st, KAIJU STEP launched its first picture book, Little Pigg’s Balloon (??????????, Pigu-chan no Fuusen), at bookstores all over Japan. Also, animated shorts debuted on TSUTAYA TV, a streaming service provided by the TSUTAYA bookstore chain. In addition, “ULTRA Happy Papa Mama Festa 2018” (????????????????2018, Urutora Happii Papa Mama Fesuta 2018), a family event celebrating the birth of KAIJU STEP, will be held at Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport TOKYO-BAY on November 24th and 25th. Tsuburaya will continue to expand KAIJU STEP with a variety of goods, events, and animation projects for children and families.

? The Little Kaiju of KAIJU STEP Just like many human children, the Little Kaiju each have their strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, unique thoughts and appearances. They also hold their own kaiju-like characteristics. More friends of the Little Kaiju will be appearing in the near future.

? KAIJU STEP Picture Book: Little Pigg’s Balloon Little Pigg’s Balloon, the first ever picture book from KAIJU STEP, is now on sale! With the positive reaction to KAIJU STEP in Mebae magazine, the first picture book has been released. The book is available now from Japanese bookstores and online retailers. Tsuburaya Productions will be releasing more picture books from the KAIJU STEP series from here on. ? Authors: Artwork by Yosuke Kihara, Written by Kikaseya Keitaro ? Publication Date: Thursday, November 1, 2018 ? Price: ¥850 (Approximately $7.48 US, Plus Tax) ? Publisher: Shogakukan ? ISBN: 9784097268239 ? KAIJU STEP With mamari Picture Book Series Beginning December 3rd, Little Pigg’s Balloon artist Yosuke Kihara will start a new KAIJU STEP series with his newest drawings on “mamari”, an information media service for mothers. There will be weekly updates throughout the month, with five stories in total. ? Duration: Monday, December 3 - Monday, December 31, 2018

? KAIJU STEP Short Animation The KAIJU STEP animation shorts are now available in Japan through the TSUTAYA TV streaming service. Two stories -- LITTLE PIGG AND DOUGHNUTS (??????????, Pigu-chan to Doonatsu) and LITTLE DADA`S STRIPES (??????????, Dada-chan no Shimashima) -- have been released, with more episodes to follow in the near future. LITTLE PIGG AND DOUGHNUTS is a story about the doughnut-loving Little Pigg’s first step, and LITTLE DADA`S STRIPES is a story on the stripe-loving Little Dada. ? Premiere Date: Thursday, November 1, 2018 ? TSUTAYA TV`s "Movie Unlimited Plan" Monthly Rate: ¥933 (Approximately $8.21 US, Plus Tax), First 30 Days Free. ? Streaming Episodes: LITTLE PIGG AND DOUGHNUTS*, LITTLE DADA`S STRIPES. New Episodes TBA. *LITTLE PIGG AND DOUGHNUTS is also being streamed for free on Tsuburaya Productions` official YouTube channel, ULTRA CHANNEL.

? The KAIJU STEP Theme Song The theme song is “KAIJU STEP Wonderland” (KAIJU STEP ???????, KAIJU Suteppu Wandaarando) by the popular children`s musical duo, Keropons (?????)! Popular among children and parents alike, Keropons makes fun music with action for kids. Yuko Masuda (Kero) and Akiko Hirata (Pon) formed the group in 1999. They write music and lyrics, choreograph for children, and have appeared in many parent-child concerts, seminars for kindergarten/preschool teachers. They are very well known for their exercise song “Ebikanikusu” (??????), which was viewed over 40 million times on Youtube and is now standard song in many kindergartens and preschools. “KAIJU STEP Wonderland” is a fun song with dancing which both parents and kids can enjoy.

? “ULTRA Happy Papa Mama Festa 2018” “ULTRA Happy Papa Mama Festa 2018” is an event that the whole family can enjoy. Planned highlights include the debut of the "KAIJU STEP Wonderland" music video, with dancing on the main stage. There will also be stage shows featuring puppets produced by LSS (Light Sculpture Studio), a modeling department of Tsuburaya Productions that has created costumes and props appearing in the ULTRAMAN series. Event exclusive KAIJU STEP goods will also be available for purchase. ? Schedule: Saturday, November 24 and Sunday, November 25, 2018 ? Holding time: 10:00am - 5:00pm (Picture Book Reading & Puppet Show 11:00am/3:00pm Each Day) ? Venue: Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport TOKYO-BAY, North Building, 1st Floor Plaza ? Location: 2-1-1 Hamacho, Funabashi-shi, Chiba ? Admission Price: Free

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About Tsuburaya Productions

Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. has created dozens of heroes and other characters, including Ultraman, who have been loved from generation to generation. The base for the company was Tsuburaya Visual Effects Research, which was launched by the Japanese “Father of Special Effects” Eiji Tsuburaya. After showing his skill and making a name for himself working on many monster movies and special effects laden fantasy science films, in 1963 Tsuburaya incorporated Tsuburaya Visual Effects Research and established Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. in order to advance further research and development of special effects technologies and release visual works that could be enjoyed by a wider audience. The company has continued to maintain Eiji Tsuburaya’s policies even after his death. 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of the company’s founding, and it continues its work to this day. Currently, the company carries out activities including production of works for television, original video works, and films for theatrical release; licensing of owned characters’ content; development of various products; event planning and live staged events that bring out the maximum appeal of its owned characters, and development of facilities that handle related items.