Details on New Theme Song, Game Characters, the Live-action Promotional Video and More! Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: anime.heros-ultraman.com (Japan), netflix.com/ultraman (US) Official Twitter Account: @ heros_ultraman
A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE
Tsuburaya Productions has provided SciFi Japan with multiple updates containing more information and images for their ULTRAMAN (??????, Urutoraman) anime series. Based on the manga of the same name by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi, the 3DCG animated show focuses on Shinjiro Hayata, the teenage son of Shin Hayata, the former human host of the original Ultraman. Having inherited some of Ultraman`s power, Shinjiro dons a metallic suit to become the next generation Ultraman. In April 2019, ULTRAMAN started streaming in over 200 countries (including the United States and Japan) exclusively on Netflix. The series was critical and viewing hit, ranking first in anime and sixth overall for “the most-watched shows in Japan” on Netflix for last year. It also received an award for "Best CG Anime Broadcast on TV or Streamed Online" at the 2020 VFX-JAPAN Awards. A second season is currently in production for release in 2021. The first season will now begin airing on television in Japan, debuting on the independent station TOKYO MX tomorrow, Sunday, April 12 at 11:00pm. Nippon BS Broadcasting Corporation`s satellite channel BS11 will also run the show starting Tuesday, April 14.
? ULTRAMAN Live-Action Promo Video
Tsuburaya Productions has released a new live-action video short to promote the anime`s broadcast launch. The video features real suits of the heroes Ultraman and Seven, which were built by Tsuburaya`s modeling department, LSS. Furthermore, the suits are worn by two cast members from the show; Ryohei Kimura, the voice actor who plays Shinjiro Hayata/Ultraman, and Takuya Eguchi, who portrays Dan Moroboshi/Seven. Kimura had previously worn the Ultraman suit during public events for the series. To directly involve fans in creating the project, on Monday, January 27 Tsuburaya launched a campaign through the Japanese crowdfunding site, Makuake, that ended on Monday, March 30. The intent was to raise 7 million yen (approximately $64,600 US) to cover the cost of making the video. That goal was met, so fans who contributed 10,000 yen or more will receive the following gifts... • Promo video Blu-ray with the donor`s name in the end credits • Exclusive "Making Of" video • Exclusive Ultraman and Seven suit action bromide (photo portrait) • Participation ticket for photo session • Science Special Search Party (SSSP) dog tag engraved with the donor`s name • Exclusive booklet with oversized poster • VIP Invitation to ULTRAMAN Anime Special Event • Exclusive SSSP enamel pin
? ULTRAMAN: BE ULTRA Game App
This spring sees the release of a new smartphone app, ULTRAMAN: BE ULTRA, based on the ULTRAMAN anime. The game features a story mode incorporating QTE (quick time event) that changes as the story develops. As the player earns Spacium, the in-game currency that allows them to upgrade and buy items, they set up the next in-game goal and level. The reward content will increase, one level after another. Other game play options include a real-time battle mode against other players that combines fan favorite ULTRAMAN characters with 1 vs 1 and 2 vs 2 options, and a Boss Raid mode where up to three players cooperate to confront powerful bosses. Each play option features a growth system that can enhance and evolve characters, and newly recorded audio by the voice actors from the ULTRAMAN anime series. In Japan, fans can pre-register on the official website for the game. Domestic pre-registration has already exceeded 100,000 users, so each will receive a bonus of 1,650 Spacium. Tsuburaya has also revealed that the game will soon be available for play outside of Japan, with details TBA. A promotional video can be viewed on YouTube. The latest information on ULTRAMAN: BE ULTRA will be released on the official website and Twitter.
In addition to the heroes, aliens and monsters that appear in the original manga and anime, ULTRAMAN: BE ULTRA features many newly designed characters by Eiichi Shimizu, co-creator of the manga. Tsuburaya Productions` LSS modeling department has also developed new designs based on Ultra Heroes introduced during the Heisei Era... Zearth, Nice, Max, Neos, Mebius and Hikari.
ULTRAMAN: BE ULTRA Game Overview Genre: ULTRA Action RPG Developer: DAYAMONZ Supported Platforms: iOS / Android Scheduled Release: Spring 2020 Official Site: game.heros-ultraman.com Official YouTube: youtube.com/channel Official Twitter: @ULTRAMANBEULTRA
? ULTRAMAN: BE ULTRA Figures From Bandai
Ultraman Suit Zero, one of the new ULTRAMAN: BE ULTRA character designs drawn by Eiichi Shimizu, will also be released as part of the Figure-rise Standard ULTRAMAN line of poseable figure plastic model kits developed by Bandai Spirits. Tiga Suit and Evil Tiga Suit figures, also designed by Shimizu, are also available.
Figure-rise Standard ULTRAMAN SUIT ZERO -ACTION- Release Date: June 2020 Price: ¥3,520 (Approximately $32.49 US) Accessories • Zero Lance x1 • LED unit x 1 • Hand parts (right and left) x 2 types each • Figure-rise Effect pedestal x 1 • Foil seal x 1 • Marking sticker x 1
Figure-rise Standard 1/12 ULTRAMAN SUIT TIGA Release Date: Saturday, February 15, 2020 Price: ¥5,280 (Approximately $48.73 US) Accessories • Zeperion Spear x 1 • LED unit x 1 • Effect parts x 1h • Figure-rise Effect pedestal x 1 • Foil seal x 1 • Marking sticker x 1
Figure-rise Standard 1/12 ULTRAMAN SUIT EVIL TIGA Release Date: May 2020 Price: ¥5,280 (Approximately $48.73 US)
? New ULTRAMAN Opening Theme Song
The broadcast version of ULTRAMAN will feature a new theme song entitled "Core Fade" by OLDCODEX. The song was unveiled to the public in an ULTRAMAN promotional video released on YouTube this past March 6. OLDCODEX 18th Single "Core Fade" Release Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 First Edition (CD + Blu-ray) Product Number: LACM-34992 Price: ¥2,200 (Approximately $20.31 US) • Includes BD with "Core Fade" music video and making of • YORKE. Production artwork on jacket Regular Edition (CD only) Product Number: LACM-14992 Price: ¥1,300 (Approximately $12.00 US)
? ULTRAMAN Anime Details Exclusive Dstribution Worldwide on Netflix: Monday, April 1, 2019 Japanese Broadcast on TOKYO MX: Sunday, April 12, 2020 Japanese Broadcast on BS11: Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Episodes: 13 Cast Shinjiro Hayata: Ryohei Kimura Dan Moroboshi: Takuya Eguchi Seiji Hokuto: Megumi Han Shin Hayata: Hideyuki Tanaka Rena Sayama: Sumire Morohoshi Mitsuhiro Ide: Ken Uo Edo: Shigeru Ushiyama Jack: Ryota Takeuchi Yosuke Endo: Eiji Hanawa Kurata: Hirokazu Sekido Shiraishi: Minoru Shiraishi Adad: Kenjiro Tsuda Bemlar: Kaiji Soze Motion Actors Shinjiro Hayata: Katsuyuki Yamazaki Dan Moroboshi: Shinji Kasahara Rena Sayama, Seiji Hokuto: Haruka Shibai Shin Hayata, Edo: Teruaki Ogawa Mitsuhiro Ide and Bemlar: Kaiji Soze Staff Directors: Kenji Kamiyama, Shinji Aramaki Original Story: Tsuburaya Productions, Eiichi Shimizu, Tomohiro Shimoguchi (Serialized in HERO’S monthly magazine) Music: Nobuko Toda, Kazuma Jinnouchi Opening Theme Song (Broadcast): "Core Fade" by OLDCODEX Ending Theme Song: "Sight Over The Battle" by OLDCODEX Ending Theme Song (Broadcast): “my ID” by Void_Chords feat. Ryohei & Foggy-D Production: Tsuburaya Productions Animation Studios: Production I.G. × SOLA DIGITAL ARTS ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©Eiichi Shimizu, Tomohiro Shimoguchi ©ULTRAMAN PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM
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.
For more on the ULTRAMAN anime please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan:
- Tsuburaya Pro to Release ULTRAMAN Anime Film in 2019
- ULTRAMAN Anime Gets Worldwide Release on Netflix in Spring 2019
- ULTRAMAN Anime Debuts Worldwide On Netflix In April 2019
- ULTRAMAN Anime Update: New Info and High-Res Pics From Tsuburaya Productions
- Ultraman Appears During Anime Launch at Winter Wonder Festival
- ULTRAMAN Anime Update: Character Pics From Netflix
- ULTRAMAN Anime Update: English Language Key Art From Netflix
- ULTRAMAN Anime World Premiere Event in Tokyo
- ULTRAMAN Anime World Premiere Screening in Tokyo - Report
- Tsuburaya Announces ULTRAMAN Anime Season 2, Plus Season 1 Soundtrack
- ULTRAMAN Anime Event Announced For TSUBURAYA CONVENTION 2019
- TSUBURAYA CONVENTION 2019 News: SHIN ULTRAMAN! SSSS.DYNAZENON! ULTRAMAN ANIME and More!