ULTRAFIGHT ORB Press Notes

Mini-episodes of ULTRAFIGHT ORB will be shown with ULTRAMAN ZERO THE CHRONICLE starting April 15. Logos courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © Tsuburaya Productions

Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: tv-tokyo.co.jp/uz (Japan)

Advertisement for ULTRAFIGHT ORB. Image courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © Tsuburaya Productions

On Saturday, April 15th, Tsuburaya Productions will launch their new 8 episode mini-series, ULTRAFIGHT ORB (??????????? ????????????). Each 3 minute-long episode will air with the ongoing series, ULTRAMAN ZERO THE CHRONICLE (???????? THE CHRONICLE, Urutoraman Zero THE CHRONICLE, 2017). A spin-off of the ULTRAMAN ORB (?????????, Urutoraman Oobu, 2016) television series and ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE (??? ?????????????????????, Gekijoo-ban Urutoraman Oobu Kizuna no Chikara, Okari Shimasu!, 2017), ULTRAFIGHT ORB focuses on the bond between parent and child. The father and son team of Ultra Seven and Ultraman Zero assist Orb in his battle with a fierce new villain, Reibatos. The series marks the live-action debuts for two forms of Ultraman Orb introduced in the Data Cardass game, Ultraman Fusion Fight! (????????????????!, Urutoraman Fuyuujon Faito!). The new fusion up "Ultraman Orb Emerium Slugger" is achieved by merging the powers of Seven and Zero, while "Ultraman Orb Lightning Attacker" is a combination of Ultraman Ginga and Ultraman X. ULTRAFIGHT ORB is directed by Koichi Sakamoto. A former action director and executive producer on the American POWER RANGERS franchise, Sakamoto made his directing debut in Japan with MEGA MONSTER BATTLE ULTRA GALAXY: THE MOVIE (?????? ???????? THE MOVIE, Daikaiju Batoru Urutora Ginga Densetsu THE MOVIE, 2009), the film that introduced Ultraman Zero.

The new fusion up “Ultraman Orb Emerium Slugger”. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © Tsuburaya Productions

Sakamoto`s credits include the Ultraman, Kamen Rider and Super Sentai television franchises plus the feature films ZYUDEN SENTAI KYORYUGER THE MOVIE: GABURINCHO OF MUSIC (??? ????????????? ????????????????, Gekijoo-ban Juu-den Sentai Kyouryuujaa Gaburincho Obu Myuujikku, 2013), 009-1 THE END OF THE BEGINNING (009?1(????????) THE END OF THE BEGINNING, Zero Zero Nain Wan the End of the Beginning, 2013), KYORYUGER VS GO-BUSTERS (??????????????????????????????????????, Juuden Sentai Kyooryuujaa tai Goobasutaazu: Kyooryuu Daikessen! Saraba Eien no Tomo yo, 2014), ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE (??? ?????????? ??! ????10??!!, Gekijoo-ban Urutoraman Ginga S Kessen! Urutora 10 Yuushi!!, 2015) and KAMEN RIDER EX-AID & GHOST WITH LEGEND RIDERS (??????????????????Dr.???????????&?????with ?????????, Kamen Raidaa Heisei Jenereeshonzu Dr. Pakkuman Tai Eguzeido & Goosuto Uizu Rejendo Raidaa, 2016). The ULTRAFIGHT ORB screenplay is by Junichiro Ashiki, a writer for ULTRAMAN GINGA (?????????, Urutoraman Ginga, 2013), ULTRA FIGHT VICTORY (?????????????, Urutora Faito Bikutorii, 2015) and ULTRAMAN ORB. ? Synopsis Reibatos, an evil phantom mage who manipulates the spirits of monsters, challenges Ultraman Zero and Ultraman Orb! As the first stage in his plan to rule the universe, Reibatos revives an army corps of the ghost monsters to eradicate the Ultramen. Orb will fight the monster legion through various fusion ups, including Lightning Attacker with the power of Ultraman Ginga and Ultraman X! Reinforced by the might of the guardian warriors of light, Orb inherits Ultra Seven and Zero`s "parent-child`s power" to become Ultraman Orb Emerium Slugger! Will Orb be able to overcome the threat of Reibatos and his monsters? Prepare for the shocking conclusion!

? Details Official English Title: ULTRAFIGHT ORB Japanese Title: ??????????? ???????????? (Urutorafaito Oobu Oyako no Chikara, Okari Shimasu!) Literal Translation: Ultrafight Orb: I’m Borrowing the Power of Parent and Child! Airing With: ULTRAMAN ZERO THE CHRONICLE TV Tokyo Airdates: Every Saturday 9:00 - 9:30am Beginning April 15, 2017 BS Japan Airdates: Every Tuesday 5:00 - 5:29pm Beginning April 25, 2017 Number of Episodes: 8 Cast Gai Kurenai/Ultraman Orb (Voice): Hideo Ishiguro Ultraman Zero (Voice): Mamoru Miyano Ultra Seven (Voice): Koji Moritsugu Staff Director: Koichi Sakamoto Screenplay: Junichiro Ashiki Production: Tsuburaya Productions © Tsuburaya Pro

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 close to 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 information on the ULTRAMAN ORB franchise, please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: