Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: ani.tv/ultraman_z, m-78.jp/z (Japan) Official Twitter: twitter.com/ultraman_series

Tsuburaya Productions has provided SciFi Japan with press notes and large high-res images from ULTRAMAN Z (ZETT) ????????(???), Urutoraman Z (Zetto)?, their upcoming television series featuring a new Ultra Hero who is mentored by Ultraman Zero. Introduction Introducing Ultraman Zero’s disciple, a young, hot-blooded superhero! Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. (Head office: Shibuya, Tokyo. President and CEO: Masayuki Nagatake) will begin broadcasting their newest TV series, ULTRAMAN Z, from Saturday, June 20th, 2020 at 9:00am on TV Tokyo and its affiliates. The newest Ultra Hero is Ultraman Zett, the disciple of Ultraman Zero, the popular son of Ultraseven who is now celebrating his tenth anniversary! An admirer of Zero, Zett worked hard to become a member of the “Inter Galactic Defense Force.” With a passion inherited from his teacher Zero, Zett is an Ultraman who always looks forward and forges ahead. In this series, the human protagonist who transforms into Ultraman Zett is Haruki Natsukawa (played by Kohshu Hirano), a member of the anti-monster robot force “STORAGE”. The twenty-fourth* Ultraman TV series, ULTRAMAN Z features a story in which Zett and Haruki will grow together. Please look forward to this latest series! *This number includes the series broadcast in Japan since 1966 that features new Ultra Heroes, while excluding short features of less than five minutes.

Synopsis Once upon a time, a space devil was shattered and it’s splinters were scattered across space. The splinters are still causing chaos throughout the universe to this day. While the Ultra Heroes fight to restore peace to the galaxy, a mysterious being uses these items in its despicable schemes to destroy planets one by one. And now, that evil being is finally approaching the “Land of Light,” the home of the Ultramen. In its way stands the gallant Ultraman Zero and his disciple, Ultraman Zett. At the end of a fierce battle, Zett sets out in lone pursuit of a monster, making his way towards Earth... Meanwhile on Earth, a defense force is formed to combat the recurring attacks by giant monsters.. the anti-monster robot force STORAGE. Once of its new members is a hot-blooded youth named Haruki Natsukawa. When a monster from space invades Earth, Zett and Haruki have their fateful encounter. Here begins the incredible story of two young heroes’ battles! The Ultra Heroes

? Ultraman Zett (?????????) A new Ultraman who looked up to Zero and became his disciple, working hard to earn this position. Although Zero recognizes his talent and potential, he says that in his current state Zett is only “half or maybe one-third” of a fully fledged hero. Tough and athletic, Zett always operates at full power. Zett also has a humorous side, as he is unused to Earth’s culture and sometimes uses words incorrectly. While Zett is inexperienced and still developing, he’s also a passionate hero whose love of peace and justice is second to none!

? Ultraman Zero (????????) Ultraman Zett’s teacher. The son of Ultraseven, Zero is a veteran hero who has fought across multiple universes. Since Zero frequently faces dangerous missions, his mentor Ultraman Leo granted him the “Ultra Zero Mantle,” a cloak which can be worn as armor. While pursuing the monsters that invaded the Land of Light, he was caught in an enemy’s trap and sent to an alternate dimension.

?The Master-Pupil Genealogy Starting from Ultraseven Ultraman Zett’s teacher, Ultraman Zero, was the student of Ultraman Leo, the master of the space kempo martial arts. Leo himself endured strict training under Zero’s father, Ultraseven. Thus, Ultraman Zett could be called the latest of Ultraseven’s disciples and the youngest brother of the Seven Family. Teacher: Ultraseven, Disciple: Ultraman Leo Teacher: Ultraman Leo, Disciple: Ultraman Zero Teacher: Ultraman Zero, Disciple: Ultraman Zett Main Character and Lead Actor Profiles

? Haruki Natsukawa (Played By Kohshu Hirano) The 23 year-old protagonist of the story, Haruki is a rookie pilot of STORAGE, the anti-monster robot force. A master of karate, Haruki is polite and a natural-born athlete. He faces everything head-on and has an extremely strong sense of justice. On one fateful day, Haruki lost his life while fighting a monster that had come to Earth from space. His life was saved by merging with Ultraman Zett, and since then he began to fight as a hero of justice. Although he holds conflicting ideals about “lives to be protected” and “beings to be killed,” he continues to move forward while fighting together with Ultraman Zett. The role of Haruki Natsukawa is played by 20 year-old Kohshu Hirano, who was born on April 1, 1999 in Kanagawa Prefecture. Standing 183cm (6 feet) tall, Hirano is good at sports such as American football and baseball, and is currently active in various fields such as drama, stage and commercials. He is also a member of the SUNPLUS, a unit composed of young male actors signed to the Sun Music Group talent agency. Hirno made his acting debut in 2015 with an advertisement for the private school Shizuoka Gakuen Junior and Senior High School, and was recently seen in the Sumaho Settlement Jcoin-Camp Circle television commercial. Comment: I’m Kohshu Hirano, and I’ll be playing Haruki Natsukawa. I’m incredibly honored to become Ultraman. Keeping in mind the admiration I had for the character as a child, I’ll do my best to be a role model for children today. And this time, with the benefit of the anti-monster robot force STORAGE, I think this will be a series that adults will also enjoy right along with children. I hope that everyone will be able to experience the emotions of ULTRAMAN Z. Please watch over Zett and Haruki as they grow!

? Ultraman Zero (Character Voiced By Mamoru Miyano) Born June 8, 1983 in Saitama Prefecture, Mamoru Miyano has provided the voice for Ultraman Zero since the character`s introduction in MEGA MONSTER BATTLE ULTRA GALAXY: THE MOVIE (?????? ???????? THE MOVIE, Daikaij? Batoru Urutora Ginga Densetsu THE MOVIE, 2009). Comment: I am overjoyed to still be at Zero’s side as Ultraman Zero celebrates its tenth anniversary. Zero started out very disobedient and didn’t yet understand what it meant to “fight,” but as his mistakes piled up he grew and learned what a true hero was. When I heard that this time Zero would be the teacher, I was surprised and deeply moved. Can I say, somehow, I feel like a parent saying, “Ah, he’s all grown up now~” [laughing] I’m also excited to see what kind of story this will become! I hope that you all look forward to it as well! ULTRAMAN Z (ZETT) Credits Premiere Date: Saturday, June 20, 2020 Broadcasting Stations: TXN Network and 6 TV Tokyo Affiliates Air Time: Every Saturday 9:00-9:30am Cast: Kohshu Hirano, Mamoru Miyano, Others TBA Production Companies: Tsuburaya Productions, TV Tokyo, Dentsu ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS © ULTRAMAN Z PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM?TV TOKYO

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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.