SciFi Japan

    In 2004, Tsuburaya Pro took Ultraman back to the basics with the feature film ULTRAMAN: THE NEXT. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©2004 ULTRAMAN Movie Production Consortium

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    A Look Back at the Popular 2004 Film with Press Notes, Interviews, and Photos from Tsuburaya Pro Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Movie Site: Ultraman The Movie Additional Material: Brad Warner After a trilogy of juvenile oriented films starring ULTRAMAN COSMOS (2001-2003), in 2004 Tsuburaya Productions decided the time had come for a major relaunch and revamp of their Ultra franchise. The company hoped to lure older viewers back to the fold with nostalgic and more adult-themed programming like the radio drama THE ULTRA Q CLUB (Urutora Kyuu Club), the late night TV series ULTRA Q: DARK FANTASY (Urutora Kyuu Daaku Fantajii), and the new Ultraman show ULTRAMAN NEXUS (Urutoraman Nekkusasu). For a more detailed look at these shows please see James Ballard`s article Tsuburaya Productions, 2004: A Year in Retrospect. Tsuburaya Pro wrapped up the year with ULTRAMAN: THE NEXT (Urutoraman), a new

    ULTRAMAN TIGA is now airing on the Los Angeles station UTB. © 1996 Tsuburaya Productions Co, Ltd., MBS

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: United Television Broadcasting Systems, Inc. Tsuburaya Productions` popular series ULTRAMAN TIGA (Uritoraman Taiga) has returned to television in Southern California. The show is currently airing on the independent Japanese language TV station UTB (United Television Broadcasting Systems, Inc.) in Hollywood. ULTRAMAN TIGA was originally shown in Japan from 1996-97. The program was a hit, running for 52 episodes and leading to several theatrical features and video specials. An edited and English dubbed version of the TV series debuted in the United States on the FOX Network in 2002 as part of 4Kids Entertainment`s initial "Fox Box" Saturday morning lineup. The Americanized TIGA was canceled after only half a season. The series came back to US television this past February. Unlike the FOX broadcasts, United Television Broadcasting Systems, Inc. is showing the episodes uncut and in their original Japanese

    Cover for Monster Attack Team Issue 8. Photo courtesy of MAT. © 2010 Monster Attack Team

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: Monster Attack Team Special Thanks to Michael G Keller and Edward Holland After far too long an absence, the popular fanzine Monster Attack Team returns! Edward Holland and the late Joe Riley began Monster Attack Team (the name taken from the anti-monster team in RETURN OF ULTRAMAN) in the early 1990s as a fan club for aficionados of Japanese science fiction and fantasy. It soon evolved into a Dallas, Texas cable access television show and a small newsletter that grew to become a fan favorite mag. The print version of Monster Attack Team ran for seven issues, edited by Ed Holland with the assistance of David May and Michael G Keller, and featured articles and contributions by authors such as Ed Godziszewski, Kip Doto, Bob Johnson, Kevin Grays, August Ragone, Daisuke Ishizuka, Norman England, and Damon Foster. Nearly 15 years after the last issue, Ed

    Burning Godzilla roars over the crowd at Winter WonderFest 2010. Photo by Ed Godziszewski. © 1995 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Godzilla, Gamera, and Ultraman at Winter Model and Toy Collectors Show Held in Tokyo on February 7, 2010 Author: Ed Godziszewski Official Site: Wonder Festival Owing to an accident in 2008 which occurred at the Tokyo Big Sight, former home of Wonder Festival, this biannual mega collectors event was canceled for the year 2009. But after securing a new venue at Makuhari Messe, WonderFest is back and bigger than ever. For fans of Toho monster films, Makuhari Messe is a convention center complex which also happened to be ground zero for the final battle of GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA II (1993), conveniently nestled between the huge skyscraper that Mechagodzilla slammed Rodan into and the baseball stadium home of the Chiba Lotte Marines which Godzilla summarily trashed. The entire area has been nicely rebuilt since its destruction in 1993, and is now the new home

    Ultraman Belial, the first evil Ultraman from M78. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Japan. © Mega Monster Battle ULTRA GALAXY Film Partners

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Author: Steve Ryfle Official Movie Site: Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Special Thanks to Jim M. Ballard Steve Ryfle: How did you get the job of scoring MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA GALAXY? Mike Verta: I was hired by the producer, Junya Okabe. They were looking for a sound they felt they couldn`t get in Japan, and they needed to get an American composer. They chose me because I`d worked with the producer many years ago, 12 or 13 years ago. I had done a trilogy of films called DARK SOLDIER D (1998) for him. He was actually one of my first scoring clients for features. I had done those films for him, but hadn`t done anything for him since. It`s kind of funny but I thought he`d been upset with my work, which was why I never heard from him. But as it

    The cast of MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA GALAXY with Ultraman Belial, Gomora, and Ultraman Zero. Photo by Jim M. Ballard

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Exclusive Photos From The Premiere Of The New Ultraman Movie Author: Jim M. Ballard Official Movie Site: Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy The official premiere of the latest Ultraman movie MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA GALAXY (Daikaiju Battoru Urutora Ginga Densetsu The Movie) was held today in Kawasaki. Prior to the screening, a special Ultra hero stage show was held in an event space at the centre of the Lazona Plaza shopping mall, where up to 500 Ultraman masks were freely distributed to members of the audience. The show started at 2.00pm with an introduction by Ultraman Dyna, star of the 1997 TV series of the same name, who also features prominently in the new movie. Following the introduction by Dyna, the classic foe Zetton attacked the stage, but was soon thwarted with the timely arrival of the original Ultraman and Ultra Seven! The

    Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Japan. © Mega Monster Battle ULTRA GALAXY Film Partners

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    An Early Review Of The Latest Ultraman Feature Author: Jim M. Ballard Official Website: Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie. Opening to cinemas nationwide in Japan on December 12th, MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA GALAXY (Daikaiju Batoru Urutora Ginga Densetsu The Movie) is the latest installment in the Ultraman feature film series. ULTRA GALAXY is the first Ultraman movie since Tsuburaya Productions was acquired by TYO Group at the end of 2007 (although released in September 2008, SUPERIOR ULTRAMAN 8 BROTHERS entered production under the studio`s original management). Shifting away from the traditional Earth-bound setting, ULTRA GALAXY opens up the palette and moves the action into outer space and several different planets, primarily the home world of the Ultramen, the Land of Light, located in the nebula M-78. The main antagonist of the movie

    ©2009 Mega Monster Battle ULTRA GALAXY Film Partners

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    New Ultraman Movie Opens In December Author: James Ballard Source: Sponichi Official Movie Site: Ultra Galaxy The Movie The popular TV series ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE will hit the big screen in Japan this year with MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA GALAXY LEGENDS - THE MOVIE (Daikaiju Batoru Urutora Ginga Densetsu THE MOVIE). For the new movie, Tsuburaya Productions have joined with world-famous distributor Warner Bros., with their eye on the global market. For its domestic Japanese release, the film is planned to open in December for the New Year movie season. Ultraman first appeared on TV in 1966. In the 43 years that followed, there have been various new Ultraman characters seen in a succession of TV series and movies. Including the various shorts and animated series, this will be the 38th Ultraman production from Tsuburaya Productions. The movie is directed by

    Monsters Miclas and Gomora dance with ZAP Spacy member Rei © 2009 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Staying in shape with the Ultra Monsters! Author: James Ballard Sources: Mainichi News, Daikaijyu.com Following the success of ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE (Urutora Gyarakushii Daikaiju Batoru, 2007) and it`s sequel series ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE - NEVER ENDING ODYSSEY (Urutora Garakushii Daikaiju Batoru Nebaa Endingu Odessei, 2008), Tsuburaya Productions have drafted the Ultra Monsters to help keep the children of Japan in shape in a new series entitled MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: EXERCISE (Daikaiju Battoru Taisou)! The new "fun, healthy exercise" TV series, due to air on Japan`s popular Family Gekijo channel next month, was announced in Tokyo on May 21. Actor Shouta Minami, who will be reprising his role as ZAP Spacy member Rei in the new series, appeared for the press with popular monsters Gomora and Miclas. MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: EXERCISE sees the spaceship Pendragon stranded on the Planet Hamah. Inside, Rei trains every

    Is Ultraman being crucified in China for appealing to its youth? © 1972 Tsuburaya Productions Co. Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Chinese Premier Complains About Japanese Series Source: Variety, Sankaku Complex, Record China, various Variety and other news sources have reported that audiences in China are tuning out the popular superhero ULTRAMAN and other Japanese television series. The boycott follows complaints from Communist Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that his grandson spends too much time watching Japanese shows rather than domestic TV programming. The controversy began with comments made by Wen during a visit to the south China studio Jiangtong Animation. “There are times when I watch TV anime with my grandchild,” he said “but all he ever watches are foreign works like ULTRAMAN and the like. He should watch more Chinese cartoons. We should be cultivating a domestic anime industry.” He also told the assembled animators, "Your work is meaningful. You should play a leading role in bringing Chinese culture to the world ...

    Contents of the Memorial Box ©2008 Superior Ultraman 8 Brothers Production Consortium. Photo by James Ballard

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    The latest Ultraman feature arrives on DVD and Blu-ray Author: James Ballard Official Website: http://ultra2008.jp Released to theatres on September 13th last year, director Takeshi Yagi`s motion picture debut SUPERIOR ULTRAMAN 8 BROTHERS (Daikessen! Chou Urutora Hachi Kyoudai, lit. Great Decisive Battle! The Super 8 Ultra Brothers) has gone on to become the most successful entry in the Ultraman movie series, with a box office take of over 800 million yen. Now, the hit film also has the distinction of being the first Japanese kaiju production to be released on the new Blu-ray Disc format. Three different editions were released on home video on January 23rd; a single disc DVD edition, a limited edition 2-disc "Memorial Box" DVD collection, and a single disc Blu-ray edition. DVD Memorial Box Memorial Box Overview The contents of the set is very similar to the

    "Cover

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: Uncooked Media Ltd. press release Official Website: neomag.co.uk Published by Uncooked Media Ltd., NEO is the UK’s only magazine dedicated to Japanese and Asian pop culture— specifically, anime, manga, Asian cult cinema and Japanese pop music (J-Pop). Although anime is covered in depth within every issue, NEO’s remit is to cover a wider range of material than you would find in an anime-only magazine. The latest issue, NEO #55, went on sale this past Thursday, January 29th. Among the many featured articles is a look at Ultraman written by SciFi Japan`s own James Ballard. In 2007, James had a cameo in the series ULTRASEVEN X, and the NEO report details his experiences on the set of an Ultraman show. NEO March 2009 / Issue 55 Price: £4.25 CONTENTS Free Anime DVD with Full Episodes of ELEMENTAL GELADE (episode 1), FLCL (episode 1) and SLAYERS (episode

    Peter Fernandez as he appears today.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    The Man of a Thousand Dub Tracks Author: Bob Johnson Special Thanks to Keith Aiken and Aaron Cooper Peter Fernandez is probably one of the more famous of the many behind the scenes heroes that work hard so we can enjoy movies and television shows from other countries. Most people who have heard of him think about SPEED RACER when Peter`s name is mentioned. And why not? Peter was the producer, director and writer of the series, as well as the voices of Speed Racer and Racer X. However, there is so much more to the man than just one series or two characters. Since the 1940s, Peter has been a child model, a Broadway and movie actor, and a key figure responsible for most of the dubbing for movies and shows we`ve all grown up watching from Japan, China, Italy, Mexico and other countries. In

    Koichi Takano (standing, center) supervises the filming of Gomora for ULTRAMAN Episode 26,

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Author: Bob Johnson and Brad Warner Translations: Brad Warner Special Thanks to James Ballard, Keith Aiken, Norman England, Shusuke Kaneko and Takeshi Yagi The science fiction community suffered a number of losses recently, including Forrest J. Ackerman, Beverly Garland and even Catwoman Eartha Kitt. But somewhat lost in the media news shuffle was someone very important to the Ultraman franchise; former Tsuburaya Productions managing director Koichi Takano. Mr. Takano passed away on November 30, 2008 at a hospital in the Tokyo metropolitan area at the age of 73 from emphysema. A resident of Tokyo, his funeral was attended only by close relatives. A farewell party is scheduled for February 27th of next year at an as yet undecided venue. Born August 25, 1935, Koichi Takano graduated from Seijo Gakuen High School in Tokyo in 1953 and joined Toho Co, Ltd. in 1954. Having

    One of the pieces on display will be Alex Wald`s

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Florida Gallery Host Exhibition of Japanese Monster Art Source: ArtCenter/South Florida press release Visit KAIJU MONSTER INVASION on MySpace KAIJU MONSTER INVASION: MIAMI BEACH On view December 2, 2008 – January 4, 2009 ArtCenter/South Florida’s Richard Shack Gallery 800 Lincoln Road at Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach, FL Admission is free! OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION: Wednesday December 3rd, 8:00pm-10:00pm ARTISTS SIGNING: Friday December 5th, 8:00pm-10:00pm KAIJU THEMED COMPUTER MUSIC CONCERT: Saturday December 6th, 8:00pm-10:00pm ArtCenter/South Florida (“ACSF”) presents KAIJU MONSTER INVASION: MIAMI BEACH 2008, an exhibition featuring Japanese monster-inspired interpretations by renowned contemporary western and eastern artists. The Japanese word Kaiju, which translates to “strange beast” or “monster”, first emerged in post-war Japan in the 1950s and 1960s. After experiencing the Atomic Bomb, Godzilla and Gamera became the mutant brainchildren of anti-nuclear cinema. Now a half-century later, Lowbrow and Pop Surrealists including Coop, Ron

    ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE - NEVER ENDING ODYSSEY ©2008 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd / Bandai Co., Ltd

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    It`s a kaiju battle royale in the highly anticipated sequel series! Author: James Ballard Official Website: Daikaijyu.com Toho may have retired their legendary monster star Godzilla in 2004, and the likelihood of a new Gamera movie may seem bleak following the monster`s 2006 outing, but giant monsters are still running amok on Japan`s airwaves. The Ultra Galaxy franchise is a spin-off from Tsuburaya Productions` popular Ultraman series, showcasing the show`s giant monsters rather than the Ultraman heroes. It began as an arcade game MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA MONSTERS (Daikaiju Batoru Urutora Monsutaazu), which tied in with a series of monster trading cards featuring bar codes that could be read by the arcade machines. The popularity of the video game and trading cards led to last year`s TV series ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE (Urutora Gyarakushii Daikaiju Batoru). 2008 saw the continuation of the franchise with the new

    MIPCOM ad for TPC`s new Visual Translation System. © 2008 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE is First Series Offered Author: Keith Aiken Source: Tsuburaya Productions Last month, Tsuburaya Productions introduced a surprising new filming system that they hope will make their long-running Ultraman franchise more sellable to overseas markets. Dubbed the "Visual Translation System", this new arrangement would allow foreign distributors to customize TPC shows to suit the country of export. The Visual Translation System was unveiled at MIPCOM, an annual entertainment industry market and trade event held in Cannes, France. The 2008 MIPCOM took place from October 13-17 and featured 13,588 industry professionals from more than 100 countries. Tsuburuya Pro has routinely attended both MIPCOM and its sister event MIP-TV to help promote and export programs and films like ULTRAMAN MAX (Urutoraman Makkusu, 2005) and MIRROR MAN: REFLEX (Miraaman Rifurekkusu, 2006). But these shows have not received much interest from European and American buyers, and

    Takeshi Yagi`s Official Website ©2008 Takeshi Yagi

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Ultraman director launches English homepage Author: James Ballard Official Website: www.takeshi-yagi.com Japanese director/producer Takeshi Yagi launched his official English language homepage today. Yagi joined Tsuburaya Productions in the mid-1990s after graduating from Waseda University, where he began serving as an assistant director on popular shows such as ULTRAMAN TIGA (Urutoraman Tiga, 1996). He quickly made his directorial debut with on an episode of the original video series MOONSPIRAL (Muunsupairaru, 1996), and followed this with his on-air debut directing an episode of ULTRAMAN GAIA (Urutoraman Gaia, 1998). Over the years, Yagi continued to direct episodes of Tsuburaya`s enduring Ultra series, including ULTRAMAN COSMOS (Urutoraman Kosumosu, 2001), ULTRA Q: DARK FANTASY (Urutora Kyuu Daaku Fantajii, 2004), ULTRAMAN NEXUS (Urutoraman Nekusasu, 2004) and ULTRAMAN MEBIUS (Urutoraman Mebiusu, 2006). In 2005 he produced the popular ULTRAMAN MAX (Urutoraman Makkusu), which saw the series return to its roots as a more colorful

    Kanegoneh`s Shining Road ©2004 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd./avex/SPEJ/I-ENT

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    The Ultimate Guide to the 2004 Revival of the Classic Sci-Fi Series Author: James Ballard Official Website: Ultra Q Dark Fantasy Special Thanks to Brad Warner, Tsuburaya Productions A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Just in time for Halloween, SciFi Japan is pleased to present the first official English language episode guide for ULTRA Q: DARK FANTASY, written by James Ballard and approved by Tsuburaya Productions. Contents Introduction Cast & Character Profiles Staff Profiles Episode Guide Monsters, Aliens and Creatures! Production Credits Introduction First broadcast on 2nd January 1966, ULTRA Q (Urutora Kyuu) was a landmark in Japanese television. The series was the first work from Tsuburaya Productions, the production company founded by Eiji Tsuburaya, the master of special effects on Toho`s Godzilla film series. In a similar vein to the

    Ultraman Mebius, Ultraman Gaia, Ultraman Dyna, Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman, Ultra Seven, Ultraman Jack, and Ultraman Ace join forces in the new movie. ©2008 GREAT DECISIVE BATTLE! THE SUPER 8 ULTRA BROTHERS Production Consortium

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Author: James Ballard Official Website: Great Decisive Battle! The Super 8 Ultra Brothers SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie. It`s Saturday morning on September 13th, and despite a late night out I`ve woken up unusually early, as today is the premiere of the latest Ultraman feature, entitled GREAT DECISIVE BATTLE! THE SUPER 8 ULTRA BROTHERS (Daikessen! Chou Urutora Hachi Kyoudai). I`m looking forward to seeing my second Ultraman movie in Japan, following 2006`s ULTRAMAN MEBIUS & ULTRAMAN BROTHERS (Urutoraman Mebiusu & Urutora Kyoudai). After kicking off with a bowl of pork udon in Ueno, I make the ride over to Shinjuku station, where I meet the film`s director Takeshi Yagi just before 8:00am. I first met Yagi through my good friend Norman England almost two years ago, and in that time he has simply been one of the

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