Fans celebrate the opening of Ultraman the Ride. Photo courtesy of Seibuen Amusement Park. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
Source: Seibuen Amusement Park press release
Official Website: https://www.seibu-leisure.co.jp/amusementpark/attraction/ultraman.html (Japan)
Seibuen Amusement Park (Location: Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture; General Manager: Tomohiro Nishida) held a press event on Thursday, July 13, prior to this weekend's opening of "Ultraman the Ride: The Great Duel of the Century" (ウルトラマン・ザ・ライド 世紀の大決闘, Urutoraman za Raido Seiki no Daikettō), the world’s largest indoor ride attraction based on Ultraman
More than 200 Ultraman fans joined the Science Special Search Party members on stage for this event. Red and silver ticker tape with an Ultraman motif flew in the air and a huge pillar of fire roses up as fans shouted "Let's go!" The opening of "Ultraman the Ride," the attraction that will represent Seibuen Amusement Park in 2023, was celebrated with great fanfare.
Before the event began, a talk session was held at the Sunset Pavilion between Takashi Yamazaki, a leading Japanese film director involved in the production of "Ultraman the Ride" and Shoichiro Tsuno, a member of Katana Marketing and Entertainment Co., Ltd, which boasts an outstanding track record in theme park experience design. In addition to sharing the secret story of the production and his excitement for the attraction, Takashi Yamazaki talked about the difference between a movie and an attraction, saying, “[The ride] is made in one cut from the beginning to the end, and the fun of the attraction is with how you can corner the audience who can't escape while riding the attraction.”
The opening of "Ultraman the Ride" caps a big week for Yamazaki, which also saw the official announcement of his next movie, GODZILLA MINUS ONE (ゴジラ-1.0/ゴジラマイナスワン, Gojira Mainasu Wan), on July 11, and the launch of the exhibition "The Visual World-crafting of YAMAZAKI Takashi, Film Director" at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art this weekend.
After the event, an advance trial session was held for Ultraman fans who had been waiting for the opening. The exhilarating flight through the sky with Ultraman and the thrilling development of confronting the mighty monster Zetton drew loud cheers from the audience.
Photo courtesy of Seibuen Amusement Park. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
About "Ultraman the Ride: The Great Duel of the Century"
In "Ultraman the Ride," guests themselves act as members of the Science Special Search Party, zipping through the air with the Floater, a flying machine, to battle monsters alongside Ultraman. The attraction mechanism that creates the experience of flying in all directions, including rapid acceleration and sharp turns, delivers an unprecedented sense of speed.
In addition, the Space Dinosaur Zetton, the most powerful of all the monsters that appeared in the original ULTRAMAN series, stands before the eyes of the guests in this film, providing them with the exciting experience of a fierce battle between Ultraman and Zetton on a 1/1 scale. The exciting drama that awaits you will be an experience that will shake your body and soul.
For more on "Ultraman the Ride" please see the ealier coverage here on SciFi Japan.
◆Business Hours
Business Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.*
*Varies depending on the season and other factors. Please check the website "Business Hours" for details.
Note: Screenings of “Godzilla the Ride: Giant Monsters Ultimate Battle” (ゴジラ・ザ・ライド大怪獣頂上決戦, Gojira za Raido Daikaijū Chōjō Kessen) will be suspended from July 14th to September 13th. Screenings will resume on September 14th, and guests will be able to enjoy both "Ultraman the Ride" and "Godzilla the Ride" from that time on.
About Seibuen Amusement Park
Seibuen Amusement Park is located in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture. in 2021 it reopened as a retro-themed attraction inspired by 1960s Tokyo.