Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
Source: Tsuburaya Productions press release
Official Site: https://seven55th.m-78.jp/ (Japan)
Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: Masayuki Nagatakei) will release the Blu-ray box set ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES: ULTRASEVEN 4K UHD & MovieNEX (ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES ウルトラセブン 4K UHD ＆ MovieNEX, Urutoraman Akaibusu Urutorasebun 4K UHD & MovieNEX) in Japan on Friday, July 7, 2023. This release is part of the year-long Ultraseven 55th Anniversary Project (ウルトラセブン55周年, Urutorasebun 55-Shūnen) celebration that launched last October.
In 1967, ULTRASEVEN (ウルトラセブン, Urutorasebun) premiered as the third entry in Tsuburaya Productions' "Fantasy Special Effects Series" following ULTRA Q (ウルトラＱ, Urutora Kyū, 1966) and ULTRAMAN (ウルトラマン, Urutoraman, 1966-67). The innovative and deep storyline, excellent special effects techniques, precise miniatures, and unique and fascinating monster designs have generated a lot of discussion, and even now, 55 years later, Ultraseven is still popular among people of all generations as a stand-alone Ultra hero.
ULTRASEVEN, the most popular Ultraman series, will finally be released on 4K/HDR Blu-ray. This must-have product for fans of ULTRASEVEN will also include the HD Remastered 2.0 Blu-ray version, using the new MGVC format.
Photos courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
■ ULTRASEVEN Revived by 4K/HDR (High Dynamic Range) Remastering, and Recorded in "HDR10" Format for the First Time!
This remastering used the original 16mm negatives of ULTRASEVEN, which have been carefully preserved.The result is a detailed and colorful image that makes full use of all of the visual information imprinted on the film.
The biological textures of the monsters and the metallic feel of the unique mechanics have become more realistic, and the beautiful light and depth of the images that the production staff painstakingly created have been expressed for the first time in the evolved video standards.
This remastering, which more accurately expresses the intentions of the creators in the latest 4K and HDR (High Dynamic Range) standards, allows viewers to experience a quality worthy of ULTRASEVEN, 55 years after it was first broadcast.
■ The HD Remastered Version is Newly Recorded in the "MGVC" Format, Which is Superior to Past Blu-ray Versions in Terms of Tonal Expression. Newly Recorded in the New Format -- the Definitive Version of the Two Remastered Versions!
HD Remastered 2.0 Version
Photos courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
4K/HDR Remastered Version
Photos courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
4K UHD & MovieNEX will include the 4K ULTRA HD Blu-ray containing the 4K/HDR remastered version as well as the HD Remastered 2.0 version on Blu-ray discs.
In addition to being able to support a wider range of playback environments with a single product, the new Blu-ray discs will feature the newly adopted MGVC format, which enables playback with richer tonal quality when played on compatible playback devices.
The 4K/HDR remastered version, which uses negative plates that boast an overwhelming amount of information to achieve natural high-resolution while taking advantage of HDR to highlight the amount of information such as brightness, colors and depth of blacks, and the HD remastered version,. The HD Remastered 2.0 version is the first full HD version of the film, and is the definitive version that allows viewers to enjoy two versions of the film that are compatible with the grainy nature of 16mm film.
Koji Moritsugu, Sandayu Dokumamushi and Satoshi Furuya in the documentary THE LEGEND OF ULTRASEVEN. Photos courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
■ TSUBURAYA MovieNEX Delivers New Video Extras and Additional Benefits!
As a new video bonus, Tsuburaya will deliver the documentary THE LEGEND OF ULTRASEVEN (ウルトラセブン伝説, Urutorasebun Densetsu) exclusively on TSUBURAYA MovieNEX. The documentary will feature the team who created the future world of ULTRASEVEN with a rare passion more than half a century ago. Cast members and staffers including stars Koji Moritsugu (known by the stage name 'Koji Moriji' at the time of production), Sandayu Dokumamushi (born 'Iyoshi Ishii') and Satoshi 'Bin' Furuya will discuss the creative struggles of that time from various perspectives and in their own words.
Making of the 4K Remaster. Photos courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
The video bonus "Making of the 4K Remaster" will be also be available, giving a close look at the 4K remastering process. Additional special offers will be announced in the near future.
● About TSUBURAYA MovieNEX
Stream the world of ULTRASEVEN wherever you are. In the MovieNEX World, exclusive videos and content are available. Fans can access a special world that can only be experienced by those who have purchased the package.
※MovieNEX is a registered trademark of Disney Enterprises, Inc.
■ ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES: ULTRASEVEN 4K UHD & MovieNEX Product Details
Main Contents: ULTRASEVEN Episodes 1-49. The Banned Episode 12 is Not Included.
Online Video Bonus (TSUBURAYA MovieNEX): THE LEGEND OF ULTRASEVEN Documentary
"Making of the 4K Remaster"
Additional Extras TBA.
Included Extras: Script Playback Function
Audio Extras: 5.1ch Surround Sound for Episodes 4, 7, 10, 15, 21, 25, 26, 32, 36, 41, 42, 48
Package Details: Three-Sided Box, Digi-Stack, 32-Page Manual, TSUBURAYA MovieNEX Code, Picture Label Specification
Stock Number: PCWE-52002
Price: ¥88,000 (Approximately $659.83 US, Tax Included)
Release Date (Japan): July 7, 2023
Running Time: 1210 Minutes
Number of Discs: 11 (ULTRA HD Blu-ray: 5 Discs, Blu-ray: 6 Discs)
Release Market: Japan
Recorded Video (UHD): 3 Layer (100G) x 5 Discs / HEVC / 4:3 (2160p Ultra High Definition)
Recorded Sound: Linear PCM (Stereo, Monaural) / Dolby Digital (5.1ch) in Some Parts
*4K ULTRA HD Supports Playback in 4K resolution, HDR (High Dynamic Range) and Wide Color Gamut.
Viewing on a 4K/HDR Compatible TV is Recommended in Addition to ULTRA HD Blu-ray Playback Compatible Devices.
©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
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.