Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS

Source: Tsuburaya Productions press release
Official Site: https://seven55th.m-78.jp/ (Japan)

Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and CEO Takayuki Tsukagoshi) has announced that the concept movie ULTRASEVEN IF STORY 'THE FUTURE 55 YEARS AGO' (ウルトラセブン IF Story 『55年前の未来』, Urutorasebun IF Story '55-nen Mae no Mirai'), will be released this fall as part of the year-long Ultraseven 55th Anniversary Project (ウルトラセブン55周年, Urutorasebun 55-Shūnen) celebrating the original ULTRASEVEN (ウルトラセブン, Urutorasebun) televsion series. Though more than half a century has passed since its initial broadcast, ULTRASEVEN is still remembered and enjoyed by people all over the globe. 

This short film connects the present and future through an "If Story," an episode which "may have existed" as part of the series at the time of its original run in 1967. Running 7 minutes,  ULTRASEVEN IF STORY 'THE FUTURE 55 YEARS AGO will question the central message of the show in the present age and convey the charm of ULTRASEVEN's universal themes, not only to fans, but also to people today.

The series' main characters Dan Moroboshi (played by Koji Moritsugu) and Anne Yuri (played by Yuriko Hishimi) return from beyond time and space by using the latest digital technology, "Virtual Human" (バーチャルヒューマン,  Bācharu Hyūman). Moritsugu will also reprise the role of Jiro Satsuma, the man who inspired Ultraseven to create his human fom of Dan Moroboshi in ULTRASEVEN Ep: 17 - DEEP IN THE EARTH GO! GO! GO! (地底GO! GO! GO! Chitei Gō! Gō! Gō!).

Multiple official projects, including an interactive mystery-solving event,  are being developed in conjunction with the film.

 

■ Synopsis

The sun was setting on the western horizon, and darkness was just around the corner on the industrial area of the bay. A silver wing flies in from nowhere and crash-lands on a deserted beach. It was the Ultra Hawk 1, created by a time paradox by Alien Pegassa in order to prevent an accident that occurred 55 years earlier.

The earthlings who survived the decision to destroy the city of Pegassa as it entered thee Earth's orbit. The alien who has lived on Earth alone since the bombing of his city. And Ultraseven, who came from outside the Earth, loved the Earth, and lived on the Earth. In this future, each world line intertwines and comes together after 55 years.

In 2023, Dan Moroboshi will return from beyond time and space.

 

ULTRASEVEN IF STORY 'THE FUTURE 55 YEARS AGO' Outline

■ Characters
Dan Moroboshi (Koji Moritsugu/Virtual Human)
Anne Yuri (Yuriko Hishimi/Virtual Human)
Jiro Satsuma (played by Koji Moritsugu)

■ Specifications
Concept Movie, Running Approximately 7 Minutes

Preview Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTLV2CkLnVI

 

Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS

The Interactive Mystery-Solving Event "Case File AR196814: Giant Space Robot in Port" 

The "Case File AR196814: Giant Space Robot in Port" (Case File AR196814 港の巨大宇宙ロボット, Case File AR196814 Kō no Kyodai Uchū Robotto) interactive mystery-solving event will be held at WATERS Takeshiba complex as an official tie-in to the world of ULTRASEVEN IF STORY 'THE FUTURE 55 YEARS AGO.' The event will not only utilize a physical mystery-solving kit but also the smartphone application "LINE" and augmented reality (AR) performance using "XR City," the new app by NTT QONOQ, a division of the mobile network services company NTT DOCOMO that recently signed a partnership agreement with Tsuburaya Productions.  By using the natural AR effects in the story, participants can immerse themselves in the world of ULTRASEVEN.

The event is tentatively scheduled to run from late May to early June 2023, but exact dates have not been decided.

 ■ Synopsis

I'm looking for Dan Moroboshi.

After becoming interested in a mysterious poster about the search for Ultraseven/Dan Moroboshi, who actually existed 55 years ago., <You> meet Anne Yuri, who also fought alongside Dan against the aliens, and a group of young people called "PARTY" who back her.

In order to find Dan, <You> are asked to solve the riddle of various paranormal incidents caused by the appearance of wormholes. With Anne's help,  <You> begin the investigation...

"Case File AR196814: Giant Space Robot in Port" Outline

Location: WATERS Takeshiba (1-10-30, Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Dates: TBA
Participation Fee: 2,000円 (Approximately $14.85 U.S., Tax Included) Per Kit
Takeshiba Town Design Incorporated Association: atré Takeshiba and others
Official Website:  https://xrcity.docomo.ne.jp/contents/ultraseven-ar196814/

---

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.