Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: m-78.jp/orb/saga (Japan) In celebration of the premiere of ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA (????????? THE ORIGIN SAGA, Urutoraman Oobu THE ORIGIN SAGA) on Amazon Prime Video (Japan), Tsuburaya Productions held a special commemorative event from 1:00-2:00 PM today at Sunshine City Specialty Store Area, Alpa Basement, 1st Floor Fountain Plaza (3-1-1, Higashi-ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo). The cast and lead director were on hand to discuss the new series. As a tie-in promotion, Amazon.co.jp today launched the "Ultraman Corner" online store. Fans will now have easier access than ever before to a wide variety of Ultraman goods. ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA is a spin off and prequel to the ULTRAMAN ORB (?????????, Urutoraman Oobu, 2016) television series, detailing the early days of hero Gai Kurenai (Hideo Ishiguro) and his arch-enemy, Juggrus Juggler (Takaya Aoyagi), when they were friends and allies fighting together in their first mission against an alien threat. New episodes of the 12 part series will be released each Monday on Amazon Prime Video. Tsuburaya Pro has announced that THE ORIGIN SAGA will also be available outside Japan with optional English or German subtitles.
? Guest Comments • Hideo Ishiguro (Gai Kurenai/Ultraman Orb) [In THE ORIGIN SAGA] you will see a new Gai that is different from the TV version. With thanks, I had a happy and valuable experience by creating a role in the traditional of past Ultraman performers. I think that total enjoyment is conveyed onscreen. I was able to give my best work, surrounded by such a wonderful cast and crew. Ladies and gentlemen, please watch by all means. I want many people to see it! • Takaya Aoyagi (Juggrus Juggler) Juggler in the TV version is in conflict with Gai, while here you will see how close they once were. I felt that I was going to have a fun time with Mr. Ishiguro, who is as warm a person as Gai. • Saki Fukuda (Amate)
When I was a child, I loved Ultraman Dyna. I even shook hands with Tsuruno at an event but, of course, at that time I did not think that I would ever appear in an Ultraman series. I can`t believe we`re here, and this good fortune makes me believe in the forces of light. As Amate worries over the safety of her world, it may create a feeling of togetherness as you watch the series. And at the end, I hope to see you cheering. • Yasuyuki Maekawa (Shinra) When I first saw Fukuda-san wearing Amate`s costume, I thought it was perfect. It was very easy to act with her as Amate and I worried together. I looked at her struggles, sometimes like an older brother, others like a father. • Takaaki Enoki (Raigo) As an elementary school student, I had no idea I would one day take part in an Ultraman series on TV. Raigo may seem cold, but his inner conflict of playing Queen Amate against “Ikusagami” was very revealing. • Motoya Izumi (Psychi) First of all, Psychi is the villain leader, but there is no scene that I thought and acted as a villain. When you see that Psychi thinks "I am not doing anything wrong," what was lacking from the fantasy of a warrior of light? In the place where I am, I play with my own views of right and wrong so that`s what kind of justice is conveyed. I think that families can get together to see the beauty of the people who fight to bring justice like a historical drama.
[Psychi`s] support AI is cleverly expressive, so please enjoy the high technical skills of our staff. • Takeshi Tsuruno (Shin Asuka/Ultraman Dyna) Next year it will be 20 years have passed since the broadcast of ULTRAMAN DYNA. People who watched the show at the time have grown up and become working members of society. I feel that`s a fortunate thing. It was deeply emotional to be on set again with [director] Konaka, who chose me for lead role of ULTRAMAN DYNA. When I received a demo of the theme song from [composer] Daisuke Asakura, I thought that the key was high which was okay. I enjoyed recording the song. • Taiyo Sugiura (Musashi Haruno/Ultraman Cosmos) Working with my senior Tsuruno for the first time since we co-starred in the movie ULTRAMAN SAGA [2012], I am very happy at now having a new junior [in Hideo Ishiguro] and a new Ultra family. Because Cosmos conveys a "heart of affection and"courage", I want to reach a new generation of children. • Kazuya Konaka (Lead Director) Gai and Juggler, what is the relationship between these two people`s point of interest? This time our stage is the universe, and the space opera draws from the various conflicts over Queen Amate. I show the growth of Gai and Juggler thru dramatic situations that included senior Ultramen Asuka and Musashi. I hope you enjoy it.
? ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA Premiere Day Twitter Lottery Tsuburaya Productions is running an ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA contest thru Sunday, January 22, 2017. Prizes · Signed Ultraman Orb original color sketch by Ultraman manga artist Tomohiro Shimoguchi (1 Winner) · B1 size official ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA poster signed by main cast (3 Winners) · Theme Song CD signed by singer/actor Takeshi Tsuruno (3 Winners) · Bandai DX Orb Caliber (1 Winner)
How to Enter Step 1: Follow the Ultraman Orb Official Account on Twitter. Step 2: Tweet #??????? (#Origin Saga) and your opinion of ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA using the "Tweets & replies" button. Step 3: Entry completed! Winners will be notified via Twitter`s direct message. Please see the ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA official website for contest rules and conditions.
? "Ultraman Corner" Cross-Promotion Store Opens on Amazon.co.jp Also launching today is the cross category store "Ultraman Corner" on Amazon.co.jp. The store offers Ultraman and other Tsuburaya Productions` products in multiple categories -- including toys, books, DVDs and Blu-rays, CDs, limited editions, apparel and miscellaneous goods -- all gathered together for more convenient shopping. Also included are items handled by the Tsuburaya Pro official shop "Ultraman World M78", with products arranged to make searches easier than ever before.
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 close to 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.
About Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service, offering subscribers a variety of options to watch the titles they want in the way they want. Prime Video has thousands of popular movies and TV programs, as well as original works produced by the award-winning Amazon Studios. Content is 4K Ultra HD and HDR compatible, and can be viewed anywhere via smart TV, Playstation, iOS or Android mobile device, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire tablet, and online using the Amazon Video app. Amazon Prime has an annual membership fee of ¥3,900 (Approximately $33.17 US), including tax.
For more information on ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA, please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: