"Have you become so fond of humans, Ultraman?"
- ―Movie tagline
"Fantasy and romance. And, friendship."
- ―Movie tagline
Shin Ultraman is a 2022 Japanese film co-produced by Tsuburaya Productions, Toho Company Ltd. and khara Inc. It is stated to be a film adaptation of the original Ultraman series.[1][2][3]
Commemorating the franchise's 55th anniversary, the film was first set to be released in early summer 2021, but was delayed due to concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak.[4] During TSUBURAYA CONVENTION 2021 SPECIAL PROGRAM on December 13, 2021, the final release date was announced to be set on May 13, 2022.[5]
This film is one of the featured works of the Shin Japan Heroes Universe collaborative project along with Shin Godzilla, Shin Evangelion Theatrical Edition and Shin Kamen Rider.[6]
The film can be watched on Redbox, Vudu, and Apple TV.
Production[]
The film will be written and produced by Hideaki Anno, who is most well known for his work on the Evangelion franchise and more recently, Shin Godzilla. Anno will be fully attached to the project after completing his work on Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. Anno's long-time partner and colleague Shinji Higuchi, who also directed Shin Godzilla, will be the film's director.[7]
Development[]
In the early 2000s, Anno began exploring the idea of creating an original live-action tokusatsu series. In early 2004, he drafted a document titled "Mirrorman Project Development Memo," envisioning a one-season series with 30-minute episodes. However, upon learning that Mirrorman REFLEX was already in production, the project was abandoned at the conceptual stage, having only reached the level of basic outlines and settings.[8] In 2005, Anno revisited the material, attempting to reorganize the concepts into an entirely new live-action series. Despite this effort, the project was ultimately shelved due to various practical and logistical limitations.[8]
Following the release of Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo in 2013, Anno faced a severe personal and creative burnout. Around this time, he was approached by Toho producer Minami Ichikawa with an offer to direct what would become Shin Godzilla.[9] Simultaneously, with the leadership of new president Shinichi Ooka at Tsuburaya Productions, Anno also began receiving project proposals from the company—including a remake of Mighty Jack. He drafted a proposal document titled Mighty Jack Project Memo in late June 2013, outlining various settings and a rough narrative. However, Anno personally felt that the project would be difficult to recoup its production costs and voluntarily froze it shortly after completion.[8]
Seeking a creative shift away from Evangelion, Anno returned to tokusatsu in December 2013 with a new project memo titled Return of Ultraman Plot Memo . This proposal coincided with internal structural changes at Tsuburaya and was developed alongside Shin Godzilla as a theatrical feature. The screenplay was entrusted to Kazuki Nakashima, with a first draft completed on March 19, 2014. However, the project was eventually halted when Anno felt the overall structure did not meet his creative standards.[8]
The groundwork for Shin Ultraman was officially laid in August 2017. That November, newly appointed Tsuburaya president Takayuki Tsukagoshi proposed a trilogy of productions, intended for release in 2020, which could take the form of either theatrical films or television series.[10] At the time, Anno was still deeply involved with Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time and could not directly oversee the project. Nevertheless, Tsukagoshi's enthusiasm convinced Anno that this might be his last opportunity to contribute to the Ultraman franchise. He restructured the 2013 Return of Ultraman memo, expanding it with both a prequel and a follow-up narrative, turning it into a full trilogy of theatrical films.[8]
This plan was formalized in two documents dated " Tsuburaya Productions Theatrical Trilogy Planning Proposal" and "Shin Ultraman (Tentative) Planning Memo." The concept, much like Shin Godzilla, was to develop Shin Ultraman as a mainstream, widely accessible entertainment film. At the time, no Ultraman theatrical release had ever surpassed ¥1 billion in box office revenue, and Anno recognized that such a large-scale production would be unsustainable under conventional models. As a result, the team aimed to set a high creative bar and appeal to general audiences who may only recognize the name "Ultraman" without prior franchise engagement.[8][10]
Initial story planning was completed and revised in September 2018, followed by a more refined story outline in October. From January to February 5, 2019[7][11], the script—originally referred to as the "Shin Ultraman Preparatory Draft" was printed under the title "Shin Ultraman Review Draft." After integrating location scouting data and the production schedule, the first completed script draft was finalized on September 4, 2019.[8]
Concept[]
The first publicly released concept art of Ultraman in the film.
Anno has stated that Shin Ultraman was conceived as a deconstruction and reconstruction of the narrative framework of the original 1966 television series. Recognizing that the original Ultraman's debut was itself a natural extension of the storytelling structure of Ultra Q, the film aimed to inherit and expand upon that metanarrative lineage from the very beginning. As such, Shin Ultraman was planned as a thematic continuation on a structural level, with its core narrative centered around the universal theme of "encounter and farewell." This theme not only pays homage to the 1966 series but also distills and carries forward an essential motif of the entire franchise.[8]
The project's structure was conceived from the outset: a prologue (avant), appearances by two kaiju, Alien Zarab, Mefilas, and finally Zoffy, who commands Zetton. This framework was designed to evoke the pacing of approximately five episodes of the original TV series.[8]
"There was a desire to not just expand a 30-minute story, but to create a content with various episodes coming together. But I didn't want them to feel like a string of dumplings—loosely connected yet disjointed. Each story had to be connected organically. It was difficult because we had to think in a slightly different way from the usual approach to Ultraman Series."
- ―Higuchi Shinji[12]
Although the film has no canonical predecessor within its narrative universe, its presentation was intentionally designed with metatextual awareness. The use of the "Shin" prefix and a production team overlapping with Shin Godzilla created a sense of continuity. This, along with the decision to use a similar title logo, was a deliberate effort to evoke the feeling of a shared but subtly interconnected world.
The design of Ultraman in the film was heavily influenced by Tohl Narita's 1983 oil painting The Incarnation of Truth, Justice, and Beauty .[13][14][15] This new portrayal of Ultraman closely resembles the original 1966 version played by suit actor Bin Furuya.
The redesign intentionally removed several features introduced in later iterations, such as the iconic Color Timer, the dorsal fin, and the black dots on the eyes (which were originally the suit's eye holes). These changes were made to present Ultraman as a more primal and extraterrestrial being. The mask design was inspired by sculptor Akira Sasaki's original work, while the body proportions were based on Bin Furuya's physique. The reinterpretation was approved by Tohl Narita's son, ensuring it stayed true to the spirit of the original creator.[16]
To recapture the aura of the 1966 series, Bin Furuya returned as the motion capture performer for Ultraman. His movements, closely based on original footage from the TV series, were digitally captured and used as the foundation for Ultraman's animation.[17] Anno himself was involved in some of the motion capture sequences. For the facial model, Sasaki's 1966–67 Ultraman mask was 3D scanned, preserving the classic look while adapting it for modern digital rendering. The body's form and silhouette were refined through a combination of CG modeling and traditional design sketches.[18]
Additionally, Sadao Iizuka, who was responsible for the optical animation in the original Ultraman Series, returned for the film. He recreated the iconic Specium Beam optical animation using the same techniques employed during the original series.[19][20]
Filming[]
The film was officially announced on August 1, 2019.[21][22] Takumi Saitoh was cast as the lead character, who transforms into Ultraman, while Masami Nagasawa was cast as his partner.[23] Additional cast members, including Daiki Arioka, Akari Hayami, and Hidetoshi Nishijima, were later revealed as part of the ensemble. [24][25] Due to Anno's simultaneous involvement in the production of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time and Shin Kamen Rider, he had limited participation in location scouting or on-set work. Instead, he assisted the cinematographer and served as an assistant director for a few days. The film's primary direction was led by Shinji Higuchi, who had previously co-directed Shin Godzilla (2016).[10]
Anno suggested Higuchi's involvement shortly after Shin Godzilla's completion, though Higuchi initially had doubts about whether he was suited for directing the Ultraman character in line with Anno's vision. However, Anno believed the worldview of the original Ultraman Series would be a good fit for Higuchi. Higuchi, drawing on his extensive experience in tokusatsu (special effects) films and his previous involvement in The Men Who Made Ultraman: Moon Ship in a Forest of Stars and Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero, undertook extensive research. He consulted experts and read numerous books to integrate Ultraman's world and characters into the context of modern society. He emphasized that the film's goal was not to merely remake the original series but to explore its themes with a fresh perspective.
Filming for Shin Ultraman began in August 2019, employing innovative filming techniques such as wide-angle shots taken with 4K-capable iPhones, 3D scanning technology with drones, and actors using iPhones to capture their performances. On August 20, 2019, Higuchi announced that they were looking for temporary actors to participate in the filming.[26][27]
Regarding the film's acting requirements, Higuchi stated that he wanted actors to imitate the speech patterns of real professionals, such as government personnel or members of the JSDF, who respond to emergencies. He noted that real-life individuals in such roles often maintain a lack of emotional expression in their speech. Therefore, he instructed the actors to avoid overloading their performances with emotions.
He added that while this approach could make the acting seem stiff, the key was to "remove emotions in a way that wouldn't make it look bad." To ensure accuracy, the Ministry of Defense was consulted during the script's development, with officials reviewing the portrayal of JSDF actions in the film. Despite being categorized as a fantasy special-effects movie, the depiction of the JSDF's preparations for deployment was made to closely align with real-world protocols.[12]
On November 23, 2019, Higuchi announced at the 2nd Atami Kaiju Film Festival that filming had already been completed.[28]
Marketing[]
Ultraman's new design and the film's title card were revealed at TSUBURAYA CONVENTION 2019.[29] On November 3, 2020, a 2-meter-tall statue of Ultraman was unveiled at the opening ceremony of the Sukagawa Tokusatsu Archive center in Fukushima, which was Eiji Tsuburaya's hometown. Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi and Katsuro Onoue were present for the event. They also announced the release date to be in early summer 2021.[1]
The first teaser trailer and two key visuals were revealed on January 29, 2021.[30][31]The film was postponed in March 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic from its original summer 2021 release.[4]
A new trailer and release date were revealed at the TSUBURAYA CONVENTION 2021 SPECIAL PROGRAM held on December 13, 2021, where director Shinji Higuchi and cast member Takumi Saitoh made guest appearances.[5] Higuchi also revealed that the production of the film was also incomplete, which was another main contributor to its delaying from the initial premiere date.
A red carpet event was held on May 9, 2022, featuring the main cast and director Shinji Higuchi walking down the Shin Ultra Red Carpet , a 60-meter-long red carpet the height of Ultraman in the film.[32] On May 12, 2022, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Japan Marine Self-Defense Force tweeted in conjunction with the promotion for the film.[33][34]
Reception and Impact[]
Before the film's release, Tsuburaya Productions estimated the film’s box office revenue would reach between 8 to 10 billion yen.[35] Shin Ultraman premiered in Japan on May 13, 2022, and by its third day of release, it had grossed 993,410,050 yen, surpassing Shin Godzilla's third-day box office record.[36] The film ultimately became the sixth-highest-grossing domestic film in Japan in 2022, with a total box office income of 4.44 billion yen (approximately 33.5 million USD). It surpassed the previous record set by Superior 8 Ultra Brothers, becoming the highest-grossing Ultraman film in history.[37][38]
Internationally, the film premiered at the 2022 Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival on July 2.[39] It had its North American premiere at the 26th Fantasia International Film Festival on July 21. By the second half of 2022[40], the film was released in 37 regions globally, including Asia, the Middle East, and Africa[41], grossing approximately 34.44 million USD worldwide.[42][43]
The film later won nine major awards at the 46th Japan Academy Film Prize[44][45][46] and was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 16th Asian Film Awards.[47] In 2023, it received the Best Media (Theater, Cinema, TV, Video Games, and Entire Entertainment) award at the 54th Seiun Awards.[48]
Plot[]
The continued appearance of giant unidentified lifeforms known as "S-Class Species" has become commonplace in Japan.
Conventional weapons have no effect on them. Having exhausted all other options, the Japanese Government issued the S-Class Species Suppression Protocol and formed an enforcement unit, known as the SSSP.
The members chosen for the unit are Leader Kimio Tamura, Executive Strategist Shinji Kaminaga, Unparticle Physicist Taki Akihisa, and Universal Biologist Yume Funaberi.
As the threat of S-Class Species worsens, a silver giant appears from beyond Earth's atmosphere.
Analyst Hiroko Asami is newly appointed to the SSSP to deal with this giant and is partnered with Shinji Kaminaga.
In Hiroko's report, she writes...
"Ultraman (tentative name), identity unknown".[49][50]
Appearances[]
Protagonist[]
SSSP[]
Government of Japan[]
Ultras[]
Kaiju[]
Cast[]
| Character | Japanese | English Dub |
|---|---|---|
| Shinji Kaminaga | Takumi Saitoh [51] | Chris Hackney[52] |
| Hiroko Asami | Masami Nagasawa [51] | Dawn M. Bennett[53] |
| Akihisa Taki | Daiki Arioka [51] | Brandon McInnis |
| Yumi Funaberi | Akari Hayami [51] | Emily Frongillo[54] |
| Kimio Tamura | Hidetoshi Nishijima [51] | John Burgmeier |
| Tatsuhiko Munakata | Tetsushi Tanaka | Brook Chalmers |
| Mefilas | Koji Yamamoto | Jordan Woollen[55] |
| Hajime Komuro | Ryo Iwamatsu | Phil Parsons |
| Hayasaka | Keishi Nagatsuka | |
| Taishi Okuma | Kyusaku Shimada | Charlie Campbell |
| Kunihiko Kariba | Toru Masuoka | |
| Seiichi Nakanishi | Hajime Yamazaki | Kyle Hebert |
| Kagami | Soko Wada | Matt Shipman[56] |
| Government Official | Yutaka Takenouchi | Jim Foronda[57] |
| Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan | Masami Horiuchi | Frank Todaro |
| Minister Supplementary Officer of Japan | Go Riju |
Voice Actors[]
| Character | Japanese | English Dub |
|---|---|---|
| Ultraman | Issey Takahashi | Steven Kelly[58] |
| Alien Zarab | Kenjiro Tsuda [59] | Kellen Goff[60] |
| Zōffy | Koichi Yamadera | Theo Devaney |
| Extras | Landon McDonald Madeline Dorroh Yussef Benelbar Christian Thorsen Yung-I Chang Edward L. Holland Christopher Sabat |
Staff[]
- Producer/Writer: Hideaki Anno[61]
- Director: Shinji Higuchi[61]
- Executive Producers: Takayuki Tsukagoshi, Minami Ichikawa, Hideaki Anno[61]
- Co-Executive Producers: Masayuki Nagatake, Hiroyasu Matsuoka, Tomoyuki Ogata[61]
- Producers: Hisashi Usui, Kei Kurosawa[61]
- Co-Producers: Kazutoshi Wadakura, Takehiko Aoki, Tomoya Nishino, Masanori Kawashima[61]
- Associate Director: Katsuro Onoue, Masayuki[61]
- Deputy Director: Ikki Todoroki[61]
- Line Producer: Kensei Mori[61]
- Cinematography: Osamu Ichikawa, Keizo Suzuki[61]
- Original Kaiju and Alien Design: Tohl Narita (posthumous)[62]
- VFX: Shirogumi Inc.
- VFX Director: Satoru Sasaki[61]
- VFX Supervisor: Atsuki Sato
- VFX Producers: Hiromasa Inoue, Masayo Ohno
- Optical Drawing: Sadao Iizuka[63]
- Music: Shiro Sagisu, Kunio Miyauchi (posthumous)[61]
- Shin Ultraman Production Committee : Tsuburaya Productions, Toho Company Ltd, Khara inc.
Music[]
- Ending Theme
- M87 [49][50]
- Artist: Kenshi Yonezu
- Insert Theme
- An Out of Body State
- Artist: Catherine Bott, Deborah Miles-Johnson, Andrew Busher, Michael George
- Original Sin
- Artist: Catherine Bott, Deborah Miles-Johnson, Andrew Busher, Michael George
- Is Humanity to Die?
- Artist: Catherine Bott, Deborah Miles-Johnson, Andrew Busher, Michael George
- Soundtrack
Home Media[]
Quotes[]
"Why are you playing secret games with world governments?"
"To efficiently eliminate the native intelligent life forms. I plan to cause conflict between countries and have Homo sapiens wipe themselves out.
"Humans have wisdom. It won't be so easy."
"It will be easy if I use the existence of Ultraman."
"Why wipe out humans? I want to know why."
"Once a marker is discovered on a planet, intelligent life forms must be destroyed. That is what I do. Homo sapiens have destroyed species that they have considered harmful. From my perspective, it is no different. And while Homo sapiens possess sophisticated intellect and technology, they are a dangerous and unorganized species that breeds unnecessarily. They are worth wiping out."
"We agree to disagree then."
- ―Kaminaga and Zarab's conversation
"I'd rather not fight you. That's why I suggest you either work with me or stand down. The life and death of humanity is in my hands. I can use force at any time. Obviously, you can too. But you choose not to. Why?"
"As you said, for us to rule humans would be to take all hope form them. It would stifle their independent progress. I can't allow that."
"By the Code of the Planet of Light, yes? Then stay out of my affairs, Ultraman. I know this planet's value more than anyone in the multiverse. Surrendering this planet to me is the best option. Above all, I desire this beautiful planet to myself. I, too, love the human race, Ultraman."
"You have already made a secret agreement with this country."
"The natives of this planet sought the Beta System of their own accord. The Code of the Planet of Light that you are bound to prevents you from interfering with native species. You can't do anything about this. How will you respond to this perfect plan of mine, Ultraman?"
"With brute force if necessary. That's the will of the human inside me. The Code of the Planet of Light doesn't apply to him."
"I see. So that's why you fused with a native. A wise decision."
"That's not why. But I suppose that is the outcome."
"The Planet of Light is aware of your actions. You're going to end up dooming this planet."
"Even so, I want to protect these helpless, vulnerable little life forms."
"Are you sure that is your wish and not of the human inside you, Ultraman?"
- ―Mefilas and Kaminaga's conversation in a bar
"Ultraman. Open your eyes. Without the signal of your desire to survive, I could not have found you."
"The acceptance of death is the same as the desire of life. Thank you, Zōffy."
"So the acceptance of death and thirst for life is the core of human nature. Indeed, humans are fascinating. I respect humanity's bravery, intellect, and vitality that let you defeat Zetton. They are too precious to destroy. You are injured. I will bring you home and we can leave humans be. Let us return to the Planet of Light, Ultraman."
"Zōffy, I now coexist with a human. I will remain on Earth so that he may live."
"Ultraman, you now understand him well enough that you can sacrifice yourself for him. He must understand you as well. He will forgive you."
"By becoming one with a life form of this planet, I sought to understand him and his people. But I still feel like I know nothing about them. That is why I wish to become human and get to know them more. And humanity is running out of time. Fearing their ability to defeat Zetton, other intelligent life forms will continue to appear on Earth. But humanity is very young. In order to give them even the slightest fighting chance, I will remain on Earth."
"Ultraman, that is not possible. I must oversee your return to the Planet of Light. You shall face the consequences of breaking our Code."
"Zōffy, in that case, I give my life to him. I leave this body to the humans of the future."
"Even if it means your death?"
"I do not mind. To be human is to accept death. Compared to ours, the lives of humans are short. I want him to go on living. His friends and partners feel the same. This is my answer."
"Ultraman, have you become so fond of humans? Very well, I shall grant your wish."
"Thank you, Zōffy."
"I will now separate Kaminaga from your body."
- ―Ultraman and Zōffy's final conversation
Shin Ultra Fight[]
Shin Ultra Fight is a miniseries exclusive to TSUBURAYA IMAGINATION. Episodes consist of both reused footage from Shin Ultraman and new footage emulating the style of the original Ultra Fight, accompanied by a play-by-play commentary by Koichi Yamadera.[64]
Shin Ultra Fight TI ver. episodes are available to all Standard and Premium plan members,[64][65] while Shin Ultra Fight SP ver. was exclusive to moviegoers with advance movie tickets until June 27, 2022.[66]
| No. | Title | Description | Appearances | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP1 | Neronga Comes And Goes |
Footage of Ultraman vs. Neronga from Shin Ultraman | Neronga | May 14, 2022 |
| SP2 | The Death Blow To Gabora |
Footage of Ultraman vs. Gabora from Shin Ultraman | Gabora | May 14, 2022 |
| TI1 | Beware! Mefilas' Trap |
Footage of Ultraman vs. Mefilas from Shin Ultraman | Mefilas | May 19, 2022 |
| SP3 | Gather! Duelists Of The Canyon |
Ultraman fights Neronga and Gabora in a canyon | Neronga Gabora |
May 30, 2022 |
| TI2 | The Flashing Match Behind Closed Doors |
Ultraman vs. Imit-Ultraman in a pro-wrestling match | Imit-Ultraman Neronga Zarab |
June 6, 2022 |
| TI3 | Is The Planet Burning? |
A cat-and-mouse game between Ultraman and Zarab | Zarab | July 4, 2022 |
| TI4 | The 6-Dimensional Yakuza |
Grown tired of battle, Ultraman moves on from his duties...but is stopped by the four Yakuza brothers | Mefilas Neronga Gabora Zarab/Imit-Ultraman Zetton (voice) |
July 4, 2022 |
| TI5 | Fi-Fi-Fight Of White Sand And Green Pines |
Ultraman pleads with the four Yakuza brothers to assist him as Zetton slowly approaches | Zetton Mefilas Neronga Gabora Zarab/Imit-Ultraman |
July 4, 2022 |
| Zetton The Chariot Of Fire |
Ultraman vs. Zetton, in the style of the original episode | Zetton | ||
| Requiem Of The Waves |
With Ultraman dead, the four Yakuza brothers mourn as they carry him into the sunset, but then... | Zetton Mefilas Neronga Gabora Zarab/Imit-Ultraman |
Gallery[]
Images[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- The film's opening scene uses the same visuals and sound effects as the original series, but with the original Ultra Q title changed to Shin Godzilla. The film also incorporates unused footage and material from Shin Godzilla in certain scenes, images, and music.
- Shin Ultraman is not Anno's first project relating to the Ultraman Series; in fact, one of the first productions by what would eventually become GAINAX (Anno's production studio), then called Daicon Film, was Return of Ultraman: MAT Arrow 1 Takeoff Order, a short fan-made film produced in 1983.
- The film's tagline is taken from a line of dialogue spoken by Zoffy to Ultraman in the final episode of the original series.
- Models of FAB 1 and Thunderbird 2 from Thunderbirds appear in the background of a shot of Daiki Arioka's character. This series influenced Ultraseven and subsequent entries in the Ultraman Series.
- Instead of using the word 怪獣 for Kaiju or even referring to them as such, the term used in the film is, specifically, "S-Class Species" . Likewise, the defense team uses the same acronym as its original counterpart, but the words forming it are different, being 禍威獣特設対策室 instead. It is also shortened to "SSSP" , read exactly the same as its template.[49][50] Similarly, the term used to refer to aliens is "Extraterrestrial" instead of "Alien" .
External Links[]
References[]