Ultra's Cradle: The True Story and Birth of Ultra Q and Ultraman is a direct-to-video documentary special released in 2003. Hosted by Hiroko Sakurai, the documentary features behind-the-scenes stories from the production of Ultra Q and Ultraman, with insights from the staff and cast of both series. It was released on December 19, 2003.
Synopsis[]
This documentary special is divided into eight main chapters, offering a detailed behind-the-scenes look at the production of Ultra Q and Ultraman, including testimonies and experiences from the individuals involved. Hosted by Hiroko Sakurai, the program features interviews with key figures from the production of these two tokusatsu series, presenting their stories and insights directly from their own accounts.
A special feature of the documentary is the Kaiju Warehouse Roundtable, a discussion with notable figures such as Shinji Higuchi and Hideaki Anno. Additionally, the documentary includes a 96-page booklet titled Ultraman Dissection, which thoroughly documents the testimonies and various materials from the production.
| No. | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Prologue |
| Synopsis: The prologue traces the history of Eiji Tsuburaya through archival footage, including a retrospective on the pre-release event The Birth of Ultraman. The narration is guided by Hiroko Sakurai, who portrayed Yuriko Edogawa and Akiko Fuji in Ultra Q and Ultraman. | |
| 2 | Birth of Tsuburaya Productions |
| Synopsis: This chapter discusses the establishment of the Tsuburaya Special Effects Laboratory and the founding of Tsuburaya Productions. Founding members reflect on their experiences, including the story of Tetsuo Kinjo's journey from Okinawa to join the company. | |
| 3 | The Origin of Ultra |
| Synopsis: The origins of Ultra Q are explored, from the development of WoO to UNBALANCE and the eventual creation of Ultra Q. | |
| 4 | Movie versus Television |
| Synopsis: A detailed examination of how Japan's domestic television industry began to rise, with a focus on the changes in television and how these transformations influenced the development of Tsuburaya Productions. | |
| 5 | Birth of Ultra Q |
| Synopsis: This chapter delves into the production story behind Ultra Q, covering the creation, writing, and pioneering efforts that led to its success. | |
| 6 | Birth of Ultraman |
| Synopsis: This chapter explains the planning of a new television program titled Redman. The project was later rebranded as Ultraman. | |
| 7 | The Secret Stories |
| Synopsis: The chapter explores the many monsters featured in Ultraman, with insights and testimonies from directors, writers, and actors who were involved in the creation of these iconic creatures. | |
| 8 | Beyond the Ultra |
| Synopsis: The final chapter reflects on the 30-year journey of Tsuburaya Productions after Ultraman aired, tracing the development of the Ultraman brand and its enduring legacy. | |
Cast[]
- Hiroko Sakurai (host, played Yuriko Edogawa in Ultra Q and Akiko Fuji in Ultraman)
Interviewees[]
- Toshihiro Iijima (TBS film department director)[2]
- Yukio Isaki (TBS dublicity department)
- Hiroshi Ishii (TBS programming department planning division)
- Takashi Kakoi (TBS producer)
- Yoshikazu Kano (TBS program publicity department)
- Takanari Kitashima (TBS directing department)
- Akio Jissoji (TBS Film department director)[3]
- Toshimasa Suzuki (TBS directing department)
- Eizo Suyama (TBS film company filming section)
- Yoyo Tsukagawa (TBS film department head)[4]
- Harunosuke Nakagawa (TBS film department director)
- Yuzo Higuchi (TBS film department director)
- Ichio Mori (TBS directing department)
- Noriyoshi Ikeya (Art)[5]
- Yuzo Inagaki (Assistant cinematographer)
- Ken Kumagai (Producer)
- Kazuo Sagawa (Assistant cinematographer)
- Koichi Takano (Special effects director)
- Akira Tsuburaya (Assistant director)
- Minoru Nakano (Optical photography)
- Kazuho Mitsuta (Assistant director)
- Shozo Uehara (Screenwriter)[6]
- Mamoru Sasaki (Screenwriter)[7]
- Keisuke Fujikawa (Screenwriter)
- Masahiro Yamada (Screenwriter)
- Yuko Kinjo (Wife of Tetsuo Kinjo)[8]
- Sadamasa Arikawa (Toho cinematographer)[9]
- Koji Kajita (Toho assistant director)
- Susumu Kurobe (played Shin Hayata in Ultraman)
- Yasuhiko Saijo (played Ippei Togawa in Ultra Q)
- Kenji Sahara (played Jun Manjome in Ultra Q)
- Masanari Nihei (played Mitsuhiro Ide in Ultraman)
- Iyoshi Ishii (played Daisuke Arashi in Ultraman)
- Akihide Tsuzawa (played Isamu Hoshino in Ultraman)[10]
Kaiju Warehouse Roundtable[]
Staff[]
- Director: Toshihiro Iijima
- Screenwriter and composition: Kitao Senzoku
- Cinematography: Yuzo Inagaki
- Art: Noriyoshi Ikeya
- Visual effects: Minoru Nakano
Gallery[]
![[12]](/wiki/File:Ultra%27s_Cradle_2003.png "Ultra's Cradle 2003.png (4.17 MB)")
Trivia[]
- According to Hiroko Sakurai, her involvement in this documentary special led to her becoming a coordinator for Tsuburaya Productions.[13]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/f/dsg-10-4560164820495
- ↑ https://x.com/roko_sakurai/status/1846680307497681142
- ↑ https://x.com/roko_sakurai/status/1640918174035230721
- ↑ https://x.com/nawokikarasawa/status/1091495673411731459
- ↑ https://x.com/roko_sakurai/status/1622700761611386881
- ↑ https://x.com/roko_sakurai/status/1622804194003656704
- ↑ https://x.com/roko_sakurai/status/1628904154755399680
- ↑ https://x.com/roko_sakurai/status/1742336933366517996
- ↑ https://x.com/roko_sakurai/status/1704958266453954779
- ↑ https://x.com/roko_sakurai/status/1621608937106841600
- ↑ https://x.com/roko_sakurai/status/1523443655112945665
- ↑ https://x.com/roko_sakurai/status/1658605449216921600
- ↑ https://x.com/roko_sakurai/status/1445891093220839424