Ultraman Arc The Movie: The Clash of Light and Evil [2][3] is a 2025 Japanese tokusatsu movie set prior to the final stretch of Ultraman Arc.
This film was first announced on November 23, 2024 and released in Japan on February 21, 2025.[4][5]
Continuity[]
This movie is set between the events of episode 21 and episode 22 of the Ultraman Arc series, given the comedic rewinding and fast-forwarding of the pre-movie series recap to get to the right point in the timeline, as well as Ichiro Nakamura's referenceing of the events in the series' third special recap episode in conjunction with those of episode 22. While the film does indeed take place in-between two episodes, it is best watched after viewing all 25 episodes of the show itself, not only for the inclusion of post-episode 22 footage being recapped at the start of the film, but also due to the presense of a future Yuma from a point in time after the end of the series appearing in his past.
According to director Takanori Tsujimoto, since the 25-episode series had already conveyed everything he intended, introducing another powerful enemy and escalating the battles would have been excessive. Instead, he saw an opportunity to explore a story set in an alternate timeline, forming the basis for the film's time-axis setting.[6][7][8][9][10]
This narrative arrangement was not determined from the outset. Initially, the production team even considered developing a prequel film. However, because a prequel could not effectively present the "Arc Armor" and employing time travel would have complicated the story, the team ultimately decided to set the film's events at a point in the latter half of the TV series.[11][10]
During the planning process, Jun Tsugita observed that the unique opening of episode 22 directed by Tomonobu Koshi, raised the question of what had occurred before. This led him to propose positioning the film's events prior to that episode, ultimately establishing its timeline placement.[11]
Production[]
In previous New Generation series films, the focus was often on crossovers between earlier installments and the latest Ultraman entries. However, starting in 2022, the theatrical format began to change. Films such as Ultraman Decker Finale: Journey to Beyond and Ultraman Blazar The Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown moved away from relying on character interactions from earlier works. This film further challenges the tradition of the theatrical release serving as a direct sequel to the TV series, instead exploring new narrative directions.[11]
The film adopts an omnibus structure composed of three independent stories—a concept proposed by producer Yusuke Okamoto. Tsujimoto noted that traditional films usually follow a formula in which a formidable enemy appears and is eventually defeated. In contrast, he hoped Ultraman Arc would break from this pattern, and the new structure was chosen to support that vision.[11]
During the screenplay development, director Tsujimoto—who was concurrently involved in filming the television series' first three pilot episodes—provided only one basic guideline to Tsugita: the three storylines should ultimately converge into a single central narrative. The overall plot was primarily driven by Tsugita's creative vision, with the three trials designed to reveal new facets of the main characters that had not been seen in the TV series.[11]
Guil Arc, debuting as the film's movie villain, differs from previous Evil Ultras in that it is not the result of a villain's transformation but instead is a transformation of Shu Ishido. Tsujimoto explained that Shu had endured a painful past, with his colleagues having been killed by aliens. Although this background was only briefly mentioned in the TV series as supplementary material, the film expands on it to provide a fuller narrative, addressing a gap that writer Tsugita also wanted to fill. Additionally, the final finishing moves of Ultraman Arc and Guil Arc serve as an homage to works such as Return of Ultraman and Ultraman Ace.[11]
Synopsis[]
"Do you have… what it takes to be a hero?"
It all starts when a mysterious space sage asks Yuma Hize this question. The mysterious man entrusts Yuma with challenges that surpass the limits of his imagination with a stake too high… “Should you fail… then you… will lose your power as Arc.”
Protecting Hoshimoto City alongside the SKIP's members, the bonds of trust created between the members, the conflicting feelings arising from trying to understand the meaning of defeating kaiju… Earning the powers of Ultraman placed the weight of these responsibilities upon Yuma. Now, these very burdens are twisted by Sascal, who manipulates them, sending challenge after challenge toward Yuma.
Battling giant kaiju, an evil alien bent on destruction, and a warped dimension where even time itself is distorted, Yuma must confront the ultimate test. Will he…will Ultraman Arc overcome the greatest challenge yet and protect the future, surpassing the limits of the power of imagination?
Appearances[]
Ultras[]
- Ultraman Arc
- Normal
- Solis Armor
- Luna Armor
- Galaxy Armor
- Guil Arc
- Normal
- Galaxy Armor
Kaiju[]
Mecha[]
- Government/Military
- SKIP Hoshimoto City Branch
- YouPi (x1)
- You (x1)
- Pi (x1)
- SKIP Personal Vehicle (x1)
- Tama 430 Su 58-19
- YouPi (x1)
- GDF Kaiju Control Unit
- Combat Vehicle MBT (x)
- Aircraft MRF (x)
- SKIP Hoshimoto City Branch
Cast[]
- Yuma Hize : Yuki Totsuka
- Shu Ishido : Sho Kaneta
- Rin Natsume : Kaho Mizutani
- Hiroshi Ban : Koichiro Nishi
- Motoki Mukawa : Shoki Nakayama
- Motoki Mukawa (child): Juki Suetsugu [12]
- Akari Inui : Hinako Tanaka
- GDF Ground Unit Commander : Toshihide Onitsuka [13]
- GDF Ground Unit Member : Yuki Ohara
- Taniguchi : Emi Souma [14]
- Jin Kiuchi : Keita Rikimaru
- Television Director : Hajime Tomine
- Sound Engineer : Daima Matsushita
- Nibuya : Kohei Shiotsuka (Stock Footage Flashback)
- Sweed : Eriko Sato (Stock Footage Flashback)
- Sascal : Naoto Takenaka
Voice Actors[]
Suit Actors[]
- Ultraman Arc: Hideyoshi Iwata
- YouPi: Daiki Yazaki
- Guil Arc: Satoru Okabe
- Repodios: Hiroyuki Arai
- Shagong: Shun Takahashi
- Zerogelos: Yoshiki Kuwabara
- Momoka Yasukawa
- Koki Ikuta
- Issei Hirata
Staff[]
- Director: Takanori Tsujimoto
- Screenwriter: Jun Tsugita
- Supervisor: Takayuki Tsukagoshi
- Chief producer: Tsugumi Kitaura
- Producer: Yusuke Okamoto
- Cinematographer: Satoshi Murakawa
- Lighting: Atsushi Ogasawara
- Sound: Ichiro Hoshi
- Art: Masato Inatsuki
- Practical effects: Izumi Negishi
- Editor: Yosuke Yafune
- Casting: Kazumasa Shimada
- Assistant director: Ryuta Miyazaki
- Assistant special effects director: Naoyuki Uchida
- Production manager: Takayuki Hoshi
- Action coordinator: Daisuke Terai
- VFX: Ryota Watanabe
- Character designer: Masayuki Gotoh
- Music: Yuki Hayashi
Home Media[]
The film will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on July 30, 2025. The Blu-ray also contains promotional events and trailers, an audio commentary, and making-of footage.[17][18]
Gallery[]
Images[]
Stills[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- This film is the first to depict an Ultraman shedding tears. At the February 7 exclusive premiere, director Takanori Tsujimoto commented that this development emerged naturally during the scriptwriting process. It was only after everything was finalized that he realized it was the first time in Ultraman history. He was surprised that Tsuburaya Productions had approved this portrayal.[19][20][21]
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/post-7404
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/post-7313
- ↑ https://tsuburaya-prod.com/news/8068
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/post-7287
- ↑ https://tsuburaya-prod.com/news/7907
- ↑ https://hjweb.jp/article/1975520/
- ↑ https://www.dailyshincho.jp/article/2025/02181100/
- ↑ http://www.kids-event.jp/report/12580/
- ↑ https://www.crank-in.net/interview/160789/1
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Figure King No.325, pg 33-43
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0147465
- ↑ https://x.com/theatreacademy/status/1892378642346320383
- ↑ https://x.com/hideonitsuka/status/1892848258973655292
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/DGRS1yrziCn/
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2367260/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C98nG4vFxFQ
- ↑ https://m-78.jp/news/post-7429
- ↑ https://v-storage.jp/catalog_news/250067/
- ↑ https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/plus/entertainment/entry/202502/16444.html
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2366725/full/
- ↑ https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0147271