Ultraman Wiki

"Never give up!!"

―Movie tagline

Ultraman Saga (ウルトラマンサーガ, Urutoraman Sāga) is a Japanese tokusatsu film in the Ultraman Series, created to celebrate the franchise's 45th anniversary. It serves as a sequel to Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial. The movie features Ultraman Zero, Ultraman Dyna, and Ultraman Cosmos facing a new ultimate threat, Hyper Zetton, created by the evil Alien Bat, and a new Ultraman named Ultraman Saga.

This movie is set in a new universe called the Future Earth World, but also includes scenes from the World of the Land of Light, the Neo Frontier Space World, the Cosmo Space World, and the Another Space World. It takes place 15 years after Ultraman Dyna and features much of its supporting cast returning. A selection of members from the idol group AKB48 portrayed the members of Team U, a special monster attack team part of the Earth Defense Force. It is also the first Ultraman movie to be screened in 3D.

The movie can be watched on Tubi, Shout, Prime video, and Vudu.

Continuity[]

Production[]

Following the 2010 release of Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial, this film marks the second installment commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Ultraman Series. It also serves as the 15th anniversary celebration of the 1997 TV series Ultraman Dyna, as well as the 10th anniversary of the 2001 TV series Ultraman Cosmos.[1]

Development[]

Main article: Zero, Dyna, Cosmos: Ultraman Saga – Embracing the Future
Embracing the Future 01

The script of Zero, Dyna, Cosmos: Ultraman Saga – Embracing the Future.

The planning for the film began in early 2011. In its initial stages, screenwriter Keiichi Hasegawa proposed a concept titled Zero, Dyna, Cosmos: Ultraman Saga – Embracing the Future. This version centered around three protagonists and three Ultra Warriors, featuring a much broader cast compared to the final version. In addition to the Ultramen and kaiju seen in the theatrical release, the original plan included appearances by Ultraman King, Ultraman Mebius, Ultimate Force Zero, Ultraman Justice, and members of EYES. The number of kaiju surpassed 30, with the primary antagonist being Dark Lucifer, a villain originally conceived for Ultraman Nexus but never used.[2]

The first draft of the story was completed on March 10, 2011. However, production was temporarily halted the following day due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. In the aftermath, the project was revived as part of the broader recovery efforts.[3] This prompted the production team to reconsider the film's setting. Early revisions explored concepts such as a defunct space colony or a fictional planet. Ultimately, they chose to confront the idea of disaster more directly—without drastically altering the plot—by portraying a "city devoid of humans" to distinguish the film from its predecessors, while still setting the story on Earth. This made it the first Ultraman film since 2008's Superior 8 Ultra Brothers to be set on Earth. The initial draft of the final version was completed on April 2, 2011, followed by a second draft on April 3 and a third on April 5.

In light of the earthquake, the team initially debated whether scenes involving the destruction of buildings were appropriate. However, they ultimately agreed on creating a work that could offer encouragement and support to those affected by the tragedy. Their goal was to craft a heartfelt story that retained the essence of Ultraman.[4]

Ultraman Saga, introduced in this film, features a radically different design from previous Ultras. Special effects director Toshio Miike, who participated in the design process, admitted to having doubts at the time, as someone who embarked on this path out of love for the original Ultraman. Everyone involved wondered, “Can we really change it this much?” Yet, from an innovation standpoint, they concluded that such a transformation might not only be acceptable—but necessary.[5]

Casting[]

In terms of casting, Daigo Naito plays the protagonist and the new human host of Ultraman Zero, Taiga Nozomu.[6] However, he completely rejects the idea of transforming into a hero, making him the first main character in the Ultraman series who does not wish to become an Ultraman. Takeshi Tsuruno and Taiyo Sugiura also return to reprise their respective roles from their original series.

In addition to the three main leads, the Ultra Brothers make cameo appearances in their human forms, portrayed by their original actors: Susumu Kurobe, Kohji Moritsugu, Jiro Dan, Keiji Takamine, and Ryu Manatsu. Furthermore, as a continuation of the conclusions of the two commemorated TV series, all five original Super GUTS members return to reprise their roles, along with Mayuka Suzuki, who also resumes her character from the original series.

From the early planning stages of the film, it was decided that the main female cast would be portrayed by members of the Japanese idol group AKB48. As a result, the film marks the official debut of Team U, the first all-female defense team in the history of the Ultraman series. While previous installments have included units composed entirely of female members, this is the first time the entire defense force has been exclusively female. The team is played by seven then-active members of AKB48.[7][8]

As for the voice cast, Hideo Higashikokubaru, former governor of Miyazaki Prefecture, lends his voice to the Alien Bat in the film.[9][10][11]

Filming[]

Tohoku region

The film's ending scene moves from Earth to Japan, with a particular focus on the Tohoku region.

According to director Hideki Oka, this film is the first Ultraman movie to be released simultaneously in both 2D and 3D formats. As a result, unlike previous entries in the franchise, the production team established two separate units to accommodate the limited shooting schedule—one dedicated to filming the main narrative scenes, and the other focused on special effects sequences. Both teams conducted their shoots concurrently.[12]

Oka oversaw the dramatic performances, while the special effects scenes were led by Special effects director Toshio Miike. Although unexpected issues and deviations from the shooting plan inevitably arose during production, the two directors maintained close communication and coordination throughout. Thanks to post-production tools such as editing and compositing, most challenges were effectively resolved, allowing the production to stay well under control.[12]

When asked how specifically the action and CG effects were planned in advance, Oka cited the teleportation scene featuring Zetton as an example. He and Miike would often envision concrete visual concepts ahead of time. However, they also made a point of "letting go of fixed ideas" when appropriate, encouraging experienced staff members from various departments to contribute their own creative input. Through repeated communication and collaboration, the visual quality of the film was refined and elevated, resulting in a more polished final product. Many elements were gradually built on set from the ideas of the crew, with the director ultimately shaping and fine-tuning everything into a cohesive whole.[12]

Marketing[]

Ultraman Saga 03000

A group photo of the main cast at the 3D Premiere preview session.[13]

The film was first officially announced on July 14, 2011, along with the launch of a teaser website and the initial reveal of the featured heroes.[14] Later, on September 28, it was announced that the film would be released nationwide in both 2D and 3D formats starting from March 24, 2012.[15]

The casting of the three main leads was revealed on November 11[16], followed by the announcement on November 22 that members of AKB48 would also appear in the film.[17]

On January 20, a behind-the-scenes feature series titled "Ultraman Saga Making Movie Channel" began weekly distribution on the official YouTube channel, building anticipation for the upcoming release of Ultraman Saga.[18] That same day, it was announced that the film would have its premiere as a "Special Invitation Film" at the 2012 Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival, held from February 23 to 27 in Hokkaido's Yubari, where it went on to win the "Fantastic Wonderland Grand Prize."[19][20][21][22]

The 3D premiere screening of the film took place on February 20.[23][24][25] The opening day stage greeting event was held on March 24 at Shinjuku Piccadilly in Tokyo.[26][27] From March 30 to April 1, the first eight minutes of the film were made available for a limited-time free viewing on the "Ultra Channel" YouTube page.[28][29][30]

As a special gift for moviegoers, a manga was given that included the last work of manga artist Mamoru Uchiyama, who passed away in 2011. The featured manga was Fight! Ultra Warriors: Strike! Space Patrol.[31] Additionally, just before the movie's release, on March 18, Zero served as the one-day stationmaster at the Cosmosquare Station on the Osaka Metro Chūō Line.[32] On March 20, a commemorative framed stamp was released in celebration of the movie's premiere.

In its first week in theaters, Ultraman Saga opened at the #4 spot in the Japanese box offices, about 166,006 people in 369 screens with a budget of ¥143,747,300.[33] The film ultimately grossed approximately ¥579 million at the Japanese box office.[34]

Synopsis[]

The movie begins with a powerful apocalyptic vision of Tokyo, buildings destroyed and the city seemingly devoid of life. We are soon introduced to the Earth Defense Force (EDF), Team U. They and a group of young children and the last survivors on Planet Earth after the world was invaded by the evil Alien Bat, the rest of the human population having been abducted.

In the alternate universe in which he defeated Ultraman Belial in the previous film, Ultraman Zero receives a distress call and proceeds into the multiverse and finds another universe. And from yet another universe, that from which Shin Asuka/Ultraman Dyna disappeared through black hole 15 years ago, a young defense team pilot named Taiga is trapped in the ship of an invading alien force, who quickly disappear to another dimension.

Taiga soon finds himself in another world, in the apocalyptic version of Tokyo, as Ultraman Zero battles a huge fleet of alien spaceships. As Taiga notices a crashing ship heading straight towards a young boy, he pilots his ship directly into its path in an act of self-sacrifice. Witnessing his brave actions, Ultraman Zero rescues Taiga and joins with him.

Taiga soon encounters Ultraman Cosmos and his human host Musashi, along with Team U and the children. He and Musashi learn that Ultraman Dyna and his human host Asuka had once stayed with the team and protected them, but that was lost in battle with the alien Zetton. It is now up to Taiga and Musashi to protect the survivors. However, Taiga is not so happy to be joined with Ultraman Zero, and has no intention of fighting...

Plot[]

The film begins with a city, which had all the people abducted from it, with some members of the Earth Defense Force (EDF) left, Team U who tries to take the advantage by doing some grocery shopping and put down a notice (written that they will return back to pay the groceries) at a noticeboard covered by other similar notices, while quickly leave the supermarket. However, an unknown kaiju rises in front of the supermarket and begins to chase four of the Team U members until their leader approaches with an exo-suit and hold the monster off while giving the other members a chance to escape. The captain herself bait the Kaiju to a landmine though however it was proven useless until Ultraman Dyna comes and easily defeats the kaiju. Dyna gives them a thumb up and leaves as the Team U member amazed and acknowledge him as a hero.

Somewhere in space, a being communicates with Ultraman Zero telepathically and seeks his help to come to the Earth as Zero agrees and reverts to Ultimate form and went to Earth after defeating remnants of Legionoids. At the Land of Light, Ultraseven realized that his son had traveled through space time much to his and Leo's worries as three more Ultras, Ace, Ultraman and Jack appears thinking that it might have a relation with a mystery disk as some of the dead Kaiju from the Monster Graveyard had been taken away.

The scene later moves to Dyna's universe and later the TPC Base at the Mars where Gousuke Hibiki (now promoted to the General rank) delivering speeches to everyone with honoring 15th anniversary of Asuka's sacrifice. While Ryo was talking to Toshiyuki Kohda (now a TPC Dept. General), he was introduced to Nozomu Taiga, a new rookie of the Super GUTS. Taiga later underestimate's Asuka's sacrifice while playing a holographic game. The celebration was cut short as they witness a Sphere duplicates itself and on his way to the TPC Base and attacking it. Taiga quickly pilot the GUTS Eagle Alpha and fires some of the Sphere as Kariya, Ryo and Nakajima witnessing it and realized that his attacks and movements while piloting the jet is similar to Asuka's technique. But however, the same mystery disk traps all of the Spheres and unknowingly caught Taiga along.

The scene later moves to the same abandoned city on Earth, where Zero wondering what happened to the civilians while standing on the top of a building. Suddenly, the disk appears and summons its familiars to attack Zero. Taiga later gains consciousness and starts to watch Zero fighting the minions. As Zero quickly destroys all of them, one of his blast accidentally about to kill a boy. Taiga realized this and sacrifice himself by piloting the GUTS Eagle Alpha and receive the blast itself while Zero quickly spirited the boy away. Zero quickly rescue Taiga's life by merging with him as Taiga waking up without realize anything. Taiga later wonders how did he happened to gain the Ultra Zero Bracelet while the boy approaches Taiga and gives him a bottle of drink as a gift.

While Taiga drinks, Zero communicates with Taiga as orders Zero to get out from his body but Zero quickly explains that his fusion with Taiga had made him more of Taiga's life support system. But however their fight was interrupted with the dolphin/narwhal kaiju, Gubila. Zero later volunteers him to transform but he refuses and rather have himself being chased along with the boy. Ultraman Cosmos appears and rescue Taiga and the boy while taming the kaiju. Cosmos reverts to his human form and introduce himself as Musashi Haruno. Zero revealed to Taiga that he was the one who brought him here from the first place. Team U later approaches with their exo-suits and revealing the boy's name as Takeru.

They brought Musashi and Taiga to their base and explains that an unknown spaceship had caught the civilians which leaving the city vacant. However, some of the homeless kids had been founded and brought them to their base as a temporary refugee. While the kids shows Taiga their base, he was introduced to a member of the Team U who realized that Taiga's outlook which similar to her late teammate, Asuka. The Team U member explains to Musashi that the civilians have been kidnapped by a mysterious disc as they were the humans left on Earth. Two Kaiju, a Gubila and a Gomess later surfaced and begin to attack Team U's base.

Though Cosmos was powerless to stop them, Taiga realized that Zero's power was needed as he transforms. Though Zero was proud of him, but his proud was short lived as he only grows 5 feet tall and scolds Taiga for his improper transformation. The kids later laughs at him even goes so far by poking him with a mop. As Taiga/Zero joins the fight both of them are badly defeated due to their incompatibility, Cosmos use the Full Moon Rect on the two Kaiju but, before they could rejoice Alien Bat in his spaceship killed the two kaiju.

Later, at night, when everyone were having dinner, Taiga witness a drawing of Ultraman Dyna and recall that he had once witness him as a child. Zero later ask him why did he hates Ultraman as Taiga replies that as a child, his parents died from a monster assault and that Dyna never came in time to rescue them. While at the kids' bedroom, Musashi starts to tell stories of a new planet which is suitable for the monsters to habituate as it was guarded by the Chaos Header as Musashi, Ayano and their son watching it from afar.

The next day, Alien Bat starts his assault by ordering Hyper Zetton to fire at Team U's base. Trying to rescue the kids, Taiga was traumatized as this makes him remind back of his parents' death. Tired of Alien Bat's terror, Musashi and Taiga decides to fight him. Before they go, the Team U leader wants them to avenge Asuka's death as he had once returned join Team U but he had died as Dyna when Zetton in cocoon form absorb his energy. As they transform into their respective Ultraman, they flight to Zetton. While proven powerless to stop it, Takeru arrives at the scene and picking up Dyna's transformation item which had ejected from him during his death. Takeru handed over it to the Team U leader which she rides on an exo-suit and flight it towards Dyna's corpse. Dyna revives and assist Zero to destroy Zetton while reviving Cosmos.

After Zetton's demise, Bat use his spaceship to fuse with the dead Zetton into Hyper Zetton. Hyper Zetton later uses his speed and energy manipulation ability to overpower the Ultramen. Takeru and the others escort the Team U leader out of the wrecked exosuit only to find out that she died. With the three Ultras proven powerless to stop him, they revert to their human form and transform again, only to fuse into a greater Ultraman. His energy later revives the leader which she names him as Ultraman Saga and explains that their desire of protecting the Earth had form him. Saga copies Hyper Zetton's ability to fight against him as everyone later watch their fight from afar. Saga throws him to the space and punches Hyper Zetton which also kills Bat. Saga emerge victorious as energies from the destroyed Hyper Zetton returns the civilians. Not long after, Takeru reunites with his mother and the Team U members commend the Ultramen for a good job.

In credit, Asuka informed his former Super GUTS teammate via telepathy that Taiga is alive and do not to worry about his condition because Taiga now has a new life and goals in the world his reside now and Ryo convinces Asuka that she and their other former Super GUTS will catchup Asuka no matter where he been while Asuka will waiting for them.

Director's Cut[]

After Ultraman Saga's birth, Hyper Zetton retaliates by summoning a group of Spheres to awaken remodeled versions of Verokron, Tyrant, Black King, Antlar, and King Pandon. Then, the Ultra Hosts of Leo, Jack, Ultraseven, Ultraman, and Ace appear and encourage the heroes to not give up. The Ultra Brothers transform and begin battling the remodeled monsters while Saga and Hyper Zetton fly towards the city. The Ultras fight with ease and destroy them with their finisher attacks before Saga's final battle commences.

After Ultraman Saga defeats Hyper Zetton, the five Ultras watch as all the abducted humans are safely returned.

Ultraman Saga: Zero and Ultra Brothers Pop Out! Hyper Battle![]

Zero is seen fighting against a remodeled Birdon in a green pocket dimension. He is soon beat down, but Zoffy arrives to deliver the Ultra Converter and heal Zero. The two then quickly finish off Birdon.

Appearances[]

Ultras[]

Kaiju[]

Cast[]

  • Nozomu Taiga (タイガ・ノゾム, Taiga Nozomu): DAIGO
  • Shin Asuka (アスカ・シン, Asuka Shin)/Ultraman Dyna (ウルトラマンダイナ, Urutoraman Daina, Voice): Takeshi Tsuruno (つるの 剛士, Tsuruno Takeshi)
  • Musashi Haruno (春野 ムサシ, Haruno Musashi)/Ultraman Cosmos (ウルトラマンコスモス, Urutoraman Kosumosu, Voice): Taiyo Sugiura (杉浦 太陽, Sugiura Taiyō)
  • Team U Members: AKB48
  • Takeru (タケル): Ryoma Takamura (高村 竜馬, Takamura Ryōma)
  • Saaya (サーヤ, Sāya): Sayaka Ikeda (池田 沙弥花, Ikeda Sayaka)
  • Ritsu (リツ): Ritsu Ohashi (大橋 律, Ōhashi Ritsu)
  • Miko (ミコ): Sorami Watanabe (渡邉 空美, Watanabe Sorami)
  • Ren (レン): Karen Ueno (上野 楓恋, Ueno Karen)
  • Ken (ケン): Kengo Ando (安藤 健悟, Andō Kengo)
  • Hiro (ヒロ): Hiromu Satomura (里村 洋, Satomura Hiromu)
  • Kuu (クー, ): Kurea Mori (森 くれあ, Mori Kurea)
  • Kanata (カナタ): Kanau Tanaka (田中 奏生, Tanaka Kanau)
  • Takeru's Mother (タケルの母, Takeru no Haha): Shion Nakamaru (中丸 シオン, Nakamaru Shion)
  • Young Nozomu Taiga (小学生のタイガ・ノゾム, Shōgakusei no Taiga Nozomu): Mitsumasa Sato (佐藤 光将, Satō Mitsumasa)
  • Toshiyuki Kohda (コウダ・トシユキ, Kōda Toshiyuki): Toshikazu Fukawa (布川 敏和, Fukawa Toshikazu)
  • Ryo Yumimura (ユミムラ・リョウ, Yumimura Ryō): Risa Saito (斉藤 りさ, Saitō Risa)
  • Kouhei Kariya (カリヤ・コウヘイ, Kariya Kōhei): Takao Kase (加瀬 尊朗, Kase Takao)
  • Tsutomu Nakajima (ナカジマ・ツトム, Nakajima Tsutomu): Joe Onodera (小野寺 丈, Onodera Jō)
  • Gousuke Hibiki (ヒビキ・ゴウスケ, Hibiki Gōsuke): Ryo Kinomoto (木之元 亮, Kinomoto Ryō)
  • Ayano Haruno (春野 綾乃, Haruno Ayano): Mayuka Suzuki (鈴木 繭菓, Suzuki Mayuka)
  • Sora Haruno (春野 ソラ, Haruno Sora): Ryu Hashizume (橋爪 龍, Hashizume Ryū)
  • Ultraman (ウルトラマン, Urutoraman, Voice)/Shin Hayata (ハヤタ・シン, Hayata Shin): Susumu Kurobe (黒部 進, Kurobe Susumu)
  • Ultraseven (ウルトラセブン, Urutorasebun, Voice)/Dan Moroboshi (モロボシ・ダン, Moroboshi Dan): Kohji Moritsugu (森次 晃嗣, Moritsugu Kōji)
  • Ultraman Jack (ウルトラマンジャック, Urutoraman Jakku, Voice)/Hideki Go (郷 秀樹, Gō Hideki): Jiro Dan (団 時朗, Dan Jirō)
  • Ultraman Ace (ウルトラマンエース, Urutoraman Ēsu, Voice)/Seiji Hokuto (北斗 星司, Hokuto Seiji): Keiji Takamine (高峰 圭二, Takamine Keiji)
  • Ultraman Leo (ウルトラマンレオ, Urutoraman Reō, Voice)/Gen Otori (おおとり ゲン, Ōtori Gen): Ryu Manatsu (真夏 竜, Manatsu Ryū)

Voice Actors[]

Suit Actors[]

  • Ultraman Zero, Ultraman Saga: Hideyoshi Iwata (岩田 栄慶, Iwata Hideyoshi)[35][36]
  • Ultraman Cosmos: Daisuke Terai (寺井 大介, Terai Daisuke)[35]
  • Ultraman Dyna:
  • Hyper Zetton: Hiroshi Suenaga (末永 博志, Suenaga Hiroshi)[35]
  • Kazunori Yokoo (横尾 和則, Yokō Kazunori)
  • Alien Bat: Ryusei Fukushima (福島 龍成, Fukushima Ryūsei)[35]
  • Reki Sakurai (櫻井 暦, Sakurai Reki)
  • Gomess (S): Kenji Kajikawa (梶川 賢司, Kajikawa Kenji)[37]
  • Yoshiki Kuwabara (桑原 義樹, Kuwabara Yoshiki)
  • Satoru Okabe (岡部 暁, Okabe Satoru)
  • Hiromu Joko (常光 博武, Jōkō Hiromu)

Action Support[]

  • Hiroyuki Arai (新井 宏幸, Arai Hiroyuki)
  • Satomi Maruta (丸田 聡美, Maruta Satomi)
  • Hitomi Adachi (安達 仁美, Adachi Hitomi)
  • Arata Yamanaka (山中 アラタ, Yamanaka Arata)
  • Tomohiko Akiyama (秋山 智彦, Akiyama Tomohiko)[38]

Staff[]

  • Director: Hideki Oka
  • Screenwriter: Keiichi Hasegawa
  • Special effects director: Toshio Miike
  • Head executive producer: Hidetoshi Yamamoto
  • Supervisor: Shinichi Ooka
  • Executive producers: Makoto Shibazaki, Tetsuya Shigematsu, Yoshitaka Tao, Satoshi Oshita, Takashi Shoji, Masayuki Yoshikawa, Atsushi Terada, Choku Matsukawa, Koji Tachihara, Kazutaka Akimoto
  • Chief producer: Tsugumi Kitaura
  • Planning: Sei Okazaki, Hiroyasu Shibuya
  • Production producer: Nobuyuki Koyama
  • Line producer: Mitsuko Nakai
  • Planning cooperation: Yuji Kobayashi
  • Director of photography: Sou Takahashi
  • Special effects cinematographer: Yoshihito Takahashi
  • Art: Taro Kiba
  • Editor: Akira Matsuki
  • Practical effects: Kenichi Ueda
  • Sound effects: Yuji Furuya
  • Sound recording: Tomoharu Urata
  • Music: Fumio Hara
  • Music director: Hideki Tanabiki
  • Action director: Isao Karasawa
  • Action supervisor: Hiroyuki Okano
  • Director's assistant: Yoshiaki Kondo
  • Assistant director: Ryoichi Ito
  • Second assistant directors: Tomonobu Koshi, Shinichi Yumoto, Yusuke Tamari
  • Assistant special effects director: Yoshikazu Ishii
  • Second assistant special effects directors: Suguru Tomita, Harano Shuto
  • Character designer: Masayuki Gotoh
  • Team uniform and saucer designer, storyboards: Shinji Nishikawa
  • Production: Tsuburaya Productions

Deleted Scenes[]

The movie originally contained scenes involving five of the Ultra Brothers battling monsters summoned by Hyper Zetton, which were cut from the film.

Ultraman Retsuden[]

Four days after the movie's release on March 28, 2012, the deleted scenes were reused and recontextualised in episode 39 of Ultraman Retsuden alongside newly-shot footage. The scene showing the five Ultras watching the humans returning to Earth was used as the episode's title card.

The episode begins with Hyper Zetton using the Spheres to summon the monster weapons with Ultraman Zero determined to challenge them alone, until Zoffy appears before him in a vision to explain the history of the Kaiju and their battles with the Ultra Brothers. After this, Ultraman Cosmos and Ultraman Dyna appear, followed by Ultraman, Ultraseven, Ultraman Jack, Ultraman Ace, and Ultraman Leo. The five Ultra Brothers' fight with the monsters then takes place, now accompanied by the Ultraman Retsuden opening song, Kirameku Mirai. Some scenes of Zero, Cosmos, and Dyna battling Hyper Zetton are shown, then the episode concludes with Zero narrating over clips of Ultraman Saga fighting, among which include the five Ultras appearing next to Saga.[39][40]

Furthermore, this readjusted series of events acts as a continuation of the promotional DVD, Ultraman Saga: Zero & Ultra Brothers Pop Out! Hyper Battle!, which presented a second Alien Bat with the same plan as the one in the original movie.[41][42] This special was only released in Televi-kun's April 2012 issue on March 1, 2012.[43]

Director's Cut[]

On December 7, 2013, a version of the movie with the deleted scenes re-added called the Director's Cut Version (ディレクターズカット版, Direkutāzu Katto-ban) was screened at MOVIX Kameari.[44] Then, starting on January 15, 2014, the director's cut was featured in New Ultraman Retsuden, split across episodes 29-33, which also included a completely new scene where Zero, Cosmos and Dyna gaze upon Earth from space and bump fists before Cosmos and Dyna leave.[45] These episodes were re-aired as part of the 2015 version of Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle, but in the 2017 version, the new scene, along with the scenes showing Asuka speaking to Super GUTS and Musashi on Planet Juran, were omitted.[46][47]

In 2019, the Ultra Brothers' scenes were featured in the prologue episode of Ultraman Taiga. In 2020, the director's cut was showcased within Ultraman Chronicle: ZERO & GEED episodes 4-8, again without the new scene.[48][49]

In 2021, the director's cut was released on disc for the first time ever in a Blu-ray boxset created to celebrate Ultraman Zero's 10th anniversary.[50] The new scene from New Ultraman Retsuden was not included. In 2022, some of the deleted scenes were once again showcased in episode 6 of Ultraman Chronicle D.

Reception[]

The film topped at #4 in the box office, but received mixed reviews from fans, some criticizing the acting of Daigo Naito as Nozomu Taiga and AKB48 as Team U. Jim M. Ballard from SciFi Japan said: "The greatest disappointment for me is that I know the staff are capable of producing something so much better – as they have time and again – and this film just feels like a wasted opportunity." The film currently holds 3 out of 5 stars in the Japanese Movie rating site goo.ne.jp.

Music[]

Ending Theme

Home Media[]

  • On September 21, 2012, the movie released on DVD and Blu-ray in Japan.[51]
  • In 2016, the first two episodes of Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle that cover Ultraman Saga were released in AQUOS-Sharp's fifth volume with English, Chinese and Malay subtitles.
  • On April 27, 2021, the director's cut was included in the "Ultraman Zero Blu-ray BOX 10th Anniversary Edition" boxset. [50]
  • On June 15, 2021, it was included in Mill Creek's Ultraman Zero collection, with English subtitles.[52]
  • On February 1, 2021, Mill Creek released the 2015 version of Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle on Blu-ray with English subtitles.[53]

Gallery[]

Logos and Key Art[]

Miscellaneous[]

Director's Cut[]

Videos[]

Trivia[]

  • In the director's cut, after Hyper Zetton is defeated, Ultraseven comments that all lives are being returned to Earth, but in the regular version, Taiga says his line dubbed over the three Ultra hosts celebrating within Saga's inner light.
  • Mai Midorikawa was meant to return in this movie, but her actress, Mariya Yamada, was unable to due to being pregnant at the time of recording.
  • Originally, Taro was supposed to fight Tyrant, but was replaced by Leo, possibly due to the Ultra being the master of Zero, who was the star Ultra at the time.
  • One of the initial plots for the film was to be set exclusively in the Neo Frontier Space World and be an epilogue to Dyna's series. This idea was turned down as Takeshi Tsuruno felt that Asuka's wandering days should not yet be concluded.
  • In Ultraman Retsuden episode 35, Zoffy informs Zero of a Zetton radiating evil energy from another universe, referring to Hyper Zetton from this movie. To prepare him, Zoffy shows Zero the various battles Ultras have had with Zetton throughout history.
    • Similarly, Ultraman Ginga S Super Complete Works stated that Zero's arrival on Team U's Earth was partly under orders from Zoffy due to the increasing Minus Energy of a Zetton (Hyper Zetton) in that dimension.
  • In Ultraman Saga Super Complete Works, Zero was mentioned to have visited the alternate Earth once more, with Anna of Team U recording his arrival in her diary.
  • The Future Earth World is briefly revisited in the beginning of Ultra Galaxy Fight: The Absolute Conspiracy episode 7.
  • This movie marks Jiro Dan's final role as Hideki Go before he passed away in 2023.

External Links[]

References[]

  1. https://cocreco.kodansha.co.jp/telemaga/news/feature/kaijubiyori/G3FmU
  2. Ultraman Saga Storyboard Collection, pg 305-404
  3. https://x.com/hidekiokahideki/status/1814687726576529426
  4. https://nikkansan.net/article/interview/映画監督%e3%80%80おかひでき-さん/
  5. https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0041165
  6. https://eiga.com/news/20120324/6/
  7. https://press.moviewalker.jp/news/article/26103/
  8. https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0037192
  9. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1229
  10. https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0038440
  11. https://eiga.com/news/20120113/1/
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 https://www.13hw.com/interview/34_01.html
  13. https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000077206&p=1
  14. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1095
  15. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1155
  16. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1185
  17. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1191
  18. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1237
  19. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1236
  20. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1287
  21. https://eiga.com/news/20120225/5/
  22. https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0039781
  23. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1278
  24. https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2007246/
  25. https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000077206
  26. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1334
  27. https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0040585
  28. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1341
  29. https://www.zaikei.co.jp/releases/38561/
  30. https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0040790
  31. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1293
  32. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1322
  33. https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0040671
  34. https://www.bunkatsushin.com/news/article.aspx?id=58975
  35. 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 Ultraman Saga Super Complete Works, pg 65
  36. Ultraman Official Archive: Zero vs. Belial 10th Anniversary Book, pg 68-70. Interview with Hideyoshi Iwata.
  37. Sevenger Fight Super Complete Works, pg 34-35. Interview with Kenji Kajikawa.
  38. https://twitter.com/tomo_mk3/status/859515723940364289
  39. http://ultramanasina.blog102.fc2.com/blog-entry-1101.html?sp
  40. http://kirituki.blog78.fc2.com/blog-entry-1813.html?sp
  41. Ultraman Saga: Zero & Ultra Brothers Pop Out! Hyper Battle! contains a trailer for the 39th episode of Ultraman Retsuden, calling it the conclusion to the current battle.
  42. Web archive of official Ultraman Retsuden blog, stating that the Alien Bat in Ultraman Saga: Zero & Ultra Brothers Pop Out! Hyper Battle! is different to the one in Ultraman Saga (Japanese).
  43. https://www.amazon.co.jp/てれびくん-2012年-04月号-雑誌/dp/B0076NHQC4
  44. https://m-78.jp/news/n-2251
  45. Official New Ultraman Retsuden blog states that the scene showing Cosmos, Zero, and Dyna in space was newly shot for New Ultraman Retsuden (Japanese).
  46. Webry blogger states that Asuka and Musashi's mid-credits scenes were cut (Japanese).
  47. Pixiv claims that the New Ultraman Retsuden-exclusive scene, along with Asuka and Musashi's mid-credits scenes, were cut (Japanese).
  48. FC2 blogger "ナナ・アールグレイ" posted screenshots of practically every part of the episode, none of which include the scene (Japanese).
  49. FC2 blogger "空色カラス" recounts the content of the episode and doesn't mention the scene (Japanese).
  50. 50.0 50.1 https://m-78.jp/news/post-5743
  51. https://m-78.jp/news/n-1382
  52. https://www.millcreekent.com/products/ultraman-zero-chronicles
  53. https://www.millcreekent.com/products/ultraman-zero-the-chronicle-the-complete-series

Productions
Showa Series Ultra Q | Ultraman | Ultraseven | Return of Ultraman | Ultraman Ace | Ultraman Taro | Ultraman Leo | Ultraman 80
Heisei Series Ultraman Tiga | Ultraman Dyna | Ultraman Gaia | Ultraman Cosmos | Ultra Q: Dark Fantasy | Ultraman Nexus | Ultraman Max | Ultraman Mebius | Ultraseven X | Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle | Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey | Neo Ultra Q | Ultraman Ginga | Ultraman Ginga S | Ultraman X | Ultraman Orb | Ultraman Geed | Ultraman R/B
Reiwa Series Ultraman Taiga | Ultraman Z | Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga | Ultraman Decker | Ultraman Blazar | Ultraman Arc | Ultraman Omega
Outside of Japan Ultraman: The Adventure Begins | Ultraman: Towards the Future | Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero | Ultraman: Rising
Original Video and TV Special Ultra Fight | Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider | Ultra Super Fight | Ultraman Nice | Heisei Ultraseven | Ultraman Neos | Ultraman: Super Fighter Legend | Ultra Idemitsujin | Ultra Zone
Showa Movies Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature | Return of Ultraman | The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. The Monster Army | Ultraman (1979) | Ultraman: Great Monster Decisive Battle | Ultraman ZOFFY: Ultra Warriors vs. the Giant Monster Army | Ultraman Story
Heisei Movies Ultra Q The Movie | Revive! Ultraman | Ultraman Zearth | Ultraman Zearth 2 | Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Dyna | Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Dyna, & Ultraman Gaia | Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey | Ultraman Cosmos: The First Contact | Ultraman Cosmos 2 | New Century Ultraman Legend | Ultraman Cosmos vs. Ultraman Justice | New Century 2003 Ultraman Legend | ULTRAMAN (2004) | Ultraman Mebius & the Ultra Brothers | Superior 8 Ultra Brothers | Mega Monster Battle Ultra Galaxy: The Movie | Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial | Ultraman Saga | Ultraman Ginga Theater Special | Ultraman Ginga Theater Special: Battle Royale | Ultraman Ginga S The Movie | Ultraman X The Movie | Ultraman Orb The Movie | Ultraman Geed The Movie | Ultraman R/B The Movie
Reiwa Movies Ultraman Taiga The Movie | Ultraman Trigger: Episode Z | Shin Ultraman | Ultraman Decker Finale | Ultraman Blazar The Movie | Ultraman Arc The Movie
Short Films Ultraman, Ultraseven: Great Violent Monster Fight | Mirrorman Pilot Film | Ultra Q No.29: Darkness is Coming! | Return of Ultraman: MAT Arrow 1 Takeoff Order | Ultraman Neos Pilot | Ultraman Tiga 〜To the Children of Light〜 | Fierce Battle! Ultraman Takamiy | ULTRAMAN_n/a | Ultraseven IF Story
Spin-Offs Andro Melos | Ultraman Zearth: Parody Chapter | Revival of the Ancient Giant | The Return of Hanejiro | Gaia Again | The Ultra Q Club | Ultraman Kaiju Legend | Hikari Saga | Armored Darkness | Ghost Rebirth | Ultraman Zero VS Darklops Zero | Q -Door to Another Dimension- | Killer the Beatstar | Ultra Zero Fight | Ultra Fight Victory | Ultraman Orb THE ORIGIN SAGA | Ultra Fight Orb | New Generation Heroes | The Absolute Conspiracy | Sevenger Fight | Struggle of Special Section 3 | The Destined Crossroad | Continued Ultra Fight | Shin Ultra Fight | Return of Special Section 3 | Ultraman Regulos | Ultraman Regulos: First Mission | SKaRD Break Room
Dramas and Docudramas Fly in the Sea Breeze!! Ultraman | The Men Who Made Ultraman | Superhuman Detective Shuwatch | My Beloved Ultraseven | The Man Who Wanted to Be Ultraman | The Kaiju Club | The Two Ultramen
Rebroadcast Shows Ultraman Retsuden | New Ultraman Retsuden | Ultraman Zero: The Chronicle | Ultraman Orb: The Chronicle | Ultraman New Generation Chronicle | Ultraman Chronicle: ZERO & GEED | Ultraman Chronicle Z: Heroes' Odyssey | Ultraman Chronicle D | Ultraman New Generation Stars
Other Series and Movies Kaiju Booska | Captain Ultra | Mighty Jack | Fight! Mighty Jack | Operation: Mystery | Scat of Single | Chibira-kun | Mirrorman | Redman | Triple Fighter | Emergency Directive 10-4·10-10 | Iron King | Horror Theater Unbalance | Fireman | Jumborg Ace | Mirror Fight | Jumborg Ace & Giant | Mars Men | Army of the Apes | Pro-Wrestling Star Aztecaser | The Last Dinosaur | Dinosaur Expedition Born Free | Dinosaur Great War Izenborg | Star Wolf | Dinosaur Squadron Koseidon | Our Baseball Detective Team | Anime-chan | Gridman the Hyper Agent | Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad | Moon Spiral | Cyber Beauties Telomere | Booska! Booska!! | Otasuke Girl | Mysterious Incident Special Investigation Team SRI | Mirrorman REFLEX | Bio Planet WoO | Operation: Mystery - Second File | Mirror Fight 2012 | Operation: Mystery - Mystery File | Gridknight Fight
Anime The☆Ultraman | Ultraman Kids (Pleasant Friends of Planet M7.8, Proverb Stories, 30 Million Light-Years) | Ultraman Graffiti: Wild! Ultra Country | Ultraman: Super Fighter Legend | Ultra Nyan | Ultra Nyan 2 | Ultraman M78 Theater Love & Peace | Gridman the Hyper Agent: boys invent great hero | The・Ultraman: Jackal vs. Ultraman | Kaiju Sakaba Kanpai! | Kaiju Girls | SSSS.GRIDMAN | ULTRAMAN (2019) | Kaiju Step Wandabada | SSSS.DYNAZENON | KAIJU DECODE | GRIDMAN UNIVERSE
Documentaries and Informational Series The Father of Ultra Q | Ultra Information Station | Ultra's Cradle | Ultra Heroine Legend (From Anne to Seven, Contest of Goddesses) | Ultra Q Kaiju Legend | Ultraman The Prime | Return of Izenborg | ULTRAMAN ARCHIVES | Takaya's Room | Ultra Science Fantasy Hour | Ultra Fight Club | UlSummer Information Station | Tomokazu Seki's ULTRA CLUB | Ultra Construction Tour | Ultra Information Center | Ultraseven Legend | Professor Teruaki's "Blazar Kaiju Academy" | Super Power! Ultra Encyclopedia! | Ultraman 4K Discovery | Ul-Katsu Life | THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN
Outlaw Content Space Warriors 2000 | Project Ultraman | Ultraman The Animation | Ultraman: A Little Journey on Earth | Fun... English with Ultraman | Young Ultraman | Ultraman Big Transformation | Sinic Q | Red Jade | Dragon Force: So Long Ultraman | Dragon Force: Rise of Ultraman