Tsuburaya Productions has just dropped a bombshell for Tokusatsu fans worldwide. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the legendary franchise, they have announced the upcoming release of a definitive documentary film titled "THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN," set to hit screens on Friday, July 3rd.
This isn't just your standard retrospective. The project is being spearheaded by none other than Hirokazu Kore-eda, the visionary director behind the Palm d'Or-winning "Shoplifters." Joining him is a literal "Who’s Who" of global creative titans—including Guillermo del Toro, Hideo Kojima, Hideaki Anno, and Shinji Higuchi—all coming together to dissect a single, profound question: "What is Ultraman?"
Along with the announcement, the official poster visual has been unveiled.
▲ The newly released poster visual. Ultraman gazes directly at the viewer with a piercing, iconic stare that seems to embody the film’s central inquiry: "What is Ultraman?"
60th Anniversary Documentary "THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN" Set for Release on Friday, July 3rd!
About "THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN"
"Ultraman," the gold standard of Japanese Tokusatsu (special effects) television, premiered in 1966 and instantly became a social phenomenon, commanding a staggering peak viewership rating of 42.8% in Japan.
Even now, sixty years after its debut, Tsuburaya Productions continues to breathe new life into the series, expanding this multi-generational universe to a global scale. This documentary features testimonies from the world’s leading creators across the realms of film, special effects, and design.
The lineup of "witnesses" is unparalleled: Guillermo del Toro (Film Director), Hirokazu Kore-eda (Film Director), Hideo Kojima (Game Creator), Hideaki Anno (Director/Producer), Shinji Higuchi (Film Director), and Nicolas Winding Refn (Film Director), among many other domestic and international luminaries. Through their collective insights, the true silhouette of Ultraman begins to emerge.
The film explores a unique world where the hero is celebrated, yet the tragic backgrounds of the Kaiju (monsters) are painted with deep empathy. It deconstructs the powerful aesthetic appeal of both the hero and the creatures. Furthermore, it shines a light on the ingenuity and craftsmanship of Eiji Tsuburaya and his original team, tracing the footsteps of how "Ultraman" eventually conquered the hearts of the world.
【Witnesses Discussing the Origins】(Titles omitted)
Guillermo del Toro (Film Director / "Pacific Rim," "The Shape of Water")
Hirokazu Kore-eda (Film Director / "Nobody Knows," "Shoplifters," "Monster")
Hideo Kojima (Game Creator / "Metal Gear" series, "Death Stranding" series)
Hideaki Anno (Director & Producer / "Evangelion" series, "Shin Godzilla," "Shin Ultraman" (Planning/Screenplay))
Shinji Higuchi (Film Director / "Shin Godzilla," "Shin Ultraman," "The Bullet Train" (2025))
Nicolas Winding Refn (Film Director / "Drive," "The Neon Demon")
Shannon Tindle (Film Director / "Ultraman: Rising")
John Aoshima (Film Director / "Ultraman: Rising")
Kairi Narita (Eldest son of Tohl Narita, the original "Ultraman" Art Director)
Pat Cadigan (Sci-Fi Author / "Synners," "The Girl-Thing Who Went Out for Sushi," "Ultraman" English novelization)
Satoshi Shimizu (Film Critic / Creative Director)
Noi Sawaragi (Art Critic)
Hidenori Okada (Chief Curator at the National Film Archive of Japan)
Susumu Kurobe (Actor / Role of Shin Hayata)
Hiroko Sakurai (Actor / Role of Akiko Fuji)
Sandayu Dokumamushi (Actor / Role of Daisuke Arashi)
Toshihiro Iijima (Screenwriter & Director)
Kazuo Sagawa (Cinematography)
Kiyoshi Suzuki (Cinematography)
Sadao Iizuka (Optical Effects Technician)
Tokuko Shishikura (Script Supervisor)
"THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN" Film Information
Release Date: Friday, July 3rd
Staff
Supervision: Takayuki Tsukagoshi
Planning: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Planning & Production: Yoshi Minamitami, Takuya Tashiro
Planning Assistance & Interviews: Satoshi Shimizu
Directors: Yu Nakamura, Kazuki Yoshida
Producers: Masahiro Onda, Tomoko Izuta (Slowhand)
Production Company: Slowhand
Produced by: Tsuburaya Productions
Distribution: TOHO NEXT, Tsuburaya Productions
Cast
Guillermo del Toro, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Hideo Kojima
Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi, Nicolas Winding Refn
Shannon Tindle, John Aoshima
Kairi Narita, Pat Cadigan
Satoshi Shimizu, Noi Sawaragi, Hidenori Okada
Susumu Kurobe, Hiroko Sakurai, Sandayu Dokumamushi
Toshihiro Iijima, Kazuo Sagawa, Kiyoshi Suzuki, Sadao Iizuka, Tokuko Shishikura
Ultraman 60th Anniversary Project
On July 10, 1966, Ultraman appeared on television for the very first time. Since then, the series has evolved alongside the eras, touching hearts and delivering themes of "Courage," "Hope," and "Kindness." The franchise will officially celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026.
The "Ultraman 60th Anniversary Project" is currently underway to commemorate this historic milestone. Our goal is to share the charm of the series not only with longtime fans but also with those who have yet to experience the world of Ultraman. Through the depth of each story and its universal themes, we strive to ensure Ultraman remains a beloved icon across generations and borders for years to come.
★ Official "Ultraman 60th Anniversary Project" Website
★ Official Tsuburaya Productions X (@tsuburayaprod)
(C)TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
© Animate Times
*Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
