Ultra-Miscellaneous

[Raptor]

Joe Sewell (ultrajoe@spamcop.net) maintains this great reference.

"Believe it or not, I *am* working on version 3.0. It will include information on Cosmos, Justice, Legend, Boy, the N-project Ultras (Noa, Nexus & "The Next"), Millennium, Elite and the various dark counterparts. I'm also beginning the process of upgrading the pages to XHTML 1.0; at the start, though, this will probably be limited to some of the new pages. I hope to split out the Other Ultras page into multiple pages. I'll also have some other surprises.
"What I need, though, is a supply of pictures for some of the Ultras, specifically Legend, Boy, Noa, Nexus (Anphans & Junis), "The Next" (Anphans & Junis), Millennium, Elite, Dark Ultraman (Millennium's foe), Dark Faust & Dark Mephisto. I'd prefer concept poses that show each one standing, if at all possible; I'd prefer not having a bunch of magazine "flash" in the background, nor a head-and-shoulders shot. I'd also prefer not having a photo of the Bandai or Apex figures, if at all possible.

"Email me a pointer (URL) or the files themselves.

"I hope to have this next update online before January 1 arrives on the East Coast of the US, although I'm not sure I'll get it all done in time. I'll post a message to the Ultraman, Ultraman2 and Ultraman Archive Yahoo! Groups to the Absolute Ultraman board at BurnProject and to alt.tv.sentai, when I've got it online."

If anyone can help Joe with this, I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated by many Ultra fans! :)

[Kaiju Nexus]

Great news! I always loved that FAQ! That's where a good deal of my research for kaijunet gets done.

<shameless plug>

In fact, we just got our new Ultra Q section up at kaijunet.com. It hasn't officially launched (we're waiting for our graphics designer to get done the banner and flashy background), but the first fourteen episodes are up. Go to kaijunet.com, go to the "Films/Series" section, the "Ultraman" subsection, and click Ultra Q in the list to check it out. Don't be afraid to tell us what you think!

Note: That entire section is pretty much a product of James Webster's tireless work, so kudos to him!

</shameless plug>

:-D

[kpa]

Check out Henshin! Online http://www.henshinonline.com/ for the complete film notes for the American Cinematheque’s “Japanese Giant Monsters Festival” which runs from June 24-July 3 in Los Angeles, CA.

June 25th is Ultraman Day, and Tsuburaya Productions has organized an incredible event featuring the US Premiere of ULTRAMAN: THE NEXT, the first public screening anywhere for a rare English dubbed episode of ULTRA Q, episodes of ULTRAMAN, FIREMAN, and MIRRORMAN, a live stage show, and a contest for a limited edition (production run will be less than 20) Ultraman Inanez guitar!

There are also plans for Hiroshi Maruyama (designer of the majority of
Tsuburaya kaiju and heroes created since 1994, plus mecha designer for GxMG) to attend the NEXT premiere.

[kpa]

As Ultraman celebrates his 40th anniversary this year, James Ballard of Tokyo Monsters takes a look back at another recent milestone for Japan’s greatest hero. 2004 saw a major revamp and relaunch of the Ultraman franchise, resulting in a new approach, an acclaimed film, and a multitude of new Ultra heroes and villains.

For info and photos on ULTRA Q CLUB, ULTRA Q DARK FANTASY, Ultraman Noa, ULTRAMAN: THE NEXT, Dark Faust, ULTRAMAN NEXUS, Dark Zagi, and much more, head to SciFi Japan.

http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2006/04/15/tsuburaya-productions-2004-a-year-in-retrospect/

[kpa]

Shinsuke Achiha, who played Ultra Garrison member Soga on the original ULTRA SEVEN, has died of an apparent suicide.

Oki Miyano has written an obituary, which is now on SciFi Japan at:
http://tinyurl.com/2xhf6k

[beastfromosaka]

R. I. P.:(

[kpa]

Beginning next month in Japan, Tsuburaya Productions and Bandai Visual will be releasing re-edited, direct-to-DVD episodes of the Heisei Ultraman TV series. Being released under the banner of “Climax Stories”, these one-hour specials re-tell the highlights of each series, each carefully guided by veteran Ultraman directors.

Check out SciFi Japan for cover art and details:


http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2007/11/15/ultraman-climax-stories/

[Enshohma]

Sounds like those "Ultra Big Fight" monster stock footage compilation videos that Bandai made in the late 1980s-to-early-1990s again.

[James Ballard]

The last three covers revealed -- COSMOS, NEXUS and MAX:

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f188/ultranexus/514yXVqWbL_SS500_.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f188/ultranexus/nexus.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f188/ultranexus/5139wB734L_SS500_.jpg

[Enshohma]

The good folks at Sci-Fi Japan have posted an extensive episode and all-round series guide to the recently ended “Ultraseven X”. One of many sequels and spin-offs of the Ultra-Being who is arguably more popular then Ultraman, “Ultraseven X” was a departure for the Ultraman franchise as it was a more mature show which aired late nights, even more so then 2005-2006’s “Ultraman the Next” and “Ultraman Nexus”, which were quite radical themselves, with Nexus compared to a live action, angst driven anime drama…except that it worked.

You can find the article, with plenty of added images, here:

http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2007/12/22/ultraseven-x-series-guide/

Enjoy and let's thank Kpa for such an awsome, always updating site!

[kpa]

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Ultraman, a series of special Ultraman-themed exhibitions have taken place throughout Japan since early 2006. As a finale for these events, “Ultraman Exhibition–Operation Roppongi Sky” opened on December 6, 2007 and runs through January 20 of 2008... an exhibition of original props, artwork, and memorabilia from the first three Ultra series (ULTRA Q, ULTRAMAN, and ULTRA SEVEN), many of which have are being shown to the public for the very first time.

A look at the “Operation Roppongi Sky” exhibition—with exclusive photos—is now on SciFi Japan:

http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2008/01/08/ultraman-exhibition-operation-roppongi-sky/

[Enshohma]

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Ultraman, a series of special Ultraman-themed exhibitions have taken place throughout Japan since early 2006. As a finale for these events, “Ultraman Exhibition–Operation Roppongi Sky” opened on December 6, 2007 and runs through January 20 of 2008... an exhibition of original props, artwork, and memorabilia from the first three Ultra series (ULTRA Q, ULTRAMAN, and ULTRA SEVEN), many of which have are being shown to the public for the very first time.

A look at the “Operation Roppongi Sky” exhibition—with exclusive photos—is now on SciFi Japan:

http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2008/01/08/ultraman-exhibition-operation-roppongi-sky/

The life sized (human-suit-actor-wise) monster props are great, and so many of them too, like a demented wax museum of Ultra-goodness. And just to let the more bias Godzilla fans know, there’s a neat illustration of King Ghidorah fighting Ultraman; times three.

[James Ballard]

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news/20080223p2a00m0na020000c.html

FUKUSHIMA -- A giant statue of Japanese action hero Ultraman has been placed in Fukushima Airport's terminal building with officials hoping it will boost passenger numbers.

The 3-meter-high statue was erected in line with the 15th anniversary of the airport's opening. Combined with scenes showing other monsters and clothing used in the filming of Ultraman, it is the first permanent display of its kind in Japan.

The Fukushima town of Sukagawa, which lies next to the airport, is the hometown of the late Eiji Tsuburaya, who created Ultraman, and Tsuburaya Productions lent its full support to local residents keen to set up the display.

The number of users of Fukushima Airport has fallen since 1999 as airlines have suspended certain routes and reduced flight numbers.

"A savior has come from the land of light," an airport official said of the statue, apparently referring to Ultraman's supposed birthplace in space.

[rodanguirus]

That is an excellent tribute.

[alienhulk2099]

Nice guide.:)

[Mecha74]

This was something filmed for a 1994 documentary about both franchises, I actually have this on an old vhs, but I recently ran across it on You Tube. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioccRTo7AAc

[Enshohma]

The point of this thread is to combine all the so-called miscellaneous Ultraman related items into one, not counting those dedicated to full shows and spin-offs that lasted far longer then most of the items placed in here, such as the Ultra Galaxy: Daikaiju Battle thread, hence keeping this one a little more manageable. Plus I've post it up as a sticky because lets face it, the big red and silver alien heroes from Nebula M78 and all their related spin-offs have been around since 1965, and are still going strong.

Please continue to post Ultraman related subjects outside this thread, as I will manage those to be merged in the future.

Separate Threads of Interest:

Ultra Galaxy: Daikaiju Battle (TV Series)
http://www.kaijuphile.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16458

Ultraman Tiga
http://www.kaijuphile.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1055

Ultra Monsters (concering random monsters and aliens from the franchise)
http://www.kaijuphile.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1726

Gridman / Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad (Also from Tsubaraya Productions)
http://www.kaijuphile.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4339

Tsubaraya Productions Vs. Thailand's Chaiyo Productions
http://www.kaijuphile.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17159

More in future edits to this first post alone!

[kpa]

A new Ultraman exhibit has opened in connection with the latest film SUPER 8 ULTRA BROTHERS. James Ballard attended the event and has provided a short write-up and photos:

http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2008/09/20/ultraman-exhibit-at-yokohama-doll-museum/

[Enshohma]

Ultraman (2009-2010)

Well, despite the continuing Ultra Galaxy: Mega Monster Battles spin-offs, it seems that Tsuburaya Productions still have plans for their red and silver alien heroes; Warner Bros Japan is currently at work on a new film simply titled Ultraman, which will be released either this December, or early in 2010.

Monster Zero forums has the first small snippets of the mysterious film here:

http://www.clubtokyo.org/discuss/viewtopic.php?t=15776

Now to make it clear, despite the name AND being an off-shoot of Warner Brothers in America, this does not mean the new film is an American-Japanese co-production. Warner Bros Japan is simply a major distributor and have handled a number of films in the past, and many not so well known outside their native country (the live action Cutey Honey The Movie being a good, recent example).

[alienhulk2099]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMcmKRF8aMg

You're welcome.:p

[Enshohma]

Tsuburaya Productions Returns To Television With Multiple Ultra Projects!

According to sources from Japanese newspapers and the Ultraman Lah forums, Tsuburaya Productions has multiple projects planned for 2010, including a third season of Ultra Galaxy: Mega Monster Battles, and a proper series staring Ultraman Zero. My friend and fellow kaiju artist Matt has more at his Deviant Art page blog:

http://kaijusamurai.deviantart.com/journal/30682505/

And for those who can't view the link...

In the midst of the Godzilla-less drought, wherein we kaiju fans have to WORK for our dearly beloved genre, who else but the handsome and virile Tsuburaya comes charging in on a brilliant white stallion, brandishing Baltan-themed cookies and delicious Neronga milk.

...Don't question my analogies.

Anywhoooooooooooooooooo, back in December, Tsuburaya unleashed their magnum opus, MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA GALAXY LEGENDS THE MOVIE to the Japanese box office, and while it had its work cut out for it, competing against the juggernauts of ONE PIECE: STRONG WORLD, Roland Emmerich's surprisingly competant 2012, and that massive and vapid fanwank KAMEN RIDER DOUBLE X DECADE, it held its own thanks to positive reviews and great word-of-mouth.

And now it looks like things are paying off!

Recently announced was the Ultra Galaxy Legends The Movie 2 Project. Whether or not that actually means there will be a sequel film is still up-in-the-air, but what has been confirmed?

ULTRAMAN ZERO - 26 Episodes
ULTRA GALAXY WARS - 26 Episodes
M78: BELIAL STORY - 4 Episodes

So that's two new television series AND a Gaiden (side-story). Nice!

I suppose a big part of my excitement stems from just plain faith in the Tsuburaya Production Company. Honestly, from what I've seen, they're one of the few Japanese studios that still has a lot of artistic soul. Unlike Toho and Toei, which operate like production lines and pump out adequate-but-not-high-quality products every year like clockwork, it's usually a good 2 or 3 years between Ultraman series, mostly since the company is still family-operated and TPC still holds Old Man Tsuburaya's creed close to their collective heart.

Granted, we can't get ahead of ourselves. While the last three Ultra Series, ULTRA GALAXY, ULTRASEVEN X, and ULTRA GALAXY: NEVER ENDING ODYSSEY, were compacted and well-paced little nuggets of superhero and kaiju bodacity, they were extremely budgeted series with very little in the way of proper miniature sets, or even real production values. HOPEFULLY, this will be rectified in the two new television series and we'll get some proper kaiju battles and Ultraman fights!

Here's hoping, Tsuburaya!

[alienhulk2099]

^That is made of epic win.

Part 2 of that last link I gave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGBNHVH6PLM&feature=fvw

Again, you're welcome.:cool:

[James Ballard]

Former Ultraman director/producer Takeshi Yagi (ULTRAMAN MAX, SUPER 8 ULTRA BROTHERS) talks to Gaijin Channel.com about a new Ultraman book he co-authored, "Ultraman Begins 2011", and of the significance of Ultraman to Japan after the March 11th earthquake disaster.

Read more at: http://www.gaijinchannel.com/index.php/2011/09/30/former-ultraman-director-discusses-new-ultraman-book-aiding-children-of-march-11th-disaster/