Ultraman reinvents itself on Netflix with a new trilogy of films designed to capture all audiences
Underneath the bright flashes of light and the promise of a new dawn for the legendary saga, Ultraman: Rising is emerging as a daring project, a departure from the superhero’s previous installments. In this new odyssey, the silver giant will not only face giant monsters, but will also have an unexpected tender role: guardianship of a small kaiju.
Trilogy on the horizon
In a recent interview with CB, the director of this new approach, Shannon Tindle, revealed that this film is the beginning of a carefully planned trilogy. “I have ideas for two more movies. I know specifically what I want to do with them,” Tindle said, fueling fans’ excitement.
Expectations are high not only for die-hard Ultraman fans, but also for first-timers to this universe. “I think both new viewers and die-hard fans will really enjoy these films, especially since there’s an element we haven’t explored in this first installment…” the director hinted, leaving an air of mystery.
A new aspect of heroism
The plot centers on Ken Sato, a baseball star who returns to Japan to take up the mantle of Ultraman and defend Earth. When he comes, he will find a great challenge. He must raise the son of his greatest enemy, a newborn kaiju. Between teammate and rookie father, Ken must confront his own ego, his distant relationship with his father, and the machinations of the kaiju defense force.
The film features an impressive cast including Christopher Sean, Gede Watanabe, Tamlin Tomita, Keon Young and Julia Harriman. The production is carried out by Tsuburaya Productions, which has partnered with Netflix and Industry Light and Magic to bring this new Ultraman narrative to life.
A journey of self-discovery
The new film presents an exciting journey full of new responsibilities, unexpected challenges and the eternal struggle between good and evil. With this film, Tsuburaya Productions offers a new approach to the legendary character, not just for entertainment, but to explore the depth of heroism in unusual and emotional situations.
Thus, Ultraman: Rising is positioned as the beginning of a trilogy that promises to redefine what it means to be a hero, not just as a film. With every action sequence and every bid, Ultraman is prepared not only to save the world, but also to win hearts.
The best adventures of Ultraman
Delving into the vast Ultraman universe, we find numerous series and movies that have captured the imaginations of multiple generations. One of the cornerstones of the franchise was the original 1966 series that established Ultraman as an icon of Japanese pop culture and laid the foundation for many sequels and adaptations. This classic introduced the episodic format of Ultraman fighting giant monsters, a concept that has been repeated with great success over the years.
Among the most popular adaptations is Ultraman Tiga in 1996, which revitalized the franchise with a modern approach and a deeper narrative. This series was instrumental in introducing Ultraman to a new generation, achieving critical and commercial success and greatly expanding the series’ fan base.
In the cinematic realm, 2010’s Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial was known for its grand production and stunning special effects, which took Ultraman’s action and adventure to a whole new level. This film was not only a success at the box office, but also thanks to its innovative story and its ability to attract both audiences and long-time fans.
These works are some of the jewels in the character’s crown, each contributing to the legacy that the new film now seeks to elevate and expand, promising new adventures and perhaps redefining what it means to be a hero in the modern context.