The new Netflix CG-animated feature, Ultraman: Rising, finally has an airdate. The next installment of Netflix’s take on the juggernaut Japanese franchise will drop on June 14, 2024. The film was announced last year, and it looks to have a strong production team with some impressive names behind it, including the co-director of Kubo and the Two Strings.
What is Ultraman: Rising?
Ultraman: Rising arrives on the scene following the conclusion of the Netflix series Ultraman, which captivated audiences over three seasons before wrapping up its run early in 2023. Despite the series’ end, Ultraman remains a powerhouse franchise. During an AMA session on X to commemorate Ultraman Day, the film’s director, Shannon Tindle, described the movie as “a big popcorn movie with a ton of heart,” focusing on the intricate dynamics of parent-child relationships.
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Tindle further highlighted that Ultraman: Rising serves as an ideal gateway for newcomers to the franchise, noting its standalone nature that means you don’t need to be familiar with previous Ultraman series to enjoy the movie.
What do we know about the story?
The teaser trailer for the upcoming film, which we saw back in November, drops tantalizing hints about the film’s story. Initially, it portrays protagonist Ken Sato fully embracing the high life, reveling in his fame as a baseball icon. Furthermore, the preview shows how adept Ken is at juggling his celebrity athlete status with his heroic duties as Ultraman, seamlessly transitioning from hitting home runs to battling Kaijus that emerge from the heavens, all without missing a beat.
Finally, the teaser hints at an unexpected twist: the Kaiju leaves behind a youngling that quickly forms an attachment to Ken. This development steers the narrative towards a more humorous path, as we see Ultraman navigating the challenges of managing a colossal infant that wreaks havoc, blending heroics with the trials of unconventional parenthood.
I’m not sure how I feel about this humor – the franchise is at its finest when it takes itself seriously, and it’s going to take something special to put a new spin on the tired ‘inept dad’ trope. Here’s hoping the dad being a colossal superhero is enough to do that.
Like its brethren Kamen Rider and Super Sentai, the Ultraman franchise is a renowned and enduring cornerstone of Japanese pop culture, particularly in the realm of tokusatsu (special effects-driven entertainment). It originated with the 1966 television series Ultraman, created by Eiji Tsuburaya, the visual effects wizard behind many iconic Japanese monster films.
The series followed the adventures of the Science Special Search Party (SSSP), a team tasked with defending Earth from monstrous threats. When their captain, Shin Hayata, merges with an alien being from the Land of Light named Ultraman, he gains the ability to transform into a towering, silver-and-red superhero to combat giant monsters.
Since its inception, the franchise has expanded into numerous television series, films, manga, and merchandise, captivating generations of fans worldwide. Each iteration typically revolves around a human host who transforms into a superhero giant to battle various monstrous adversaries threatening humanity and Earth.
While maintaining the core themes of heroism, teamwork, and the battle between good and evil, Ultraman has evolved over the years, introducing new characters, concepts, and visual effects technologies to keep the franchise fresh and engaging.
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The franchise has also seen successful crossovers with other popular tokusatsu properties, such as Godzilla, further solidifying its status as a beloved cultural icon. Ultraman’s legacy continues to thrive, with new series and projects regularly released to entertain both longtime enthusiasts and newcomers to the genre, ensuring that its legacy endures for generations to come.
About Ultraman: Rising
Release Date: June 14, 2024
Director: Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima
Written by: Shannon Tindle, Marc Haimes
Produced by: Tom Knott, Lisa M. Poole
Production: Netflix Animatin, Tsuburaya Production, Industrial Light & Magic
Network: Netflix
Cast: Christopher Sean, Gedde Watanabe, Tamlyn Tomita, Keone Young, and Julia Harriman
Synopsis: With Tokyo under siege from rising monster attacks, baseball star Ken Sato reluctantly returns home to take on the mantle of Ultraman. But the titanic superhero meets his match when he is forced to adopt a 35-foot-tall, fire-breathing baby kaiju. Sato must rise above his ego to balance work and parenthood while protecting the baby from forces bent on exploiting her for their own dark plans. In partnership with Netflix, Tsuburaya Productions, and Industrial Light & Magic, Ultraman: Rising is written by Shannon Tindle and Marc Haimes, directed by Shannon Tindle, and co-directed by John Aoshima.
Will you be watching Ultraman: Rising? Are you already an Ultraman fan or will this be your introduction to the series? Let us know in the comments or on our social media.
SOURCE: Netflix
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