When creating a world as iconic as Ultraman: Rising, every detail counts. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the towering kaiju battles, every frame must transport viewers into a universe where larger-than-life heroes and villains clash. For Hayden Jones, VFX Supervisor of Ultraman: Rising, the mission was to bring vivid and stylistic visuals to life—pushing the boundaries of what audiences expect from anime and superhero films. We sat down with Hayden to uncover the behind-the-scenes work that went into crafting the stunning visuals of Ultraman: Rising.
Building a Whole New World, One Frame at a Time
One of the challenges of Ultraman: Rising was creating a world that felt both familiar and otherworldly. Unlike some VFX projects where assets can be reused or adjusted, Hayden Jones and his team built the entire visual environment from scratch. Every building, every crowd member, and every moment had to be meticulously designed.
“Pretty much everything gets made from scratch. You’re creating an entire world. You’re creating the whole of Tokyo. We’re going in and doing detail on the city, creating every character, every crowd member. Everything is created from scratch by a massive team of artists who are just amazing to work with,” said Jones.
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For Hayden, this process was about more than just technical expertise—it was about capturing the essence of Ultraman’s world and making it resonate on a global scale. The level of detail put into crafting Tokyo and the film’s iconic kaiju characters speaks to the dedication of the team to create a believable yet fantastic universe.
“Atomo Moments”: Blending Anime with Cutting-Edge VFX
Ultraman: Rising stands out for its unique blend of traditional anime aesthetics and cutting-edge visual effects. The VFX team coined the term “Atomo moments,” inspired by Katsuhiro Otomo, creator of the legendary Akira. These moments were strategically integrated throughout the film to evoke emotion and offer an artistic jolt to the viewers.
“We wanted these moments to evoke an emotion. Shannon [the director] wanted the visuals to give a boosted, heightened sense of reality or show an emotion without having to do it through performance or dialogue,” Jones explained. “It jolts the viewer and connects them to what Ken is feeling. He knows it’s a home run, and the audience feels that energy.”
The idea was to use these artistic flourishes to immerse audiences in the emotional highs and lows of the story. The decision to include manga-style, black-and-white frames at pivotal moments not only added a stylistic edge but also helped the audience connect with the protagonist on a deeper emotional level.
Harnessing Colors for Maximum Impact
Color is a powerful tool in storytelling, and Hayden Jones is no stranger to using it to maximum effect. For Ultraman: Rising, every shift in color palette served a narrative purpose, enhancing the emotional experience of the audience. The final battle sequence in particular stands out for its dynamic colors—starting with muted grays and evolving into vibrant hues as the tension reaches its peak.
“For example, in the end battle sequence, we start off with muted colors—gray skies, a storm coming. As the tension builds, the colors get more intense. You go from muted grays to an acid green sky with purple lightning. It builds and builds until the final moment, where the kaijus and Ultras work together, and everything turns super rainbow-colored,” Jones described.
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By leveraging shifts in color intensity, Jones and his team were able to visually guide the audience through the emotional beats of the story—from moments of despair to triumph. The vibrant color choices, particularly in the climactic scenes, convey a sense of hope and unity, making the visuals more than just a spectacle—they become a character in their own right.
The Magic of Story-Driven VFX
For Hayden Jones, the key to great visual effects lies in serving the story. The magic of Ultraman: Rising isn’t just in the stunning landscapes or epic action sequences, but in how every visual detail contributes to the emotional core of the narrative.
“Everything we do is driven by the story. At Industrial Light & Magic, we’re filmmakers. We partner with filmmakers. Everything we create is to serve the story, from how we use color to how we build up the emotion,” said Jones.
This story-driven approach to visual effects is what makes Ultraman: Rising stand out. Whether it’s the thunderous clash of kaijus or the quiet, intimate moments of character growth, every shot is meticulously crafted to draw the audience deeper into the world of Ultraman.
Looks Great
Ultraman: Rising is not just another superhero movie—it’s an immersive experience that combines the best of anime-style storytelling with state-of-the-art visual effects. Thanks to Hayden Jones and his team, the visuals of the film become a powerful storytelling tool, helping to elevate the narrative beyond expectations. From “Atomo moments” that bring an anime flair to the film, to the impactful use of color that reflects the emotional journey, Ultraman: Rising sets a new benchmark for visual storytelling.
The passion and dedication of the VFX team, led by Hayden Jones, have crafted a visual journey that audiences won’t soon forget. Ultraman: Rising is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.
About Ultraman: Rising
Premiere: June 14, 2024
Director: Shannon Tindle
Co-director: John Aoshima
Written by: Shannon Tindle and Marc Haimes
Produced by: Tom Knott and Lisa M. Poole
Original Songs by: Diplo and Oliver Tree, Alicia Creti
Cast: Christopher Sean (Ken Sato/Ultraman), Gedde Watanabe (Professor Sato), Tamlyn Tomita (Emiko), Keone Young (Dr. Onda), Julia Harriman (Ami)
Synopsis
With Tokyo under siege from rising monster attacks, baseball star Ken Sato returns home to take on the mantle of Ultraman. But the titanic superhero meets his match when he reluctantly adopts 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.
What are your thoughts on the incredible VFX artistry that brought Ultraman: Rising to life? Which scene are you most excited to see in full cinematic glory? Do you think these “Atomo moments” will add an anime edge to the story? Share your thoughts with us on social media—we’d love to hear from you!
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