Logo for the new series, ULTRAMAN ARC. Image courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN ARC PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO
New Series Coming July 6th Worldwide in 11 Languages!
Source: Tsuburaya Productions
Official Sites: https://ani.tv/ultraman_arc/, https://m-78.jp/arc/ (Japan)
Official Twitter: twitter.com/ultraman_series
ULTRAMAN ARC Japanese advance key art, courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN ARC PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO
Tsuburaya Productions has provided SciFi Japan with images and press notes for their upcoming television series ULTRAMAN ARC (ウルトラマンアーク, Urutoraman Āku). The show will premiere in Japan at 9:00 am JST on Satuday, July 6th, 2024 on the 6 channels in the TV Tokyo Network, and is scheduled to be simultaneously broadcasted and distributed in six countries and regions overseas. An English dubbed version of ULTRAMAN ARC will be simulcast on the ULTRAMAN OFFICIAL YouTube channel.
Introduction
The newest Ultraman TV show, ULTRAMAN ARC, is a special effects drama series that aims to inspire children's "power to dream" and build a bridge to a bright future filled with hope. It portrays a cheerful, warm-hearted and brave hero who represents the values of the Ultraman series.
It is a story of a messenger of light who descends to Earth from a galaxy far, far away and unites with a human named Yuma, who posseses tremendous “power of imagination,” to become the giant form of the new Ultra Hero Ultraman Arc and protect the future of mankind and the world from a looming danger.
Yuma unleashes his power by fitting the hexahedron called the "Arc Cube" (アークキューブ, Āku Kyūbu), which contains the power of the being of light, into a mysterious transformation item, the "Arc Ariser" (アークアライザー, Ākuaraizā), to achieve oneness and transform into the new hero, Ultraman Arc.
New actor Yuki Totsuka (age 24) will play the main character, Yuma Hize. `Yuma is a rookie investigator who has just joined the Scientific Kaiju Investigation and Prevention Center, commonly known as ``SKIP'' (スキップ, Sukippu), which conducts scientific research to prevent and prepare for monster disasters. Loved by the townspeople for his kind and straightforward personality, he is an energetic young man who is motivated by the motto given to him by his father -- “Time to run, Yuma!” -- to overcome various difficulties.
The lead director of ULTRAMAN ARC is Takanori Tsujimoto, who has been involved in the New Generation Ultraman series as a director since ULTRAMAN X (ウルトラマンエックス, Urutoraman Ekkusu, 2015). He is well known by the series' core fans for his love of miniatures and Kaiju, as well as the classicality and warmth in his style. This will be his first time as the lead director for an Ultraman series.
A special interview with Yuki Totsuka and Takanori Tsujimoto is now available on the subscriber site TSUBURAYA IMAGINATION (Japanese language only, approx. 26 min.).
Simultaneous Broadcast/Distribution in 11 Languages Worldwide
In addition to the simulcast of the English dubbed version, ULTRAMAN ARC is scheduled for simultaneous broadcast/distribution in major Asian countries and regions (mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam) with local language dubbing.*
Ultraman Arc. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN ARC PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO
In addition, the series will also be available on streaming platforms including the ULTRAMAN OFFICIAL YouTube channel with subtitles in 11 languages, including English, Korean, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Filipino, Spanish (Latin), Portuguese (Brazil), Hindi, Chinese, and Thai.
The Ultraman series has witnessed a surge in popularity in China and across Asia in recent years. Beyond the strong viewership of simultaneous broadcasts and online streams, the recent Asia tour of ULTRAMAN BLAZAR THE MOVIE: TOKYO KAIJU SHOWDOWN (released this past February in Japan) was also a huge success. For the new show, fans across Asia will be able to share the excitement all at the same time.
Tsuburaya Productions views ULTRAMAN ARC as the 30th television entry in their Ultra Series that began with ULTRA Q (ウルトラQ, Urutora Kyū) in 1966 (counting the previous 27 30-minute TV shows in Japan plus the 2 overseas shows that later aired in Japan). Ultraman Zero, the founder of the New Generation Ultramen, is also celebrating his 15th anniversary, so please look forward to the new program ULTRAMAN ARC that will open in the summer of 2024, a milestone year for Ultraman!
*The show will be streamed in mainland China and Vietnam. “Simultaneous broadcast” refers to the release of the program within approximately one week of its first broadcast in Japan.)
Synopsis
A town called Hoshimoto City...
On Mt. Shishio, there is a gigantic object towering above the city. Named "Monohorn," (モノホーン, Monohōn) it is actually a kaiju’s horn stuck in the ground since an incident 16 years ago.
After the incident known as "K-DAY" in which kaiju appeared all over the world at the same time, monster disasters have become commonplace. In Japan, the Global Defense Force (GDF) uses force to deal with them, while SKIP works closely with the community in scientific investigations and evacuation guidance to prevent the occurrence and aggravation of kaiju disasters. SKIP has also been investigating the Monohorn, the horn of the galactic beast Monogelos (モノゲロス, Monogerosu) that appeared on K-DAY.
Yuma, then only 7 years old, was camping with his parents in Mt. Shishio when Monogelos attacked. After miraculously surviving unscathed, he decided to pursue research into monster biology. Despite his traumatic past, he has not lost his “power of imagination” to dream. As a rookie investigator, Yuma joined SKIP and was assigned to the Hoshimoto City Branch.
Ultraman Arc in his Arc Finalize pose. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN ARC PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO
Not long after, another large-scale monster disaster occurs in Hoshimoto City. As Yuma sees the desperate people in front of him, a strong will springs into his mind — “I want to protect them!” At the moment when this strong and straightforward desire welled up from the bottom of his heart, Yuma hears the voice of Rution (ルティオン, Rution) a being of light that he once saw as a child:
“You and I are one and the same… Unleash your imagination!”
When a mysterious light appears in Yuma's hand and envelops his body, the unleashed power of imagination unites light and man and he transforms into Ultraman Arc, the Giant of Light who protects the future! Alongside his precious friends, Yuma, as well as Ultraman Arc, races towards his everlasting dream!
The New Hero, Ultraman Arc
Ultraman Arc is a giant of light that appears when the hero, Yuma, unleashes the power of his imagination and unites with Rution, a messenger of light from a galaxy far, far away. His appearance resembles a sketch of the "Hero of Today" (さいきょうのヒーロー, Sai Kyō no Hīrō) that Yuma drew when he was a child. By loading the Arc Ariser, which resembles his childhood sketch of the “Transformation Item” (へんしんどうぐ, Henshin Dōgu), with the Arc Cube, infused with power, it releases a mysterious light and transforms Yuma into Ultraman Arc.
His special move is the "Arc Finalize" (アークファイナライズ, Āku Fainaraizu), a finishing beam shot by crossing his hands.
Height: 48 meters (157.5 Feet)
Weight: 32,000 Tons
The Arc Ariser and Arc Cube transformation devices. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN ARC PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO
Main Character and Staff Profiles
Yuki Totsuka as Yuma Hize. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN ARC PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO
■ Yuma Hize (Played By Yuki Totsuka)
Yume Hize is the protagonist of the series who transforms into Ultraman Arc. He is 23 years old.
He is a rookie investigator who joined the Hoshimoto City Branch of SKIP three months ago.
With a caring and straightforward personality, he tends to take action whenever he feels needed for the good of the people. At times he jumps into things without enough thought about the consequences, and leaves those around him anxious.
He was motivated to pursue kaiju biology from the traumatic childhood experience in the kaiju disaster caused by Monogelos, and joined SKIP in order to help those with similar experiences. He conducts investigations using his extensive knowledge of monsters and a customized kaiju detector.
His motto is “Time to run, Yuma!”
The role of Yume Hize played by 24 year-old Yuki Totsuka, who was born on March 14, 2000 in Gunma Prefecture. He stands 178cm (5.8 feet) tall.
He is affiliated with Sony Music Artists, which he joined after participating in an actor audition sponsored by the agency. While studying at Kyushu University, he worked mainly in Fukuoka Prefecture and made his acting debut in a BS drama produced in 2022 by NHK from the region. In the same year, he also appeared in a regionally produced film set in Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and after graduating from the university, he began his acting career in earnest in Tokyo. He was soon selected for multiple TV dramas and commercials before seizing the position as the lead cast of ULTRAMAN ARC. Having an experience in stage lighting during college, and his hobbies include photography and lighting equipment.
With a determined gaze and a straightforward personality resembling the protagonist, he has given his full effort in portraying the hero of the same age as himself at the start of filming.
Comment: Nice to meet you all! My name is Yuki Totsuka, and I will be playing the role of Yuma Hize.
When I was a child, playing with monsters and Ultraman figures, the Earth and the universe existed only in my imagination.
And that imagination was everything to me.
Now I am truly happy to be able to enter that imaginary world once again. Every day is so exciting that it really feels like a dream.
Yuma Hize also fights in a dream-like world using the power of imagination, and he will grow after all kinds of encounters. I hope you can see that process with your own eyes.
I strongly hope that I can live up to the hopes and expectations of everyone around the world who watches ULTRAMAN ARC. While I am still far from a mature person, I will do my best to make it to the finish line together with Arc!
Lead Director Takanori Tsujimoto. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN ARC PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO
■ Lead Director: Takanori Tsujimoto
Takanori Tsujimoto was born on August 30, 1971 in Osaka Prefecture. He is 52 years old.
A film director with a unique background as a former dental technician, he has won numerous awards for his independent productions while pursuing his dream of becoming a film director. His unique style of action direction was highly acclaimed, and he made his debut as a commercial director in 2003. After working on numerous films, TV dramas, and animations, in 2011 he joined the production of ULTRA ZONE (ウルトラゾーン, Urutora Zōn, 2011-12), marking the beginning of his participation in works by Tsuburaya Productions, the production company of his childhood favorites ULTRAMAN (ウルトラマン, Urutoraman, 1966-67), ULTRASEVEN (ウルトラセブン, Urutorasebun) , and RETURN OF ULTRAMAN (帰ってきたウルトラマン, Kaettekita Urutoraman, 1971-72). His first participation in the New Generation Ultraman series was ULTRAMAN X in 2015. Known among his fans for his love for Kaiju and miniatures, he will visualize the world of ULTRAMAN ARC as the lead director.
Comment: This season marks the 8th Ultraman show since I first joined the series. At last, finally -- or perhaps unexpectedly! -- I have been given the great honor of being appointed as the lead director.
I have professed in public that I am a “Kaiju lover” and “miniature lover,” but that’s actually my disguise. In reality, I’m simply a 52-year-old kid who can’t stop loving Ultra Heroes.
The theme of ULTRAMAN ARC is “the power of imagination”. The power of imagination that makes you care for others, the power of imagination to envision one's dreams, and the power of imagination to wish to be a hero. ......
I hope you will feel the power and splendor of the "power of imagination" in this work.
What’s more, I hope you can be immersed by the “I-love-Ultraman-cium Beam” overflowing from me! With that wish I’ll go “Shuwatch!”
■ Series Compositer and Head Writer: Jun Tsugita
49 year-old Jun Tsugita was born on August 5, 1974 in Akita Prefecture.
After graduating from Nihon University College of Art, Department of Cinema, he made his debut as a screenwriter and director, and joined Tsuburaya Productions in 2011 with ULTRA ZONE. He has worked on many movies and TV dramas mainly as a scriptwriter, and has participated in the New Generation Ultraman series since ULTRAMAN Z (ウルトラマンZ（ゼット）, Urutoraman Zetto) in 2020. He has maintained a long-lasting friendship with director Takanori Tsujimoto and, togther, they have delivered highly-dramatic episodes, including on the previous series ULTRAMAN BLAZAR (ウルトラマンブレーザー, Urutoraman Burēzā, 2023-24).
Comment: My first participation with the Ultraman series was in the 18th episode of ULTRAMAN Z, and it all began when Mr. Tsujimoto came to me with the offer. I am absolutely honored to be the main compositer and head screenwriter of this series, and feel both extremely happy and nervous at the same time.
As many of you know, I was one of those who used to spend my childhood glued to the TV for Ultraman shows and surrounded by countless Kaiju figures. When I was writing the scenes, I kept asking myself, what are the feelings and thoughts that have remained unchanged after so many decades?
Now that ULTRAMAN ARC is finally underway, I hope that we can all witness it together.
ULTRAMAN ARC English key art, courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN ARC PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO
ULTRAMAN ARC Series Overview
Start Date: Saturday, July 6, 2024
Broadcast Time: Every Saturday 9:00~9:30am (JST)
Broadcast Channels in Japan: TV Tokyo Network (Six Stations) and others
Broadcasting Websites in Japan: TV Tokyo, TSUBURAYA IMAGINATION, ULTRAMAN OFFICIAL YouTube Channel, and others
Broadcasting Channels and Websites Overseas: Mainland China - Tencent Video, Youku, iQIYI, Bilibili / Hong Kong - ViuTV / Taiwan - MOMO TV / Thailand - Channel7 / Indonesia - RTV / Vietnam - FPT Play
Production Companies: Tsuburaya Productions, TV Tokyo, and Dentsu Inc.
Lead Director: Takanori Tsujimoto
About Tsuburaya Productions
Tsuburaya Productions, creator and copyrights owner of the superhero ULTRAMAN series was founded in 1963 by Eiji Tsuburaya, world-renowned special effects wizard also known for his special effects work on the Godzilla series. With more than fifty years’ experience, it is one of Japan’s oldest and most respected independent film and television production houses. Its popular Ultraman TV and film series which premiered in 1966 has been seen in over 100 territories worldwide and has spawned over 3,000 licensed products. In addition to production, the company also handles character licensing and program distribution and staging live stage shows both domestically and internationally.