Ultraman Nexus, Ultraman Max, Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman X, Ultraman, Ultraman Zero, Ultraman Ginga and Ultraman Victory team up in ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. ©2016 UX FILM PARTNERS
New Ultraman Movie Double Feature to Have Theatrical Screenings at Select Theaters Across the U.S. Source: William Winckler Productions, Inc., Tsuburaya Productions Special Thanks to William Winckler A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The following theaters are now selling advance tickets for the Ultraman Movie Double Feature of ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE (2016) and ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE (2015) screening in early January 2017. Both films will be shown with all-new English language dubs by William Winckler Productions. Additional information can be found at the links at the end of this article. Note: This is NOT a list of all theaters that will be screening the Ultraman Movie Double Feature, but only venues currently offering advance tickets. An updated theater list will be posted on SciFi Japan soon. ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA • NEW MISSION -- 2550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 -- January 17 •
Photo courtesy of Bandai Co. © Tsuburaya Productions
Source: Bandai Co., Ltd. Official Site: b-boys.jp/ultrax/products (Japan) Ultraman Ginga joins Bandai`s Ultra BIG series of higher-quality 9 inch soft vinyl figures in December. Ultra BIG Soft Vinyl: Ultraman Ginga/ ????BIG??? ????????? Manufacturer: Bandai Item #: 4549660087335000 Size: Height Approximately 230mm (9.2 Inches) Release Date: December 17, 2016 Price: ¥2,160 (Approximately $18.73 US, Tax Included)
Ultraman Orb Trinity stands strong in ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions and Shochiku. © 2017 “Ultraman Orb The Movie” Film Partners
Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: m-78.jp/orb/movie (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Three consecutive days... three Ultraman exclusives on SciFi Japan! As promised in our ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE Update this past Friday, here is the second batch of high-res photos direct from Tsuburaya Productions and the film`s distributor, Shochiku. Enjoy! Shochiku will release ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE at the Shinjuku Piccadilly and other cinemas across Japan on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Advance tickets can be purchased at theaters, FamilyMart stores with FamiPort ticket kiosks and the following official Ultraman memorabilia shops... · Ultraman World M78 -- Tokyo Station · Ultraman World M78 -- Tokyo Skytree Town · Solamachi · Ultra Athletic -- LaLaport, Yokohama · Ultraman CLUB -- Nagoya · Ultraman Stadium · Ultraman World M78 -- Kobe · Ultraman World M78 -- Kochi Avenue · Ultraman World M78 -- Canal City,
Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Godzilla TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Ultraman Jack and Kingstron © Tsuburaya Productions. Gyaos © KADOKAWA 1967. Evangelion © Khara
Product Info and High-Res Photos Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Jun Umeji A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese collectibles company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos of their giant monster figures scheduled for release in January and February 2017. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Exclusives and Limited Editions with bonus features or extra pieces not available from other retailers. The standard "General Distribution" versions of the figures are sold by stores and online retailers including SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Flossie`s Gifts & Collectibles. Toho Daikaiju Series: Shin Godzilla (Second Run) /????????? ???????? ?2????2017?1?????? Note: This item was originally announced for December but advance sales far exceeded X-Plus` expectations, forcing the company to rethink their release plans. On October 28th, X-Plus
Logo for ULTRAMAN ZERO THE CHRONICLE. Image courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © Tsuburaya Productions
Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: tv-tokyo.co.jp/uz (Japan) In 2013, Tsuburaya Productions began offering the 10 episode series ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE CHRONICLE (?????????????, Urutoraman Zero Kuronikuru) for worldwide sales. Produced specifically for release outside Japan, the show followed the adventures of Ultraman Zero, the popular son of Ultra Seven, using footage from the various Zero movies, original video specials, and online programs. ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE CHRONICLE was distributed in Asian countries in 2015. Now the series has been reconfigured for release in Japan. In January 2017, the revamped ULTRAMAN ZERO THE CHRONICLE will begin airing on six TV Tokyo affiliates plus BS Japan. Tsuburaya Productions has created a fresh framework for the show with new narration by Mamoru Miyano, the voice actor for Ultraman Zero. In the spring of 2017, ULTRAMAN ZERO THE CHRONICLE will be joined by a completely new series, ULTRAFIGHT ORB
Logo for ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE. Image courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions and Shochiku. © 2017 “Ultraman Orb The Movie” Film Partners
Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: m-78.jp/orb/movie (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Tsuburaya Productions and distributor Shochiku have provided information and high-res images for their upcoming theatrical feature based on the ULTRAMAN ORB (?????????, Urutoraman Oobu, 2016-17) television series. In ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE, the titular hero joins forces with Ultraman Zero and Ultra Seven to rescue the "New Generation Heroes" Ultraman Ginga, Ultraman Victory and Ultraman X and prevent an unprecedented global crisis. To battle the villain Murnau -- apparently named after NOSFERATU director F.W. Murnau -- Orb will also take on the new "Orb Trinity" form via the "Trinity Fusion" with X, Victory and Ginga. The film is being directed by Kiyotaka Taguchi, lead director on the ULTRAMAN ORB series. Taguchi worked on FX for the Godzilla franchise starting with GODZILLA VS MEGAGUIRUS (??? × ????? G????, Gojira
Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions.
Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Jun Umeji A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos of Ultraman Ace for their Real Master Collection PLUS line of statues with bonus features. Previously released as a soft vinyl figure (May 2013) and a standard Real Master Collection statue (May 2014), Ultraman Ace is sculpted in his classic "hero appears" pose. The poly resin figure comes with a display stand that includes a gimmick to illuminate Ace’s eyes and color timer, and change the color timer from blue to blinking red. This item will have a limited production run of only 100 pieces. It is sold exclusively online from the company`s official Shounen Ric website and will not be available from retail stores. Orders begin Monday, November 22, 2016. Real Master
Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions.
Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd., Bandai Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Jun Umeji A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese collectibles company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos of their latest collaboration with Bandai; an Ultraman Mebius Light Up Version figure produced in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the ULTRAMAN MEBIUS (??????????, Uruotraman Mebiusu, 2006-07) television series. Previously released by X-Plus as a standard figure in December 2009, this new limited edition comes with a display stand featuring a light up gimmick that illuminates Mebius` eyes and color timer, along with a switch operation to change the color timer from blue to blinking red. Two LR44 button batteries are included. This item is sold exclusively by the Premium Bandai website and will not be available from retail stores. Recommended for fans and collectors age 15 years and
Photos courtesy of Bandai Co. © Tsuburaya Pro © Ultraman Orb Production Committee ? TV Tokyo
Source: Bandai Co., Ltd. Official Site: b-boys.jp/ultraman/orb/products (Japan) The Japanese toy company Bandai has released several new items in their ULTRAMAN ORB (?????????, Urutoraman Oobu) figure line. Most figures come with a plastic Ultra Fusion Card featuring audio and/or data files that can be accessed by the DX Orb Ring (sold separately). Ultra Hero Orb 05: Ultraman Orb (Orb Origin)/ ??????????? 05 ?????????(???????) Manufacturer: Bandai Item No.: 4549660087137000 Product Size: Height Approximately 140mm (5.5 Inches) Material: Soft Vinyl Release Date: October 29, 2016 Price: ¥648 (Approximately $6.21 US, Tax Included) Ultra Monster Orb 07: Bemular (Empowered)/ ????????? 07 ????(??) Manufacturer: Bandai Item No.: 4549660087342000 Product Size: Height Approximately 140mm (5.5 Inches) Material: Soft Vinyl Release Date: November 5, 2016 Price: ¥864 (Approximately $8.27 US, Tax Included)
Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Godzilla and Gigan TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Knifehead © Warner Bros Entertainment Inc. & Legendary Pictures Productions LCC. Gyaos © KADOKAWA 1967. Ultraman and Bemular © Tsuburaya Productions.
Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Jun Umeji A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos of their giant monster figures scheduled for release in late December 2016. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Exclusives and Limited Editions with bonus features or extra pieces not available from other retailers. The standard "General Distribution" versions of the figures are sold by stores and online retailers including SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Flossie`s Gifts & Collectibles. Toho Daikaiju Series: Shin Godzilla /????????? ???????? Sales Agent: Plex Co., Ltd. Product Size: Height Approximately 25cm (9.8 Inches), Length Approximately 50cm (19.6 Inches) Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Window Box Shipping: Late December 2016 – Early January 2017
Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions.
Product Info and High-Res Photos Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Jun Umeji A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Earlier this month, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late November 2016, including the unpainted prototype of Zetton Second Generation. The final design has been approved so X-Plus has now provided photos of the fully painted figure. Daikaiju Series: Zetton Second Generation -- Shounen Ric Exclusive /??????? ??????????????????? Product Size: Height Approximately 25cm (9.8 Inches) Material: PVC (Zetton), ABS (Display Stand) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Window Box Shipping: Late November 2016 - Early December 2016 Price: ¥14,040 (Approximately $136.17 US, Tax Included) ? Contents Zetton Display Stand Instruction Manual Zetton II from Tsuburaya Productions` RETURN OF ULTRAMAN (???????????, Kaettekita Urutoraman 1971-72) joins the X-Plus Daikaiju Series figure line. The
Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Daimajin © KADOKAWA 1966. Kanegon, Red King, Zetton and Zetton 2nd Generation © Tsuburaya Productions. Godzilla TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Jun Umeji A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos of their giant monster figures scheduled for release in late November 2016. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Exclusives and Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard "General Distribution" versions of the figures are sold by stores and online retailers including SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Flossie`s Gifts & Collectibles. Toho 30cm Series Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection: Godzilla 1992 Tanzawa Advance /??30cm???? ????????????? ???1992 ???? Product Size: Height Approximately 27cm (10.6 Inches) Material: PVC (Soft Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Blind Box Prototype Production and Supervision: Yuji Sakai
Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions.
Exclusive High-Res Photos from X-Plus Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Jun Umeji A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese collectibles company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos of their Daikaiju Series event exclusive figure of the ULTRA Q monster Garamon. First released as a standard color figure in November 2014, Garamon has been reissued with a new monochrome color scheme. The paint and sculpt depict the look of the monster as seen in it’s first appearance, the black & white ULTRA Q Episode 13: GARADAMA (????Q 13: ???). The production run for this item was limited to 200 pieces. 100 figures were sold September 25th at the Tokyo model and toy show Super Festival 72, while the remaining 100 are being offered exclusively via mail order by X-Plus` Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric is running
Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions.
Product Info and High-Res Photos Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Jun Umeji A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Earlier this month, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late October 2016, including the unpainted prototype of Cosmo Liquid. The final design has been approved so X-Plus has now provided photos of the fully painted figure. Daikaiju Series: Cosmo Liquid -- Shounen Ric Exclusive /??????? ????????????????? Product Size: Height Approximately 25cm (9.84 Inches) Material: PVC (Soft Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Window Box Shipping: Late October 2016 – Early November 2016 Price: ¥13,824 (Approximately $135.16 US, Tax Included) ? Contents Cosmo Liquid Body Cosmo Liquid Tail Instruction Manual Following their release of Liveking this past April, X-Plus continues their line of monster figures from the ULTRAMAN TARO (?????????, Urutoraman Tarou, 1973-1974) television
Eiji Tsuburaya memorial in Sukagawa, Fukushima Prefecture. Photo by Daisuke Ishizuka. © Tsuburaya Pro
Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Sukagawa in Fukushima Prefecture is well known by Tokusatsu fans as the birth city of Mr. Eiji Tsuburaya, creator of Ultraman and the special effects wizard behind GODZILLA (???, Gojira, 1954) and many other Toho classics. There is a memorial monument near his childhood home that is a place for fans to visit. I visited Sukagawa in 2001 when it was the 100th anniversary of Mr. Tsuburaya`s birth. I recently visited again so I could see the new monuments erected there. First, I visited JR Sukagawa Station. There is Ultraman monument which was created in 2013 at the station square. Sukagawa city became the sister city to the Ultraman planet in “Nebula M78” and the monument was built as its memorial symbol. The ceremony was done on July 7th, the birthday of Mr. Tsuburaya. In 2015, a total of eight
Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Godzilla, Super-XIII TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Daimajin © KADOKAWA 1966. Giant Yapool, Ultraman Ace, Cosmo Liquid © Tsuburaya Productions. Getter 1 © 1998 Australia, Ken Ishikawa / Dynamic Planning, Nagai
Product Info and High-Res Photos Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Jun Umeji A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese collectibles company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos of their giant monster figures scheduled for release in late October 2016. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard versions of the figures are sold by stores and online retailers including SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Flossie`s Gifts & Collectibles. Daiei 30cm Series: Daimajin — Shounen Ric Limited Edition /??30????? ???????????? Product Size: Height Approximately 30cm (11.8 Inches) Material: PVC (Daimajin), Iron (Chain) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Closed Box Shipping: Late October 2016 – Early November 2016
Photos courtesy of Bandai Co. © Tsuburaya Pro © Ultraman Orb Production Committee ? TV Tokyo
Source: Bandai Co., Ltd. Official Site: b-boys.jp/ultraman/orb/products (Japan) The Japanese toy company Bandai has announced two additions to their September lineup of ULTRAMAN ORB (?????????, Urutoraman Oobu) figures. Both come with a plastic Ultra Fusion Card featuring audio and/or data files that can be accessed by the DX Orb Ring (sold separately). Ultra Monster Orb 06: Juggrus Juggler/ ????????? 06 ?????????? Manufacturer: Bandai Item No.: 4549660086482000 Product Size: Height Approximately 140mm (5.5 Inches) Material: Soft Vinyl Release Date: September 10, 2016 Price: ¥864 (Approximately $8.59 US, Tax Included) Ultra Monster DX: Maga-Orochi/ ??????DX ????? Manufacturer: Bandai Item No.: 4549660086499000 Product Size: Height Approximately 200mm (7.87 Inches) Material: Soft Vinyl Release Date: September 17, 2016 Price: ¥2,700 (Approximately $26.16 US, Tax Included) For more information on ULTRAMAN ORB, please see the earlier coverage here on
Photos courtesy of Bandai Co. © Tsuburaya Pro © Ultraman Orb Production Committee ? TV Tokyo
Source: Bandai Co., Ltd. Official Site: b-boys.jp/ultraman/orb/products (Japan) The Japanese toy company Bandai has added several figures to their line of ULTRAMAN ORB (?????????, Urutoraman Oobu) products. Most figures come with a plastic Ultra Fusion Card featuring audio and/or data files that can be accessed by the DX Orb Ring (sold separately). Ultra Hero Orb 03: Ultraman Orb (Hurricane Slash)/ ??????????? 03 ?????????(??????????) Manufacturer: Bandai Item No.: 4549660077619000 Product Size: Height Approximately 140mm (5.5 Inches) Material: Soft Vinyl Release Date: August 6, 2016 Price: ¥648 (Approximately $6.04 US, Tax Included) Ultra Hero Orb 04: Ultraman Orb (Thunder Breastar)/ ??????????? 04 ?????????(?????????) Manufacturer: Bandai Item No.: 4549660077626 Product Size: Height Approximately 140mm (5.5 Inches) Material: Soft Vinyl Release Date: September 24, 2016 Price: ¥648 (Approximately $6.04 US, Tax Included)