News and Photos from Tsuburaya Pro for the Latest Ultraman Series Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: b-boys.jp/ultrax (Japan)
Tsuburaya Productions will introduce their latest hero show, ULTRAMAN X (???????, Urutoraman Ekkusu), as part of their ongoing NEW ULTRAMAN CHRONICLES (?????????, Shin Urutoraman Restuden) television series. Ultraman X, the 41st Ultraman in the long-running franchise, will fight alongside the members of the special defense team "Xio" against giant monsters and extraterrestrial menaces starting 6:00pm Tuesday, July 14th on six TV Tokyo stations. The creative team for ULTRAMAN X is headed by lead director Kiyotaka Taguchi. Born in Muroran, Hokkaido in 1980, Taguchi studied cinema at the Nikkatsu Institute of the Arts in Tokyo. While still in school he worked on special effects for the movies WHITEOUT (???????, Howaitoauto, 2000), SAKUYA (??????, Sakuya Yokaiden, 2000) and GODZILLA VS MEGAGUIRUS (??? × ????? G????, Gojira tai Megagirasu: Jii Shoometsu Sakusen, 2000), after which he became part of the FX staff for the Godzilla series. He made his directing debut with the independent production G (????? ?, Daikaijuu Eiga G, 2007) followed by the NHK short film GEHARHA: THE DARK AND LONG HAIR MONSTER (????????, Choohatsu Daikaijuu Gehara, 2009). Both works earned Taguchi an award from the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival 2009. He provided digital effects for the Kamen Rider series and served as a director on the TV series NEO ULTRA Q (???????Q, Neo Urutora Kyuu, 2013) and ULTRAMAN GINGA S (??????????, Uurutoraman Ginga S, 2014). Additional works include MM9 -MONSTER MAGNITUDE- (????????? ?????????????, Emu Emu Nain Monsutaa Magunichuudo, 2010), RANGER (?????? ???????????????91?, RANGER Rikujoojieitai Kanbu Renjaa Kunren no 91-nichi, 2011), ULTRA ZONE (???????, Urutorazoon, 2011-2012), KAIKI DAISAKUSEN: MYSTERY FILE (????? ??????????, Kaiki Daisakusen Misuteroo Fairu, 2013) and THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- (? ???? ???????? -??????-, Za Nekusuto Jenereeshon – Patoreibaa -, 2014-2015). “As far back as I can remember, I would carry around kaiju picture books and soft vinyl figures," recalled Taguchi. "I even made my own independent Ultraman movie during my third year of middle school. Now finally, finally, I’ve been given the opportunity to become the lead director of the new Ultraman." “Building a whole new worldview, combining both the drama and special effects aspects, and stuffing it with the elements I`ve always wanted to see and do... we are enthusiastically producing the definitive Ultraman for the Heisei period. Please enjoy it!”
The star of ULTRAMAN X is Kensuke Takahashi, who plays Xio Officer Daichi Ozora. Born December 24, 1994, the 20 year old`s credits include the NHK variety show LAW OF R (????, R no Hoosoku, 2011-) and the theater productions HAMATORA THE STAGE 2 (???? THE STAGE ?, 2015) and WARMLY, LUCID DREAM STAGE (?????, Honobonoake Yume, 2015). "I’m thrilled to be involved with the venerable Ultraman series. He’s the hero I’ve always wanted to be and now I will become that hero," said Takahashi. “I’m working hard to become the Daichi that I think everyone wants to see. And, while ULTRAMAN X continues the traditions of the franchise, he`ll incorporate many elements of the modern, new hero!" "The cast and crew have joined together, putting all our energy into not only honoring the past shows but to create the best Ultraman series ever. Please look forward to it!!" ? Story A massive "Ultra flare" from the sun envelops the earth, awakening Spark Dolls of monsters and aliens buried underground and undersea. In order to counteract the marauding evil creatures that appear one after another, mankind forms a special defense team, equipped with the latest super-science mecha... Xio. 15 years later, Xio is engaged in battle when team member Daichi Ozora hears a mysterious voice say, "Unite! If you and I join together, you will fight that monster with one heart, one mind!" He agrees, merging with the mystic light that is Ultraman. Now Daichi will confront the various threats to earth as Ultraman X! ? Credits Official English Title: ULTRAMAN X Japanese Title: ??????? (Urutoraman Ekkusu) Premiere: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 Station: TV Tokyo Airdates: Every Tuesday 6:00-6:30pm in NEW ULTRAMAN CHRONICLES Cast Daichi Ozora: Kensuke Takahashi Akane Sakanoue Yoshihiko Hosoda Ukyou Matsumoto Sarara Tsukifune Yu Kamio Hayato Harada Haruka Momokawa TAKERU (Voyager) Chiaki Seshimo (Voyager) Staff Lead Director: Kiyotaka Taguchi Directors: Koichi Sakamoto, Takanori Tsujimoto, Yuichi Abe, Taku Tomita Writers: Yuji Kobayashi, Takao Nakano, Hirotoshi Kobayashi, Hisako Kurosawa Music: Takao Konishi Production: Tsuburaya Productions © Tsuburaya Pro
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 close to 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.