Shin Ultraman

Shin Ultraman (シン・ウルトラマン, Shin Urutoraman) is an upcoming Japanese superhero kaiju film directed by Shinji Higuchi and written and produced by Hideaki Anno. A reimagining of Ultraman,[1] the film is a co-production between Toho Pictures and Cine Bazar, with the film presented by Tsuburaya Productions, Toho, and Khara. Initially set for a 2021 release date, the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan forced it to be delayed to May 13, 2022. The second installment in Higuchi's and Anno's Shin trilogy of tokusatsu franchise reboots following Shin Godzilla (2016), it will be followed by Shin Kamen Rider (2023).[4]

Shin Ultraman
Theatrical release poster
Japaneseシン・ウルトラマン
HepburnShin Urutoraman
Directed byShinji Higuchi
Screenplay byHideaki Anno
Based onUltraman
by Tsuburaya Productions[1]
Produced by
  • Takayuki Tsukagoshi[2]
  • Minami Ichikawa[2]
  • Hideaki Anno[2]
Starring
Cinematography
  • Osamu Ichikawa[2]
  • Keizō Suzuki[2]
Edited by
  • Youhei Kurihara[2]
  • Hideaki Anno[2]
Music byShirō Sagisu[3]
Production
companies
Distributed byToho[2]
Release date
  • May 13, 2022 (2022-05-13)
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Premise

Japan is constantly being invaded by giant, unidentified lifeforms known as the "S-Class Species." In order to suppress these creatures, the Japanese Government formulates the S-Class Species Suppression Protocol (SSSP). As the threat of the "S-Class Species" grows, a silver giant appears from beyond the earth's atmosphere. Shortly thereafter, Analyst Hiroko Asami and Shinji Kaminaga are appointed to the SSSP.[5]

Cast

Production

The early production was dated as far as February 2019, but Hideaki Anno's participation in Shin Ultraman was a late addition as he was originally involved with the production of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time.[14] The project was formally announced in August 2019, with Higuchi as the director and Anno as the screenwriter. Masami Nagasawa, Hidetoshi Nishijima and Takumi Saito were named to star in the film.[1] The film would be co-produced between Tsuburaya Production, Toho and Khara, with an aim for a 2021 release.[1] Higuchi commented, "A baton has been entrusted to me that has been shining ever since I was a small child. I will solemnly strive to fulfill my responsibility to pass on that heavy, radiant baton created by my seniors."[15] The rest of the cast members were announced in September of that same year.[13]

Design

Ultraman, the titular hero of the movie, had his design unveiled in Tsuburaya's 2019 convention Tsubucon. The concept is based on an Ultraman painting by the late Tohl Narita in 1983 called “Incarnation of Truth, Justice, and Beauty” (真実と正義と美の化身, Shinjitsu to Seigi to Bi no Keshin).[16][17] The first concept art was made by Anno in October 3, 2018 under the likeness of Bin Furuya, the hero's original suit actor in the 1966 series.[18] This redesign of the original hero was based on Hideaki Anno's desire to revisit Tohl Narita's original design, going as far as to seek permission from Narita's son, Kairi. The design in question has the mask modeled after Akira Sasaki, body frame of Bin Furuya and eliminating elements such as the Color Timer, and the back fin and peepholes that were part of the actor's costume. Likewise, Anno also had experience in directing his own fan film of Return of Ultraman during his days as a filming student.[8]

A statue of the redesigned Ultraman in Spacium Beam pose was put on display in Sukagawa, Fukushima to commemorate Eiji Tsuburaya's birthplace.[19]

The official website of Bandai confirmed that the two monsters that appear in the first trailer were Neronga and Gabora of Ultraman.[20]

Release

Marketing

In February 2022, Toho, Khara, Toei Company, and Tsuburaya Productions announced a collaborative project titled "Shin Japan Heroes Universe" for merchandise, special events and tie-ins. The project will unite properties that Anno had worked on bearing the title "Shin", such as Rebuild of Evangelion,[lower-alpha 1] Shin Godzilla, Shin Ultraman and Shin Kamen Rider.[21][22]

Theatrical

Shin Ultraman was previously scheduled for an early 2021 summer release, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[23][24] During the 2021 Tsubucon (a fan convention held by Tsuburaya Productions), Tsuburaya Productions announced the new release date in Japan to be May 13, 2022, along with a new teaser trailer and a new poster.[25]

See also

Notes
  1. Known in Japan as Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition (ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版, Evangerion Shin Gekijōban)

References
  1. "An opening to a new page of the History of ULTRAMAN is underway! "SHIN ULTRAMAN", a dawning of a brand new entertainment presented for everyone around the world has just began!". Tsuburaya Productions. August 1, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  2. "シン・ウルトラマン". Toho (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  3. "A Special Teaser Trailer and Astonishing Visuals Unveiled for SHIN ULTRAMAN, an ULTRAMAN 55th Anniversary Celebration Film! The Official Twitter Account Is Now Live!". Tsuburaya Productions. January 29, 2021. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  4. Ashcraft, Brian (2021-09-30). "First Look At Hideaki Anno's Kamen Rider". Kotaku. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  5. "SHIN ULTRAMAN New Trailer Teases Opening Theme by Kenshi Yonezu, New Footages of Kaiju, Aliens, and Ultraman Himself!". Tsuburaya Productions. April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  6. "シン・ウルトラマン：2022年5月13日公開　樋口真嗣監督「まだまだ作っています」　斎藤工が神永新二に" (in Japanese). Mantan Web. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  7. "シン・ウルトラマン". Eiga.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  8. "「TSUBURAYA CONVENTION 2019」オープニングセレモニーにて、映画『シン・ウルトラマン』ウルトラマンのデザインが明らかに！斎藤工さん「ずっと見ていられる美しさ」" (in Japanese). m-78.jp. 14 December 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  9. "『シン・ウルトラマン』にヘイセイ有岡出演「胸が熱くなります」 早見あかり、田中哲司、山本耕史も参加". Oricon News (in Japanese). Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  10. "シン・ウルトラマン：ベーターカプセルを掲げる"神永新二"斎藤工 巨大不明生物・ガボラやネロンガも 新場面写真公開 組織名は禍特対". Mantanweb (in Japanese). Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  11. Hodgkins, Crystalyn. "Kenjiro Tsuda Voices Alien Zarab in Live-Action Shin Utraman Film". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  12. "声優・津田健次郎『シン・ウルトラマン』外星人・ザラブの声を担当". Cinema Today (in Japanese). April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  13. "Additional cast of SHIN ULTRAMAN announced: Daiki Arioka (Hey! Say! JUMP), Akari Hayami & Tetsuji Tanaka joins! Director Shinji Higuchi and leading actor Takumi Saito will show up at the opening ceremony of "TSUBURAYA CONVENTION 2019" on December 14, (Sat)!". Tsuburaya Productions. September 25, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  14. "NEWS RELEASE – A NEW FILM "SHIN ULTRAMAN"". Khara. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  15. Mark Schilling (August 1, 2019). "'Shin Ultraman' in the Works Through Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi". Variety. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  16. "The Secrets Behind the Hero Design for the Movie SHIN ULTRAMAN Unveiled?!". Tsuburaya Productions. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  17. "SHIN ULTRAMAN Revealed!". SciFi Japan. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  18. @khara_inc (December 29, 2019). "先日ツブコンでデザインが発表となった『 #シン・ウルトラマン 』、..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. "2021年初夏公開決定！『シン・ウルトラマン』立像が初お披露目、"特撮の神様"円谷英二の出身地・須賀川にてシン・ウルトラマンの"スペシウム光線ポーズ"が明らかに！" (in Japanese). 3 November 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  20. "映画 『 シン・ウルトラマン 』 のキャラクターが最速立体商品化！その姿を大公開！" (in Japanese). Bandai. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  21. Komatsu, Mikikazu (February 13, 2022). "Godzilla, Evangelion, Ultraman, and Kamen Rider to Collaborate in Shin Japan Heroes Universe Project". Crunchyroll. Retrieved March 7, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. Li, Nicolaus (February 16, 2022). "Hideaki Anno Launches "Shin Japan Heroes Universe" Project". Yahoo!Life. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  23. Ashcraft, Brian (March 29, 2021). "Shin Ultraman Movie's Release Delayed By Covid-19". Kotaku. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  24. Harding, Daryl. "Anno and Higuchi's Shin Ultraman Film Postponed Due to COVID-19". Crunchyroll News. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  25. Saabedra, Humberto (December 12, 2021). "Shin Ultraman Feature Film By Hideaki Anno Now Slated For May 2022". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
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