H!O EXCLUSIVE: NEW ULTRAMEN FOR A NEW MILLENNIUM - TAKE 2
ULTRAMAN NEXUS comes to television while ULTRAMAN hits the big screen!
Author: Bob Johnson & August Ragone
Source: Tsuburaya Productions

The latest TV incarnation of Japan's greatest hero... ULTRAMAN NEXUS! © 2004 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

"Do you still remember your childhood dreams about a silver shooting star?

The dream still remains somewhere in your heart unbroken.

The year 2005, it took us 39 years to come across the silver shooting star again..."

-- Text from publicity material for the new film ULTRAMAN.

Back in 2000, it was announced that the then-upcoming ULTRAMAN COSMOS movie and television series were to feature a new Ultraman for the new millennium -- a kinder and gentler hero. It seems that the jury is still out on ULTRAMAN COSMOS; while the show became a huge hit and marketing bonanza with kids, adult fans were divided. Some older viewers clearly wanted a little more substance to go along with the cute cast members. Now, with recent management changes at Tsuburaya Productions (including the return of Eiji Tsuburaya's youngest son, Akira, who had left years ago to form Tsuburaya Eizo) things are about to change. Ultraman is being re-imagined for two new projects, a theatrical movie and the fourteenth Ultraman TV series, ULTRAMAN NEXUS. But, some people might well ask, what will make this latest series special and distinguish it from the last few Ultra shows?

ULTRAMAN NEXUS will premier in Japan at 7:30am Saturday, October 2, 2004 on the CBC television network. CBC is the Nagoya-based branch of Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), one of Japan's largest television networks. The show takes place in the near future, as an invasion of monsters from outer space called "Space Beasts" is underway. A high tech security force code-named TLT (pronounced "tilt") has been formed to combat the attackers. A mysterious young man who has the power to transform into the gigantic superhero Ultraman Nexus appears. He and the commander of TLT attempt to discover the true identity and origins of the Space Beasts. As the series unfolds, answers to the mysteries surrounding Ultraman Nexus and his monstrous opponents will gradually be revealed.

Ultramen Anphans and Junis in multi-dimensional action. © 2004 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

Nexus will appear in a two-step transformation, a predominantly "silver colossus" named "Anphans" (from the French "enfance" or "childhood") and a predominantly "red colossus" named "Junis" (from the French "jeunesse" or "youth"). Anphans will do battle in our Universe. However, he will be able to crossover into another dimension called the "Meta Field" in which he will transform into Junis to do battle. Tsuburaya Productions also plans to add more Ultraman characters into the series as it unfolds over the next year, including the "black colossus" -- "Dark Faust"!

While the show will meet the requirements of sponsor Bandai by featuring a multi-transforming hero, the foundation and writing of ULTRAMAN NEXUS are a return to the traditional concepts of the original Ultra Series. The staff is striving to attract older viewers, those who might have lost interest in the more light-hearted productions of the last few years. This, however, does not necessarily mean things will be business as usual, since these classic concepts will be given a new spin. The goal is to give newer viewers the same feeling of wonder that audiences had in Japan when the original ULTRAMAN first aired in 1966.

The two forms of Ultraman Nexus; "Anphans" (l) and "Junis". © 2004 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

One of the traditions being deconstructed is of a single character serving as the human host to a colossal alien being sent to protect the Earth. While there have been variations over the past 40 years (as in the case of ULTRASEVEN, where the Ultra created his human persona, or ULTRAMAN ACE, where a man and a woman were required to transform into the singular hero) this has been one of the key concepts of the Ultra Series. In ULTRAMAN NEXUS, viewers will see various human beings take on the power to transform into Ultraman Nexus. Commenting about the unusual step of casting several different people as Nexus' hosts, a spokesperson for the CBC network said, "We want children in the audience to feel like any one of them might be able to transform into Ultraman." He concluded, "We want to make use of the basic history of the Ultraman series while introducing a totally new kind of hero. We hope that adult viewers will enjoy this show as much as children."

Casting and production on ULTRAMAN NEXUS has been underway for some time, and several of the principals have been chosen. The first person to transform into Ultraman Nexus, a young man shrouded in mystery, will be played by Yusuke Kirishima. The 27 year-old actor made his big screen debut in the hit Yakuza spoof GET UP! (Geroppa!, 2003) and was recently featured in Tsuburaya's ULTRA Q: DARK FANTASY (Urutora Kyu: Dakku Fuantaji, 2004).

22 year-old Takuji Kawakubo has been cast as soldier Kazuteru Komon. Kawakubo may be familiar to tokusatsu fans, he was seen last year in Toei's MASKED RIDER 555 (Kamen Raida Faizu) as Shingo Oda, one of the ill-fated young people who attempted to transform into Masked Rider Delta. He is currently the commercial spokesmodel for McDonald's restaurants in Japan.

A popular veteran character actor, Tamotsu Ishibashi, is also joining the cast of ULTRAMAN NEXUS. Ishibashi has many television and screen credits to his name, including the series HOTEL and films GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF LEGION (1996, as Tanihara) and GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS (1999, as an exploration ship crewmember). Ishibashi is also no stranger to the Ultra Series, having appeared as TPC Staff Officer Tatsumura in ULTRAMAN TIGA (1996-1997) and in ULTRAMAN COSMOS as Iwata's father.

Teaser poster for the next Ultraman movie. © 2004 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

But, the series is not all about the boys -- 25 year-old actress Yasue Sato, who made her screen debut in the international hit film BOUNCE KO-GALS, will also have a featured role in ULTRAMAN NEXUS.

Details on the new Ultraman movie, which at the time of this writing seems to be simply titled ULTRAMAN, are slowly being revealed. Scheduled for release in the 2004/2005 New Years' season, the film is being directed by veteran Ultra-movie director Kazuya Konaka from a script written by Keiichi Hasegawa (ULTRAMAN TIGA TV series, ULTRAMAN GAIA: BATTLE IN HYPERSPACE, GMK, and ASTROBOY - 2003). The special effects director for the newest Ultraman epic is Yuichi Kikuchi, who helmed the effects for Toho's GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (Gojira X Mekagojira, 2002).

Providing the end theme song, "Never Good-bye" for ULTRAMAN is the Tak Matsumoto Group (TMG). A truly international band, TMG includes Tak Matsumoto of the band B's on guitar, Eric Martin (Mr. Big) on vocals, Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees) on bass, Brian Tichy (Pride & Glory and Slash's Snakepit) on drums, as well as two more drummers, Cindy Blackman who played with Lenny Kravitz and Chris Frazier who played with Steve Vai.

Initial reports on the film claim that it is like nothing Ultra fans have seen before! Dark, serious and geared towards an adult audience. Ultraman's foes are fearsome and the effects are superior to the movies which preceded this one.

After a year's absence, Ultraman is back...in a BIG way!   

   ULTRA N PROJECT
The Next Phase of Ultraman Begins now!
Author: Bob Johnson
Source: Source: Tsuburaya Productions' Press Material from Tokyo Gift Show

Relfections of Ultraman from TPC promotional flier. © 2004 Tsuburaya Productions Co., ltd.

Both Tsuburaya Productions and their Ultraman characters are about to launch into a new, fresh and exciting era! "Ultra N Project," an ambitious production and marketing plan, was unveiled at the 2004 Tokyo International Gift Show held from February 17th-20th at Tokyo Big Sight, one of Tokyo's largest and most prestigious event centers. Also unveiled was a 3-meter tall statue of the newest character: Ultraman Noa!

What is Ultra N Project? Ultra N Project is the overall name for Tsuburaya Productions' 2004-2005 Ultraman business and marketing strategy, which includes the challenge of introducing a totally new type of Ultraman character to the market.

It has been 38 years since the first Ultraman TV series made its debut in Japan. Since that time 30 Ultra Heroes have been introduced and three generations have grown up with the Ultraman characters. The introduction of Ultraman Cosmos in 2001 marked the end of this first phase in their Ultraman business strategy.

So, on the occasion of Tsuburaya Productions' 40th anniversary, a new business strategy has begun -- a new brand of hero called the Neo Standard Hero will emerge. There are two main goals Tsuburaya hopes to achieve with this new strategy: To give people the kind of fresh, even shocking experience they had when they first saw the original Ultraman, and to let the millions of Ultraman fans know that this isn't just yet another Ultraman character. This is a whole new beginning to the Ultraman saga.

3-Meter tall statue of Ultraman Noa greets attendees at the Tokyo International Gift Show. © 2004 Tsuburaya Productions Co., ltd.

This won't be just for the kids or for the adult Ultraman fans that loved the early Ultraman series. It represents the beginning of a completely new generation of Ultraman characters.

The first new Ultra Hero to be unleashed on the public is "Ultraman Noa," however there has been much speculation as to exactly who and what Ultraman Noa is. To put those theories to rest, beginning in March, Ultraman Noa will be featured in events and print media, and in April licensed merchandise based on the character will hit the stores. Following this, and separate from the Ultraman Noa project, there are plans for the release of a new Ultraman motion picture and possibly a television series this year, though no details are available as of yet.

Ultraman Noa is a Neo Standard Hero designed specifically for appearances at live events and in the print media. No plans exist at present to feature Ultraman Noa in anything but live appearances and merchandise.

The material given out for their new business plan states, "The Saga Reborn: Ignition", but what does it mean? As the Neo Standard Heroes make their debut the message is that while TPC will not sacrifice all the things that made the previous Ultraman characters great, they will be trying to erase such ideas as "Ultraman is just for kids," and "Ultraman is old fashioned and not stylish." Ultraman and TPC will be entering an entirely new and unknown realm, like a rocket launching when Mission Command signals "Ignition!' A new legend is about to take off."

Neo Standard Hero: Ultraman Noa! © 2004 Tsuburaya Productions Co., ltd.

Other terms used in this marketing plan were also explained:

NOA Nostalgia
TPC's aim is to return to the starting point. This doesn't mean they are going to go look at the programs made three decades ago and try to recreate what worked in the past. However, they want to return to the challenging spirit that made Tsuburaya Productions' characters such a resounding success. With this spirit they have chosen to begin creating a new breed of heroes called the "Neo Standard Heroes."

Next Evolution
The goal here is to take the next step by bringing a new sense of realism and mystery, as well as an increased visual impact to the Ultraman series. The new Ultraman programs and movies will be more than mere TV shows and films. They will be a "visual story event for viewers."

Nexus Trinity
TPC plans to complete the "three part chain." The Neo Standard Heroes will not just appeal to the core of loyal fans from the past. They hope draw in casual viewers and those completely unfamiliar with the Ultraman saga as well. They plan to do this not only through film and television, but also through live stage events as well as print, internet and other media.

The next phase of Ultraman begins now! Stay tuned to Henshin! Online as the excitement unfolds!! 

 

   ULTRA BLITZ!
Tsuburaya Partners with Five Companies for Big Ultra Promotion
Author: Keith Aiken
Translations: Oki Miyano
Source: Official Homepage Tsuburaya, ASCII24

Ultraman and friends at the Tokyo press conference. © 2003 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

Tsuburaya Productions, the creator and owner of the popular Ultraman franchise, has launched "Ultra Collaboration 2", a joint project with Shogakukan Publishing, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), Matsushita Electric (owner of Panasonic), and Digital Ultra Project. Recently appointed vice president Akira Tsuburaya [See his 8/30/03 interview in the H!O News Archives] has wasted no time getting his announced plans for Ultraman and company underway. Based around the theme of "The Origin of Ultra", this massive promotion of the classic Tsuburaya shows will include television, radio, books, home video, film, the internet, and merchandising. On September 19, 2003, actress Hiroko Sakurai (Yuriko Edogawa in ULTRA Q, Akiko Fuji in ULTRAMAN), actors Akihide Tsuzawa (the young boy Hoshino in ULTRAMAN), actor/singer Isao Sasaki (OPERATION: MYSTERY), Kenji Sahara (Jun Manjome in ULTRA Q), Yasuhiko Saijo (Ippei Togawa in ULTRA Q), director Toshihiro Iijima, and Akira Tsuburaya explained details of the joint project at a press conference in Tokyo.

Hiroko Sakurai and Akihide Tsuzawa together again. © 2003 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

The first production is the classic series ULTRA Q (Urutora Q), which has returned as a weekly drama on TBS radio [Note: An extensive ULTRA Q article, including exclusive information and behind-the-scenes photos will soon be available here on H!O]. A new Ultraman television series, ULTRAMAN NOAH (Urutoraman Noa) is scheduled to air on TBS in the spring of 2004, followed by a remake of MIRRORMAN (Miraaman), and possibly a new version of OPERATION: MYSTERY! (Kaiki Daisakusen) in the near future. Shogakukan will be releasing several Ultra-themed books in the coming months -- they recently published THE GENESIS OF ULTRAMAN, a book that documents the making of the renowned series. Written by Hiroko Sakurai, GENESIS features lengthy interviews with cast and crew members including the long-lost Akihide Tsuzawa. Following the wrap of the series, Tsuzawa lost touch with his co-stars and had not seen or spoken to any of them for 36 years.

Panasonic/Beam Entertainment continues their ongoing relationship with Tsuburaya Productions in remastering the best series in Tsuburaya's catalogue. Their most recent collaboration is the new DVD release of the 1968 teleseries OPERATION: MYSTERY!. Parent company Matsushita Electric is currently creating Ultra-themed streaming videos for the Tsuburaya Channel Broadband pay site. Members can access interviews with the cast and crew of Tsuburaya Productions shows, interactive games, and other exclusives.

The Digital Ultra Project is handling several home video projects. While the company was primarily founded to create new digital masters of old Tsuburaya films and shows for DVD release, DUP is also involved in brand-new projects like CRADLE OF ULTRA (Urutora-no Yurikago), a documentary on the making of ULTRA Q and ULTRAMAN. The DVD features interviews with staff members from the two classic television series (including director Toshihiro Iijima, optical effects animator Minoru Nakano, art director Noriyoshi Ikeya and Yozo Inagaki), re- creations, production material, promotional footage, featurettes, and details on how the special effects were created. DUP has also filmed the recording of, and behind-the-scenes moments from, the new ULTRA Q radio show. With a combination of state-of-the-art media and a "back to the basics" approach, Tsuburaya Productions has ensured that their classic characters will live on to enthrall a whole new generation of fans.

อยากทราบ email address ของบริษัท Tsuburaya Planning Co., Ltd รบกวนบอกหน่อยครับ

  

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