Ultraman (1966 TV series)
Tsuburaya Productions produced 39 episodes (40, counting the pre-premiere special) that aired on Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) and its affiliate stations from July 17, 1966, to April 9, 1967.[7] It was also the first Japanese television series to use a bidding system for commercial rights, allowing multiple third-party companies to sponsor the show.Ultraman and its titular hero became a major pop culture phenomenon in Japan, generating dozens of sequels, spin-offs, imitations, parodies and tributes.The series follows the adventures of the Science Patrol, a special scientific team investigating and combating threats from aliens and kaiju.Unbeknownst to the team, fellow member Shin Hayata possesses the ability to transform into the giant alien superhero Ultraman in moments of crisis.[13] TPC founder Eiji Tsuburaya and writer Tetsuo Kinjo decided to recycle the barebones idea of Ultra Q about civilians and center the show on a team, tentatively dubbed the "Scientific Investigation Agency" (SIA), specifically designed to deal with monsters and supernatural phenomena.[17] The early Bemular version was originally conceived by Kinjo as an intergalactic reptilian creature that would enlarge itself to 164 feet (50.0 m) and come to the SIA's aid.To reflect Ultraman's cosmic origins, his silver skin symbolized steel from an interstellar rocket and the red lining represented the surface of Mars.Early outlines had Ultraman capable of spitting fire and a liquid called "silver iodine", but these ideas were dropped.A three-minute warning light called the "Color Timer" was added at the last minute due to the filmmakers feeling that Ultraman was too invincible, and also believed that it would invoke suspense and cheers from viewers.This met the network's requirement for making new episodes on a fast-paced production schedule, due to filming starting in March 1966 for July premiere.The names of the monsters were decided via staff meetings, where it would also be determined if the writer had created a creature that was capable or incapable of being filmed with the special effects technology available at the time.Composite technology EXA Quality Advanced Service (EQAS) was used to process the series to remove excess picture noise while retaining an appropriate level of graininess.[2] BCI Eclipse Home Entertainment LLC officially released Ultraman on two separate DVD volumes in 2006 and 2007, licensed from then-rights holder Southern California-based Golden Media Group Inc. (via Tokyo-based UM Corporation).The Blu-ray featured artwork by Alex Ross (originally created for Marvel's Ultraman comic) and was sold exclusively on DeepDiscount.[51] Using motion capture technology, Bin Furuya, the original Ultraman suit actor, portrays the titular hero alongside Hideaki Anno."[2] Ultraman has been parodied, tributed, and referenced in various media such as Ben 10,[56] Ready Player One,[57] The Simpsons,[58] South Park,[59] Kyoei Toshi,[60] and Ant-Man.[61] Chris Kirkpatrick,[62] Will Smith,[63] and Guillermo del Toro[64] have cited the 1966 series as one of the shows they grew up watching as kids.
Revised HepburnTokusatsuScience fictionSuperheroEiji TsuburayaSusumu KurobeAkiji KobayashiHiroko SakuraiSandayū DokumamushiMasanari NiheiBin FuruyaTsuburaya ProductionsUltra QUltrasevenJapaneseHepburnscience fiction television seriesTokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)its affiliate stationsUltramanUltra Seriesmanga series of the same nameShin UltramanShinji HiguchiTokyo Broadcasting SystemTsuburaya Productions CompanyGarudaTohl NaritaAmbassador MagmaHajime TsuburayaHaruo NakajimaGodzillaEbirah, Horror of the DeepMothra vs. GodzillaEarl Hammondrubber suitSusumu IshikawaCorinne OrrAkihiko HirataShinichi SekizawaToshihiro IijimaKazuho MitsutaAkio JissojiToho Co., Ltd.double featureKing Kong EscapesUnited Artists TelevisionPeter FernandezMoviolagrease pencilUltraman GingaPony CanyonsteelbookAlex RossShout! FactorySVOD and AVODHarvey Comics EntertainmentBandaiSuper FamicomPD Ultraman Battle Collection 64ShogakukanViz MediaNetflixMarvel Comicsmotion capture technologyHideaki AnnoGuinness World RecordsMark SchillingThe Japan TimesBen 10Ready Player OneThe SimpsonsSouth ParkKyoei ToshiAnt-ManChris KirkpatrickWill SmithGuillermo del ToroPacific RimBio Planet WooSchilling, MarkThe Hollywood ReporterToyo KeizaiThe New York TimesKakaku.comTVShowsOnDVD.comAnime News NetworkDeadline HollywoodComic Book ResourcesScreen RantDen of GeekInverseAnno, HideakiKhara, Inc.Asahi SonoramaIijima, ToshihiroJapan News NetworkSimon & SchusterYouTubeShōwaReturn of UltramanThe UltramanHeiseiCosmosMebiusUltraseven XUltra Galaxy Mega Monster BattleNeo Ultra QGinga SDeckerBlazarUltra Zero FightUltra Fight VictoryUltra Fight OrbUltra Galaxy FightSevenger FightAndro MelosRetsudenThe PrimeNew Generation ChronicleChronicle Zero & GeedChronicle DNew Generation StarsThe 6 Ultra Brothers vs. the Monster ArmyRevive!Zearth