Join a cast of creative minds in this documentary looking at the history of Ultraman and how the franchise motivated them in their formative years.
Ultraman has been recognizable from generation to generation since his debut in 1966. As well known and iconic in the East as Superman is in the West, the character instantly spawned a franchise that has amassed an impressive fan base. It’s almost impossible to overstate Ultraman’s popularity. When his flagship series, Ultra Q, aired on Japanese television it held the attention of 42.8% of Japan’s viewers. Nearly half of the country was locked in and invested in the latest addition to Kaiju cinema. Unlike Godzilla or Gamera, Ultraman added a much needed human element to the world of giant monsters. With a blend of martial arts and sci-fi superpowers, Ultraman battles colossal beasts and other aliens in order to protect earth. This basic formula has worked ever since, with the franchise spawning over 30 television shows, 30+ films, multiple anime, comic books, novels, and video games. With no sign of slowing, this 60 year entertainment powerhouse continues to grow. In celebration of this incredible legacy, Tsuburaya Productions presents The Origin of Ultraman, a documentary about the beginning of a pop culture juggernaut and the creative minds the franchise has influenced over the years.
The documentary comes to us from first time director, Kazuki Yoshida, and Yu Nakamura. Nakamura’s previous work is exclusive to the 2023 documentary, Grief Care, which addressed the healthcare given to those overcoming loss. With such modest directors at the helm, one might worry about the quality of the film prior to seeing it. However, it’s clear that both Yoshida and Nakamura were as passionate about Ultraman as those they put in front of the camera. True fans of the franchise, the pair’s directorial efforts capture the genuine appreciation that comes from each of their film subjects. Imagine being able to make a documentary about one of your all time favorite pieces of pop-culture, and then toss in a menagerie of creative icons that you would like to see discuss it. This insight into Ultraman’s early lore, and how it affected some of today’s most creative minds, is a rare celebration every franchise should strive for. Whether it was the unique nature of the hero existing with two minds living in one body, the over-the-top creature designs, or the nuanced reasons for the villains’ efforts, imaginative individuals were motivated by something Ultraman had to offer.
Join the likes of Guillermo Del Toro, Hideo Kojima, and Pat Cadigan as they discuss everything they loved about the early days of Ultraman, and how the franchise help pave the way for such things as Del Toro’s cinematic creature designs, Kojima’s whimsical approach to “serious” videogame adventures, and Cadigan’s nuanced writing within her science fiction books. Parents might have kids who saw the Netflix exclusive Ultraman: Rising which came out in 2024. The director, John Aoshima, and Shannon Tindle from the film’s art department, discuss the impact Ultraman had on them before they entered their careers which brought us the likes of Kubo and the Two Strings (Tindle) and Gravity Falls (Aoshima). Shinji Higuchi, a special effects artist who worked on Gamera in the 90’s, joins the roster thanks to his work on Shin Ultraman, which came years after his 2016 work on Shin Godzilla. He’s joined by Hideaki Anno, a man who worked with him on Shin Godzilla but is more prolifically known as the creator of the hit anime series… Neon Genesis Evangelion. I was pleasantly surprised to see and hear from Nicolas Winding Refn, the director of such films as Drive, Only God Forgives, and The Neon Demon. With this variety of unique individuals all expressing the cultural impact Ultraman had on them, there’s no doubt that the sixty years of Ultraman have given far more than just tales from Ultra Q and everything that followed. The instantly recognizable hero stands tall and proud as one of the greatest motivators for creative minds to ever exist.
The Origin of Ultraman premiered earlier this month in Japan, but western audiences were able to catch it through the Fantasia Film Festival’s 2026 lineup. Fans speculated about an English release of the documentary ever since the Ultraman Official English YouTube channel dropped a trailer for it on July 24th. Well, I have good news. It’s well on its way, and it’s definitely worth their time. Fans or not, anyone who watches this film will feel Ultraman’s importance to the creative world, and they’ll gain a newfound respect for a character that won’t be going away any time soon. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the English release of the Origin of Ultraman, which is coming in the not-too-distant future.
