The Ultraman series 60th anniversary documentary film The Origin of Ultraman will be released on July 3, 2026. The trailer for the film has been released.
This film features creators representing various fields including film, special effects, and design. Guillermo del Toro (film director), Kore-eda Hirokazu (film director), Kojima Hideo (game creator), Anno Hideaki (director/producer), Higuchi Shinji (film director), Nicolas Winding Refn (film director), and many other diverse witnesses from Japan and abroad have gathered. The words spoken from each perspective overlap, bringing into relief the contours of the existence that is Ultraman.
The documentary unravels the unique worldview in which, while the protagonist is a hero, the background of the monsters is carefully depicted, as well as the strong appeal of the designs of both Ultraman and the monsters. It also sheds light on the ideas and work of Tsuburaya Eiji and the staff of that era, tracing the path of how Ultraman spread throughout the world.
The trailer begins with a scene in which director Kore-eda Hirokazu, who is in charge of the project for this film, and director Guillermo del Toro, winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director for The Shape of Water, talk about Ultraman as if recalling their childhood memories. Using the conversation between these globally active film directors as an entry point, directors and creators from Japan and abroad—including Kojima Hideo, Anno Hideaki, Higuchi Shinji, and Nicolas Winding Refn—talk about Ultraman from their own memories and perspectives.
In the video, the ideas embedded in the designs of Ultraman and the monsters, the production attitude of art director Narita Tohl, who valued the principle that “we must show children the real thing,” and the reasons why Ultraman still attracts directors and creators around the world emerge through testimony and archive footage. The trailer delves into how Ultraman was born and why it has been passed down across time and borders—its “origin.”
In the main feature, testimony is also included from Kurobe Susumu (who played Hayata of the Science Patrol), Sakurai Hiroko (who played Fuji), and Ebihara Mosaburō (who played Arashi), along with production staff from the time. The documentary multi-directionally unravels the origins of Ultraman from the ideas, technology, and memories of the production set behind the scenes.
In advance of the film’s release, Mubichie advance tickets (online) will go on sale from 2:00 PM on May 15. As a purchase bonus, three types of original Ultraman smartphone wallpapers will be presented. Furthermore, those who purchase a Mubichie advance ticket (online) and view the film will receive a “Mubichie Digital Card” as a viewing bonus, which includes a different design from the purchase bonus along with a viewing record. These are digital perks that fans must have, to be enjoyed both at the time of purchase and after viewing, commemorating the release of the Ultraman series 60th anniversary documentary.
The Origin of Ultraman original smartphone wallpaper
The Origin of Ultraman original smartphone wallpaper
The Origin of Ultraman original smartphone wallpaper
The Origin of Ultraman will be released from July 3, 2026.
Supervision: Tsukagoshi Takayuki
Project: Kore-eda Hirokazu
Project Production: Minamitani Kei, Tashiro Takuya
Project Cooperation/Interview: Shimizu Takashi
Directors: Nakamura Yutaka, Yoshida Kazuki
Producers: Onoda Masahiro, Izuta Tomoko (Slow Hand)
Cast (in order): Guillermo del Toro, Kore-eda Hirokazu, Kojima Hideo, Anno Hideaki, Higuchi Shinji, Nicolas Winding Refn, Shannon Tindle, John Aoshima, Narita Kairi, Pat Cadigan, Shimizu Takashi, Sawaragi Noi, Okada Hidenori, Kurobe Susumu, Sakurai Hiroko, Ebihara Mosaburō, Iijima Takahiro, Sagawa Kazuo, Suzuki Kiyoshi, Iizuka Sadao, Shishikura Noriko
(C)TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
