Susumu Kurobe

The landmark Japanese Tokusatsu TV series Ultraman became a massive social phenomenon upon its debut in 1966, reaching a staggering peak viewership rating of 42.8%. Six decades later, Tsuburaya Productions continues to introduce new entries into the Ultraman series, expanding its unique universe to a global audience across generations. This documentary brings together leading voices from the fields of cinema, Tokusatsu, and design. Witness profound testimonies from an international assembly of creators, including: Guillermo del Toro, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Hideo Kojima, Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi, and Nicolas Winding Refn.

Erika Toda joins a law firm headed by Serizawa-san, on the first case she meets Enomoto Kei of Tokyo total security who unlocks Serizawa who has accidentally been trapped in a vault. Form thereon the trio solve 10 cases related to the locked room. Enomoto always makes a small scale model and thinks technically in terms of security and locks to solve cases, while Serizawa assists by hinting some circumstantial evidences. Serizawa is always ready to take credit of new found fame.

Ultraman Saga opens with a powerful apocalyptic vision of Tokyo, buildings destroyed and the city seemingly devoid of life. We are soon introduced to the Earth Defense Force (EDF), Team U (played by members of the female idol group AKB48). They and a group of young children and the last survivors on planet Earth after the world was invaded by the evil Alien Bat, the rest of the human population having been abducted.

One year after the battle with Belial's Galactic Empire, the members of Ultimate Force Zero returned to Planet Esmeralda to see Princess Emerana. They arrived to see her and Jean Bot captures by a mysterious artificial planet which then took of for another universe. In the Universe where the sphere fled to, Zap Spacy members Rei and Hyuga are forced to infiltrate it, as it is on a collision course with Planet Bram. Inside they encounter various robot monsters, that the Ultramen have fought in the past, all under the control of Beatstar, with one mission: "Destroy all organic life". After saving Emerana, they encounter a robot very similar to Jean Bot, Jean Killer. During their fight with Jean Killer, Zero learns from Jean Bot that Jean Killer is actually his twin brother. Ultimate Force Zero must now put a stop to Killer's rampage and defeat Beatstar in the process. This is part 2 of a 2-part special release to promote the movie Ultraman Saga.

One year after the battle with Belial's Galactic Empire, the members of Ultimate Force Zero returned to Planet Esmeralda to see Princess Emerana. They arrived to see her and Jean Bot captures by a mysterious artificial planet which then took of for another universe. In the Universe where the sphere fled to, Zap Spacy members Rei and Hyuga are forced to infiltrate it, as it is on a collision course with Planet Bram. Inside they encounter various robot monsters, that the Ultramen have fought in the past, all under the control of Beatstar, with one mission: "Destroy all organic life". After saving Emerana, they encounter a robot very similar to Jean Bot, Jean Killer. During their fight with Jean Killer, Zero learns from Jean Bot that Jean Killer is actually his twin brother. Ultimate Force Zero must now put a stop to Killer's rampage and defeat Beatstar in the process. This is part 1 of a 2-part special release to promote the movie Ultraman Saga.

A pawn shop owner in Osaka is murdered, but due to a lack of conclusive evidence the police lists the man's death as a suicide. Detective Sasagaki, who investigated the case, can't forget the dark eyes of the main suspect's daughter Yukiho and the pawn shop owner's son Ryouji. As time goes by, more mysterious deaths surround Yukiho & Ryouji. Detective Sasagaki still unable to let go of the pawn shop owner case discovers startling details about Yukiho and Ryouji ...

Ultraman Zero, the rookie Ultraman from Tsuburaya Productions’ 2009 theatrical movie returns, and getting full-fledged. However, he is confronted with the empowered Kaiser Belial, back from the evil Ultraman Belial whom he and other Ultraman warriors battled so hard on the m-78 Planet. Can Ultraman Zero live to the expectations of his legendary father Ultra Seven? Check it out in the latest Tsuburaya Productions’ action packed movie.

Continuing where the previous story left, Mechazam proceeds to attack EX Zetton in a mad fury but almost perishes in the molten lava until Mebius saves him, despite being heavily injured by EX Zetton. Being thrown to the Battle Nizer, Mechazam tries to break the seal under Mebius' guidance to reverse the disruption field but the container was too strong...

Ultraman and his comrades from M-78 (including a new Ultraman, Zero, the son of Ultra Seven) join forces with other allies to fight a massive army of giant monsters led by the evil Ultraman Belial.

In the Land of Light, the Ultra Brothers receive the interrupted Ultra Sign sent by Hikari, which comes from the Monster Graveyard. Obtaining Zoffy's approval, Ace and Taro depart to investigate the matter while Mebius, on his routine patrol, is quickly notified by Zoffy to join the investigation.

When heads of state gather at the G8 summit in Japan, Guilala -- the intergalactic monster that had been banished from the earth in The X from Outer Space -- returns to ravage the Japanese countryside and threaten the world leaders. Military strikes prove futile against the beast, but a reporter learns that one rural community possesses a strange ritual that might influence the creature. Minoru Kawasaki directs this campy satire.

Ultraman Mebius is joined once again by Ultraman, Ultra Seven, Ultraman Jack, and Ultraman Ace, as well as three later Ultramen (Tiga, Dyna, and Gaia) to fight more powerful versions of familiar Ultra Monsters.

Set in World War II, the film depicts the story of the real-life Japanese battleship, the Yamato, which is confronted in the Pacific Ocean by giant monsters, including the most fearsome of them all, Reigo.

In the beginning of the movie, 20 years ago, on the moon, the 4 Ultra brothers, Ultraman, Seven, Jack, and Ace were fighting a deadly foe known as Yapool, a monster that was several times their size. As they fought, Yapool had a clear advantage and used his several claws to grasp the brothers, although, they managed to clear from the claws through there powers and used a combined Specium Ray to no avail. The monster then flies off to Earth to dodge the attack and the brothers follow. The brothers were barely able to defeat Yapool but the monster still needed to be sealed. However, to seal Yapool away they were forced to give up the ability to transform, and took up jobs to be in the area of Kobe in case the monster ever returned.

Direct-to-video documentary special about the 1966 series Ultra Q. It is mainly comprised of interviews with the original staff and cast alongside stock footage of the show. The main cast reprised their roles for short in-character segments that are framed as interviews about the series' events.

Direct-to-video special mostly comprised of stock footage from the 1966 series Ultraman. The main cast reprised their roles for newly-shot footage : in the summer of 2006, 40 years after Ultraman left Earth, the old members of the SSSP reunite after receiving a mysterious invitation letter. Together, they reminiscence about the numerous situations they faced.

In the 21st century, multiple mysterious phenomenon began to occur as monsters who were initially thought to be a part of mythology had come to life. These phenomenons had also resulted from human activities that disrupted the nature of the ecosystem. Ultraman Max is the titular giant of his series. Originally a civilization observer sent from Nebula M78, the sacrifice of Kaito Touma changed his mind into bonding with with the youth and actively defending Earth from monsters and alien attacks. Arthouse Ultraman is a movie with four episodes edited together, theatrically released at Fantasia Festival 2006.

The third installment in the series of fantasy swordplay action movies starring Riki Takeuchi. Muramasa, a dangerous cursed sword imbued with the grudges of those persecuted by the Tokugawa shogunate, is the subject of repeated deadly battles. Kengo Yagyu, a seal master, faces off against a new figure known as the "Puppet" who is attempting to bring Muramasa back from the dead.

The first installment in the series of fantasy swordplay action movies starring Riki Takeuchi. Muramasa, a mystical blade imbued with the grudges of those persecuted by the Tokugawa Shogunate, reawakens in the modern era. Yagyu Kengo, descendant of the Yagyu Clan and "sealmaster," faces off against the Shimazu Clan, who seek to exploit Muramasa's power for their own gain.

The second installment in the series of fantasy swordplay action movies starring Riki Takeuchi. After the previous battle, Kengo and his allies go to Kengo's father, Muneyoshi, to leave their swords with him and tell him about the masterless Murasame Utsusemi. After Kengo leaves, Muneyoshi is attacked by Shimazu, who suddenly appears.

#45 in the series, following "The Men's Past"

In an alternate timeline the original Godzilla is never defeated and repeatedly reemerges to feed on Japan's energy sources. A new inter-dimensional weapon called the Dimension Tide is created with the intent of eliminating Godzilla. However, the new weapon might also serve as a gateway to something far more sinister.

It depicts the fierce battle between the Shanghai Mafia, who is trying to expand its power with sneaky hands, and Kuroiwa, the young head of the former Ryuo group.

Ultraman Shadow, Ultraman Zearth's most terrifying adversary yet, is brought to Earth by the murderous alien, Lady Benzen to be Ultraman Zearth's assassin. Ultraman Shadow is a warrior of darkness equipped with mysterious powers. Prepare to witness the ultimate showdown, colossus versus mighty colossus, the battle ground: Planet Earth!

A gang of evil ninjas has stolen the sacred sword of the Lady Mayu and are demanding that her family exchange her for the family treasure. The world's greatest swordsman, Shuranosuke Sakaki, is called in to get the sword back.

Ultraman Zearth hails from The Land of Pikari in Nebula Z95. He has a big red face and dislikes dirt, and will go to great lengths to wash it off his hands. His goal is to clean the polluted Earth. He transforms with an electric toothbrush, which is consistent with his hygiene fixation. He's not quite adept at being a superhero, but at least he tries his best.

The film is composed of stock footage from the original Ultraman television series with additional newly filmed content, and it served as an “epilogue” as Ultraman returns to Earth for one final battle.

A special retrospective of the two franchises, with segments making comparisons between the different characters, their weapons, powers and so forth. The final segment of the special is the short film "Super Battle: Ultraman vs Kamen Rider" The main characters, Ultraman and Kamen Rider 1 appear on the scene separately, each fighting an original kaijin and kaiju. When the two monsters are nearly defeated, they merge into a more powerful kaiju. Ultraman experiences trouble and calls for Kamen Rider 1's help. Kamen Rider 1 is then able to grow to enormous size to fight alongside Ultraman.

Mothra's dark counterpart, Battra, emerges to eliminate humanity on behalf of the Earth. Two tiny fairies called the Cosmos offer their help by calling Mothra to battle the creature. Unfortunately a meteorite has awoken a hibernating Godzilla as a three way battle for the Earth begins.

Narumi, a man out for revenge with the powers he received and a bit of help from the one who saved his life, he creates the persona of Skull Soldier and attempts to discover who really killed his sister.

A series of serial murders occurred in a historic ruins where a TV crew is shooting a documentary.

A widowed restaurateur is faced with scandal after discovering her late husband had a child out of wedlock. Hearing that two criminals had attempted to take over the restaurant from her late husband, she hires her late husband's best friend, a private detective, to investigate.

Theatrical version of episode 20 of Ultraman (1966 TV series). An enormous bird-monster is attacking motorists on Route 87. The Science Patrol discovers a supernatural link between the monster and a statue located nearby.

A biographical dramatization about the production of the original Ultraman, the beloved classic special effects fantasy series from Eiji Tsuburaya.

During the events of the Chushingura incident, Mumyo, a disgruntled Shogunate secret agent, retires from post, disillusioned by the concept of loyalty. Meanwhile, the leader of the Uesugi Clan, who is Lord Kira’s son, sends a group of Ninja assassins to kill the Ako Ronin before they take revenge on his father. But, the chief retainer of the clan sees the foolishness of this plan and hires Mumyo, along with a group of Female Ninja, to stop the assassins and destroy the Ako Ronin from the inside.

A photographer who takes pictures of a rendezvous between a politician, company president and yakuza boss is later found dead and the film missing.

When a young soldier is killed while trying to prevent his younger sister, Kaoru, from being sold into a life of prostitution, his commander, Col. Miyagi, tries to honor his dying wish to rescue his sister. Upon finding Kaoru at a party working as a geisha and later rescuing her from committing suicide, Col. Miyagi allows her to move in with him. Over time, the two grow close, but in spite of Kaoru's growing feelings for him, Col. Miyagi is unable to bring himself to return her love. On the night of his deployment to war, Col. Miyagi finally admits his feelings for Kaoru, but will they ever be able to enjoy a peaceful life together now that a very violent and bloody military revolt is under way...

A 1979 Japanese tokusatsu kaiju film produced by Tsuburaya Productions, consisting of re-edited material from the original television series Ultraman. Ultraman: The Great Decisive Battle was the 1st movie of the third Showa phase (Jissouji's Ultraman being first and Ultra Brothers vs. The Monster Army being second) and because of this Tsuburaya decided to make this a reunion of the last 12 Ultras (aside from Ultraman 80 which hadn't come out yet). Tsuburaya decided to give this a different tone than Jissouji's Ultraman, having more new scenes and appealing to the all-Ultra fan.

Akio Jissoji's Ultraman is a 1979 Japanese tokusatsu kaiju film directed by Akio Jissoji. It is a compilation film made up of scenes from Jissoji's episodes of the original Ultraman TV series.

Dramatic story of one man trying to make a difference.

A Japanese bullet train is threatened with a bomb that will explode automatically if the train slows below 80 km/h, unless a ransom is paid. Police race to find the bombers so the train crew can learn how to defuse the bomb.

A massive underwater volcano erupts and puts a group of investigative scientists in danger. They are rescued by an atomic super submarine named The Alpha under the command of Captain McKenzie. The group is quickly taken to a vast underwater city known as Latitude Zero, a fantastic, Atlantean type utopia, a world beneath the ocean with its own sun. It is soon discovered that Captain McKenzie is at war with the evil Dr. Malic, a cruel scientist who wishes to rule mankind all the while conducting genetic experiments on humans and animals. Malic sends his agents to kidnap Dr. Okada, a human scientist who has created a serum that can immunize exposure to radiation.

A guilt-haunted samurai warrior attempts to stop a massacre taking place.

As Japan joins in a political pact with Nazi Germany and fascist Italy, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is appointed supreme commander of the Japanese fleet. With Japan headed inexorably toward war, Yamamoto, despite his misgivings, believes the only possible victory lies in destroying the American fleet by surprise at Pearl Harbor. The attack succeeds, but fails to sink the American carrier fleet. Thus Yamamoto must lead the Japanese navy into war with ever-diminishing likelihood of success.

At the turn of the century, all of the Earth's monsters have been rounded up and kept safely on Monsterland. Chaos erupts when a race of she-aliens known as the Kilaaks unleash the monsters across the world.

A pair of down-on-their-luck swordsmen arrive in a dusty, windblown town, where they become involved in a local clan dispute. One, previously a farmer, longs to become a noble samurai. The other, a former samurai haunted by his past, prefers living anonymously with gangsters. But when both men discover the wrongdoings of the nefarious clan leader, they side with a band of rebels who are under siege at a remote mountain cabin.

Reporter Goro Maki stumbles upon scientists conducting weather experiments on Sollgel Island in the South Seas. He discovers the island is inhabited by giant mantis and a woman named Saeko who's been cast away since the death of her father. The pair soon find a helpless infant monster that Godzilla must adopt and learn to raise as one of his own.

An adaptation of the Rankin/Bass cartoon, "The King Kong Show". King Kong is brought in by the evil Dr. Who to dig for Element X in a mine when the robot Mechani-Kong is unable to do the task. This leads to the machine and the real Kong engaging in a tremendous battle atop Tokyo Tower.

The film consists of re-edited material from the original television series Ultraman. Episodes 1, 8, 26, and 27 were used for the film. They were narrated by Hikari Urano as an "Ultraman Documentary". Allegedly only one new scene was shot, and that some parts of the movie where shot in black and white for unknown reasons. The movie screened at the same time as the Toho movie King Kong Escapes.

In comic Woody Allen's film debut, he took the Japanese action film "International Secret Police: Key of Keys" and re-dubbed it, changing the plot to make it revolve around a secret egg salad recipe.

In this recorded stage debut of the original Ultraman, self-proclaimed world's number one kaiju tamer, Eiji Tsuburaya introduces Ultraman, the Science Special Search Party (SSSP), and various kaiju.

Akio Jissoji's documentary on the production of Ultra Q. Interview with series creator Eiji Tsuburaya.

Osami, a soldier-of-fortune from Japan, joins with priest Ensai in a quest for the ashes of the great Buddha. Their journey takes them to a kingdom in the Middle East, where they find intrigue and romance in the court of an evil king.

Farmer Abare Goemon is confronted by brigand-like samurai. He raises an army of farmers to fight them and does so brilliantly. When Lord Asakura sees the success Goemon has achieved, he attempts to recruit him to fight in a conflict between Asakura and another clan. Goemon refuses, and Lord Asakura sets out to destroy him.

A silly yet skilled Interpol agent flies to Tokyo and gets mixed up in a war between two gangs intent on winning the favor of a notorious arms dealer.

Intelligence director Suritai asks agent Kitami to steal money from anti-government guerrillas.

Desperate to escape her grueling life caring for her paralyzed husband, Tamiko murders him and burns down their home to start anew. She is soon entangled in the dark web of an influential, elderly power broker, becoming his mistress and a pawn in his political schemes. As she descends further into a downward spiral of moral decay, Tamiko realizes that the freedom she sought is merely a new form of entrapment.

In 1943, the Aleutian island of Kiska was fortified by a small contingent of Japanese soldiers. When word arrived of an impending attack by an overwhelming force of Americans, the Japanese Navy attempted one of the most daring and unlikely evacuations in military history. This is that story.

American and Japanese soldiers, stranded on a tiny Pacific island during World War II, must make a temporary truce and cooperate to survive various tribulations. Told through the eyes of the American and Japanese unit commanders, who must deal with an atmosphere of growing distrust and tension between their men.

After a meteorite unleashes a three-headed beast upon Tokyo, Mothra tries to unite with Godzilla and Rodan to battle the extraterrestrial threat.

The executive director of the «Chuo Shoji» company, Hidaka Shiro, is called a "demon of work", but the hostess of the bar calls him "the loneliest person in Japan." He lost his wife ten years ago and has been living as a widower ever since. He plotted to marry off his 22-year-old daughter Keiko for political gain, but Keiko is in love with Okuda, who is her father's subordinate. A story full of sadness and joy, depicting a man gripped by different thoughts, as an employee of the company and a father.

Klima, Deputy Minister of Industry of the Republic of Alabanda, has come to Japan to purchase materials for the water dam construction. Kitami, who called himself a salesman and met with Klima, acts as his bodyguard. However, Kitami learns that a large number of industrial cylinders unrelated to dam construction have been purchased, and Klima secretly confined her secretary, a former army colonel, and threatened to produce poisonous gas. Klima packed the gas in a cylinder and sent it to Alabanda in an attempt to cause a civil war between the government and the tribes. Around that time, Klima secretly investigated Kitami's identity and learned that he was a secret agent.

A grieving factory worker storms a Tokyo police station, holding a department chief at gunpoint, convinced he killed his girlfriend. When he learns it’s the wrong Yamamoto, he still refuses to leave and threatens everyone with nitroglycerin. Tension peaks when the real detective’s wife arrives, but a quick intervention stops disaster, leaving the worker broken by loss.

In a small town, Tomoko, a new bus conductor, works hard to prove herself. She crosses paths with Saburō, the company president’s playful younger brother, who slowly reveals a more sincere side.