Ultraman is turning 60, and Tsuburaya Productions is marking the milestone with a documentary film that looks back at how one of Japan’s most iconic heroes was born.
Titled The Origin of Ultraman, the documentary is set to open on July 3. Tsuburaya first announced the project on April 20, while the film’s official website later released a trailer confirming the opening date.
For longtime fans, this is not just another anniversary package. The documentary focuses on the creation of the original Ultraman series, digging into the production history behind the tokusatsu franchise that went on to influence generations of filmmakers, animators, game creators, monster designers, and sci-fi fans.
One of the biggest draws is the archival material. The film includes behind-the-scenes footage from the first Ultraman series, including footage of legendary creator Eiji Tsuburaya directing the crew. For anyone who grew up only seeing the finished monster fights and suit action on TV, this sounds like a rare chance to see the craft behind the kaiju chaos.
The documentary also features interviews with people connected to the original production, including visual artist Tōru “Tohl” Narita, plus actors Susumu Kurobe, Hiroko Sakurai, Sandayū Dokumamushi, and others. Some interviews will use archival footage, which makes sense given the franchise’s long history and the number of important figures involved across different eras.
What makes this even more interesting is the wider creator lineup. Guillermo del Toro, Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi, Hideo Kojima, Takashi Shimizu, Nicolas Winding Refn, Shannon Tindle, John Aoshima, Pat Cadigan, and more are part of the interview list, with some appearances also using archival material. That is a pretty stacked group, bro. You can immediately see how far Ultraman’s influence stretches — from anime and tokusatsu to games, Hollywood monsters, and modern sci-fi storytelling.
Acclaimed director Hirokazu Kore-eda is credited for planning the documentary and is also one of the interviewed creatives. That is a fascinating name to have attached, because Kore-eda is best known for human dramas like Air Doll and Umimachi Diary, plus the live-action Look Back film. Having him involved suggests the documentary may not just be a simple fan-service recap, but something more reflective about legacy, craft, and why Ultraman still matters.
For Malaysia and SEA fans, the big thing to watch now is whether this gets any regional release, festival screening, or streaming rollout. The announcement confirms the July 3 opening date, but does not mention Malaysia-specific screening details. Still, Ultraman has always had strong recognition across this region, especially among fans who grew up on Japanese superhero shows, kaiju battles, and weekend TV reruns. Before Marvel became the default superhero language, Ultraman was already teaching many of us that a giant silver alien could be just as iconic as any caped hero.
This documentary could also be a solid entry point for younger fans who only know Ultraman through newer anime, Netflix projects, toys, or crossover references. Understanding the 1960s production roots gives better context for why the franchise still has cultural weight today.
If you are into tokusatsu history, kaiju filmmaking, or just want to see creators like Kojima, Anno, and del Toro talk about a legend, The Origin of Ultraman is one to keep on the radar.
Source: Anime News Network