SciFi Japan

    Key art for the new mobile game, ULTRAMAN GALAXY. Image courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © 2009 MMB-UG Film Partners

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: Tsuburaya Productions press release Official Site: facebook.com/ultramangalaxy Last November, SciFi Japan revealed that the mobile game company Animoca (ASTRO BOY DASH) was developing a new Ultraman game, which would be available for worldwide play. Tsuburaya Productions has now issued a press for the Asian debut of the game, entitled ULTRAMAN GALAXY (????????????, Urutoraman Gyarakushii). The game will soon be released to other territories -- including North America -- so check back with SFJ for further updates in the near future. The following press release is courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions... ULTRAMAN GALAXY is a unique mobile slot-machine puzzle game fused with card battle, role-playing (RPG), and social game elements that will keep you playing for hours! Help Ultraman, Ultra Seven, Ultraman Zero, and the rest of the Ultraman Family defeat the evil Ultraman Belial, Alien Zarab, Gomora, and the rest of the villains who are set

    Actors Yuriko Hishimi (Anne Yuri) and Koji Moritsugu (Dan Moroboshi) pose with Ultra Seven at ULTRAMAN FESTIVAL 2013. Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka. © Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Official Site: ulfes.com/2013 (Japan) ULTRAMAN FESTIVAL 2013 (?????????????2013) planned another great event. On August 16th, Mr. Koji Moritsugu, who played Dan Moroboshi, and Ms. Yuriko Hishimi, who played Anne Yuri in ULTRA SEVEN (???????, Urutorasebun, 1967-1968), were the special guests for a Premium Gallery Talk. Last year they were invited on different days, but this year Dan and Anne spoke together at the Festival. Reservations for the event filled up in a day so I was lucky to make a reservation. The format of the event was the same as the Premium Gallery Talk with ULTRAMAN stars Mr. Susumu Kurobe and Ms. Hiroko Sakurai, which was held on August 2nd. We watched one ULTRA SEVEN episode that was chosen by Mr. Moritsugu and Ms. Hishimi. Their choice was Episode 22: THE HUMAN RANCH (????, Ningen Bokujyou). After watching the episode

    The Mitsukoshi department store in Nihonbashi, Tokyo recently hosted the 45TH ANNIVERSARY ULTRA SEVEN EXHIBITION. Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka. © Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    v Author: Daisuke Ishizuka After opening at Fukuoka, Kyushu in March, the ULTRA SEVEN EXHIBITION finally came to the Mitsukoshi department store in Nihonbashi, Tokyo from July 24-August 5, 2013. I think the promoter of the 45TH ANNIVERSARY ULTRA SEVEN EXHIBITION was strongly influenced by the number "7". The exhibition started July (the 7th month), the exhibition was held on the 7th floor of the department store and the admission fee was ¥700. In the past, there have been exhibitions devoted to the Ultra series (or particular eras of the franchise), but this is first to focus on only one TV series or character. There were only a few original props remaining from the original ULTRA SEVEN (???????, Urutorasebun, 1967-1968) show, and most of them are now terribly damaged. Therefore, mainly replicas of props were displayed at this event. Most interesting for me was

    Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Earlier this month, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late September 2013. X-Plus has now provided photos of a new addition for next month... Ultraman (B-type). X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Large Monsters Series: Ultraman (B-type) Standing Pose Luminescent Version /??????? ??????? B???? ?????????? ??Ver. Product Size: Height Approximately 23cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted Package: Window Box Shipping: Late September - Early October, 2013 Price:

    Fantastic 30cm resin kit of the 1956 Rodan by Modeling Lac Krabat. Photo by Ed Godziszewski. © 1956 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Tokyo Hobby Festival Features Godzilla, Ultraman, Gamera, Anime, Cosplayers and More Author: Ed Godziszewski Official Site: wf.kaiyodo.net Summer in Japan... the only constants are unrelenting heat, humidity, and summer WonderFest at the end of July. Having now settled comfortably into the Makuhari Messe exhibition center, Wonder Festival operates like a well-oiled machine. Dealers arrive for setup as early as 6am while fans start lining up for entrance as soon as the trains start running in the morning. Some `dealers` pay for tables so they can secure a spot inside the hall rather than wait outside, just to get an advantage over the outside crowd in rushing to get in line for a coveted limited issue kit/figure release. Attendance was brisk and while those of us who love Japanese sf and monsters may have less and less to pick over as time goes by, WonderFest nevertheless always entertains

    Actors Hiroko Sakurai (Fuji) and Susumu Kurobe (Hayata) pose with Ultraman at ULTRAMAN FESTIVAL 2013. Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka. © Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Official Site: ulfes.com/2013 (Japan) The annual event ULTRAMAN FESTIVAL has started at Ikebukuro, Tokyo. The year of 2013 is the 50th anniversary of Tsuburaya Productions so a special event was planned for the festival. On August 2nd, Mr. Susumu Kurobe, who played Hayata, and Ms. Hiroko Sakurai, who played Akiko Fuji in the ULTRAMAN (?????? Urutoraman, 1966-67) television series, were invited to ULTRAMAN FESTIVAL and held a Premium Gallery Talk. About 50 fans attended the event. As the first program, we watched one ULTRAMAN episode what was chosen by Mr. Kurobe and Ms. Sakurai. Their choice was episode #8- THE LAWLESS ZONE OF MONSTERS ??????, Kaiju Muhouchitai). Both of them like the friendly monster Pigmon. Next, we walked the festival hall with Mr. Kurobe and Ms. Sakurai and they reminisced as they looked at displays of the monsters of ULTRAMAN.

    Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Guyros © Tsuburaya Productions. Guiron © 1969 Kadokawa Shoten.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Earlier this week, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late September 2013, including unpainted prototypes of the Gamera foe, Guiron, and the Ultra-Monster Guyros. The final designs have been approved so X-Plus has now provided photos of the fully painted figures. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Daiei Large Monster Series: Guiron (GAMERA VS GUIRON) /??????? ????? ???????????????? Product Size: Height Approximately 12cm, Length Approximately 28cm

    Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Kiryu ©2003 TOHO PICTURES, INC. TM&©2003,2013 TOHO CO.,LTD. © PLEX 2013. Guiron © 1969 Kadokawa Shoten. Tyrant, Guyros and Alien Baltan © Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos of their Toho, Kadokawa/Daiei and Tsuburaya Pro giant monster figures scheduled for release in late September 2013. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Toho 30cm Series: Type-3 Kiryu (2003 Version) High Mobility Type /??30cm???? ?3???[?] (2003?) ????? Product Size: Height Approximately 32cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Blind Box Shipping: Late September - Early October, 2013 Sales Agency: Plex

    Ultraman artwork on a giant scale, created with colored rice stalks in Northern Japan. Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka. © Tsuburya Productions, Inc.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Aomori Prefecture is located at the top of mainland Japan. I once lived in Aomori for about a year for my business, and return once a year to see friends of mine there. The village of Inakadate-mura in Aomori is famous for its tanbo art, which is large-scale artwork created in rice fields using different-colored rice. Inakadate has hosted annual tanbo art displays since 1993, which attendees can see from a 22 meter tall observation tower. Usually, the theme for the tanbo displays has been chosen from famous works of Japanese art or historical characters. But this summer the theme for the main stage was iconic female entertainers of Japan and U.S. with oiran -- the title for top courtesans in the Edo period -- and the Hollywood starlet Marilyn Monroe. After viewing the main stage I moved to the

    Ultraman Tiga returns to battle the monster Tyrant in the ULTRAMAN GINGA – THEATER SPECIAL. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2013 Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: m-78.jp/ginga Tsuburaya Productions and Shochiku have released new photos and promotional artwork for the next Ultraman movie, ULTRAMAN GINGA – THEATER SPECIAL (?????????????????, Urutoraman Ginga Gekijoo Supesharu). The film will open in Japanese theaters on September 7, 2013. About Tsuburaya Productions Tsuburaya Productions, creator and copyrights owner of the superhero ULTRAMAN series was founded in 1963 by Eiji Tsuburaya, world-renowned special effects wizard also known for his special effects work on the Godzilla series. With close to fifty years` experience, it is one of Japan`s oldest and most respected independent film and television production houses. Its popular Ultraman TV and film series which premiered in 1966 has been seen in over 100 territories worldwide and has spawned over 3,000 licensed products. In addition

    Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Mechagodzilla TM&© 1974, 2013 TOHO CO.,LTD. © PLEX 2013. Viras © 1968 Kadokawa Shoten. Pagos © Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Earlier this month, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late August 2013, including unpainted prototypes of Mechagodzilla, Viras and Pagos. The final designs have been approved so X-Plus has now provided photos of the fully painted figures. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Toho Large Monster Series: Mechagodzilla (1974 Version) Gyokusendo Secret Base Version GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA /????????? ???????1974??????????Ver. ?????????? Product Size: Height

    SciFi Japan now has photos of the painted ULTRAMAN ACE Barabas and unpainted ULTRA Q Pagos figures. Photos courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi and Kazuma Matsubara A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Last week, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late August 2013, including an unpainted prototype of Barabas. Tsuburaya Productions has now approved the final design so X-Plus has provided photos of the fully painted figure. X-Plus has also sent images for an additional figure; the unpainted prototype of the ULTRA Q monster Pagos. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Large Monsters

    Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Godzilla, Baragon, Mechagodzilla TM&© 1965, 1966, 1974, 2013 TOHO CO.,LTD. © PLEX 2013. Viras © 1968 Kadokawa Shoten. Barabas and King Saurus ? © Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos of their Toho, Kadokawa/Daiei and Tsuburaya Pro giant monster figures scheduled for release in late August 2013. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Toho Large Monster Series: Mechagodzilla (1974 Version) Gyokusendo Secret Base Version GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA /????????? ???????1974??????????Ver. ?????????? Product Size: Height Approximately 25cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Window Box Shipping: Late August -

    SciFi Japan now has photos of the painted ULTRA Q Gorgos figure. Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Earlier this month, SciFi Japan posted articles featuring information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late July 2013. The lineup included an unpainted prototype of the ULTRA Q monster Gorgos. Tsuburaya Productions has now approved the final design so X-Plus has provided photos of the fully painted figure. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Large Monsters Series: Giant Gorgos -- Shounen Ric Exclusive /??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? Product Size: Height Approximately 30cm Material: PVC

    ULTRA SEVEN star Koji Moritsugu and ULTRAMAN star Hiroko Sakurai discuss their work and sign autographs at a special fan meeting last month. Photos courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Mr. Koji Moritsugu is a famous actor who played Dan Moroboshi in the ULTRA SEVEN (???????, Urutora Sebun, 1967) television series. He still acts and sings today and has periodically held Chanson (cabaret) song or Jazz live performances at his café-restaurant “Joli Chapeau” in Kanagawa. In 2012, Mr. Moritsugu started monthly fan gatherings to meet an invited Ultraman series actor, actress or director. But these events can only accommodate 30 fans; this means it is very difficult to get an invitation. I have tried to make reservations in the past without success, but I was accepted for the fan meeting held in May. The guest was Ms. Hiroko Sakurai, who played the heroine Yuriko Edogawa in ULTRA Q (????Q, Urutora Kyuu, 1966) and Science Patrol member Akiko Fuji in ULTRAMAN (???????????????, Urutoraman: Kuso Tokusatsu Shirizu, 1966). When I visited Joli

    Logo for the ULTRAMAN GINGA – THEATER SPECIAL, courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2013 Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Tsuburaya Productions, Bandai Corporation Official Site: m-78.jp/ginga Translations: John Paul Cassidy and Brad Warner At the International Tokyo Toy Show 2013, Tsuburaya Productions and Bandai Corporation announced the next Ultraman movie event, tentatively titled ULTRAMAN GINGA – THEATER SPECIAL (?????????????????, Urutoraman Ginga Gekijoo Supesharu), will be coming to select Japanese theaters on September 7, 2013. The theatrical feature is tied to the new incarnation of the television series ULTRAMAN BIOGRAPHIES (????????, Urutoraman Restuden), which premiered on TV Tokyo on July 6, 2011. Beginning this July 3, the show will be re-branded THE NEW ULTRAMAN BIOGRAPHIES (?????????, Shin Urutoraman Restuden) and feature the adventures of the long-awaited new hero, Ultraman Ginga. The first brand-new Ultra hero since the introduction of Ultraman Zero four years ago, Ultraman Ginga (the name meaning "Ultraman Galaxy" in English) will star in his own tokusatsu

    SciFi Japan now has photos of the unpainted ULTRA Q Gorgos and painted ULTRAMAN ACE Lunaticks figures. Photos courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Yesterday, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late July 2013, including an unpainted prototype of Lunaticks. Tsuburaya Productions has now approved the final design so X-Plus has provided photos of the fully painted figure. X-Plus has also sent images for an additional figure; the unpainted prototype of the ULTRA Q monster Gorgos. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Large Monsters Series: ULTRAMAN ACE Lunaticks -- Shounen

    Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Ultraman Jack, Ultraman, Bemstar and Lunaticks © Tsuburaya Productions. Kumonga and King Caesar TM&© 1967, 1974, 2013 TOHO CO.,LTD.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. presents a preview of their Toho and Tsuburaya Pro giant monster figures scheduled for release in late July 2013. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Toho Large Monster Series: King Caesar (1974 Version) GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA /????????? ?????????1974??? ?????????? Product Size: Height Approximately 24cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Window Box Shipping: Late July - Early August, 2013 Sales Agency: Plex Co.,Ltd. Distributed by: X-Plus Co.,Ltd. Shounen Ric

    SFJ reporter Daisuke Ishizuka poses with Ultra actresses Anne Mari and Yuriko Hishimi. Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Ultra Series Actresses Party with Fans Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Ms. Yuriko Hishimi is well known to tokusatsu fans as the actress who played Anne Yuri in the classic ULTRA SEVEN television series. She also was the tough female lead in GODZILLA VS GIGAN and has appeared in Tsuburaya Productions` MIRROR MAN, ULTRAMAN LEO, ULTRAMAN ZEARTH 2, ULTRASEVEN X and SUPERIOR 8 ULTRAMAN BROTHERS. Ms. Anne Mari is an actress who I know better as a tokusatsu TV star than a movie star. I first saw her in ULTRAMAN Episode 32- THE ENDLESS COUNTERATTACK where she portrayed Pati (Patra in the American dub), a member of the Science Patrol`s India branch. She guest starred in many of the television shows from my childhood; ULTRA SEVEN Episode 34- THE DEAD INVADERS, MIGHTY JACK Episodes 11 and 12, EMERGENCY 10:4 10:10 Episode 1, MASKED RIDER Episodes

    The Father of Ultra poses with Ryoichi Fukuzawa, Peggy Hayama and Koichi Kawakita at Super Festival 62. Photo courtesy of Koichi Kawakita. © Tsuburya Productions, Inc.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Koichi Kawakita Attends Ultraman Panel and Releases New Mechani-Kong Figure Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Source: Koichi Kawakita Official Site: Super Festival The toy and collector`s show Super Festival 62 was held on April 28th in Tokyo. The Festival included a promotional event for the remastered ULTRAMAN TARO Complete DVD Box (????????? COMPLETE DVD-BOX), which will be released in Japan on June 21st. Special guests Ms. Peggy Hayama, Mr. Ryoichi Fukuzawa and Mr. Koichi Kawakita took part in a panel and autograph session. Ms. Peggy Hayama is very famous singer in Japan, but is better known by tokusatsu (special effects) fans as the Mother of Ultra. She provided the voice also played the character`s human form in the ULTRAMAN TARO television series from 1973. Though she appeared in only a few episodes of ULTRAMAN TARO, Ms. Hayama said that she was proud to play the Mother of Ultra.

    Page 28 of 33

    SciFi Japan
    Copyright © 2025 | SCIFI JAPAN
    © 2025 Your Company. All Rights Reserved. Designed By JoomShaper