Official Press Notes For The Latest Ultraman Movie Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Tsuburaya Productions Translation: Jim M. Ballard Official Movie Site: ultramanzero.com

THE ULTRAMAN SERIES 45TH ANNIVERSARY

The Ultraman series continues to send to children, and to those adults who have not forgotten their dreams, a "message of hope for the future". In this new production commemorating the 45th anniversary of the series, Ultraman Zero encounters new friends on his adventures, delivering a story of growth to adulthood as our heroes learn many important lessons. Previously defeated by the Ultra warriors, the evil Ultraman Belial has revived, returning as the "Galactic Emperor Kaiser Belial" with aspirations of universal conquest and revenge against the Ultra warriors! Will the warriors from the "Land Of Light" be able to defeat this evil army!?

INTRODUCTION

Tagline: "This is our light!" (Kore ga, ore-tachi no hikari da!) The Ultraman series 45th anniversary commemorative production; ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE REVENGE OF BELIAL (Urutoraman Zero THE MOVIE Chou Kessen! Beriaru Ginga Teikoku). The latest Ultra hero "Ultraman Zero", the son of Ultra Seven, is the main character in this production, while history`s first evil Ultraman "Ultraman Belial", who rampaged in last year`s MEGA MONSTER BATTLE ULTRA GALAXY: THE MOVIE (Daikaiju Batoru Urutora Ginga Densetsu THE MOVIE), appears as the powered-up "Galactic Emperor Kaiser Belial" who is amassing a mighty galactic empire. The youthful hero Ultraman Zero, together with successive generations of Ultra warriors and some newly appearing companions, fight against Kaiser Belial`s aspirations for universal conquest.

In this production, Ultraman Zero encounters a brave young human called Run, and for the first time integrates with a human body. With a high stature of 187cm (approximately 6`1"), the charming young actor Yu Koyanagi plays the role of Run, the human host of Ultraman Zero. One of the great highlights of the movie is his transformation scene, similar to Ultra Seven`s, in which he equips the "Ultra Zero Eye" over both his eyes. Tatsuomi Hamada, who previously performed as the childhood version of Ryouma Sakamoto in NHK`s long-running TV drama series RYOMADEN, plays the role of Run`s little brother "Nao". A big Ultraman fan who grew up watching TV series such as ULTRAMAN MEBIUS (Urutoraman Mebiusu, 2006), Tatsuomi Hamada performs the role of the young boy Nao with much energy as his adventure with Ultraman Zero unfolds. Joining them on their adventure is "Princess Emerana" of the planet Esmeralda, played by Tao Tsuchiya. Currently playing the role of Ryoma`s big sister Otome Sakamoto in RYOMADEN, this film will mark the second time she has worked together with actor Tatsuomi Hamada. The writer and director of the movie is Yuichi Abe. Having played an active role in ULTRAMAN NEXUS (Urutoraman Nekusasu, 2004), ULTRAMAN MEBIUS and other recent Ultra TV series, as well as SD GUNDAM FORCE (SD Gandamu Foosu, 2004), EGUZAMURAI (2009) and other animated productions, the up-and-coming director opens up the world of the Ultraman series, which can be enjoyed by both children and parents, in a way that is most appropriate for the 45 anniversary production; where the theme of the movie concerns the bonds between parents and children, siblings, and friends. Ultraman Zero, new heroes and successive generations of Ultra warriors unite their powers to fight against the greatest threat to the universe -- Kaiser Belial`s Galactic Empire! An entertainment movie on a universal scale!

STORY

"The battle between light and darkness reaches it`s conclusion!" The "Land Of Light", the home of the Ultramen in Nebula M78, is suddenly attacked by a mysterious enemy. At the fault of his own ego, the young warrior Ultraman Zero finds himself falling into an unforeseen crisis. Due to the efforts of his father Ultra Seven, alongside the other Ultra warriors, they manage to escape this grueling situation. However, Ultra Seven cautions his son about his negligence. Thus Zero decides to embark on a mission to discover the true identity of their enemy, and sets out alone into the void of the unknown universe. Before sending him on his way, Ultra Seven awards his son with a new multi-purpose item, the "Ultra Zero Bracelet".

Embarking on this arduous journey, Ultraman Zero soon arrives at the planet Anu. There, Zero encounters a young man called Run, who has been afflicted with serious injuries while attempting to save the people of the planet and his younger brother Nao from an invading army of giant robots. Touched by his bravery, Ultraman Zero joins his own life-force with Run`s body, through which his life is saved. Before long, they encounter the young Princess Emerana of the planet Esmeralda, from whom they learn the true identity of their enemy: the "Galactic Emperor Kaiser Belial", the figure behind this mysterious invading force. The fiendish Ultraman Belial, who had previously been defeated by the Ultra warriors, has now revived and amassed a mighty galactic empire, embarking on universal conquest. In an effort to crush Kaiser Belial`s plans, Zero -- now joined in body and soul with Run -- sets forth into outer space with Nao and Princess Emerana in the spaceship Jean-bird. But what awaits Ultraman Zero and his companions as they challenge Belial`s galactic empire...?

HEROES

ULTRAMAN ZERO The new Ultraman from the Land Of Light who first appeared in last year`s movie. His father is Ultra Seven. He received intensive training in the harsh environment of planet K76 from Seven`s apprentice Ultraman Leo. He has command of two Zero Sluggers attached to his head, and can unleash a variety of special moves. He is also equipped with a new multi-purpose item, the "Ultra Zero Bracelet", which he received from his father in order to defeat the enemy.
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MIRROR KNIGHT Fighting magnificently, manipulating the light reflected in mirrors, he is a hero from the Mirror World. Possessing the ability to move freely from light to light, he protects the royal family of planet Esmeralda. Making use of his agile body, his kicking tactics are one of his strongest points. His special move is the Mirror Knife. He is a newly created hero based on the special effects TV series MIRROR MAN (Miraaman, 1971).
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GLENFIRE A zealous hero possessing the spirit of burning magma! With the ability to freely manipulate flames, he is a lover of his own freedom, wandering around the universe as the bodyguard of a band of space pirates. He fights by shooting the Fire Flash and Fire Stake, among other special weapons. He is a newly created hero based on the special effects TV series MAGMA MAN (Faiyaaman, 1973).
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JEAN-BIRD / JEAN-BOT The private space ship of the royal family of planet Esmeralda. In times of battle, he can transform into the 50 meter tall steel robot Jean-bot. He has his own will as a result of super artificial intelligence, and is even able to hold conversations. He is a newly created hero based on the special effects TV series JAMBORG ACE (Janboogu A, 1972).
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ULTRAMAN First appeared in ULTRAMAN (Urutoraman, 1966), he is the original Ultraman. He can take on the shape of the earthling Hayata. He is a monster extermination specialist who protected the Earth, making use of the "Specium Ray", "Cutting Halo" and other techniques.
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ULTRA SEVEN First appearing in ULTRA SEVEN (Urutorasebun, 1967), he is the red warrior who protected the Earth from a large number of alien invasions. He can take on the shape of the earthling Dan Moroboshi. With beam techniques such as the "Emerium Beam" and "Wide Shot", he also has command of the space boomerang "Eye Slugger" attached to his head. He is the father of Ultraman Zero.
</ br> THE ULTRA WARRIORS Ultraman Jack, Zoffy, Ultraman Ace, Ultraman Taro, Ultraman Leo, Astra, Ultraman 80, Yullian, Ultraman Mebius, Ultraman Hikari, Father of Ultra, Mother of Ultra, Ultraman King.

VILLAINS

THE GALACTIC EMPEROR: KAISER BELIAL The evil Ultraman Belial has become the emperor of a mighty galactic empire. His intention is to conquer the entire universe. He will crush all those who oppose him! LEGIONOIDS The battle robots produced for Belial`s imperial army. There are two types of Legionoid robots, "Alpha" versions for land warfare and "Beta" for space battle, which have different types of equipment on their arms and legs. DARKGONE A staff officer in Belial`s imperial army, he manages their secret strategies. He can transform both of his arms into a sword, whip and various other weapons in order to attack. He is a formidable enemy who can to turn himself partially invisible while attacking. He also possesses the ability to absorb energy. IARON A brutal arms leader. Boasting an incredibly strong body, he can bounce back his enemy`s attacks. He can also fire a super oscillatory wave from his entire body, which destroys everything in it`s wake.

CAST & CHARACTERS

RUN A citizen of the wastelands of planet Anu. Holding a resilient determination, he is a strong young man and leader of the wasteland refugees. While saving his friends from the invasion force of Belial`s galactic empire, he is inflicted with mortal injuries. Witnessing this heroic act before his own eyes, Ultraman Zero unifies his body with Run`s in order to save his life. Played by Yu Koyanagi Born in Tokyo on 29 August, 1988. He made his debut in 2006`s MIDNIGHT SUN (Taiyou-no Uta). After this, he performed in films such as TOKYO SONATA (Toukyou Sonata, 2008) and OUR 700 DAY WAR WITH THE POLICE (Bokutachi to Chuuzai-san no 700 nichi sensou, 2008). This year he has appeared in HANAMIZUKI, his first historical drama KAMAKURAGASHI TORIMONO HIKAE, and PERFECT REPORT. Now he performs as a transforming hero for the first time, receiving much attention for his true ability as an actor.

NAO A citizen of the wastelands of planet Anu. He is Run`s younger brother. He possesses the legendary treasure, a "fragment of the shield of Baradhi", which he inherited from his father. Whatever happens, this young boy has a pure heart and faces everything head on. Nao`s trust in people teaches Ultraman Zero about the true warmth of humanity. Played by Tatsuomi Hamada Born in Chiba on 27 August, 2000. In 2007 he played the role of Sugiura in MARUMARU BIMARU KOCHAN, as well as appearing in VERY STRANGE TALES - SPRING SPECIAL COMPILATION (Yonimo Kimyouna Monogatari Harun-no Tokubetsuhen, 2008). He has also appeared in TV commercials for Otsuka Pharmaceutical`s "Oronamin C" and Tokyo Electric`s "Switch! Family". This year he was also cast as Ryoma Sakamoto (childhood version) in NHK`s historical drama RYOMADEN, and as Hiroshi Ichikawa in NTV`s LITTLE MONSTER (Kaibutsu-kun).

EMERANA ESMERALDA The second princess of the planet Esmeralda. She alone was rescued and hidden away by Mirror Knight, the protector of the royal family, after the invasion by Belial`s galactic empire. She saves Run and Nao from danger with the royal family`s space ship Jean-bird. Played by Tao Tsuchiya Born in Tokyo on 3 February, 1995. In 2005 she was awarded a special prize in the MISS PHOENIX Super Heroine Audition (among a total of 37,789 applicants). Afterwards, she appeared in 2008`s TOKYO SONATA (Toukyou Sonata) and 2009`s FISHING ENTHUSIAST SANPEI (Tsuri Kichi Sanpei). This year, she garnered much attention for her role of Sakamoto (childhood version) in NHK`s RYOMADEN. Since 2008, she has also gain much popularity with middle and high school students as the exclusive model for the fashion magazine Hana*chu.

DIRECTOR

Director / Writer: YUICHI ABE Born February 2nd, 1964 in Yamagata. As an assistant director, he participated on MOVING (Ohikkoshi, 1993) and MOON AND CABBAGE (Tsuki to Kyabetsu, 1996). He worked as the VFX co-ordinator on ULTRAMAN ZEARTH 2 (Urutoraman zeasu 2 Choujin Taisen Hikari to Kage, 1997), and as a director he has worked on SD GUNDAM FORCE (SD Gandamu Foosu, 2004), ULTRAMAN NEXUS (Urutoraman Nekusasu, 2004), ULTRAMAN MEBIUS (Urutoraman Mebiusu, 2006), and the live action film EGUZAMURAI (2009). Although he is admired as a VFX expert, he displayed a fresh sensitivity on the short film JAM FILMS S: SLIDE (JAM FILMS S Suberidai, 2005), an ability which is highly valued. Now he breathes new life into the 45th anniversary production.
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PRODUCTION CREDITS

Project / Production: Tsuburaya Productions Distributor: Shochiku Director / Writer: Yuichi Abe? Executive Producer: Hidetoshi Yamamoto Music: Kenji Kawai? Director of Photography: Hiroshi Mikuria Lighting: Shinichi Matsukuma CAST: Run: Yu Koyanagi Nao: Tatsuomi Hamada Emerana: Tao Tsuchiya Hiro: Tamotsu Ishibashi Mina: Yasue Sato King Esmeralda: Kenro Nanbara Captain Garu: Sei Hiraizumi Giru: Kitaro Guru: Bengal VOICE ACTORS Ultraman Zero: Miyano Mamoru Mirror Knight: Hikaru Midorikawa Glenfire: Tomokazu Seki Jean-bird: Hiroshi Kamiya Zoffy: Hideyuki Tanaka Ultraman: Susumu Kurobe Ultra Seven: Koji Moritsugu Ultraman Jack: Jiro Dan Ultraman Ace: Keiji Takamine Ultraman Taro: Hiroya Ishimaru Ultraman Leo: Ryu Manatsu Ultraman 80: Hatsunori Hasegawa Yullian: Sayoko Hagiwara Ultraman Mebius: Shunji Igarasi Ultraman Hikari: Keiichi Nannba