Shin Ultraman is the second step in the SHIN trilogy after the acclaimed Shin Godzilla. Still most of the Gainax legendary staff is here after Godzilla. Hideaki Anno writing, co-producing, co-editing and even doing some motion captions. But the master of disaster films and tokusatsu Higuchi Shinji (yes, Ikari Shinji was named after him) directed the film. And even composer Sagisu Shirou, the composer behind Neon Genesis Evangelion soundtrack. It is as good as any of the three movies out of SHIN and maybe even better than Godzilla. After Shin Ultraman the SHIN trilogy ended with the amazing Shin Kamen Rider, even without Higuchi.
Anno Hideaki making his dreams come true
Shin Ultraman was a movie for Anno Hideaki to make a dream come true. An old fan of the ULTRA series since childhood. The legendary creator even directed and protagonist The Return of Ultraman for Daikon Films back in 1983. Actually his debut as director. A fan-made movie together with most of the staff that would found Gainax.
Tsukagoshi Takayuki, chairman of Tsuburaya Productions, commissioned Anno Hideaki to produce a full length film of Ultraman and two sequels. Anno wanted to create a version of Ultraman for the fans of the original series. Aiming to reach an older audience that have grown together with the legendary ULTRA series. He approached Tsuburaya saying “We want to create a world for Ultraman not for kids but adults. For the generation that watched the series as kids back in the days. A version consistent with modern times. With the theme of alien invasion over catastrophe”
Anno and Higuchi, both fans of the series, recreate a world inspired mostly by the old TV episodes. They were interested in making the movie a sequel to Shin Godzilla, making both coexist in the same world. Some rumours even talk about the possible use of the second incarnation of Shin Godzilla to use as an enemy for Ultra. But this was not possible because of intellectual property. Still you can see the logo of Shin Godzilla at the start, immediately replaced by the title of Shin Ultraman.
Shin Ultraman – The Best
The 37th film in the Ultra series, Shin Ultraman is now the most successful film so far. A homage in the series itself, Anno used the art of Tohl Narita as a basis for the design. Particularly the 1983 oil painting “Truth, Justice and Beauty Incarnation” that you can see as featured image of this post. Even consulted Furuya Bin, the actor inside the suit of the 1966 Ultraman series. The legendary actor returned for the motion caption. Higuchi said “Without Furuya we could not recreate the original sense and silhouette of Ultraman”.
Sagisu Shiro created a new soundtrack as well using original tracks by Miyauchi Kunio, the composer of the original Ultra Q and Ultraman of 1966. Sagisu even got to make use of tracks composed for Shin Godzilla and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Legendary Seiyuu Yamadera Koichi voiced Zoffy. And former Momoiro Clover Z Hayami Akari is part of the cast as well. It is a great movie for someone that is not involved in the ULTRA series as well. And if you get the bug after watching it check more about the official streaming of the Ultraman Series on Youtube. Still waiting for any news on the possible sequels. Remember Shin Ultraman started as a trilogy project from Tsuburaya. The official Twitter/X account for Shin Ultraman is still on with a lot of art and info. So we keep eyes open.