A new television series of the tokusatsu drama "Ultraman," titled "Ultraman Theo," is in production and will air on TV Tokyo every Saturday at 9:00 AM starting July 4th. The series commemorates the 60th anniversary of the franchise and tells the story of a lonely "blue giant" who has lost his home planet. The protagonist is Ibuki Mitsuishi, the Earth-based form of Theo, an alien who escaped to Earth after losing his home planet to an attack by space monsters. The role will be played by actor Midori Iwasaki. Takashi Ninomiya will serve as the main director, marking his first time working on a Tsuburaya Productions project, while Shigenori Tanabe, also a first-time participant, will handle the series composition and script. Takanori Tsujimoto , who served as the main director for " Ultraman Arc ," will participate as the main special effects director.
The new film depicts the growth of an alien into a hero, while also portraying a universal theme of the "Ultraman" series—"humans, Ultraman, monsters, and aliens—overcoming doubt and resistance, accepting their differences, and joining hands"—from a new perspective.
The protagonist, Ibuki Mitsuishi, is an alien born on the planet H12, somewhere in the universe. One day, he loses his home planet in an attack by monsters from another planet and flees to Earth, where he lives as Ibuki Mitsuishi, a third-year student in the Veterinary Medicine Department at Meishin University. He is not used to Earth's customs and sometimes acts in a bizarre way. He has a kind and gentle personality and does not like fighting, but he transforms into a giant to save the lives in front of him from danger. As he faces monsters and cosmic threats, he confronts his own resolve to fight and grows into Ultraman.
Ultraman Teo, the new hero transformed by Ibuki Mitsuishi, is a giant of blue light. He stands 45 meters tall and weighs 36,000 tons. When Ibuki grips the silver item, Theocrister, with a strong desire to "protect," his body is enveloped in dazzling light and he transforms into his gigantic form. By touching the color timer on his chest, he can spark hidden energy and unleash various light-based techniques. His main technique is the Teosium Ray, in which he crosses the yellow-glowing energy charged in both arms and fires it.
Regarding the design of Ultraman Teo, designer Masayuki Goto commented, "I was conscious of the fact that Ultraman Teo is a 'life-sized hero' who is a college student who transforms into him. It's a story about him growing as a hero step by step, so I focused on creating a design that is approachable while also striking a balance with the coolness that is characteristic of Ultraman. I think Teo can definitely become a friend to everyone! I would be happy if you like him."
Iwasaki, who will be starring in his first TV drama as the protagonist Ibuki Mitsuishi, said, "As a child, I was captivated by Ultraman Zero, so I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to transform into Ultraman in this milestone 60th anniversary year. I have a strong desire to become someone that others look up to and to give courage and hope to everyone who watches, so I poured all my strength into Ultraman Teo. I am still immature as a person and as an actor, but I want to grow together with Ibuki Mitsuishi and Ultraman Teo! I hope that Ibuki Mitsuishi, who was once lonely, and Ultraman Teo will be loved by people all over the world."
Tanabe, who is in charge of series composition and scriptwriting, said, "I have always hoped to participate in a tokusatsu (special effects) production someday. With 'Ultraman Teo,' that wish has come true. And coincidentally, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the start of the original 'Ultraman' broadcast. I feel a great sense of responsibility. Participating in this project has made me realize something anew. That is, it is because every Ultraman that has been created so far has been an irreplaceable and special being that this series has been loved and continued for so long. I feel extremely honored to be able to take on that baton and pass it on to the future. For me, 'Ultraman Teo' has become an irreplaceable and special being. And if this work can become a special Ultraman for someone else, there is nothing that would make me happier."
Director Ninomiya said, "I never imagined that I would be participating in the Ultraman series, which I've watched since I was a child, and moreover, that I would be entrusted with the important role of main director for my first time, and that it would be the 60th anniversary work, so I was nothing but surprised, but the excitement far outweighed the nervousness, and I decided to take the leap. As a novice in special effects, there were so many things I didn't know, but the staff of the Ultraman series welcomed me so warmly, and with their help, we were able to shoot many wonderful scenes. And for the special effects, the seasoned special effects directors have shot some amazing and powerful shots. This work is a story of growth for Theo and the other characters as they struggle with different beings such as humans, Ultraman, aliens, and monsters, accept their differences, and support each other. Please watch their 'youth,' 'struggle,' 'friendship,' and a new Ultraman who is 'not good at fighting' like no one before."
Tsujimoto, who will serve as the main special effects director, commented, "In the fall of the year before last, I received an astonishing offer: 'We want you to be the main director for the special effects of the new series.' Apparently, this time they were planning to have separate directors for the main story and the special effects, and I was asked to be the first to work on the special effects. Well, that's what they say, but I just finished directing Ultraman Arc, so I was hesitant... When I heard the alluring phrase, 'You'll be the main special effects director.' That's it, 'special effects director'! That dazzling sound of the word that I admired as a child! I was so excited that I devoured the project proposal and script with trembling hands. What was depicted there was a new Ultra world view like never before. Is this fate, or destiny? I have no choice but to do it... I'll go! I'll unleash my imagination with a smile, a smile!!"
