In anticipation of the July 3rd release of "THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN," a documentary film commemorating the 60th anniversary of the tokusatsu drama series "Ultraman," cast members and celebrities who have appeared in past "Ultraman" series have offered their support. In addition to Takumi Saito, who played Shinji Kaminaga/Ultraman in "Shin Ultraman,"Takeshi Tsuruno, who played Shin Asuka/Ultraman Dyna, Taiyo Sugiura, who played Musashi Haruno/Ultraman Cosmos, Tatsuomi Hamada, who played Riku Asakura/Ultraman Geed, Yuki Inoue, who played Hiroyuki Kudo/Ultraman Taiga, and Takaya Aoyagi, who played Jugglus Juggler, have shared their thoughts.
"THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN" is a project conceived by Hirokazu Kore-eda, the film director known for works such as "Shoplifters." A stellar lineup of creators, including Guillermo del Toro, Kore-eda, Hideo Kojima, Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi, and Nicolas Winding Refn, will share their unique perspectives as "witnesses," delving into the question, "What is Ultraman?" In addition to testimonies from Susumu Kurobe, who played Hayata, Hiroko Sakurai, who played Fuji, and Sandayu Dokumamushi, who played Arashi, the film also includes testimonies from the production staff at the time, unraveling the origins of Ultraman from multiple angles.
The following are some of the messages of support.
◇Takumi Saitoh, who plays Shinji Kaminaga/Ultraman in "Shin Ultraman"
Ultraman, the foundation of creation for masters around the world and a modern-day "myth," is not only a way to relive nostalgia, but also a device for re-examining the world with the heart of a child, as the shining eyes of the narrators taught me. While Ultraman is a being of light who appeared to improve the Earth, the monsters also carry reasons that prevent them from being simply labeled as evil. Therein lies the precarious balance of the Ultraman myth, where destruction and protection exist as two sides of the same coin. The multifaceted nature and hopeful gaze embodied in the scripts by Tetsuo Kinjo and Toshihiro Iijima, and the beautiful designs by Toru Narita, deeply moved me once again, reminding me of the earnest prayers that our predecessors poured into the special effects. After watching this film, I feel I finally understand the true reason why "Shin Ultraman" was created.
◇Michihiko Yanai
Imagination gives rise to creation, which in turn gives rise to new imagination and creation. Its source. Light gives rise to light. Love gives rise to love. Draw what is invisible. Never stop fantasizing. And then pass on the continuation to the next light.
◇ Takeshi Tsuruno, who played Shin Asuka/Ultraman Dyna
Touching upon the dreams and prayers of the creators, including director Eiji Tsuburaya, I was reminded of why Ultraman is loved across generations and borders. Perhaps Ultraman is the archetype of the "superhuman" that resides in our hearts. With the happiness of encountering that light in my childhood and becoming Ultraman myself, and the responsibility of carrying on that spirit, I want to connect the light of Ultraman to the future.
◇Taiyo Sugiura, who played Musashi Haruno/Ultraman Cosmos
The world of Ultraman, created by Eiji Tsuburaya and his team, has deeply moved me once again. Within that world, the profound worldview, expressing Cosmos (order) and Chaos (chaos) through its aesthetic beauty, has resonated with me. Learning about its origins on this 60th anniversary has deepened my love for the work even further. I take pride in being Ultraman, and together with everyone, I want to carry on the bond of light into the future.
◇Hikaru Raido / Takuya Negishi, who plays Ultraman Ginga
"Even if we die, we'll still be Ultraman."
The history of Ultraman and the culture of special effects, built by many predecessors including Eiji Tsuburaya, still lives on within us today. We have come to realize once again that our mission is to pass on the "spirit of Ultraman" that we have inherited to the next generation and preserve this culture for the future.
◇Kensuke Takahashi, who plays Daichi Ozora/Ultraman X
Ultraman has been a part of my life since I was a child. Hearing and seeing for the first time the thoughts and feelings of the creators who first brought Ultraman to life, and those who continued to bring him on, deeply moved me. The feelings of so many people are united and being passed down. As someone who is also an Ultraman fan, and as a child who learned so much from Ultraman, I reaffirmed my desire to carry on this legacy. I highly recommend everyone see this film.
◇ Takaya Aoyagi, who plays the role of Jugglus Juggler
I've grown to love Ultraman even more. I want to know more about him. I want to share it with someone. I'm happy to know that Ultraman is loved all over the world, transcending oceans, borders, and ages, and that people are connected by their love for him. And I've come to love myself for loving Ultraman.
◇Riku Asakura / Ryoma Hamada, who plays Ultraman Geed
I was reminded once again that "Ultraman," a series that aired 60 years ago, has continued to deliver "light" to many people not only in Japan but across borders. This documentary deepened my resolve to become an actor who can deliver that "light" to many people in the future.
◇Yuya Hirata, who plays Katsumi Minato/Ultraman Rosso
I was once again reminded that Ultraman is truly one of a kind. This work, created by shedding light on various aspects of the story, was deeply moving. The words of those who were involved in this history were profound, and everything they said resonated with me; it was a precious experience. I want as many people as possible to see it!
◇Ryosuke Koike, who plays Isami Minato/Ultraman Blu
I relived a time in history before Ultraman existed. He was a symbol of postwar Japan and a figure who gave us a sense of the future. As one of the Ultramen living in the present day, I decided to be there for children as a matter of course.
◇Arisa Sonohara, who plays Asahi Minato/Ultrawoman Grigio
Learning about the feelings of Eiji Tsuburaya, the staff at the time, and those influenced by Ultraman, has made me want to rewatch the Ultraman series myself. I hope that the story of Ultraman, Earthlings, and monsters will continue forever.
◇Hiroyuki Kudo / Yuki Inoue, who plays Ultraman Taiga
What is "Ultraman"? He's a hero, cool, strong, big, and can fly—of course, he's all of those things, but why is Ultraman loved by so many people? Hearing the reasons from people who love Ultraman made me feel like I understood what "Ultraman" really is. If you can avoid defeating him, you want to avoid it. Seeing this fighting style made me like Ultraman even more.
◇Hiroki Hirano, who plays Haruki Natsukawa/Ultraman Z
Ultraman connects people across borders. His innovative special effects, art, and ideas for beams of light remain timeless and continue to be passed down. This film allowed me to experience the greatness and history of Ultraman, who continues to live on in the hearts of many people, including myself.
◇Manaka Kengo/Ultraman Trigger, played by Raiga Terasaka
I was amazed, smiled, and filled with awe at the many words that shone with romance. Why do I love "Ultraman"? This might be an experience that makes you return to your own origins. Let's pass on the history of light through this work and connect it to a hopeful future. Smile, smile!
◇Tomoya Warabino, who plays Hilma Gent/ Ultraman Blazar
Long before I was born, the existence of Ultraman as a living being went from zero to one. Times have changed, and I think almost everything has changed—the things we see, the things we hold, our lives, and even our environment. Watching the movie, I felt fortunate to have encountered Ultraman, a being that has gone through trial and error to convey something, make people feel and think, and has become a part of a long history.
◇ Yuki Totsuka , who plays Yuma Hize/ Ultraman Arc
Sixty years ago. What did those who stood at the very beginning see? The vivid accounts of how God came to inhabit Ultraman are fresh and deeply moving. I strongly felt that this documentary is for the sake of future Ultramen.
◇Sorato Okida/Ultraman Omega, played by Shori Kondo
I'm Shori Kondo, and I played Okida Sorato in Ultraman Omega. I've always loved Hirokazu Kore-eda's work, and I was really looking forward to this project ever since I heard about it. After watching it, I was reminded of something important: the greatness of Ultraman. Seeing how much it's loved by creators all over the world made me proud to have been able to transform into Ultraman. And I realized again that heroes are the origin of what I consider "cool." It was a film that made me reflect on the history of Ultraman, and somehow made me want to reflect on my own life as well. I'm grateful to Tsuburaya Productions for creating world-class special effects. I hope this reaches all Ultraman fans.
◇Midori Iwasaki, who plays Ibuki Mitsuishi/Ultraman Teo
This film condenses the long history and appeal of Ultraman, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it while learning about episodes and emotions I hadn't known before. It made me think deeply about what "Ultraman" truly is, and the meaning and weight of being able to transform.
