CRUNCHYROLL HAS PREMIERED "ULTRAMAN ORB" 50th Anniversary Ultra Series Is Now Streaming!

新シリーズ『ウルトラマンオーブ』が日本と米国に放送スタート！


Here's the main English image art for the all-new ULTRAMAN ORB.

Crunchyroll, the mighty anime streaming service, which announced its aim to expand into more live action titles (or tokusatsu, the term for special effects productions), has already unleashed a plethora of Ultraman upon the US, Europe, and Latin America over the last two years. And on July 8th at 7:00 pm PDT, will begin simulcasting the latest series, ULTRAMAN ORB, in a tandem with the series' premiere on Japanese television for the 50th Anniversary of the franchise.


Orb's Spacium-Zephyrion form combines Ultraman & Ultraman Tiga.

Bowing on July 9th in Japan, ULTRAMAN ORB, produced by Tsuburaya Productions and broadcast on TV Tokyo, will be the first of the recent "Ultra Series" to not produced under the "Ultraman Retsuden" banner. Returning is director Kiyotaka Taguchi (Ultraman X), who promised in an Uchusen magazine interview, that the new series would return the franchise's roots and the themes of traveling a noble path, while still being a fun story. ORB is slated to run 25 episodes.


The Hurricane-Slash form combines Ultraman Jack & Ultraman Zero.

Once upon a time, the Earth was saved from total destruction when Ultraman and Ultraman Tiga sealed away a horde of demonic beasts. Since childhood, Naomi Yumeno, has sensed these terrible monsters, and as a young woman launches the SSP investigation site. When she is threatened by one of the kaiju, and is saved by Gai Kurenai, who is in reality the warrior known as Ultraman Orb! But, a mysterious, evil figure is lurking in the shadows to challenge Orb...


The Burn-Mite form combines Ultraman Taro & Ultraman Mebius.

Be sure start watching ULTRAMAN ORB tonight on Crunchyroll at 7:00 pm Pacific Daylight Time, and then join them each and every week for this special simulcast presentation of the latest in the Ultraman franchise — available worldwide (excluding Asia) — same Ultra Time, same Ultra Channel!

Check out the official Ultraman Orb wesbite (Japanese only), here.

"ULTRAMAN SAGA" GOES HAWAIIAN! 3D Film Makes 2D US Debut at the 32nd HIFF

Original Japanese promotional handbill for ULTRAMAN SAGA (2012)

The most recent feature film in the Ultra Series franchise, Hideki Oka's ULTRAMAN SAGA, the first to be shot in 3D, hit Japanese Cinemas this past March 24th (in both 3D and 2D versions). Usually, Stateside fans must wait for a DVD or Blu-ray release, or the rare screening at industry events — or film festivals such as FanTasia.

But, this year, Ultraman was suspiciously absent from the world-famous Montreal-based film festival, and so the 32nd Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is picking up the slack — it's no surprise that the Honolulu-based event would include a heavy dose of Japanese Cinema, but hosting ULTRAMAN SAGA was a definite surprise.

An English Subtitled, 2D version of ULTRAMAN SAGA. will be screened only once during this year's HIFF, at the Royal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters & IMAX, in Dole Cannery C, Saturday, October 13th at 11:30 am. The 32nd TIFF runs from October 11-21, and is also screening the tokusatsu-themed feature, Yuihiko Tsutsumi's EIGHT RANGERS (2012).

From the HIFF's Program Guide: ULTRAMAN SAGA opens with a powerful apocalyptic vision of Tokyo, buildings destroyed and the city seemingly devoid of life. We are soon introduced to the Earth Defense Force (EDF), Team U, played by members of the female idol group AKB48. They and a group of young children are the last survivors on planet Earth.

In another universe, Ultraman Zero receives a distress call and proceeds toward the Earth in aid. From yet another universe, a young defense team pilot named Taiga is trapped in the ship of an invading alien force, who quickly disappear to another dimension.

Taiga soon finds himself in the apocalyptic version of Tokyo, as Ultraman Zero battles a huge fleet of alien spaceships. As Taiga notices a crashing ship heading straight towards a young boy, he pilots his ship directly into its path in an act of self-sacrifice. Witnessing his brave actions, Ultraman Zero rescues Taiga and joins with him.

Taiga soon encounters Ultraman Cosmos and his human host Musashi, along with Team U and the children. It is now up to Taiga and Musashi to protect the survivors. However, Taiga is not so happy to be joined with Ultraman Zero, and has no intention of fighting…

For more information, please visit the official Hawaii International Film Festival website.