When you think of special effects films, Ultraman is what comes to mind, right? The Ultraman series is particularly popular among special effects films, and many series have been broadcast to date. The popularity of the Ultraman series is not limited to special effects films, but has also been developed in other media such as manga and anime, so some readers may have come across the Ultraman series in manga or anime, even if they are not special effects films. I would like to delve into the appeal of Ultraman and consider why the Ultraman series, which was originally just a special effects film, has been developed into so many media. This is also connected to the appeal of the currently airing Netflix anime "ULTRAMAN," so be sure to check it out.
The once glorious Ultraman series
The Ultraman series is a super popular series that everyone in Japan knows. With the advent of color television, it was broadcast on television, and for a time it attracted a lot of attention as a representative television work. It became popular due to its bold setting of a giant hero and questions on themes that even children can understand, more so than the previous work, "Ultra Q."
A monumental achievement in special effects
The Ultraman series continued to be developed as a TV series, and it has grown to be called a monumental achievement in special effects, beating out competing titles such as Godzilla and Kamen Rider series.
The highest audience rating for the original Ultraman was over 40%!!
In particular, the peak viewership rating for the original Ultraman was said to be over 40%, a high rating that is unimaginable for today's TV anime series. In an era when the Internet was not as widespread as it is today, special effects works broadcast as TV series were truly major titles that the entire nation watched.
A big title that everyone knows
Due to this historical background, the Ultraman series has become a big title that everyone knows. Even now, director Hideaki Anno has made a new movie titled "Shin Ultraman," and it continues to inspire and excite many people across generations. It can be said that works that target a wide range of people, from the elderly to small children, are rarely seen outside.
What is the appeal of Ultraman? ?
So why has the Ultraman series become such a major title? I would like to dig a little deeper and introduce the charm that the Ultraman series has in common. By learning about the philosophy and fun unique to the Ultraman series, I think you will be able to enjoy the anime version of this work, "ULTRAMAN", quite a bit, so be sure to check it out.
Incorporating international issues abundantly
One of the characteristics of Ultraman is that it incorporates international issues abundantly. In every scene, the story often takes into account the international issues of the time, and it is designed to be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.
Many staff from Okinawa participated
The reason why this work tackled many international issues is probably because the Ultraman series was originally produced with the cooperation of staff from Okinawa. The names of the staff from Okinawa who produced Ultraman, such as Mr. Kinjo, who was the source of the name of King Joe who appeared in Ultra Seven, are still passed down today.
It's not just for kids! !
In this way, the staff from Okinawa who actually experienced the harshness of the war participated in the production of the Ultraman series, and it was depicted as a special effects work with complex themes that were unthinkable in conventional special effects works. It can be said that it was the staff from Okinawa who built the foundation of Ultraman, which can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.
Enjoyable in a variety of media
As such, one of the attractions of the Ultraman series is the deep story that Okinawan staff participated in. However, this is not the only attraction of the Ultraman series. In fact, it has gained fame over the years, and during that time it has been depicted in many media as a variety of challenges, and it also has the characteristic of being able to be enjoyed not only as a special effects work but also as an anime and manga.
Special Effects
First up is the classic special effects series, Ultraman. Since Ultraman was originally a special effects series, there are many Ultraman works that have been drawn using special effects. Although it is the same special effects work, the themes and characters that appear have changed significantly from era to era, making it a content that has been loved by people for many years.
Anime
There are many other anime adaptations of Ultraman, including this one. Ultraman anime works have existed since the Showa era, and the fusion of special effects series and anime series has been deeply considered for a long time. This work can be said to be the perfect form of Ultraman in such an anime series.
Manga
The Ultraman series has also been drawn in many manga works. There are many cases where each manga artist has combined their own creativity and ingenuity to create an original work, and one of the characteristics of the manga version of Ultraman is that there are many unique works. This work also originated from a manga, so it is an Ultraman with a very unique taste.
Influenced various works
The Ultraman series is not just about its appeal as a standalone series. Its overwhelming influence has influenced many works that came later, so it's important to keep this in mind. From here on, I'd like to introduce some representative content that was heavily influenced by the Ultraman series.
Kamen Rider Series
The first work that was influenced by the Ultraman series is the Kamen Rider series, which is also a special effects work. Kamen Rider is also a representative work of Japanese special effects, but it was originally created by the creator Shotaro Ishinomori to analyze the weaknesses of the Ultraman series and create a more interesting special effects work. It can be said that this special effects work would not have appeared if Ultraman did not exist.
Sentai
Sentai works also faithfully follow the structure of heroes created by Ultraman defeating monsters. It is said that the work was inspired by the development of the Ultra Brothers, a group of multiple Ultramen, and the structure of multiple heroes playing an active role can also be said to have been inspired by Ultraman.
Pocket Monsters
Pokemon, a world-famous anime game that Japan is proud of, is said to have been heavily influenced by Ultraman. The idea was originally based on a capsule monster that fights monsters with the help of monsters that appeared in Ultra Seven, and Pokemon was originally going to be called "Capsule Monsters" or "Kapumon" for short. Unfortunately, Kapumon was used in Ultra Seven, so the name became Pokemon.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
"Neon Genesis Evangelion," a masterpiece by Hideaki Anno, who is famous for directing "Shin Ultraman," is also said to have been heavily influenced by Ultraman. The composition of giant puppet weapons fighting enemies within a limited time is just like Ultraman. In addition to these ideas, Hideaki Anno has publicly stated that he learned unique depictions and video techniques from Ultra Seven, making him a prime example of a director who was heavily influenced by Ultraman works.
Will the good points of Ultraman be preserved in anime?
Though the Ultraman series has influenced many works, its popularity had been declining until recently. It seems that continuing to draw special effects works over the long term, which require huge amounts of money, is a considerable financial burden.
Moving towards anime and CG, which are easier to produce
What is attracting attention is the shift towards anime and CG works, which are easier to produce than special effects works. Shin Ultraman, which has been a hot topic in recent years, is also basically a work that uses CG, and the only special effects works in the pure sense are the TV series Ultraman.
Former Ultraman fans have the financial means
However, the content called Ultraman itself has not completely fallen out of fashion. Rather, the generation that once enjoyed Ultraman has grown up and is now able to spend enough money on Ultraman. Since the amount of money that children and adults spend is very different, it is no exaggeration to say that the growth of Ultraman as a content is just beginning.
Animated to the World
Thus, the Ultraman series has lost its appeal as a special effects work, but there is a good chance that it will attract attention around the world as an anime series like this one. Since it is a series that already has many fans, I hope that the Ultraman series will continue to expand its fan base around the world with its future activities.
Summary
What did you think? This time, I have briefly introduced the appeal of the Ultraman series and its future. Some works, such as this one, are attracting attention as anime works, so the Ultraman series may be depicted in even more media in the future. I strongly hope that they will continue to pursue new techniques of expression, not only as special effects works as in the past, but also as CG and anime works.
