THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN

THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN (2026)



6.5 2026 105 min Japan

Director: Yu Nakamura

Cast: Guillermo del Toro, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Hideo Kojima, Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi

Documentary
When it first aired in 1966, the legendary Japanese Tokusatsu series *Ultraman* ignited a cultural wildfire, capturing a record-breaking 42.8% of television viewers at its peak. Six decades on, Tsuburaya Productions is still expanding the franchise, launching fresh installments that carry its iconic universe across borders and between generations. This documentary gathers visionary minds from cinema, special effects, and design to explore the phenomenon. Hear powerful, firsthand reflections from an extraordinary international lineup of creators, including Guillermo del Toro, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Hideo Kojima, Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi, and Nicolas Winding Refn.

More About This Film

THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN is a documentary celebrating six decades of one of Japan's most recognizable tokusatsu characters. The film looks back at the creation of Ultraman, the production techniques behind the original series and the ideas that allowed the character to become a global cultural phenomenon.

The documentary brings together directors, artists, writers, creators and performers to discuss the series from different perspectives. Among those featured are Guillermo del Toro, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Hideo Kojima, Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi and Nicolas Winding Refn.

  • Directed by Yu Nakamura and Kazuki Yoshida.
  • Planned in collaboration with Hirokazu Kore-eda.
  • Produced by SLOW HAND and Tsuburaya Productions.
  • Released theatrically in Japan on July 3, 2026.
  • Made as part of Ultraman's 60th-anniversary project.

Where to Watch

The Origin of Ultraman began as a Japanese theatrical documentary, with later digital availability depending on territory.