Details For Japan Animator Expo Ultraman Short Released

Studio Khara’s previously announced Ultraman-related Japan Animator Expo short has been revealed to be based on Mamoru Uchiyama’s The Ultraman manga.

Penned and drawn by the late Mamoru Uchiyama, The Ultraman (not to be confused by Sunrise’s anime series revolving around Ultraman Joneus) was another in the author’s long line of Ultra Series related manga. Set after the events of Ultraman Leo, The Ultraman delved deep into an original mythos about the Land of Light. Its most well known arc featured Ultra Brothers facing off against the evil space emperor, Jackal. Previously sealed away in a black hole by Ultraman King, Jackal escapes after gaining the energy of the black hole and swears revenge.

Coming to our heroes’ aid is Ultraman Melos, an Ultra Warrior clad in armor who has a score to settle with Jackal, quickly becoming one of the series’ main players. In addition to being the basis for the story of the spin-off character Andro Melos, his unique design also served as the basis for both Ultraman Max‘s Xenon and Ultraman Mebius himself.

Coincidentally, Viz, the North American publisher of Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi’s Ultraman manga, previously released the Jackal arc of The Ultraman in the United States as Ultraman Classic: Challenge of the Ultra Brothers.

Directed by Akitoshi Yokoyama (Deadman Wonderland, Samurai Champloo, Attack on Titan), The Ultraman: Jackal VS Ultraman will be part of the Japan Animator Expo’s third season of online shorts.  Last season included the kaiju-inspired PP33 and a short based on the 1994 Tsuburaya series, Denkou Choujin Gridman.

The Ultraman: Jackal VS Ultraman will be screened on August 1st in select Japanese theaters alongside episodes from the Expo’s first season. The third season of the Japan Animator Expo will begin on July 31st with new episodes every Friday via Nicovideo.

Source: Tsuburaya Station, Japan Animator Expo Official Site

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