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Ultraman Z Trailer Reveals Forms and Return of Ultraman Geed
Tsuburaya’s new series, Ultraman Z, released a new trailer that shows off the main hero’s transformations and transformation device. The actors, musical artists and director involved with the project have also shared their thoughts.
As Ultraman Taiga has ended, the brand new show, Ultraman Z, will take its place. Tsuburaya has released a lot of new information on Ultraman Z along with a new trailer showing off the titular hero’s main three forms.
As seen in the above trailer, Haruki Natsukawa (played by Kohshu Hirano) will transform into the disciple of Ultraman Zero, Ultraman Z (voiced by Tasuku Hatanaka) using the Ultra Z Riser. By inserting an Ultra Access Card and three coin-like Ultra Medals imbued with the power of past Ultras into the Ultra Z Riser, Haruki can take three forms:
Ultraman Z Alpha Edge uses the power of Seven, Leo, and Zero. This form specializes in speedy “Space Martial Arts” and uses karate moves.
“Space Martial Arts, the Inherited Fighting Technique!”
Ultraman Z Beta Smash uses the power of Ultraman, Ace, and Taro. This form specializes in wrestling moves.
“Burn in Scarlet Flames, the Power of Courage!”
Ultraman Z Gamma Future uses the power of Tiga, Dyna, and Gaia. This form uses beam attacks and psychic powers, fighting “like a wizard.”
“Shine with Phantasmagoria, the Mystic Lights!”
Hatanaka had the following to say about voicing Ultraman Z:
“When I was small, I remember writing my dream at Tanabata. “I want to become Ultraman,” I wrote. Ultraman has been my hero since I was small. How he fights, how he rises up again and again, gave me courage, and I’d shout myself hoarse cheering for him in front of the TV. The fact that I can be involved with Ultraman, and the fact that I can be Ultraman Z’s voice, still feels like a dream even now. It’s an incredible honor. This Ultraman is still young and inexperienced, but his passion is stronger than anybody. I think that with such life-sized feelings, he’ll continue to grow together with Haruki! Full speed ahead! Thank you!!”
Haruki carries his Ultra Medals on his hip using the Z Holder, and an Ultra Access Card authenticates the user for activation of the Z Riser. Each card has a picture of the user printed on it, and Haruki isn’t the only user. Ultraman Z will feature the return of 2017’s hero, Ultraman Geed. Once again, Riku Asakura (played by Tatsuomi Hamada) will transform into Ultraman Geed’s new form using an Ultra Z Riser. Hamada had the following to say about his role:
“When I heard that I’d be appearing in Ultraman Z, I couldn’t believe that I would get to participate in the Ultraman series for four years in a row. I am honestly very proud to have this opportunity! And since this time Riku transforms with the Ultra Z Riser instead of Geed Riser just like Haruki does, Geed gets to have a new form, including a new transformation sequence! I hope viewers will look forward to seeing Z, the disciple of Zero, and how my character Riku Asakura and Geed will be involved in Z’s world! Sitting around doing nothing won’t get us anywhere!”
Ultraman Geed Galaxy Rising will be powered by the Ultra Medals for Ginga, X, and Orb to provide assistance to Ultraman Z.
The opening theme song for the new show will “GOSHOUWA KUDASAI WARE NO NA WO! (Chant My Name!)” by legendary artist Masaaki Endoh. The song was composed by Kyoichi Miyazaki and Ryota Iida. The ending theme song, “Connect The Truth,” is performed by Nami Tamaki and written by Takumi Ozawa. Endoh and Tamaki delivered the following statements on their work, respectively:
“When I was a kid, I used to sit in front of the TV with a racing heart and get sucked into Ultraman. The standard game I’d play at the neighborhood park with my friends was Ultraman. Even now I remember the lyrics and can sing the Ultraman song. I have a feeling I learned to not give up, to believe, to have a kind heart, to value life – all of it from Ultraman. It’s really an honor to make a song for the Ultraman series, given that I grew up with Ultraman; it feels like fate. I think it’s time to repay the Ultraman who raised me. I want to passionately cheer on Ultraman Z through song and pump up all the kids like me who sit in front of the TV with racing hearts!”
-Masaaki Endoh
“It’s an incredible honor to be involved in creating the ending song of this time’s historical Ultraman series Ultraman Z. I’d love for fans to listen to the song at the end of the episode while looking forward to next week. We’ve created a powerful and danceable song, so please look forward to it!!”
-Nami Tamaki
Kiyotaka Taguchi, the director Ultraman Z, previously directed Ultraman X and Ultraman Orb. He will also be doing series composition which is rare for a director. Below, he discusses the work he’s putting into telling the overarching story of the series:
“This time, on top of being the main director, I’m also in charge of the series composition. I’ve been involved in the project since the early development stage and sprinkled in all of my thoughts such as “I think we need this,” and “Wouldn’t this be fun?” from the ground up. While composing the series, I planned the ending at the beginning and worked backwards to put in a lot of storytelling tricks leading up to the climax. Please look forward to them! Nowadays, the world is filled with all kinds of hardships, so we staff and cast are pouring our heart and soul into this work to create something that can cheer people up, with a “bright and fun Ultraman” as the number one theme. Please chant with me, Ultraman Z!”
Ultraman Z will air every Saturday at 9 AM in Japan starting June 20th.
