April Fools 2023: Tsuburaya Gifts Shin Ultraman To The Pope

Shin Ultraman writer Hideaki Anno and director Shinji Higuchi were sent to Vatican City on behalf of Tsuburaya Productions to meet with Pope Francis. They gifted him a copy of the film.

In the wake of Shin Kamen Rider‘s release, Tsuburaya Productions has created a new wave of attention for its film, Shin Ultraman, by sending the film’s producer/writer, Hideaki Anno, and director Shinji Higuchi to the Vatican. There, they met with Pope Francis on behalf of Japan and gifted him a copy of the film.

The Pope’s response was a look of confusion. “I do not watch movies, and this character looks awfully strange.” However, Mr. Higuchi tried to salvage the situation by pointing out how Ultraman is a savior to humanity much like Jesus Christ in the New Testament. This comparison only seemed to anger Pope Francis. After the event, Mr. Anno gave the following comment:

“I think that went well. Shin Ultraman is an incredibly deep symbolic representation of Japanese pop culture, beliefs, and art. Additionally, it contains a message I hope everyone on Earth can learn from and spread, including the Pope. Also, I switched a picture of Jesus with a picture of Ultraman. They still have no idea!”

Pope Francis said the following to media outlets:

“I’m not watching this movie. I don’t care about superheroes. I’m THE POPE. I have more important things to do. Why do people keep doing this to me? This is worse than the time someone gave me that video game. What was it again? Under-something?”

Toei has confirmed they have no plans to bother the Pope.

Source: April Fool’s!!!