The Ultraman series 60th-anniversary documentary film, THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN, officially releases in theaters today, Friday, July 3.

Planned by acclaimed film director Hirokazu Koreeda (known for Shoplifters), this documentary brings together leading domestic and international directors and creators—including Guillermo del Toro, Hideo Kojima, Hideaki Anno, and Shinji Higuchi. Each shares their unique perspective to thoroughly explore the ultimate question: “What is Ultraman?”

Guillermo del Toro Shares a Warm, Self-Filmed Message for the Japanese Premiere

Director Guillermo del Toro is an Academy Award-winning, world-renowned filmmaker celebrated for masterpieces like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water. He has long expressed his deep love and respect for Japanese culture and tokusatsu works, frequently sharing his personal passion for the Ultraman series.

Del Toro, who appears in the documentary, has sent a self-recorded video message to coincide with the film’s theatrical release in Japan. Captured in an intimate, unvarnished selfie-style video, he warmly greets the Japanese audience with a friendly, “Hello, hello, hello. Konnichiwa, konnichiwa.”

He continues by sharing his thoughts on the franchise in his own words:

“Just saying how much Ultraman means to everyone in the world, not just Japan. He’s an international God and a hero of so many kids that grew up in Latin America and in Europe.”

His words highlight how Ultraman transcends national borders, serving as a deeply special hero for children across Latin America and Europe.

This straight-from-the-heart message, personally filmed by Director del Toro to align with the Japanese premiere, leaves a powerful impression. It underscores how deeply Ultraman is etched into the memories of people worldwide, and solidifies the film’s status as a documentary that gets to the very core of its origins.

A Special Shout-Out to Planning Director Hirokazu Koreeda

At the end of the video, he leaves a final note for the audience in Japan while giving a personal shout-out to Director Koreeda:

“Everyone, please enjoy THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN. (See you,) Koreeda-san.”

In the film, Director Koreeda and Director del Toro sit down to discuss their passion for the Ultraman series and the specific episodes that deeply influenced them.

The monumental documentary opens in theaters in Japan today.

Watch full comment video: https://youtu.be/wEM9weazF2g

■ THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN Film Introduction

A monumental milestone in Japanese tokusatsu television, Ultraman recorded a peak viewership rating of 42.8% during its original 1966 broadcast, becoming a massive social phenomenon. Today, 60 years later, Tsuburaya Productions continues to deliver new entries in the Ultraman series, expanding its multi-generational world on a global scale.

The film features leading creators representing various fields, including film, tokusatsu, and design. A diverse group of commentators from Japan and abroad has gathered, including Guillermo del Toro (Filmmaker), Hirokazu Koreeda (Filmmaker), Hideo Kojima (Game Creator), Hideaki Anno (Director/Producer), Shinji Higuchi (Filmmaker), and Nicolas Winding Refn (Filmmaker). As their insights intertwine, the true essence of Ultraman begins to take shape.

The documentary unravels a completely unique universe where, despite the protagonist being a hero, the backgrounds of the kaiju are meticulously crafted. It also explores the immense aesthetic appeal found in the designs of both Ultraman and the kaiju. Furthermore, by shining a light on the brilliant concepts and craftsmanship of Eiji Tsuburaya and his original crew, the film traces the journey of how Ultraman expanded across the globe.

■ Credits

Executive Supervisor: Takayuki Tsukagoshi

Planning: Hirokazu Koreeda

Planning & Production: Kei Minamitani, Takuya Tashiro

Planning Assistance & Interviews: Takashi Shimizu

Directors: Yu Nakamura, Kazutaka Yoshida

Producers: Masahiro Onda, Tomoko Izuta (Slow Hand)

Cast / Appearances: Guillermo del Toro, Hirokazu Koreeda, Hideo Kojima, 

Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi, Nicolas Winding Refn, 

Shannon Tindle, John Aoshima, 

Kairi Narita, Pat Cadigan, 

Takashi Shimizu, Noi Sawaragi, Hidenori Okada, 

Susumu Kurobe, Hiroko Sakurai, Sandayu Dokumamushi, 

Toshihiro Iijima, Kazuo Sagawa, Kiyoshi Suzuki, Sadao Iizuka, Noriko Shishikura

Production Company: Slow Hand

Produced by / Copyright: Tsuburaya Productions

Distribution: TOHO NEXT, Tsuburaya Productions

©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS