Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. has announced that the new TV series Ultraman Arc will start airing on the 6 channels in the TV Tokyo Network at 9:00 JST on July 6, 2024 (Sat). This series is planned to be simultaneously broadcasted and distributed in six countries and regions overseas.

 

 

About the New Show Ultraman Arc

The new show, Ultraman Arc, aims to be an inspiration to children about “the power to dream” and a bridge towards a bright, hopeful future. The tokusatsu drama presents the values of the Ultraman series to the world by depicting a delightful, warm-hearted and brave hero.

 

 

 

A being of light hailing from a faraway galaxy unites with Yuma, the protagonist who owns tremendous “power of imagination,” and they form the gigantic new Ultra Hero: Ultraman Arc. The story is about Arc protecting the future of the Earth and mankind from looming threats.

Yuma transforms into Ultraman Arc by inserting the Arc Cube, which contains the power of the being of light, into the mystic Arc Ariser and unleashing his power.

 

Yuki Totsuka plays the Protagonist “Yuma”

 

 

Young actor Yuki Totsuka (age 24) portrays the protagonist Yuma Hize. Yuma is a rookie investigator recently joining SKIP (Scientific Kaiju Investigation and Prevention center), who undergoes scientific investigation in order to take precautions against kaiju disasters. He is loved by the people in town for his caring and straightforward personality. The energetic young man is motivated by his father’s words “Time to run, Yuma!” to overcome various difficulties.

 

Lead Director is Takanori Tsujimoto

Takanori Tsujimoto, who has long participated in the New Generation Ultraman series as a director since Ultraman X, will be the lead director for the new show. He is beloved by the series’ core fans for his immense passion towards miniature and kaiju, as well as the classicality and warmth in his style. 

 

Simultaneous Broadcasting & Streaming Worldwide in 11 Languages

Ultraman Arc will not only be streamed simultaneously in English dub, but also dubbed versions in local languages will be broadcasted and/or streamed simultaneously*1 in Asia’s major countries and regions (mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam).

 

Furthermore, it will be available on streaming platforms including the ULTRAMAN OFFICIAL YouTube channel with subtitles in 11 languages, including English, Korean, Indonesian, Malay, Vietnamese, Filipino, Spanish (Latin), Portuguese (Brazil), Hindi, Chinese, and Thai.

 

The Ultraman series has witnessed a surge in popularity in China and across Asia in recent years. Besides a large viewership of simultaneous broadcasts and online streams, the recent Asia tour of Ultraman Blazar the Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown (released in February in Japan) has also been a huge success. For the new show, fans across Asia will be able to share the excitement at the same time.

 

(*1The show will be streamed in mainland China and Vietnam. “Simultaneous broadcast” refers to the release of the program within approximately one week of its first broadcast in Japan.)

 

Ultraman Arc will become the 30th show of the series, counting from the series’ previous 27 TV shows in Japan*2 and the 2 overseas shows aired in Japan later.

 

(*2Only counting the TV dramas with 30-minute episodes facing Japan domestically whose main character makes the first appearance in that specific show.)

 

The year of 2024 also marks the 15th anniversary of Ultraman Zero, the predecessor of the New Generation Ultraman series. Stay tuned for Ultraman Arc this upcoming summer!

 

First Trailer Released

To get a glimpse of the new show, check out the first trailer available on the official YouTube channel.

 

Synopsis

In a town called Hoshimoto City…

A giant object towers in Mt. Shishio. Named “Monohorn”, it is actually a kaiju’s horn stuck in the ground since an incident 16 years ago.

 

The incident when kaiju appeared simultaneously around the world was later named “K-Day.” Since then, the Global Defense Force (GDF) has been dealing with kaiju with force, while SKIP (Scientific Kaiju Investigation and Prevention center) works closely with the community in scientific investigations and evacuation guidance to prevent the occurrence and aggravation of kaiju disasters. SKIP has also been investigating the Monohorn, the horn of the galactic beast Monogelos, which appeared on K-Day.

 

Yuma, then only 7 years old, was camping with his parents in Mt. Shishio when Monogelos attacked, but somehow miraculously survived unhurt. This experience led him to pursue the path of kaiju biology research, and despite his traumatic past, he has not lost his “imagination” to dream. As a rookie investigator, Yuma joined SKIP and was assigned to the Hoshimoto City Branch.

 

Not long after, another large-scale kaiju disaster occurs. As Yuma sees the desperate people in front of him, a strong will springs into his mind — “I want to protect them!” It was at that moment when Yuma hears the voice of Rution, the being of light that he once saw as a child:

“You and I are one and the same… Unleash your imagination!”

When the mystic light emerging from Yuma’s hand embodies his entire body, his power of imagination fuses him with the light and he transforms into Ultraman Arc, the Giant of Light who protects the future! Alongside his precious friends, Yuma, as well as Ultraman Arc, gallops towards his everlasting dream!

 

New Hero: Ultraman Arc

Ultraman Arc is a Giant of Light who appears after the protagonist, Yuma, unleashes his imagination and unites with Rution, the being of light from a faraway galaxy. His appearance is exactly the same as Yuma’s childhood sketch of the “Strongest Hero.” Yuma transforms into Ultraman Arc by inserting the Arc Cube, infused with power, into the Arc Ariser, which resembles his other sketch of the “Transformation Item,” and unleashing the light.

 

 

Height: 48 meters

Weight: 32,000 tons

Special Move: Arc Finalize, a finishing beam shot by crossing his hands

 

 

Protagonist: Yuma Hize

The protagonist who transforms into Ultraman Arc. He is 23 years old.

He is a rookie investigator who joined the Hoshimoto City Branch of SKIP (Scientific Kaiju Investigation and Prevention center) three months ago.

With a caring and straightforward personality, he tends to take action whenever he feels needed for the good of the people. At times he  jumps into things without enough thought about the consequences, and leaves those around him anxious.

He was motivated to pursue kaiju biology from the traumatic childhood experience in the kaiju disaster caused by Monogelos, and joined SKIP in order to help those with similar experiences. He undergoes investigations using his extensive kaiju knowledge and a customized kaiju detector. 

His motto is “Time to run, Yuma!”

 

Lead Cast: Yuki Totsuka

 

 

<Profile>

Born on March 14, 2000 (age 24) in Gunma Prefecture. Height 178cm.

Affiliated with Sony Music Artists.

He has joined the current talent agency SMA after participating in its actor scouting audition. Mainly active in Fukuoka Prefecture while studying at Kyushu University, he made his acting debut in a NHK-produced BS drama produced in 2022. In the same year, he appeared in a local film featuring Itoshima, Fukuoka Prefecture, and officially started his acting career in Tokyo after college graduation. He was soon selected for multiple TV dramas and commercials before seizing the position as the lead cast of Ultraman Arc. Having an experience in stage lighting during college, he is fond of photography and lighting equipment. 

With a determined gaze and a straightforward personality resembling the protagonist, he has given his full effort in portraying the hero of the same age as himself when filming started.

 

<Comment from Yuki Totsuka>

Hi everyone, nice to meet you! I am Yuki Totsuka and I play the role of Yuma Hize.

When I was a child playing with kaiju and Ultraman figures, I only had an imagination of the Earth and the space in my mind.

That imagination was everything to me.

Now I am really happy that I can dive into that imaginary world once again. Every day is so exciting and it’s been like a dream.

Yuma Hize also fights in a dream-like world using the power of imagination, and he will grow after all kinds of encounters. I hope you can see that process with your own eyes.

It’s my strong wish to live up to the feelings and expectations of everyone who watches Ultraman Arc. While I am still far from a mature person, I will do my best to make it to the finish line together with Arc!

 

Lead Director: Takanori Tsujimoto

 

 

<Profile>

Born on August 30, 1971 (age 52) in Osaka Prefecture.

A film director with a unique experience as a former dental technician, he started chasing his dream by creating independent films beside his regular job and won multiple awards. He was highly acclaimed for his authentic action directing style and made his commercial debut in 2003. After working on many works including films, TV dramas and animations, he joined the production of Ultra Zone, marking the beginning of his participation in works by Tsuburaya Productions, the production company of his childhood favorites Ultraman, Ultraseven, and Return of Ultraman. His first participation in the New Generation Ultraman series was Ultraman X in 2015. Known among his fans for his love for Kaiju and miniatures, he will visualize Ultraman Arc as the lead director.

 

<Comment from director Takanori Tsujimoto>

In the 8th series since my first participation in the Ultraman series, I finally got my long-awaited — yet still unexpected! — opportunity to be appointed as the lead director.

Thinking back, I know I’ve been declaring in public that I am a “kaiju lover” and “miniature lover”, but that’s actually my disguise–I’m simply a 52-year-old kid who just can’t stop loving Ultra Heroes.

The theme of Ultraman Arc is “the power of imagination”. The imagination that makes you care for others, envision one’s dream, wish to become a hero… I hope you can feel the wonderful “power of imagination” from this work.

What’s more, I hope you can be immersed by the “I-love-Ultraman-cium Beam” overflowing from me! With that wish I’ll go “Shuwatch!”

 

Series Compositer and Head Writer: Jun Tsugita

<Profile>

Born on August 5, 1974 (age 49) in Akita Prefecture.

He debuted as a screenwriter and director after graduating from Nihon University College of Art, Department of Cinema. His first work with Tsuburaya Productions was Ultra Zone in 2011, and since then has maintained a long-lasting trust with director Takanori Tsujimoto. Having worked on multiple films and TV dramas mainly as a screenwriter, he joined the production of the New Generation Ultraman series in Ultraman Z in 2020. Since then, they have worked together, including the previous series Ultraman Blazar, and have delivered highly-dramatic episodes.

 

<Comment from Jun Tsugita>

The first time that I participated in the series was episode 18 of Ultraman Z and it all began when Mr. Tsujimoto came to me with the offer. I am absolutely honored to be the main compositer and head screenwriter of this series, and feel both extremely happy and nervous at the same time.

Like many others, I used to spend my childhood glued to the TV for Ultraman shows and surrounded by countless kaiju figures. When I was writing the scenes, I kept asking myself, what are the feelings and thoughts that have remained unchanged after so many decades?

Now with Ultraman Arc finally starting its journey, I hope that we can all witness it together.

 

Ultraman Arc Series Outline

Broadcast starting date: July 6, 2024 (Sat) JST

Broadcast time: Every Saturday at 9:00~9:30 a.m. JST

Broadcasting channels in Japan: TV Tokyo Network and others

Broadcasting websites in Japan: TV Tokyo, TSUBURAYA IMAGINATION, ULTRAMAN OFFICIAL YouTube Channel, and others

Broadcasting channels and websites overseas: <Mainland China> Tencent Video, Youku, iQIYI, Bilibili / <Hong Kong> ViuTV / <Taiwan> MOMO TV / <Thailand> Channel7 / <Indonesia> RTV / <Vietnam> FPT Play

 

Production: Tsuburaya Productions, TV Tokyo, Dentsu

Copyright Notice: ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN ARC PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO

Official website: https://ani.tv/ultraman_arc/

Official Ultraman website: https://m-78.jp/arc/

Official Global X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/TsuburayaGlobal

Cast: Yuki Totsuka and others

Lead Director: Takanori Tsujimoto / Series Composer and Head Writer: Jun Tsugita