From July 11 to July 13, Tsuburaya Productions participated in G-FEST 2025, the annual convention dedicated to kaiju and tokusatsu fans in the world. This year marks Tsuburaya Productions’ first official participation in G-FEST as part of “Ultraman The Hero Premiere” world tour. Ultra and kaiju fans in North America were presented with an unforgettable experience, featuring exclusive screenings, star-studded meet and greets, thrilling live shows, and more.

Legendary Heroine Hiroko Sakurai Shares Untold and Touching Stories

A monumental highlight of G-FEST was the special appearance of Hiroko Sakurai, who played the main female character in both Ultra Q and Ultraman. Ms. Sakurai captivated attendees with daily autograph sessions, sharing heartwarming interactions with her devoted fanbase.

Ms. Sakurai also took center stage at the highly anticipated Special Talk Show, making a dramatic appearance as Akiko Fuji to help Ultraman combat Alien Baltan. The talk show delved into topics about Ultraman and its untold stories about the filming, the stories, the kaiju, and much more. The emotional highlight came as Ms. Sakurai shed tears commemorating the passed legend creators, “they dreamed of bringing Ultraman here and having everyone see it. I think their dreams have come true. Right, Mr. Eiji?” 

The talk show reached its climax as Ultraman and Ultraman Omega appeared on stage, representing that Ultraman’s legacy has been passed on to the future.

Dynamic Appearances and Thrilling Live Shows Captivate Attendees

Throughout the 3-day event, fans were treated to multiple meet-and-greets with beloved Ultra Heroes and Ultra Kaiju. Live action stages were also held several times during the event, as the packed audience of Ultra and kaiju fans revisited the action-packed rivalry between Ultraman Zero and his nemesis Belial, as well as the classic battle between Ultraman and Jirahs.

A surprise meet-and-greet session was also held with Director Kiyotaka Taguchi, the main director of Ultraman Z, along with Ultraman Z himself. Many fans gathered for a special opportunity to “chant his name” and express their love for the series.

Bringing the excitement to the next level was Bin Furuya, the first suit actor for Ultraman in 1966’s Ultraman, who joined the meet-and-greet session on the final day, giving the fans a once-in-a-lifetime experience to meet the legends, as well as a unique opportunity to learn the Spacium Beam pose from the one who does it the best.

Experience the Latest Developments of Ultraman in North America

The panel “Tsuburaya 2025 Ultraman Update” was held at G-FEST, where David Kornblum, CEO of Tsuburaya Fields Media Pictures and Entertainment, and Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner, introduced upcoming Ultraman news in North America. 

Fans were delighted to learn about the increased accessibility of Ultraman content, with many series now available across major VOD platforms, upcoming physical releases, and the Ultraman Live event coming to the American Dream Mall in New Jersey from November 15 to 23. The panel also revealed the English-dubbed digest trailer of Ultraman Omega for the first time, followed by a dramatic appearance of Ultraman Omega in front of the cheering fans. 

Ultraman The Hero Premiere at G-Fest 2025 also featured a special premiere screening of Ultraman Arc The Movie: The Clash of Light and Evil, with a special appearance of Ultraman Arc himself; a special booth for the Ultraman Card Game welcomed many Ultra Leaguers and newcomers with tournaments and demo sessions. Other Ultraman-themed activities included Sky Turtle Nova’s presentation on the first volume of “Ultra Academy.”

We appreciate all the Ultra and kaiju fans who came to the event, and please stay tuned for more upcoming events from Tsuburaya Productions in the future!