ULTRAMAN (2004 film)

is a 2004 tokusatsu superhero film. It is part of the Ultraman Series' Ultra N Project, and features an Ultraman character code named "Ultraman the Next". The movie, produced by Tsuburaya Productions, is a prequel to Ultraman Nexus. The movie received its theatrical release in Japan on December 18, 2004, distributed by Shochiku.
==Production==
The film was initially planned in 2000. Originally, Suzuki Kiyoshi, a producer from Tsuburaya Productions, initiated an original project for a film rather than a television series. He aimed to create a genuine science fiction film. The project was initially named YELLOW EYES, a double entendre referring to "the eyes of Ultraman" and "danger signals." The film depicted a young man gaining mysterious powers beyond imagination and controlling violent impulses in the face of irrational battles, gradually awakening a sense of justice. However, after the September 11 attacks in 2001, the production team found it challenging to depict violence, prompting them to adjust their narrative approach and explore different thematic directions.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6557cGaCmM
To construct the concepts of "realistic simulation," "biological significance," and "the rebirth of Ultraman," the protagonist's character was revised to that of a father fighting for his child.Ultra Special Effects Perfect Mook Vol.17 Ultraman Nexus pg 4-5 This revision retained elements of real monster disasters while actively paying homage to works like Ultra Q and Ultraman from 1966. The project was subsequently reconceptualized as part of the "ULTRA N PROJECT." The concept of the movie revolves around the question "What if the first episode of Ultraman happened in modern-day Japan?" It is based on the premise of remaking the plot of the first episode of Ultraman, titled "Ultra Operation No.1," serving as the background framework for the entire film.
Filming for the movie began in October 2003https://web.archive.org/web/20110107083957/http://www.ultraman-movie.com/note/, with the full assistance of the Ministry of Defense. For instance, real military bases were used for shooting scenes, and the takeoff scenes of the F-15 Eagle fighter jets were filmed using actual aircraft. The movie incorporated many real-world weapons and aircraft as its features. Originally planned for release before another TV series, Ultraman Nexus, scheduled for summer 2004, the timing was later adjusted. This led the production team to consider condensing two different worldviews into a single one.
At the 17th Tokyo International Film Festival held in October 2004, this movie was screened as a special presentation. The main cast, including Tetsuya Bessho, Kyoko Toyama, Kenya Osumi, and several Ultras, attended the opening ceremony as guests of honor.https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/L0000002https://www.scifijapan.com/ultraman-tsuburaya/ultraman-the-next
==Synopsis==
First Lieutenant Shunichi Maki of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force is a prestigious F-15 Eagle jet pilot (or "driver" as he is called in the film). A lifelong fan of flying since he was a child, being a pilot is his ultimate dream. Unfortunately, his duties distance himself from his wife, Yoko, who always ends up being neglected, and his son, Tsugumu Maki, who has a congenital blood disease and has a high risk of dying at a young age.
Maki decides to quit the Air Force to devote more time to his family and to spend whatever is left for his son. He takes a part-time job as a commercial tour guide run by a kindly group of people who allow him time to work and to also take care of his family.
However, prior to quitting, Maki and his flight partner Yamashima are alerted to a strange red light streaking towards Japan, and Maki's plane collides with the red light. However, he has suffered no ill effects other than brief flashes of scenes playing out in his mind. He later discovers that the images in his mind are due to telepathic messages from the strange being in the light.
==Appearances==
===Protagonist===
*Shunichi Maki
===BCST===
*Sara Mizuhara
*Sogabe
*Yashiro
===JSDF===
*Takeshi Kurashima
===Hoshikawa Air Service===
*Manjome
*Ippei
*Yuriko
===Antagonist===
*Takafumi Udo
===Others===
*Yoko Maki
*Tsugumu Maki
===Ultras===
*Ultraman the Next
===Kaiju===
*Zero
*Beast the One
==Cast==
* 
*: 
*/: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
*: 
*JASDF Base Commander: 
*Restaurant Owner: 
*: 
*: 
*Miku's Mother: 
*Miku's Father: 
*: 
*Repairman: 
*JGSDF Communication Soldier: 
*Announcer: 
*Special Forces:
**
**
*Gourmet Reporter: 
*Man Watching Street TV: 
===Voice Actors===
*: 
*:
**
**
===Suit Actors===
*Ultraman the Next: 
*Beast the One:
**Idolovia: 
**Reptilia, Beelzebua: 
==Staff==
*Director: Kazuya Konaka
*Supervision: Kazuo Tsuburaya
*Producers: Hideaki Tsuburaya, Takero Hisamatsu, Jun Takeuchi, Kazumi Kawashiro, Kunikatsu Kondo, Yuji Shimamoto, Akira Suzuki, Yujiro Hara
*Supervision: Kiyoshi Suzuki
*Screenwriter: Keiichi Hasegawa
*Musical Supervision: Shizuka Tamagawa
*Music: Masazumi Ozawa, Daisuke Ikeda, Shingo Hasuda
*Cinematography/VFX Supervisor: Shinichi Ooka
*Art: Tetsuzo Osawa
*Pruning: Akira Matsuki
*Character Designers: Hiroshi Maruyama, Yasushi Torisawa
*Music Director: Tak Matsumoto (B'z)
*Air War Flight Screen Director: Ichiro Itano
*Special Skills Director: Yuichi Kikuchi
==Music==
:;Opening Theme
*"ULTRAMAN THE NEXT"
**Artist: Tak Matsumoto
:;Ending Theme
*"NEVER GOOD-BYE"
**Lyrics: Jack Blades
**Composer: Matsumoto Takahiro
**Arranger: Matsumoto Takahiro & Tokunaga Akihito
**Artist: Tak Matsumoto Group
==Original Soundtrack==
The original soundtrack was produced by Tak Matsumoto (of B'z), under his Vermillion Records label (which is in turn, a part of the Being Giza group). It was released in Japan on July 20, 2005. The catalogue code for the album is BMCV-8015.
==Manga==
A manga adaptation created by Takahiro Sawaki was serialized in Tokusatsu Ace magazines from December 2004 to April 2005, with a complete tankōbon released in 2008.
==Cancelled Sequel==
In 2005, Tsuburaya Productions announced that a sequel to this movie, ULTRAMAN2: requiem would be released in winter. However, due to the failure of the Ultra N Project, the sequel was cancelled. The suits for this unmade sequel were remodeled into Zett and Reibatos.
==Gallery==
===Images===
ULTRAMAN 2004 Logo.png
Ultraman_Next_PosterA.jpg
Next poster.png
Next poster I.png
Next DVD.png
Ultraman Next 2004 3.jpg|Japanese ad for ULTRAMAN
Ultraman Next 2004 34.jpg|Promotional poster used by Amazon Prime Video
Ultraman Next 2020s.png|Promotional posters used by Tubi and Shout! TV
Ultraman Next 2020s 2.jpg
ULTRAMAN 2004 Background 1.png
ULTRAMAN 2004 Background 2.png
ULTRAMAN 2004 Background 3.png
ULTRAMAN 2004 Background 4.png
==Trivia==
*There are several unreleased scenes in this work, which were later included as bonus features on the DVD.
*The original working title of the film was ULTRAMAN THE NEXT, but it was later changed midway. The original title was subsequently used for the name of the Ultraman appearing in this work, as well as for the title of the manga adaptation."ULTRAMAN" DVD production video
*In 2022, with the release of Shin Ultraman, discussions surrounding this movie gradually increased, further becoming a trending topic on Twitter. Notably, ULTRAMAN ranked first in the "Special Effects/Team/Heroes" category on Amazon's bestseller list for DVDs, as it was not released on most major movie distribution services. This led to a reevaluation of its reception in the video software market.https://magmix.jp/post/93179https://realsound.jp/movie/2022/06/post-1055434.html
*The film has not been released on Tsuburaya Imagination.
==References==
id:ULTRAMAN (film 2004)
ja:ULTRAMAN
Category:Movies
Category:Heisei Movies
Category:Ultra N Project
Category:Productions
Category:Movies Dubbed in English