Tsuburaya Productions announced that Japan’s most iconic superhero, Ultraman, is making his way to G-Fest 2024 (g-festcon.com), America’s premiere kaiju-focused fan convention, with a one-of-a-kind screening, a must-see panel and a new book series announcement. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago from July 12-14.
Fresh off the debut of the new Netflix animated series Ultraman: Rising, fans will not want to miss the historic screening of Ultraman: The Adventure Begins, also known as Ultraman USA, a “lost” feature-length animated movie produced by Hanna-Barbera and Tsuburaya Productions in 1987, that has not been seen in 30 years.
Screening Saturday, July 13 at 10 a.m., Ultraman: Th Adventure Begins is canonical to the Ultraman Universe and features the first appearance of the Ultra Force: Ultraman Scott, Ultraman Chuck and Ultrawoman Beth. In recent years, all three Ultra Heroes have made appearances in live-action series. This advance screening will be the only chance fans will get to preview this archival treasure before its release on DVD and Blu-ray in 2025, in partnership with Mill Creek Entertainment.
Tsuburaya Fields Media & Pictures Entertainment and Sky Turtle Nova, an imprint of Oasis Family Media, are announcing Ultraman: Ultra Academy, the first American book series based on the franchise, and will preview the six-book series at G-Fest this year during the “Ultraman in America” panel on Friday, July 12 at 10 a.m.
The series of middle-grade novels features a team of six young students learning the lessons of courage, hope, kindness and creativity demonstrated within the Ultraman universe. Ultraman: Ultra Academy novels follow the students as they study giant kaiju and try to help the Special Science Search Party (SSSP) and Ultraman find weaknesses in the beasts. The young team will draw inspiration from the earthly problems that are giving rise to the monsters and from Ultraman himself as he attempts to restore balance to the world. Set to hit retail wherever books are sold beginning Spring 2025.
“As the Ultraman community continues to grow, we are eager to further connect with both new and legacy fans this year at G-Fest, bringing them a treasured screening of Ultraman: The Adventure Begins, and insight into the future of the Ultraman brand through Ultraman: Ultra Academy,” said Danny Simon, President of Tsuburaya Fields Media & Pictures Entertainment.
Jeff Gomez, Starlight Runner’s Transmedia Producer for the Ultraman franchise, added, “Ultraman: Ultra Academy will be an expansion of the Ultraman canon fully authorized by Tsuburaya Productions. I can’t think of a better way to announce this project than at G-Fest and with this exclusive screening of Ultraman: The Adventure Begins — a true gift for fans.”
The Ultraman universe first debuted in 1966 in the television series Ultra Q, and over the last 58-plus years, the franchise has spawned a record number of television series, films, video games and more. The presence of Ultraman at G-Fest 2024 comes at a time of major growth and increased brand awareness of the Ultraman franchise, sparked by the premiere Ultraman: Rising on Netflix in June, which has become a fan-favorite and critical darling.
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