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▼ ‘Ultraman Orb’ Prequel Flies High in Streaming World
- Category:Event
The latest drama in the Ultraman superhero drama series has been available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in Japan since Dec. 26.
The show, “ULTRAMAN ORB THE ORIGIN SAGA,” is a spin-off from and a prequel to “Ultraman Orb,” which was broadcast on the TV Tokyo network from July to December last year.
Set in outer space, the new drama features two characters who are enemies in “Ultraman Orb.” In the prequel, they join the same force and collaborate. The characters are Gai Kurenai (played by Hideo Ishiguro), who transforms into Ultraman Orb, and Juggrus-Juggler (played by Takaya Aoyagi).
Ultraman Orb is a rookie in the force, and he receives support from two senior Ultraman heroes who make must-see guest appearances. Shin Asuka (Takeshi Tsuruno) from “Ultraman Dyna,” which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, comes to help as Ultraman Dyna. Musashi Haruno (Taiyo Sugiura), who transforms into Ultraman Cosmos, joins him.
Tsuruno also sings the theme song for the new drama.
A special event was held in late December in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, to mark the drama’s arrival online.
“I had a lot of fun every day [during shooting], together with the senior Ultramen,” Ishiguro said at the event. “I hope people will see the drama because I think it shows we’re on really good terms with each other and that we had a good time [behind the scenes].”
The remarks by the performers who make guest appearances in the drama reflected the long history of the Ultraman series, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.
“I watched early Ultraman series dramas when I was in elementary school. Becoming part of the family is like a dream,” said veteran actor Takaaki Enoki, who plays Gen. Raigo of the defense force of Planet Kanon, where the new drama unfolds.
“I’m a big fan of Ultraman Dyna,” said actress Saki Fukuda, who plays Planet Kanon’s young queen, Amate. “I once shook hands [with the character] at the [now defunct] Ultraman Land theme park in Kumamoto Prefecture. I still can’t believe I’m appearing in the series 20 years later. I’m glad I kept on believing in the ‘power of light.’” (The power of light is a key element in “Ultraman Dyna.”)
Kyogen actor Izumi Motoya plays an alien enemy called Dr. Psychi. “This drama portrays the beauty of people fighting for their own justice, just like period dramas,” he said at the Ikebukuro event. “I hope children watch [the online drama] together with their families, their grandfathers and grandmothers.”
Many illustrious actors gathered at the event, but the crowd of all ages and both sexes erupted most excitedly when Ultraman Orb took to the stage. The grownups applauded, while the children screamed with delight.
Non-Japanese tourists who happened to pass by stopped to see the superhero. All the reactions are testament to the sheer magnitude of Ultraman’s presence.
Amazon Prime Video is putting a great deal of effort into producing original content. Last year, the streaming service provider offered “Kamen Rider Amazons,” another tokusatsu sci-fi superhero drama.
The new drama has 12 episodes, with a new one becoming available every Monday. There is a plan to provide subtitles in English and German around spring.
I’d like to keep an eye on the evolution of Ultraman this year. The eternal superhero who makes Japan proud is moving beyond the 50th anniversary and to the next phase.
Suzuki is a Yomiuri Shimbun senior specialist and an expert on tokusatsu superhero films and dramas.
The show, “ULTRAMAN ORB THE ORIGIN SAGA,” is a spin-off from and a prequel to “Ultraman Orb,” which was broadcast on the TV Tokyo network from July to December last year.
Set in outer space, the new drama features two characters who are enemies in “Ultraman Orb.” In the prequel, they join the same force and collaborate. The characters are Gai Kurenai (played by Hideo Ishiguro), who transforms into Ultraman Orb, and Juggrus-Juggler (played by Takaya Aoyagi).
Ultraman Orb is a rookie in the force, and he receives support from two senior Ultraman heroes who make must-see guest appearances. Shin Asuka (Takeshi Tsuruno) from “Ultraman Dyna,” which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, comes to help as Ultraman Dyna. Musashi Haruno (Taiyo Sugiura), who transforms into Ultraman Cosmos, joins him.
Tsuruno also sings the theme song for the new drama.
A special event was held in late December in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, to mark the drama’s arrival online.
“I had a lot of fun every day [during shooting], together with the senior Ultramen,” Ishiguro said at the event. “I hope people will see the drama because I think it shows we’re on really good terms with each other and that we had a good time [behind the scenes].”
The remarks by the performers who make guest appearances in the drama reflected the long history of the Ultraman series, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.
“I watched early Ultraman series dramas when I was in elementary school. Becoming part of the family is like a dream,” said veteran actor Takaaki Enoki, who plays Gen. Raigo of the defense force of Planet Kanon, where the new drama unfolds.
“I’m a big fan of Ultraman Dyna,” said actress Saki Fukuda, who plays Planet Kanon’s young queen, Amate. “I once shook hands [with the character] at the [now defunct] Ultraman Land theme park in Kumamoto Prefecture. I still can’t believe I’m appearing in the series 20 years later. I’m glad I kept on believing in the ‘power of light.’” (The power of light is a key element in “Ultraman Dyna.”)
Kyogen actor Izumi Motoya plays an alien enemy called Dr. Psychi. “This drama portrays the beauty of people fighting for their own justice, just like period dramas,” he said at the Ikebukuro event. “I hope children watch [the online drama] together with their families, their grandfathers and grandmothers.”
Many illustrious actors gathered at the event, but the crowd of all ages and both sexes erupted most excitedly when Ultraman Orb took to the stage. The grownups applauded, while the children screamed with delight.
Non-Japanese tourists who happened to pass by stopped to see the superhero. All the reactions are testament to the sheer magnitude of Ultraman’s presence.
Amazon Prime Video is putting a great deal of effort into producing original content. Last year, the streaming service provider offered “Kamen Rider Amazons,” another tokusatsu sci-fi superhero drama.
The new drama has 12 episodes, with a new one becoming available every Monday. There is a plan to provide subtitles in English and German around spring.
I’d like to keep an eye on the evolution of Ultraman this year. The eternal superhero who makes Japan proud is moving beyond the 50th anniversary and to the next phase.
Suzuki is a Yomiuri Shimbun senior specialist and an expert on tokusatsu superhero films and dramas.
- January 19, 2017
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