Rising Soars with Ultra Positive Rotten Tomatoes Ratings

Netflix’s latest offering Ultraman: Rising has raised fans’ expectation as it will debut with ultra positive Rotten Tomatoes ratings. The upcoming feature has already impressed critics and initial viewers during its run in the festival circuits, including a notable showing at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

The iconic figure of Ultraman, a staple in the genre of Tokusatsu (a term used for Japanese live-action films or television dramas that make heavy use of special effects), has been a significant cultural export for Japan. Tsuburaya Productions, the creator of Ultraman, has been actively broadening its international appeal. Their efforts include partnerships for TV series and new comic lines with Marvel, and innovative film projects like the recently acclaimed Shin Ultraman. However, Ultraman: Rising marks the franchise’s first animated leap on Netflix, a move that is drawing considerable attention.

Watch Ultraman: Rising official trailer below:

The initial reviews are in, and they are resoundingly positive. With eight critiques already tallied, the film boasts an impressive 89% approval rating. This high score is a strong indicator of the film’s quality and suggests that it could be a significant hit for Netflix, adding to its roster of successful animated films.

This summer, the iconic Japanese franchise takes an animated turn with the Netflix debut of Ultraman: Rising, slated for a global release on June 14. The film, directed by Shannon Tindle and co-directed by John Aoshima, promises to mix traditional superhero elements with new twists.

Crafted by Tsuburaya Productions and the visual wizards at Industrial Light and Magic, Ultraman: Rising features an engaging script co-written by Tindle and Marc Haimes. The project assembles an eclectic voice cast, including Christopher Sean known from You and Hawaii Five-O, Gedde Watanabe of Sixteen Candles, Tamlyn Tomita from The Good Doctor and Cobra Kai, Keone Young of Men in Black 3, and Julia Harriman, adding depth and diversity to its character portrayals.

The plot revolves around Ken Sato, a baseball superstar who returns to Japan to take on the mantle of the Earth-defending superhero, Ultraman. However, his heroic path takes an unexpected turn when he ends up caring for the offspring of his arch-enemy, a newborn Kaiju. This peculiar situation throws Ken into a juggling act between his responsibilities as a superhero and a new father. The narrative explores themes of personal growth, familial bonds, and the complexities of leadership as Ken battles against external threats and internal challenges.

Ultraman: Rising Brings Personal Transformation and Epic Battles

Netflix’s synopsis hints at a story rich with emotional layers and dramatic conflicts, appealing not just to fans of the Ultraman series but to anyone who appreciates a story of personal transformation and resilience. The film’s exploration of parental and filial relationships, set against the backdrop of superhero and Kaiju clashes, promises a unique twist to the superhero genre.

Director Shannon Tindle’s excitement for the project suggests broad ambitions, hinting at potential sequels that would further expand the Ultraman universe. In his conversation with ComicBook, Tindle said:

“I will say this. I have ideas for two more films,” Tindle told ComicBook. “I know very specifically what I want to do for those two films. And all I can say is, fans of the emotion and the heart of Ultraman, people who don’t know anything about Ultraman at all, I think are going to be surprised if I get to make those movies, and hardcore fans, they’re going to have fun too. Because there’s one thing that we didn’t explore in this film […] so I’ll let you infer what you want with that.”

Tindle expressed his hopes of continuing the story through two additional films, promising to delve into unexplored aspects of the Ultraman saga that would surprise new viewers and delight long-time fans.