Our Fantasia Film Festival 2026 coverage opens with The Origin of Ultraman, a documentary about the impact that the Japanese hero had on Popculture worldwide, as told by some of today’s best directors.
The Origins of Ultraman is the rare “making-of” documentary that is more than a mere special feature for a physical media release of the topic of interest. Directors Kazutaka Yoshida and Hiroshi Nakamura have not just gathered a collection of fans but cast and crew for a deep dive into the power of the science fiction franchise. One that has spanned over sixty years and countless TV series and films, and has grown from a Japanese hit to a global phenomenon.
The film charts the origins of Ultraman through the original Ultra Q series and the iconic designs by Tohl Narita, the development of the adroit scripts by Tetsuo Kinjo and the FX work supervised by man-in-the-suit legend Haruo Nakajima (who played Gojira during this time). All of the production was overseen by Visual Effects and directing Legend Eiji Tsuburaya. The film does a great job of not just merely giving a timeline but what made the show groundbreaking and why it matters even today. The film isn’t just fan service but rather gives an audience who may not know who Ultraman is an understanding of why, in Japan is rivals a figure like Superman.
To help with this are a host of talking heads including directors Guillermo del Toro, Nicholas Winding Refn, Metal Gear Solid creator/video game designer Hideo Kojima, Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno, sci-fi writer Pat Cadigan, and director Hirokazu Koreeda (who shepherded the project through its production). Each shows a deep knowledge and affection for not just Ultraman, but the lore and kaiju within the universe. Many discuss how their work was inspired by Ultraman beyond simple homage.
By the end, The Origin of Ultraman, at the very least, will make one search out the original series if not convert you to fandom.
The Origin of Ultraman plays at the Fantasia Film Festival on July 17th
Our Fantasia Film Festival 2026 coverage opens with The Origin of Ultraman, a documentary about the impact that the Japanese hero had on Popculture worldwide, as told by some of today’s best directors.
The Origins of Ultraman is the rare “making-of” documentary that is more than a mere special feature for a physical media release of the topic of interest. Directors Kazutaka Yoshida and Hiroshi Nakamura have not just gathered a collection of fans but cast and crew for a deep dive into the power of the science fiction franchise. One that has spanned over sixty years and countless TV series and films, and has grown from a Japanese hit to a global phenomenon.
The film charts the origins of Ultraman through the original Ultra Q series and the iconic designs by Tohl Narita, the development of the adroit scripts by Tetsuo Kinjo and the FX work supervised by man-in-the-suit legend Haruo Nakajima (who played Gojira during this time). All of the production was overseen by Visual Effects and directing Legend Eiji Tsuburaya. The film does a great job of not just merely giving a timeline but what made the show groundbreaking and why it matters even today. The film isn’t just fan service but rather gives an audience who may not know who Ultraman is an understanding of why, in Japan is rivals a figure like Superman.
To help with this are a host of talking heads including directors Guillermo del Toro, Nicholas Winding Refn, Metal Gear Solid creator/video game designer Hideo Kojima, Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno, sci-fi writer Pat Cadigan, and director Hirokazu Koreeda (who shepherded the project through its production). Each shows a deep knowledge and affection for not just Ultraman, but the lore and kaiju within the universe. Many discuss how their work was inspired by Ultraman beyond simple homage.
By the end, The Origin of Ultraman, at the very least, will make one search out the original series if not convert you to fandom.
The Origin of Ultraman plays at the Fantasia Film Festival on July 17th
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