Summary
Netflix’sUltraman: Risingfollows Ken Sato in his journey of honoring the Ultraman mantle while protecting a baby kaiju from the KDF. One of the longest-running franchises of all time, the Ultra series began in 1966 and continues to release new shows and films to this day. TheNetflix original movieis the latest entry in the saga and works as a standalone story, although it is full of references toUltramanhistory.
Considering just how manyUltramanseries and films there have been since the franchise’s inception withUltra Q, it can be difficult to keep track of all the heroes and their stories. Fortunately,Ultraman: Risingdoes not require audiences to be familiar with any previousUltramanstories.That said, Ken Sato’s journey ties into previous lore, especially duringUltraman: Rising’s ending credits scene.
Ultraman: Rising’s Ken Sato Is An Original Character
Ken Sato is the son of a previous Ultraman
Ken Sato, the main Ultraman inUltraman: Rising, is an original character created for the movie.All mainUltraman: Risingcharacters were created for the filmand had never appeared in anyUltramanmovie or TV show. Ken was not the only Ultraman in the Netflixgiant monster movie, though.Ultraman: Risingis about familyhood, particularly the relationship between fathers and their children. Therefore, it was no surprise that Ken was the son of the previous Ultraman in this universe, Professor Sato. Ken grew up watching his father save the city over and over.
When considering TV shows, mini-series, specials, and movies, there are currently 132 entries in theUltrafranchise. The saga also includes books and video games.
Ken moved to Los Angeles with his mother when he was still a child while his father remained in Tokyo acting as Ultraman. There, Ultraman’s son pursued his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. Still,Ken inherited his father’s abilities, and when Professor Sato could no longer be Ultraman, his son took on the mantle.It is unclear if there were any other Ultramen before Professor Sato in this universe.Ultraman: Risingbegins with Ken abandoning his life in America and returning to Japan, where he has to live up to his father’s Ultraman legacy.
Netflix’s New Ultraman Continues A Long Franchise Tradition
Ultraman: Rising introduces a brand-new Ultraman
Multiple characters have been Ultramansince 1966. With hundreds of spinoff series and movies, theUltrafranchise features a vast lore that includes multiple heroes and villains. Most versions of Ultraman are the combination of a human with a celestial power, which appears to be the case for Professor Sato inUltraman: Rising. Although the Netflix movie does not focus on Ultraman’s origins, it continues the franchise’s long tradition of introducing new versions of its titular hero.
Ultraman: Rising Review – Japanese Superhero Is Focused On Family Over Heroics & That’s Perfectly Fine
Netflix’s Ultraman: Rising has many elements working in its favor, including a solid and vibrant animation style and a strong voice cast.
It must be noted thatUltraman: Risingis not connected to the 2019UltramanCG-animated series, although they are both Netflix originals. Interestingly, Netflix’sUltramanshow also told a story about the son of a previous Ultraman inheriting his father’s superpowers and eventually becoming his successor. MostUltramanprojects are standalone and can be watched on their own, which applies toUltraman: Rising. WhetherUltraman: Rising2will happen remains to be seen, but the movie does set up a sequel.
Ultraman: Rising
Cast
Ultraman: Rising is an action-adventure film and is a new entry in the Ultraman franchise. Directed by Shinji Higuchi, this film returns to the series roots and centers on a new hero, Ken Sato, who takes on the mantle of Ultraman to protect Earth from monstrous threats.
