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Cleopatra Entertainment has acquired U.S. territory rights to the latest incarnation film from the Japanese Superhero franchise Ultraman from Tsuburaya Productions. Entitled Shin Ultraman, this new Ultraman adventure was the sixth-highest-grossing Japanese feature film of 2022 and will hit U.S. theaters – via Fathom Events – on January 11th and 12th, 2023. Written by Hideaki Anno (Shin Godzilla) and directed by Shinji Higuchi (Shin Godzilla, Attack on Titan), the film stars Takumi Saitoh (Shin Godzilla, 13 Assassins), Hidetoshi Nishijima (Drive My Car, The Wind Rises), Masami Nagasawa (Before We Vanish, Mother), Daiki Arioka (Innocent Curse), and Akari Hayami (Gintama, Forget Me Not). As Shin Ultraman begins, we learn the appearance of giant unidentified life forms known as “S-Class Species (Kaiju)” has become commonplace in Japan. The Japanese Government formed a Kaiju defense taskforce known as the SSSP, led by Kimio Tamura (played by Drive My Car’s Hidetoshi Nishijima). After a particularly challenging encounter, a silver giant descends from the sky to rescue the country. Dubbed Ultraman, this giant’s identity and purpose are a mystery. Shin Ultraman is a delightful reimagining of one of Japan’s classic superheroes, full of cosmic twists, charismatic villains, and giant Kaiju, leading VARIETY to declare that “the mix of styles and moods works wonderfully, raising Shin ‘Ultraman’ into the top rank of superhero movies!” The rights deal was brokered by Cleopatra Founder and CEO Brian Perera, Tim Yasui VP/GM of Cleopatra Entertainment, and Brian O’Shea of The Exchange on behalf of the filmmakers. After its theatrical campaign concludes, Shin Ultraman will be released in the Spring of 2023 on VOD Platforms and also as a Deluxe Home Entertainment Blu-Ray and DVD release.

The Shin Japan Heroes Universe is coming together with such iconic characters as Godzilla, Ultraman, and Kamen Rider, as well as the world of anime maestro Anno Hideaki’s Evangelion sci-fi franchise from the leading Japanese entertainment firms Toho, Toei, Studio Khara, and Tsuburaya Productions. The core company behind the project is Tsuburaya, the effects production house of Toho (“Godzilla”) and Toei (“Ultraman,” “Kamen Rider”). A starting point for the project was “Shin Godzilla” (translation: “New Godzilla”), the 2016 smash hit live-action film that Anno scripted and co-directed. It was followed by last year’s hit anime “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time,” which was also directed by Anno for his Studio Khara anime house as the fourth and final film in the “Rebuild of Evangelion” film franchise. Released in March of last year by Toho and Toei, it became the highest-earning film of 2021 in Japan, with total box office of $92 million. “Shin Ultraman,” a live-action film based on the iconic Ultraman sci-fi TV show will be released on May 13th, 2022. The show comes from Anno scripting and producing and his “Shin Godzilla” co-director Higuchi Shinji directing. Toho will distribute. In March of 2023, will be the release of “Shin Kamen Rider,” which Anno is scripting and directing. Toei is the distributor. Source: Variety

Hailing all the way from Nebula M78, Ultraman and his formidable foe Red King join the 5 Points lineup! Ultras are powerful silver beings from the Land of Light. Incredibly strong due to their bodies generating natural steroids, Ultras are also able to change their size at will and fire energy beams from their hands. The undisputed, brutal ruler of the remote Tatara Island, Red King was discovered by the Science Special Search-Party. Ultraman saved the SSSP from Red King’s wrath by paralyzing the giant monster. Ultraman comes complete with interchangeable arms so he can hold his iconic “Specium Ray” pose and Red King comes complete with a boulder accessory that he can hold. Assemble the included diorama to recreate the battle between Ultraman and Red King on Tatara Island! 5 Points are Mezco’s upgrade to the articulated action figures of yesteryear. These highly detailed, posable action figures feature some of pop culture’s most familiar faces, both old and new. The 5 Points Ultraman and Red King Boxed Set is packaged in a collector-friendly box, designed with collectors in mind. You can pre-order this from our sponsor BigBadToyStore.com.

Mezco as part of their Comic-Con at home even has revealed their upcoming Ultraman and Red King set which is part of their 5 Point series which said to be an upgrade to the articulated action figures of yesteryear. Stay-tuned for more details on these as the become available.

Today, as part of their NETFLIX ❤ ANIME panel at Anime Expo, Netflix announced two new anime series, along with the renewal of popular series Aggretsuko for a second season, as well as date announcements and first look images for upcoming titles in their growing anime slate, including the following: New Series ULTRAMAN will launch in Spring 2019 New Series Kengan Ashura will launch in 2019 Aggretsuko will return for a second season in 2019 GODZILLA: City on the Edge of Battle will launch on July 18, 2018 Dragon Pilot will launch on September 21, 2018 Castlevania Season 2 will launch on October 26, 2018 Cannon Busters will launch on April 1, 2019 Following the announcements, Netflix Director of Content for Japan & Anime John Derderian moderated a panel featuring key anime creators LeSean Thomas (Cannon Busters), Adi Shankar (Castlevania) and Shinji Higuchi (Dragon Pilot). On the upcoming anime projects, Derderian noted "As Netflix has grown around the world we have been astounded by the broad reach and great depth of anime fandom. We are partnering with the best global creators to produce a diverse slate of shows that we hope will excite the boundless passion of anime fans and make Netflix a premier destination for this beloved art form." ULTRAMAN www.netflix.com/ultraman An action drama centered around a man possessing the spirit and DNA of the legendary hero “Ultraman” as he wears a metallic ultra suit and fights against evil. Production Company: Production I.G, Sola Digital Director: Kenji Kamiyama, Shinji Aramaki Kengan Ashura www.netflix.com/kengan-ashura Kazuo Yamashita is an ordinary fifty-six year old man who one day is summoned by the chairman of his company and hired as a gladiator. He learns that these hired gladiators engage in battles called “Kengan Matches: to protect the corporate rights of the businesses they represent. Kazuo Yamashita is assigned to battle a mysterious Kengan fighter named Ohma Tokita. Both men join the “Kengan Zetsumei Tournament” with the hope of winning the spot as chairman of the Kengan Organization. Production Company: LARX ENTERTAINMENT Directors: Seiji Kishi (Assassination Classroom) Writer: Makoto Uezu Aggretsuko Season 2 Aggretsuko Sizzle Reel www.netflix.com/aggretsuko Everyone’s favorite death metal panda is back! Retsuko will return to Netflix for Aggretsuko Season 2. Produced by Fanworks and featuring a character originally created by Sanrio, the creator of Hello Kitty, season two of Aggretsuko is coming to Netflix. Writer / Director: Rarecho GODZILLA: City on the Edge of Battle www.netflix.com/godzilla-anime-2 The sequel to GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters, this epic re-imagining of the Godzilla world in a futuristic setting pits humans and robots against the biggest Godzilla ever seen in an interplanetary struggle for survival. Production Company: Polygon Pictures, TOHO Story / Writer: Gen Urobuchi Directors: Koubun Shizuno, Hiroyuki Seshita Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle will launch on Netflix on July 18, 2018 Dragon Pilot www.netflix.com/dragonpilot Recently stationed Air Self-Defence Force rookie Hisone Amakasu is chosen by a dragon concealed within Gifu Air Base to be his pilot. Studio: Bones Writer: Mari Okada Director: Hiroshi Kobayashi Executive Director: Shinji Higuchi Dragon Pilot will launch on Netflix on September 21, 2018 Castlevania Season 2 www.netflix.com/castlevania Returning to Netflix for a second season, Castlevania, inspired by the classic videogame series, is a dark medieval fantasy following the last surviving member of the disgraced Belmont clan, trying to save Eastern Europe from extinction at the hand of Vlad Dracula Tepes himself. Trevor Belmont, last survivor of his house, is no longer alone, and he and his misfit comrades race to find a way to save humanity from extinction at the hands of the grief-maddened Dracula and his sinister vampire war council. Director: Sam Deats Writer / Executive Producer: Warren Ellis Executive Producers: Adi Shankar, Fred Seibert, Kevin Kolde Castlevania Season 2 will launch on Netflix on October 26, 2018 Cannon Busters www.netflix.com/cannonbusters The show follows the adventures and exploits of S.A.M, a high-end friendship droid who’s joined by a quirky, discarded maintenance robot and a brash, deadly fugitive. Together, the unlikely trio embarks on an unforgettable journey in a fantastic and dangerous world in search of S.A.M’s best friend, the heir to a kingdom under siege. Creator / Director / Executive Producer: LeSean Thomas Cannon Busters will launch on Netflix on April 1, 2019