Entire ULTRAMAN franchise from Mill Creek

[starsteam]

https://www.scifijapan.com/articles/...iwCpsXbFFZY3Ek

Over 1,100 episodes and 20 films to be released gradually over time, most for the first time in North America. Everything is coming straight from the proper owners Tsuburaya, who will also be providing the subtitles. At this time only certain properties from the Ultra brand are included, which will consist of over 25 series, 20 movies and some specials, from both classic and modern eras. A number of additional Ultra materials were not acquired as Tsuburaya is still clearing some rights issues with them. The only non-Ultra property included in this deal is the series Gridman: The Hyper Agent.

The first two series, Ultra Q and Ultraman, were released to Blu-ray on October 15th, in both SteelBook and box-set packaging. These editions include the complete, original Japanese broadcast edits - fully remastered and restored in HD with Lossless DTS-HD Master Audio and English subtitles, as well as a booklet. They also include a digital copy code that redeems at MovieSPREE.
English dubs are included with select titles. Please refer to the link below for a full run-through on each release.

Full guide to Mill Creek's Ultraman releases: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=128
Complete List of the Ultra Franchise

________________________________________________

The Main Ultra Series
Everything you'd need for a full set.
Note: The Following Titles are DVD only: The Ultraman (1979), Ultraman 80, Ultraman Kids, Ultraman Zearth, Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Dyna, Ultraman Gaia, Ultraman Neos, Ultraman Cosmos, Ultraman Nexus, Ultraman Max, Ultraman Mebius


Special Editions and Individual Movie Releases
Special dubbed episode collections with extras, themed episode collections, and individual releases for some of the movies which are identical to the discs included with series sets.


SteelBook Editions
Same content, different packaging.


Other Tsuburaya Productions


Full guide to Mill Creek's Ultraman releases: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=128

The following releases include English audio;
-The Birth of Ultraman (7 episodes)
-Secrets of the Rise of Ultraman (9 episodes)
-Ultraman USA (2024 recording only)
-Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle (Movie only)
-Ultraman Zero Collection (Movies only)
-Ultraman Ginga (The Movie and Ultra Fight Victory only)
-Ultraman X Movie/Ultraman Ginga S Movie
-Ultraman X: The Movie
-Ultra Galaxy Fight Series 1-3 + Ultraman Regulos/First Mission
-Ultraman Z
-Ultraman Blazar Series + Movie

Upcoming:
October 7 - Ultraman Arc Series + Movie
November 12 - Ultraman 4K Discovery (2023) Film Set
March 2026 - Ultraman: Towards the Future
TBA 2026 - Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero
July 10 2026 - Ultraman (1966) 4K
September 2026 - Ultraseven 4K

[Suikoman444]

Wow, I was not expecting this at all. Guess I can part with my DVD set and start picking these up.

[oddbox83]

Bugger, I haven't long bought Ultra Q on DVD from Shout.

[KIDplus]

I was just on their site and saw these steelbooks. I didn't know we were getting the whole Ultraman library. Amazing news.

I used to love this tokusatsu stuff when I was a kid. I'd love to see another fave of mine, Spectreman, get a release someday.

[MifuneFan]

All 1,100 episodes on just 3 discs!

(sorry, bad Mill Creek joke )

[starsteam]

The article states that *almost* everything from Ultraman's 50+ years will be included. I imagine they will release the main shows and movies, but will probably leave out compilation movies/specials and crossover stuff like Ultraman vs Kamen Rider. I'm not sure if it will include the cartoon series or the new Netflix anime. Time will tell.

[Dragon Ranger]

Wow, this is great news. Though my wallet is weeping!

[WaverBoy]

The real question here is: will the original Ultraman 66 show be remastered from proper elements this time, with good quality complete original English dubs and English opening and closing sequences, unlike the horrendous DVDs which were forced to use shoddy masters provided by fake “rights holder” Chaiyo instead of proper original elements from Tsuburaya Productions? I’m guessing not. Without access to original elements, I’m expecting nothing but the worst. Read all about Chaiyo’s bullshit here:

https://ultra.fandom.com/wiki/Ultra_...nsing_Disputes

EDIT: I should have clicked on the link before shooting my mouth off; it appears the licensing agreement is indeed with Tsuburaya Productions! YAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!

EDIT 2: There’s no mention of including the original English dubs for Ultraman; I REALLY hope they reconsider and make every effort to include the dubs. Tsuburaya has the complete dub elements for all the Ultraman 66 episodes.

[starsteam]

Originally Posted by WaverBoy

The real question here is: will the original Ultraman 66 show be remastered from proper elements this time, with good quality complete original English dubs and English opening and closing sequences, unlike the horrendous DVDs which were forced to use shoddy masters provided by fake “rights holder” Chaiyo instead of proper original elements from Tsuburaya Productions? I’m guessing not. Without access to original elements, I’m expecting nothing but the worst. Read all about Chaiyo’s bullshit here:

https://ultra.fandom.com/wiki/Ultra_...nsing_Disputes

No English versions will be on these releases. They will have the Complete, original Japanese broadcast edits - fully remastered and restored in HD with Lossless DTS-HD Master Audio.

Thankfully Chaiyo is out of the picture as Tsuburaya has regained North American rights to Ultraman in recent years. These Blu-rays will be 100% approved by Tsuburaya.

[starsteam]

With Ultra Q being 28 episodes across 4 discs and Ultraman being 39 episodes across 6 discs, it seems Mill Creek is focusing a bit more on quality for these releases. They should look just fine.

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by starsteam

No English versions will be on these releases.

That really, REALLY sucks, and greatly dampens my enthusiasm for this set. I might not be buying after all. Tsuburaya has the elements intact. Super lame.

[Rob_BluRay]

http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2...north-america/

It's finally happening!!

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Mill Creek Entertainment (Minneapolis, MN ) and Indigo Entertainment (United Kingdom) are pleased to announce the license of the Ultraman superhero library from Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd for North American home entertainment distribution. Indigo, on behalf of Tsuburaya, has developed a unique licensing deal with Mill Creek to bring this iconic property back to North America that includes both physical and digital distribution rights for the Ultraman catalog which includes classic TV series which have been newly remastered in high definition, recent theatrical feature films and almost everything produced throughout the last 50 years… over 1,100 episodes and 20 films!

Three views of the ULTRA Q limited edition SteelBook® Blu-ray, including (far right) the SteelBook® packaging without the clear o-ring sleeve.
Photos courtesy of Mill Creek. © TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS

Mill Creek Entertainment’s debut releases from this deal will be limited edition SteelBook® complete series releases of ULTRA Q (ウルトラＱ, Urutora Q, 1966) and ULTRAMAN (ウルトラマン　空想特撮シリーズ, Urutoraman Kūsō Tokusatsu Shirīzu, 1966-67) on Blu-ray on October 15, 2019 for $49.98 each.

Complete series Blu-ray releases in standard packaging will also be made available at the same time for $39.98 each. Each release will contain stunning high definition video with DTS-HD Master Audio of the original Japanese soundtrack with English subtitles. Digital redemption will also be available via Mill Creek Entertainment’s streaming service, movieSPREE.

“These first two series are what kicked off the worldwide phenomenon of Ultraman,” says Jeff Hayne, VP of Content Acquisitions for Mill Creek. “Ultraman’s success paved the way for other popular tokusatsu franchises including Kamen Rider and Super Sentai which influenced the spawning of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles andM ighty Morphin Power Rangers.”

“We are excited to bring the Ultraman catalog to North American audiences through a multi-faceted release model spanning Blu-ray and DVD plus various TVOD, SVOD and AVOD digital outlets,” states Barrett Evans, VP of Marketing for Mill Creek. “In tandem with the classic series, we will also be releasing the more recent series and films to appease fans of both classic and modern Ultraman.”

“Ultraman is a revolution in television history — a landmark property and record-breaking global phenomenon. The original series heralded a new age of quality adventure and special effects for children’s entertainment. Now, through Indigo’s unique relationship with Tsuburaya, we are delighted to be partnering with Mill Creek Entertainment in repositioning the legendary Ultraman for both new and old audiences alike,” says David Lawley, MD of Indigo Entertainment.

“We are very excited about this partnership and the opportunity to reintroduce the Ultraman series, with over 50 years of history, to the people of North America. We hope that we shall rekindle memories of the fans that enjoyed the series in the 70s and 80s and at the same time nurture a new fan base for the younger generation,” says Kei Minamitani, General Manager International Business of Tsuburaya Productions Co.,Ltd.

The ULTRAMAN limited edition SteelBook® Blu-ray. Photos courtesy of Mill Creek. © TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS

The original series ULTRA Q was one of the most expensive television series ever produced in Japan and a raging success. Originally airing in 1966, it spawned a revolution in “Ultra” content that has seen series after series, movies and merchandising created; and originated a landmark global phenomenon.

The classic ULTRAMAN live television series of the 1960s and 70s, produced by Tsuburaya Productions, established new heights of quality adventure and special effects-driven entertainment and built a worldwide audience for the property. Hailing from the distant Nebula M78, Ultraman is a sleek silvery being who protects Earth and the human race from an endless array of invading aliens and terrifying monsters together with the crew of the Earth-based defense force using advanced high-tech weapons and vehicles. Ultraman battles monsters that cause endless mayhem and destruction on Earth. With the ability to extend his height to over 150 feet, Ultraman melds with a human and only emerges in times of extreme danger to save people and the Earth. The popularity of Ultraman — and the aliens and monsters — has enabled the series to persist to this day, generating over $50 million per year in toys and merchandise in Japan.

Mill Creek Entertainment has established itself as the leading independent home entertainment studio in North America. From special edition Complete TV Series releases including THE SHIELD, MARRIED… WITH CHILDREN, and ROSEANNE, to special edition SteelBook® release of MOTHRA and an entire lineup of Retro VHS-style movies on Blu-ray, Mill Creek’s extensive catalog contains both mainstream and cult entertainment offerings that have exceeded performance expectations at retail despite the declining packaged media industry reports.

Enjoy 10-minute SPREEviews of the first episodes of ULTRA Q and ULTRAMAN at moviespree.com/ultraman.

ULTRA Q and ULTRAMAN are now available for preorder from Amazon and Mill Creek Entertainment…

Ultra Q Steelbook:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TMRR9YG...&redirect=true

Ultraman Steelbook:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TKNFKKP...&redirect=true

[starsteam]

From Keith Aiken of Sci-Fi Japan

I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to share publicly yet, but I will try to answer some of the questions in this thread. Mill Creek didn't get everything because there are some titles that TPC is waiting to clear all rights for before they will offer them for licensing. Mill Creek did get everything available at this time, which was 25+ series, some specials, and 20 movies. So you will be getting pretty all the TV shows from the earliest series to the current stuff. The first modern era titles will be announced soon. TPC is supplying all the materials, so the Blu-rays will have the new HD transfers/restorations that TPC has been working on over the past few years. These will blow away the previous US DVD releases of Q. MAN and SEVEN, which were not licensed from Tsuburaya and didn't have access to any of TPC's materials for those shows.

[zeze]

Nice. Glad to see that they are giving us a non-steelbook option.

[John_Drake]

Would like to revisit Seven, may pick up the others.

Brilliant news re the original Japanese language tracks.

[bongozoid]

Mill Creek are starting to get behind some serious great old tokusatsu stuff!
Now to decide between the steelbooks or the regular versions...

[starsteam]

Originally Posted by bongozoid

Mill Creek are starting to get behind some serious great old tokusatsu stuff!
Now to decide between the steelbooks or the regular versions...

With these having 4-6 discs per set, it might be better to get the regular sets. The Steelbooks will likely end up stacking discs. Not to mention they're supposed to come with a booklet, that's a lot to cram inside a standard Steelbook case.
The standard sets are also $10 cheaper.

[fred25_Ca]

Wow, that is INCREDIBLE news! I've been dying to see Return of Ultraman, the last show Tsuburaya worked on (i've seen the first 3). Hopefully the next batch will be Return and Seven! I'm torn between the regular editions and the Steelbook. For people on the fence, the prices on amazon.ca are insanely low! Much lower than on amazon.com
I pre-ordered both editions and will cancel down the line the one i don't want.

[Weirded Wonder]

I cannot wait to get my hands on these sets. What a trip.
I second the motion to get Spectreman on blu-ray too.

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Originally Posted by starsteam

Over 1,100 episodes and 20 films to be released gradually over time, most for the first time in North America.

How long are the 1,100 episodes? It would take years to watch that many if they are like 25 minutes long.