Khara, the Studio Behind ‘Rebuild of Evangelion,’ Announces Hideaki Anno’s ‘Shin Ultraman’

Today, Khara, Inc. the animation studio behind the Rebuild of Evangelion series, announced that Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi are teaming up again for an all-new ‘Shin’ production. However, this new production is not a sequel to Shin Godzilla, but their take on Tsuburaya Productions’ Ultra series! Yes, after begin rumored and joked about for the past few years, ‘Shin Ultraman’ is finally going into production, with its release intended for 2021. Now, this announcement confirms the first draft of the script was finished earlier this year, on February 5th, 2019. Yet, Anno will not fully join the production of the film until the completion of his latest film, “EVANGELION: 3.0+1.0.” Below is the full English translation of the press release from Khara:

NEWS RELEASE – A NEW FILM “SHIN ULTRAMAN”

Tokyo, August 1st 2019 – A new film production of “SHIN ULTRAMAN” was publicly announced today. The new movie will come to theaters in 2021.

Hideaki Anno will join a film team, Higuchi-Gumi led by Director Shinji Higuchi, taking charge of Produce and Screenplay. First draft script has been finished in February 5th, 2019. Anno will fully join the project after finishing his “EVANGELION: 3.0+1.0” film.

Presented by: Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.
Toho Co., Ltd.
Khara, Inc.
Distributed by: Toho Co., Ltd.
Release:　　　2021

Toho Co., Ltd will take care of public communications. Please get contact with Toho regarding this project.

With this announcement, average Godzilla fans are in shock that a Shin Godzilla sequel is being overlooked. However, with vague clarity on the Toho/ Legendary agreement, Shin Godzilla II may just still be out of reach. Whereas, longtime fans of Anno know his interest in wanting to helm an Ultra production realize this just another great ulterior tokusatsu project for him. Also, with Anno working with Higuchi again, the special effects should be a fantastic spectacle to view. Nevertheless, this is merely the official announcement for the production, we have no further details currently; Hero Club will provide more information once it is made available.

[UPDATED: 7:20 p.m. EST]

Tsuburaya Productions’ official website further confirms production is underway. However, the official website also includes that the film will star Takumi Saito, Masami Nagasawa, and Hidetoshi Nishijima. Western fans may easily recognize Takumi Saito for appearances in the Prince of Tennis musicals, RoboGeisha, Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl, Space Battleship Yamato and Shin Godzilla. Whereas, western fans should recognize Masami Nagasawa as one half of the Shobijin in Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. and Final Wars. However, Hidetoshi Nishijima does not have many noticeable roles in west, except for his performance dubbing over Ryan Reynolds in Pokémon Detective Pikachu.

Source: Khara, Inc