Mill Creek Entertainment Acquired the ULTRA Series Library for Physical & Digital North American Distribution

Today, Mill Creek Entertainment in cooperation with Indigo Entertainment announced they have acquired the license for Tsuburaya Productions’ Ultra series library for North American distribution. Indigo, on the behalf of Tsuburaya, developed this deal to assist in bringing back the Ultra series to North America. However, this distribution will entail both physical and digital releases for the franchise which includes the entire television series, and theatrical films remastered for high-definition.

 

Now, kicking off this licensing agreement and distribution, Mill Creek Entertainment is beginning with the first two installments, Ultra Q and Ultraman. For those unaware, both series were previously distributed in North America through Mill Creek Entertainment, and Shout! Factory in standard definition. However, these new releases are the HD remasters being released entirely on Blu-Ray in either a $39.99 standard release, or as $49.99 limited edition steelbook set. Furthermore, pre-orders both versions of release for Ultra Q and Ultraman are currently open, with the their releases scheduled for October 15. Below is the official information regarding both, Ultra Q and Ultraman from Mill Creek Entertainment’s online store:

 

Ultra Q

The classic series that launched the Ultraman franchise!

After co-creating the iconic movie monsters Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra for Toho Studios, special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya launched his own company, Tsuburaya Productions. The first production under his new label was ULTRA Q, a 28-episode series that brought the theatrical spectacle Tsuburaya had become known for to television. The black & white sci-fi drama focused on Mainichi Shimpo photojournalist Yuriko Edogawa (Hiroko SakuraiUltraman), Hoshikawa Airlines pilot/SF writer Jun Manjome (Kenji Sahara) and his co-pilot Ippei Togawa (Yasuhiko Saijo), who partnered to investigate mysterious events occurring in and around Japan. These phenomena often involved aliens and giant monsters, many of whom would return in future Ultraman shows and movies.

 

One of the most expensive TV programs produced in Japan up to that time, ULTRA Q was a ratings smash that paved the way for Tsuburaya Productions’ first color series… ULTRAMAN!

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

  • Complete, original Japanese broadcast edits – fully remastered and restored in HD
  • Lossless DTS-HD Master Audio
  • 28-page collectible booklet
  • Digital Redeption on movieSPREE!

 

Pre-Order Now:

Limited Edition Steelbook: Mill Creek Entertainment or Amazon

Standard Edition: Mill Creek Entertainment or Amazon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIsvjhOxncg

Ultraman

ULTRAMAN, a giant alien from the Land of Light in Nebula M78, enters Earth’s atmosphere in pursuit of an escaped space monster. In the skies above Japan he accidentally crashes into a Jet VTOL piloted by Hayata, a member of the Science Special Search Party (SSSP), an international research and defense agency that protects the world from monsters and aliens of all shapes and sizes. To save Hayata, Ultraman merges his life force with the dying human and vows to stay and fight for peace on Earth. Now, whenever the Patrol faces a threat too great for them to handle, Hayata transforms into Ultraman to save the day!

 

ULTRAMAN was Tsuburaya Productions’ first color series, a sci-fi action adventure drama that dominated the ratings during its initial 1966-67 broadcast run in Japan. The show was quickly licensed for release in America, airing in syndication for nearly two decades. Colorful, fast-paced, and packed with memorable heroes, creatures and incredible special effects, ULTRAMAN was the foundation for a phenomena that continues to this day.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

  • Complete, original Japanese broadcast edits – fully remastered and restored in HD
  • Lossless DTS-HD Master Audio
  • 28-page collectible booklet
  • Digital Redeption on movieSPREE!

 

Pre-Order Now:

Limited Edition Steelbook: Mill Creek Entertainment or Amazon

Standard Edition: Mill Creek Entertainment or Amazon

 

Now, as an Ultra series fan I am overly delighted to see this announcement! Several Ultra series have already begun to be distributed to North America via Crunchyroll and Toku HD, but are only available for streaming and do not complete the entire library. Whereas, Mill Creek Entertainment is allowing fans the ability to purchase and own series, as well as provide fans with everything. Furthermore, fans can now upgrade their previous physical releases by purchasing the HD-remasters that have been only available in Japan, or illegally through fan-subs. Overall, I am ready to set my pre-orders down for both, Ultra Q and Ultraman! However, I await the possible future releases for some of my all-time favorites like Taro, Tiga, Gaia, and Mebius. Nevertheless, for fans of the Ultra series be on the lookout for more tokusatsu related releases from Mill Creek Entertainment, or by checking in with Hero Club.

 

Source: Scifi Japan

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