Modern Ultraman Manga Official Discussion

[ゴジラ]

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manga that will be written based on the long lasting Tokusatsu series by Tsuburaya, the ever famous Gigantic Hero, ULTRAMAN.

"The Ultraman manga will be set into a much darker tone of the original storyline and is drawn in a "seinen" manga art style. The manga will be drawn by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi, who are both famous for their work, "Linebarrel of Iron". The manga take place decades after the event of original Ultraman."

Ages ever since the absents of the Gigantic Hero, the next generation hero who inherit the bloodlines of the legendary gigantic hero emerge. Shin Jiro, a normal high school student who's also the son of Shin Hayate(the real Ultraman) and is aware about the existence of Ultraman years ago and wanted to be a hero that save the world. He is just a normal human and had no superpowers or such. One faithful day lead him to a special high-tech suit that will turn him into a different incarnation of the legendary gigantic hero! Will he be a HERO?

The storyline will question on a lot of social issues like who is in fact the actual enemy? Is it the monsters, aliens or the humans ourselves? This proves that the manga will have a complex storyline.

Well, beyond the recent resurrection of Godzilla within the comic book realm, seems Japan decided to do the same with Ultraman, but you know, within the realm of manga.

I'm sure some missed this (With S.H Monsterart line, Kaiju Combat, IDW's Godzilla comics, and LP's Godzilla/Pacific Rim. I can understand why), but what are you thoughts upon this?
This new take upon Ultraman has gained mostly positive reaction, even though some of those reactions still prefer the classic man in the suit presentation (It still works after all). Knowing that this is connected with the original, and will be darker with a more complex story, is anyone interested in this?

I have to admit, that I am interested. So far only a Chinese translated version has made it onto the web, but from what I read on the net is that this thing is still going. (Gotta catch up on this stuff lol) The manga is being published through HERO's Magazine.

Strangely enough, I can see this work into an anime if its welcomed enough within Japan.

[Primevalgodzilla V2]

This isn't really Ultraman. Its a giant robot series wannabe.

[Orgasmatron]

there's an untranslated ultraman manga called ultraman story (at least i think thats what its called) thats really nice

ive got the first two issues but theyre at like 20 or something now

[Breakdown]

Not gonna lie, that Ultraman manga looks pretty cool.

[Rody]

He's a robot?

For that, I'm skeptical.

[Plexton]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention ゴジラ!

The art style looks great, and the story sounds interesting, but I have a few problems with this interpretation right away.

I'm not crazy about the new look; besides looking too much like a mecha, the charm of every Ultraman has always been the 'neutral mask' style face, which allows the audience to project emotions on to an Ultraman based on the actions of the actor. This works well because, even though Ultraman is an alien who usually doesn't speak, a human audience can a read a lot into the performance. This new design gives Ultraman a very distinct 'angry' expression, which takes a lot away from interpretation.

I also don't like the anti-hero vibe I'm getting, as it is entirely possible to tell a dark story about a hero without the hero sacrificing some of their morality. Indeed, the Ultraman franchise has already had a dark story in the form of the brilliant Ultraman Nexus, which featured all kinds of adult themes but still had a good a noble hero at the core of it all. In terms of writing, Ultraman Nexus might be the best the Ultraman franchise has to offer.

Perhaps I'm reading too much into that press release, so I'll have to wait and see how the series turns out for myself.

[RedZillaKing]

Any idea whether we'll see the return of such classic foes as Zetton, Zarab, Baltan, or Red King? It ain't Ultraman without the monsters...

If there will be monsters I'll be interested. Though I'm not really impressed with the design of no neck there.

[Plexton]

I know Zetton Seijin is in it, looking pretty much like he did in the original Ultraman series.

[RedZillaKing]

Nice! But is Zetton along for the ride?

[Plexton]

I'm not sure; I've only looked through two issues so far, and the only thing I've seen Ultraman fight is another Ultraman-like creature.

The art is quite nice.

[MandaSaurus]

Doesn't look like Ultraman. Looks like a robot.

[ゴジラ]

This isn't really Ultraman. Its a giant robot series wannabe.

Though some may despair, but this is Ultraman lol
Sure, the mech touch is a bit heavily implied, but readers and fans in Japan have mostly warmed up and accepted this new incarnation. (And direction)

The series is still going, so who knows, if given a chance some of you might be able to tolerate it and perhaps enjoy it.


Remember, some of you
To be honest, it will take me some time to warm up to this direction, but I'll give it a shot. I know some people at mangastream.com who have the first issue(Two of them subscribed to Hero's Magazine), I'll contact them to see if they could translate it and post it up on their site for everyone else to read.

[Tormentor]

Is anyone READING the OP or just looking at the pics?

READ IT, ya mooks.

I think the shock of this new take is just too much for them lol

Still....I'll be honest. I am highly interested in reading into this manga. If the story is interesting, bares decent characters and character development, along with entertaining giant battles. Then I'm all on board with this! Plus the art does look pretty firm and strong enough to carry this series as well.

The actual design of this new ultraman, mmm...Its surprisingly decent. Not too keen on it, but It is a new take upon the character after all, and I find it to be interesting. Don't dislike it or hate it, I'm kinda welcoming it. Thankfully within a universe in which Ultraman and its history has already been established, hopefully the story will move along a more smooth pace. (unlike the IDW Godzilla comics). Thank god I know a few translators on the net

Thanks Gojira for letting us know about this manga, and I agree, I can see this working into an anime if its positively received enough. Let's hope so!

[RedZillaKing]

The Zettonian looks sick there.

[antovald20]

I'm not really a Ultraman fan, but this looks incredible.

[Blackout286]

There's been 8 chapters thus far, the latest chapter (the 8th one) was released on the 18th of July last month. Gotta a lot to catch up on. Hopefully this series will bare Gomora Love to see him in this new manga.

Color me interested, I want to read this manga. The new incarnation of the Ultraman character doesn't seem as bad as a few of you here are making it out to be lol.

[Megaton17]

The design is great, but it doesn't work as Ultraman.

Nonetheless, I'm interested.

[Tormentor]

The design is great, but it doesn't work as Ultraman.

Nonetheless, I'm interested.

Mmm...As a modern take upon Ultraman, it can work. It just takes a while to warm up to is all lol.
Makes me wonder how any other classical monsters will be handled. Will they be classic? Or lightly updated a bit through the manga's art style?

[Lord Gappa]

For a modern retelling of Ultraman, this sounds pretty interesting. I'm also kinda digging the mecha-like design, seeing as Ultraman had some machinic qualities going with him.

[ゴジラ]

Still find this manga to be slightly more interesting than "Another Genesis", thanks to Blackout with the info that there has been 8 chapters thus far, once an english translation has been done, then some of you can give your thoughts on it. I know a few translators working on making english versions of the chapters thus far.