The Complete History of Ultraman

It’s Ultraman Day, so we’re celebrating a franchise that changed pop culture and inviting collectors to explore how it all began.

It’s Ultraman Day, and if you’ve ever been curious about the red-and-silver giant who’s captured hearts and smashed kaiju for generations, you’re in the right place.

Ultraman burst onto screens in 1966 with the creative direction of Eiji Tsuburaya, a pioneer in Japanese special effects. The show introduced a towering silver-and-red hero who defended Earth from wave after wave of kaiju. And from that moment, a legend was born. 

Since that first broadcast, the franchise has expanded into more than 40 series, along with feature films, manga, collectible figures, and streaming hits on platforms like Netflix. Each new release has added to the legacy and brought Ultraman to new fans around the world.

Let’s jump back in time and explore the evolved arc of Ultraman history. We’ll follow the timeline from its early kaiju-era roots through the Showa and Heisei eras, into the New Generation wave, and up to today’s Ultraman Rising. Decade by decade, the story continues to grow, shaped by imagination, action, and a loyal fanbase.

Ultraman's Origin Began with Ultra Q

Everyone loves an origin story, and the Ultraman franchise begins with a show called Ultra Q. In January 1966, Ultra Q debuted on Japanese television as a black-and-white sci-fi anthology. It didn’t feature Ultraman himself; instead, it followed a pilot, his co-pilot, and a photojournalist investigating strange phenomena and giant monsters in each episode. The vibe was mysterious, eerie, and totally gripping. While its early episodes explored a variety of sci-fi themes, the focus quickly shifted toward giant monsters, reflecting Japan’s growing interest in Kaiju.

Children were mesmerized and slightly terrified by the creatures on screen, and the show’s success paved the way for something new in Ultraman history: a new show entirely in color.

Ultra Q received strong ratings, and to capitalize on this, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) asked Tsuburaya Productions, founded by Godzilla’s effects director, Eiji Tsuburaya, to create a new color series. The result was Ultraman, which premiered in July 1966 as Ultra Q’s successor. Ultraman was a towering protector from Nebula M78 who would become one of the most beloved figures in Japanese pop culture. 

Ultraman and the Rise of Kaiju Culture in Japan

The mid-1960s were all about monster mania in Japan. While Godzilla paved his way by leveling cities in theaters, Ultraman brought the excitement home to living rooms. Children across Japan became obsessed with the giant creatures appearing in each episode of Ultra Q and Ultraman.

Within the first year of Ultraman history, the franchise’s impact was massive. Kids reenacted Ultraman’s fights in schoolyards and snapped up Ultraman collectibles and figures in record numbers. Ultraman’s weekly battles against creatures like Alien Baltan and Gomora not only entertained young viewers but cemented a lasting kaiju fandom in Japan. 

Ultraman's Size Was A Creative Breakthrough 

One of the most thrilling ideas in Ultraman history? Making the hero giant. Ultraman introduced a creative new twist: the hero becomes as big as the monsters. In each episode, Science Patrol officer Shin Hayata uses the Beta Capsule device to transform into Ultraman, growing to over 100 feet tall to combat the Kaiju. This transformation concept – a normal person morphing into a superpowered giant – captivated young viewers’ imaginations and became a signature of Ultraman history. 

Ultraman’s transformation sequence and powers were inventive for their time. Hayata’s Beta Capsule, a flashlight-shape gadget, would trigger a flash of light and smoke, turning him into an alien giant in a matter of seconds. Ultraman could only stay giant for a brief period (his Color Timer warning light started blinking as his three-minute energy limit approached), a plot device that added tension to every battle. It provided a built-in dramatic challenge and is one reason Ultraman history is filled with such suspenseful climaxes. 

The giant hero formula, combined with miniature city sets, practical effects, and clever storytelling all came together to create something unforgettable. More than that, it set the tone for generations of Ultraman history still to come.

Every Showa-Era Ultraman Series 

During the Showa era, Tsuburaya Productions launched a wave of Ultraman series that established the franchise’s core themes. From the black-and-white mystery of Ultra Q to the original Ultraman and onward to key titles like Ultraseven, The Return of Ultraman, and Ultraman Ace, each series introduced new heroes while building a shared Ultra universe. The era concluded with Ultraman 80 in 1981, marking the end of the franchise’s first major chapter on television.

• Ultra Q (1966)
• Ultraman (1966–1967)
• Ultra Seven (1967–1968)
• The Return of Ultraman (1971–1972)
• Ultraman Ace (1972–1973)
• Ultraman Taro (1973–1974)
• Ultraman Leo (1974–1975)
• Ultraman 80 (1980–1981)

Each series introduced new Ultra heroes and deepened the shared universe. By 1981, Ultraman had firmly cemented his place in pop culture, and the fans had plenty of Ultraman collectibles to prove it.

The Heisei Era Revival

After a 15-year break, Ultraman returned stronger than ever with the launch of the Heisei era. Making a huge first impact, Ultraman Tiga (1996–1997) kicked off the Heisei-era revival. Set in the near future, Tiga introduced the concept of ancient Ultraman giants and featured a hero with multiple forms—Multi, Sky, and Power. Its success led to Ultraman Dyna (1997–1998), a direct sequel, and Ultraman Gaia (1998–1999), which introduced a new continuity and dual protagonists (Gaia and Agul) with opposing views on protecting Earth. 

The 2000s brought further experimentation. Ultraman Cosmos (2001–2002) offered a gentle, pacifist approach aimed at younger audiences and became the longest-running Ultraman series with 65 episodes. Ultraman Nexus (2004–2005) took a darker, serialized route with multiple hosts and a cult following. Ultraman Max (2005–2006) paid tribute to the Showa era with standalone episodes and returning creators, while Ultraman Mebius (2006–2007) celebrated the franchise’s 40th anniversary by reuniting with the original Ultra Brothers and bridging Showa and Heisei continuity. After Mebius, the franchise paused again, this time preparing for its next major evolution.

Ultraman’s Return and the Rise of the New Generation Heroes

The New Generation Heroes era began after Ultraman Mebius (2006–2007) and officially took shape with Ultraman Ginga in 2013. Most importantly to you collectors, this era marked the introduction of a ton of Ultraman collectibles. 

Ginga introduced Spark Dolls and the Ginga Spark device, blending new formats with toy-driven storytelling. It was followed by Ginga S (2014), Ultraman X (2015) with digital Cyber Cards, and Ultraman Orb (2016), which fused powers from past heroes and celebrated the franchise’s 50th anniversary. Ultraman Geed (2017) told the story of Belial’s son forging his own path, while Ultraman R/B (2018) focused on two brothers, Rosso and Blu, and introduced their sister as a surprise Ultra. Ultraman Taiga (2019), son of Ultraman Taro, worked as part of a trio with Ultras Titas and Fuma. The era reached a global milestone with Ultraman Z (2020), which streamed worldwide on YouTube and featured a rookie Ultra partnered with a spirited human in the STORAGE defense unit. Together, these series modernized Ultraman through fresh heroes, accessible storytelling, and cross-series appeal while staying true to the legacy that began in 1966.

Shin Ultraman, Blazar, and the Modern Streaming Era

The 2020s brought reinvention and global reach to the Ultraman legacy. 

‍Shin Ultraman (2022), directed by Shinji Higuchi and written by Hideaki Anno, reimagined the original 1966 series with stunning CGI, no human host, and familiar monsters like Zetton and Gabora. It crushed at the Japanese box office and reminded everyone why Ultraman still matters.

The 2019 Ultraman anime on Netflix kicked off a bold new chapter for the franchise. Set decades after the original series, it follows Shinjiro Hayata. Sinjiro was the son of the original Ultraman who took up the mantle of hero. The series introduced a sleek, armored twist on the Ultra legacy and brought back key characters like Ultraman, Ultraman Seven, Ultraman Ace, and the mysterious Edo, all reimagined in a darker, more mature storyline. With its high-octane animation, global streaming release, and serialized action, the anime helped reignite interest among longtime fans and a new generation of collectors.

On the TV front, Ultraman Blazar (2023) marked another turning point by premiering with English dub and subtitles simultaneously on YouTube. This made it the first mainline series to launch globally from day one. Blazar introduced a new standalone universe, following Gento, a soldier and father who merges with Ultraman Blazar in a grounded, emotionally driven story.

Beyond anime and television, Ultraman expanded through Marvel comic books and Tsuburaya’s active YouTube presence, where episodes and simulcasts are regularly streamed to fans worldwide. Together, these modern platforms have reshaped how Ultraman is discovered, collected, and celebrated, proving that the franchise continues to evolve while honoring its roots.

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Ultraman Rising on Netflix

In June 2024, Ultraman took another leap forward with the release of Ultraman: Rising on Netflix.

This CG-animated feature reimagined the legacy through a fresh lens. Directed by Shannon Tindle, the film follows Ken Sato, a Japanese baseball star who returns home to inherit the Ultraman legacy and care for a baby kaiju named Emi.

Yes, really.

Blending superhero action with Pixar-style warmth, the film explores fatherhood, identity, and the power of responsibility. It debuted at #2 on Netflix’s Global Top 10, pulling in nearly 8 million views in its first week and reaching fans in 69 countries.

As a standalone story, Ultraman: Rising shows how the franchise can evolve for global platforms while staying true to its emotional core.

Collect Ultraman Collectibles on VeVe

Collecting has always been a fun and meaningful part of Ultraman history, beginning in the 1960s with kaiju toys, trading cards, and posters that became staples of childhood in Japan. As early as 1966, Ultraman monster figures were selling in the tens of thousands and became best-sellers that helped support the show’s success. Today, that spirit of collecting continues in new ways, including digital platforms like VeVe, where fans can collect officially licensed Ultraman collectibles such as 3D models and comic-inspired artwork. Whether it’s a classic vinyl figure on your shelf or a digital collectible in augmented reality, collecting remains one of the most personal ways to celebrate Ultraman history. 

As Ultraman celebrates its 60th anniversary, fans can now buy, sell, and display officially licensed Ultraman collectibles on VeVe. With augmented reality and virtual showrooms, VeVe lets users take photos with Ultraman in real-world environments and create shared digital spaces that bring the hero into the metaverse.