Ultraman: Rising Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Baseball star becomes space cop and accidentally adopts a giant pink baby dinosaur, leading to wacky hijinks and questionable parenting skills in the face of world-ending threats.

🍿 Ultraman: Rising: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Reluctant Hero’s Return

Ken Sato, a celebrated baseball superstar, abruptly leaves his successful American career to return to his native Japan. He has a secret: he must reluctantly take up the mantle of Ultraman, a giant superhero tasked with defending the world from colossal monsters known as Kaiju. The public knows him for his athletic prowess, but little do they know of the responsibilities that await him.

Unexpected Parenthood

During a fierce battle, Ultraman encounters a winged Kaiju, Gigantron, protecting a mysterious package. As the battle intensifies, Gigantron falls unconscious, revealing the package to be an egg. The egg hatches, and a baby Kaiju imprints on Ultraman, believing him to be its parent. Now, Ken Sato must juggle his duties as Ultraman with the unexpected challenge of raising a Kaiju infant, a task that turns his world upside down.

Balancing Two Worlds

Ken struggles to balance his baseball career, his responsibilities as Ultraman, and his newfound role as a caretaker. The baby Kaiju, named Emi after Ken’s missing mother, proves to be quite the handful. With the help of his AI assistant, Mina, Ken begins to navigate the trials of parenthood, discovering what it truly means to be a hero and a family man. This balancing act leads to many comical and heartwarming moments as Ken bonds with Emi.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ken Sato (Christopher Sean): A superstar baseball player who reluctantly embraces his destiny as Ultraman while unexpectedly becoming the caretaker of a baby Kaiju.
• Emi (Mila O’Malley): A newborn Kaiju monster who imprints on Ken Sato, forming an unexpected bond with the hero.
• Professor Sato (Gedde Watanabe): Ken’s estranged father and the original Ultraman, who helps his son navigate the challenges of being a hero and a parent.
• Mina (Tamlyn Tomita): Ultraman’s AI assistant, providing guidance and support to Ken as he juggles his responsibilities.
• Dr. Onda (Keone Young): The Chief Officer of the Kaiju Defense Force, driven by revenge to eliminate all Kaiju due to a personal tragedy.
• Ami Wakita (Julia Harriman): A journalist who questions Ken and observes his growth as a person and a hero, offering him parenting advice.
• Emiko (Tamlyn Tomita): Ken’s mother who left with him to live in US after his father gave more time to Ultraman things.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ken Sato: “I didn’t ask for any of this! I just wanted to play baseball!” – Ken expresses his frustration at having to balance his career with his responsibilities as Ultraman and caregiver.
• Professor Sato: “Being Ultraman isn’t about fighting, it’s about balance.” – Professor Sato explains the true purpose of Ultraman is to maintain harmony between humans and Kaiju.
• Ami Wakita: “Our children are trying to discover who they are and what they want, and the only support they have is us. Imperfect us. Messed up us. I’m learning as much from my daughter as she is from me.” – Ami shares parenting advice with Ken about supporting children.
• Ken Sato: “Family is the most important thing in your life” – Ken acknowledges the importance of Family in his life

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Ultraman: Rising Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I went into this thinking it would just be another monster movie, but WOW was I wrong! I absolutely fell in love with Emi, the baby kaiju – she’s so cute! The whole story of Ken learning to be a dad while also saving the world was just so touching. My favorite part was when he was trying to teach her how to play baseball, it was hilarious and sweet. I legit cried at the end, not gonna lie. This movie is a total must-see if you’re looking for something with heart, humor, and giant monsters!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the Ultraman franchise”
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming animated movie”
  • “Viewers who enjoy stories about overcoming personal flaws and embracing responsibility”
  • “People interested in kaiju and superhero genres”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild action violence”
  • “Brief thematic elements involving loss and grief”

Professional Reviews

• Animation Today: “Ultraman: Rising breathes fresh air into the franchise with stunning visuals and a heartwarming story about family. The animation is top-notch, and the characters are endearing, making it a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike. The emotional depth adds a layer of maturity to the series, making it more than just a monster-bashing flick.
• Kaiju Gazette: “While it deviates from traditional Ultraman lore, ‘Rising’ offers a unique perspective on the hero’s journey. The animation is fluid, the action is exciting, and the themes of family and responsibility resonate well. However, hardcore fans might find the tonal shift jarring, lacking the serious overtones of the original series.
• Superhero Central: “A surprising blend of superhero action and heartwarming family drama! ‘Ultraman: Rising’ delivers stunning visuals and a compelling story about a baseball superstar who becomes a reluctant father to a baby kaiju. It’s a fresh, modern take on the Ultraman mythos that’s sure to captivate audiences of all ages.

Audience Reactions

The baby kaiju, Emi, is irresistibly adorable and completely steals the show!: Viewers praise the film’s unique blend of action, comedy, and heartwarming family moments.

The animation style is gorgeous and the fight scenes are epic!: Many appreciate the fresh take on the Ultraman story, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers.

Overall Consensus: Ultraman: Rising is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that successfully blends superhero action with heartwarming family themes. It’s a fresh and modern take on the Ultraman mythos, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This is the first animated feature that used Dreamworks’s open-source rendering software Moonray, without the involvement of that said company. ILM: Industrial Light & Magic is the first studio to use it.”
• “The film draws on many elements from the Ultraman series, aiming to blend campy, easy-going vibes with more serious themes.”
• “The movie has references to Nebula M78, home to the Ultras.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ultraman: Rising?

Ultraman: Rising is currently streaming exclusively on Netflix. As a Netflix original, it is not available for purchase on other platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. To watch, you’ll need a Netflix subscription. Check your local Netflix library as availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ultraman: Rising, you might like these similar films:

• How to Train Your Dragon (2010): Features a similar theme of bonding between a human and a misunderstood creature, challenging perceptions of monsters.
• Big Hero 6 (2014): Shares a similar visual style and heartfelt story about family, loss, and the unexpected bonds that form.
• Pacific Rim (2013): Explores a world constantly threatened by giant monsters and humanity’s fight for survival using advanced technology.
• Godzilla vs. Kong (2021): Features the crossover of two iconic monsters who are at odds until a bigger threat makes them unite. A Monster fighting movie.

🛒 Ultraman: Rising Related Products

• Ultraman: Rising – Limited Edition Art Book: A premium art book featuring concept art, character designs, and behind-the-scenes insights from the making of the film. Includes exclusive interviews with the directors and artists, making it a prized possession for any Ultraman fan.
• Ultraman: Kaiju Rumble – Mobile Game: An action-packed mobile game where you can play as Ultraman or various kaiju from the movie. Features a story mode following the film’s plot and a multiplayer mode for epic monster battles. Download from App Store or Google Play.
• Ultraman: Rising – Emi Kaiju Plush: A super-soft and cuddly plush toy of Emi, the adorable baby kaiju from the movie. This officially licensed plush is perfect for fans of all ages and is the ultimate companion for movie nights.
• Ultraman: Rising – Ken Sato Baseball Jersey: Officially licensed baseball jersey featuring Ken Sato’s team logo and number from the movie. Made with high-quality, breathable fabric, perfect for showing your support whether you’re at the ballpark or just hanging out.

🎧 Soundtrack

Ultraman: Rising features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Urutoramanno Uta (Ultraman Theme)” – performed by Hajime Tsuburaya (as Kyoichi Azuma) and Kunio Miyauchi
• “Rising Hero” – performed by Scot Stafford
• “Emi’s Lullaby” – performed by Scot Stafford

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Voicing Ken Sato from Ultraman: Rising…one last time!

Ever wonder what it takes to bring a character to life? Check out Steven Vo in action as he voices Ken Sato! It’s really cool to see the emotion he puts into it.

Ultraman Rising explained by an Asian

Still trying to figure out exactly what happened in Ultraman Rising? This video breaks down the plot and some of the finer details. It makes a lot more sense after watching this!

The Shockingly Deep Message of Ultraman Rising

Think Ultraman Rising is just another kids’ movie? Think again! This video dives into the unexpectedly deep themes and messages of the film. It’s much more thought-provoking than I expected!

The Many References of Ultraman: Rising

Are you an Ultraman superfan? You’ll love this! This video points out all the cool references and nods to the original series hidden in Ultraman Rising. It’s like a fun easter egg hunt for Ultraman fans!

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