Have you ever heard of a franchise with 43 movies? You must, as the only one to achieve such a number is the most renowned. “Ultraman: Rising,” the 44th installment in the “Ultraman” universe, is currently ranking among the Top movies on Netflix worldwide, according to FlixPatrol.
This sci-fi world holds the same cultural significance in Japan as Superman does in America. First appearing with the television series “Ultra Q” in 1966, “Ultraman” has since expanded into comic books, games, manga, and more.
It is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time, generating US$7.4 billion in merchandising revenue from 1966 to 1987. Discover everything about its latest installment.
‘Ultraman: Rising’ ranks #5 on Netflix worldwide
For better or worse, “Ultraman: Rising” marks the comeback of one of the most beloved sci-fi stories worldwide. It’s no surprise that it quickly climbed to #5 on Netflix globally shortly after its release.
It ranks high above Glen Powell‘s latest hit, “Hit Man,” and the horror film “When Evil Lurks,” which captivated audiences last year. Currently, it’s in a close competition with Denzel Washington’s 2012 title “Safe House” for the fourth spot.
In this story, Ken Sato, a baseball star based in the United States, reluctantly travels to Tokyo to take on the role of Ultraman and help protect the city. To complicate matters further, he encounters a baby kaiju, a giant monster over 10 meters tall that breathes fire and needs his protection.
Ken Sato is voiced by Christopher Sean, who you may recognize as Brandon from Netflix’s “You.” He is joined by Rob Fukuzaki, Gedde Watanabe, Tamlyn Tomita, and Keone Young, among others.
“Ultraman: Rising” was directed by Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima, animation experts who have worked on lauded projects such as “Kubo and the Two Strings,” “Coraline,” and “Gravity Falls.”
