Look out, Ultraman is here! Following in the enormous footprints of Gundam and Godzilla, another iconic Japanese IP is set to take over the Eastern shore of the United States this fall. In anticipation of the franchise’s 60th anniversary, Tsuburaya Productions, the powerhouse behind Japan’s most iconic superhero, announced last week that it’s bringing the Ultraman phenomenon to the East Coast with immersive fan events, Kaiju-sized collaborations, hotly anticipated series premieres, a live stage show, and more.
Tsuburaya Productions’ announcement of these upcoming events underscores Ultraman’s rising popularity in the US, following the hero’s breakout year with the release of Ultraman: Rising on Netflix in 2024. The animated feature drew widespread attention from longtime fans and new audiences, marking a significant milestone for the IP, which, in Japan, is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Since then, momentum has continued to build through a series of high-profile appearances, fueled by high-profile moments like Ultraman throwing the first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers game and headlining major fan conventions such as Anime Expo, G-Fest, and Kaiju Brooklyn.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. The Ultraman universe continues to expand with a steady stream of new content. Highlights include the English-dubbed release of Ultraman Arc The Movie: The Clash of Light and Evil, the upcoming Ultraman Omega TV series, the Ultra Academy novel series, the Ultraman Card Game, new collaborations with Marvel Comics, and more. Additionally, hundreds of hours of Ultraman content are now available across major streaming platforms, including the Ultraman Official English YouTube Channel, Prime Video, Tubi, Roku, Pluto, and others—bringing the iconic Japanese hero to a wider global audience than ever before.
“For nearly six decades, Ultraman has inspired fans globally to believe in courage and unity,” said David Kornblum, President and CEO of Tsuburaya Fields Media & Pictures Entertainment, Inc. “We’re honored to kick off this 60th anniversary year with events that blend pop culture and fandom, while showcasing Ultraman’s enduring global impact.”
Ultraman LIVE
If you’re an otaku and theater geek like me (from anecdotal evidence, it appears that I’m not alone in these joint obsessions), the most exciting part of the Tsuburaya Productions announcement is that for the first time, the immersive, action-packed live Ultraman stage show is premiering in the US. Initially announced in July 2025, Ultraman LIVE Presented by Bandai Namco is coming to the American Dream Mall in New Jersey for two weekends only this November, from the 15th to the 23rd.
Also dubbed Ultraman Hero Premiere 2025, the live stage show follows the people of Earth as they face dire threats from some of the franchise’s most fearsome kaiju, including Alien Baltan, Alien Metron, Red King, Dada, Gomora, Eleking, and Belial. To defend the planet, Ultraman Omega, the newest hero in the Ultraman lineup, and his allies, Ultraman Zero and Ultraman Tiga, unleash high-flying acrobatics, dynamic martial arts, powerful weapons, and their iconic energy beams in an action-packed battle for survival.
Originally staged in Japan as part of a long-running tradition of live “battle stage” Ultraman events, this newly updated North American version of the show is being produced by G7 Entertainment Marketing in partnership with Bandai Namco. Jeff Gordon, Director of Franchise and Retail Brand Development, said in a statement (via Nerdist), “Bandai is excited to bring the highly skilled and talented live action performances from Tsuburaya Productions to US audiences and help fans build a deeper connection with this iconic character. We look forward to supercharging fan excitement for Ultraman and bringing Bandai’s world-class products that will extend the play for fans beyond this event.”
The debut of Ultraman LIVE at American Dream will feature a special appearance and MC role by Christopher Sean, the voice of Ken Sato and Ultraman in Netflix’s Ultraman: Rising. Jacki Jing will join as MC for the second weekend. The event will also include fan meet-ups, exclusive giveaways, and more. In addition, attendees will be able to purchase Ultraman merchandise—available in the U.S. for the first time—from Bandai Namco and Tamashii Nations.
Watch the Ultraman LIVE promotional video below:
Ultraman’s East Coast takeover continues with a one-night-only live stage show, exclusive film screenings, and meet-and-greets at Japan Society in New York City. Adding to the excitement, a mouthwatering collaboration with fan-favorite ramen chain Kyuramen will run throughout November, featuring limited-edition dishes and exclusive collectibles.
Learn more about the other Ultraman takeover events below:
Ultraman X Japan Society Special Evening
Japan Society, the premier organization connecting Japanese arts, culture, business, and society with audiences in New York and around the world, will open its doors to Japan’s greatest superhero for a one-night program on November 18, 2025, at 6 PM in New York City. The evening will feature a must-see stage show and a screening of the dubbed Ultraman Omega 2025 series, giving a fully immersive look into the Ultraman Universe. Additional details on the event and how to RSVP will be shared in the coming weeks.
Ultraman X Kyuramen
Available all November long, Kyuramen, the beloved Japanese ramen chain, will launch a special collaboration with Ultraman, where guests at Kyuramen locations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts can enjoy a limited-edition Ultraman-themed meal and exclusive merchandise giveaways, kicking off the U.S. celebrations in anticipation of the brand’s milestone year. The special collab meal offers a whimsical Ultraman Curry Rice, with rice molded into Ultraman’s iconic silhouette and detailed with cheese, paired with crispy tonkatsu and rich curry sauce.
In addition to the meal, fans can also look forward to exclusive Ultraman merchandise, including collectible stickers and fridge magnets redeemable with collab meal purchases, and a limited-edition tote bag and folder available to attendees of both the Ultraman Live Show and Japan Society special evening.
The limited-time offerings will be available for dine-in only at 20 participating Kyuramen locations. Check them out here.
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Ultraman’s East Coast takeover comes just ahead of the English-dubbed North American debut of Ultraman Omega on November 28, 2025. A standalone series, Ultraman Omega is an ideal entry point for newcomers to the franchise. The story follows Ultraman Omega, who crash-lands on Earth with no memory of who he is and adopts the human identity of Sorato Okida. Guided by a mysterious, instinctive sense of duty, Sorato is drawn into epic battles against towering kaiju while forming meaningful connections with the people around him. More details on where to stream the English dub will be announced in the coming weeks.
Ultraman LIVE stage show activities are free to enter and will take place at Court A at American Dream, no reservations needed. Fans looking to get in on the action can visit Ultramanliveshow.com for show times and additional information.
Source: Press Release
