Ultraman and Iron Man share common traits. Their origins – Japanese, the former, American, the latter – date back to the 1960s. Their appearances and powers are similar. Then, like Tony Stark, the man under the armor in Ultraman Rising is arrogant and has an inflated ego.
His name is Ken Sato, world-famous baseball star. His talent brought him and his mother to Los Angeles to play for the Dodgers. However, he has just returned to Japan at the request of his father, now unable to transform into Ultraman to protect the country from the kaijus, these monsters from the depths which emerge quite regularly.
But they are not the real bad guys. In its mandate to protect the Land of the Rising Sun, the Kaiju Defense Force (KDF) does not hesitate to shoot them down. In fact, its leader wants to exterminate them. Fascinated by the gigantic creatures, Ken’s father taught him that they play an essential role and that he should only repel their attacks.
The KDF’s most recent intervention leaves behind an orphaned baby, whom Ken took back to his secret headquarters. Already accumulating important responsibilities, the young man initially refuses to take care of them, but Mina, his robot assistant, reminds him that he cannot do otherwise. It will be arduous and disgusting, the nights will be short, his performances on the field will suffer, but Ken will become a good dad.
Quite entertaining, especially for younger children, Ultraman Rising translates well the energy required to raise a child and the ability of parents to renew it thanks to the happiness it brings. The father-son relationship is also explored in a beautiful way, without too many clichés. Everything, however, is very tight and stretches excessively. We could have cut 30 minutes from the film, especially considering its target audience.
There are much more visually daring anime, but Ultraman Rising still remains a pleasure for the eyes. The music by Scot Blackwell Stafford is also a success. If this film sparks a passion for the Ultraman universe, know that hundreds of other works await you.