Netflix animated film, Ultraman Rising, has been announced to be eligible for nomination in the 97th Academy Awards, known more commonly as The Oscars. Join Sean for reasons why the film should receive acclaim from the annual awards ceremony.
Breaking news! The list of films eligible for the Oscars’ Animated Feature Film of the Year award has been revealed. Among the list of potential nominations are various films including Despicable Me 4, Inside Out 2, Transformers One and Moana 2. Also making the list, of particular interest to the tokusatsu fandom, is Ultraman Rising.
It goes without saying that we all consider Ultraman Rising more than worthy of winning an Oscar, however, I’m going to present to you, three specific reasons why I think Ultraman Rising should receive plaudits.
Why Ultraman Rising Deserves an Oscar
Reason #1: The Voice Acting
First of all, where would an animated film be without the talented voice actors to bring the characters to life? Among the voice talent of this film are Christopher Sean as Kenji Sato/Ultraman, Julia Harriman as Ami Wakita, Keone Young as Dr. Onda and Gedde Watanabe as Professor Sato/Ultradad. This talented batch had such memorable performances in the film and all the dialogue felt extremely natural; not once did it feel forced or drone like.
Reason #2: Cast Interaction With Fans
I can’t name any other movies where the director and even the lead actor take the time out of their schedule to interact with fans of their film or the franchise it’s a part of, however, Ultraman Rising is among the few who have. I’ve had the honour of interacting with Christopher Sean on Instagram (see the presented screenshots), who has also interacted with other fans, which to me shows that they love Ultraman just as much as fans do.
When actors and other cast members interact with fans on social media, it can create a lot of excitement and buzz around the movie. This can lead to more people talking about the movie, which can in turn lead to more people wanting to see it. Social media also allows fans to feel more connected to the cast and the movie. This can lead to a more positive and engaged fan base. Additionally, social media can be a very effective way to market a movie. By interacting with fans, the cast can help to spread the word about the movie and generate interest. Finally, by interacting with fans on social media, the cast can get a better understanding of what fans want and what they are interested in. This can help to make the movie more appealing to fans. Overall, social media can be a great way for a film’s cast to connect with fans and generate excitement for the film.
Reason #3: The Movie Was Beloved by Fans and Critics Alike
It’s very rare that a mass market movie for a niche fandom gets such acclaim but Ultraman Rising seemed to be enjoyed by hardened Ultraman fans and casual movie viewers alike. Reviews on Google put Ultraman Rising at an astounding 4.9/5.
Looking back at the glowing review of the film by The Toku Source’s own, Ethan, they particularly emphasised the strong performances by the cast, particularly praising the lead actor who brings Ultraman Rising’s protagonist to life. The review makes special mention of the film’s impressive visuals and action sequences. A well crafted superhero film relies on delivering impactful fight scenes and special effects. Ultraman Rising pulls this off, offering a visually spectacular experience for viewers. Beyond the action and special effects, Ultraman Rising offers a story with heart. The themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the importance of protecting loved ones form a strong emotional core can elevate a superhero film from mere spectacle to something truly memorable.
RELATED: Shuwatch to Watch: Ultraman Rising Review
More broadly, the film was Certified Fresh by Rotten Tomatoes, also getting 92% on the Popcornmeter. A high Freshness Rating on Rotten Tomatoes indicates a majority of critics enjoyed the film. The consensus of their group of critics noted that “Ultraman: Rising adds an interesting wrinkle of childrearing to the franchise’s high-octane formula, making for a colourful romp fit for the whole family.”
What else is there to say? The writing is excellent, the voice acting is great, and the visuals (animated by ILM) are so fluid, and with references to the franchise hidden throughout, it to me, is a celebration of Ultraman as a whole.
But what do you think? Should Ultraman Rising win an Oscar? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Until next time, this is Ultraman connoisseur, Sean, signing off.
