Adapting the classic Ultraman series from the 1960s, experience this bold take on Earth’s iconic defender! Pursuing a fugitive space monster, a Being of Light enters Earth’s atmosphere. Accidentally colliding with a patrolling jet, piloted by Science Patrol Agent Shin Hayata, the Being merges with the pilot to save his life and vows to defend the Earth. Now whenever the planet is threatened by alien invaders, terrifying monsters or any threat beyond the capabilities of humanity, Shin Hayata transforms into the towering Ultraman to restore peace and save the day. Dive into the action-packed adventure as told by Hugo, Clarke and Scribe Award-winning author Pat Cadigan.

Earth’s alien enemies are brutal and unforgiving, but Shinjiro is having a tough time coming to terms with the way Dan Moroboshi kills them without hesitation. Perhaps just as disturbing is the new Ultraman suit Moroboshi is wearing. While Shinjiro deals with this, a secret plan to awaken Shinjiro’s Ultraman Factor is set in motion, and singer Rena Sayama’s life is in danger... -- VIZ Media

Shinjiro is an ordinary teenager, but his father is the legendary Shin Hayata. When he learns that his father passed on the “Ultraman Factor” to him and that he possesses incredible powers, nothing will ever be the same again. -- VIZ Media

The Ultraman Triathlon, one of the most remarkable endurance races in the world, is a three-day, 320-mile race that circumnavigates the Big Island of Hawaii. With only 40 competitors allowed in each year, this invitation-only event hosts some of the most superlative athletes on the planet. The Race Within discusses the 30-year history of the sport and race director Jane Bockus, former Pan Am flight attendant who has never done a triathlon, yet has dedicated herself to keeping the event true to its founding spirit for decades. This book follows Jane, her assistants, and a small cast of athletes through an entire year—from the end of the 2012 Ultraman to the 2013 event—and shows how they faced new challenges to the growth and well-being of the event, and were forced to question if old traditions could survive in a world of constantly-evolving sports entertainment. Granted full access to the race and the athletes, author Jim Gourley presents a look at this unique event and examines what it means to truly love sports.

With the SSSP now operating as a covert agency, Shinjiro Hayata has inherited the mantle of Ultraman from his father and learned of a new and terrifying alien invasion. Though Shinjiro has his father’s powers and an amazing armored exo-suit, he has a lot to learn if he’s going to survive this secret war! -- VIZ Media

Dismissed as camp by critics but revered by fans, the kaiju or "strange creature" film has become an iconic element of both Japanese and American pop culture. From homage to parody to advertising, references to Godzilla--and to a lesser extent Gamera, Rodan, Ultraman and others--abound in entertainment media. Godzilla in particular is so ubiquitous, his name is synonymous with immensity and destruction. In this collection of new essays, contributors examine kaiju representations in a range of contexts and attempt to define this at times ambiguous genre.

Behind-the-scenes hero to anyone who's thrilled by giant monsters duking it out over Tokyo, Eiji Tsuburaya was the visual effects mastermind behind Godzilla, Ultraman, and numerous Japanese science fiction movies and TV showsbeloved around the world. The first book on this legendary film figure in English, this highly visual biography details his fascinating life and career, featuring hundreds of film stills, posters, concept art, and delightful on-set photos of Tsuburaya prompting monsters to crush landmark buildings. A must-have for fans, this towering tribute also features profiles of Tsuburaya's film collaborators, details on his key films and shows (most available on DVD), and features on the enduring popularity of the characters he helped create.

Hailed as a cultural icon in Hong Kong and Japan, on par with our own Superman and Batman, Ultraman has punched, kicked, and karate-chopped his way into the hearts of fans internationally for nearly four decades. Known and love the world over, the monster-smashing sci-fi superstar comes to Dark Horse courtesy of writer Tony Wong and Koo Fuk Lung (Hong Kong's Solar Lord), with dynamic new covers by UDON. This incarnation of Ultraman, now called "Tiga," finds the 100-foot tall hero revived in the year 2049 and facing a world ill-equipped to handle the onslaught of gigantic beasts that are peppering the globe. Relying on his martial-arts prowess and his three modes of combat - Sky (flight and speed), Power (strength), and Omni (a balance of the two) - Tiga goes toe to toe with the most terrifying collection of monstrous giants and alien invaders ever to plague the planet.

Dolores Martinez heads an international team of scholars in this lively discussion of Japanese popular culture. The book's contributors include Japanese as well as British, Icelandic and North American writers, offering a diversity of views of what Japanese popular culture is, and how it is best approached and understood. They bring an anthropological perspective to a broad range of topics, including sumo, karaoke, manga, vampires, women's magazines, soccer and morning television. Through these topics - many of which have never previously been addressed by scholars - the contributors also explore several deeper themes: the construction of gender in Japan; the impact of globalisation and modern consumerism; and the rapidly shifting boundaries of Japanese culture and identity. This innovative study will appeal to those interested in Japanese culture, sociology and cultural anthropology.

Twelve years ago, a tragic airline crash alerted the SSSP to the activities of aliens on Earth. But what was Bemular doing there when the plane went down? Was he responsible for the crash? The answers to these questions could confirm the SSSP’s suspicions, but accepting the facts will be more difficult. The secrets that Shinjiro and Dan uncover may take them into a trap they can’t escape... -- VIZ Media