Tsuburaya Productions Reveals New Ultra Series ‘Ultraman Teo’

Tsuburaya Productions has just announced their long-awaited 60th Anniversary show, Ultraman Teo! Approaching July 4th of this year on both TV Tokyo Network and a simultaneous worldwide broadcast, the series tells the story of “a lonely blue giant who lost his home planet.” Aoi Iwasaki will star as main lead and newest Ultra human host, Ibuki Mitsuishi. Shigenori Tanabe serves as screenwriter, with Takashi Ninomiya set to direct the series. Ultraman Teo marks the very first time both individuals have contributed to the Ultra franchise. Special Effects Director Takanori Tsujimoto (Ultraman X, Ultraman Arc) returns to the franchise, serving as Tokusatsu Director.

Check out the full rundown of the show below, including the synopsis, cast info, and statements from the cast & crew of the latest entry in the long-running franchise.

Synopsis:
Somewhere in the universe lies Planet H12 (pronounced “H-One-Two”). This planet, which closely resembles Earth, is suddenly attacked by space kaiju from another planet.
As the planet collapses and faces extinction, one lone alien escapes to Earth. Named “Teo”, the lonely alien who will eventually grow to become Ultraman.
On Earth, he lives as Ibuki Mitsuishi, a third-year veterinary student at Meishin University. Although he struggles with the common sense of Earthlings, he leads a peaceful life communicating with the animals he loves. However, the peace is disrupted by a crisis where the same space kaiju who destroyed his home planet suddenly appears on Earth.
When his strong desire to protect overcomes the fear in his heart, a brilliant light transforms Ibuki into a blue giant of light!

LEAD CAST: Aoi Iwasaki as Ibuki Mitsuishi

Born June 12, 2004 (Age 21) in Kanagawa Prefecture. Height: 181 cm. Affiliated with A-Plus. In 2024, he participated in the “Watashi no Sotsugyo” (My Graduation) project, a well-known gateway to success for young actors in Japan. He was selected as a 6th-generation member from among more than 1,000 applicants after a rigorous audition process, marking the official beginning of his career as an actor. In 2025, he made his feature film debut in the project’s sixth movie. He lands his first lead role in a TV drama with this series, a role he earned through his strong desire to “become a hero.”

Comment from Aoi Iwasaki:
“I am Aoi Iwasaki, and I play Ibuki Mitsuishi. As someone who grew up admiring Ultraman Zero, I feel incredibly happy to be able to transform into an Ultra Hero in this milestone 60th anniversary year. Now, I want to become an object of admiration myself and give courage and hope to everyone watching. I have poured all my strength into Ultraman Teo. Although I am still inexperienced as both a person and an actor, I want to grow alongside Ibuki Mitsuishi and Ultraman Teo. I hope that the once-lonely Ibuki, Ultraman Teo, will be loved by people all over the world.”

Series Composition & Screenplay: Shigenori Tanabe

Born July 3, 1974, in Nagano Prefecture.  He began theater activities while in university and founded his own theater troupe. He served as the writer and director for all the troupe’s works and participated in external projects after graduation. Around 2006, he shifted focus to screenplay writing for video productions. Since then, he has handled series composition and scripts for many TV dramas and anime. In 2019, he wrote a drama themed around tokusatsu, which became a hot topic for its skillful portrayal of the daily struggles of tokusatsu fans. This series marks his first participation in a Tsuburaya Productions project!

Comment from Shigenori Tanabe:
“Working on a tokusatsu production was a wish I had always had, and with Ultraman Teo, that dream has come true. Coincidentally, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the first Ultraman aired, which makes me feel a great sense of responsibility. Participating in this project has made me realize once again that every Ultra born so far has been an irreplaceable and special existence, which is why the series has been loved for so long. I feel greatly honored to receive the baton and carry it into the future. For me, Ultraman Teo has become an irreplaceable and special existence. If this work becomes a special Ultra for someone else as well, I would be more than happy.”

Lead Director: Takashi Ninomiya

Born November 3, 1979 (Age 46) in Oita Prefecture. Affiliated with the production company Office Crescendo. He made his directorial debut in 2009 and has since helmed numerous television dramas. He is highly regarded for his ability to delicately portray the emotions and human relationships of characters across various genres. He received Excellence Awards in the TV Drama category at the Japan Commercial Broadcasting Federation Awards in 2018 and 2024. In 2025, he made his debut as a film director. This series marks his first time participating in a Tsuburaya Productions project, where he serves as the Lead Director, building a new world for Ultraman.

Comment from Takashi Ninomiya:
“I was shocked when I was asked to participate in the Ultraman series, which I’ve watched since I was a child—especially since I’m taking on the role of Lead Director for my first time, and for the 60th-anniversary project. However, my excitement far outweighed my nerves, and I decided to dive in. As a newcomer to tokusatsu, I was unsure of many things, but the staff of the Ultraman series welcomed me warmly. With their help, we were able to capture many wonderful scenes. For the tokusatsu, veteran tokusatsu directors have captured incredible and powerful shots. This story follows the growth of Teo and the characters around him as they struggle with and accept different existences—Earthlings, Ultras, aliens, and kaiju—and support each other. Please look forward to seeing their ‘youth,’ their ‘struggles,’ their ‘friendship,’ and an unprecedented new Ultra who is ‘not fond of conflict.’”

Main Tokusatsu Director: Takanori Tsujimoto

Born August 30, 1971 (Age 54) in Osaka Prefecture. He has a unique background as a former dental technician, and his independently produced videos won numerous awards. His unique action direction style was highly evaluated, and he made his commercial debut as a director in 2003. While working on many movies, TV dramas, and anime, he first participated in a Tsuburaya Productions project in 2011 with ULTRA ZONE. In 2015, he joined the New Generation Ultraman series with Ultraman X and served as the Lead Director for the first time with Ultraman Arc in 2024. In this work, he participates as the Main Tokusatsu Director, bringing the actions of Ultraman Teo to life with a direction filled with love for tokusatsu.

Comment from Takanori Tsujimoto:
“In the fall of the year before last, I received an astonishing offer: ‘I want you to handle the tokusatsu part of the new series as the lead.’ This time, the intention was to separate the main drama and tokusatsu directors, and they wanted me to be the first batter for the tokusatsu. I was a bit hesitant at first, thinking, ‘Wait, I just finished being the lead director for Ultraman Arc, my heart is still…’ but then I heard the charming phrase ‘Main Tokusatsu Director.’ That’s it, ‘Tokusatsu Director’! That glittering and dazzling word I admired as a child! Overwhelmed with excitement, I read the project proposal and script as if devouring them. What was depicted there was a new world of Ultra, like never before. This is fate, no, destiny. There’s no choice but to do it… I’ve got this! Smile, Smile, and Unleash Your Imagination!”

New Hero: Ultraman Teo

The blue Giant of Light that the protagonist Ibuki Mitsuishi transforms into. When Ibuki tightly grips the Teo Crystar with a strong desire to protect, his body is enveloped in a dazzling light, and he transforms into a giant figure.

By touching the Color Timer on his chest, he can spark hidden energy to unleash various light-based techniques. His main move is the “Teocium Beam,” a beam of yellow sparkling energy fired by crossing his arms.

Height: 45 meters / Weight: 36,000 tons

Protagonist: Ibuki Mitsuishi

An alien born on Planet H12 somewhere in space. After losing his home to a space kaiju attack, he fled to Earth and now lives as a third-year veterinary student at Meishin University. Because he is unfamiliar with Earth’s customs, he occasionally acts in unexpected ways. He has a gentle and calm personality and is not fond of fighting, but he transforms into a giant to save those in danger. While facing the threats of kaiju and space, he confronts his own resolution to fight and grows into an Ultra.

Transformation Item: Teo Crystal

About the Design / Comment from Designer Masayuki Gotoh:

Ultraman Teo lands worldwide on July 4th, 2026. According to Tsuburaya Productions, the series will premiere on TV Tokyo Network’s six channels on Saturday, July 4th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. JST, with simultaneous worldwide broadcast and distribution happening in multiple languages. Stay tuned for more updates on Ultraman Teo and other Ultraman 60th Anniversary events & festivities.