Series REVIEW: Ultraman

Out of all the big tokusatsu anniversaries happening in 2016, this one is definitely the biggest. 50 years ago on July 17th 1966, the first episode of Ultraman aired - properly introducing Japan to a superhero who would go on to become one of their biggest pop culture icons. Following on from Ultra Q, this was the first entry in Tsuburaya Productions' Ultra Series to include a regular hero - with future iterations introducing their own editions of the red and silver giant. Over the years this series has spawned countless sequels, spin-offs and movies, as well as parodies and homages from across the globe. As we celebrate the hero of light from Nebula M713's 50th birthday, there couldn't be a more perfect time to look at one of toku's greatest champions.

Toybox REVIEW: Ultra-Act x S.H. Figuarts Ultraman

The Ultra Series hasn't just been enjoying a revival onscreen in the last few years with Ultraman Ginga and now Ultraman X - it's also been making quite a name for itself in the world of manga too. Written by Eiichi Shimuzu and illustrated by Tomohiro Shimohguchi (a pair who've also revealed they will be tackling a manga remake of Shotaro Ishinomori's Robot Detective series), the 2011 (and still ongoing) Ultraman manga acts as a direct sequel to the original 1966 series - moving things several years into the future with a brand new Ultra hero. Published in Japan in Monthy Hero's magazine and now in English courtesy of Viz Media, this new kind of Ultraman has also sparked a surprise collaboration in Bandai Tamashii Nations toy lines. While Ultraman figures are separated into their own specific line, this figure marks the first collaboration between the S.H. Figuarts and Ultra-Act toy lines. Pretty special right? Read on to find out how just much of a match made in heaven Ultra-Act x S.H. Figuarts Ultraman is!