Parents' Guide to

Ultraman

By Jenny Nixon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Iconic superhero reimagined in sometimes-violent anime.

TV Netflix Kids' Animation 2019
Ultraman Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 3 parent reviews

GoodReview
GoodReview Parent of 4 and 6-year-old
April 14, 2022
age 3+

Good for kids

Good for young kids

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
MikaToshi
MikaToshi Parent of 3 and 6-year-old
April 14, 2022
age 8+

It's good for kiddo's

As long as kids don't curse

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

ULTRAMAN is an anime series which updates and pays tribute to the 1960s live-action series from Japan. The original Ultraman series featured an oversized, silver-clad superhero -- who was actually a powerful alien fused with a human man, Shin Hayata, who served as a sort of "host" -- who protected the earth from gigantic monsters (kaiju), often battling them in somewhat cheesy-looking hand-to-hand combat. This series briefs viewers on Ultraman's origin story, introducing us to the now-retired Hayata (who has no memory of his earlier alien-fighting days) and his curiously resilient son Shinjiro, who seems to possess strange abilities his father cannot explain. As the series progresses and alien forces return to threaten the earth, Shinjiro's true destiny and powers come to light, and he takes the mantle of Ultraman -- though even with the help of the Science Special Search Party (nicknamed "Science Patrol"), the job may be tougher than he bargained for.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (2 ):

This anime spin on a classic sci-fi franchise isn't just a nostalgia-fest -- it's a genuinely entertaining reboot, though fans should know the tone is grimmer and less goofy than the original. This version of Ultraman treats its characters as more nuanced and layered than the rubber-suited villains of the past: here, not all monsters are innately bad (some work alongside humans for the betterment of mankind), just as not all humans are good (there are some highly questionable things going on at Science Patrol). Pity, though, that female characters like giggly pop-star Rena get such short shrift, with a seemingly aimless romantic subplot for Shinjiro that fizzles out before it even gets going. Overall, though, the series does a wonderful job updating the Ultraman legend for a new generation, with some eye-popping and intense action scenes that really help the show come alive.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Shinjiro's discovery that he has special powers, and how he adjusts to this knowledge. Was his father right to keep this a secret for so many years? What effect did this decision have on their relationship in Ultraman?

  • Discuss the role that the Science Special Search Party (aka "Science Patrol") plays in Shinjiro's life. Do the powers that be seem to have his best interests at heart?

  • Families can talk about anime. What's unique about this genre of animation?

TV Details

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