Ultraman 60th Anniversary: Japan Celebrates Ultraman Day

For sixty years, one silver giant has been saving Earth on Japanese television, decades before superhero universes became Hollywood’s favorite formula. However, most American fans who discovered Ultraman through Netflix’s “Ultraman: Rising” have no idea that in Japan, July 10 is an official holiday for the character, and this year’s is the biggest one ever. The Ultraman 60th anniversary is officially here, and Japan is going all in.

Quick Answer: In Japan, July 10 is Ultraman Day, officially recognized by the Japan Anniversary Association. It marks July 10, 1966, when Ultraman first appeared on Japanese TV. In 2026, the franchise celebrates its 60th anniversary with a massive “with U” project spanning new shows, movies, events, and a fan campaign anyone can join online.

今日10日は｢ウルトラマンの日｣

60年前の今日、7月10日(日)よる19時～『 #ウルトラマン前夜祭ウルトラマン誕生』が翌週からの番組スタートに先駆けて放送、TVにウルトラマンが初登場

最新作 #ウルトラマンテオまで連綿と続くヒーローの誕生でした！#ウルトラマンの日 #ウルトラマン60周年 pic.twitter.com/WtLZKnPIBM
— てれびくん【公式】 (@Televi_Kun) July 9, 2026

Here is the twist even casual fans love: Ultraman Day does not celebrate the first episode. On July 10, 1966, one week before episode 1 aired, a live pre-premiere special called “Ultraman Eve Festival: The Birth of Ultraman” was broadcast from Suginami Public Hall in Tokyo, with Ultraman, the monsters, and special effects legend Eiji Tsuburaya himself on stage. That preview event, not the series premiere, was the moment Ultraman first appeared on television, and it is the date Japan chose to honor.

The official magazine Televi-kun posted: “60 years ago today, ‘Ultraman Eve Festival: The Birth of Ultraman’ aired ahead of the series launch the following week, and Ultraman appeared on TV for the first time. It was the birth of a hero whose legacy continues all the way to the newest series, Ultraman Theo!”

The Reality Check: How Big Is the Ultraman 60th Anniversary?

The “with U” anniversary project runs for roughly two and a half years, and the 2026 lineup is stacked: a 60th anniversary TV series, a documentary film on the franchise’s origins scheduled for release this year, a new Ultraman Zero movie in production, a touring exhibition covering all 50+ shows, and even a city-wide AR experience in Yokohama where players defend the harbor from kaiju through November 30. The franchise’s global footprint is also the largest it has ever been, thanks to Netflix’s animated hit “Ultraman: Rising,” the fast-growing Ultraman Card Game, and a presence on Roblox that has introduced the hero to an entirely new generation outside Japan.

Play Along: Build Your Own Ultra Hero Dream Team

#ウルトラマン60周年 & #ウルトラマンの日
SNS企画「#ウルトラヒーロードリームチーム」スタート！

最強の宇宙人・怪獣たちが襲来！
あなたが宇宙警備隊・大隊長のウルトラの父だったら、どのヒーローでドリームチームを結成し立ち向かいますか？

作成＆投稿👇https://t.co/rLcDco0yqQ pic.twitter.com/xR9W6Z7ERq
— 円谷プロダクション (@tsuburayaprod) July 9, 2026

Here is the part you can actually join from anywhere. For Ultraman Day, Tsuburaya Productions launched a fan campaign called Ultra Hero Dream Team. The premise: you are the Father of Ultra, commander of the Space Garrison, and the strongest aliens and kaiju are attacking Earth. Which heroes do you assemble to fight back? On the official campaign site (m-78.jp/dream-team), you can build your own team from across 60 years of Ultra heroes, generate a team image, and share it on X with the hashtag #ウルトラヒーロードリームチーム. Japanese fans are already flooding the tag with their lineups and passionately defending their picks. No Japanese ability required; choosing between 60 years of heroes is a universal language.

Why This Is Sparking Debate in Japan

Which era of Ultraman is the true golden age? The 60th anniversary has reignited Japan’s most enduring fandom argument. Showa-era fans point to the 1966 original and its philosophical monster-of-the-week stories. Heisei kids swear by Tiga and Dyna. And the “New Generation” fans, who grew up streaming, argue the modern shows are the most creative the franchise has ever been. The Dream Team campaign is pouring fuel on this fire, since every shared team is basically a public declaration of which era you love most. Sixty years in, the debate itself has become part of the tradition.

Fun Fact

Fun Fact: Did you know? Ultraman can only fight on Earth for about three minutes. His Color Timer starts blue, then blinks red as his energy runs out, a built-in countdown that turned every single battle into a race against the clock. It remains one of the most brilliant dramatic devices in TV history, and sixty years later, Japanese people still use “my Color Timer is blinking” as slang for running out of energy.

Happy 60th, Ultraman. Shuwatch!

FAQ

Q: What is Ultraman Day?
A: Ultraman Day is July 10, the anniversary of Ultraman’s first TV appearance on July 10, 1966, in a pre-premiere special. It is officially registered with the Japan Anniversary Association.

Q: Is 2026 really Ultraman’s 60th anniversary?
A: Yes. The original “Ultraman” series began airing in July 1966, so 2026 marks 60 years. Tsuburaya Productions is running a multi-year anniversary project called “with U.”

Q: How can fans outside Japan join the Ultra Hero Dream Team campaign?
A: Visit the official campaign page at m-78.jp/dream-team, build your team of Ultra heroes, and share the generated image on X with the hashtag #ウルトラヒーロードリームチーム.

Q: Where can I watch Ultraman in the US?
A: “Ultraman: Rising” is on Netflix, and many classic and modern Ultraman series are available through official channels, including the Ultraman Official YouTube channel’s rotating episode selections.

Japan Now! is our daily series bringing you the trends, news, and cultural moments happening in Japan right now. For anyone curious about Japan, check back every day to stay in the know. You never know when it might come in handy on your next trip!

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External Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraman

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