Ultra Q (1966)
The groundbreaking Japanese tokusatsu series that pitted three fearless investigators against monsters, aliens, and the unknown — and launched a franchise that endures to this day.
Ultra Q - Series Information
- Original Title: ウルトラQ
- First Air Year: 1966
- Last Air Year: 1967
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mystery
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (25 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 28
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: January 2, 1966 (Canada - PG)
- Networks: TBS
- Alternative Titles: 奥特Q (CN), Urutora Kyū (JP), Ultra Q (US)
- Production Companies: Tsuburaya Productions
- Production Countries: Japan
Ultra Q - Plot
As supernatural events and monster attacks rock Japan, the military and government look to be overwhelmed. Three intrepid young investigators—two pilots and a reporter—take it upon themselves to study these unexplained phenomena in order to inform and protect the public. With allies and science aiding them on their journey, the trio must separate myth from history as they explore the greater mysteries of these occurrences: are they unrelated, or is this barrage somehow a portent of even worse things to come?
Ultra Q - Trailer
Preview the series and get a taste of the classic tokusatsu action that started it all.
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The classic series that launched the Ultraman franchise!
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Ultra Q - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kenji Sahara
- Yasuhiko Saijō
- Hiroko Sakurai
- Ureo Egawa
- Yoshibumi Tajima
- Yukio Fukutome
- Haruo Nakajima
- Ryusuke Saijo
- Sōji Ubukata
- Yoshio Katsube
Writers
- Tetsuo Kinjo
- Masahiro Yamada
- Toshihiro Iijima
- Hiroyasu Yamaura
- Shozo Uehara
Executive Producers
- Hajime Tsuburaya
Ultra Q - FAQs
Is Ultra Q the origin of the Ultraman franchise?
Ultra Q is indeed the direct predecessor that launched the entire Ultraman franchise. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions and airing in 1966, it established the monster-of-the-week format and shared creative DNA that led directly to Ultraman later that same year, spawning one of Japan's most enduring pop-culture legacies.
What is Ultra Q about?
Ultra Q follows three young investigators — two pilots and a reporter — who probe mysterious monster attacks and supernatural events shaking Japan. With science and determination as their tools, they work to understand whether these terrifying occurrences are isolated incidents or signs of something far more catastrophic on the horizon.
Where can you stream or watch Ultra Q?
Ultra Q is available to buy on Amazon Video. Free viewing options include The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Tubi TV with ads, as well as Plex, Plex Channel, and Fawesome at no cost. Availability may vary by region, so check your local services for the latest options.
What makes Ultra Q significant in tokusatsu history?
Ultra Q holds a landmark place in tokusatsu history as Tsuburaya Productions' first live-action television series. Its anthology-style storytelling, inventive creature designs, and blend of science fiction with horror set the template for decades of Japanese genre television, directly influencing the Ultraman series and countless kaiju productions that followed.
Who are the main cast members of Ultra Q?
The series stars Kenji Sahara and Yasuhiko Saijō as the two pilot investigators, and Hiroko Sakurai as the reporter rounding out the central trio. Supporting roles are filled by Ureo Egawa and Yoshibumi Tajima, while suit actor Haruo Nakajima — later famous as the original Godzilla performer — brings several monsters to life.
How was Ultra Q received by critics and audiences?
Ultra Q was a sensation upon its 1966 debut, drawing massive ratings on TBS and captivating Japanese audiences with its imaginative creature features and eerie atmosphere. Critics and genre historians have since praised it as a foundational work of tokusatsu television, recognizing its creative ambition and lasting influence on Japanese popular culture.
How many episodes does Ultra Q have?
Ultra Q ran for a single season of 28 episodes, each approximately 25 minutes long. The series aired on TBS from January 2, 1966, through July 3, 1967. Its self-contained, anthology-style episodes make it an accessible watch even for viewers new to classic Japanese tokusatsu television.
What shows are similar to Ultra Q?
Fans of Ultra Q often enjoy Ultraman (1966) for its direct franchise connection, and Summer Time Rendering (2022) for its blend of mystery and supernatural dread. Ghost Hunt (2006) and American Horror Story (2011) offer comparable anthology-style horror, while Supernatural (2005) shares the investigative-duo-versus-monsters format in a Western setting.
More About Ultra Q
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