Ultraman Trading Card Game to Launch

Tsuburaya Productions is bringing fans into the Ultraman universe with the first trading card game based on the Japanese hero, the Ultraman Card Game. The trading card game will debut at retail Oct. 25, with an industry-first release in four languages and 15 countries and regions. With cards printed in Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese, this marks the first time a trading card game will launch on a global scale in four languages simultaneously. The announcement comes on the heels of a successful debut for “Ultraman: Rising,” which premiered at the No. 2 spot on the Netflix Global Top 10 Films. Designs from the film will be featured within the game.

“I am proud of the upcoming simultaneous release of the Ultraman Card Game in 15 countries and regions,” says Masayuki Nagatake, president, chief operating officer, Tsuburaya Productions. “Since its streaming release on Netflix on June 14, ‘Ultraman: Rising’ was in the Top 10 for 69 countries and regions in the second week since the launch, showing the global appeal of the Ultraman Series. The Ultraman Card Game also aims to be enjoyed by many fans around the world.”

The Ultraman Card Game is inspired by the world of Ultraman, featuring playability appealing to adults and kids and collectible appeal with future releases featuring specially designed cards by creators from around the globe. The game will also offer several rare cards to collect from designers such as Ultraman Tiga illustrator, Hiroshi Maruyama, and Ultraman production designer, Masayuki Goto.

“The release of the Ultraman Card Game by Tsuburaya Productions in the U.S. market is well-timed, as the Ultraman fan base in the U.S. continues to grow due in part to the tremendous success of Netflix’s ‘Ultraman: Rising,’ the announcement of the Ultraman x Avengers crossover Marvel Comics series and the English simuldub release on July 6 of the next live-action Ultraman series, ‘Ultraman Arc,’” says Danny Simon, president, Tsuburaya Fields Media.

The initial release will offer two starter decks – Heroes of Hyper Space and The Bonds of Zero – each featuring 50 cards, a playsheet and one booster pack to get players started playing the game. Beginning in early November, players can also separately purchase Guardians of the Earth booster packs with 12 randomized cards per pack in single packs or 24-pack boxes, allowing players to build original decks, collect their favorite characters and more. Each Guardians of the Earth booster box includes a "triple-rare" (RRR) Ancient Monster Gomora card.

Ultraman Card Game playtest events will be held beginning this July in Japan, with test decks gifted to participants. Ultraman fans in the U.S. will have their first chance to playtest the Ultraman Card Game at San Diego Comic-Con. Details on future playtest events will be shared on the Ultraman Card Game’s official website, on social media pages and on Ultraman Connection.

Global Ultraman Card Game tournaments are planned for 2025 for players to begin competing in earnest. Players who win qualifying events will have the opportunity to participate in a World Championship scheduled for spring 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.