Ken Sato is a jerk. Honestly, that’s the first thing you need to realize when you sit down to watch Ultraman: Rising. He’s not the shimmering, perfectly moral beacon of hope we usually get in Tokusatsu. He’s a prickly, ego-driven baseball star who treats his legacy like a burden he never asked for.
But that’s exactly why he works.
Netflix and Tsuburaya Productions took a massive gamble with this 2024 film. They didn't just give us another giant monster brawl. They gave us a messy, emotional story about a guy who has to learn how to be a dad while simultaneously trying to save Tokyo from total destruction. It’s weird. It’s colorful. It’s surprisingly deep.
The Dual Life of Ken Sato
Most people know Ultraman as the silver giant from the 1960s created by Eiji Tsuburaya. In this new iteration, Ultraman: Rising Ken Sato isn't just a pilot or a soldier; he’s a professional athlete. He’s at the top of his game in the Major Leagues before he heads back to Japan to take over the mantle from his estranged father, Professor Sato.
The conflict isn't just about the Kaiju. It’s about the resentment. Ken doesn't want to be there. He wants to hit home runs and live his life, but duty calls in the form of a 35-foot tall fire-breathing baby.
Yeah, you read that right. A baby.
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When Ken defeats a Kaiju, he discovers a hatchling that imprints on him. Suddenly, the world’s most famous superhero is stuck changing "diapers" the size of a city bus. This shift from high-octane action to "found family" domesticity is what sets this movie apart from every other entry in the franchise. It’s not about the power of the Spacium Beam; it’s about the power of a nap.
Why This Version of Ultraman Feels Different
The animation style, handled by ILM (Industrial Light & Magic), is gorgeous. It’s got this stylized, almost painterly look that reminds me of Spider-Verse but stays true to the scale of giant monsters. When Ken Sato moves, you feel the weight. When he fumbles a giant purple bird-baby, the slapstick actually lands because the physics feel real.
Breaking the "Perfect Hero" Trope
Usually, the human host for Ultraman is a paragon of virtue. Ken is... not. He’s arrogant. He’s kind of a brat to his AI assistant, Mina. Watching him fail at being a parent to "Emi" (the baby Kaiju) is actually painful sometimes. You see him trying to balance a professional baseball career with midnight monster feedings, and he’s failing at both.
It’s relatable.
Not the giant monster part, obviously. But the feeling of being pulled in ten different directions? Everyone gets that. The director, Shannon Tindle, clearly poured a lot of personal experience into this. He’s talked in interviews about how the story was inspired by his own experiences with fatherhood and the struggle to connect with his own parents. That’s the "secret sauce" here. It’s a Kaiju movie with a human soul.
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The History Behind the Mask
To really get why Ultraman: Rising Ken Sato matters, you have to look at the history of the character. For decades, Ultraman has been a staple of Japanese culture. He’s their Superman.
- 1966: The original Ultraman debuts, changing TV forever.
- The Heisei Era: The show gets darker, more complex.
- The Modern Era: Shin Ultraman (2022) gave us a high-concept, sci-fi take.
- Rising: The first real attempt to make the character resonate with a global, Westernized audience without losing its Japanese roots.
Ken Sato represents the bridge between these worlds. He literally flies between the US and Japan. He speaks both languages. He’s a product of two cultures, struggling to find where he fits in either. This isn't just a "superhero movie"—it’s a movie about the immigrant experience and the weight of generational expectations.
What Most People Miss About the Ending
Without spoiling every single beat, the climax of the film isn't just about punching a bigger monster. It’s about reconciliation. Ken has to fix his relationship with his father to truly master his powers.
There’s a specific scene where Ken realizes that his father wasn't being distant because he didn't care, but because he was carrying the same burden Ken is now struggling with. It’s a "lightbulb" moment that hits harder than any explosion in the third act. It reframes the entire history of Ultraman not as a job, but as a sacrifice.
How to Get the Most Out of Ultraman: Rising
If you're coming into this as a total newbie, don't worry about the 50 years of lore. You don't need to know who Ultraseven is or what the Science Patrol does.
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Treat it like a standalone character study.
Watch for the small details. Look at how Ken’s posture changes throughout the film. In the beginning, he’s stiff, guarded. By the end, when he’s holding Emi, he’s softer. That’s good character writing.
- Pay attention to the background: There are tons of Easter eggs for long-time fans (keep an eye out for classic Kaiju silhouettes).
- Listen to the score: It blends classic Ultraman themes with modern orchestral swells that really emphasize the "Rising" aspect of the title.
- Don't skip the credits: There’s a stinger that hints at where the story might go next, and it involves a very familiar face from the M78 galaxy.
The Verdict on Ken Sato’s Journey
Is it the "best" Ultraman? That’s subjective. If you want pure, gritty sci-fi, you might prefer Shin Ultraman. But if you want a story that actually makes you feel something? This is it.
Ultraman: Rising Ken Sato succeeds because it remembers that under the silver mask and the glowing eyes, there has to be a heart. It turns a massive, untouchable god-figure into a guy who just wants to do right by his kid.
It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s visually stunning. More importantly, it gives the franchise a path forward. It proves that you can change the formula—you can make the hero a flawed, ego-driven athlete—and still keep the spirit of what makes Ultraman great.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you've finished the movie and want more, start with the 2019 Ultraman anime on Netflix for a more "Iron Man" style take on the suit. Or, if you want the real deal, find the subbed versions of the original 1966 series. Seeing where Ken’s powers originated makes the modern updates in Rising feel even more clever.
The next step is simple: watch the film again, but this time, ignore the monsters. Focus entirely on Ken’s relationship with his father. You’ll see a completely different movie hidden in plain sight. This is the new standard for Tokusatsu adaptations in the West, and it’s a high bar to clear.