Ultraman: Rising

When I was little, my parents were my first heroes.

But then life got more complicated.

That's a kaiju.

Not a hero, but not a villain either.

There he is.

That's our hero.

Ultraman.

For 30 years, he protected us,

using his amazing powers to keep everyone safe.

He called it maintaining balance.

I just called it cool.

But being a hero, an idol, an icon? It ain't what you think.

It's up to you to make the tough choices,

decide who matters most.

But it's not the toughest job.

The toughest job...

Well, I had no idea until it was my turn.

...with the windup. Here's the pitch. Inside.

Schu... Schuwatch!

I am Ultraman!

- Ultraman, we must check the curry! -

- -

Mina, status report.

Temperature is steady,

but it needs a good stir, Professor Sato.

What do you think?

Mmm... Ten more minutes.

Yep, ten more minutes.

What are you looking at?

Nothing.

Hey, Ultraman!

When you're finished saving your dad's curry,

you might want to fly on over here and save your team.

- -

Now, here comes Matsui!

The Tigers are losing. Probably should leave your mother alone.

Not today, Gomora!

Ultraman, use your force shield.

Too strong. Can't hold much longer.

- Distract with Ultra Slash! -

Get back, monster!

- -

- Ultraman! - Huh?

It's your color timer.

You must stay focused or you will change back to human form.

- -

Kenji. Ultraman's most important task is finding balance.

Understand?

Hey, give Mama a bonk.

Here's the pitch.

Swung on in a high fly, hit deep to center field.

Oh, yeah, Matsui!

Yeah, he's pretty great.

Too bad he plays for the Giants.

Mama. Come on. He's the best player in the league.

Ahhh! Sonic attack!

No! Make it stop!

Kenji, if you could be anyone, what would you choose?

Matsui or Ultraman?

That's a big question for such a little boy.

Incoming call from Dr. Onda.

Emiko. Hayao...

...level our defenses.

Your family, mine, are in danger.

Gigantron is coming.

Gigantron is coming to you.

I'll go. You stay here with Kenji.

Don't go, Daddy.

Please stay.

Watch the game with us.

I'll be back before the seventh inning stretch.

Promise?

Daddy.

Hey, Kenji, it's Dad.

You're mad at me. I get it.

I know it wasn't an easy choice leaving your life behind.

LA, the Dodgers, millions of adoring fans.

But what I'm asking is bigger than baseball.

The world needs you to become something...

...more.

Sorry, your mom was better at this.

Anyway, I'm around.

For the last few weeks, one name has dominated the headlines

in what is sure to be a historic moment in baseball.

In just three days, Giants fans will welcome a legend

to the New Tokyo Dome

as Ken Sato returns to the land of his birth.

Now, please join me in welcoming him back to Japan,

the newest member of our Giants family,

- Ken Sato! -

- Ken! - Thanks for waiting, folks.

All right, who's first?

I do it for the fans.

It's all about fundamentals.

No, no, no. What I said was I am the greatest "living" player.

Well, Otani can say whatever he likes.

Aw, that's too sweet. Thank you.

I love baseball. It's all I've got.

Bone broth and wheat grass, bro.

Bro. Bro. Bro!

The rookie? This ain't tee-ball, bro.

American players are very different.

How are you adjusting to the Japanese style of play?

Itow-san, right?

Baseball is baseball, man.

The Ken Sato show is the same.

Here, the States, wherever.

Mr. Sato. Why did you come back to Japan?

I... I'm sorry. What's your name?

Ami Wakita.

Hold up. Hold up.

- You're the Tigers fan, right? -

The question isn't who I root for, Mr. Sato.

The question is why, on the verge of your first championship,

you choose to walk away and start over.

Some suggest it was emotional stress.

- Due to family... - This is baseball. Not gossip hour.

- Guys! Play nice, okay? - Sit down.

I'm happy to answer the question.

Miss Wakita, please continue.

Thank you.

Some speculate your departure was connected to the loss of your mother,

that there was some sort of unfinished family business.

Kenji.

My apologies, Miss Wakita.

Unfortunately, I have a fan event to attend. Uh ...

I look forward to seeing you all in a couple of days

where I promise the Ken Sato show will be in full effect.

- - Much love.

- Neronga is attacking Akihabara. - Ah, crap.

- - Oi! Sato!

Hey, Coach Shimura.

You can't charm me.

There's no place for the Ken Sato show on my team.

Look, I get it.

It's been a rough couple of years for you guys,

but I'm here to help.

Let me drive, win some games,

and we can get this team back on top where it belongs.

See? Right there. That's your problem.

No humility.

It takes more than attitude to become a Giant.

I stopped believing in Giants a long time ago.

- -

You need to get Neronga out of here

with as little damage as possible.

Give me a break, Mina.

I'm doing the best I can.

All right.

- Stop. Why ya gotta make this so hard? -

Just turn around...

Okay, I tried the easy way.

Yeah! How awesome was that?

- - Hey, where's the love?

Ultraman!

Stop showboating and do your job!

Um, I think I just did.

Are you okay?

Define "okay."

Ken, watch out!

This is the Kaiju Defense Force. Evacuate the area immediately.

Guys! We're all good here.

I was just wrapping things up.

You've been warned before.

You are not an authorized government agent.

Evacuate immediately or you will be placed into cust...

Dang!

Is that what happens to authorized government agents?

- - Uh-oh.

Ken, you need to get the situation under control.

The electric armadillo started it.

- Your heart rate is spiking. -

You know what happens when Ultraman gets stressed.

Um, no? Remind me again.

Your color timer changes and you lose your powers.

- Great. -

We interrupt this program to bring you live coverage

of yet another kaiju attack in downtown Tokyo.

Mmm.

Do something.

Ugh.

Did he call? He's definitely gonna call.