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Ultraman: Rising

Ultraman: Rising

2024

PG

Director

Shannon Tindle

Runtime

117 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

A star athlete reluctantly returns home to take over his father's duties as Ultraman, shielding Tokyo from giant monsters as he becomes a legendary hero.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.8/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film lacks explicit queer themes or non-binary identities. However, it avoids heteronormative tropes by centering on unconventional, non-biological family structures and chosen kinship.

Gender Representation

Good

Ken Sato subverts hyper-masculine archetypes by transitioning from a self-centered athlete to a nurturing caregiver. Female characters also hold significant roles involving authority and technical expertise.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

The story features a Japanese-American protagonist within a multicultural urban setting. It uses the alien protector concept as a metaphor for navigating complex, multi-layered cultural identities.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The narrative deconstructs the idealized hero mythos, focusing on domestic struggle and personal vulnerability. It prioritizes situational ethics over traditional, patriotic depictions of duty.

Disability Representation

Fair

No characters are explicitly defined by physical or neurodivergent disabilities. The protagonist's struggle to balance public and private duties serves as a metaphor for managing heavy mental loads.

Strengths

  • Subverts traditional masculinity by portraying the hero as a nurturing, domestic caregiver.
  • Features a multicultural setting and a protagonist with complex Japanese-American heritage.
  • Challenges hero myths by focusing on vulnerability and the burdens of domestic responsibility.
  • Provides female characters with meaningful agency through roles of authority and expertise.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks explicit depictions of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex intimacy.
  • Does not include prominent characters defined by physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
  • Could offer more direct representation of non-binary or queer identities.

AI Analysis

Ultraman: Rising modernizes a legacy franchise by replacing rigid hierarchies with fluid, domestic character arcs. The film moves away from the 'invincible warrior' trope, favoring emotional intelligence and unconventional kinship. The production succeeds in diversifying the hero archetype through Ken Sato's transition into a caregiver. The multicultural setting and Japanese-American lead provide a more inclusive foundation than typical genre entries. While the film excels in subverting gender and cultural norms, it lacks explicit LGBTQ+ representation and specific disability-driven narratives. It remains a nuanced exploration of identity and responsibility.

How are these scores produced? →

Featured in

  • Best Racial & Ethnic Representation in Film
  • Best Racial & Ethnic Representation of the 2020s

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