Seven Seas Licenses 60th Anniversary Edition of Kazuo Umezz’s ‘Ultraman’ – ICv2

Seven Seas Entertainment has licensed a 60th Anniversary Edition of Kazuo Umezz’s ‘Ultraman’ manga, according to a report from ICv2 on July 22, 2026. The upcoming release brings a specialized manga adaptation of the iconic tokusatsu character to English-speaking audiences, marking a significant milestone for the franchise’s legacy.

Kazuo Umezz began the manga adaptation in 1966. According to ICv2, Umezz developed the series while the original television show was being broadcast, allowing the manga to run parallel to the televised episodes.

Differences Between the Umezz Manga and Original Series

The manga adaptation diverges from the tone of the original television broadcast. ICv2 reports that Umezz’s version possesses more of a “horror vibe” than the original series, shifting the atmosphere of the encounters between the giant hero and the monsters.

This tonal shift is a hallmark of Kazuo Umezz’s style. Known for his contributions to the horror and suspense genres in Japan, Umezz applied these sensibilities to the Ultraman property, creating a version of the character that exists in a darker narrative context than the family-oriented television show.

Context of the 60th Anniversary Edition

The licensing by Seven Seas Entertainment coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Ultraman franchise. The original series debuted in 1966, establishing the character as a cornerstone of the kaiju and tokusatsu genres.

Seven Seas Entertainment frequently handles high-profile manga licenses and specialized editions. By bringing the Umezz adaptation to the English market, the publisher provides a historical look at how the character was interpreted by one of Japan’s most influential manga artists during the franchise’s infancy.

The 60th Anniversary Edition serves as both a commemorative release and a primary source for readers interested in the evolution of the Ultraman character across different media formats.