"The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. the Monster Army", Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1979, B2 Size (51 x 73cm) N256
This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the first Japanese release of The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. the Monster Army (ウルトラ6兄弟VS怪獣軍団) in 1979. One of the most unusual international productions in the history of Japanese tokusatsu, the film brought together Tsuburaya Productions’ celebrated Ultra Heroes and the Thai mythological figure Hanuman.
Produced in 1974 as a Japanese–Thai collaboration involving Tsuburaya Productions and Chaiyo Productions, the film was directed by Shōhei Tōjō. It originally appeared in Thailand under the title Hanuman Meets the Seven Supermen before receiving a specially edited Japanese-language theatrical release, distributed by Fuji Eiga, on 17 March 1979.
Film background
The story follows a young Thai boy who is killed while attempting to stop thieves from stealing the head of a Buddha statue. Through the intervention of Mother of Ultra, he is resurrected as Hanuman, the powerful white monkey hero of Hindu mythology.
When a destructive earthquake awakens a group of kaiju, Hanuman is joined by the six Ultra Brothers: Zoffy, Ultraman, Ultraseven, Return of Ultraman, Ultraman Ace and Ultraman Taro. Together, they confront a monster army that includes Gomora, Astromons, Dustpan, Dorobon and Tyrant.
Although completed several years earlier, the film did not reach Japanese cinemas until 1979. The poster’s publicity therefore presented it as a long-awaited, almost legendary production, describing it as a “phantom super-blockbuster” filmed on overseas locations and mounted on an international scale.
The relationship between Tsuburaya and Chaiyo later became associated with prolonged international litigation concerning purported overseas rights to the early Ultra Series. In 2018, a United States federal court entered a final judgment finding that the disputed 1976 licensing document relied upon by Tsuburaya’s opponents was not authentic and confirming Tsuburaya Productions’ rights. This complicated history has given original material connected with the collaboration a particularly distinctive place within Ultra Series collecting.
Poster design
The spectacular photomontage is dominated by the six Ultra Brothers emerging from an apocalyptic background of flames and smoke. Ultraman Taro charges forward at the centre, surrounded by Zoffy, Ultraman, Ultraseven, Ace and Return of Ultraman—the latter identified on the poster by the period name “Shin Ultraman” or “New Ultraman.”
Beside Taro stands White Ape Hanuman, whose elaborately decorated Thai costume and three-pronged weapon create a striking visual contrast with the streamlined silver-and-red Ultra suits. The lower section shows the monster army attacking amid explosions, smoke and buildings influenced by the film’s Thai setting.
The enormous red title typography occupies the entire lower quarter, with the diagonal black-and-yellow “VS” device giving the design the appearance of a major championship confrontation. The vertical Japanese tagline announces:
“An unprecedented gathering that overwhelms the widescreen—these are the Ultra Brothers!”
On the opposite side, the poster promotes the production as an internationally scaled spectacle filmed on overseas locations and a legendary blockbuster that Ultra fans should not miss.
This poster is in Very Good+ condition and presents excellently. It retains strong, vivid colours and an impressive overall appearance. Please refer to imagery, both front and back, of the exact poster for sale.
It is over 45 years old.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
