Interest
Solid Gold Ultraman Bust Costs 110 Million Yen
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
The long-running Ultraman special effects series, which premiered on television in 1966, began celebrating its 50th anniversary last year. Bandai Namco Entertainment is offering solid gold collectibles to celebrate.
The jeweler Ginza Tanaka produced the items, including a solid gold bust of the original Ultraman. The company made only one bust, which is proportional to the "real" Ultraman and sits 30 centimeters (about one foot) tall. The 11-kilogram (about 24-pound) bust costs 110 million yen (about US$960,993) and is available only through Ginza Tanaka.
Bandai Namco Entertainment is selling the other two gold anniversary items through its online shop. The Showa-period koban (Japanese oval gold coin) set includes likenesses of the eight Ultraman characters from the original Ultraman series to Ultraman 80. The display plaque shows the characters performing special moves next to their 24-karat gold coins. The 50 sets available cost 1 million yen (about US$8,736) each, and they have serial numbers.
The collaboration also includes a 50th anniversary gold plate. The plate features Ultraman performing the Specium Ray move. Like the coin set, only 50 of the 24-karat gold plates are available, and they include serial numbers. The plates are a relative bargain at 500,000 yen (about US$4,368) each. All three of the collaboration items are on display at Ginza Tanaka's flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo.
The Ultraman Orb spinoff television series, which debuted on December 26, also celebrates the franchise's 50th anniversary. Nippon Columbia released a 50th anniversary CD box set last year that includes 99 theme songs.
Ginza Tanaka sold a one-of-a-kind Godzilla statue worth US$1,474,782 in 2014. Solid Gold Kamen Rider statues debuted in 2015 for US$46,672 and US$6,475. A gold replica of the Millennium Puzzle from Yu-Gi-Oh! and gold and silver Gundam statues also went on display that year.
Source: Anime! Anime! (Yuma)
