Entertainment: You're asked to make a graduation project, but you're asked to film Ultrama

Then, Lao Tang mentioned another piece of information.

"By the way, I saw in the private messages that many viewers asked me how long the Ultraman Mebius series would last."

"I'm afraid it will only have 20 or 30 episodes like the TV version of Gauss, which isn't enough to watch."

"I asked Gu Laozei on set a few days ago if it could be made public, and he said it wasn't a secret and it didn't matter."

"Then I can give you all a heads-up as an insider: Gu Nan has already made arrangements for the overall plan of 'Ultraman Mebius'."

"This work will be made into a feature film. Even excluding spin-offs, movies, theatrical versions, etc., it is planned to have a total of 50 episodes."

"This series is twice as long as the previous Ultraman Cosmos, and the filming period was also twice as long."

"This means that the entire project will return to the era of grand, long-running series like those of Tiga, Gaia, and Dyna, but it will no longer be divided into two seasons like Tiga, Dyna, and Gaia."

"The length of the story means that Gu Nan can more leisurely portray each member of the defense team, delve into the growth trajectory of each character, and gradually unveil the more expansive worldview of the Land of Light."

[666, this is great to watch!]

So, there aren't any major mid-term events?

[No, it just means they've integrated the first season finale into the middle of the storyline. It should still air as scheduled.]

[Exactly! The veteran actors haven't even appeared yet!]

[That's right, apart from Zoffy and Mother of Ultra, the other Ultra Brothers haven't appeared yet!]

Old Tang suddenly gave a mysterious smile to the camera.

"Oh, we've come across the Ultra Brothers!"

"Next, prepare your knees, as we travel together to the one and only real filming location of 'Ultraman Mebius'!"

Then his video cut to some behind-the-scenes footage, but judging from the shooting techniques and camera shake, it looked more like a vlog.

This was taken by Lao Tang.

At this time, the filming of the TV series "Ultraman Mebius" officially wrapped up amidst a busy and fulfilling schedule.

Gu Nan has always placed great importance on the positioning of the Ultraman Mebius series within his vast tokusatsu (special effects) framework.

Ultraman Mebius is not just an independent work, but also a core hub that reboots the entire Land of Light worldview and connects the old Ultraman with the new generation of Ultraman.

In order to make this hub perfect, Gu Nan had already planned the plot of the theatrical movie for Ultraman Mebius from the very beginning of filming.

Now that the TV version has been successfully filmed, the entire crew has moved directly into the filming of the feature film without any rest.

To generate buzz for this major film and to give fans a hint about the film's production progress, Gu Nan arranged a special promotional task.

At the same time that Lao Tang released this vlog about his daily filming routine, "Ultraman Mebius & Ultra Brothers" was already ready to start its trailer promotion.

"Isn't Tang Ge's network amazing? This is a one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes clip online!"

Old Tang has become a tool for generating buzz again~~

[Gu Nan Gao, Zhui Guang is tough, and Tang Ge is both tall and tough!]

[Regarding networking!]

[Could it be that Brother Tang sold the leather drum to that old scoundrel Gu in exchange for it, doge~]

Old Tang, holding a selfie stick, walked along while speaking to the camera.

"Many brothers have been sending me private messages lately asking me what stage the Ultraman Mebius TV series is at now."

"I'm going to give you guys a sneak peek today: filming for the TV version has completely wrapped up!"

The video's comments section was instantly ignited, with a flood of dense text pouring in.

So, Lao Tang, you can start making tons of videos again?

[The TV version is already finished filming? That's fast!! Can you release two episodes a week? I can't get enough!]

[Tsk tsk tsk~ It feels a little strange not to see Teppei wearing his GUYS uniform.]

[On-set footage? This is inside information! Director Gu actually let you release it?]

Old Tang looked at the camera, smiled mysteriously, and continued in a low voice:

"But guess why I'm still on set?"

"The TV version has already been filmed, why haven't they pulled the filming yet?"

"By the way, the entire crew hasn't disbanded!"

"Because... we still have projects progressing... the specifics... cannot be disclosed..."

[Could this be a big-budget movie?! Gu Laozei's production capacity is off the charts!]

Didn't you just say there wouldn't be a first and second season? Are you going to add a feature film in between?!

Why is it in the middle? How do you know it's not a sequel or anything like that?!

[Because Gaia also had a theatrical film released in the middle of its run!]

[Teppei! What's the name of the character afterward? Tell me now! I'm unfollowing if you don't!]

"Today's video will take you on an immersive experience of a typical filming day!"

Old Tang and Gu Nan rehearsed before filming.

Old Tang turned the camera around and filmed for a few seconds, showing a huge black clapperboard in the distance of the set.

Frame watchers, take a screenshot of these few seconds of the video, zoom in on it in Photoshop, and you'll see the words "Ultraman Mebius & the Ultra Brothers" in big letters on the music!

[Wow! There's writing on the clapperboard behind us!]

[It looks like the Ultra Brothers?! Does that mean all the older Ultramen will appear?!]

[Ultraman Mebius and the Ultra Brothers are collaborating? This lineup is amazing! Even the old guard is making an appearance?]

Is my youth coming back? Will the original Ultraman, Seven, Jack, and Ace all come?

Hey buddy up ahead, was your youth during the Showa era?

Old Tang, with his camera in hand, continued to move around the film set.

He walked to the rest area, and several familiar faces appeared in the camera's view.

The actor playing the future is sitting in a chair reciting his lines, his brows slightly furrowed, muttering to himself.

The actor playing Aihara Ryu was drinking water on the side. When he saw the camera coming over, he made a shooting gesture at the camera, appearing very relaxed.

The actress playing the role of Mu Zhimei is teasing a prop monster and laughing happily.

Is this what daily life is like for GUYS? I love it!

[It turns out the actors are so loving off-screen too! The atmosphere is so great both on and off screen!]

[He's so serious even in private, no wonder he's our Mebius.]

I want to seize the future!

Old Tang continued walking forward, stepping over the tangled cables on the ground, heading towards the filming area.

"However, the main focus on the set today isn't us young people."

Old Tang lowered his voice, his tone filled with undisguised respect.

He slowed his pace, camera in hand, and headed towards the director's studio, the heart of the film set.

"Brothers, get your knees ready."

The camera slowly zooms in.

Outside the director's tent, several elderly people with gray hair and vigorous spirits were sitting together.

Some of them were wearing hats, others were wearing casual jackets, and they were drinking tea and chatting in a harmonious atmosphere.

Gu Nan sat among the group of elderly people, humbly listening to their conversation, nodding occasionally, and making notes on the script.

"Hey old rascal, good afternoon!"

"Say hello to my viewers!"

Gu Nan deliberately created a dramatic effect for the show:

"Believe it or not, I'll dock your pay!"

[666! Tang Ge used his ultimate skill right in the face!]

[Oh no! Tang Ge has been expelled from the Olympic fan club by that old scoundrel Gu!]

[Wow! That old thief actually called him that. It seems Tang Ge and Gu Nan are really close.]

When the camera panned across the faces of these elderly people, the comments section paused for a second, and then went into a frenzy of scrolling!

"That...that's the actor who played the original Ultraman? Susumu Kurobe!"

[Oh my god! Those are the actors who played Seven! And Jack! And Ace!]

[I'm quite familiar with Koji Moritsugu, since we haven't been working together for very long, but you can really see that time takes its toll on Jack and Ace.]

Wow, what a big change! His hair is all white now.

"The seniors are all here too, thank you all for your hard work!"

"I grew up watching you guys act in Ultraman!"

(The above is in Japanese)

Old Tang explained softly off-camera:

"Yes, everyone saw it."

"Today, all the Showa-era actors who created countless classics during the Tsuburaya Productions era have come to the set of 'Ultraman Mebius'."

"They came not only to visit the set, but also to provide guidance and exchange ideas."

"Many of the experiences, action details, and even the psychological state of the characters from the filming back then are being taught to us, the new generation of actors, by our seniors."

In the scene, the actor playing the original character stands up, holds Mirai's hand, and mutters something. Although it is in Japanese, Mirai, who is wearing a simultaneous interpretation device, nods repeatedly, her eyes filled with reverence.

The actor playing Seven was talking to Ryu Aihara, patting him on the shoulder, seemingly teaching him how to better portray the resilience of a defense team member.

[The legacy! This is the legacy of light!]

Watching this scene, I really feel like the world of Ultraman truly exists.

[Passing the torch!]

[Thank you to all the veterans for your hard work in protecting Ultraman Mebius!]

Looking at this heartwarming scene, Old Tang changed the subject, his tone tinged with regret.

"Everyone must be very excited to see the senior figures."

"I bet some of you will ask if the veteran actors can still participate!"

"However, brothers, we must also face a reality."

"The average age of these seniors is almost seventy."

Old Tang's words instantly quieted down the previously lively chat.

Yes, time waits for no one; I'm already seventy.

Seeing them reunite is already enough; I don't dare ask for more.

[No wonder he could only visit the set and offer guidance for the big movie; he really can't act on stage himself anymore—his body can't handle it.]

Old Tang looked at the camera, and suddenly a confident smile appeared on his lips.

"But! Don't forget, who's our director?"

"That's Director Gu!"

"Since it's called 'Mebius & the Ultra Brothers,' how could Director Gu possibly let the veteran actors just provide guidance behind the scenes?"

Upon hearing this, the comments section went wild again.

[Old Tang, what do you mean? Are the senior members going to personally take to the field?]

[Stop joking! How can a seventy-year-old do action scenes? What if he falls and gets hurt?!]

[It seems like Mr. Kurobe Susumu is barely able to stand up straight now...]

Old Tang, carrying a camera, walked directly into a large equipment room next to the film set.

Inside the server room, rows of high-performance computers were running, their screens displaying complex code and facial capture models.

"To solve this problem, Gu Nan really went all out after obtaining legal authorization from these veteran actors and the copyright holders of the relevant dramas!" Old Tang explained.

"The special effects team will use cutting-edge AI technology to extract in-depth facial features from all the film and television materials of those veteran actors when they were young, including old Ultraman series."

"Subsequently, a 1:1 complete model was created to perfectly recreate the faces of all the veteran actors in their youth!"

On the screen, a demonstration video began to play.

In the video, a young stuntman dressed in casual clothes is making various expressions and movements.

On a nearby screen, through real-time AI face replacement and engine rendering, the stuntman's face has been completely transformed into the appearance of the Showa-era veterans!

The texture of the skin, the light in the eyes, and even the slightest twitch of the facial muscles are all so realistic that they are flawless.

Old Tang explained to the camera:

"During filming, the action scenes and movement were performed by professionally trained young stunt doubles."

"In post-production, AI technology can be used for compositing and replacement to completely restore the images of the veteran actors, and even make them look younger in some flashback scenes!"

"Simply put, Director Gu used the power of technology to bring back the real people from decades ago, as if he had traveled back in time to film them, directly bringing these veteran actors, who were at the peak of their looks and physical abilities, to the current film set!"

After a five-second silence, the chat room exploded with excitement!

Technology is changing the future!

Kids! AI is amazing!

If this technology is perfected, it will absolutely be a milestone for the film industry!

Wow, there's a younger version too? Seriously, it's worth it to see them young again!

Old Tang smiled with satisfaction as he looked at the shocked comments on the screen.

"Technology is developing too fast now. The rasterization and ray tracing technology of Unreal Engine 5, combined with AI deep learning, has made all of this possible."

"The veteran performers on set not only provided guidance on the performances, but also personally recorded the dialogue and captured additional facial expressions."

"To ensure that the final product is a perfectly portrayed character, capturing both their physical appearance and spirit!"

In the scene, Old Tang walks up to Keiji Takamine, who plays Ace.

Keiji Takamine was looking at the virtual model of himself in his youth on the monitor, his eyes glistening with tears and shock, repeatedly marveling at the wonders of modern technology.

[Even the veteran himself was stunned, hahaha!]

Technology helps them regain the youth that time has stolen.

I can't wait to see the finished product!

The video progress bar was already halfway through. After Lao Tang toured the server room and demonstrated various high-tech equipment, he finished.

I left the editing room and returned to the sunny film set.

"How about it, guys? Is this vacation report substantial enough?"

Old Tang smiled and waved at the camera.

"Alright guys, that's all for the behind-the-scenes look at the film set."

"The filming process was very intense, and everyone was working hard to present the best 'Ultraman Mebius'."

"It feels really good to have the older generation guiding the younger generation step by step on site."

Old Tang turned the camera around and took a panoramic shot.

The suit actor is conducting a flight test while suspended by wires, and several veteran actors beside him occasionally point out areas where the movements are not fluid enough.

The props team is adjusting some boulders for explosions, while the photographers are pushing and pulling the equipment on the tracks, searching for the best angle.

There was no excessive embellishment, no fancy words, only the most genuine busyness and sweat.

"This is our daily routine."

Old Tang's voice-over gradually softened.

"It's tiring, but also very fulfilling. Because we know we are making history."

"Please look forward to it, everyone. This is definitely a work that will not disappoint anyone."

"Alright, that's all for this video. I'm going to go memorize my lines now."

If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! See you in the next video!

The GUYS logo finally appeared on the screen.

After this half-hour behind-the-scenes video was released, it garnered over 100 million views and made it to the homepage of Bilibili's trending list.

Whenever a video becomes popular, unofficial subtitle groups will appear to upload and translate it.

After Lao Tang's behind-the-scenes footage was translated and uploaded to international platforms such as YouTube by a subtitle group, it garnered over a million views within hours!

As expected, as long as the content is explosive enough, it will become popular both domestically and internationally.

In Japan, the birthplace of Ultraman, those who used to follow the Ultraman series on TV are now middle-aged or elderly.

The old man returns, and special effects recreate his face.

With the added boost of a bunch of nostalgia factors, this marketing campaign broke down age barriers.

Many middle-aged and elderly people in Japan don't usually use social media or are not very good at using smartphones.

I also learned about this series through word of mouth and recommendations from my children.

Many older Japanese people are unaware that the Ultraman IP has been revived on the other side of the ocean.

These elderly people were immediately ignited with a surge of enthusiasm for watching the New Olympic Park.

It is well known that many middle-aged and elderly people in Japan still use flip phones called "gara-kei" and know nothing about streaming media platforms.

So, within half a month of Lao Tang's video being released, the Blu-ray discs for "Ultraman Tiga," "Dyna," "Gaia," and "Cosmos" sold out in Japan.

This even caused the price of CDs on Rakuten's secondhand market to skyrocket, at one point even exceeding the price of new ones.

Some elderly people even bought smartphones just to watch Ultraman.

In Japan, countless elderly people with gray hair, wearing reading glasses, see the actors who portray Hayata, Dan Moroboshi, Hideki Go, and Seiji Hokuto on the screen, and hear the veteran actors, despite being seventy years old, passionately performing dramatic scenes...

Countless older Japanese viewers had tears in their eyes.

The splendor of the Showa era, that miraculous time, struck them deeply once again.

This is their childhood!

Since the Ultra Brothers have not yet appeared in the TV series, the glimpse in the behind-the-scenes footage has raised the anticipation of Japanese audiences for the feature film to its peak.

The YouTube comment section was instantly flooded with Japanese comments.

[Oh my god! It's Hayata Susumu! It's Moroboshi Dan! I'm already sixty-five years old, and seeing them sitting together drinking tea feels like going back to my childhood, waiting for Ultraman to air every evening.]

[I finished watching it. The Ultraman series made by the Chinese is better than ours, though I hate to admit it. There's no denying that Gu Sang understands Ultraman!]

[I used to think that Tsuburaya Productions selling Ultraman to China was a blatant betrayal, but now I realize I was wrong. I've finished watching Ultraman Tiga, directed by Gu Sang, and I'm currently watching Ultraman Gaia. I think it's even better than what Tsuburaya produced!]

[A truly dedicated team! Using AI to rejuvenate veteran actors is not only a tribute but also the best way to protect their health. The filming concept is incredibly moving; the veteran actors must be so happy to be transformed again.]

[I cried! Hideki Go is so handsome, and Hokuto's eyes are so sharp! I haven't missed a single episode of the TV series so far; the plot is solid, and I've been eagerly anticipating seeing the old hero. Turns out, he was hidden in the movie! I'll definitely go to the theater to support him!]

Director Gu Nan is a madman! Looking forward to the young Ultra Brothers battling in the universe again!

[This series transcends eras; I've now caught up on all four Ultraman series produced in China, and even those that surpass our own. Mebius deserves the guidance of his seniors!]

After Tsuburaya Productions went bankrupt, it was thought that Ultraman's glory had come to an end. Gu Nan took up the torch and made it burn even brighter.

The entire YouTube comment section was filled with a sense of nostalgia and high expectations.

For Japanese viewers, this is not just a behind-the-scenes clip from a tokusatsu drama, but also a re-enactment of their childhood.

That pure, protective spirit of Ultraman resonates deeply in any country and at any age.

Japanese netizens have never loved China so much.