Fuji Akiko Story: The Hidden Story of Filming Ultraman

Published as a memoir, this volume offers an intimate perspective on the creation of the 1966 tokusatsu series Ultraman. Written by Sakurai Hiroko, who portrayed the iconic character Fuji Akiko, the book serves as both a personal reflection and a historical document of the Tsuburaya Productions set during a transformative era for Japanese television. It captures the atmosphere of a burgeoning industry where practical effects and stunt work were being pioneered under intense production schedules.

The book provides behind-the-scenes accounts of the cast and crew's efforts to bring the Science Special Search Party to life. Sakurai writes with the intent of preserving the legacy of the original Ultraman production, detailing the camaraderie and the technical challenges faced by the actors. Upon its release, it was received as an essential companion piece for fans of the franchise, offering a grounded, human-centric look at a cultural phenomenon that defined the kaiju genre for subsequent generations.