Eiji Tsuburaya, the visionary founder of Tsuburaya Productions, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Visual Effects Society (VES), marking the first time a Japanese individual has received this honor. Previous inductees include Walt Disney, Stanley Kubrick, and Georges Méliès. At the award ceremony held in the United States, Ultraman and Baltan Seijin made special appearances to celebrate the moment.

Message from Masayuki Nagatake, President of Tsuburaya Productions

“Good evening, everyone. I am Masayuki Nagatake, President of Tsuburaya Productions. It is a tremendous honor to witness this historic moment—Eiji Tsuburaya’s induction into the VES Hall of Fame. On behalf of the company he founded more than 60 years ago, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to his family, to the members of VES, and to everyone involved in making this honor possible.

Eiji Tsuburaya always sought to bring joy and wonder to audiences. He hoped that through this joy and wonder, people would nurture imagination, find hope for the future, and cherish kindness inspired by peace and love.”

To realize this vision, he harnessed the “power of imagination” to create groundbreaking works such as Godzilla (1954) and the Ultraman series, which began in 1966 and continues to this day. His innovations have profoundly influenced filmmakers worldwide. His induction recognizes not only his technical mastery but also his enduring legacy as a source of inspiration transcending borders and generations.

About the Visual Effects Society (VES)

The Visual Effects Society is the world’s most prestigious organization dedicated to visual effects across film, television, and advertising, with more than 5,000 members in over 50 countries.

Earlier this year, actor and director Hiroyuki Sanada received the VES Award for Creative Excellence, while director Takashi Yamazaki was honored with the VES Visionary Award, drawing significant attention in Japan.

About the Hall of Fame

The VES Hall of Fame honors pioneers whose contributions have had a lasting impact on the visual effects industry. Past inductees include Walt Disney, Stanley Kubrick, and Georges Méliès.

Eiji Tsuburaya’s historic induction as the first Japanese member recognizes him as a true pioneer who laid the foundation for modern VFX and whose achievements continue to inspire creators around the world.

Source : ORICON NEWS