Christmas is the season of giving, and finding a gift that resonates with everyone from children discovering their first fandom to lifelong collectors can feel like a heroic quest. This year, the Ultraman Trading Card Game (TCG) offers the perfect solution. With its latest Starter Deck 03 and Booster Pack 05, the game combines nostalgia, strategy, and collectible excitement, making it the ultimate gift for fans across generations.
Whether you’re a parent introducing your child to the legendary Ultra Heroes, a friend hunting for a standout Secret Santa gift, or a dedicated collector seeking exclusive cards, the Ultraman TCG delivers an immersive tabletop experience that brings the iconic universe of Ultraman into your home.
The Ultraman Trading Card Game brings iconic Ultra Heroes and Kaiju to life with fast-paced, strategic battles for fans of all ages. From Starter Deck 03 for newcomers to the Ultra Deck 01 “Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Blazar”, and the 1st-anniversary Booster Pack 05 “Heroes of the Radiant Dawn” featuring exclusive “RRRR (Quad Rare)” cards by Yukinobu Tatsu, the renowned illustrator behind the hit manga DAN DA DAN, there’s something for everyone. Blending nostalgia, artistry, and modern gameplay, the Ultraman TCG is the perfect gift for collectors, families, and new players alike.
To get a deeper insight into the resurgence of trading card culture and how Ultraman is connecting generations of fans, our team spoke to Rudy Ng, Vice President of Tsuburaya Fields Entertainment International. Read on to find out more.
Interview with Rudy Ng, Vice President of Tsuburaya Fields Entertainment International
1) Why are consumers especially in Singapore, Hong Kong, and across Southeast Asia so drawn to nostalgic, Y2K-era products right now, and how does Ultraman fit into this trend?
Rudy Ng: In a fast-paced, digital-first world, I think people are craving comfort and connection, leading to the rise of nostalgic ‘analog’ trends. For many of us in Southeast Asia, the Y2K era represents the “golden days” of our childhood, where we woke up early to watch cartoons and traded stickers at school. That emotional anchor is incredibly powerful.
Ultraman fits perfectly into this trend because it isn’t just a “retro” brand; it is a cultural legacy that continues to inspire across generations. Parents who grew up mesmerized by the special effects and imitating the Spacium Beam are now introducing their kids to it, allowing them to relive that magic from a new perspective. This turns nostalgia into an active, shared experience, revitalizing the values of hope and courage for a whole new generation.
2) Trading cards have evolved from being seen primarily as children’s toys to becoming high-value collectibles and a form of personal expression for adults. What factors have driven this evolution?
Rudy Ng: I believe it’s the rise of the “kidult” or “Forever Fan.” The kids who grew up playing these games are now adults with purchasing power, but they haven’t lost that passion; they’ve just evolved how they express it.
We’ve moved from cards being just “toys” to being appreciated for their artistry, rarity, and investment value. Adults today curate their collections like art galleries, seeking high-quality finishes and exclusive collaborations. It’s also a form of identity; having a rare Ultraman card on display connects you to a community that understands its worth.
We honor this shift by treating our cards as premium assets by commissioning world-class artists to create bespoke designs that exemplify the Ultraman universe, while also ensuring value in the actual production with premium foil finishes and elevated card quality. We want to make sure that owning one feels valuable both emotionally and physically.
3) How is Tsuburaya leveraging a classic and beloved brand like Ultraman to connect with a new generation of collectors who value nostalgia, rarity, and community?
Rudy Ng: We satisfy older fans with deep cuts of nostalgia, like the classic Ultraman Tiga, while bridging to new fans through fresh storytelling through characters in the latest Ultraman series or movies.
A great example is our recently launched Ultra Deck 01. It features a team-up between Ultraman Tiga (a ’90s legend) and Ultraman Blazar (a modern hero) that has never been presented in the TV shows. This “dream team” perfectly exemplifies part of what we want to achieve with the game. The parent gets excited for Tiga, the kid gets excited for Blazar, and suddenly you have a 40-year-old collector and a 10-year-old player sitting at the same table, battling on equal ground.
4) The Ultraman Trading Card Game blends nostalgia with modern gameplay and exclusive artwork, including collaborations such as the recent Yukinobu Tatsu Booster Pack 05. How important are these contemporary elements in keeping the franchise relevant to both new players and lifelong fans?
Rudy Ng: They are vital. Next year Ultraman will celebrate its 60th anniversary, and to keep a brand alive for decades, you can’t just rely on the past — you have to remix it. The collaboration with Yukinobu Tatsu, the creator of the hit manga DAN DA DAN, is a perfect example.
Tatsu-sensei is a current hitmaker, but also a lifelong Ultraman fan. By having him illustrate Alien Metron for our 1st Anniversary, we created a bridge between Ultraman fans and DAN DA DAN fans. These collaborations act as a “refresh button,” giving longtime fans a new way to see their heroes while catching the eye of a trendy audience who might be discovering us for the first time.
5) Looking ahead, how do you see the Ultraman Trading Card Game contributing to the growth of trading card culture and fan communities in Southeast Asia, particularly in bringing families and collectors together?
Rudy Ng: Southeast Asia has a vibrant community culture, and we want the Ultraman Card Game to be the heartbeat of that. We aren’t just building a game; we’re building a playground with the spirit of community and collaboration.
We designed the game to be simple enough for children to learn, but deep enough for adults to find many exciting ways to enjoy the game, lowering the barrier for families to play and strategize together. We love the idea of TCGs replacing screens for hours on a Sunday afternoon, allowing space for families to connect multigenerationally, screen-free.
Looking ahead, we see the Ultraman Trading Card Game as a way to bring trading card culture in Southeast Asia closer to home, something families and collectors can truly share. Through new releases that blend Ultraman’s legacy with ideas that resonate with a younger generation, we hope to create an experience where longtime fans can play, collect, and connect alongside new players.
Beyond the cards themselves, we’re exploring collaborations and community activities that encourage people to come together, whether at local events, tournaments, or casual play sessions, reinforcing that this hobby is about shared moments, learning, and building lasting connections.
This holiday season, the Ultraman Trading Card Game is more than just a gift, it’s an experience that unites fans of all ages. From the nostalgia of classic Ultra Heroes to the thrill of collecting exclusive cards and sharing gameplay across generations, the TCG brings excitement, strategy, and community to every tabletop. Bring the magic of Ultraman TCG home this holiday, by visiting https://ultraman-cardgame.com/
