Whenever we talk about the original Ultraman TV series—39 episodes aired from July 17, 1966, to April 9, 1967—we often gloss over the show’s other hero: the giant red-and-silver warrior’s human host, Shin Hayata. Bandai’s Tamashii Nations remembers him and wants you to remember him, too, with the new S.H.Figuarts Shin Hayata Action Figure.
Hayata is, of course, the OG Ultraman—or his host, to be exact. Played by actor Susumu Kurobe, Hayata is a brave, level-headed member of the Science Special Search Party (SSSP), an elite defense agency that investigates unusual phenomena and fights giant monsters. He was key to summoning the 40-meter-tall hero who hailed from Nebula M78 (a.k.a. the “Land of Light”).
Released to mark the 60th anniversary of the original series, the legendary SSSP officer makes his S.H.Figuarts debut with a brand-new design. Kurobe’s likeness has been recreated from footage of the show using Tamashii Digital Coloring Technology, with the figure produced under the supervision of Tsuburaya Productions’ LSS sculpting division.
Standing approximately 15 cm (5.9 inches) tall, Hayata wears his familiar orange-and-grey SSSP uniform. The joint system allows him to assume various investigative, combat, and transformation poses, while soft materials around the chest, collar, and tie provide enough flexibility for him to raise the Beta Capsule without his uniform fighting back.
The figure comes with four interchangeable left hands and five interchangeable right hands, along with helmeted and unhelmeted display options. His SSSP helmet uses clear parts for the goggles, while the included Super Gun can be held at the ready. A second version with its barrel retracted fits inside the holster.
The Beta Capsule is naturally included, but it may not be the accessory everyone talks about. That honor belongs to the spoon.
In Episode 34, “A Gift from the Sky,” Hayata hurriedly attempts to transform while eating curry and raises his spoon instead of the Beta Capsule. The figure includes both accessories and the necessary hands to recreate that immortal moment when lunch briefly stood between Earth and its 40-meter-tall defender. It is comforting to know that even Ultraman can grab the wrong object under pressure.
Made from PVC and ABS, the S.H.Figuarts Shin Hayata is priced at 11,000 yen tax included [JP] (around US$69), excluding shipping and handling. Preorders opened through the Tamashii Web Shop on July 17, 2026, with shipment scheduled for February 2027.
Ultraman may receive the giant monsters and spectacular finishing moves, but Hayata now gets something his towering alter ego does not: an official curry spoon. And that’s kind of funny. Well, funny for fans.
Images: Premium Bandai [JP].