The 'Shohei economy' is something to bank on

Japanese companies wanting to get the word out in America about their products have eager audiences at Dodger Stadium

- BILL SHAIKIN COLUMNIST

ULTRAMAN does battle with Majappa before a game at Dodger Stadium, which Japanese companies have used to publicize star attractions.

In the waning days of the 1960s, when Don Sutton was starting his Hall of Fame career and Don Drysdale was finishing his, kids all over the Southland could turn on Channel 9 and catch a block of cartoons. "Speed Racer" came on first, followed by "Ultraman.

In the lore: "A 130-foot-tall red and silver giant of light, Ultraman came to Earth from another galaxy to protect humanity from invading aliens and giant monsters."

Fortunately, the meet-and-greet version of Ultraman that showed up at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday was about 6 feet tall. I dropped by to say hello, although I had been warned he did not converse with humans.

"He'll look at you quizzically, but also with endearment, knowing you are a little carbon-based unit that would like to become his friend," said David Kornblum, president of Tsuburaya Fields Media and Pictures Entertainment.

Ultraman turns 60 next year.

Kornblum is based in Los Angeles, and his job is to take what his Tokyo-based company calls "Japan's most beloved superhero" and revive his popularity in the United States. This fall, you'll be able to stream new and classic episodes of Ultraman.