A Night at
the Theater

1.26.2025

Godzilla turned 70 years old last November and big events were held around the U.S. Godzilla Minus One was back in theaters and there were Godzilla movie showings across the U.S. On the west coast, the Godzilla-Thon was held in Los Angeles at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. A Godzilla 70th Anniversary pop-up shop and special screenings were held at Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo. On the east coast, The Museum of the Moving Image hosted “Godzilla vs MoMi,” six event screenings at its Redstone Theater in New York. My friends at Kaiju Brooklyn held a birthday screening of Godzilla (1954) in Industry City, Brooklyn, NY. The Godzilla Store was joined by Trill Burgers, Books-A-Million, Funko, Mondo, Super7, Cavity Colors, FYE and more with special and exclusive Godzilla merch drops, food and events to celebrate the big birthday. There were a lot of options for us fans. But I had already made my decision to celebrate the Big G’s big day again in Japan at Godzilla Square Hibiya in Tokyo.

Godzilla Day 2024 and Godzilla Fes 2024 event logos

On the day of Godzilla Fes 2023, Godzilla -1.0 was released to kick off the year of celebration leading up to the 70th Anniversary celebration on Godzilla Fes 2024. The last event announced was the screening of Godzilla (1954) 4K Digitally Remastered Edition (ゴジラ 4kデジタルリマスター版) at Toho Cinemas Hibiya (in conjunction with the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival) seventy years since its debut on November 3, 1954. Little information was provided about the event except that Director Takashi Yamazaki and Yoshio Suzuki, an assistant modeler who helped create the original Godzilla suit, would be in attendance to speak before the showing.

Godzilla (1954) Japanese theatrical poster

I had to be there and make up for missing the Godzilla 70th Anniversary Panel with Director Yamazaki at New York Comic Con (NYCC) a month earlier in October. I along with many Godzilla fans after standing in line for a long time were turned away when the meeting room reached full capacity. There was no way I could miss this historical event on Godzilla Day in Japan. It was another opportunity to see the director who whizzed by me on his way to the Godzilla Booth at NYCC. So I turned to my dear friend Yuu-san to work another miracle and secure me tickets as she had done just a few months ago for the July screening of Godzilla (1954) at the same theater as part of the Toho Theater series. And she delivered again, scoring tickets for me and my friend and fellow Godzilla fan Alex who joined me on the trip. And Godzilla Fes 2024 did not disappoint!

Godzilla Fes 2024 short slideshow from morning until evening

Godzilla Day was a beautiful Sunday in Tokyo perfect for the day-long celebration. The day began with celebrity greetings, special announcements and latest news. We stood in line for a ticket to shop at the pop-up Godzilla Store at Chantler. Then we took a quick ride to the Godzilla head at Hotel Gracery and the Godzilla Store. We headed back in time to catch some of the Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla discussion. After we cheered and cried during the final Godzilla short movie “Great Monster Battle.” Lastly, Director Yamazaki took the stage for a talk and Izakaya Godzilla to close the great day and the outdoor events.

Godzilla Fes 2024 Recap

Exhausted from the long day but no less excited, we along with the other movie attendees assembled in the theater for the Godzilla 1954 4K Digitally Remastered screening. We were part of a handful of foreigners in attendance. We were honored to be there and to witness the historical occasion. As we found our seats I could feel the grandeur of the moment. Then Director Yamazaki and Yoshio Suzuki walked on stage followed by Shinsuke Kasai host of Godzilla Fes. And to my surprise the event provided English translations for the stage guests and subtitles for Godzilla.

Godzilla 4K Digitally Remastered Screening at Toho Cinemas Hibiya on Godzilla Fes 2024: Director Yamazaki, Yoshio Suzuki and group photo of members of the Toho family

Little did I know and out of my immediate line of sight, there were seated below near the stage members of Toho family. They had assembled for the great occasion. Among them were Producer Shogo Tomiyama, Shin Godzilla Director Shinji Higuchi, Cinematographer Keiichi Sakurai, Sonoe (daughter of Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima), Ryu Hariken and Toshio Miike. After Yamazaki and Suzuki finished their conversation, the group took to the stage for a group photograph. A host of media and press was there to capture the moment. Among them was my good friend Ed Holland. We were at the theater, but it was Toho heaven. When I thought the day was complete and couldn’t get any better, it did in a very special way.

Godzilla 4K Digitally Remastered Screening Recap

Godzilla 1954 was on the screen like never before. I saw details and heard sounds I had never experienced before. Our night at the theater I will never forget and always cherish. It was a perfect day and a perfect night in Japan to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Godzilla.