11.5.2021
Happy Godzilla Day! Tuesday in Japan and Wednesday in the U.S., we celebrated Godzilla’s 67th birthday. Godzilla Day was held online with a seven-hour YouTube live-stream from Japan. There were special talks, a preview of the 4K Digital Remaster of Mothra (1961), announcements for new releases at the Godzilla Store, and the premiere of an all new short film Godzilla vs Hedorah short movie.
Wednesday in Los Angeles, Godzilla’s birthday was celebrated with an exclusive cocktail party followed by a viewing of the recently 4K-remastered Godzilla (1954) at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater. My good friend Jeremy Soles of Summit Kaiju International and X-Plus, was there. I was officially invited but I was unable to go because of covid concerns. Thank so much the Toho Team for the invitation.
TJ Storm attends the Los Angeles Premiere Of Toho’s 1954 “Godzilla” in 4K Restoration at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater on November 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Godzilla Day was full of announcements for new figures, food, games, apparel and more: Epic Games’s Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, Kellytoy’s new line of Godzilla Squishmallows®, Mattel Hot Wheels® Godzilla Character Car, Cup Noodles® Godzilla, PUMA Godzilla shoes, and RYSE Supplements. There are new Godzilla-themed Products and activities available now: Apparel at the Official Godzilla Shop by Amazon, Cavity Colors 50th Anniversary Hedorah Shirt, Dim Mak Godzilla Collaboration, Go Big! Mobile Game, Jade City Foods x Godzilla Foods Coffee and Hot Sauces, Kinokuniya Godzilla Line, Mondo Godzilla Collection, Penguin Random House “Godzilla Mad Libs”, Pintrill Godzilla Pin Collection, PUCK HCKY Godzilla Hockey Jersey, Godzilla Stern Pinball Machines, and Super7 Godzilla Collection. Check out Kaiju Battle for more releases.
To celebrate the day, I quickly put together a poster to commemorate the occasion. I’m grateful for the wonderful reception and support it received from the community on social media. I was honored when Monster Maker Shinichi Wakasa and Godzilla suit actor TJ Storm tweeted it.
Long live the King.
Happy 67th Birthday to the King of Monsters! #Godzilla #Toho #Legendary #HaruoNakajima pic.twitter.com/ZvBMV8ULle— TJ Storm (@TJStorm01) November 4, 2021
FBで見つけたゴジラ67周年✨
すばらしいね⭐️ pic.twitter.com/d3N7obCXdH— 若狭 新一 (@shinichiwakasa) November 4, 2021
Across the country on November 3, at Alamo Drafthouse locations the 4K restoration of Godzilla (1954) was also show. From November 5-11, the Godzilla birthday festivities continue at select Alamo Drafthouse locations with a 50th anniversary screening of Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) as well as Shin Godzilla (2016). Then, beginning the week of November 12th, select Alamo Drafthouse locations will present a must-see double feature spectacular – two classics of the Heisei era never before seen in American cinemas: The Return of Godzilla (1984) and Godzilla vs. Biollante (1984). I’m looking forward to seeing these in NY next week. Tickets for all films can be purchased now at www.drafthouse.com and participating Alamo Drafthouse theaters. For a complete list of theater locations, dates and timing, visit the Alamo Drafthouse website (participating theaters are subject to change).
All the fun going on brought back wonderful memories of my first Godzilla birthday party back in 1984. My favorite Philly toy shop Rocketships & Accessories threw Godzilla a big party.
There is still so much more to report about Godzilla Day 2021. I hope you enjoyed it and continue to celebrate into December. Next year is the 50th Anniversary of Godzilla vs Gigan (1971). There are new Godzilla announcements almost everyday. This is the best time to be a Godzilla fan.