Another Piece of Godzilla

4.25.2023

Today is a special box day. First there were Godzilla cells. Then there was a Godzilla claw. Now there’s a Godzilla dorsal fin! I’ve wanted this piece of Godzilla for a very long time. In 2021, Nijigen no Mori’s Awaji Island Godzilla Interception Operation (淡路島ニジゲンノモリゴジラ迎撃作戦) turned one. To celebrate both anniversaries, they sold Godzilla vs King Ghidorah (1991) 30th Anniversary “Godzilla Interception Operation Limited Edition Special Coloring Godzilla Dorsal Fin” (ゴジラ迎撃作戦 限定版 特製カラーリングゴジラ背びれ). I salivated over it but I was convinced it was out reach and would be overpriced.

This amazing Godzilla dorsal fin was part of a 1st anniversary limited premium set that included an adult pair of tickets to Godzilla Interception Operation and a framed pair of original design tickets and design patches. Only 35 sets were sold at 58,000 yen each. They were only offered by lottery. The replica dorsal fin is 240mm wide, 375mm high, 120mm thick, and 910 grams.

This Godzilla dorsal fin is based upon the scene from Godzilla vs King Ghidorah (1991) when Godzilla struck the center of Ghidorah’s neck with his atomic ray. Then Godzilla begins to scream into the sky while he is bathed in Ghidorah’s golden scales.

Godzilla’s dorsal fin was made from a mold created by the late great Tomoki Kobayashi (小林知己, 1948–2009), a chief modeler in the Heisei Godzilla series. Kobayashi was a Japanese sculptor and modeler, who joined Toho Visual Arts in 1973. At first he wanted to be a background painter but he was assigned to the modeling department where he became the apprentice of master Godzilla sculptor Nobuyuki Yasumaru. He served as Toho’s third and final chief modeler. He was a modeling and plastering assistant from the 70s through the 80s. For Godzilla vs Biollante (1989), he was in charge of Godzilla’s head prototype and suit production. In 1991, he became the chief modeler. He created the sculptures of the Heisei Godzilla outside Hibiya Toho head office, at the main gate of Toho Studios, and at an exhibition room in the National Museum of Japanese History.

My Awaji dorsal fin appears to be a variant of the color type (カラータイプ, 商品サイズ24×12×37.5) of the BioGoji dorsal fin sold at the National Museum of Japanese History (see photos below). The Hokkaido GidoGoji suit was made from the sea suit from Godzilla vs Biollante (1989).

The Awaji dorsal fin is darker than the photos show. Ghidorah’s gold glitter applied on to one side on both sides. The position of the dorsal fin on Godzilla’s back is marked “C-3” on the bottom center and on the opposite side “TOM” (Tomoki?) is inscribed. The size and finish of my dorsal fin looks like it came right off Godzilla’s back from the set.