Heisei History

It was 1995

12.7.2022

Over the last couple years of collecting I’ve come across Godzilla collectibles I never knew existed. There are so many Godzilla games, figures, kits, books and more released in Japan that are just waiting to be found. It’s exciting to stumble across and secure obscure and unique collectibles. There are real jewels and grails out there waiting to be discovered. Some items are so special and could not be found if I knew to look for them. Such as this amazing find, a Toho special newsflash promotional video for Godzilla vs Destoroyah (released December 9, 1995).

Case Front Translation: ゴジラvsデストロイア 特報 NO, 3 (スーパー入り・なし) Godzilla vs. Destoroyah News Flash NO, 3 (with/without subtitles) | ご注意 Warning | 1. この映像素材は、この作品の公開に関連して紹介、 解説する目的に限って利用できるものとします。1. This video material can be used only for the purpose of introducing and explaining in relation to the release of this work. 2. 映画公開終了後の放送は一切できません。2. No broadcasting is allowed after the movie has been released. 3. 下記まで必ずご返却下さい。3. Please be sure to return it to the address below. | 東宝株式会社 宣伝部 パブリシティ室 1 Toho Co., Ltd. Advertising Department Publicity Office, 〒100 東京都千代田区有楽町1-2-1 1 1-2-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 | TEL 03-3591-3511 | 担当: 早川健一、小野、西野尾 Person in charge: Kenichi Hayakawa, Ono, Nishinoo

This is a Betamax video1 created as an introduction and explanation of the new Godzilla film for broadcast. When I went to Japan in 1994 I saw a Godzilla vs Space Godzilla trailer on television. Instructions were included on the case that strictly forbid the broadcast of this recording after the release of the movie. The tape was to be returned to the Toho’s Advertising Department Publicity Office. The seller “remembered receiving it from someone involved in the film industry.” He added, “It seems to be an advertisement material,” and a “collectible item that is difficult to obtain.” Its value and authenticity is confirmed by documentation outside and inside the cassette case.

VTR 記録表 VTR recording table | Title: ゴジラvsデストロイア Godzilla vs Destoroyah | Sub Title: 特報 NO. 3 | クライアント 東宝 (株) Client Toho Co., Ltd. | Rec Date ’95/8/14 | 伝票 Slip No. 69883 | VTR CVR702 | CH. 1 L, CH. 2 R, NTSC (National Television System Committee), NDF (Non-deliverable forward), Stereo | Color Bar Set3 Up 0% 1KHz OVU | 1H00’00スーパー入り 0’40” | 0’45”ソンスーパー 1’25” | 担当 Person in Charge 加藤 Kato | GIT Graphic Institute of Technology 株式会社 ジーアイティ4

I would love to find a player to watch and to digitally capture this Godzilla vs Destoroyah video. However, this video from SpaceHunterM on YouTube appears to be the special newsflash found on this tape. Check it out!

I’m so fortunate to have found this artifact from Toho and Godzilla vs Destoroyah, a piece of Heisei era history. This tape is a wonderful treasure and a new prized possession.

References

1. Betamax (also known as Beta, as in its logo) is a consumer-level analog recording and cassette format of magnetic tape for video, commonly known as a video cassette recorder. It was developed by Sony and was released in Japan on May 10, 1975. (Source: Wikipedia)

2. For Betacam Recorder AMPEX CVR-70

3. “Color bars are an artificial electronic signal generated by the camera or by post production equipment. They are recorded at the head of a videotape to provide a consistent reference in post production. They are also used for matching the output of two cameras in a multi-camera shoot and to set up a video monitor.” (Source: VideoUniversity.com)

4. GIT,Co. Ltd. 株式会社ジー・アイ・ティー is a copying and dubbing video images for broadcasting, business use, and consumer use, creating moving image files, and providing them to customers. (Source: Baseconnect.in)