See the war of the Giants!

On this day, Mothra vs Godzilla (1964) debuted in a colossal clash between the embodiment of goodness and pure innocence against the incarnation of calamity and war. “How much terror can you stand?” Get in line for your ticket & popcorn like it’s 1964! 1 2 3 4

Now Watch the Super8 Godzilla vs The Thing

This llustration was frequently used in promotional materials, advertisements, and posters. I saw it on display at the Tokusatsu DNA Exhibit in Ueda (2024).

From Ghost Godzilla to Godzilla Dies

On this day the first draft (ゴジラvsデストロイア検討稿) of the Godzilla vs Destoroyah script was produced. By the time of the public announcement that Godzilla would die, many hours of painstaking effort by many staff members contributed to the journey to complete the final motion picture of the Godzilla Heisei Series. The first written composition was authored by Producer Shogo Tomiyama, who also conceived the “Ghost Godzilla” concept that served as the foundation used by Kazuki Omori to develop the film’s plot. The storyline was formed on its 92 pages that closely resembled the final theatrical release. However the draft include unique elements:

1 the destruction of Birth Island caused by a submarine volcano; 2 the appearance of Commander Mafune of G-Force; 3 an attack by the juvenile Destoroyah forms on the Tokyo Port Ferry Terminal; 4 the designation of the special forces unit as a branch of the JSDF; 5 Godzilla’s destruction of the city of Matsuyama following his assault on the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant; 6 Miki and Meru’s efforts to divert Godzilla’s path toward the Pacific Ocean at the Hakata Bridge in Iwakuni; 7 Godzilla’s revival—after being frozen by “instant-freeze” rounds off the coast of the Izu Peninsula—prior to his scheduled transport to Tokyo; and 8 the setting for the final showdown between Godzilla and Destoroyah, which takes place at Haneda Airport, among other locations.

Source: Godzilla vs Destoroyah Completion, pp 90, 108 | Learn More

Godzilla King of the Monsters at Loew's State

A Legend was Born

On Friday, April 27, 1956, Godzilla King of the Monsters premiered on Broadway at the Loew’s State Theatre, located on 1540 Broadway in New York City, where it ran for 18 days. On Saturday, critic Bosley Crowther wrote a scathing review, “Screen: Horror Import,” in the New York Times. He wrote, “It is a great scaly prehistoric creature, reactivated by H-bomb tests, and it goes by the name of ‘Godzilla.’ It was introduced to audiences at Loew’s State yesterday… an incredibly awful film… a miniature of a dinosaur made of gum-shoes and about $20 worth of toy buildings and electric trains… exhales atomic breath, much as the cigarette billboard in Times Square blows out puffs of smoke, takes it upon itself, for no clear reason, to destroy Tokyo… Among the mildly horrified observers is the American actor Raymond Burr, who gives a running account of the proceedings for his news agency employers… All the other observers are local actors, whose English dialogue is plainly dubbed, and some several hundred—or thousand—Japanese extras who do nothing but run and scream.The whole thing is in the category of cheap cinematic horror-stuff, and it is too bad that a respectable theatre has to lure children and gullible grown-ups with such fare.” Nevertheless, Godzilla King of the Monsters was a massive hit and commercial success. “While it may not have been the prevailing sentiment at the time, those who were truly captivated by the movie likely sensed that, in that very moment, a legend was born” (Source: Godzilla 40th Anniversary Special Book). Poster | Watch | Learn More

Godzilla Fes 2026

Held on Tuesday, 11/3 (National Holiday)!

Godzilla Fes II

Burning Millennium Godzilla Suit Production Project Launched

Registration Opens Saturday, 6.20
Information Updated Every Tuesday!!

“Production has been officially confirmed for ‘Fest Godzilla II: The Vanishing of Tokyo’ — the latest installment in the original tokusatsu series that has become a beloved tradition of Godzilla Fest! A crowdfunding campaign to build the suit for “Burning Millennium Godzilla”—the star of this new production—together with our fans is set to launch very soon. Your support will set Godzilla’s chest ablaze and serve as a beacon illuminating the future of tokusatsu. We look forward to your contributions!”

JP Graphic | Project | @godzilla_jp

Tomoyuki Tanaka (4/26/1910 – 4/2/1997)

Tanaka sought to embody in Godzilla “strength” and “justice.” He never ceased to keep “Godzilla films” in his thoughts, and he appears to have been constantly exploring various possibilities for their future development.

Godzilla: A History of Toho Tokusatsu and Sci-Fi Cinema
｢ゴジラ｣東宝特撮・SF映画史昭和編 (pp 201, 206)

Saturday Mornings

On this Saturday, April 25, in 1981, at 8:00 am on Channel 3, I enjoyed “Godzilla/Hong Kong Phooey Hour” here in Philadelphia. On Sunday morning, the new The Philadelphia Inquirer TV Week program guide would have arrived for me to discover Godzilla on Monster Island (1977) would air next Saturday afternoon on May 2, 1981. TV Listing | Watch CM

The Story behind Godzilla Raids Again

Excerpt from “Godzilla Raids Again,” Godzilla: A History of Toho Tokusatsu and Sci-Fi Cinema (｢ゴジラ｣東宝特撮・SF映画史昭和編), pp 40-41

It appears that Kayama struggled considerably to piece together the narrative of “Godzilla” once again. As December arrived, he sequestered himself at the Ryokufukaku—a familiar inn in Atami—to work on the original story. Yet, these were days filled with anguish and creative blocks; he simply could not conceive of a plausible scenario for the monster—which had already been defeated once—to make a reappearance. Then, on the evening of December 20th—at precisely 5:30 PM—something remarkable happened: as he plunged into the hot spring bath, inspiration suddenly struck him. While the plot twist involving the emergence of a second Godzilla and a new monster was likely born at this very moment, Kayama felt a strong reluctance to kill Godzilla a second time. He wanted to avoid having to destroy Godzilla twice. Consequently, he devised a solution: the monster would retreat to a northern island, where it would become entombed in ice and snow, drifting into a deep slumber.

In this work, Kayama placed particular emphasis on the premise that Godzilla is a flesh-and-blood animal. This choice was likely necessitated by the narrative decision not to kill Godzilla, which in turn demanded a faithful and thorough depiction of life itself. Furthermore, by opening with a scene of combat, the story underscores Godzilla’s primal ferocity—a quality that serves to assert his status as a living, distinct “individual.” Underlying this approach is a profound sense of “reverence” for life; acting as a response to the political messaging that inadvertently emerged from the previous installment, the work appears to shift its focus away from Godzilla’s singularity toward a narrative centered on humanity, thereby seeking to convey a theme that might best be described as “hope.”

Art from Godzilla Raids Again (1955) U.S. poster

Headline News

“Godzilla World” is coming

Fascinating posts have been leaking out for a couple days on Japanese social media and now IGN, reporting that “Toho has teased a plan for ‘Godzilla World,’ which will expand and interconnect the Japanese Godzilla universe like Hollywood’s MonsterVerse franchise.” The report originates from NewsPicks but most of the interview resides behind a paywall. Here’s the tease: “Keiji Ota—Executive Officer, Chief Godzilla Officer (CGO), and Head of the Animation Division—a key figure overseeing both the Godzilla and animation sectors, to uncover the blueprint behind Toho’s distinctive approach to IP management.” Mr Ota said, “In addition to the Godzilla films created by Hideaki Anno (2016’s Shin Godzilla) and Takashi Yamazaki (Godzilla Minus One and the upcoming Godzilla Minus Zero), if Toho itself creates original concepts for Godzilla, we will be able to strategically produce spin-offs as well… Just as Legendary has its MonsterVerse, we are currently progressing with plans to call ours Godzilla World. If we focus on creating original concepts (for Godzilla), we might be able to keep the franchise going for another 50 years.” It’s “Godzilla World” and I’m living in it. IGN | NewsPicks

"Godzilla Heisei vs Series" by Shinji Nishikawa (Source: KaijuBattel.net) — "Godzilla Heisei vs Series" by Shinji Nishikawa

Into the Godzilla Room

Today in 2015, the Godzilla Room and View Room open at Hotel Gracery. I was privileged to see the Godzilla Room a few years ago at the invitation of fellow Godzilla fan Helmi in 2023. The room lived up to expectations with Godzilla greeting at the door, Godzilla grabbing over the bed and a special Godzilla video presentation on the TV. Godzilla is everywhere, on display, on the walls and even in the bathroom. Now that the new Godzilla vs King Ghidorah Room has been opened, don’t forget to book the original too. Plan your Godzilla trip!

Watch Video

Godzilla Made for TV

On April 23, 1973, after the theatrical release of Godzilla vs Megalon in March, Godzilla makes his TV debut in a guest appearance on Meteor Man Zone『流星人間ゾーン』Episode 4 “Invasion! The Grand Garoga Army: Godzilla Appears” directed by Ishiro Honda. Godzilla as friend and ally joins Zone Fighter to defeat Wargilgar and Spyler. Godzilla would return again in episodes 11, 15, 21 and 25. Both King Ghidorah (episodes 5 & 6) and Gigan (episode 11) appeared on the show. Meteor Man Zone aired on Nippon TV in Japan every Monday at 7:00 PM from April 2 to September 24, 1973. For more information and great pictures pick up volume 16 of the Godzilla & Toho Tokusatsu Official Mook series.

Watch More Learn More

Showa & Tell

First of Its Kind

Do you love Monster Zero, aka Invasion of Astro-Monster (怪獣大戦争) like I do? Then the rare book, Toho Kaiju Film Series Invasion of Astro-Monster (東宝怪獣映画シリーズ怪獣大戦争), is for you. There are not only very few books on this movie, little did I know, this is the very first book ever published on it.¹ This “film storybook” is similar to the Movie Comics, using movie scene after scene with dialogue in speech bubbles and captions in comic book panels and layout. The 100-page B7-sized book is protected by a paper slipcase that also includes an Monster Encyclopedia appendix featuring 15 major monsters including Godzilla, King Ghidorah, and Rodan. Futami Shobo (ニ見書房) published this volume on August 1, 1979 (retail price 390 yen) to coincided with the theatrical screenings of the Godzilla Movie Complete Collection (ゴジラ映画大全集). It was released alongside the second volume featuring Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla (1974).²

1 2 Invasion of Astro-Monster Completion (怪獣大戦争コンプリーション, Hobby Japan), p 151

What’s Old is New Again

Godzilla plastic model kits are having a revival. But the memory of my first Japanese kit has never faded. Take a look back at the history of one of the earliest plastic Godzillas. Read Now

On April 20, 1959, Ryunosuke Chagawa writes a monster novel for boys, but Junnosuke Furuyuki mocks him, saying, “Well, that’s Godzilla, isn’t it?” On April 22, at 14:30, a monster resembling Godzilla appears near Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo Bay. destroying Third Street and Suzuki Auto. 「それじゃあ、ゴジラですね」in ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street 2 directed by Takashi Yamazaki. Watch | More

ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street 2

Yesterday, before the Dodgers-Rockies game, Shohei Ohtani met Momoyo Kelly, a 100-year-old Japanese survivor of the Nagasaki bombing in 1945. He autographed a baseball for her down on the field. As I shopped for Godzilla collectibles, I was reminded of a powerful statement I read on Friday: “Godzilla and other special effects monster movies are like a “mirror” that reflects the times, and each drama that unfolded over the course of half a century was like a mirror that showed a cross-section of the state of affairs in Japan at any given time”「時代に応じてゴジラをはじめとする怪獣たちの物語が､その都度、被害者や影響を被った当事者の怒りを代弁してきた｡｣ An 18-year old Kichisuke Yoshimura, a Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor) drew this illustration recounting the horrors of Hiroshima nuclear bombing on August 6, 1945. As we prepare for Yamazaki’s next Godzilla, let us learn the lesson Godzilla teaches us. Learn More | About the Art & Artist

Illustration of the victims of Hiroshima bombing by survivor Kichisuke Yoshimura — Hiroshima by Kichisuke Yoshimura

Director Takashi Yamazaki

Yamazaki Speaks

Director Yamazaki is everywhere at the same time, popping up on stage and screen in the U.S. and Japan and in-between. As he goes he is dropping Minus Zero nuggets along the way. Here are the memorable quotes:

Regarding the Statue of Liberty, while it is a very brief sequence, it holds profound meaning for a specific character.

「自由の女神に関しては、非常に短いシークエンスですが、ある登場人物にとって非常に重要な意味を持っています」

「英語を話す日本人キャラクターが登場します。アメリカ国防総省や海軍などの軍全体が、映画の核となるテーマに大きく関わってきます」

There is a Japanese character who speaks English. The U.S. Department of Defense, the Navy, and the military as a whole play a significant role in the core themes of the movie.

[Zero will] depict the grand destiny of the Shikishima family.

「敷島家の大きな運命を描く」

「『-0.0』の冒頭では、とても幸せな家族です。しかし『-1.0』から2年が経ち、当然ながらゴジラが出現します。一連の出来事によってこの家族は再び窮地に叩き込まれ、また“マイナス”へと戻ってしまうのです」

At the beginning of Godzilla -0.0, they are a very happy family. However, two years have passed since the events of Godzilla -1.0, and—inevitably—Godzilla appears. Due to this chain of events, the family is once again plunged into dire straits, reverting back to a state of ‘minus.’

You, too, will experience the emotional rollercoaster that the Shikishima family endures. You will witness their struggles, their efforts to overcome adversity, and the courage inherent in their family bonds.

「みなさんも、敷島家の面々が味わう感情のジェットコースターを共に体験することになるでしょう。彼らがもがき、困難を克服し、家族が持つ勇気を目の当たりにすることになります」

Source: “Godzilla Minus One” to Feature English-Speaking Japanese Characters; Statue of Liberty Sequence “Significant to a Certain Character”

What I learned with Godzilla Minus One is, because a lot of the events and the scale of the kaiju is so immense, we needed a smaller lens or a smaller perspective to be able to kind of see the actual scale of the drama.

A lot of the important fights and the important action sequences that are happening in the film are definitely going to be in full IMAX.

I got goosebumps looking at even just a rough, in-progress version of this VFX sequence means audiences are going to see something they’ve never seen before.

I haven’t counted the shots yet, but I can certainly say that there are going to be more cuts that require VFX, and each shot that requires VFX is more complex than Godzilla Minus One. But thankfully, Toho gave me more money this time, which means more people that I can bring on to the VFX team.

When making films, I always think about the feeling that I want someone to see it. The only exception this time is that the people on the other side of the screen are going to be James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, and J.J. Abrams, the directors who really define the modern Hollywood, directors who I absolutely love what they’ve done. So I do think about, “Well, what do I want them to see within my film and what can I put in there?”

There is certainly a lot of pressure, but I think I’m the type of character where pressure becomes my source of energy.

Source: ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ is directly inspired by Steven Spielberg and The Greatest Sci-Fi Directors Ever

“The journey from minus to zero will not be an easy one”

Director Takashi Yamazaki

Worth the Wait

Yamazaki’s Godzilla is back, bigger, badder and more ferocious filmed for IMAX. The director takes two years into the future in 1949 and continues the story of Shikishima, Noriko and Akiko, upon whom Yamazaki says “an even deeper desperation will descend upon Japan and the Shikishima family.” Noriko wears an eye patch reminiscent of Dr Serizawa. Shikishima is back in a fighter flying through debris dragged along by a new weapon that suggests a gravity beam. The teaser opens with another look at the devastated Ginza. The first big reveal is that secret presence of an U.S. B-29 bomber flying over Operation Wadatsumi with the willingness to unleash nuclear hell for a third time on Japan. An U.S. soldier is heard saying, “If their operation fails, maybe we will finally get to use it. Abort third drop. Repeat, abort the drop.” But the biggest reveal is that Godzilla’s terror is not restricted to Japan but now includes the U.S. as he walks past the Statue of Liberty. There are so many more questions and plenty of speculation and historical context to research. Yet we know that Oscar-winning Yamazaki will deliver. Message from Yamazaki: ENG | JA | 1 | 2 | More Info | Interview

Godzilla Minus Zero Update

Update: Godzilla -0.0 will be set 2 years after the first film. It will be the first Japanese project filmed for IMAX. Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe are reprising their roles. Godzilla will go to New York City! It makes sense when the director announced the film beside the Brooklyn Bridge. In the teaser, it is said a bigger and scarier Godzilla nears the Statue of Liberty. “The overwhelming scale seen on the giant scale and that roar that shakes your seat, Godzilla becomes Godzilla when experienced in the theatre” (CinemaCon). The director also said, “I firmly believe that films are meant to be experienced in theaters” (@FilmUpdates). Germain Lussier of Gizmodo writes, “’The journey from minus to zero will not be an easy one,’ Yamazaki said of his story, but he promised that from the despair will come hope and resolve.”

Godzilla -0.0 Teaser One

Time to adjust our countdown for Tuesday, April 14th at 6:55 PM EST for Godzilla Minus Zero first teaser on YouTube!

Godzilla Minus Zero First Teaser announced for April 15 at 6:55 PM EST

A Sign of the Times

All eyes are on the Godzilla Minus Zero sign at CinemaCon posted by Fandango. The storm clouds are gathering, Godzilla is coming! What do we see in the clouds? Some see Ghidorah. I see Hedorah polluting the sky. What do you see in this Godzilla Rorschach Test? No doubt on Tuesday night we will wait for what the Director reveals.

Countdown to Zero

After fifty decades of Godzilla, I now have recurring Godzilla dreams. In my dreams I see Godzilla figures I’ve never seen before. I’m certain I had one last night because we are only days away from the CinemaCon appearance of Director Yamazaki who promises to drop news about Minus Zero! We have some many questions: Will there be another monster? Will Godzilla’s appearance change? What will become of Shikishima, Noriko and Akiko? Creating a sequel to the Oscar-winning Minus One is a daunting challenge. How to follow Minus One with a sequel with the quality and success of Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back? I have faith in the director who delivered the perfect sequel to Always Sunset on Third Street (2005) and gave the world a peak at his CGI Godzilla. The appearance of another monster makes sense, particularly Hedorah, given the historical context and its contemporary relevance. But Yamazaki may surprise us. It’s fun to speculate. Soon we will know more than before but also have new questions. What Godzilla are you dreaming about?

Illustration: The Record of G-1.0

A head above the rest

Upclose & Personal: On April 9, 2015, Hotel Gracery was crowed with a 12-meter-tall 50-ton “Godzilla head” on the outdoor 8th-floor terrace of the Shinjuku Toho Building, as a new resident and tourism ambassador. The design is based upon his appearance in Godzilla vs Mothra (1992). Godzilla is surrounded by reliefs of the original Godzilla, Godzilla (1984), and MosuGoji (1992). He can not only be heard but also touched! My first visit was an evening in 2015 to see him light up the sky. A walk along Godzilla Street to see the Godzilla Head is a must on every trip. But for the last several years Godzilla can only be enjoyed from afar. We hope we can Godzilla up close and personal again in years to come.

The Design of Godzilla

Godzilla Compact Discs

Godzilla soundtracks were hard to come for many years. Back in the 70s and 80s, we were lucky if we found official Godzilla vinyl records and audio tape cassettes. Not only was the music great, the album art was too. The advent of compact disc (CDs) brought a wave of releases to the U.S. Godzilla official soundtracks. They popped up in local shops and conventions. CDs preserved the original album art on the jewel cases and in the booklet inserts. The original soundtrack (OST) CDs typically feature the original movie art set in a generic template. The art on my first Godzilla CD was simple and clean. But there were box sets such as 50th Anniversary boxes with cool closeup Godzilla headshots. Others had unique designs such as Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla and Godzilla X MechaGodzilla OST. The design of the Godzilla Minus One CD and album was beautiful. Now that we live in the age of streaming and digital music, let’s celebrate the Godzilla art and design found on the physical media. Here are some favorite CD art in my collection. 1 2 3 4

The Best Selected Music From Godzilla "Then" 1954-1975 CD — The Best Selected Music From Godzilla

Toho Monster March (東宝怪獣行進曲) — Toho Monster March

HOWL The Grunts and Growls of All Toho Monsters CD — HOWL The Grunts and Growls of All Toho Monsters

Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla Original Soundtrack CD — Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla OST

Shin Godzilla vs Evangelion Koukyougaku Limited CD — Shin Godzilla vs Evangelion

Godzilla X Mecha-Godzilla Original Soundtrack CD — Godzilla X Mecha-Godzilla OST

Shin Godzilla Original Soundtrack CD — Shin Godzilla OST

Godzilla 2000 Original Sound Track CD (Korean) — Godzilla 2000 OST

50th Anniversary Godzilla Soundtrack Perfect Collection Box 3 — 50th Anniversary Godzilla OST Box 3

The Original Ai

During a CNBC interview at Davos 2026, it was said “The world needs a savior and the hope is that AI is the savior.” February headlines read, “Anthropic thinks Claude 4.6 might be conscious.” No, thank you. But in 1973, Professor Goro Ibuki was dumbfounded when his robot creation Jet Jaguar achieved consciousness. “I can’t believe it. But the sheer determination—the resolve that he had to fight Megalon himself until Godzilla arrived—that must be what made him grow so massive.” Devoid of any “conscience circuit,” Jet Jaguar suddenly activated and underwent an astonishing transformation.

Photos: Tokusatsu DNA Exhibit in Ueda (2024)

“Extra! Extra! Read all about it!”

Yesterday, while looking for one thing I came upon another. In 2015, in anticipation of arriving in Karuizawa in October, I signed up as a volunteer extra for “Godzilla 2016” with the help of my dear student and friend. I thought I lost all emails requesting extras for the filming of Shin Godzilla. Upon arrival I recall receiving an email for volunteers who should be prepared to get very wet and to bring a change of clothing. After the release of Shin Godzilla I recognized this day of filming was for the opening scene in the Tokyo Wan Aqua-Line Tunnel and Tunnel of Wind in Tokyo Bay. Later, I joked that I could have played the President of the United States, who was Barack Obama at that time. Below is the screenshot of my email from July 31, 2015. This is all I have left of those emails.

Email Summary: Form Name: “Godzilla 2016 (Working Title)” Volunteer Extra Registration Form | Your submission has been received. Thank you. Thank you very much for subscribing to the newsletter for volunteer extras for the movie “Godzilla 2016 (Working Title).” Please take a moment to review your application details to ensure there are no errors. Filming is scheduled to begin around September, so please wait a little while longer until the filming schedule is finalized and recruitment officially opens! We intend to send out notifications as soon as possible, though it is highly likely that they will be sent in late August. We kindly ask that you retain this email until filming has concluded. Thank you for your cooperation. Godzilla 2016 (Working Title) Volunteer Extra Recruitment Team.

Godzilla Lives On

This morning I was reminded about the 600-year-old tsunami stones in Japan left to warn future generations to retreat and to refrain from building behind certain points. A memorial stone is “a permanent marker—commonly a headstone, tombstone, or engraved plaque—used to commemorate a deceased person, mark a grave, or honor a significant event.” This weekend I wish I was in Japan for the screenings of the 4K remastered Godzilla vs Destoroyah at Toho Cinemas located in Hibiya Chanter to see Godzilla die again on the big screen for the first time. In 1995, in anticipation of the death of Godzilla, Toho erected a one-meter tall full-size Godzilla statue in Nemu Square on the grounds of Hibiya Center to “honor the achievements of the 41 years since the first movie.” The statue was created by the late Kobayashi Tomoki, who was in charge of Godzilla’s design for the Heisei films. Although Godzilla would die, he would continue to live inside this bronze memorial stone. Inscribed below him is a quote from Dr. Yamane: “I don’t think this Godzilla is the last one left”「このゴジラが最後の1匹だとは思えない｣. And sure enough this would not be the last Godzilla. He appeared again in 2016 with the release of Shin Godzilla. In turn Godzilla was again memorialized with a new statue just feet away where the Heisei statue once stood. Today, the Heisei Godzilla statue welcomes moviegoers as they step off the escalator and head to the entrance of the Toho theater. Together they are a reminder of the death and return of Godzilla. Since 2016 I have visited Godzilla Square on every trip to stand beside both statues. Read More | Godzilla Statues

What makes the best Godzilla toys

With the release of threezero KAIJU-DOU Godzilla 1974 I finally got my dream Godzilla. It’s the perfect Godzilla action figure I always wanted. The figure is fully posable with light-up dorsal fins and he even roars. Why does it work for me? What makes for a great Godzilla toy? Each Godzilla fan and collector will have to answer these questions for his or herself. But we can’t forget our first Godzilla toy. It didn’t matter how simple, inaccurate, imperfect and inexpensive our Godzilla may have been. Our eyes saw no flaws and imaginations gave him the movie action we saw on screen. For us older fans our first Godzilla might have been a sofubi figure, an Aurora model kit or the Mattel Shogun Godzilla. For some it might have been the Trendmasters Godzilla and Imperial Godzilla. And for others it may be a NECA or Super7 ReAction Godzilla figure. Regardless of the time our first figure was made, it was love at first sight. Godzilla leaped off the screen into our arms. And if our first Godzilla toy didn’t survive years of childhood play, we found another one as an adult so we could relive those memories and moments of joy. It’s magical. What manufacturers couldn’t give those toys our imaginations did. Today, Godzilla toys come in all scales, shapes, shades and sizes to satisfy every fan, budget, preference, space and taste. We are living in the best of times and the greatest Godzilla boom. Today technology has caught up to our imaginations and put into our hands the perfect Godzilla of our dreams.

Takeoff

Did you see NASA’s Artemis II takeoff for the moon? It was awesome and inspiring. When I was 11 I saw the Space Shuttle resting on the Boeing 747 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. All this got me thinking about the two man-made spaceship Godzilla movies made famous in the Showa era. Inspired by NASA, the P-1 spaceship, under the command of astronauts Kazuo Fuji and Glenn, investigated the mysterious Planet X in Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965). In Destroy All Monsters (1968), the U.N.S.C. Moonlight SY-3 takes off for the moon to defeat the Kilaaks only to return to earth to battle King Ghidorah. These rockets were never the size of NASA’s Artemis II but they have plenty of excitement on screen like the real McCoy. The movie miniatures can be found on display during the Tokusatsu DNA (特撮のDNA) exhibits.

P-1 miniature from Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)

P-1 (P-1号)

Resin casting
(H 510 x W 200 x D 200mm)

During the era when NASA was frequently undertaking manned spaceflight missions, the Godzilla series likewise began to depict themes of space exploration and conflicts with extraterrestrial beings. The Jupiter exploration rocket P-1—piloted by Kazuo Fuji and Glenn—is represented here by a poly-cast model faithfully recreated based on the smallest of the three miniatures originally produced for the film. This model was crafted by Hilma Model Craft. The flying saucer belonging to the antagonists, the Xiliens, was also produced by Hilma Model Craft; in the scene where Godzilla and Rodan are transported to Planet X, Fuji, Glenn, and their companions are shown aboard this very vessel.

Moonlight SY-3 miniature from Destroy All Monsters (1968)

Moonlight SY-3 (ムーンライトSY-3号)

Fiberglass reinforced plastic & metal (H 1260 x W 360 x D 300mm)

A rocket developed by the U.N.S.C. (United Nations Scientific Committee). It is a two-stage launch vehicle consisting of a forward rocket section equipped with movable wings and a large booster designed for atmospheric escape, with a designated overall length of 124 meters. The exhibit features a model crafted by Hilma Model Craft, constructed from FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) with select metal components. Produced with strict fidelity to the original miniature used during filming, the model features forward wings that are fully articulated and capable of opening and closing. The design specifications and engineering blueprints were drafted by Mutsumi Toyoshima of Toho’s Special Art Department (at the time).

Director Higuchi revealed that he himself had once aspired to be a researcher, and stated his belief that in films such as “Godzilla” and other superhero works, scientists who support the protagonist have often served as a bridge between reality and fantasy. He explained that in recent years, the ranking of scientists and researchers as desired professions among elementary, junior high, and high school students has been declining, and that he is striving to make films that foster this aspiration.

Director Shinji Higuchi provided lectures for the 67th Science and Technology Week (Source: A special lecture by the director of “Shin Godzilla” will  be given at the Science and Technology Week commemorative event)

The Doctor’s Memoir

Godzilla is the name of a malevolent deity passed down on Odo Island.

These are the words of Dr. Kyohei Yamana, whose memoir “Tokukaerekashi”『とくかえれかし』was published by the University of Tokyo Press (東京大学出版部) on April 1, 1995. He recounts the appearance of the first Godzilla and reflects the person and role Dr Serizawa would play against Godzilla’s destruction. This memoir appears exclusively in the Godzilla 2000 Millennium novel (Kadokawa, 11/1/99). On April 1, his memoir can be read on the Godzilla Reader (Pt 1 | 2 | 3).

Dr Yamane and Dr Serizawa holding the Oxygen Destroyer

Where is Godzilla headed?

Key Takeaways from An interview with Chief Godzilla Officer (CGO) Keiji Ota

lp.p.pia.jp | 4/1/2026 (Wed) | Keiji Ota (Photo: Yurika Kawano)

“Godzilla-0.0 (Godzilla Minus Zero),” is scheduled for release on November 3rd (Tuesday, a national holiday) this year. In addition to theatrical films, various other content is being prepared, including the development of new video content including live-action and animation, as well as games and events, and the scope of its activities continues to expand. Mr. Ota is in charge of the global branding strategy to cultivate Godzilla into a global IP, but when asked about his current activities, he smiles and says, “It really feels like we’ve just ‘finally started’.”

[W]e set the goal of making Godzilla a character that would be loved all over the world more than ever before. It felt like overseas creators had ignited a fire in us.

[B]ehind this huge success was an incident where we unintentionally sowed seeds in the world. This is really embarrassing to admit, but at the time, we were providing past Godzilla movies to overseas cable television stations under low conditions, and there was a period when past Godzilla films were broadcast over and over again on overseas television. We should have been paid according to the number of times they were broadcast, but at the time we didn’t have the negotiating power to assert that.

They [Gareth Edwards & Michael Dougherty] grew up influenced by past Godzilla movies. Therefore, they had a deep understanding of Godzilla and a very strong respect for it. That’s why they were able to make a movie that “hit the nail on the head,” and we rarely had to reject their character designs or scripts. I think this was a very important turning point.”

I want to make Godzilla a more familiar presence… That’s why we will continue to produce theatrical films by unique directors while overseeing the entire project to ensure that the worldview and values of Godzilla remain consistent.

Keiji Ota (大田圭二), Senior Managing Executive Officer of Toho, the company behind Godzilla, and Chief Godzilla Officer (CGO), who is in charge of the Godzilla business. He joined Toho in 1989. He became head of the film division in 2010, a director in 2013, and has been a senior managing executive officer since 2025 (current position). He has served as Chief Godzilla Officer since 2017. He is an indispensable figure when discussing the future of Godzilla.

Keiji Ota (大田圭二), Chief Godzilla Officer

We want Chibi Godzilla to be the first Godzilla that children encounter.

Godzilla welcomes and sees off foreigners… Godzilla was chosen as the “face of Japan” to welcome people from all over the world.

From now on, it’s the era of enjoying Godzilla simultaneously around the world!

[U]p until now, Godzilla has been mainly a movie, with one film released every few years. That’s why, going forward, I want to continue creating diverse content while controlling the timing of releases, and I think it would be good to have series that are nurtured over a long period of time, not just theatrical films.”

We want to continue with Godzilla. We want it to be something that lasts a long time. That’s why in 2019 we established the Godzilla Room, which is responsible for brand control of Godzilla worldwide, and in 2025 we upgraded it to the Godzilla Department.

[G]odzilla is a treasure of Toho and a treasure of Japan

[P]erhaps one day Godzilla will appear on Japanese banknotes

The Daily Bookshelf

Godzilla Movies on Pages

We have many ways to enjoy Godzilla movies in addition to Blu-rays, DVDs, streaming services and even VHS. We can also enjoy Godzilla fights, follow movie plots and enjoy the effects in the variety of Godzilla movie books published over the 70 years of Godzilla’s history.

Shogakukan Monster Series

These fun Godzilla books for children bring the movie action off the screen onto the pages with big captions and simple scene explanations. Below are Godzilla Appears, Godzilla vs King Ghidorah, and New Godzilla. See Inside

Movie Comics

There are only a few of these small books but they cover each scene with character dialogue in comic book form. These are the books for Mothra vs Godzilla (1964), Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966) and Terror of MechaGodzilla (1975). See Sample

Toho Movie Production Godzilla Movie Novels

Toho Movie Novelization

No pictures in these novelizations published by Kodansha X Bunko, but all the movie story. These are the novels for Godzilla (1954), Mothra vs Godzilla (1964) and Godzilla (1984).

Godzilla Visual Series, Kodansha Hit Books and Toho Film Comics

And More…

Relive Godzilla movie adventures in such books as Super Visual Series New Godzilla, Kodansha Big Hits TV Magazine Visual Collection Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla, and Toho’s Film Comic Godzilla vs Destoroyah.

Godzilla art

MyKaiju Korner

MyKaiju box art has been spotted at the flagship Godzilla Store in Tokyo. There on the bottom shelf are the Toho Monsters Kit Godzilla (1993), MechaGodzilla (1993) and the latest Godzilla (2021).

The X-Plus North America Godzilla 1989 Poster Version featuring MyKaiju art popped up on social media as well. (Source: @mobebeseijin) 4.1

MyKaiju box art has been spotted at the Godzilla Shop Tsutaya Satellite and at the Godzilla Store Popup at Kinokuniya in Ikebukuro Source: @godzilla_jp | 1 | 2 | 4.1

Godzilla corner at Yamada Denki with MyKaiju TMK box art on display Source: @godzilla_jp | 4.3

Godzilla Store Hakata and Godzilla Store Umeda will be opening simultaneously on Monday, April 6th. The store layouts have been released. In the center is a giant Godzilla statue about 2 meters tall. In the renderings the TMK box art created by MyKaiju can be seen. Source: primes.jp | 4.1

April Box Daze

I had a great shopping Saturday finding this new Find Godzilla ｢ゴジラをさがせ｣ book recently published by Kodansha in February. I almost missed this oversized 32-page book until my eyes gazed to the top shelf of the children’s department of Kunokuniya. “Search for every incarnation of Godzilla, along with ally monsters like Mothra, enemy monsters like MechaGodzilla, super-mechs, maser cannons and more!” 1 | 2 | 3 | Buy | 3.29

My Big Bad Toy Store ThreeZero KAIJU-DOU Godzilla 1974 Box

I went to my front door and to my surprise my threezero KAIJU-DOU Godzilla 1974 figure from Big Bad Toy Store had arrived. I’m keeping my second in the unopened shipping box for the future. Learn More 3.31

Unexpectedly on Sunday evening the Ichibankjui Mecha Figures land: X-Alien Saucer and the P-1 from Invasion of Astro-Monster, Futurians Kid from Godzilla vs King Ghidorah and Third Planet Alien Saucer from Terror of MechaGodzilla. They are very well made. If you love these ships like I do, get a set. I’ve order another set along with the Oxygen Destroyer. 4.13

Toho Monster Series DVD Miniature Charm Collection [Set of 5] (東宝怪獣シリーズ DVDミニチュアチャームコレクション【5種類セット】)

The Toho Monster Series DVD Miniature Charm Collection (東宝怪獣シリーズ DVDミニチュアチャームコレクション) was a no-brainer. The Godzilla DVD jewel cases reproduce the front and back packaging. Each charm opens to reveal a removable plastic DVD inside. These will go along with my miniature TV-VCR and VHS cassette collection. 4.13

Godzilla Store Promotion Card Godzillasaurus front card

Small but cool item include with my last box day, the Godzilla Store promotional card for Godzillasaurus. The card back reads: In 1944, the ancient dinosaur known as Godzillasaurus inhabited Lagos Island in the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific. A Japanese garrison was stationed on the island, tasked with repelling the U.S. forces attempting to land there. Eventually, subjected to heavy naval bombardment, the Godzillasaurus was wounded and collapsed. However… Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) 4.16

ID Classic Collection: Godzilla Rulers of Earth

Super Saturday was a celebration of Eric and his daughter’s birthdays last week. We hit up the shops in NJ and Manhattan where I spotted the ID Classic Collection: Godzilla Rulers of Earth at Forbidden Planet and picked up the new S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla 1989. I really wanted King Ghidorah but it was too expensive. 4.19

After blogging about my first Japanese Godzilla model kit, I realized my collection was void of the first Bandai The特撮Collection Godzilla (1954). So I had to quickly fix that dilemma with this one I found on eBay. It’s original with unopened parts. The box is big and beautiful featuring the art of Master Yuji Kaida. 4.24

The small but loaded new book, Godzilla: A History of Toho Tokusatsu and Sci-Fi Cinema (｢ゴジラ｣東宝特撮・SF映画史昭和編), has arrived. This book is centered on the Showa-era Godzilla—and featuring appearances by King Ghidorah and Mothra—this definitive record of Toho’s Tokusatsu and Sci-Fi film history also offers a chance to enjoy other heroes, such as Rainbowman. This 360-page book was published by Kodansha Bunko. Buy | 4.22

Godzilla: A History of Toho Tokusatsu and Sci-Fi Cinema (ゴジラ東宝特撮•SF映画史) book

What’s Happening

X-Plus Flying Battra (Toho Large Monster Series) announced yesterday at Super Festival 94 Exhibit. Now Keizer Ghidorah from Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) makes its powerful debut in the Hiya Toys EXQUISITE BASIC Series! Check out the Lacoste x Godzilla (2026) lineup. I love the MechaGodzilla. New male and female MUTO figure set coming from Hiya in 2027! Kodansha Bunko Godzilla: Toei Special Effects and SF Film History, Showa Edition『「ゴジラ」東宝特撮・SF映画史昭和編』(360 pages) on sale April 15. Preorder on Amazon Japan. Spiral Studio announces a new Vinyl Monsters Little Godzilla ($175 + $45 shipping). Pre-order Starts: March 31st, 2026 – 10:00 A.M. (PST Time). Coming soon is the 12-inch Mondo King Ghidorah (Monster Zero) vinyl figure by Urban Aztec. Pre-Orders open Thursday, April 9 at 11 AM CT on MondoShop.com. Seismic Toys is taking preorders for Ichibansho GMK Godzilla, Battra Larva, Godzilla Jr and more. All these figures are pre-orders and will arrive in the fall of 2026.

My preorder list

~~Godzilla: A History of Toho Tokusatsu~~
Hiya Destoroyah
X-Plus Godzilla Junior
Spiral Studio Godzilla 2023
XPNA TKWS Destoroyah
Monsters Roar Attack Godzilla (2004)

Starting tomorrow, Friday, April 17th, screening of “Godzilla 2000: Millennium 4K Digital Remastered Edition” begins as part of the Godzilla Theater series. Learn More | Source: @godzilla_jp | 4.16

Godzilla Theater: Godzilla 2000: Millennium 4K Digital Remastered Edition

Screening of Godzilla vs. Destoroyah 4K Digital Remastered Edition begins Friday, April 3. Source: @godzilla_jp | 4.2

Screening of Godzilla vs. Destoroyah 4K Digital Remastered Edition (Source: @godzilla_jp)

Celebrating the release of Godzilla King of the Monsters on April 4 1956

The Official X account for the US Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, posted today: “On April 4, 1956, “Godzilla, King of the Monsters!” was released in the U.S. Telling the story of Godzilla’s raid on Tokyo through the eyes of an American reporter, it became the first Japanese film to achieve major box office success in the U.S. With four Hollywood films produced since and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earned in 2004, Godzilla has become a definitive icon of U.S.-Japan pop culture.” Source: アメリカ大使館 @usembassytokyo | 4.4

Godzilla King of the Monster in Times Square, New York City (1956, NY Daily News)

23rd Niigata Tokusatsu Screening Event featuring Godzilla vs King Ghidorah and talk show with Shinji Nishikawa, Hurricane Ryu and Toshio Miike. Source: @nigat_tokusatsu | 4.13

Shinji Higuchi and Nomura Mansai (Source: @ToYou1107)

Talkshow at Meguro Cinema featuring Shinji Higuchi and Nomura Mansai who pose together with the Shin Godzilla mask. Photo: @ToYou1107 | 4.9

Godzilla drone show in Oimachi Tracks connected to the JR Ooi-machi Station. Source: @Maku_ring | 4.1

All 30 domestically produced live-action Godzilla films have completed their digitalization process! From May to August 2026, Godzilla Theater will show the newly 4K digital remastered versions of Godzilla vs Megaguirus (May 22), Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (June 19), Godzilla × MechaGodzilla (July 10) and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.(August 28). Learn More

Godzilla-ya closed it doors for the last time under the Kōenji elevated tracks. I visited the shop several times over the years. It’s sad to see it go. But the good news is it will reopen in late April or May at a location about a 10-minute walk away. Source: @hinokikazushi | 3.31

MyKaiju Goodies

MyKaiju Wallpaper

MyKaiju Godzilla Toy Photography: X-Plus Gigan 1972

Cool Pics

April Calendar

April 1

1955: Kyohei Yamane’s memoir, Tokukaerekashi (University of Tokyo Press), is published. Kanji Kashiwabara, Wataru Mimura, Godzilla 2000 Millennium (Novel) [A memoir in which Dr. Yamane recounts the 1954 Godzilla incident. Appears only in the novelization.]

2003: The Kiryu Unit, formed within the Special Self-Defense Force, takes up positions at the Defense Agency’s Technical Research Institute in Godzilla x Mechagodzilla [Years and months are from the final script draft. The date is not specified, but it is reasonable to assume it is the first day of the new fiscal year]

2015/2016: It was announced that Hideaki Anno would serve as general director and screenwriter for the new Godzilla film scheduled for release in 2015/2016, and Shinji Higuchi would serve as director and special effects director [Regarding Shin Godzilla]

2016: Toho announced the production of the theatrical film “Godzilla vs. Evangelion.” [The film production was an April Fool’s joke, but the Godzilla and Evangelion collaboration actually began / Godzilla x Evangelion T-shirts, Godzilla x Evangelion patches, Godzilla x Evangelion keychains, etc.

1928: Birthday of Toki Shiozawa (塩沢とき, died May 17, 2007) [Role: Representative of the Women’s Organization in Invasion of Astro-Monster]

1941: Birthday of Emi Ito (伊藤エミ, The Peanuts, died June 15, 2012) [Role: Shobijin (The Little Beauties) in Mothra, Mothra vs Godzilla, and Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]

1941: Birthday of Yumi Ito (伊藤ユミ, The Peanuts, died May 18, 2016) [Role: Shobijin (The Little Beauties) in Mothra, Mothra vs Godzilla, and*Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]

April 2

1984: The preliminary draft of Hidekazu Nagahara’s script for Godzilla is printed.

1941: Birthday of Koichi Ueda (上田耕一) [Roles include Yamaji (Chairman of the Joint Staff) in Godzilla vs Biollante, Masukichi Ikehata in Godzilla vs King Ghidorah, Iwao Hyodo in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla and Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla, among many others. He appeared consecutively in a total of 12 films, spanning from Godzilla vs Biollante through Godzilla: Final Wars. As of now, he holds the record for the most consecutive appearances in the series.]

1980: Birthday of Yusuke Tomoi (友井雄亮) [Roles include Susumu Hayama (Kiryu Squad: JGSDF 3rd Lieutenant → 2nd Lieutenant) in Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla and Godzilla: Tokyo SOS]

Year Unknown: Masanobu Kariya [Role: The voice of Glen (Ray Sefo) in Godzilla: Final Wars]

April 3

1994: To commemorate the screening of “Kaiju Planet Godzilla” at Sanrio Puroland, a non-stop Godzilla express train, the “Kaiju Planet Godzilla” train, ran on the Keio Line from Shinjuku to Keio Tama Center [Godzilla and Hello Kitty paraded through the train cars / made scheduled stops at Meidaimae and Chofu]

1954: Birthday of Hiroaki Iiyama (飯山弘章) [Role: Japan Air Self-Defense Force Officer in Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla]

1962: Birthday of Minoru Watanabe (渡辺実) [Role: Megaguirus Suit Actor in Godzilla vs Megaguirus]

1966: Birthday of Mina Tominaga (冨永みーな) [Role: Voice of Canadian Child in Godzilla: Final Wars]

Edo Period: Birthday of Ujigami Ichiban (Kabuki Rocks) [Role: Lyricist & Vocalist for the “Boken! Goziland”『冒険!ゴジランド』ending theme “Godzilla Sofamiredo (Godzilla Exercise)”ゴジラ・ソファミレド(ゴジラ体操)」Vocalist for “Seicho Gozirap”「正調ゴジラップ」]

1966: Ultra Q, Episode 14: “The Tokyo Ice Age” airs. Footage from the film Mothra is reused.

April 4

1990: Printing of a draft of Kazuki Omori’s script for “Mothra vs Bagan” (unproduced) [A script written as the successor to Godzilla vs Biollante. Mothra confronts Bagan, a monster that emerges from beneath the Indian subterranean earth. The theme of environmental issues and the character settings were carried over to Godzilla vs Mothra. Included in “Godzilla Toho Special Effects Unpublished Materials Archive: Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka and His Era” (Kadokawa Shoten), March 31, 2010]

2014: A talk show by Koichi Kawakita was held after the screening of Godzilla vs Destoroyah at the “GODZILLA Release Commemoration – 60th Anniversary Godzilla Movie Grand Offensive” held at the Jimbocho Theater in Tokyo.

1945: Birthday of Yukiko Takayama (高山由紀子) [Screenwriter: Terror of MechaGodzilla]

2008: “Kazunori Saito Collection: The Complete Guide to Ultra & Godzilla Kaiju Sofubi”『齋藤和典コレクションウルトラ・ゴジラ怪獣ソフビ大全』(Kodansha) published. [Ultra Kaiju sofubi figures make up the overwhelming majority of the contents.]

April 5

2014: At the “GODZILLA Release Commemoration – 60th Anniversary Godzilla Movie Grand Offensive”「GODZILLA公開記念・生誕60周年ゴジラ映画総進撃」event currently being held at the Jimbocho Theater in Tokyo in 2014, a talk show featuring Masaaki Tezuka and Eiichi Asada will be held after the screening of Tokyo SOS.

1944: Birthday of Daijiro Harada (原田大二郎) [Played Takuya Sasaki (G-Force Captain/Mechagodzilla’s main pilot) in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla]

1955: Birthday of Akira Toriyama (鳥山明)( [Extra in Shinjuku (uncredited) in Godzilla (1984)]

1963: Birthday of Keiko Shinohe (しのへけい子) [Played the role of the woman at the garbage dump in Godzilla vs Megaguirus]

1966: Birthday of Mansai Nomura II (二世野村萬斎) [Godzilla motion actor in Shin Godzilla]

1977: Birthday of Yusuke Ishida (石田雄介) [Director of Unit C in Shin Godzilla]

1983: Godzilla Legend, a tribute album of Toho special effects film music arranged by Makoto Inoue of Hikashu, was released on LP by King Records [On January 10, 1984, “Godzilla Legend II” was released, and on December 5, 1984, “Godzilla Legend III” was released. / On September 5, 1986, the CD version of “Godzilla Legend CHRONOLOGY 1 & 2” was released. / Subsequently, on November 5, 1991, “Godzilla Legend BOX” (Starchild) was released, and on October 6, 2014, the 4-CD box set “Godzilla Legend” (BRIDGE) was released.]

1983: The LP record series “SF Tokusatsu Eiga Ongaku Zenshu” (Complete Collection of SF Tokusatsu Film Music) (King Records), a collection of soundtracks from Japanese science fiction special effects films, was released in volumes 1-4 [Throughout this series, three volumes were released on the 5th of each month. Volumes 1-10 contained only music from Toho films, but later music from other companies’ films was added, ultimately resulting in a total of 14 volumes + a separate volume of vocal music. / Volumes 1-10 were released on CD in 1991.]

April 6

1962: To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Toho’s founding, the production of King Kong vs Godzilla was announced [The production of “By the River,” “A Wanderer’s Tale,” “High and Low,” “The Melancholy Plain,” and “Chushingura” were also announced at the same time.]

1903: Birthday of Toshio Yasumi (八住利雄, died May 22, 1991) [Screenwriter: Prophecies of Nostradamus]

1931: Birthday of Kiyoshi Hasegawa (長谷川清) [Cinematographer: Godzilla vs Gigan]

1939: Birthday of Daisuke Kodera (小寺大介) [Role: National Public Safety Commission Member in Godzilla vs Destoroyah]

1945: Birthday of Akio Nojima (野島昭生) [Voice: Charles Caiman (Harry Shearer) in the TV Broadcast Dub of Godzilla (1998)]

1949: Birthday of Jeff Berglund (ジェフ・バーグランド) [Role: U.S. Navy Adjutant in Godzilla vs King Ghidorah]

1964: Birthday of Kenji Ezure (江連健司) [Roles: Dr. Hiroshi Omae’s Assistant in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla, Street Police Officer in Godzilla vs Destoroyah, and Defense Agency Staff Member in Godzilla: Tokyo SOS]

1975: Birthday of Shin Ito (伊藤慎) [Suit Actor: Orga in Godzilla 2000]

2000: Birthday of CJ Adams (CJ・アダムス) [Role: Young Ford Brody in Godzilla (2014)]

April 7

1989: A Soviet shipwreck occurred. Godzilla was teleported to the vicinity in Godzilla vs King Ghidorah [From a newspaper article in the film]

2000: The final draft of the script for Godzilla vs Megaguirus: The G Annihilation Strategy by Kanji Kashiwabara and Wataru Mimura was printed [Included on the CD-ROM included with “Toho SF Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION GODZILLA vs. MEGAGUIRUS” (Toho) on November 1, 2001]

1906: Birthday of Akira Yoshichiji (吉頂寺晃) [Played a Japan Coast Guard officer in Godzilla, an employee of Marine Fisheries Co., Ltd. in Godzilla Raids Again, a Pacific Pharmaceuticals employee, a Faro Island resident, and a newspaper reporter in King Kong vs Godzilla, a defense force officer in Mothra vs Godzilla, and many others.]

1924: Birthday of Ikuma Dan (團伊玖磨, died May 17, 2001) [Music for The Great World War]

1949: Birthday of Patricia Pai (パトリシア・パーイ(スター・シスターズ), Star Sisters) [Singer of the theme song “Godzilla (Love Theme)” from Godzilla (1984). From the Netherlands.]

1964: Birthday of Wataru Fukuda (福田亘) [Godzillasaurus in Godzilla vs King Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla in Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla, Moguera suit actor in Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla]

1972: Birthday of Shingo Katsuyama (葛山信吾) [Major Tokihiko Kobayakawa in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]

1975: Birthday of Junichi Uchiura (内浦純一) [Akatsuka, Special Self-Defense Forces mechanic in Tokyo SOS]

April 8

1989: Soviet leadership announces that the nuclear fuel from the sunken submarine has been recovered in Godzilla vs King Ghidorah [From a newspaper article in the film]

1993: The preliminary draft (3rd draft) of Wataru Mimura’s script for Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla is printed.

1971: Nippon Television’s “Thursday Movie Theater” airs “Frankenstein vs. Baragon.” An unknown version, featuring a giant octopus and differing from the 1965 theatrical release, is shown. [Some say it’s the overseas version, but details are unclear. Many viewers who had seen the theatrical version were confused by the unexpected ending. The next day, this was the talk of the school.]

1921: Birthday of Masao Imafuku (今福正雄(今福将雄), Masao Imafuku, died May 27, 2015) [Role: Tengen Kunigami in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla]

1926: Birthday of Hajime Koizumi (小泉一) [Cinematography: The Mysterians through King Kong Escapes]

1953: Birthday of Nagare Hagiwara (萩原流行, died April 22, 2015) [Role: Yoshinori Tagawa (HCB Reporter) in Mothra (1996)]

1956: Birthday of Yoshiko Tanaka (田中好子, died April 21, 2011) [Roles: Asuka Okouchi (Researcher at the Psychic Center) in Godzilla vs Biollante; Mayumi Fukazawa in Godzilla vs Mothra]

1967: Birthday of Pierre Taki (ピエール瀧) [Role: Saigo (Commander, Operation TAB A Combat Group) in Shin Godzilla]

April 9

2015: A 12-meter-tall, approximately 50-ton “Godzilla head” was installed on the outdoor terrace of the Shinjuku Toho Building. Godzilla was granted a special resident registration by Shinjuku Ward [The Godzilla head is the same type as the one used in the 1992 film Godzilla vs Mothra. The base incorporates reliefs from the original Godzilla, the 1984 version of Godzilla, and Godzilla vs Mothra. On this day, Godzilla was also appointed as a Shinjuku Ward Tourism Ambassador.]

1957: Birthday of Toshiyuki Honda (本多俊之) [Played the role of the Self-Defense Forces Tank Corps Deputy Commander in Godzilla vs Mothra. His main profession is composer and saxophonist.]

April 10

1928: Birthday of Kazuo Imai (今井和雄, died March 13, 2016.) [[Godzilla (1954): Refugee by the Sumida River; Godzilla Raids Again: Employee of the Marine Fisheries Co., Ltd.; King Kong vs Godzilla: Pacific Pharmaceutical employee (the man in glasses); Mothra vs Godzilla: Mainichi Shimbun employee, Infant Island native, & reporter; Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster: Survey team member; Ebirah, Horror of the Deep: Infant Island native; Destroy All Monsters: UN Science Committee engineer, refugee, Defense Force member, & Moon Base engineer; All Monsters Attack: Cameraman; Godzilla vs Hedorah: Mahjong parlor patron; Terror of Mechagodzilla: Crew member of Akatsuki-1; and many others.]

1954: Naomasa Musaka (六平直政) [Played the role of Goro Kanno (an authority on low-temperature physics) in Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla and Godzilla: Tokyo SOS]

1972: “All Kaiju Photographic Encyclopedia”『オール怪獣写真図鑑』(Kurosaki Publishing) released [Featuring Godzilla and Hedorah on the cover]

2003: “Toho Tokusatsu Mechanics Encyclopedia: 1954–2003”『東宝特撮メカニック大全:1954-2003』(Shinkigensha) released [A lavish photographic collection supervised by Koichi Kawakita]

April 11

1992: Printing of Kazuki Omori’s draft screenplay for Godzilla vs Mothra.

1931: Birthday of Koichi Sugiyama (すぎやまこういち) [Composed “Defeat Hedorah,” the B-side of the theme song “Give Back the Sun!” for Godzilla vs Hedorah, and music for Godzilla vs Biollante]

1937: Birthday of Akira Sakuragi (桜木晶) [Art Direction: Godzilla (1984), Mothra 3: King Ghidorah Attacks]

1949: Birthday of Tetsuya Takeda (武田鉄矢) [Role: Homeless Man in Skyscraper — Godzilla (1984)]

1961: Birthday of Nobuaki Kakuda (角田信朗) [Roles: Yokohama Unit Commander — Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack; Himself (TV Debate Panelist) — Godzilla: Final Wars. Primary Profession: Karate Practitioner (Grand Master, Seidokaikan)]

1981: Isao Takahata’s animated film Jarinko Chie (distributed by Toho) was released. In a scene where Chie and her mother, Yoshie, go to see Son of Godzilla, footage of Godzilla teaching Minilla how to breathe atomic breath is inserted [This is a rare case of live-action footage being reused in an animated film.]

April 12

1979: Tetsu Nikaido completes the plot for “The Godzilla” (unproduced). [Synopsis written during the planning stages of a new Godzilla film]

1993: Wataru Mimura’s screenplay for Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla is printed in its final draft form [Included in “Toho SF Special Effects Film Series Vol. 8: Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla (Toho Publishing, Merchandise Division), December 11, 1993]

1949: Masao Iwase (岩瀬政雄) [Sound producer for Godzilla vs Biollante to Godzilla vs Destoroyah]

1963: Shinsuke Kasai (笠井信輔)[Played roles such as a saucer reporter in Godzilla 2000 Millennium, a refugee in Odaiba in Godzilla vs Megaguirus: The G Annihilation Strategy, a news anchor in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, a refugee at Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla, and others.]

1968: Hideki Iio (飯尾英樹)[Played a member of the defense forces in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, and others.]

April 13

1919: Birthday of Shin Otomo (大友伸) [Roles include: the prisoner who crashes into a tank in Godzilla Raids Again; the captain of the Daian-maru in King Kong vs Godzilla; the man with broken Japanese attempting to assassinate the princess in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster; and others]

1952: Birthday of Yasuyoshi Hara (原康義) [Voice role: Joe Brody (played by Bryan Cranston) in the Japanese dubbed version of Godzilla (2014)]

1993: Birthday of Kana Onodera (小野寺華那) [Role: Sara Yuhara (daughter of Tokumitsu Yuhara) in Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla]

April 14

2016: The full-body visual of Shin Godzilla and a trailer created by director Hideaki Anno are released.

1960: Birthday of Daikichi Sugawara (菅原大吉) [Played the role of the site supervisor for the underwater tunnel in Godzilla vs Destoroyah]

April 15

1907: Birthday of Takeo Nagashima (長島武夫) [Role: Infant Islander (dies at the altar) in Mothra]

1941: Birthday of Shinya Kashima (鹿島信哉) [Role: Hotel receptionist in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla, interpreter for the leaders in Godzilla (1984)]

1988: Yasuhiko Ohashi’s play “Godzilla” (Hakusuisha) published [Original story of Godzilla falling in love with a human girl / First performed May 1, 1987 / Reprinted September 30, 1998 in “The Complete Collection of Modern Japanese Plays, Vol. 14, 1986-1989” (San’ichi Shobo)]

April 16

1979: Yoshio Aramaki completes the plot for “God’s Godzilla” (unproduced) [A synopsis written during the planning stages of a new Godzilla film. The story involves Godzilla being resurrected from the Nazca lines after being struck by light emitted from a spaceship, and terrorizing the world. / Included in “Godzilla Toho Special Effects Unpublished Materials Archive: Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka and His Era” (Kadokawa Shoten), March 31, 2010]

2015: Godzilla is appointed Honorary Manager of Hotel Gracery Shinjuku.

1933: Birthday of Takeo Watanabe (渡辺岳夫, died June 2, 1989) [Composer and arranger of Godzilla’s image songs “Kaiju no Christmas” and “Kaiju Game”]

1952: Birthday of Kenichi Nagira (なぎら健壱) [Played the role of Shinoda Brewery Manager in Godzilla 2000 Millennium]

2005: The animated film “Crayon Shin-chan: The Legend of the Buriburi 3-Minute Great Advance”『クレヨンしんちゃん伝説を呼ぶブリブリ3分ポッキリ大進撃』(distributed by Toho), directed by Yuji Mutou, is released. It features monsters such as Kurira, who resembles Godzilla [The name Kurira comes from the urban legend that the origin of Godzilla’s name is “gorilla + whale,” but reversed from Godzilla → the design is original (a bit like SpaceGodzilla) / Other monsters include Kaiju Shirimarudashi (Godzilla parody… a semi-regular as a puppet in the TV series), Kaiju Rodan Onsen (Rodon parody), Kaiju Pochitama Taromike (King Ghidorah parody), and Nishinnosuke Kensen (Kaga)]

April 17

1932: Birthday of Eizaburo Komatsu (小松英三郎) [Role: Self-Defense Force member (Countermeasure Headquarters) in Mothra vs Godzilla, Space Agency staff member & Diet audience member in Invasion of Astro-Monster, Red Bamboo member in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, UN Scientific Committee engineer, journalist, refugee & command officer in Destroy All Monsters, journalist in All Monsters Attack, non-commissioned officer in Godzilla vs Hedorah, Defense Force member in Godzilla vs Megalon, and many others]

1999: Keiichi Hara’s animated film Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! Hot Springs Great Battle is released. The giant robot of the terrorist organization YUZAME plays “Godzilla’s Theme” from its head speaker, but the commander shouts, “Idiot, don’t run away, that’s not Godzilla!” [At the beginning, the kindergarten principal, upon seeing the giant robot, testifies that it is “something as huge as Godzilla” / The Self-Defense Forces tanks advance while playing “Music to boost morale” and “Monster War March” / In the ending, Godzilla and Invasion of Astro-Monster are properly credited to Akira Ifukube.]

April 18

1940: Birthday of Seishiro Kuno (久野征四郎) [Played the roles of a Self-Defense Force member next to the Chief of Staff, a Self-Defense Force member inside the tent, and a fisherman at the dock in Mothra vs Godzilla, a coffee shop boy in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, a customer at the rally dance in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, Tashiro (radar room member) in Son of Godzilla, Tani (crew member of SY-3 in Destroy All Monsters, etc.]

1956: Birthday of Shin Takuma (宅麻伸) [Played the role of Hiroshi Okumura (survivor of the Fifth Hachiman Maru) in Godzilla (1984), and Tokumitsu Yuhara (Professor of Science and Engineering, Kiryu Project) in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla]

1970: Birthday of Takahiro Saeki (佐伯貴弘) [Former professional baseball player.] During his time in Yokohama, he called himself “MechaGodzilla” and even had “MECHA” written on his helmet.

1979: Birthday of Yusuke Kamiji (上地雄輔) [As an Xilien in Godzilla: Final Wars]

April 19

2002: The second draft of Wataru Mimura’s script for “Godzilla x MechaGodzilla” was printed.

1960: Eiji Tsuburaya appeared on KR TV’s “I Want to Know: Special Effects in Film”「私は知りたい・映画の特殊撮影」

1944: Birthday of Pair Bambi (Yuko Okada & Yoko Okada, ペア・バンビ(岡田ゆうこ&岡田ようこ) [Played the roles of the Shobijin in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]

1944: Birthday of Akira Matsuda (松田章) [Played a prisoner at Motosu Police Station in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]

1997: CD “Best of Mothra” (Nippon Columbia) released [A collection of music featuring Mothra, from the 1961 film “Mothra” to the 1992 film Godzilla vs Mothra]

April 20

1959: Ryunosuke Chagawa (Hidetaka Yoshioka) writes a monster novel for boys, but Junnosuke Furuyuki (Kenta Suga) mocks him, saying, “Well, that’s Godzilla, isn’t it?”「それじゃあ、ゴジラですね」Meanwhile, when Norifumi Suzuki (Shinichi Tsutsumi) refuses to take him to Tokyo Tower, his son Ippei (Kazuki Koshimizu) says, “What if Godzilla destroys it?” ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street 2 movie— [From the Suzuki family’s daily calendar date]

1993: Special effects filming begins for Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla

1996: Final draft of Masumi Suetani’s script for Mothra printed [Included in “Toho SF Special Effects Film Series Vol. 11 Mothra” (Toho), December 21, 1996]

2001: Final script printout of Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack by Keiichi Hasegawa, Masahiro Yokotani, and Shusuke Kaneko [Included on the CD-ROM included with “Toho SF Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL DITION: Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack” (Toho), December 15, 2001]

2002: The exhibition “Godzilla Era: SINCE GODZILLA” was held at the Taro Okamoto Museum of Art in Kawasaki City. Until July 28. [An exhibition that looked back on how Godzilla changed in postwar society, using sculptures, film sets, scripts, posters, etc. / Also held at the Shizuoka Convention Arts Center and Koriyama City Museum of Art in 2004]

1937: Birthday of George Takei (ジョージ・タケイ) [Voice of the Radio Announcer in the international version of Godzilla Raids Again; Voice of Dr. Kuichiro Kashiwagi (played by Akihiko Hirata) in the international version of Rodan]

1964: Birthday of Andy Serkis (アンディー・サーキス) [Motion Capture Actor for Godzilla in Godzilla (2014)]

1996: “Godzilla Finally Has a Great Death”『ゴジラついに大往生』by Ken Hachiro Kyoku (Kindai Bungeisha) published [The author, a Godzilla suit actor, reminisces about past filming, focusing on the filming diary of Godzilla vs Destoroyah]

April 21

1988: NHK Educational TV aired “Godzilla’s Birth ~A Human Record: Eiji Tsuburaya~”「ゴジラ誕生~人間の記録円谷英二~」as part of its “Junior Culture Series”『ジュニア文化シリーズ』

1924: Birthday of Koji Uno (宇野晃司, died July 28, 2003) [Role: Godzilla Task Force member in Godzilla Raids Again, Marine Fisheries KK employee reporting in Godzilla Raids Again, fisherman in Mothra vs Godzilla, hotel employee in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, secretary to the president of Sekai Kyoiku-sha in Invasion of Astro-Monster, etc.]

1999: Toho releases the DVD of Emmerich’s Godzilla [First DVD release in Japan / Jewel case]

2001: Toho releases the DVD King Kong vs Godzilla [First DVD release / Jewel case / Includes audio from promotional flexi disc / Audio commentary by Koji Kajita and Yu Fujiki]

2015: HEROZ begins distributing the smartphone app “Godzilla Kaiju Collection.” [An action RPG where you can enjoy 3v3 monster battles → In the God of Destruction mode after clearing missions, you can destroy buildings by repeatedly tapping, but the fact that even Jet Jaguar becomes a God of Destruction was problematic (?) / The service ended exactly one year later on April 21, 2016]

April 22

1959: At 14:30, a gigantic creature resembling Godzilla lands near Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo Bay. It ravages Third Street, sweeping away Suzuki Auto with its massive tail and collapsing Tokyo Tower with its pale blue heat ray in ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street 2 [Visual image from the novel written by Ryunosuke Chagawa (Hidetaka Yoshioka) within the film. The date on the daily calendar shown in the scene where the Suzuki family evacuates is “22”. The year and month are unknown, but since Chagawa’s writing date is April 20, 1959, it is thought that the same year and month were set.]

1995: “Great Godzilla Expo” held at Alpark Tenmaya in Hiroshima City. Until May 5th.

1932: Birthday of Isao Tomita (冨田勲, died May 5, 2016) [Music for The Prophecies of Nostradamus]

1964: Birthday of Hajime Okayama (岡山はじめ, おかやまはじめ) [Role of Junichi Nagase (Okinawan fisherman) in Mothra 2: The Battle Under the Sea]

2005: DVD “GODZILLA FINAL BOX” (Toho) released. [A 30-disc set containing 27 films from the first film to Tokyo SOS (first time on DVD), plus King of the Monsters, Godzilla (first time on DVD), and 3 special archives discs

April 23

1973: Nippon Television Network aired “Meteor Man Zone” Episode 4, “Invasion! The Garoga Army.” This episode features Godzilla’s appearance [Godzilla (Megarogoji) appears to help Zone Fighter, who is struggling against the monsters Walgilgar and Spyler. He defeats Walgilgar with his atomic breath.]

1931: Birthday of Hajime Tsuburaya (円谷一, died February 9, 1973) [Director of Ultra Q Episode 1, “Defeat Gomez!” (the episode featuring Gomez—a modified version of Godzilla); and others]

1938: Birthday of Katsuo Nakamura (中村嘉葎雄) [Played Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi (biologist) in Godzilla vs Megaguirus; played the Fisherman in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack; played Yasushi Nishizawa (commentator) in Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla]

1978: Birthday of Sayaka Kuon (久遠さやか) [Played the Female University Student (affiliated with the Yuhara Laboratory) in Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla]

April 24

2002: BS Digital Q-produced occult program “This is Japan’s Crop Circle!” aired. The viewership rating was 4 percent in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack [From setting materials]

1955: Motoyoshi Oda’s Godzilla Raids Again released [Produced and released in less than six months following the huge success of Godzilla, released on November 3rd of the previous year / Double feature was “Yaji and Kita’s Comedy Duo: The Tale of the Monster Princess” / Attendance: 8.34 million]

2015: The “Godzilla Room” and “Godzilla View Room” open at Hotel Gracery Shinjuku. [The entire guest room is designed specifically for Godzilla fans, featuring wallpaper where photos and artwork appear to float off the walls, as well as a wide array of Godzilla-themed amenities.]

1955: Birthday of Kyusaku Shimada (嶋田久作) [Role: Shuichi Katayama (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bureaucrat) in Shin Godzilla]

1971: Birthday of Hiroko Tanaka (田中広子) [Role: Madoka Shiraishi (HCB Caster) in Mothra (1996)]

1977: Birthday of Megumi Kobayashi (小林恵) [Role: Moll (The second of the Elias sisters) in Mothra (1996), Mothra 2: The Undersea Battle, and Mothra 3: King Ghidorah Attacks]

April 25

1964: Birthday of Hank Azaria (ハンク・アザリア) [Played Victor Parotti (nicknamed “Animal Photographer”) in Godzilla (1998)]

1992: Birthday of Kyosuke Ikeda (池田恭祐) [Played the role of the boy in the hospital in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]

1976: Joe Dante’s film Hollywood Boulevard was released nationwide. A film starring Godzilla, Bride of Nuclear War, was produced within the film [A forced and unconventional direction that seems to have been included simply because they wanted to include Godzilla/The Godzilla (suit) starring in the B-movie “Bride of Nuclear War,” being filmed at Miracle Film Company, throws the script he was reading into the toilet → Just when you think it’s a comedic cameo, the ending credits show actual footage of “Bride of Nuclear War” being filmed/The Godzilla suit is a repurposed one used in “Saturday Night Live,” and the sculptor is apparently Robert Short, who later became an SFX man for films like “Splash”/The end credits list “GODZINA……HERSELF,” and the official name is “Gojina,” indicating she is female/The film was released in Japan approximately 36 years after its US release, on November 3, 2012]

2002: DVD “Godzilla (1984)” (Toho) released [First DVD release / Jewel case / Includes “Making of Godzilla 1984” / Audio commentary by Akio Nakano]

2003: DVD “Mothra vs. Godzilla” (Toho) released [First DVD release / Jewel case / Includes 1980 re-screening version and 8mm “Mothra Attacks Tokyo!” / Audio commentary by Kenji Sahara]

2008: Toho released the fourth installment of Godzilla DVDs in tall cases: ‘Godzilla (1984)’, ‘Godzilla vs. Biollante’, and ‘Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah’. A box set containing these films, ‘Godzilla DVD Collection IV’ (with ‘3D Sound Soundtrack Collection 1’ as a bonus disc), was also released on the same day.

1955: A comic adaptation by Sansei Fukuda, ‘Godzilla Raids Again’ (Reimeisha), was published.

1992: Included in Shigeru Mizuki’s essay collection Yokai Tengoku (Chikuma Shobo), in the essay “Godzilla and Me.” [Discussion of Human Godzilla—a self-produced kamishibai (paper theater) story depicting a boy who transforms into Godzilla / Republished by Chikuma Bunko on July 24, 1996]

April 26

2015: WOWOW Prime aired “The Genes of ‘GODZILLA’ ~Godzilla Goes to Hollywood!~”「『GODZILLA』の遺伝子~ゴジラ、ハリウッドを行く!~」[A special program tracing the history of Godzilla’s reception in America and its influence on American cinema. Narrated by Tetsuya Bessho. WOWOW designated this day as “Godzilla Day” and aired five Godzilla films from Japan and the US. From May 2nd, they began airing all 30 films in the series.]

1910: Birthday of Tomoyuki Tanaka (田中友幸, died April 2, 1997) [Film producer, former Chairman of Toho Pictures. Creator of Godzilla. Produced the Godzilla series from Godzilla to Godzilla vs Destoroyah. Also produced almost all of Toho’s special effects films of the Showa era. His last work was a photographic appearance in 1997’s Mothra 2: The Battle of the Undersea and Mothra 3: King Ghidorah]

1955: Birthday of Masahiro Noguchi (野口雅弘) [Played a police officer at Motosu Police Station in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, a member of the Earth Defense Force Operations Headquarters in Godzilla Final Wars, and Yoshiro Oki (Deputy Director General of the Japan Meteorological Agency) in Shin Godzilla]

1969: Birthday of Koji Kato (加藤浩次, 極楽とんぼ, Gokuraku Tonbo) [Role as a waterworks employee in Godzilla vs Megaguirus: The G Annihilation Strategy]

1972: Birthday of Atsunari Kato (加藤厚成) [Role as a National Police Agency crisis management officer in Shin Godzilla]

1971: Hedorah graces the cover of “Weekly Shonen Champion” issue 18 (Akita Shoten) [Featured in color gravure: “Godzilla vs Hedorah: Two Giant Monsters Rampage”]

April 27

1956: Ishiro Honda’s Godzilla, re-edited for overseas release as Godzilla, King of the Monsters! premiered on Broadway in the United States [Starring Raymond Burr, with additional filming by Terry Morse and re-edited / First overseas release of Godzilla]

2001: Special effects filming begins for Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack.

1922: Birthday of Chikichi Omura (大村千吉, died November 24, 1991) [Role: Prisoner A in Godzilla Raids Again, Konno (Faro language interpreter) in King Kong vs Godzilla, Fisherman A in Mothra vs Godzilla, Hat Collector in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, etc.]

1947: Birthday of Toshio Shibamoto (柴本俊夫, 柴俊夫, Shiba Toshio) [Role: Yukio Mounai in Godzilla vs Hedorah]

1963: Birthday of Masaya Kato (加藤雅也) [Role: Crew member of the Japanese fishing boat “Kobayashi Maru” in Godzilla (1998)]

1976: Birthday of Sally Hawkins (サリー・ホーキンス) [Played Dr. Vivian Graham in Godzilla (2014)]

April 28

1995: Printing of the draft script for Godzilla vs Destoroyah by Kazuki Omori.

1955: Yukio Mishima watches Godzilla Raids Again [From “Writer’s Diary.” He apparently went around announcing that he was “going to see Godzilla.” / Mishima also highly praised the first Godzilla film and is said to have enjoyed watching other Toho special effects science fiction films.]

1917: Birthday of Minoru Chiaki (千秋実, died November 1, 1999) [Role: Koji Kobayashi (Pilot of Marine Fisheries KK) in Godzilla Raids Again]

April 29

1964: Ishiro Honda’s Mothra vs Godzilla is released [Double feature with The Antlion Operation / Attendance: 7.22 million]

1962: Revised script of Shinichi Sekizawa’s King Kong vs Godzilla printed [Included in “Toho SF Special Effects Film Series Vol. 5: King Kong vs. Godzilla/The Mysterians” (Toho Publishing Division), March 1, 1986]

1966: Third draft of Kaoru Mabuchi and Ishiro Honda’s script “Frankenstein’s Duel” printed [Final draft of “Frankenstein’s Monsters: Sanda vs. Gaira” / Even at this point, the names “Sanda” and “Gaira” were not used; they were simply “Mountain Frankenstein” and “Sea Frankenstein” / Published in “Bessatsu Eiga Hiho Tokusatsu Hiho Vol. 3” (Yosensha), March 13, 2016]

2000: “GODZILLA WORLD 2000” was held at Tobu World Square. (Ran until July 16)

2016: The “Tokusatsu Experience Studio: The Return of the Tokusatsu Museum” featured a booth exhibition at “Nico Nico Chokaigi 2016,” held at Makuhari Messe. (Ran until April 30.) [The “Shin Godzilla Prototype No. 1 (for Shape Study)” was also unveiled to the world for the first time]

1922: Birthday of Noriko Sengoku (千石規子, died December 27, 2012) [Role: The Boarding House Landlady in Invasion of Astro-Monster]

1928: Birthday of Shigemi Sunagawa (砂川繁視) [Roles: Japan Coast Guard Officer in Godzilla; Cabaret Patron in Godzilla Raids Again; Fisherman in Mothra vs Godzilla; and others. Although uncredited, he appeared in numerous films extending through All Monsters Attack]

1930: Birthday of Kyoko Kishida (岸田今日子, died December 17, 2006) [Role: Voice of the Prophecy in Prophecies of Nostradamus]

1934: Birthday of Akira Takarada (宝田明) [Roles: Hideto Ogata in Godzilla; Ichiro Sakai in Mothra vs Godzilla; Kazuo Fuji in Invasion of Astro-Monster; Yoshimura (Bank Robber) in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep; Joji Minamino (Director of the National Environmental Planning Bureau) in Godzilla vs Mothra; Naotaro Daigo (UN Secretary-General) in Godzilla: Final Wars; and others. / In Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla (2014), he was cast and filmed in the role of a Japanese immigration officer, but his scene was cut from the final theatrical release.]

April 30

1998: Final draft of Masumi Suetani’s script for Mothra 3: King Ghidorah’s Attack printed [Included in “Toho SF Special Effects Film Series Vol. 13: Mothra 3: King Ghidorah’s Attack” (Toho) on December 12, 1998]

1973: Nippon Television Network aired “Meteor Man Zone” Episode 5, “Fight Against King Ghidorah!”. This episode features King Ghidorah’s appearance [King Ghidorah appears not as a space super-monster, but as a space super-dreadful beast. Initially, it corners Zone Fighter, but the tide turns. To be continued.]

1912: Birthday of Taiichi Kanakura (完倉泰一, died January 28, 1981) [Photographer for Destroy All Monsters and Gezora, Ganime, Kameba: Decisive Battle! Giant Monsters of the South Seas]

2013: Ryo Yamaguchi, “The Birth Story of Godzilla” (Bunken Publishing) published [A story about the production of the first film, Godzilla, written for a younger audience]

Source: ゴジラ365日毎日がゴジラの日, Yosensha Publishing Co, Ltd.

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