A Saturday Trip

If it’s Saturday, it’s all about Godzilla. On this weekend in 1980, here in Philadelphia I was tuning in to The Godzilla/DynoMutt Hour on Channel 3 at 8:00 AM. But I didn’t leave the TV set because I joined Ichiro on his flight to Monster Island when Godzilla’s Revenge aired on Channel 17 at 3:30 PM. Local TV Listing

Popcorn for Everyone

My Godzilla Minus Zero Popcorn Bucket from Fandango.com has arrived. The box is big and got some weight. There it will stay and will have to wait another day for its reveal. It’s a big 3D molded figure that happens to have a trap door for popcorn. Inside the box are many parts. When assembled Godzilla is 50cm tall, 55cm long and 40cm wide. Godzilla is still available!. The Minus Zero merch is quite impressive.

ZERO is restricted for the right reasons

Godzilla Minus Zero earned its “R” rating for all the right reasons. The second and final trailer makes that clear with the hospital scene and the woman and child trap in their house falling from the sky. Trailer 2 gave us scenes with blood (1 | 2 | 3). In a recent Inverse interview, producer Kazuaki Kishida stated, “We decided to not compromise the visual expression, the message, or the theme of the film.” The R rating means restricted and for anyone under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. After seeing Zero for the first time, I told my friend Eric to wait to take his daughter to see it because Zero contains adult material and content that might prove to be difficult to unsee and too complex to explain to young audiences. The parental warning “to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them” is warranted. Zero will be rated 15 in the UK for “strong injury content.” In the words of the director, “The journey from minus to zero will not be an easy one.” Read More

The Hands that made Godzilla

A reproduction of the Godzilla 1954 sculpted by Teizo Tomitsu as seen at the Tokusatsu DNA in Ueda (2024)

In 2024, I had the privilege to see two Godzilla figures sculpted by Teizo Tomitsu (利光貞三, died 1982) at the Tokusatsu DNA in Ueda. Tomitsu sculpted the first Godzilla from the original clay prototype to costume production in 1954. This is a fiber-reinforced plastic reproduction of the smallest-scale and oldest surviving miniature of Godzilla 1954 (H230 x W120 x D350mm) created by Toshimitsu and suit actor Haruo Nakajima during the filming of Godzilla Raids Again. Nakajima preserved the original for many years but now cannot withstand display. So this reproduction was made for exhibition. It has an internal miniature light bulb to create glowing eyes. On this day, October 15, 1909, Teizo Tomitsu was born. Photo 1 2 3

Shozo Ichiyama (市山尚三), Tokyo International Film Festival Programming Director “A new Godzilla film would draw an audience, but if the film’s quality isn’t high, the festival that chose it would face criticism. That’s why we can’t select a film for the closing or centerpiece slots unless we are confident enough to defend it, even in the face of criticism. My expectations were already high because Godzilla -1.0 was so good, but Godzilla -0.0 turned out to be even more amazing than I’d imagined. After watching the preview, I felt we absolutely had to screen it at the Tokyo International Film Festival—there was no other option. I believe Director Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla film is exceptional in its execution and serves as a bold challenge to the entire Godzilla series that came before it. In that respect, too, I thought it was truly excellent; honestly, I had expected it to be a good movie even before watching it… but I was surprised to find it was even better than I’d imagined.”

Shozo Ichiyama (市山尚三), Tokyo International Film Festival Programming Director

Godzilla Minus Zero Panel at New York Comic Con 2026

That's me in the back at the NYCC 2026 Godzilla Minus Zero Panel

Across the front are the panel guest: Producer Kazuaki Kishida, visual effects artist and compositor Tatsuji Nojima, sound designer and Foley artist Natsuko Inoue, production and post-production sound mixer Hisafumi Takeuchi and host Seth Green. If you squint hard enough, you can see me in the back (in the yellow circle). Unseen is my best friend Eric and his daughter seated beside me. The photo is courtesy of @Godzilla_Toho.

With the release of Godzilla Minus Zero approaching, I felt this quote was a fitting prologue.

“Godzilla is a colossal monster of the imagination; no such creature actually exists anywhere on Earth. However, the atomic and hydrogen bombs that Godzilla embodies have indeed been manufactured, and there is no telling when they might be used for the purposes of war. Should that happen, the destruction would not be limited to cities like Tokyo or Osaka; the entire planet would face annihilation.”

Shigeru Kayama,「怪獣ゴジラ」

All roads led to the CFO

On this day in 1984 the article “A good time from some bad movies” about my favorite organization in the 90s was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer (Part 1, 2). That organization was the CFO (Cartoon Fantasy Organization). Every second Saturday of the month during the 90s, my friends, Eric, Jon and Henry and I headed down to the CFO held at the United Way building on 13th and Spruce Streets in Center City Philadelphia. Before otaku and nerd culture was mainstreamed, we had the CFO. We didn’t know what the acronym stood for. We called it the Japanese Animation Society (JAS) but it was also known officially as the Philadelphia Animation Society. There we got our fill of Japanese cartoons and live-action (tokusatsu) tv shows and movies. And for me and Jon the CFO was all about Godzilla. Most importantly the senior members feed my insatiable desire for Godzilla collectibles and bootleg copies of the latest Heisei-era Godzilla movies as they became available. We made it an evening in Center City. Usually we drove down and occasionally took SEPTA by trolley or El. We didn’t always stay and sit through the shows being aired on multiple tv screens. There always seemed to be an episode of the anime Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water showing. I came for the Godzilla toys and VHS tapes. I’ll never forget when Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla was available. We got and headed to Jon’s house where we were overwhelmed and delighted by every movie moment. I have fond memories of those older fans who made it all possible. Some of them were vendors whose shops and tables gave us the only access to Japanese toys and merchandise. When there was no internet, cellphones, and streaming services they were committed to enjoying and sharing Godzilla, Ultraman, and anime with everyone interested. The CFO was a home and community for us when there was no place to have fun away from homes. Today, I’m now their age back then and try to follow their example. I’m afraid some have passed away and I have only seen a few friends from those days. If I could talk to them again I would express my deep gratitude and appreciation. A special thanks to our towering-friend and trailblazer Bill Thomas who always made us feel at home! I always hurried to Mike and Fred at the vendor tables to see Godzilla tapes and goodies he had brought with him. If you are a younger fan, cherish those folk who help us enjoy and collect these things we love. Below is that newspaper article I recently found. It captured that short but significant time.

A good time from some bad movies

By Fawn Vrazo

Inquirer Staff Writer

“The light is kind of shot on the co-ed bathroom, so you’ll have to watch yourself,” Bill Thomas said to the crowd. That, as it turned out, was all there was in the way of an introduction to the second anniversary meeting of Philadelphia’s weird and wacky Cartoon Fantasy Organization.

Did the CFO members mind? No. They were too absorbed in their own wackiness: A few of them inspected the Japanese cartoon books and plastic Godzillas being sold at the sides of the room; some hauled out their own comic books to show to each other (these are mostly grown men), and the rest engaged in a raucous chorus of joking and laughter that did not cease, not once, not even during the showing of the cartoons and films they had all come to see.

No one bothered to turn down the lights.

Wild and crazy guys, these CFO members. Guys whom no one would accuse of being too cool. (Not unless cool has suddenly become thin shoulder blades, stringy hair, heavy glasses and Star Wars T-shirts.) One Saturday night each month, they assemble in an utterly bland-looking meeting room of the YWCA in Center City to watch Japanese sci-fi car-toons, Japanese monster flicks, British TV sci-fi dra-mas, even old American sci-fi kiddie cartoons that have not been aired in years. (The group meets tomorrow night at 7:30.)

They’ve got some favorite shows, the CFO members do. One is a Japanese prime-time cartoon series called Uresei Yatsura, which translates roughly into Those Annoying Aliens. It’s OK, if you’re into that sort of thing: A hapless young male hero gets tangled up with a cute girl from outer space who wears a leopard-skin bikini and go-go boots. The alien has one serious character flaw; whenever she is upset or excited — for instance, when she kisses the young male hero — she sends off electric shocks.

At the CO’s recent second-anniversary meeting. members became absorbed in a Those Annoying Aliens segment about a baseball game. The plot – what one could understand of it – was fairly violent. One major character kept getting chonked in the face by a baseball. Throughout the segment, the CFO members laughed uproariously — a response all the more remarkable because the cartoon was in its origi. nal, unsubtitled Japanese.

A little unusual, these CFOers, but definitely original. While other Philadelphians are cruising Saturday. night hot spots, trying to look like Michael Jackson or Prince, the club’s members are searching for artistic and creative merit in science-fiction shows that the rest of the world might find terribly strange or simply terrible – shows, for instance, like Hanna-Barbera’s old Herculoids. If there is anything that links the CFO membership (which includes nu merous young women, too), it seems to be a love of science fiction, whether it is good or bad, found in comic books, animated cartoons or old Godzilla films.

“Science fiction fans definitely march to the time of their own drum-mer,” observed CFO member Scott Rusch, 27, a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania, while keeping one eye trained on a Japanese space cartoon featuring an American-looking cast. “In the great American culture,” added David Wil-son, 20, a Temple University student, “there are subcultures. And we have our own.”

Philadelphia’s Cartoon Fantasy Organization chapter was founded two years ago by Bill Thomas, 35, a 6-foot, 6-inch, gentle-looking SEPTA subway track inspector who is a science-fic-tion nut. This inclincation probably had to do with his youth, when Thoas was raised on a TV movie diet of Godzilla, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Mysterians, Rodan! and Gigantis. Even as a young man in high school, Thomas would rise on Saturday mornings to tune into cartoon shows like Spider-Man and Space Ghosts.

Thomas began to recognize that Japanese science-fiction shows – particularly the animated ones – were different than the U.S. ones; better, in fact. The Japanese seemed to take their science fiction serious-ly; even the cartoon shows featured human-seeming characters with complicated personalities. The animation was incredibly sophisticated — nothing at all like jerkily moving U.S. cartoons.

Thomas heard about other CFO chapters across the country and decided to begin one here. The overrid. ing purpose would be to bring to gether a group of fans who recognized that cartoons, particular. ly the animated Japanese sci-fi se-ries, were more than kid stuff. Looked at real hard, they could also be classified as Art.

About 80 people squeezed into Thomas’ Center City efficiency apartment for the first meeting in 1982.
There were at least 50 packing the room at the YWCA for last month’s meeting. Thomas, refreshingly unconcerned about raising either money or membership, says he doesn’t know how many CFO members there are in Philadelphia.

Thomas, the group’s informal lead. er, is an interesting sort of guy. For one, he is a walking, talking science-fiction encyclopedia, and even the simplest question will send him lapsing into comments like:

“Utraman was a TV show. In fact, there was a regular TV series called Ultraman, and then there was another TV show called the Return of Ultraman. Then there was another TV series called Ultra Seven…. These were live action Ultramen. And about 1979, 1980, there was an animated Ultraman cartoon, which ran 52 episodes and was very well done. And then they came out with a TV show called Ultraman 80…!

Thomas’ apartment is decorated with gray, industrial-type shelves covered with robot toys and space guns. He has numerous science-fic-tion record albums – including one with the theme music and background roars from various Godzilla movies. He has an indeterminate number of videotapes of science-fic-tion TV series and films, including the forgettable Frankenstein Conquers the World.

Thomas popped the latter into his video player recently for the benefit of a visitor. It was awful. A giant Japanese Frankenstein, who resembled Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Profes-sor, rolled around on the ground with a man dressed in a lizard suit. The lizard had a horn on its face that lit up.

“The normal person would think It’s stupid,” Thomas acknowledged. “But to me, it’s the imagination. It’s science-fiction fantasy — what could be, or maybe what never could be.”

“She had no business surviving”

Yesterday at the New York Comic Con Godzilla Minus Zero Panel we were given a secret showing of the final trailer that you have no doubt already enjoyed! Get ready for a ride that in the words of the great director, “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.” Buckle up and get ready to experience Godzilla Minus Zero! Enjoy the final trailer again!

Godzilla cast a big shadow and left a big imprint on the New York Comic Con 2026. Outside and inside he awaited. We enjoyed a thrilling Godzilla Minus Zero Panel: Producer Kazuaki Kishida, visual effects artist and compositor Tatsuji Nojima, sound designer and Foley artist Natsuko Inoue, production and post-production sound mixer Hisafumi Takeuchi and host Seth Green. They shared the secret to the sounds of Godzilla and Ghidorah and the final trailer. As we walked away with an awesome illustration of Godzilla by Director Yamazaki. The Godzilla booth was bigger and better than last year with a GMZ statue, suit and suite of goodies for our shopping pleasure. HIYA did not disappoint with the most impressive display of their latest Godzilla figures. It was another perfect day to be in New York and marked off an amazing run up to the release of GMZ. Recap Video

Burning Millennium Godzilla Appears

Today we wake up to the release of a teaser trailer for “Fes Godzilla II: Tokyo Vanished”『フェス・ゴジラⅡ 東京消失』premiering at Godzilla Fes 2026. Burning Millennium Godzilla is slated to face off against Monster X. We were also given a peak at the making of the title using 3D printed letters submerged in a container filled with water. The Godzilla Fes schedule is out as well. We’ve got so much to look forward to in November! Learn More

Godzilla Double Feature on Channel 17 on October 9, 1982

Godzilla ruled the Weekend then and now

This weekend on October 9, 1982, we got a Godzilla double feature of Channel 17. After Saturday morning cartoons, first up was Godzilla, King of the Monsters at 3:00 PM followed by Godzilla’s Revenge at 4:30 PM. I would have been ready with my dad’s audio tape recorder in front of the TV. I didn’t enjoy watching King of the Monsters at all and my cassette recording brought my friend Eric to tears when he heard the crying children in the hospital. This weekend I won’t be in front of my tv but Eric and I will be in New York City for New York Comic Con 2026 to catch the Godzilla Minus Zero panel and more. I hope to bring home some Big G goodies. TV Listing

A Final Trailer is coming

When we thought it was safe to go to the theater, here comes the final trailer for Godzilla Minus Zero on October 11th at 8AM EST. I can’t wait to see it again even after seeing it twice. I’m interested in what they are willing to reveal in three days. Are you ready?! Also we have a new shot of Godzilla!

My Godzilla Minus Zero (2026) Schedule

What’s your schedule for the first week of November looking? This is mine so far. I’m hitting the theater early and often beginning with the early access 12:30pm showing on Wednesday, Nov 3rd, at the IMAX at King of Prussia, PA. On Godzilla Day I’ll take the day off and go alone. On Thursday, I will go with Eric, Alex and John. On Saturday, I’ll go with my brothers. I still have schedule two more showings for tickets I received from purchasing a theatrical poster and big Godzilla popcorn container.

Godzilla Minus Zero (2026)

Opens Nov 6 R 2 hr 15 min

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IMAX

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The First Ghidorah Story

On October 7, 1964, Shinichi Sekizawa completed the final draft script for Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster. The script went through three revisions. This final draft was completed in just ten days after the second draft. Interestingly, Ghidorah had a profound influence on Godzilla -0.0 Director Takashi Yamazaki, who was born in Matsumoto, where Ghidorah flies over the city’s castle.The first draft included a nuclear strike against King Ghidorah by the World Alliance. Major scenes were included but not realized in the film. One was the destruction of New York by King Ghidorah (Scenes 131–132) that was replaced with his destruction of Matsumoto City. My favorite part of the movie and final script is when Mothra tries to convince Godzilla and Rodan to defend the earth and fight Ghidorah. Source: Ghidorah Completion (Hobby Japan, p 126) | Learn More

Today we got new Godzilla Minus Zero posters!

“In the final scene where Biollante and Godzilla face off, Biollante was far too strong in Kawakita’s storyboard (laughs). So we had a lot of discussions about that… and there are a lot of stories like that. If Godzilla just keeps getting beaten up, it would change the scenario.”

Director, Kazuki Omori, Shoot a strong Godzilla, Special Graphix Godzilla vs Biollante

A Message
from the Director

Tickets for Godzilla Minus Zero go on sale tomorrow, Tuesday, October 6, for North America! Source: @Godzilla_Toho

A Spectacular Showa Storybook

Before you head to the movies for Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus Zero, take a trip back in time and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Godzilla Showa era with the Toho Monsters Picture Book 4: Toho Monster No. 1 Godzilla! Read the beautifully-illustrated storybook from the 10-volume set released in the early 70s. See Godzilla battle Ghidorah with the help of Rodan, Mothra as they destroy sacred sites across Japan! Watch the recovered classic 8mm Godzilla film with the added flex-disc audio track. Read & Watch Now

Toho Monster No.1 Godzilla (東宝かいじゅう絵本4 かいじゅう No.1 ゴジラ) Front Case

On this day, October 4, 1995, Godzilla’s final scene in Godzilla vs Destroyah was filmed at Toho Studios. ｢光に包まれてゴジラは荘厳な最期を迎えた｣ “Enveloped in light, Godzilla met a majestic end.”

Godzilla Drive-In Nostalgia

Growing up we drove past drive-in theaters, but I never went to one until last night at Mahoning Drive-In Theater KAI-JUBILEE: A Drive-in Celebration of Kaiju Culture (Lehighton, PA) featuring All Monsters Attack. I met old friends and made new ones. Photos 1 2 3 4 5 | Watch | Learn More

At the drive-in, local author Thom Shubilla was in-person selling signed copies of his new book, “King Kong Versus Godzilla: The Most Colossal Conflict the Screen has ever Known” (BearManor Media, 2025). Without hesitation I snatched my autographed copy. There are not enough books on this 1964 classic. Here’s another to add to your list of must-buys!

Learn More & Buy

The Design of Godzilla

A Big Toho Brochure

Joining my Godzilla vs Biollante press sheet shared last month is the beautiful full-color large-format 8-panel 1990 Toho Lineup brochure announcing the release of Godzilla vs Biollante. The cover features an extended version of the movie poster photo to cover the large D1 format (36.4 x 25.7cm, 14.33 x 10.12 inches). The title, ’90 Toho ラインアップ東宝株式会社, is set in gold across the bottom of the cover and the deformed Godzilla “G” logo in the top left corner. Sharing the outside panels are the movies Tales of a Golden Geisha (あげまん), Doraemon: Nobita and the Animal Planet (映画ドラえもんのび太とアニマル惑星プラネット) and Chimpui (チンプイエリさま活動大写真), and Tasmania Story (タスマニア物話). Upon opening the eye is drawn to “’90 Toho” set large across the two inside panels. The letters mask a beautiful blue partly-cloudy sky. Gothic typefaces (san serif) are used predominantly for movie titles and descriptions. The subheader copy are set in Mincho fonts (serif). The inside spread is impressive. The movie lineup is color coded (green, purple, red and dark blue) across the four panels. The lineup begins with the release of Godzilla vs Biollante on December 16, 1989. It’s labeled with “Breaking a five-year silence, Godzilla returns, and a super-battle against his ultimate foe, Biollante, rocks the Japanese archipelago!”「5年の沈黙を破ってゴジラ復活、最強の敵ビオランテとのスーパー・バトルが日本列島を直撃する!｣ with the abbreviated credits below. On the fourth panel appears a photo of Godzilla (1984) with the words “Godzilla 3” with the description, “Godzilla—the immortal hero born in Japan—makes yet another triumphant landing, commanding the attention of the entire world!” ｢日本が生んだ不滅のヒーロー、GODZILLA.!全世界の注目を浴びて再々上陸!｣, anticipating the third release of the Heisei era films in 1991. The layout is clean, balanced, minimal with great use of white space.

Saturday MyTV

Fall and October brings Halloween and that means monsters. Growing up there was no lack of appearances of Godzilla on TV during this time of year. On Saturday, October 3, 1981, I would have been cheering on Godzilla while watching King Kong vs Godzilla (1963) on Channel 48 at 3:00pm after catching Mothra (1962) on channel 29. TV Listing

My Saturday TV: King Kong vs Godzilla on Ch 48

“I’m glad it’s reaching people overseas.”

Someone please pinch me and wake me up because I must be dreaming. These are the words of Director Takashi Yamazaki (山崎貴 @nostoro) posted to my conversation with @ゴジラファンの親 about ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street today on X.com. I’m overwhelmed, stunned and full of deep appreciation that the great director would leave us a message. He can rest assured that his work is reaching fans and general audiences around the world. We are so much better for it. Minus Zero is a masterpiece and a fitting continuation of his work and legacy. Thank you Director Yamazaki! Your kindness and thoughtfulness will return an abundance of fortune. Thanks to my X.com friend for the conversation and making it possible to hear from Director Yamazaki. This experience is the icing on the cake of the last several days since the premiere of Godzilla Minus Zero at the New York Film Festival Gala.

My X.com thread with @ゴジラファンの親 and Director Yamazaki (10/2/2026)

The 1962 Bookshelf

Today, we highlight books and print material for King Kong vs Godzilla (1962). The film is well documented in the standard books in English texts: Godzilla: The First 70 Year, Japan’s Favorite Mon-Star, Godzilla: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide and The Official Godzilla Compendium. For the design of Godzilla 1962 (KinGoji) check out The Pictorial Book of Godzilla: 40 Years of History of Fantastic Movie Art and Godzilla Graphic Collection. Here is a set of books to fill the top shelf of your Godzilla library. Note that these book images are not to scale.

Toho Sci-Fi/Tokusatsu Film Series Vol. 5: King Kong vs. Godzilla / The Mysterians (東宝SF特撮映画シリーズ Vol. 5 キングコング対ゴジラ地球防衛軍, Toho, 1/1/1986, 168 pp)
Learn More

Godzilla Second 1962~1964 (ゴジラセカンドゴジラ写真館第二集, Dainippon Kaiga 大日本絵画, 4/1/1994, hardback, 111 pp, oversized)
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Reprint of the King Kong vs Godzilla script owned by Keiko Suzuki, script supervisor under Tsuburaya. Packed with extensive handwritten notes and annotations (Kodansha, 4/25/2023, pp 32)
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King Kong vs Godzilla Completion (キングコング対ゴジラコンプリーション, Hobby Japan, 9.24.2021, 159 pp) is the first and definitive volume on the film packed with content featuring rare snapshots, screenplays, interviews, promotional materials, production data, shooting schedules, a location guide, a showcase of props and more
Learn More

Reprint of the King Kong vs Godzilla program booklet in the Godzilla Complete Movie DVD Collectors Box (ゴジラ全映画DVDコレクターズBox)

Godzilla & Toho Tokusatsu Official Mook Vol. 3 (ゴジラ&東宝特撮 Official Mook, Hobby Japan, 9.24.2021, 159 pp) is an in-depth look at the epic showdown between two iconic monsters from Japan and the U.S.
Learn More

King Kong vs. Godzilla Unpublished Photo Collection (キングコング対ゴジラ未写公開真集, 5.12.2021, 116 pp) contains many unpublished color photos taken by special art director Akira Watanabe. It is included in the King Kong vs. Godzilla 4K Remaster 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray set.
Learn More

King Kong vs. Godzilla Bonus Manga (キングコング対ゴジラ付録漫画, 5.12.2021, 28 pp) is a special booklet that nostalgia of the illusion picture story drawn by an inverse painter Shushi Komatsuzaki. It is included in the King Kong vs. Godzilla 4K Remaster 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray set.
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Toho SFX Movies Authentic Visual Book Vol. 3 Godzilla 1992 (東宝特撮公式ヴィジュアル・ブック, 5.12.2021, 28 pp) is a collection of behind-the-scenes snapshots and production stills of KinGoji.
Learn More

King Kong Versus Godzilla: The Most Colossal Conflict the Screen has ever Known by Thom Shubilla (BearManor Media, 2025, 237 pp, 6″x9″)
Learn More

On this day

Today, October 1, in 1978, Two Guys, one of my favorite stores growing up, ran this toy advertisement featuring the Mattel Godzilla Game for $6.88 in the Philadelphia Inquirer. That Christmas, my parents placed it under our Christmas tree for me. Full Ad | Learn More

New York Film Festival 2026 Godzilla Minus Zero on Wednesday, September 30th

Save the Best for Last

Yesterday was a great Godzilla day. I was off to New York again early Wednesday morning. It was a gorgeous day with bright sunshine, blue sky and comfortable fall temperatures. The drive up and back was smooth and uneventful. I found public parking beside the Juilliard building adjacent to the Lincoln Center. Outside and inside I was elated to see old Godzilla friends and make new ones. As we waited we shared how we got tickets, got caught up on how we were doing and took selfies. Fans proudly wore their Godzilla apparel and displayed their figures and merchandise. Someone had a small button with my Godzilla toy photography. This time around I had a better seat, right up front in the orchestra left section of the theater. As soon as I took my seat I realized we were being serenaded with deep cut Godzilla tracks. The movie was just minutes away so I checked my messages. And to my surprise the U.S. trademark office sent me an email announcing the acceptance of the renewal of the“MyKaiju” trademark. The timing could not have been better. I was set to see Minus Zero again. The first time I was so excited that I missed a lot of details that I needed in order to fully appreciate the story and the character development. The story is seemingly simple on the surface but rich, dense and requires exploration. I cannot wait for the release of the novelization to explore backstories. Director Yamazaki is a genius. He has successfully created the perfect sequel that was not only worthy of Minus One but also surpassing it. Zero picks up storylines that have been developing off screen for two years since One. If Minus One is a war film wrapped around a kaiju film, then Minus Zero is a kaiju film wrapped around a war film. Fans and moviegoers won’t be disappointed. You will experience the full range of emotions. You will laugh, be intrigued, wowed, awed, saddened, troubled and cry like you did for Minus One. Get ready for a ride. Pay close attention. Zero is dense, layered with many nods and tributes. Wait to process what you’ve experienced. My first word was “wow.” Yamazaki did it again. Like the movie, the day was perfect. To cap it off, when I got home, I had boxes full of Godzilla goodies waiting for me.

Box Daze

Paper Past

December 16, 1994, when I arrived in Japan for the first time, was one of the best days of my life. I was there on a vacation scheduled around the release of Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla just days earlier. I took it in three times and returned home with a bagful of collectibles and a headful of memories. I got a poster, a program booklet, photos, stamps, ticket stubs and even video of a theater and tv commercial. But the only item I forgot to get was a newspaper. But thirty-two years later, I found this Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla ad in the Sanyo Shimbun (山陽新聞) on December 9th.

Godzilla

MyKaiju Korner

Trademark Renewed

The time was perfect. As I sat in the Alice Tully Theater at the Lincoln Center for my second viewing of Godzilla Minus Zero on September 30th, I checked my messages for the first time since driving to New York early in the morning. And to my surprise the USPTO notified me that my application for trademark extension of the name “MyKaiju” was accepted. I won’t have to renew it for another 10 years! This is great news! Six years ago when my working name appeared on the side of the X-Plus box for the first time, I knew I had to secure the name I had been using since 2001. Besides my name and logo MyKaiju® appears the recognizable copyright symbol ® for registered service trademark rather than the ™ which is reserved for unregistered trademarks. A trademark is a word, sign, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of these that identifies and denotes a product or service and legally differentiates it from all other kinds. Trademarking is important for protecting your name in the marketplace. The process is overwhelming and nerve wrecking at times. Having a lawyer is helpful. But the renewal I had to do on my own. And my application was returned due to issues. So I’m elated and celebrating. Thank you USPTO! 10.4

Yesterday, I had a great time at the last showing of Godzilla Minus Zero at the New York Film Festival. And then a fellow fan pointed out MyKaiju toy photography had been made into a button. Very cool. 10.1

MyKaiju Toy Photography made into a button by a fan at New York Film Festival 2026

MyKaiju Godzilla Toy Photography of X-Plus Yuji Sakai Gigantic Godzilla 1954 in 2016

In 2016, I took this shot when I received the X-Plus Yuji Sakai Gigantic Godzilla 1954. Little did I know it would be swooped up by Toho and used on Godzilla.com and others on the web.

October Box Daze

I had a great box day yesterday. And then today my Dodgers Godzilla Minus Zero cup arrived. Back side | 10.1

Godzilla Monster Head Magnet (The Biography of The Most Terrifying Monster King) Ichibansho Zakka Blind Box

Yesterday, a small box appeared with one magnet head from the Godzilla Monster Head Magnet (The Biography of The Most Terrifying Monster King) Ichibansho Zakka Blind Box.. 10.1

Godzilla 1954 back page ad in Million Dollar Fashion Shibuya Toho Theater pamphlet

And then there was another piece of Godzilla 1954 with the arrival of this Godzilla 1954 back page ad in Million Dollar Fashion Shibuya Toho Theater pamphlet. Learn More | 10.1

"Godzilla: 17th film, first in five years" (Nikkan Sports, 8.23.1989)

I love Godzilla articles especially in the newspaper. Here is “Godzilla: 17th film, first in five years” from Nikkan Sports on 8.23.1989. Read More | 10.2

One of my cool box items is the Toho The Film Times Film List 1955 listing the Godzilla Raids Again. Inside | 10.1

Godzilla vs Tech Deck: 5K8Shop Bunus Pack

I hadn’t seen nor heard of the Santa Cruz x Godzilla collaboration Godzilla vs Tech Deck, but I snatched it up because the customizable fingerboards looks fun. 10.2

I picked up the Ichibankuji Yuji Sakai Godzilla 2001 figure from my friend Chris of Seismic Toys at the Mahoning Drive-In Theater KAI-JUBILEE: A Drive-in Celebration of Kaiju Culture (Lehighton, PA). 10.3

I look great Godzilla print design. This is Comptiq Godzilla Strategy Guide (コンプティークゴジラ攻略本) book. Sample Spread | 10.12

This was another must have when Monster Mash-Up Attack Picture Book (怪獣大集撃えほん) popped up on auction. It’s full of glorious illustration. 10.15

The Mahoning Drive-In Theater is a walk back in time. I picked up this King Kong (1933) VHS tape among the many other items for sale. 10.3

It took a few months but I finally got my hand on the Godzilla Foot Pen Holder! 10.12

Cinema Club 1993 featuring Godzilla on the cover

I can’t resist Godzilla on cover. This is Cinema Club 1993. 10.15

I added a “King Kong Verses Godzilla: The Most Colossal Conflict the Screen has even Known” by Thom Shubilla (BearManor Media, 2025) to the book shelf. I’m so glad. 10.3

FANGORIA Magazine Vol. 2 Issue #33 with Godzilla Minus Zero on the cover was a no-brainer. It arrived today. I’ll read it tonight. Sample | About It | Buy It | 10.14

"First-Year Science" (January 1985 issue) with Godzilla

This is the “First-Year Science” (January 1985 issue, 1年のかがく) with great Godzilla layouts with photos & illustrations. 10.15

ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street program books

ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street 2 program book spread

I love Yamazaki’s ALWAYS series. They convey the themes he loves and his approach to movie making. Here is a set of program books. The second has a wonderful fold-out spread for his Godzilla short. 10.15

I can’t stop ordering more custom Godzilla 3D printed logos from TJ Custom Creations on eBay. There are perfect to accent my shelves and identify my collection. 10.16

Celebrating the release of Godzilla Minus Zero would be incompletely without tickets to see it in Japan. In addition I picked up some flyers. 10.15

The Godzilla Minus Zero Popcorn Bucket has landed. Glad to have it but nowhere to put it. So he’s staying in the box. 10.16

New York Comic Con Takeaways

The Mondo Art of Godzilla (The Official Collection of Monster Godzilla Art)

Saturday at NYCC was great for Godzilla merch. I couldn’t walk away with the beautiful The Mondo Art of Godzilla (The Official Collection of Monster Godzilla Art). Inside is the art, work and stories of our favorite Mondo Godzilla artist. Sample spread 1 and 2. 10.12

Super7 Super Kaiju Color Shock Godzilla 2001

Super7 had the cool Super Kaiju Color Shock Godzilla 2001 for sale. 10.12

The Hello Kitty Godzilla collaboration is irresistible now. So the kidrobot NYCC 2026 Con Exclusive Hello Kitty Black Cat Large Plush found a home at my house. 10.12

I missed out on the SHMA exclusive but the Bandai Movie Monster Series Godzilla (2026) First Look version wasn’t going to be overlooked. 10.12

Another irresistible item was the kidrobot Godzilla Great Wave Collectible Resin Figure. The picture above is a product shot. I had to keep mine mint in the box. Box front and back. 10.12

Paper material is a must at any event of this size. I wasn’t leaving with out the New York Comic Con 2026 Godzilla Minus Zero pamphalet. 10.12

What’s Happening

The Type 2 Large Flying Boat (Modified) from Godzilla -0.0 with a wealth of additional parts has been made into a 1:72 scale plastic model scheduled for release around February 3, 2027. The Godzilla Minus Zero score was amazing and Naoki Sato is back. The original soundtrack arrives digitally November 4. Check out the Kaiyodo ARTPLA MechaGodzilla model kit. Nendoroid is releasing an adorable Godzilla (2016) Second Form. Fall is here time to slip on these cool Godzilla (1954 and 1994) Plush Slippers.

1:72 Scale Plastic Model Godzilla -0.0 Type 2 Large Flying Boat (Modified)
1:72 Scale Plastic Model Godzilla -0.0 Type 2 Large Flying Boat (Modified)
Godzilla Minus Zero Original Soundtrack arrives digitally November 4.
Kaiyodo ARTPLA MechaGodzilla model kit (Source: @kaiyodo_PR)
Nendoroid Godzilla (2016) Second Form
Godzilla (1994) Plush Slippers
Godzilla (1994) Plush Slippers

My preorder list

ARTPLA Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975)
Toho Studios Lanyard
A Big Secret
PLAfig. Burning Millennium Godzilla Kit
Hiya Destoroyah
Spiral Studio Godzilla 2023
~~XPNA TKWS Destoroyah~~
XPNA Gigantis Standard
XPNA Gigantic Exclusive
Yuji Sakai Godzilla 1991 Kit

Last night was an incredible night of announcement from Kaiyodo, X-Plus and MODEROID at the Japan Model & Hobby Show Exhibit. Kaiyodo shocks with model kits of Godzilla 1995 & Junior, Final Wars Gigan and Hedorah. X-Plus is working on MechaKing Ghidorah! And we get a closeup look at MODEROID’s kits. 10.2

ATPLA Re:Imagination model kits (Source: @@ecuador877)
ATPLA Re:Imagination model kits (Source: @kaiyodo_PR)
ATPLA Re:Imagination model kits (Source: @kaiyodo_PR)
ATPLA Re:Imagination model kits (Source: @kaiyodo_PR)
X-Plus MechaGhidorah (Source: @MFS314)
MODEROID model kits (Source: @digitamin)
MODEROID model kits (Source: @digitamin)
MODEROID model kits (Source: @digitamin)

Paul, Andrew, John, Mike and guest from Taiwan at the Alice Tully Theater, Lincoln Center for the last showing of Godzilla Minus Zero (2026)
Mike and Matt at the Alice Tully Theater, Lincoln Center for the last showing of Godzilla Minus Zero (2026)
Me and Paul at the Alice Tully Theater, Lincoln Center for the last showing of Godzilla Minus Zero (2026)
Chris Lewis and me at Mahoning Drive-In Theater for KAI-JUBILEE: A Drive-in Celebration of Kaiju Culture (Lehighton, PA, 2026)
Chris, Aj, Alex, John and John Bellotti Jr.

One of the best aspects of attending Godzilla events is meeting and making Godzilla friends, some of whom you have only seen online. 10.4

Cineworld’s GodzillaMinusZero merch reveal is coming soon! Source: @cineworld | 10.6

"Takashi Yamazai got emotional as he received a massive standing ovation at the world premiere of Godzilla Minus Zero" (Source: Golden Era Hollywood)

“Takashi Yamazai got emotional as he received a massive standing ovation at the world premiere of Godzilla Minus Zero” — Golden Era Hollywood. Source: @Godzilla_Toho | 10.2

“Seth Green will moderate the Godzilla Minus Zero panel at #NYCC! Stop by to hear producer Kazuaki Kishida and members of the award-winning VFX and sound teams give an inside look at the creation of the film.” Source: @Godzilla_Toho | 10.2

Cineworld’s GodzillaMinusZero merch reveal is coming soon! Source: @cineworld | 10.6

Check out the Godzilla Minus Zero merch: 19.5″ 3D Godzilla Popcorn Bucket, Heat Ray Drink Bottle, and Popcorn Tin ! 10.6

When I realized what Aj was telling me, I rushed to drafthouse.com and scored the Alamo-exclusive MechaGodzilla Popcorn Bucket along with a ticket to see Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla (1974) in Brooklyn on Nov 1st. I couldn’t miss out on getting a companion for my Godzilla popcorn bucket. Learn More | 10.6

Look at the Godzilla Minus Zero IMAX Poster (Mexico) ! Source: @daichannoeiga | 10.6

Godzilla Popcorn Container

I hope you got your hands on the 50cm Godzilla Popcorn Container. It comes with one movie ticket too! 10.7

Godzilla Minus Zero Collectible Combo with popcorn & soda
Godzilla Minus Zero Popcorn Tin
Godzilla Minus Zero Heat Ray Drink Bottle

Next up to snatch up are these goodies: Heat Ray Drink Bottle, Popcorn Tin, popcorn & soda combo, and head cup. 10.7

MyKaiju Goodies

MyKaiju Wallpaper

MyKaiju Godzilla Toy Photography: X-Plus Gigantic Godzilla 1964

Cool Pics

October Calendar

Godzilla Daily

October 1

1986: Kazuki Omori’s script for “Godzilla 2” was printed. [First draft of Godzilla vs Biollante / Included in Godzilla vs. Biollante Completion” (Hobby Japan), December 16, 2015]

1992: TV Tokyo’s “Adventure! Godzillaland” began airing. It ran until December 24th. [15-minute program aired every Thursday]

1996: TV Tokyo’s “Godzilla Kingdom” began airing. It ran until October 3rd, 1997. [Daily program aired Monday through Friday from 7:25 to 7:30]

1924: Birthda of Nobuko Otowa (乙羽信子, died December 22nd, 1994) [The Last War as Oyoshi (wife of Tamura Mokichi)]

October 2

1964: Birthday of Shinji Nishikawa (西川伸司) [Monster & Mecha Design from Godzilla vs Biollante to Godzilla: Final Wars / Kiryu Mechanic in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla]

1964: Birthday of Daiki Fujioka (藤岡大樹) [Tom Ozawa (G-Force Officer) in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla]

October 3

1908: Birthday of Masao Tamai (玉井正夫, died May 26, 1997) [Filming on Godzilla]

October 4

1984: Special effects filming for Godzilla (1984) wrapped up.

1995: Godzilla’s final scene in Godzilla vs Destroyah was filmed at Toho Studios.

1999: “Godzilla TV” began airing on TV Tokyo (テレビ東京系『ゴジラTV』). It ran until March 31, 2000 [Daily Program Airing Monday through Friday from 6:40 to 6:45 AM]

1926: Birthday of Haruo Suzuki (鈴木治夫) [Played roles as a crew member on the Taian Maru in King Kong vs Godzilla, a JSDF radio officer in Mothra vs Godzilla, a Space Agency officer in Invasion of Astro-Monsters, a member of the Akaitake Unit in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, a headquarters officer in Destroy All Monsters, a reporter in Godzilla vs Hedorah: Attack of the Monsters, an JSDF officer (Suzuki) in Godzilla vs Hedorah, and an engineer on Akatsuki-1 in Terror of MechaGodzilla, among many others]

1971: Birthday of Miyuki Kajitani (梶谷美由紀) [Singer of “I Want to Be Rouge,” the opening theme song for “Godzilla Kingdom”『ゴジラ王国』OPテーマ「ルージュになりたい」]

1983: Birthday of Ai Maeda (前田愛) [Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (playing the sisters looking up at Mothra)]

October 5

1954: A fleet of frigates discovers Godzilla in the Pacific Ocean and drops approximately 500 depth charges. — Asahi Shimbun advertisement for Godzilla — [From the Nagoya evening edition of the Asahi Shimbun on October 25th, 1954 / An article titled “Monster Godzilla Attacks Japan” that appeared alongside a Godzilla movie advertisement clearly states the date in the film. The basis for the date is unclear, but in the actual film, an August calendar is seen hanging at Nankai Salvage on a later date, so this is counterfactual. / The same article also shows the dates September 26th, October 13th, and October 20th.]

1995: Filming wraps up on the special effects for Godzilla vs Destroyah. [Filming was originally scheduled to wrap up on October 4th, but after an all-night shoot, it finished at 8:34 AM on the 5th.]

1972: Toho’s special effects drama “Go! Godman”『行け!ゴッドマン』premiered on Nippon Television’s “Good Morning! Children’s Show”日本テレビ『おはよう!こどもショー』. Numerous Toho monsters appeared as enemies (most of the costumes were from the film, but they were all worn out), and the characters would battle each monster for a week (typically six consecutive days, but sometimes as little as three). The series ran until September 28, 1973. [The air dates for each episode could not be determined, but the following monsters appeared by the final episode.] Gabara: A “birth scene” not seen in the movie is depicted → A toad mutates into Gabara due to the effects of a nuclear explosion (the monster encyclopedia on the DVD describes it as a toad, but judging by the green spots it is a Japanese bush frog). Its eyes look in different directions and its mouth is distorted. Gorosaurus: Appears in the suburbs dotted with houses. It uses a fighting technique not seen in the movie version, lifting Godman by its shoulders. Kameba: Appears on the rocky coast of Japan. It stands on two legs and fights on land. This second-generation individual has no lower jaw and its upper fangs are always exposed. Sanda: In this work too, it is portrayed as “not really an evil monster.” Gaira: The zipper on its wrist is clearly visible, the wrist of the person inside is frequently exposed, and sand spills out from the slit in the zipper on its back. Horned Ghidorah: Rumored to be a modified Godzilla for an attraction.

1908: Birthday of Masao Shimizu (清水将夫, died October 5, 1975) [Dr. Tadokoro in Godzilla Raids Again]

1927: Birthday of Toshio Masuda (舛田利雄) [Director of The Prophecy of Nostradamus]

1933: Birthday of Tsuguzo Murase (村瀬継蔵) [Varan the Giant Monster, Matango, Terror of MechaGodzilla, Godzilla vs King Ghidorah, and Godzilla vs Mothra] Modeling: Modified Godzilla from Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster into Gomes. [Takehiko Fujio (Director of the National Center for Superscience Research) in Godzilla vs King Ghidorah]

1946: Birthday of Tokuma Nishioka (西岡德馬)

1971: Birthday of Tatsuyuki Kitaoka (北岡龍貴) [X-Alien in Godzilla: Final Wars]

October 6

1971: Final draft of Shinichi Sekizawa’s script “Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah: Earth Attack Order” was printed [Retitled “Godzilla vs Gigan” for release.]

1997: TV Tokyo’s “Godzilla Island” begins airing. Episode 1, “Giant UFO Invasion!” airs. This is the first Japanese TV story featuring Godzilla as the main character.

2014: “GODZILLA GENERATION: The World of Noriyoshi Ohrai and Yuji Kaida” is being held at Yurakucho Loft. It runs until the 31st.

1935: Birthday of Yoichi Manoda (真野田陽一) [Director of Photography for Godzilla vs Hedorah, Special Effects Cinematographer for Godzilla vs Hedorah – Attack on All Monsters, and others]

1946: Birthday of Yukiko Kobayashi (小林夕岐子) [In Destroy All Monsters, she played Kyoko Manabe, a female engineer at the United Nations Scientific Committee; in Gezora, Ganime, and Kamoeba: Giant Monsters of the South Seas, she played Saki, a girl from Sergio Island]

1956: Birthday of Satoshi Narumi (鳴海聡) [Puppeteer for Godzilla vs Mothra – Godzilla: Final Wars]

1961: Birthday of Miyuki Matsuda (松田美由紀) [In Mothra 3: King Ghidorah Attacks, she played Yukie Sonoda (Yusuke’s wife)]

1965: Birthday of Makoto Kamiya (神谷誠) [Special Effects Director for Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, and others]

October 7

1964: Shinichi Sekizawa’s script for Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster is printed in its final draft [Reprinted in “The Complete Guide to Japanese Special Effects” (Gakken Plus) on August 9th, 2016]

1993: TV Tokyo’s “Godzilla Land 2″『冒険!ゴジランド2』begins airing. It runs until December 30th.

1913: Birthday of Akio Kusama (草間璋夫) [Played the role of a villager on Odo Island in Godzilla, King Kong vs Godzilla, Mothra vs Godzilla, and Invasion of Astro-Monsters as a defense force officer, the “Photographed Scholar” (fourth from the left) in Terror of MechaGodzilla, Colonel Kusama in Varan the Giant Monster, and the glasses-wearing police officer from Okayama in Frankenstein vs. the Subterranean Monster, among many others]

1923: Birthday of Koji Kajita (梶田興治, died August 18, 2013) [Chief Assistant Director on Godzilla and Assistant Director on Earth Defense Force through Frankenstein’s Monster: Sanda vs. Gaira, among others]

1967: Birthday of Rikako Aikawa (愛河里花子) [Voice of Rodan and King Ghidorah Jiro in “Godzilla Land”『すすめ!ゴジランド』]

1969: Birthday of Manjot Bedi (マンジョット・ベディ) [SSS9 (Salazia operative) in Godzilla vs Biollante. [Originally from India]

October 8

1961: Munee Matsubayashi’s The Last War and Kengo Furusawa’s Awamori-kun Cheers! were released. [Special effects scenes from The Last War were later reused in Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla vs Destroyah. In the accompanying film, Awamori-kun Cheers!, Awamori-kun, who has fled to Toho Studios, sneaks into the studio where The Last War is being filmed, and Frankie Sakai, Nobuko Otowa, and even Yuriko Hoshi make brief appearances. Costumed characters such as Moguera, Varan, and Mothra (adult and larvae) also appear (real ones, not for attractions), making this a valuable documentary for special effects fans.]

1994: “Space Godzilla World ’94″「スペースゴジラワールド’94」held at Space World in Kitakyushu City. Until December 22nd. [An exhibition focusing on Godzilla vs Space Godzilla]

2015: “The Great Godzilla Special Effects Exhibition”「大ゴジラ特撮展」held at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. Until November 8th.

1912: Birthday of Rikie Sanjo (三條利喜江) [Earth Defense Force, role of Shiraishi Etsuko’s mother]

1933: Birthday of Kiyoshi Yamamoto (山本清) [Godzilla (1984), role of Science and Technology Agency Director General Kajita]

October 9

1935: Birthday of Teruyoshi Nakano (中野昭慶, died Jun 27, 2022) [Special effects director for Godzilla vs Hedorah through Godzilla (1984). Worked as assistant director (assistant director) through Mothra through Gezora: The Great Monster of the South Seas]

1957: Birthday of Yukari Nozawa (野沢由香里) [Voice of Dr. Elsie Chapman (Vicki Lewis) in the theatrical dub of Godzilla (1998)]

2010: Toho Godzilla Society publishes “Special Effects Tsuburaya Group: Godzilla and the Youth Devoted to Toho Special Effects”『特撮円谷組―ゴジラと、東宝特撮にかけた青春』(Yosensha). [A collection of testimonies from the staff who supported Toho’s special effects]

October 10

1946: Birthday of Masahiro Kishimoto (岸本正広) [Cinematography for Godzilla vs Mothra, Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla, Godzilla vs Megaguirus, Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, and Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla.]

1962: Birthday of Shingo Kazami (風見しんご) [Rolled into the role of a staff member at the National Center for Supernatural Science in Godzilla vs King Ghidorah.]

2005: William M. Tsutsui’s essay “Godzilla and America: A Half Century”『ゴジラとアメリカの半世紀』(Chuko Bunko Publishing) (translated by Kyoko Kamiyama) was published.

October 11

1960: Birthday of Kenji Fukuda (福田健次) [Godzilla (1984) as Super X Lieutenant]

1973: Birthday of Toru Nomaguchi (野間口徹) [Shin Godzilla] as Hajime Tachikawa (Chief of the Nuclear Policy Division, Electricity and Gas Business Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy)]

1974: Birthday of Kane Kosugi (ケイン・コスギ) [Godzilla FINAL WARS] as Katsunori Kazama (Lieutenant, Mutant Soldier, M Agency, Earth Defense Force)]

October 12

1965: Radioactivity is detected at the bottom of Lake Myojin in Invasion of Astro-Monster [From the October 13th edition of the Mainichi Shimbun. Although not visible on screen, this is confirmed in a prop photo published in the Godzilla Museum (Aspect). However, this date precedes the P-1’s return to Earth, creating a chronological inconsistency.]

1936: Birthday of Machiko Naka (中真千子) [All Monsters Attack as Tamiko Miki (Ichiro’s mother)]

1939: Birthday of Midori Uchiyama (内山みどり) [Voice of Minilla in All Monsters Attack, role as a Space Flying Saucer Club member in Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster, role as a Kilaak alien in Destroy All Monsters, and others]

October 13

1954: Around 9:30 PM, Godzilla appears off the coast of Shinagawa. He lands in Tokyo from the Second Battery and destroys Shinagawa Station. He leaves for Tokyo Bay around 11:00 PM from Godzilla [From the Nagoya evening edition of the Asahi Shimbun on October 25, 1954 / An article with the headline “Monster Godzilla Attacks Japan” that appeared alongside a Godzilla movie advertisement clearly states the date in the film. While the basis for the date is unclear, in the actual film, an August calendar was hanging at Nankai Salvage on the day Godzilla landed in Shinagawa, contradicting the facts. / The same article also shows the dates September 26th, October 5th, and October 20th.]

1960: Birthday of Jun Hashizume (橋爪淳) [Godzilla vs Space Godzilla as Koji Shinjo (MOGERA pilot), Godzilla: Final Wars as Secretary to the UN Secretary-General]

1963: Birthday of Hiro Kanagawa (ヒロ・カナガワ) [Godzilla (2014) as Hayato (Suzumejira Nuclear Power Plant employee)]

October 14

1958: Ishiro Honda’s Varan is released [Featured alongside “Franky’s I Am Three Men”]

1974: Yukiko Takayama’s screenplay for Terror of MechaGodzilla is printed in draft.

2015: American film company Legendary Entertainment and others announce plans to release Godzilla 2 in June 2018 and Godzilla vs Kong in 2020.

1912: Birthday of Akira Sera (瀬良明) [Roles as a congressman in Godzilla, an employee of the Marine Fisheries Corporation in Godzilla Raids Again, an Infant Islander in Mothra (all uncredited), a Shinto priest in Varan, and others]

1926: Birthday of Jun Haiji (灰地順) [Roles as Professor Nikaido in episode 10 of “Ultraman,” “The Mysterious Dinosaur Base” (introducing Godzilla’s modified form, Jirasu)]

October 15

1964: A poster for “Dogora the Space Monster” appears in the Yuhimachi 3rd Street Shopping District in ALWAYS Sunset on Third Street ’64 [The day after “October 14th” is written on the blackboard in the “Adventure Boys Book” editorial office. A poster can be seen on the bulletin board behind Ryunosuke Chagawa (Hidetaka Yoshioka) as he trudges through the shopping district. However, since Dogora the Space Monster was released on August 11th of the same year, the cinema-opera theater shown is likely a second or third run theater.]

2016: Tachikawa City held the “Tachikawa x Shin Godzilla” collaborative event. Tachikawa Disaster. Tours of the Emergency Headquarters Backup Facility were also held.

1909: Birthday of Teizo Tomitsu (利光貞三, died 1982) [Sculpted Godzilla (from clay prototype to costume production), and subsequently worked on sculpting for Gezora, Ganime, and Kamoeba Showdown! Giant Monster of the South Seas]

1930: Birthday of Ichiro Nakatani (中谷一郎, died April 1, 2004) [Rodan played Senkichi (the miner killed by Meganulon)]

1950: Birthday of Izumisaburo Makimura (牧村泉三郎) [Godzilla vs Space Godzilla, played Michiya Kato (Secretary)]

1958: Birthday of Masako Katsuo (勝生真沙子) [Voice of Audrey Timmons (Maria Pitillo) in the theatrical dub of GODZILLA (1998)]

October 16

1951: Birthday of Tomoe Mari (Yasuko Agawa, 麻里とも恵(阿川泰子) [She played Yuri Yamamoto (Assistant at the Marine Development Research Institute) in Terror of MechaGodzilla, and Kida’s daughter in Prophecies of Nostradamus]

October 17

2002: The Hayato Igarashi administration takes over from the Machiko Tsuge administration in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla [From a newspaper article in the film. Year and month are from the final script]

1990: The synopsis for Kazuki Omori’s “King Ghidorah vs. Godzilla (working title)” is completed.

1929: Birthday of Mayuri Woodworker (木匠マユリ) [Godzilla Raids Again as Yasuko Inoue (Marine Fisheries KK radio operator)]

1939: Birthday of Mori Kishida (岸田森 died December 28, 19820 [Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla as Interpol investigator Minamihara]

October 18

2015: Godzilla (wearing the Heisei Godzilla attraction costume) appears at the 27th Shinjuku Ward Festival Fureai Festa 2015 (Tokyo Metropolitan Toyama Park)「第27回・大新宿区まつりふれあいフェスタ2015」[Godzilla was appointed as a “Shinjuku Tourism Ambassador” in April 2015, so perhaps he’s here for work?]

1967: Takeyuki Yue (湯江健幸) [Tokyo SOS as the Kiryu Squadron Command Room Radio Officer]

1974: Noboru Kaneko (金子昇) [Tokyo SOS as Yoshito Nakajo, the Type 3 Kiryu mechanic]

October 19

1970: Printing of the script for Kaoru Mabuchi’s “Godzilla vs Hedorah” for review [First draft of Godzilla vs Hedorah]

1951: Birthday of Takeo Nakahara (中原丈雄) [Godzilla 2000 Millennium as Division Commander Takada, Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack as Captain Sakita, Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla and Tokyo SOS as Chief of Staff Ichiyanagi]

1955: Birthday of LaSalle Ishii (ラサール石井) [Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla as Kunio Katsuragi (investigator at a Japanese-Russian joint venture oil company) / MC for “Godzillaland”]

1979: Birthday of Toshiya Tajima (田島俊弥) Tokyo SOS as Patrol Aircraft Officer]

1994: Birthday of Kenta Suga (須賀健太) [In Godzilla FINAL WARS and Always: Sunset on Third Street in which Kenta Taguchi and Junnosuke Koyuki play the roles, there is a line that says, “That’s Godzilla, isn’t it?”]

October 20

1954: At 7:40 PM, Godzilla landed near Shibaura. He cut through a 50,000-volt barbed wire fence and invaded the city, destroying Sukiyabashi Bridge, the National Diet Building, the TV tower, and other structures in Asahi Shimbun advertisement for Godzilla. This date and time are clearly stated in an article published alongside the movie advertisement for Godzilla. [From the Nagoya evening edition of the Asahi Shimbun, October 25, 1954 / The headline “Monster Godzilla Attacks Japan” reads, “Only the dotted line matches the dialogue in the film, but the characters are wearing short sleeves, making it unlikely to be October. / The same article also includes dates for September 26th, October 5th, and October 13th.]

2004: Godzilla was selected to receive a star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame. The certificate presentation ceremony was held at Toho’s headquarters in Yurakucho, Tokyo. [The first Japanese character to be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame / The third Japanese actor to be inducted, following Sessue Hayakawa and Mako Iwamatsu (Mako is not Japanese, having naturalized in the United States before his acting career). / Godzilla FINAL WARS producer Shogo Toyama and Godzilla (in costume) received the certificate from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce at Toho’s headquarters. The award ceremony will be held on November 29th in person.]

1935: Akio Muto (武藤章生, died November 5, 1994) [Roles: Editor-in-Chief in Godzilla vs Gigan, among other roles]

1989: Godzilla appears on the cover of B-CLUB Vol. 47 (Bandai). [Godzilla and Toho special effects were also featured in the special effects feature Godzilla vs. Biollante and Godzilla Modeling Research Vol. 69, 85, 109, 121, etc.]

October 21

1936: Birthday of Yumi Shirakawa (白川由美, died June 14, 2016) [Played the roles of Kiyo in Rodan, Etsuko Shiraishi in Earth Defense Force, and Tomoko Sonoda in Demon Planet Goras, among others.]

1946: Birthday of Takanobu Toya (遠矢孝信) [Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla, as the Black Hole Third Planet Alien]

1956: Birthday of Toshiyuki Nagashima (永島敏行) [Godzilla vs Biollante, as Seiichi Yamamoto, Chief of the GSDF Technical Department (Super X-2 Development), Godzilla vs Megaguirus, Commander of the Anti-Godzilla Special Forces, and Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla, as Lieutenant Miyagawa, Hospital Evacuation Officer]

1959: Birthday of Ken Watanabe (渡辺謙) [Godzilla (2014), as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa]

October 22

1965: The P-1 Planet X exploration rocket returns to Earth in Invasion of Astr-Monster [From articles in the Mainichi Shimbun and Jiji Shimbun. Although not seen on screen, prop photos in the Godzilla Museum (Aspect) confirm this.]

1966: After six postponements, Rodan finally airs on TV for the first time. [The original broadcast date was May 29th, but due to the “Umbrella” program (a replacement broadcast in case of rainouts) during professional baseball games, the broadcast was repeatedly postponed. Finally, with the baseball season coming to an end, the broadcast slot was unavailable. …It was forcibly inserted into the “Saturday Roadshow” time slot. It aired on TBS at 10 PM, an incredibly late time slot for the time, but achieved a high viewership rating of over 14%. It was broadcast during the first monster boom, during the airing of Ultraman. Starting around summer, the Japan Meteorological Agency reportedly received numerous calls from children asking, “When is it going to rain?”]

1939: Birthday of Susumu Kurobe (黒部進) [Played the role of an assassination squad henchman in Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster, the observation plane pilot in Son of Godzilla, the control center officer Susumu Kuroiwa in Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla vs King Ghidorah and Godzilla vs Mothra. Played the role of Chief of Staff of the Air Self-Defense Force and a JMSDF officer in Godzilla vs Biollante, among others]

1953: Kunihiko Mitamura (三田村邦彦) [Played the role of Kazuto Kirishima (Tsukuba Institute of Biotechnology) in Godzilla vs Biollante]

1957: “Diora,”『怪物ジオラ』a full-length monster novel for junior readers by Shigeru Kayama, the original author of “Godzilla,” was serialized in the Yomiuri Shonen Shonen Shimbun (Shonen Shonen Shimbun)『よみうり少年少女新聞』until April 24, 1957. The story includes the following dialogue: “You know Godzilla, right?” “Yes.” “But what about Rodan?” “Everyone knows it.” (Omitted) “Diora is also a termite that changed its body shape and emerged from the radiation caused by atomic and hydrogen bomb tests.”

October 23

1965: A mysterious incident occurs when the American cargo ship Blue Queen, en route through the Panama Canal, suddenly lifts into the air and crashes into a small hill near the Miraflores Barrier in Battle in Outer Space [From news reports from New York. The year is shown in the opening credits.]

1985: The results of the “Godzilla Story Call!” for the second Godzilla revival are announced. [Honorable Mentions include Shun Kogure (Shinichiro Kobayashi)’s Godzilla vs Biollante, Naoki Mihara’s The Invisible Devil, Toshiaki Ota (Koichi Sakamoto)’s “Godzilla II,” and Yoshinobu Sato’s “The 80 Million Years Ago Gravestone.” / “Godzilla vs Biollante” (first draft) is included in “Godzilla: Toho Special Effects Unreleased Materials Archive: Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka and His Era” (Kadokawa Shoten) on March 31, 2010, and “Godzilla vs. Biollante Completion” (Hobby Japan) on December 16, 2015.]

1927: Birthday of Mizuho Suzuki (鈴木瑞穂) [Romantic role: Foreign Minister Seiichi Emori in Godzilla (1984) and Minister of the Environment in Prophecies of Nostradamus]

1973: Birthday of Emi Hashino (橋野恵美(はしのえみ)) [Singer of “Sad Godzilla” (as Bukabuka) for Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla and the Godzilla 40th Anniversary Campaign Song)

October 24

2000: Director Masaaki Tezuka’s Godzilla vs Megaguirus: G Annihilation Plan is completed.

1960: Birthday of Yoshiki Arizono (有薗芳記) [Godzilla 2000 Millennium as a fisherman]

October 25

1954: Director Ishiro Honda’s Godzilla is completed. To celebrate this achievement and pray for box office success, a Shinto-style “Godzilla Festival” is held at Toho Film Studios (now Toho Studios). [A Godzilla costume is enshrined, with Akihiko Hirata playing the role of the chief priest and Momoko Kawachi playing the role of the shrine maiden]

1997: “SF Symphony Fantasy No. 1 and No. 2 / Godzilla” is held at the Fukuoka Melpark Hall.

1947: Birthday of Shinya Owada (大和田伸也) [Captain of the Ariake Maru in Godzilla vs Mothra and Vice Admiral Katsumasa Mikumo of the Air Defense Force in Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]

1957: Birthday of Atsushi Onita (大仁田厚) [Mothra 3: King Ghidorah Attacks as Yusuke Sonoda (father)]

October 26

1961: Printing of the second draft of Takeshi Kimura’s screenplay for “Demon Planet Lagos.” [Second draft of “Demon Planet Goras”]

2002: Completion of director Masaaki Tezuka’s Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla.

1946: Birthday of Chuck Wilson (チャック・ウィルソン) [Godzilla vs King Ghidorah as Wilson (23rd Century Human)

1955: Birthday of Shinpei Hayashiya (林家しん平) [Godzilla (1984) as Kamijo (Cameraman)]

1959: Birthday of Satoshi Asaoka (朝岡聡) [Romance as news show host in Tokyo SOS]

1995: Masami Yamada published “Absolute Godzillaism”『絶対ゴジラ主義』(Kadokawa Shoten). [A monster reader for adults by the monster generation]

October 27

1954: Special advance screenings of Ishiro Honda’s Godzilla at movie theaters in Nagoya and Gifu.

2001: Shusuke Kaneko’s Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack is completed.

2003: Masaaki Tezuka’s Godzilla vs. Mothra vs. Mechagodzilla: Tokyo SOS is completed.

1966: Birthday of Masanobu Takashima (高嶋政伸) [Godzilla vs Biollante, role of Shosuke Kuroki]

1966: Birthday of Minoru Tanaka. Died April 25, 2011 (田中実) [Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla, role of a security guard at the Defense Agency Technical Research Institute]

1982: Birthday of Takashi Tsukamoto (塚本高史) [Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, role of Hiroki (the young man from Lake Ikeda)]

October 28

1941: Birthday of Akira Hamada (浜田晃) [Shin Godzilla as Jun Kono (Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications)]

1951: Birthday of Jun Eto (江藤潤) [Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla as a Special Self-Defense Forces executive]

1953: Birthday of Akira Saito (斉藤暁) [Godzilla vs Destroyah as Nanjo (TV cameraman)]

October 29

1965: Robotics engineer Kazuma Aoki is born in Miyagi Prefecture in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla [Official setting. Same birthday as actor Masahiro Takashima]

1954: Birthday of Tomoko Ai (藍とも子) [Terror of MechaGodzilla as Katsura Mafune (Cyborg)]

1965: Birthday of Masahiro Takashima (高嶋政宏) [Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla as Kazuma Aoki, a seconded G-Force member; Godzilla vs Destroyah as Sho Kuroki, a Special Strategy Room Specialist (although he is never referred to as “Kuroki” in the film)]

1982: The film “It Came from Hollywood,” directed by Malcolm Leo and Andrew Salt, was released in the US. Cheech and Chong made a comment in Son of Godzilla. [A collection of memorable scenes from Z-movies / Godzilla appears in the “Berserk” genre / Akihiko Hirata and Yoshio Tsuchiya are surprised when Godzilla emerges from the sea, and in the scene where Godzilla teaches Minilla how to use his heat ray, comedians Cheech and Chong, the hosts, quip, “E.T. Phone Home” / Unreleased in Japan]

October 30

2002: The “Godzilla and Science Exhibition”「ゴジラと科学展」was held at the Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation). It ran until February 11, 2003. [The purpose of the exhibition was to inspire interest in science through special effects technology. Numerous monster sculptures were on display, and there was also a hands-on area for synthesis techniques.]

1972: Motoko Kayano (梛野素子) [Godzilla vs. Megaguirus: G Annihilation Plan: She played the role of a woman attacked by Meganulon in Shibuya.] Ahead of the nationwide release of Godzilla on November 3, 1954, newspapers published reviews of the film. [The Osaka Nichi Nichi Shimbun called it “full of thrills,” but “the acting lacks depth.” The Chubu Nihon Shimbun called it “stellar special effects for a Japanese film.” The Tokai Yukan called it “an entertaining and good film.” However, the scene where Godzilla emerges from the ocean is a letdown, as it’s obvious that it’s always shot in an aquarium. The Chugoku Shimbun called it “so shallow that it makes you want to burst out laughing, especially when (Akihiko Hirata) reveals his terrifying drug use to Momoko Kawachi.” The special effects are also somewhat awkward and not closely connected to the screen. They should have focused more on the thrilling entertainment value.] 1992: Yasuo Nagayama’s collection of essays, “Modern Japanese Heraldry” (Seiyusha), was published. It includes “South Seas Mythology: A Southern Utopia and the Dream of Godzilla’s Millennial Kingdom.”

October 31

2015: Filming wrapped on Shin Godzilla [From Satomi Ishihara’s official LINE account]

1918: Birthday of Joejiro Okami (丘美丈二郎, died December 11, 2003) [Original author of Earth Defense Force, Battle in Outer Space, Gorath, and Dogora. Detective novel writer.]

1976: Birthday of Hiromi Otsuda (大津田裕美) [Voice of Twin Sazer Zhubain in Super Star Fleet Sazer X: Fight! Star Warriors]

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

Kaiju Sculptor Yuji Sakai – Pt 2

Sep 24, 2026

Here comes 1954

Oct 01, 2026

All roads led to the CFO

A Message from the Director

A Spectacular Showa Storybook

Saturday MyTV

“I’m glad it’s reaching people overseas.”

Save the Best for Last

Paper Past

MyKaiju Korner

Trademark Renewed

October Box Daze

New York Comic Con Takeaways

What’s Happening

1:72 Scale Plastic Model Godzilla -0.0 Type 2 Large Flying Boat (Modified)

1:72 Scale Plastic Model Godzilla -0.0 Type 2 Large Flying Boat (Modified)

Godzilla Minus Zero Original Soundtrack arrives digitally November 4.

Kaiyodo ARTPLA MechaGodzilla model kit (Source: @kaiyodo_PR)

Nendoroid Godzilla (2016) Second Form

Godzilla (1994) Plush Slippers

Godzilla (1994) Plush Slippers

ATPLA Re:Imagination model kits (Source: @@ecuador877)

ATPLA Re:Imagination model kits (Source: @kaiyodo_PR)

ATPLA Re:Imagination model kits (Source: @kaiyodo_PR)

ATPLA Re:Imagination model kits (Source: @kaiyodo_PR)

X-Plus MechaGhidorah (Source: @MFS314)

MODEROID model kits (Source: @digitamin)

MODEROID model kits (Source: @digitamin)

MODEROID model kits (Source: @digitamin)

Paul, Andrew, John, Mike and guest from Taiwan at the Alice Tully Theater, Lincoln Center for the last showing of Godzilla Minus Zero (2026)

Mike and Matt at the Alice Tully Theater, Lincoln Center for the last showing of Godzilla Minus Zero (2026)

Me and Paul at the Alice Tully Theater, Lincoln Center for the last showing of Godzilla Minus Zero (2026)

Chris Lewis and me at Mahoning Drive-In Theater for KAI-JUBILEE: A Drive-in Celebration of Kaiju Culture (Lehighton, PA, 2026)

Chris, Aj, Alex, John and John Bellotti Jr.

Godzilla Popcorn Container

Godzilla Minus Zero Collectible Combo with popcorn & soda

Godzilla Minus Zero Popcorn Tin

Godzilla Minus Zero Heat Ray Drink Bottle

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