Countdown to Minus Zero
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Retro Con time! Saturday was the annual “celebration of the good old days of toys, comics, games, movies, and TV.” This year was better than the previous. Vendors and people are at every turn. We had a blast as we searched and seized toys we were looking for and we were not. We even saw R2D2 and C3PO enjoying the show. After five hours of fun, we walked away exhausted but elated with bags full of treasure. Here are my takeaways. Learn More
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On this day
Twenty eight years ago today, Godzilla: The Series premiered on Fox Kids. The animated series was developed by Jeff Kline and Richard Raynis. Centropolis Television, Toho Co., Ltd., Adelaide Productions and Columbia TriStar Television produced the series which aired two seasons (40 episodes) until April 22, 2000.
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“Consider the current leaders—the people who hold the switch for the atomic bomb, for nuclear weapons. I feel we really have to show what actually happened beneath that mushroom cloud. I believe that—especially as someone born in Japan and working as a filmmaker—it is something I ought to do: to create a film that confronts this reality head-on, without looking away.”
Director Takashi Yamazaki
“Director Takashi Yamazaki, Kure, and Hiroshima: ‘Someday, I want to create a work dealing with the atomic bomb'” (July 15, 2024)
Original Japanese
山崎貴 監督「例えば今の為政者たちが、原爆のスイッチ、核兵器のスイッチを持っている人がいるじゃないですか。キノコ雲の下で何が起きてたのかということをやはり見せなきゃいけないんじゃないかなというふうに思っているんですよね。それをね、逃げずにちゃんと見せるために作らなきゃいけないかなという思いは、特に日本という国に生まれ、映画を作っている仕事をしている以上、ぼくはやるべきことなのかなと思っています」
I got the tickets for Godzilla Minus Zero at the New York Film Festival on Saturday, September 26! So much went into making this happen. The ticket was only $75. There is a $750 ticket for the Spotlight Gala and after party. But I decided to forgo the spectacle. I will be in the balcony to enjoy the film along with Director Yamazaki and cast Q&A. It’s a miracle for which I will always be grateful. I got a date with the director and his Godzilla in two weeks.
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The 1955 Bookshelf
Today, we highlight print material with Godzilla Raids Again (1955). Some of the standard books in English for researching the entire Godzilla movie history are: 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 1955 and all appearances purchase 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. Unfortunately there are not many books covering the second film. The book images and sizes are not to scale.
Toho Sci-Fi/Tokusatsu Film Series Vol. 3: Godzilla, Godzilla Raids Again, Varan the Unbelievable (東宝SF特撮映画シリーズ Vol. 3 ゴジラ ゴジラの逆襲 大怪獣バラン, Toho, 1/1/1985, 240 pp)
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Godzilla First 1954-1955 Godzilla Photo Studio First Collection (ゴジラ写真館 第一集 ゴジラ ファースト 1954～1954, Dainippon Kaiga, 5/1/1994, hardback, 111 pp, oversized)
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Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again (By Kayama Shigeru, translation by Jeffrey Angles, Univ Of Minnesota Press, paperback, 256 pp)
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The Mainichi Graphic (毎日グラフ, 4/27/1955), with this spread about the making of the second Godzilla film.
Pictorial Modern Films magazine (画報近代映画 昭和30年5月), with the feature article “Godzilla arrives in Osaka: Toho’s “Godzilla Raids Again”『ゴジラ大阪へ上陸す』chronicling the making of the fierce battle between Godzilla and Anguirus.
The Sun Pictorial Daily 1955 (サン写眞新聞, 1955, Mainichi Graphic Volume, 162 pp). This magazine documents the year Showa 30 (1955) with the article, “The suit weighed a staggering 45 kilograms or so. Six months after the first film, the second installment—’Godzilla Raids Again’—was released” (pp 26-27).
Toho SFX Moives Authentic Visual Book Vol 18 Godzilla 1955 (東宝特撮 公式ヴィジュアル・ブック, 2018, A4, 36 pp). This book series focuses exclusively on one character (mainly one monster) from one work, edited into one volume every time. This volume focuses on Godzilla (1955).
Toho SFX Moives Authentic Visual Book Vol 19 Anguirus 1955 (東宝特撮 公式ヴィジュアル・ブック, 2018, A4, 36 pp). This book series focuses exclusively on one character (mainly one monster) from one work, edited into one volume every time. This volume focuses on Anguirus (1955).
Godzilla & Toho Tokusatsu Official Mook Godzilla Raids Again (ゴジラ&東宝特撮 Official Mook, Kodansha, 2025, 32 pp). This is a comprehensive mook series covering the tokusatsu productions by Toho. Volume 24 focuses on Godzilla Raids Again.
Toho Tokusatsu Movie DVD Collection 7 (東宝特撮映画DVDコレクション, DeAgostini, 14 pp). This series consists of magazines accompanied by DVDs that explore their appeal through the accompanying magazines.
Godzilla Manga Collection 1954-58 (ゴジラ漫画コレクション 1954-58 by Kazusuke Abe, Shigeru Sugiura and Shigeru Fujitai, Shogakukan Creative, 7/23/2014, paperback, 384 pp)
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Godzilla Raids Again Shonen Club Illustrated Monster Tales (Reprint, ゴジラの逆襲 少年倶楽部五月号 東宝映画化怪獣絵物話, DeAgostini, 14 pp). This is an illustrated monster story based on the Toho film adaptation featuring a story by Shigeru Kayama and art by Hisao Yukawa as a supplement to the May 1955 issue of Shonen Club.
New Monsters vs Godzilla
New Monster General Election Coming Soon! It’s up to you to decide the new monster! This is a major Toho project born from the desire to create a brand-new monster that will make its mark in monster history—and, together with all of you, bring that monster to life. Creators from the visual production company SHIROGUMI and Toho collaborated to develop the concepts for these newly created monsters. Choose your favorite Monster from the eight NEW MONSTER candidates and cast your vote. The No. 1 monster is set to appear in a new “Fest Godzilla” film and on merchandise! HOW TO VOTE: 01 Check Out the Monster: Check out each monster’s profile and find your favorite monster! 02 Vote for Your Favorite Monster: Once you’ve chosen your favorite, simply click the “Vote” button on the monster’s detail page to cast your vote. 03 Share on Social Media and Show Your Support! Voting Period: September 16 (Wed) – October 4 (Sun). Midterm results announcement around mid-October.
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A Godzilla of War
Black Maria was correct when asserting that “Fundamentally, Godzilla isn’t a kaiju film—it’s a war film.” This is the best approach and understanding to the first film. Director Honda crafted his story during the war and was hugely impacted by the devastation of Hiroshima by the atomic bomb dropping. Godzilla is a metaphor and means to communicate the horrors of war and devastating consequences of the atomic bomb. Godzilla is more than a monster. He is a monster made by war. A monster depicting war. A monster made by the bomb. A monster that is a walking nuclear bomb. Growing up, Tsuburaya was more closely connected to the shaping of Godzilla than Honda. I think because the first film was rarely seen on television. Godzilla as a friend and hero was what I saw most. For that reason I gave more weight to his Godzilla than Honda’s. Again Black Maria’s assertion is right: “If Godzilla had been solely the creation of Eiji Tsuburaya, it might have become a hero for children but wouldn’t have earned the acclaim it enjoys today.” The U.S. version of the first film emphasized Godzilla as a monster rather than he’s relationship to war and the danger and fear of nuclear proliferation playing out in Japan and the Lucky Dragon No 5 incident. The suit action deployed for Godzilla stands out from King Kong (1933) and from the stop-motion of Ray Harryhausen for a less obvious reason. Godzilla is a man in a suit. He is a victim of nuclear violence and animated by a human inside seeking revenge and retribution. Godzilla is a war memorial, a warning of nuclear proliferation , and a call to do war no more. Stay tuned! Read Post
A Monster or Weapon?
The Godzilla Minus Zero teaser appears to have removed all doubt that another monster will appear. Betting against it looks like a waste of money. However, I suggest that the source of what looks to be another monster and the yellow and blue lightning might be an antigravity weather weapon. Professor Kenji Noda, biologist Kanji Murakami (Min Tanaka) and meteorologist Ms Aoyama (Masami Nagasawa) and others of the Large-Scale Disaster Response Bureau. This weapon appears to be deployed during the Narukamk Operation. Narukami (鳴る神) primarily refers to a traditional Japanese deity of thunder and lightning. It is also one of the “Kabuki Juhachiban” (The Eighteen Great Plays): The holy man Narukami vowed and succcessfully prayed for the birth of a prince contingent on a promise that the Emperor failed to fulfill. So the holy man used sorcery to seal the Dragoon God, who is responsible for rain, in a waterfall basin at a temple. A drought ensued. The Imperial Court sent the Princess to charm him. He touched her and fell into a drunken stupor. She broke the seal on the basin and the Dragon God came forth and a torrential downpour began. This may inform our understanding of the character Ms Aoyama and this historical background as well: “In 1945, Japan’s severe meteorological conditions and its desperate spiritual climate collided in the closing months of World War II and the immediate aftermath of its surrender. Amidst catastrophic typhoons, military secrecy over weather forecasts, and the trauma of atomic warfare, both scientific meteorology and traditional spiritual practices became intertwined tools used by the Japanese people to process destruction, predict fate, and seek contact with the lost.” — (Google, “Meteorologists from the University of Tokyo: Their Exodus to the United States Following World War II” by John M. Lewis). ”The 1940s was a critical, high-stakes period for spiritual mediums in Japan, deeply tied to the events of World War II and its immediate aftermath… Just before and immediately following Japan’s surrender in 1945, there was a massive spike in demand for spiritual mediums. Families desperately wanted to know if their sons, husbands, and fathers who were deployed overseas were still alive” (Wikipedia). This operation appears to be the deployment of a weapon, whether mechanical or biological, that crosses the line. There is apparently a plan A and B. This weapon appears to be an anti-gravity beam, characteristic of King Ghidorah, lifting off the ground whatever is on the surface of the earth. It may be what lifts Godzilla off the ground. Then there is the Legend of “Die Glocke” of World War II about anti-gravity technology, a purported secret Nazi wonder weapon (Wunderwaffe). The sound at the end of the trailer sounds like King Ghidorah. But could it be the sound of a weapon like the A-Cycle Light Ray from Invasion of Astro-Monster? So many points towards Ghidorah, but there is no official statement. It would make sense to wait until the film’s release for the great reveal of the monster. What is Ms Aoyama’s role? She moves her hands over what appears to be a map. There are dinosaur bones behind her on the shelf that suggest a monster is in the mix. When the man-made weapon fails (Plan A), does she somehow conjure, anticipate and/or predict the arrival of a meteor bearing a monster (Monster Zero) based upon a forecast (Plan B). “Don’t worry this isn’t Godzilla we are talking about.” Showa and Heisei movie themes, vibes and visuals are interwoven in the teaser that make us believe Ghidorah is coming. But is this the three-headed monster? Whatever direction director Yamazaki chose, I trust him and his vision will deliver a great sequel to Godzilla Minus One. Take this with a grain of salt. I’ve been wrong more than right. Hopefully, I’ll find out on September 26.
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The Godzilla Minus Zero Trailer has arrived
The long-awaited Godzilla Minus Zero trailer has dropped like the bomb on Godzilla. And we have Ghidorah and a mysterious figure and prodigy, Ms Aoyama, played by Masami Nagasawa. She plays “a brilliant meteorologist, seconded from the weather observatory to the Large-Scale Disaster Countermeasures Bureau, who joins the protagonist, Koichi Shikishima (played by Ryunosuke Kamiki, 33), in confronting Godzilla. Reflecting on her role as a key character facing the monster, she said, ‘It had been a long time since I last encountered Godzilla, and the filming process—being swept up by its overwhelming presence—was a thrilling, heart-pounding experience.'” She said, “I was thrilled when Director Yamazaki invited me to be in the film.” Yamazaki explained, “The story has several narrative threads unfolding simultaneously, and I felt it would be great to have another woman—aside from Noriko—to anchor one of those storylines.” (Source: Yahoo News) “The 1940s was a critical, high-stakes period for spiritual mediums in Japan, deeply tied to the events of World War II and its immediate aftermath…. Just before and immediately following Japan’s surrender in 1945, there was a massive spike in demand for spiritual mediums. Families desperately wanted to know if their sons, husbands, and fathers who were deployed overseas were still alive” (Wikipedia). There will be another monster! It sounds like Ghidorah and makes sense to be the three-headed monster. Below are highlights and new questions. And then we have a new theatrical poster. Additional Cast
Forecasting prodigy, Ms Aoyama
What is that big dinosaur on the shelf?
What will become of Noriko?
Shikishima’s war is not over
Godzilla looks amazing
Godzilla is dropped in Ginza but by what?
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Breaking News
A Word from the Family
Just hours ago, actor Ryunosuke Kamiki (Shikishima) and actress Minami Hamabe (Noriko) reminded us about tomorrow’s teaser and to look carefully at the flyer for a secret. “Believe it or not, there’s a secret hidden on the back of this flyer that hasn’t been revealed yet! Will that information be unveiled in the preview, too? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s premiere!” The secret appears to be the cropped photo of a mysterious cast member on the back of the movie flyer. Stay tuned! Watch
My Godzilla Museum
I love going to Godzilla exhibits and events in Japan. I’m always blown away by what is on display. There is some stuff I love the most and am glad to have acquired. I don’t have the space for a museum but I am giddy about my favorite Godzilla collectibles. What are your favorite and most precious Godzilla things? If you were given museum space to share what you got, what would you proudly display? Here’s some more of the stuff I would love to show off and share with others in my Godzilla museum. I would lay them out in glass display cases with descriptions of their historical significance in Godzilla history.
Historical Magazines
Records and Booklets
Stickers & Wrappers
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Just days away, the excitement and intrigue around the Godzilla Minus Zero trailer is growing every hour. There are many questions such as, Will another monster appear? Godzilla is back, not bigger but leaner, meaner and just as angry than ever. New dialogue raises new questions and speculation. “If their operation fails, maybe we’ll finally get to use it.” What is the U.S. up to? “Abort third drop. Repeat. Abort, third drop.” “It appears that Godzilla can withstand a thermonuclear strike.” Is Godzilla the subject of scientific research and military experimentation? “A new threat approaches.” Is this Godzilla and/or another? Will Godzilla cells be used to create a new monster? Will the new-look Godzilla be the result of a nuclear strike? “Another moral boundary mankind shouldn’t cross.” “What in the hell do you think you’re doing.” Relationships are broken. “Our crime and punishment.” Human decisions are consequential. “Returning to Zero is not an option.” Shikishima is back in the air. Is Godzilla headed to New York? Tuesday will probably raise more questions than answers, but also the excitement.
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It’s Saturday morning TV time! This weekend in 1980 I enjoyed a full day of Godzilla kicking off with Hanna-Barbera’s Godzilla & the Globetrotters Adventure Hour on channel 3 at 8 am, followed by Godzilla again on channel 3 at noon. Then I was ready to leave Monster Island (not Coney Island) with Godzilla and Angilas for World Children’s Land where the good guys along Mamagon and a piece of corn could be found in Godzilla on Monster Island (aka Godzilla vs Gigan) at 1:00 pm on channel 29. And that’s what I’m doing right now! Movie Poster | Watch a clip | Listen
Philadelphia Inquirer, Saturday, September 6, 1980
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Breaking News
The Godzilla Minus Zero trailer is coming September 8 at 9:55 PM ET. Set your clocks!
More News
When I didn’t think the day couldn’t get better, Toho announces the release of “Godzilla” Series 4K Remastered Editions on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray & Blu-ray)! The first wave is December 16, 2026 (Wed) and the second wave on February 17, 2027 (Wed).
PreOrder on Amazon Japan: 4K UHD | 4K Blu-ray
Mono Interview
“To be honest, while we were making Godzilla -1.0, the idea of a sequel hadn’t even crossed our minds. The project for a sequel actually began around the end of May 2023, at the first screening of the completed Godzilla -1.0. We held an initial screening for a select group of people within the company, and the reaction was incredibly positive. ‘What happens to this world next?’ ‘I want to see what follows.’ We heard comments like that constantly. That’s when Director Yamazaki and I agreed, “We really have to do this.” Then, about a month after that screening, I received the initial plot for Godzilla -0.0 from Director Yamazaki. I believe the first draft was about five pages of A4 paper. Of course, there were differences from the final version, but the core framework was already in place…. Also, as the director often says, Godzilla movies serve as a mirror of the times. I’m not sure why, but the character seems to draw in the spirit of the era; perhaps that is simply the power that Godzilla possesses.” — Producer Kazuaki Kishida (岸田一晃)
Mono Magazine: From Godzilla Minus One to Godzilla Minus Zero: Producer Kazuaki Kishida Discusses the Current Status of Godzilla, the Icon That Conquered the World 9.22026 | Photo Source: 笠間市 Kasama City
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Mothra vs Godzilla (1964) Timeline
9/3/1964: Typhoon No. 8 makes landfall in the Tokai region, causing significant damage to a new industrial project underway in the Kuratahama reclamation area.
9/4: Ichiro Sakai and Junko Nakanishi of the Mainichi Shimbun discover a piece of Godzilla skin in the Kuratahama reclamation area. Meanwhile, a mammoth egg (Mothra’s egg) washes up on the shores of Shizunoura Village. 1
9/5: Ichiro Sakai and Junko Nakanishi of the Mainichi Shimbun interview Dr. Shunsuke Miura of Kyonan University, who is investigating the egg at Shizunoura. Happy Entertainment Company purchases the egg from a fisherman for 1,224,560 yen. That night, the Fairy Twins, who arrived from Infant Island with Mothra, demands the return of the egg from Jiro Torahata, a powerful figure in the entertainment industry, and Kumayama of Happy Entertainment Company, who are staying at the nearby Hamakaze Hotel. However, they are nearly captured and escapes. They explain the situation to Sakai, Junko, and Miura, who are also staying at the hotel. 1 | 2 | 3
9/6: Construction of the Shizunoura Happy Center begins. Ichiro Sakai and Junko Nakanishi of the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, along with Dr. Miura of Keinan University, take the Fairy Twins to Happy Entertainment to request the return of the eggs, but are turned away. 1
9/6: The Mainichi Shimbun appeals to public opinion for the return of Mothra’s egg.
London
Film Festival
Godzilla Minus Zero is headed to London for the London Film Festival 2026 in October! Check out the movie description provided: “Japan, 1949. Pilot Kōichi, his wife Noriko and adoptive daughter Akiko are attempting from recover from Godzilla’s recent attacks. But just as everything seems settled, a new danger emerges. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the sea, something is stirring. The first Japanese film to be shot for IMAX, Godzilla Minus Zero combines high-octane thrills with more than a little heart.” Learn More
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The Design of Godzilla
This is the Godzilla vs Biollante press sheet distributed at preview screenings in 1989. This non-standard saddle-stitched booklet folded is 14.25 inches x 9 inches (363mm x 230mm) with 12 full-color pages. The content is identical with that of the program booklet: a message from Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka and Director Omori, introduction to the staff and cast, movie synopsis, detailed battle map, behind-the-scenes stories, and attendance records of previous Godzilla movies. Its design, layout and graphics are beautiful and show off some of the best of late 80s graphic design. The use of posterized images of Godzilla and Biollante for background imagery are strong, impactful and provide a punch and plenty of visual interest. Red and black are primary movie palette with great contrast across marketing and promotional print media. Green, yellow, orange and purple serve as spot colors. The alternating use of color and black-and-white photography from one spread to the next is effective.
“The winner of this battle would be the enormous enemy against human beings” across the cover written underneath the movie title.
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Godzilla Reader
Several days ago, on August 25, the article, “To the rescue: Godzilla, once a villain, to be reborn a hero” (by Andrew Horvat), was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1979. It was an example of how Godzilla as villain and hero has been discussed. Consider the insights of Ayu Uzuki (卯月鮎) who analyzed Godzilla’s two natures through the lens of Shintoism. In Shintoism, mitama (御魂 or 御霊) is the spirit or soul of a deity or deceased human. A single spirit has four distinct functional aspects called shikon: Aramitama (荒御, rough, fierce, violent, authoritative spirit), Nigimitama (和御, calm, peaceful, gentle spirit), Sakimitama (幸御, happy spirit), and Kusimitama (奇御, transforming and healing spirit). The first Godzilla exemplifies Aramitama with his rough and disruptive nature and behavior. Like a force of nature he brings crisis and a destructive disaster. Like a god he is bent on destruction. From Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (1964), Godzilla exemplified Nigimitama when he became a protector of the earth and an ally of humans. Read More
Breaking News
Godzilla Minus Zero named centerpiece of Tokyo Film Festival (10/26-11/4), Variety reports. And the New York Film Festival has released its lineup and schedule Alice Tully Hall for Godzilla Minus Zero! And there are three showings: Saturday, September 26 at 6:00 PM with Q&A, Sunday, September 27 at 2:15 PM with Q&A, and Wednesday, September 30. The Q&A is with Takashi Yamazaki and cast. The chances of snagging a ticket and seeing Minus Zero early have gone up exponentially. The ticket price for my membership level appears to be $75. Let’s Go!
Spotlight
An eclectic, curated survey of the year’s most eagerly anticipated films.
Godzilla Minus Zero
Takashi Yamazaki
2026 | Japan | 135 minutes |
Japanese with English subtitles
An experience that demands the big screen, director Takashi Yamazaki’s follow-up to his triumphant, Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One is a supremely satisfying sequel with even more astounding effects choreography than its predecessor.
Godzilla x Megaguirus (2001) Timeline
9/2/2001: Jun Hayasaka, who had moved to Tokyo, dumped a Meganulon egg he had brought from Hakushu, Yamanashi Prefecture, into the Shibuya sewers. The egg began to self-divide. 1 | 2 | 3
9/3: A Meganulon hatches from an egg discarded in the sewers and attacks a couple in Shibuya. Jun Hayasaka witnesses the newly hatched Meganulon. 1
9/4: While G-Grasper commander Kiriko Tsujimori is collecting samples from a Meganula corpse off the coast of the Ogasawara Islands, Godzilla appears. Tsujimori fires a signal flare. Meanwhile, the black hole cannon is completed and named Dimension Tide. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
9/6: The Dimension Tide is launched into geostationary orbit from the Tanegashima Space Center. 1 | 2
9/8: A plan is devised to lure Godzilla to the Strangely Shaped Rock Island and destroy him with Dimension Tide.
9/9: Godzilla lands on Strangely Shaped Rock Island and is attacked by a horde of Meganulas. The Dimension Tide’s plan to eliminate G fails due to a misalignment. That same night, Megaguirus takes off from the bottom of a lake in Shibuya. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
I got a glimpse of the packaging for the X-Plus North America Toho Kaiju Wars Series Godzilla 1995 when shared by ババヤガ on X.com. Source: @v2ab29 | 9.1
It’s a dream come true to see Godzilla boxes with MyKaiju art. Source: @wlJUOfMIheai5yz | 9.1
Morinao celebrates the arrival of, the “Gidogoji Abashiri Fierce Battle” soft vinyl kit! It’s great to see. Source: @morinaojapan | 9.1
X-Plus North America Toho Kaiju Wars Series Destoroyah shared. @Godzilla1995_16 wrote, “Time to unbox the Red Devils soon
The box’s vibe is looking absolutely fire.” Source: @Godzilla1995_16 | 9.4
These are Dagashi-ya (candy shop) Showa era stickers featuring Godzilla, Gabara, Ebirah, Kumonga, Gorosaurus, Hyuma Hoshi, Samon Hosaku, Hanagata Mitsuru and others from the anime Star of the Giants「巨人の星｣, a Japanese an anime series based on the manga of the same name (1968 to 1971). 8.31
The newly published book Godzilla: A History of Toho Tokusatsu and Sci-Fi Films – Heisei Era (「ゴジラ」東宝特撮・SF映画史 平成編, Kodansha Bunko) arrives. This 360 page book “examines the trajectory of Heisei Godzilla—which revived the franchise at the close of the Showa era and became a cultural phenomenon—while also exploring other genres.” Amazon | 8.31
This is the Kaiju Movie Encyclopedia: Godzilla (怪獣映画大全科 ゴジラ, 302 pages) published by Akita Shoten in 1983. “There is likely no other book that compiles the monsters found in novels. It also serves as an excellent introduction to science fiction” (review). 8.31
Ishiro Honda Monster Master (本多猪四郎 無冠の巨匠, Yosensha, 2014, 493 pages) is a definitive biography—a true labor of love—by up-and-coming film critic Risaku Kiridoshi.. 8.31
The is Colorful Okinawa Japan, an Okinawa Ocean Expo Commemorative Paper Collage (the Japan Travel Bureau) written by Hiroshi Sone, illustrated by Hiroshi Sone and published by Kiyoshi Matsuda on November 1, 1974, retailing for 1,000 yen. 8.31
The is Godzilla: A Witness to Postwar History (戦後史の証言者ゴジラ), a unique attempt to re-examine the eighty years of the postwar era through the lens of Godzilla. Amazon | 8.31
This was a must-buy, the Sci-Fi & Tokusatsu Movie Theme Song Collection (SF特撮映画主題曲集) volumes 1-5. These audio cassettes are in great condition. They were released in 1983, each retailing for 2,000 yen. 9.9
With this, Microman (Costume Microman Series) Godzilla vs King Ghidorah (1964), I know how all the releases. These were produced from 2004 to 2005. 9.9
A couple weeks ago I picked up this cool 3D printed Orga UFO from Play With This in New Jersey. 9.13
The Godzilla Minus Zero (小説版 ゴジラ -0.0) novelization has been announced for release on November 9th. See on Amazon Japan. From Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla (1993) comes the Chogokin MechaGodzilla (Ikurai Noriyoshi Poster Ver.) priced at ¥22,000. Preordering begins September 3, 2026 and shipping in January 2027. Check out the awesome Rubber Stamp Collection GODZILLA ゴジラフォント with 80 katakana characters. On September 3 appears the Movie Monster Series Godzilla (1964) Shachihoko Color Ver. (tax included 3,520 yen) at Godzilla Store as an item commemorating the opening of Godzilla Store Nagoya! Now Godzilla from Godzilla vs. Megaguirus makes its powerful debut in the Hiya Toys EXQUISITE BASIC Series! Features multiple joints across the body, allowing for a wide range of dynamic poses while maintaining its powerful silhouette. Learn More Check out the Destoroyah starter capsule from Godzilla.com
My preorder list
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
A new project featuring a giant monster! Major casting call for extras! Filming scheduled for October–December in the Tokyo metropolitan area (Tokyo + 3 prefectures), Tochigi, Yamanashi, and more. Participants will receive an original commemorative gift! (Production: Toho | Production Company: Episcope) Is this a new Godzilla project?! Source: Learn More| 9.4
MyKaiju Wallpaper
Cool Pics
September Calendar
Goro Mutsumi (9.11)
Mizuho Yoshida (9.12)
Katsumasa Uchida (9.19)
Shinji Higuchi (9.22)
Akiji Kobayashi (9.26)
1902: Birthday of Sango Nagase (永瀬三吾, died November 19, 1990) [Adapted the screenplay for the radio drama “Adventure Science Drama Monster Godzilla”『冒険科学劇怪獣ゴジラ』adapted by Bin Tatsuno (Shiro Horie), when it was published as a book by Shigeru Kayama under the title “Monster Godzilla” (Iwatani Shoten). His main occupation was a detective writer.]
2001: Jun Hayasaka, who had moved to Tokyo, dumped a Meganulon egg he had brought from Hakushu, Yamanashi Prefecture, into the Shibuya sewers. The egg began to self-divide in Godzilla vs Megaguirus: G Annihilation Mission [Official Setting / From the “Toho Science Fiction Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION GODZILLA Vs MEGAGUIRUS”]
1992: A public recording of the music for Godzilla vs Mothra, conducted by Akira Ifukube, was held for the press.
2016: Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike speaks about Shin Godzilla at a regular press conference [“I definitely want to see Shin Godzilla. A lot of people say, ‘Isn’t that character (played by Kimiko Yo, the female Minister of Defense) modeled after Koike?'” “Unexpected disasters can happen, including Godzilla,” she said. She also reportedly pleaded with Director Hideaki Anno to stop Godzilla from grabbing the power lines, but he refused, saying, “No, those are Godzilla’s favorite food.” Prior to her election as governor, Yuriko Koike, as a former Minister of Defense, cooperated with Director Anno in interviews for Shin Godzilla, and her name is credited in the end credits.]
1972: Birthday of Kobun Shizuno (静野孔文) [Director of the animated film Godzilla (2017)]
1964: Typhoon No. 8 makes landfall in the Tokai region, causing significant damage to a new industrial project underway in the Kuratahama reclamation area in Mothra vs Godzilla [The night before September 4th, when a mammoth egg washed ashore in Shizunoura Village]
2001: A Meganulon hatches from an egg discarded in the sewers and attacks a couple in Shibuya. Jun Hayasaka witnesses the newly hatched Meganulon in Godzilla vs Megaguirus: G’s Annihilation Plan [Official Setting / From the “Toho Science Fiction Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION GODZILLA V’S MEGAGUIRUS”]
1929: Toru Narita (成田亨, died February 26, 2002) [Miniature production for Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again, Sanda vs. Gaira design for Frankenstein’s Monster: Sanda vs Gaira]
1932: Kitao Senzoku (Toshihiro Iijima, 千束北男(飯島敏宏) [Screenplay for Episode 1 of Ultra Q, “Defeat Gomez!” (introducing a modified Godzilla Gomez)]
1964: Ichiro Sakai and Junko Nakanishi of the Mainichi Shimbun discover a piece of Godzilla skin in the Kuratahama reclamation area. Meanwhile, a mammoth egg (Mothra’s egg) washes up on the shores of Shizunoura Village in Mothra vs Godzilla [From the Mainichi Shimbun evening edition]
2001: While G-Grasper commander Kiriko Tsujimori is collecting samples from a Meganula corpse off the coast of the Ogasawara Islands, Godzilla appears. Tsujimori fires a signal flare. Meanwhile, the black hole cannon is completed and named Dimension Tide in Godzilla vs Megaguirus: G Annihilation Plan [Official Setting / From the “Toho Science Fiction Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION GODZILLA vs. MEGAGUIRUS”]
1905: Birthday of Ikio Sawamura (沢村いき雄, died September 20, 1975) [Roles: The Priest of Faro Island in King Kong vs Godzilla, Priest in Mothra vs Godzilla, Fisherman in Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster, Infant Islander in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, Farmer in Destroy All Monsters, Food Stall Owner in All Monsters Attack, Elder of the Mafune Family in Terror of MechaGodzilla, and many others.]
1960: Birthday of Yumiko Tanaka (田中由美子) [Roles: Akemi in Godzilla (1984)]
1964: Ichiro Sakai and Junko Nakanishi of the Mainichi Shimbun interview Dr. Shunsuke Miura of Kyonan University, who is investigating the egg at Shizunoura. Happy Entertainment Company purchases the egg from a fisherman for 1,224,560 yen. That night, the Fairy Twins, who arrived from Infant Island with Mothra, demands the return of the egg from Jiro Torahata, a powerful figure in the entertainment industry, and Kumayama of Happy Entertainment Company, who are staying at the nearby Hamakaze Hotel. However, they are nearly captured and escapes. They explain the situation to Sakai, Junko, and Miura, who are also staying at the hotel in Mothra vs Godzilla [The day after September 4th, when Mothra’s egg washed up on Shizunoura. Sakai and Junko are wearing the same jackets as when they covered the Kuratahama reclamation site, but Junko’s shirt is different from when she was at Kuratahama on the 4th.
1972: Printing of a draft of Shinichi Sekizawa’s script Insect Monster Megalon vs Godzilla: Operation Undersea Kingdom Annihilation『昆虫怪獣メガロ対ゴジラ海底王国全滅作戦』[Retitled Godzilla vs Megalon for release]
2006: NHK Educational TV aired “Eiji Tsuburaya: The God of Special Effects”「円谷英二特撮の神様」on its program “Enjoying Learning: My Favorite People’s Biography”『知るを楽しむ～私のこだわり人物伝』A total of four episodes aired through the 26th.
1977: Birthday of Shuhei Sakaguchi. [Voice of the US Airborne Commander (Jarrid Keeso) in the dubbed version of Godzilla (2014).
2006: The original Godzilla film was released for the first time in the United States on DVD (ClassicMedia). It was paired with Godzilla, King of the Monsters.
1964: Construction of the Shizunoura Happy Center begins. Ichiro Sakai and Junko Nakanishi of the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, along with Dr. Miura of Keinan University, take the Fairy Twins to Happy Entertainment to request the return of the eggs, but are turned away in Mothra vs. Godzilla [The Fairy Twin appearance at Hamakaze Hotel (September 5th) is referred to as “last night.”]
2001: The Dimension Tide is launched into geostationary orbit from the Tanegashima Space Center in Godzilla vs Megaguirus [Official Setting / From the “Toho Science Fiction Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION GODZILLA vs MEGAGUIRUS”]
2015: Extra filming for Shin Godzilla took place in front of Kamata Station.
1926: Birthday of Shinichi Hoshi (星新一, ied December 30, 1997) [Original story for Matango. Credited alongside Masami Fukushima, Hoshi’s contributions were limited to providing input on the ending.]
1932: Birthday of Yasuzo Ogawa (小川安三) [Played roles as a Matsudo bystander in King Kong vs Godzilla, a refugee in Godzilla vs Hedorah, a foreman in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla, and a fisherman in Terror of MechaGodzilla, among others.]
1949: Birthday of Kanji Kashiwabara (柏原寛司) [Screenwriter for Godzilla vs Space Godzilla, Godzilla 2000 Millennium, and Godzilla vs Megaguirus]
1952: Birthday of Yvonne Keeley (Star Sisters) [Singer of the theme song “Godzilla (Love Theme) GODZILLA” for Godzilla (1984). Born in the Netherlands]
1976: Birthday of Masataka Iizumi (飯泉征貴) [Romance Corps Radio Officer in Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo SOS]
1964: The Mainichi Shimbun appeals to public opinion for the return of Mothra’s egg in Mothra vs Godzilla [Based on the storyline, it is assumed to be September 7th. The following dates are unknown, but by the time of Godzilla’s attack on Nagoya, people are wearing much heavier clothing, so it is likely October.]
2001: The area around Shibuya Station is flooded and turns into a lake in Godzilla vs Megaguirus [Official Setting / From the “Toho Science Fiction Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION GODZILLA vs MEGAGUIRUS]
2004: The final scene of Godzilla: Final Wars, in which Godzilla and Minilla depart for the sea, is filmed. This was the last scene filmed at Toho Studios’ large swimming pool. [The large pool, completed on February 19, 1960 and used in numerous Toho special effects films, was filled in after filming.]
1939: Birthday of Daigo Kusano (草野大悟 , died February 27, 1991) [Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla (role of Third Planet of the Black Hole Alien R1)]
2001: A plan is devised to lure Godzilla to the Strangely Shaped Rock Island and destroy him with Dimension Tide in Godzilla vs Megaguirus: G Annihilation Plan [Official Setting / From “Toho Science Fiction Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION GODZILLA VS MEGAGUIRUS”]
1966: Birthday of Arthur Rankin Jr., William Tokie, Number King Kong. First draft of story completed. [Synopsis of King Kong Escapes]
1906: Birthday of Akitsu Hiro (安芸津広) Played roles as a resident of Odo Island in Godzilla, a fisherman in Shizunoura in Mothra vs Godzilla, and a defense force officer in Invasion of Astro-Monster. Many uncredited roles.
1925: Birthday of Sachio Sakai (堺左千夫, died March 11, 19980) Played roles as newspaper reporter Hagiwara in Godzilla, Obayashi, a Pacific Pharmaceuticals advertising employee in King Kong vs Godzilla, Senbayashi, the 50 million yen robber in All Monsters Attack, and others.
1937: Birthday of Kenzo Ogiwara (荻原賢三, died June 1999) [Godzilla vs Biollante, Godzilla vs King Ghidorah, Godzilla vs. Mothra (as Takeo Shimura, Chief of Staff of the Ground Self-Defense Force), Godzilla vs Destroyah (as Nomura, Deputy Director-General of the Science and Technology Agency)]
1960: Birthday of Misako Konno (紺野美沙子) [Mothra 2: The Battle of the Undersea] Toshiko Urauchi (Shiori’s mother)]
1973: Birthday of Mika Izumida (Tsuka Izumida, 泉田美夏(泉田珠華)) [Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla] and singer of the Godzilla 40th anniversary campaign song “Sad Godzilla”「悲しみのゴジラ」(as Bukabuka)]
2001: Godzilla lands on Strangely Shaped Rock Island and is attacked by a horde of Meganulas. The Dimension Tide’s plan to eliminate G fails due to a misalignment. That same night, Megaguirus takes off from the bottom of a lake in Shibuya in Godzilla vs Megaguirus [Official Setting / From the “Toho Science Fiction Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION GODZILLA V’S MEGAGUIRUS”]
2015: Extra filming for Shin Godzilla takes place at Umeyashiki in Ota Ward, Tokyo.
1978: The animated TV series “Godzilla” began airing in the United States. It aired until December 8, 1979. The biggest Godzilla movie ever! The animated TV series “Godzilla” begins airing on NBC in the US (Season 1, Episode 1 “The Firebird” airs). Produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, it runs for 26 episodes. The story follows Godzilla traveling the world with the Calico, battling original monsters that cause disaster. Godzilla’s personality is in line with the late Showa era version, and he is friendly towards humans. [The current title is “Godzilla the Original Animated Series” (DVD released in 2007). Godzilla has always had a companion monster, the Godzooky (who is on the deck of the research vessel Calico). Godzooky is a relative of Godzilla, has a balan-like membrane under his armpits, and is able to fly. Godzilla’s roar differs from the original (it’s a voice actor’s shout, so it sounds more like a large man’s roar). The heat ray from his mouth is orange, and he also emits orange beams from both eyes. Godzilla is set to be 122 meters (400 feet) tall, taller than the Gareth Godzilla (108 meters) and Shin Godzilla (118.5 meters), making him the tallest of all Godzillas.]
2016: The Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art is hosting the “Godzilla: Vision and Design of Special Effects Films”「ゴジラ展特撮映画のヴィジョンとデザイン」exhibition. It runs until October 23rd. [Features include Godzilla and other Toho monster suits, mecha, and other sculptures, monster and mecha design drawings, blueprints for filming miniature sets, and archival photographs.]
1905: Birthday of Henry Okawa (ヘンリー大川, died May 27, 1971) [Played the role of the man in the Y-shirt (in the UFO club) in “The Final Battle,” the electron microscope laboratory technician in Destroy All Monsters, and the hospital doctor in Frankenstein’s Monster: Sanda vs Gaira]
1941: Birthday of Ayden Yamanlar (died July 12, 2008) [Played the role of Abdur Zalman (Director of the Salazia Biotechnology Research Institute) in Godzilla vs Biollante. Born in Turkey.]
1976: Birthday of Masaya Matsukaze (松風雅也) [Played the role of an S1 employee (in charge of Godzilla’s automatic tracking device) in Godzilla vs Megaguirus.]
1979: Birthday of Nao Mizuno (水野直) [Shin Godzilla, as Platoon Leader]
2001: Godzilla and Megaguirus face off at Odaiba. Godzilla emerges victorious and heads toward Shibuya, but at 4:23 PM, he disappears due to the Dimension Tide in Godzilla vs Megaguirus
2004: Special effects filming for Godzilla: Final Wars wrapped up.
1956: Birthday of Shoichiro Sakata (Masahiko Sakata, 坂田祥一郎(坂田雅彦) [Roles: Operations Room Officer in Godzilla vs Biollante, JSDF Intelligence Processing Unit Officer in Godzilla vs King Ghidorah, JSDF Captain in Godzilla vs Megaguirus, Defense Force Officer Natsuki in Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, and Special Forces Analysiså Squad Officer Yokoyama in Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla and Godzilla x Mothra x MechaGodzilla: Tokyo SOS]
1963: Birthday of Sakiko Umaran (雨蘭咲木子) [Voice of Lucy Pallotti (Arabella Field) in the TV dubbed version of Godzilla (1998)]
1966: Birthday of Yuki Saito (斉藤由貴) [Voices urging evacuation at Osaka-jo Hall during Godzilla vs Biollante (uncredited)]
1925: Birthday of Gen Nakajima (中島元) [Dump truck driver in Godzilla v. Megalon]
1934: Birthday of Mutsugoro (Mutsugoro, 睦五郎(睦五朗)). [Played the role of Kuronuma, the Black Hole Planet 3 alien, in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla, Captain Mughal in Terror of MechaGodzilla, Commander Hel of the Galactic Empire in War in Space, and the voice of Dr. Stewart (Russ Tamblyn) in Frankenstein’s Monster: Thunder vs. Gaira.]
2015: Extra filming for Shin Godzilla will take place in Kita-Shinagawa.
1998: The TV anime “Godzilla: The Series” begins airing in the United States. It runs until April 22, 2000. [This is the first Godzilla TV anime series in approximately 20 years since the American version of Godzilla, which began airing on September 9, 1978.] This is a sequel to the 1998 Emmerich version of Godzilla, and Dr. Nick Tatopoulos and others continue to appear. A juvenile Godzilla is born from an egg still remaining at Madison Square Garden, and through imprinting, it believes Dr. Tatopoulos to be its parent. Thus, the second Emmerich version of Godzilla becomes an ally of humanity. His main food is fish, just like his parents. (Broadcast in Japan on WOWOW and other satellite channels.)
2016: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe cited Shin Godzilla during a social gathering with senior Self-Defense Force officers at the Prime Minister’s Office. [“I hear the Self-Defense Forces are playing a major role in the popular film Shin Godzilla,” he said. “I hear the Chief Cabinet Secretary and I will both die within a short period of time.”]
1965: Birthday of Mizuho Yoshida (吉田瑞穂) [Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) Godzilla suit actor and male actor looking up at Mothra in Yokohama]
1982: Birthday of Maria Theresa Gaw [Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla foreign journalist. Born in the UK]
1985: Birthday of Shiori Yonezawa (米澤史織) [Godzilla vs Mothra, as Midori Tezuka (daughter of Masako Tezuka)]
2015: Extra filming for Shin Godzilla took place in Yokodai, Isogo Ward, Yokohama. [The location was chosen due to the desire to create a “hilly town.” Many local residents also participated as extras. The Yokodai Urban Development Council is listed in the end credits as a supporter.]
1987: A concert, “An Evening of Akira Ifukube’s Film Music and Classical Music,” was held at Itami City Cultural Hall. [Performed “SF Symphonic Fantasy No. 1” and other pieces. This recording was released on CD on December 1, 1993, as “Godzilla: Symphonic Fantasy – The World of Akira Ifukube ~An Evening of Film Music and Classical Music~”『ゴジラ·交響ファンタジー伊福部昭の世界~映画音楽とクラシックのタベ～』(VAP).]
1910: Birthday of Mitsuo Tsuda (津田光男). [Godzilla (Japan Coast Guard officer and police captain, yelling “Evacuate”), King Kong vs Godzilla (Ground Self-Defense Force officer), Ueno Park bystander (The Greatest Monsters on Earth), Invasion of Astro-Monster (Japan Self-Defense Force member), Frankenstein’s Monster: Sanda vs. Gaira (Officer), and many others]
1948: Birthday of Clyde Kusatsu [Godzilla (1998) (Fishing Chief of the Japanese fishing vessel “Kobayashi Maru”); Godzilla: The Series (Voice of a Japanese tanker crew member; some sources say he was born on November 13th)]
1957: Birthday of Hajime Yamazaki (山崎一) [Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (Deputy Mayor of Izumi Village)]
2016: Weekly FLASH”『週刊FLASH』(Kobunsha) published an article titled “Shin Godzilla: Shigeru Ishiba’s Otaku Analysis.” [He stated, “It would be appropriate to use the ground-attack F-2 to attack Godzilla on the ground,” “The set inside the Prime Minister’s residence is so accurate you’d wonder who has actually seen it,” “Unless Godzilla is rampaging under the will of a foreign country, it would not be a target for a defense deployment,” and “If something were to happen to the Prime Minister, the line of succession for the acting prime minister is limited to the top five.”]
2016: “Godzilla x Traditional Crafts”「ゴジラ×伝統工芸」held at Shinjuku Isetan. Runs until the 26th. [A collaboration between traditional crafts and Japanese culture. Godzilla ceramic figurines, Godzilla fans, Godzilla folding umbrellas, and more were on display.]
1908: Birthday of Shinro Nakamura (中村伸郎, died July 5, 1991) [Roles: Dr. Munekata in Dogora the Space Monster, Dr. Suga in Frankenstein vs. the Subterranean Monster, and others.]
1961: Birthday of Hiromi Matsukawa (松川裕美) [Roles: Newscaster in Godzilla vs Biollante]
1933: The American film King Kong, directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, was released in Japan. [It was a hit in Japan, leading to the production of a Japanese version of King Kong.]
2001: An earthquake believed to be Godzilla appears underground in Tokyo. It is suggested that Godzilla was not destroyed by the Dimension Tide in Godzilla vs Megaguirus [Official Setting / From the “Toho Science Fiction Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION GODZILLA Vs. MEGAGUIRUS”]
1963: The preliminary draft of Shinichi Sekizawa’s screenplay Atragon is printed.
2004: Filming wraps up on Godzilla: Final Wars.
2016: 26 theaters across Japan will host live screenings of Shin Godzilla, allowing voice-overs, cosplay, and glow sticks. [Screenings starting at 7:30 PM only/TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku will feature appearances by Director Hideaki Anno, Mikako Ichikawa, Satoru Matsuo, Issei Takahashi, and surprise guest Hiroki Hasegawa. United Cinema Sapporo will feature Kazuhiko Shimamoto and science fiction author Yuichi Sasamoto.]
1903: Birthday of Yoshio Kosugi (小杉義男, died March 12, 1968) [Captain of the Genyo Maru No. 2 in Mothra, Chief of Faro Island in King Kong v. Godzilla, Elder of Infant Island in Mothra vs Godzilla and Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster, and Self-Defense Force officer in Frankenstein vs. the Subterranean Monster, among others.]
1966: Birthday of Hikomaro (彦摩呂) [Roger the helicopter reporter in Tokyo SOS]
1966: Yoshimura (Akira Takada) steals 4 million yen in cash from the safe at the Daikoku Pachinko Parlor in Shinbashi, Tokyo in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep [From radio news / Years correspond to the release year]
2015: Extra filming for Shin Godzilla takes place in Kamakura.
1966: An endurance rally dance competition is held at Yamaeda Hall in Tokyo. University students Nita and Ichino participate in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep [From the competition poster / Years correspond to the release year]
1993: Director Takao Okawara completes Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla.
1973: Episode 25 of Meteor Man Zone, “Terrifying! Zone: Godzilla vs the Allied Terror Beasts,” airs on Nippon Television. This is the episode in which Godzilla first appears. [Zone Fighter and Godzilla face off against the allied forces of Jikiro, Mogranda, Spiderus, and Garoborg.]
1932: Birthday of Aozora Senya Ichiya (青空一夜, died April 23, 1996) [TV Host in Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster]
1971: Kaoru Mabuchi’s script “Godzilla vs. Space Monsters: Earth Defense Order” (unproduced) is printed in draft. [Script written for the production of Godzilla vs Gigan / Godzilla, Anguirus, and Majin Tool fight off King Ghidorah, Gigan, and Megalon, controlled by the alien Miko / November 29, 2014. Included in Godzilla Toho Champion Festival Perfection (KADOKAWA)]
1991: Director Kazuki Omori completes Godzilla vs King Ghidorah.
1992: Director Takao Okawara completes Godzilla vs Mothra.
1939: Birthday of Takero Morimoto (森本毅郎) [Godzilla (1984) as himself (as a news anchor)]
1966: Episode 10 of Ultraman, “The Mysterious Dinosaur Base,” aired. A modified Godzilla costume, “Girasu,” appears. His cries are also sped up and reused.
1971: Draft of Kaoru Mabuchi’s script “Godzilla vs. Space Monsters Earth Defense Order” (unproduced) printed. Script written for the production of Godzilla vs Gigan / Godzilla, Anguirus, and Majin Tool engage King Ghidorah, Gigan, and Megalon, limited to aliens and minor characters / Published in the “Godzilla Toho Champion Festival Perfection” (KADOKAWA) on November 29, 2014.
1991: Director Kazuki Omori’s Godzilla vs King Ghidorah completed.
1992: Director Takao Okawara’s Godzilla vs Mothra completed.
1939: Birthday of Takero Morimoto (森本毅郎) [Godzilla (1984) as himself (news anchor)]
1966: Episode 10 of Ultraman, “The Mysterious Dinosaur Base,” aired. A modified Godzilla costume, “Gijinka,” appears. His roar is also sped up and reused.
1966: After being eliminated from the endurance rally dance competition, Nita and Ichino head to Hayama with Ryota and board the large yacht Yalen in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep [From the announcement that the competition’s third day (starting September 17th)]
2014: “The Legend of Godzilla and the World of Akira Ifukube”「ゴジラ伝説と伊福部昭の世界展」will be held at Shibuya Parco through the 29th [A gallery talk with Yuji Kaida and Makoto Inoue will also be held on the opening day.]
1908: Birthday of Tetsu Nakamura. Died August 3, 1992 (中村哲) [Dr. Koda in Earth Defense Force, cargo ship captain in Atragon, and the priest Onbo in Gezora among others]
1943: Birthday of Toyohisa Araki (荒木とよひさ) [Lyricist for the insert song “Goodbye Lover” in Godzilla (1984) and the theme song “Sad Godzilla” for “Godzilla Island”]
1944: Birthday of Katsumasa Uchida (内田勝正) [Jiro Murakoshi of the International Police Tokyo Branch in Terror of MechaGodzilla]
1946: Birthday of Noriko Takahashi (高橋紀子) [Frankenstein vs. the Subterranean Monster (female lodge guest); Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (Dayo, withdrew from the show due to acute appendicitis)]
1954: 4:30 PM: Godzilla is spotted moving northwest in the ocean 15 miles northeast of Kannonzaki (around Kisarazu), leading to a call for strict vigilance in the Keihin area. Godzilla then makes landfall from Shibaura, causing extensive damage in Tamachi, Shinbashi, Ginza, Yurakucho, Nagatacho, Ueno, and Asakusa in Godzilla/Shunpei Umihara’s Godzilla novel [The warning broadcast only mentions the “20th,” but at least two weeks have passed since Godzilla landed on Odo Island on August 18th, and since the characters are wearing short sleeves, it’s more likely that it was September. / Shunpei Umihara’s novelization of Godzilla explicitly states “September 20th.” / Incidentally, Godzilla destroyed the Hattori Clock Tower in Ginza at 11 p.m., so it’s likely that the date had changed by the time it left Tokyo Bay.]
1966: Ryota, who has stayed overnight on the large yacht Yaren with Yoshimura, Nita, and Ichino, sets sail on his own in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep [The morning after September 19th, when Ryota and the others boarded the yacht]
2015: Extra filming for Shin Godzilla took place in Utsunomiya. [Scenes of a city falling into panic were shot on Icho Street and Kamikawara Street in the city.]
1944: Birthday of Kunio Murai (村井國夫) [Roles: Shima Takeshi (computer engineer) in Godzilla vs Gigan, Henmi as Director of the Cabinet Research Office in Godzilla (1984), and Hinogaki Masato (clerk at the Defense Forces’ Naval General Staff) in Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack.]
1954: Godzilla leaves the Sumida River for Tokyo Bay. Emiko Yamane confides in Hideto Ogata about the Oxygen Destroyer, and the two go to persuade Dr. Serizawa. Hearing the young woman’s singing, Serizawa decides to use the Oxygen Destroyer in Godzilla [Given the storyline, it seems reasonable to assume that Ogata and Emiko visit the Serizawa Scientific Research Institute the day after Godzilla’s landing.]
1995: Filming wraps up on Godzilla vs Destroyah.
1995: “Great Godzilla Expo” held at Osaka Expoland. Until November 26th.
1949: Birthday of Dr. Kenneth Carpenter. [Named a medium-sized carnivorous dinosaur fossil from the Triassic period of the Mesozoic era discovered in New Mexico “Gojirasaurus.” The English spelling of Godzilla is “Gojira” rather than “Godzilla” because it is closer to the Japanese pronunciation of “Godzilla.” Dr. Carpenter was born in Japan.]
1957: Birthday of Shiro Namiki (並樹史朗) [Robed as Shiozaki of the Science and Technology Agency in Godzilla 2000 Millennium, as an official of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Tokyo SOS, and as a news anchor in Mothra 3.]
1963: Birthday of Akinori Umezu (梅津昭典) [Played the role of a townsfolk child who begs Godzilla for help in Godzilla Raids Again]
2015: The title of “Shin Godzilla” is announced. [The title (and logo) of Toho’s first new Godzilla film in 12 years is officially announced. / The logo follows the 1954 version. / The main cast, including Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, and Satomi Ishihara, is also announced.]
1910: Birthday of Akira Tani (谷晃, died August 11, 1966) [Mothra vs Godzilla, as Amimoto, and others]
1941: Birthday of Fumio Tanaka (田中文雄, died April 12, 2009) [Co-producer of Gezora, Ganime, Kamoeba! The Great Southern Sea Monster and War of the Worlds, and co-producer of Godzilla (1984)]
1965: Birthday of Shinji Higuchi (樋口真嗣) [Director, special effects director, storyboard artist, and others for Shin Godzilla]
1987: Birthday of Shiori Kanzaki (神崎詩織) [“Super Star Fleet Sazer X: Fight! Star Warriors” (Theatrical Version) as Yuka Sanada (Raizer Kageri)]
1971: Shinichi Sekizawa’s script Godzilla vs Gigan is printed in draft [The script that served as the basis for Godzilla vs. Gigan / Published in “Godzilla Toho Champion Festival Perfection” (KADOKAWA) on November 29, 2014]
1931: Birthday of Yutaka Nakayama (中山豊) [Who played the role of communications officer for the Second Shinmorimaru in King Kong vs Godzilla, Fisherman B in Mothra vs Godzilla, the groom for the Mount Aso tourist in Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster, the painter in All Monster Attack, and others? Also appeared as a fisherman in episode 11 of “Ultraman” (the episode featuring Godzilla’s modified Gillian).]
1933: Birthday of Ayumi Sonoda (園田あゆみ) [Who played the role of Yuriko Shinjo (Reporter for the East Japan Shimpo Newspaper) in Varan the Giant Monster.]
1950: Birthday of Mamoru Kusumi (Kinichi Kusumi, 久須美護(久須美欽一)) [Who played the role of King Caesar and Anguirus in Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla, the suit actor for the monsters in “Ultra Fight,” the suit actor for the giant Zone Fighter in “Meteor Man Zone,” and others.]
1972: Birthday of Kenji Yamauchi (山内健嗣) [Godzilla vs Megaguirus: G Annihilation Plan as Miyamasuzaka, a Self-Defense Forces member, and Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack as a Self-Defense Forces member]
1956: Birthday of Goshu (剛州) [Robed a G-Force member in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla]
1960: Birthday of Tsuyoshi Shimizu (清水剛) [Artist for Godzilla 2000 Millennium, Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, Mothra 2: Battle Beneath the Sea, and others]
1964: A self-proclaimed Venusian appears in Ueno Park. He predicts that something strange will happen on Mount Aso in Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster [This date is printed in the evening newspaper that Detective Shindo reads at home at night, but since the events surrounding it occurred in January 1965, this date is clearly inaccurate.]
1994: Special effects filming for Godzilla vs Space Godzilla wraps up.
1683: Birthday of Jean-Philap Rameau (/ジャン=フィラップ・ラモー, died September 12, 1764) [French musician, composer of the theme song “Club Star Flower II” in “War of the Monsters.”]
1964: Birthday of Kikuko Inoue (井上喜久子) [Voice of the Doctor in “Godzilla Kingdom.”]
1965: Birthday of Kosuke Toyohara (豊原功補) [Robed Osamu Amezawa (Super X-2 Operator) in “Godzilla vs. Biollante” and Kenichiro Terasawa (Non-fiction Writer) in Godzilla vs King Ghidorah.]
1969: Birthday of Junko Murakami (村上順子(徳山順子), Junko Tokuyama) [Robed Ijuin Laboratory Assistant in Godzilla vs Destroyah and Junko Murakami (Shibuya HCS Announcer) in Godzilla vs Destroyah.] [Yomiuri TV announcer during appearance]
1954: Godzilla lands on Odo Island along with Typhoon Faxai. 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 unknown, but in the actual film, the daily calendar in Shinkichi Yamada’s home shows the 17th, which contradicts the actual date. / The same article also shows the dates October 5th, 13th, and 20th.]
1993: Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla premieres at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
1964: The second draft of Shinichi Sekizawa’s screenplay for Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster is printed.
1994: Jan de Bont, who was set to direct the Hollywood Godzilla film, secretly visited Toho Studios. [Jan de Bont later withdrew from the project due to production cost issues.]
1930: Birthday of Shoji Kobayashi (小林昭二, died August 27, 1996) [Godzilla vs King Ghidorah and Godzilla vs Mothra: Ryuzo Dobashi (Director of the Cabinet Security Office, then the National Environmental Planning Agency)]
1942: Birthday of Isao Sakuma (作間功) [Narrator for “Godzilla Land” and radio voice for “Nostradamus’s Prophecy”]
1961: Birthday of Ken Mitsuishi (光石研) [Shin Godzilla: Kozuka (Governor of Tokyo)]
1961: Birthday of J. Taro Sugisaku (年/杉作J太郎) [Played the role of a car refugee in Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla]
1998: The Shochiku film “Giant Monster Appears in Tokyo,” directed by Takeshi Miyasaka, was released. It was reported that a “lizard-like monster” reminiscent of Godzilla had appeared in Tokyo.[The monster was only mentioned in dialogue; no actual footage was shown.]
1992: Godzilla vs Mothra premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
1984: Godzilla (1984) wrapped up filming.
1934: Birthday of Goko Anzai (安西郷子, died December 28, 2002) [Battle in Outer Space as Etsuko Shiraishi (an employee at the International Space Science Center)]
1951: Birthday of Ren Osugi (大杉漣) [Shin Godzilla as Seiji Okochi (Prime Minister)]
1965: Birthday of Robert Baldwin (ロバート・ボールドウィン) [Roles: Overseas Press in Tokyo SOS and Gordo in Super Star Fleet Sazer X: Battle! Star Warriors]
1959: Birthday of Yu Tokui (徳井優) [Roles: News Helicopter Director in Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]
1991: Godzilla vs King Ghidorah premieres at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
1954: Filming wraps up on Godzilla
1969: The second draft of Shinichi Sekizawa’s script for All Monsters Attack is printed.
1950: Birthday of Tetsuo Kanao (金尾哲夫) [Voice of scientist Whelan (Brian Markinson) in the dubbed version of Godzilla (2014).]
1965: Final draft of Shinichi Sekizawa’s script for Invasion of Astro-Monster is printed.
1994: Filming wraps up on Godzilla vs Space Godzilla.
Source: ゴジラ365日 毎日がゴジラの日, Yosensha Publishing Co, Ltd.
Welcome to MyKaiju Daily, a daily diary and journal. While I’m in between writing articles and doing new toy photography, there’s daily Godzilla news I would like to comment on. This is a space for my quick blurbs, shares, comments and more on the old and new stuff about Godzilla. Growing up we had the Weekly Reader in school. This is my version as an adult Godzilla fan. Made by my Mac and best for desktop browsing. Thanks for visiting!
