MyKaiju Life

Another great honor in my life to produce the box art for the X-Plus Toho 30cm sSeries Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Godzilla (1991) Hokkaido Ver. Soft Vinyl Kit (東宝30cmシリーズ 酒井ゆうじ造形コレクション ゴジラ(1991) 北海道Ver.ソフビキット) in collaboration with Summit Kaiju International.

The release of the X-Plus Yuji Sakai Best Collection Godzilla 2004 Poster Version Statue featuring my work in collaboration with Jeremy Soles of Summit Kaiju. Learn More

I had the honor of being interviewed by legendary Kyle Yount, fellow host of Collect All Monsters.

On July 21, 2020, MyKaiju© was officially trademarked by the United States of America. Read More

My first official Godzilla toy photography was to create a representation of MechaGodzilla. My second project was create an official representation of Godzilla 1995 on behalf of X-Plus and Master Sculptor Yuji Sakai. Learn More

Episode Zero of Collect All Monsters aired live on December 28, 2019. Collect All Monsters is a group of passionate kaiju toy collectors taking a larger look at the landcscape of the Japanese monster toy market. Meet our hosts in this live broadcast Q&A with questions designed by the enigmatic Leslie Chambers to get to the root of who we are as collectors! Watch Episodes

MyKaiju 2019 toy photography in review. It was an amazing year full of Godzilla, travel and toy photography.

I became an official Godzilla toy photographer on the day Godzilla was born, November 3, 2019. In collaboration with Jeremy Soles of Summit Kaiju International, I created the MechaGodzilla box art for a special X-Plus release for Godzilla Festival in Tokyo celebrating Godzilla 65th Anniversary. Learn More

It was a joy and pleasure to be invited to work the X-Plus booth at Toy Fair 2019. I worked along friend and colleague Jeremy Soles of X-Plus and Summit Kaiju International. We meet our mutual friend Jordan.

The second issue of MyKaiju Magazine was published and sold on September 9, 2019.

During my 2019 trip to Japan, I was invited to visit X-Plus Headquarters in Osaka. I had an amazing time. I will never forget that day.

At G-Fest XXVI (2019), I had the great honor of meeting Akihiko Gee Okamoto and Kazuma Matsubara of X-Plus. It was there we discussed an opportunity to do freelance Godzilla toy photography for the company. A special thanks to Jeremy Soles of Summit Kaiju International. It was a great G-Fest enjoyed with friends and my fellow co-hosts on Collect All Monsters.

In 2019, I made my twenty-fifth trip to Japan. It was a trip across Japan from Tokyo to Nagoya to Kyoto to Osaka. Check out my daily blog: Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

In 2019, I was on TV Asahi, a Japanese television network with its headquarters. I along with my Godzilla collection was featured on “Land Sea Sky: Where on EARTH are we?” (陸海空 地球征服するなんて) as one of 100 “maniacs.” Check out the interview and more: TV Asahi | My TV Asahi Interview

The first issue of MyKaiju Magazine was published and sold on January 6, 2019.

I was interviewed Previews World and my Godzilla collection was featured on Collector’s Corner. Check it out!

During my Japan trip in 2018, great friend Ed Holland of Monster Attack Team along with Kaiju Artist Hiroshi Kanatani introduced me to the great Masami Yamada, Godzilla and Ultraman book author and soft vinyl kaiju maker. We had been Facebook friends but it was a dream to meet him in person. Read More

I head the honor of wearing Yamada’s Gomora head.

During my trip to Japan 2018 I documented as many Shin Godzilla places as possible. I traveled to many places in the Tokyo area.

MyKaiju 2018 toy photography in review. I compile each year’s Godzilla toy photography into a review video.

I had the honor of participating in the Summit Kaiju Panel at G-FEST XXIV (2017) along with fellow Godzilla and kaiju fans.

I had the honor of meeting Yuji Kaida who autographed his art book for me. His art has been my inspiration for many years. His original art for the Bandai The特撮Collection model series was a great influence.

I had the pleasure of reuniting with Ed Holland and seeing Shin Godzilla Director Shinji Higuchi again.

In 2017, I had the honor of meeting Shin Godzilla Director Shinji Higuchi and Shin Godzilla Cinematographer Keiichi Sakurai at the Famous Monsters Convention in Dallas, Texas. It was made possible by great friend and Monster Attack Team creator Ed Holland.

Check out more: Best Memories | Takeaways from Dallas | Famous Monsters Convention

MyKaiju 2017 toy photography in review. I compile each year’s Godzilla toy photography into a review video.

Shin Godzilla showing with friends at the Landmark’s Ritz Movie Theatre in Philadelphia on
Oct 11, 2016.

I was in Japan for the opening night of Shin Godzilla at Toho Cinemas in Shinjuku. Later that day I saw it again with friends.

One of the best experiences from my trip to Japan in 2016 was attending my first Wonder Festival. My flight to Japan was delayed and rerouted to London. I lost a day and didn’t think I would make the event. But my dear friend Yuu-san got me there in time. Wonder Festival is huge and overwhelming and tiring. I saw the Shin Godzilla booth and more. I met Akihiko “Gee” Okamoto of X-Plus for the first time.

The summer 2016 was full of travel! I first heard to G-FEST XXIV, where I had the honor of participating in the first Summit Kaiju toy photography panel put on by Jeremy Soles. From there I would head to Japan for a week, followed by a trip to Indonesia for work.

I had the privilege of meeting Godzilla suit-actors Kenpachiro Satsuma and Mizuho Yoshida at Monster Mania (2016) in New Jersey. See More

I was so honored to be asked by J.D. to create the cover of G-Fan #111 and to receive a featured article. Learn More

MyKaiju 2016 toy photography in review. I compile each year’s Godzilla toy photography into a review video.

In 2015, I was asked to return to Japan to assist the school with their website project. I was there for six weeks. On my departure from Philadelphia I was greeted and sent off by Godzilla and dinosaurs which were a part of wonderful collection of vintage American toys on display in our airport. It was there I decided to start collecting Godzilla again. I took a trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. This trip was the start of my whirlwind tours through Japan for all tings Godzilla. See More

MyKaiju Facebook Page began on October 3, 2015. As of December 3, 2020, MyKaiju has been liked by 42,191 and followed by 46,572. Visit the MyKaiju Page

I had a wonderful time meeting and dining with Haruo Najajima, Tsutomu Kitagawa, Shinji Nishikawa, Satoshi “Bin” Furuya. Learn More

At G-Fest XXII, I had the honor of meeting Millennium Series Godzilla Director Masaaki Tezuka and August Ragone, author of “Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters”. I also was honored to be interviewed by Leslie Chambers of Leslie Chambers Kaiju Reviews! at G-Fest XXII.

I started the room remake in December 23, 2014. Then in 2015, my Godzilla room gets a great makeover with the help of my friend and IKEA.

MyKaiju Toy Photography featured on KaijuAddicts.com. Kaiju Addicts is a guide to collecting X-Plus Godzilla vinyls. This site is a web portal featuring all things X-Plus including figure reviews, news, release schedules as well as content from other collectors and reviewers. KaijuAddicts.com is the creation of John Stanowski, who operates Flossiesgifts.com which was an essential source to the grow of my X-Plus collection.

After years of storage in my basement, my collection gets its own room.

In 2014, I moved to Nagoya to support a seminary and do design work for an international organization. I lived in a donche not far from Nagoya Station. I was committed to a three-year stay but my mother needed help at home. I lived in Nagoya in UR Urban Organization Hosei Danchi Building No. 3 (ＵＲ都市機構豊成団地３号棟) for six months. It was in Nagoya I rediscovered the meaning of Godzilla and I was fully back into collecting. It was also in Nagoya that my Godzilla toy photography begun. Every weekend I went on my Nagoya walk to Osu Kannon Temple shopping area to search the great shops for Godzilla.

It was March 2011, I was living and teaching in Japan. My birthday was only three days past before the Great East Japan Earthquake (東日本大震災). That day I will never forget. The day I meet “Godzilla.” Read More: Never Forget 311 | Six Years Ago Today | Roots of Shin Godzilla | That Day

The year 2008 was a big change in my life. It was the year my dream of living in Japan would come true. I had graduated from seminar in June and started working full-time as a graphic designer for local Philadelphia university. But in August, I responded to an open letter seeking teachers for an English-Bible school in Karuizawa, Japan. Karuizawa appears in Godzilla vs Mothra (1992). The school sits on stilts hanging off a mountain that over looks Mt Asama, an active volcano in the middle of the town. I went for the first semester and would return and live in Japan for about the next eight years. These were some of the best years of my life. During these years, I was not collecting Godzilla and didn’t think much about Godzilla. Japan was my haven and heaven, a home away from home.

In 2003, I made my fourth trip to Japan in early January, just in time to see Godzilla X MechaGodzilla (2002) in the theater. I visited my friends in Kyoto and we took a trip to Kobe.

During the trip, I visited Gojira-ya for the first time. There I found the original poster for the Terror of MechaGodzilla メカゴジラの逆襲 (1975).

My friend showed me her picture with my childhood hero Mikko from The Space Giants.

This is my first attempt at toy photography. Using my 5-megapixel Nikon 5000 digital camera ($1100), I practiced toy shots. But nothing came of it and I quickly moved away from photography.

My Godzilla website, The World of Godzilla, evolved into MySciFiWorld.com. It went through many designs over the years and did not focus exclusively on Godzilla but on my other heroes.

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I convinced my friends Eric and Chris to join me on my next trip to Japan. And we had a blast shopping for our favorite collectibles. And we visited my friend Ms Dorothy and her son in Omiya and we made new friends in Kyoto.

My second trip to Japan could not come fast enough. It was 1998 and my father passed away in September. In January 1999, my mom, my cousin Jeanie and I flew to Japan to retreat and rest.

My first official Godzilla site was “The World of Godzilla: Online Encyclopedia of the King of the Monsters” (http://ultdownload.digiweb.com/Godzilla/The_World_of_Godzilla.html) listed in Appendix III Cyberspace Godzilla (p 370) of Japan’s Favorite Mon-Star: The Unauthorized Biography of “The Big G” written by Steve Ryfle. Check out the site below!

In the 1990s,Saturday was all about taking trips with my friends to New York City to search and shop for collectibles. I rented a car and Eric, Jon, and Henry jumped in and join me. This weekend was G-CON 97, now known as G-FEST. My plan to briefly step in, see what was going on, and meet the guest. Well, we were in and out fast but we had missed the special guests. But on our way out of the New Yorker Hotel, Jon and I couldn’t believe our eyes. Godzilla suit actors Haruo Nakajima and Kenpachiro Satsuma were heading into the hotel. We said hello and shook their hands. That day was just amazing!

This was the second design of my Godzilla website hosted on AOL. It was called Godzilla American Magazine.

This was the design of my first Godzilla website hosted on AOL. It was called Godzilla Zasshi (Japanese for magazine).

During the 90s, every second Saturday in the month I and my friends attended the Japanese Animation Society (a.k.a., the CFO), held in downtown Philadelphia in the local Nationalities Service Center building at 13 & Spruce Street. There we would see the last Heisei Godzilla movie along with popular anime. Read more

Here are my friends and fellow collectors Eric, Jon and Henry (left to right) hanging out with me before we head to the CFO meeting.

In 1995, my letter to G-Fan was printed in issue no. 15. I discussed my first trip to Japan in 1994.

In 1994, my dream to go to Japan came true. I just finished my degree in Chemstry and an internship at DuPont. I saved my money and planned my first trip to Japan. Read more: My First Trip

My small but growing Godzilla collection in 1994, the day before I headed to Japan for the first time. I saw my first Godzilla movie in Japan, Godzilla vs Space Godzilla.

Since 1993, my friends and I travel far and wide for collectibles. On the weekends, we had a regular trip through New Jersey and New York to Explosion Toys, Outer Limits, Gundam Planet, Image Anime, Kinokuniya, Toy Tokyo, Forbidden Planet, Strand Bookstore, and finally to Mitsuwa “Yaohon” for food and refreshment. We attended comic and collectible conventions as often as possible, traveling as far as Atlanta for Dragon Con and G-Fest in Chicago and across the river to Monster Mania and Chiller conventions.

In the 90s, a big part of my Godzilla life was going to Yahoan Department Store (now Mitsuwa Marketplace) in Edgewater, New Jersey. My brother Mark was living in New York city and told me about Yaohon. So best bud Eric and I headed up there. I rented a car, picked Mark and headed to Yaohon. We were blown away by the many shops (toys, restaurant, shopping market, bakery, Kinokuniya bookstore with music and more). Upon that first visit, I was determined to go to Japan. And in the following year, I would make my first trip to Japan. I found Yaohan to be a home away from Japan. We still go there on weekends even until this day.

In the early 90s, I have always been an avid Apple Macintosh user and about three decades ago I used it to design my dreams of a Godzilla magazine/newsletter called Godzilla Traxs. It was very ambitious but the roots of MyKaiju Magazine began here.

1991 was a great year. It ended on a wonderful note. Christmas was coming and in those days my family often drove to New Hope, PA, to visit the local shops. And there was a great toy shop with the Godzilla figure I always wanted and dreamed of having. Years earlier, when my favorite toy shop Rocketships & Accessories was opened they featured the Bandai Great Monster Series Godzilla 1964. I so wanted that figure and had put it on layaway. But I never paid it off. Well, there it was in this New Hope shop. My mother surprised me and brought it for me as Christmas gift. I had taken a hiatus from collecting because of college. That day I was back to collecting again! Until this day, it is still proudly on display in my collection.

In 1991, my family took what would be my first trip to California to see my uncles and cousins. Upon arriving in San Francisco, I discovered Japan Town. There I saw Godzilla books with a photo of Godzilla vs Biollante (1989) that I didn’t even know it existed at that time. I also bought the kaiju art book GIGA featuring the amazing work of Godziilla and Ultraman Illustrator Yuji Kaidai. It was then I started actively collecting again!

My first Godzilla was the vintage Godzilla King of the Monsters Bendy Figure by GLJ Toy Co., released in 1978. Learn More

One of my greatest memories growing up Godzilla was coming home early from summer camp because of illness. When I got home on Friday I saw that Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla was coming on Saturday afternoon. I was so excited. I was already to watch Godzilla on television holding my Mattel Shogan Warrior Godzilla. My mother took this photo, where I’m standing in my parent’s bedroom. Beside me is the black-and-white television set I watched Godzilla, Ultraman, The Space Giants, Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot, Speed Racer, and all my favorite childhood’s shows.

During the 70s, when Godzilla came on TV, I captured the audio on my dad’s audio tape recorder. Check out more: Recorded Memories | Godzilla Tapes | Vintage Cassette Tape

Growing up with Godzilla in the 70s was amazing but only a faint memories now. Godzilla was very much part of my life filled with great American released toys that filled my life with joy. I saw the Aurora Godzilla, Rodan and King Ghidorah model kits at Play Land in the 70s. I would have the glow-in-the-dark Godzilla and King Kong to go along with my extensive collection of Aurora Prehistoric Scene snap-together dinosaurs. My small but growing Godzilla collection consisted of the punching bag, puzzles, the Mattel Godzilla Game, View-Master Godzilla reel, Famous Monsters of Filmland, Fangoria, Marvel Godzilla comics. In 1977, I got the Mattel Godzilla from the Shogun Warrior series. In 1978, I collected four figures from the Godzilla Gang. In 1980, I would get the Mattel Rodan for Christmas.

Wee Willie Webber was a huge influence on my childhood. His children’s show on Channel 17 here in Philadelphia shaped many of lives. He presented the greatest lineup of TV shows that included Ultraman, The Space Giants, Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot, Speed Racer, Marine Boy and Spiderman.

My father kept and displayed my earliest Godzilla drawing on the walls of the Junior High School where he taught art. I believe I was 4 or 5 years old.