One Month and Counting

10.3.2023

October is underway and will be over as fast as September and the release of Godzilla Minus One will be upon us. Today marks one month in the countdown. Almost every day now there is a new movie related event, campaign, collaborations, promotional materials and merchandise: Directors Yamazaki and Anno will be together for a talk show (山崎貴セレクション ゴジラ上映会」The 4th “Takashi Yamazaki Selection Godzilla Screening) and monochromatic viewing of Shin Godzilla: Ortho (orthochromatic for the black-and-white photographic film), at the Ikebukuro Humax Cinemas on October 27. A lottery was held for lucky fans to attend the Minus One showing at the Tokyo Film Festival. There will be events in Hamamatsu where scenes from the film were shot. Five Godzilla movies will be shown for five consecutive weeks leading up to the movie release. A big red carpet event is set for October 18. So much happening it’s hard to keep up.

I’m set to arrive in Japan four days before the opening night. I hope to catch a special effect prior to Godzilla Day. But as usual I will miss the majority of the special events. Godzilla movies are big events in Japan and there will be plenty to see. Godzilla is everywhere!

My trip is a celebration of traveling to Japan for 30 years. I’ve been making trip logos since I started my career as a graphic designer in 1994, the year of my first trip. The first image was the logo for that trip created using Apple MacDraw. I continued making trip logos over the years. And in the spirit of the original now with my kaiju here’s the logo for 30 years of travel to Japan.

Today was a great box day which is fitting for the occasion. I purchased a batch of Godzilla Heisei discount tickets, anticipating Godzilla Minus One on the big screen.

The excitement for Minus One is building and can be felt on the other side of the world. I’m stoked and getting ready to go. My flight is about three weeks away. I will get my covid booster next week. My bags are airing out. I’ve tried to stop buying anything new. This trip will be as exciting as 2016.