BANDAI UNLEASHES THE "GREEN GARGANTUA"! Vinyl Display Figure Breaks Loose in September

日本特撮の「サンダ対ガイラ」からガイラをバンダイソフビで発売。


Bandai issues it's first vinyl figure of Gaira, the Green Gargantua!

COLOSSAL GARGANTUAN BREAKING NEWS! Announced earlier today via the Twitter feed of the journal, Tokusatsu Hi-Ho (Special Effects Treasures), the online-only Bandai Premium service of the eponymous global toy juggernaut, will be issuing a 18 cm (7.08") soft vinyl figure of the fan favorite Green Gargantua, Gaira, from the popular Toho spectacle THE WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (1966).


Iconic aggressive pose developed by suit actor Haruo Nakajima!

Coinciding with this announcement, Tokusatsu Hi-Ho’s latest issue will feature an article on the upcoming figure as well as an interview with legendary monster suit maker Eizo Kaimai, who had created the very man-eating mutant this sofubi (soft vinyl figure) is based on – so, we can imagine that this has passed his snuff. Tokusatsu Hi-Ho Vol. 6 is available from bibliopolists in Japan, starting tomorrow.


Run to the hills... Run for your lives... Gaira's looking for dinner!

The Bandai Premium website followed suit with four very important, key, details, and lots of images; which have transposed to this report (Bandai states that the actual product will differ from these intended for illustrative purposes). Most of the text on Bandai’s page for this figure is nothing more than a stream of colorfully hyperbolic points, such as “Beware! Run from this man-eating monster!”


My Green Gargantua's back... and you're gonna be in trouble!

But, as mentioned above, there are four key pieces of information, the first being the size of the figure, which is 18 cm - which fits in with the original Bandai "Godzilla Series", to better appeal to adult collectors (relative movie sizes notwithstanding) - and the ad copy exclaiming, "This is the figure [we] always wanted to see in stores - now, at last, it's available via the Web!"


Sideview of the unpainted prototype for the upcoming release!

While, we've got the size of this thing nailed down, there's the matter of release date and - most importantly to all of you hyperventilating, nail-bitting, vinyl-sniffers out there - price. Each unit will be retailing for ¥3,999 JPY or $36.00 USD. Preorders through Bandai Premium's website go live at 11:00 am, June 16th (Japan Time). Scheduled for shipment this September, Gaira will be ready to  eat  meet you...


Kenji Seki's details pop in this shot of the unpainted prototype!

Last, but not least, the graphics and press features what appears to be a series line moniker, "Kaiju Bangaichi" (which can/may be roughly translated as "Monster No-Man's Land" or transliterated as "Monsters of Unknown Realms"). Even though we haven't stopped breathing into our paper bags, yet, could we soon see the Brown Gargantua, Sanda? And... Other giant monsters Bandai had previously passed over?


Monstrous angled view of the popular bad guy from the 1966 movie!

Stay tuned for more gargantuan information as it comes up from the darkest depths to devour you! Or will you devour it?

REST IN PEACE: YUMI ITO OF "THE PEANUTS" APRIL 1, 1941 - MAY 18, 2016

ザ•ピーナッツの伊藤ユミさん死去


Yumi (right) and Emi from the Weekly Yomiuri, September 9, 1972.

The sad news was just released that the former singer has now been reunited with her twin sister Emi, who passed away four years ago. Japanese media traditionally respects the privacy of the families of celebrities when it comes to their passing, so the media withheld this from the public until the family agreed to make a formal statement, and was issued by a representative of Watanabe Productions, their former management company.


One of their first magazine covers, Mainichi Graphic (June 28, 1959).

Yumi Ito (born Tsukiko Ito) was the melodic vocalist of The Peanuts, while Emi, held down the harmonies. When they started out, the sisters sang the melodies together, until they signed with Watanabe Productions. Even though they were technically identical, the twins could be readily told apart as Emi had distinctive, trademark moles by her eyes. During their early career, Yumi would have false moles applied, so they would appear more identical.


Their debut 45 Single, "Kawaii Hana", released April 1959.

From the years 1959 through 1975, they were known as the world-famous pop duo, "The Peanuts". Discovered as "The Ito Sisters" in a Nagoya restaurant, they released their first hit single, "Kawaii Hana" (Pretty Flower) in April 1959, a lyrical version of Sidney Bechet's "Petite Fleur". Between that July and December, they appeared in five films for as many studios, debuting in THE WONDERFUL AGE OF 19 for Shochiku and BASTARDS IN A CAGE for Toho.


The original Single for "The Daughters of Infant", issued in 1961.

While they are perhaps best known in the States for Toho's spectacle, MOTHRA (1961), by the time Ishiro Honda's film went into production, The Peanuts were already veterans of seventeen feature films, two weekly television variety shows, and a weekly radio show. They would reprise their role as the "Little Beauties" for MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA and THE GREATEST BATTLE ON EARTH, both released in 1964. Further appearances of the "Little Beauties" employed pale substitutes.


First issue of "The Song of Mothra"/"The Daughters of Infant", 1978.

While the song, "The Daughters of Infant", was the first Single release in conjunction with MOTHRA, back in late 1961, it wasn't the original recording from the movie. The Single was arranged and conducted by Hiroshi Miyagawa, their constant collaborator, who went on to world fame for his music to the Space Battleship Yamato franchise. Both of the songs from the film, by Yuji Koseki, weren't issued on any release until 1978 — three years after The Peanuts retired.


With the cast of "Rawhide" (Brinegar, Fleming, and Eastwood), 1962.

The Peanuts were my first introduction to Japanese pop music, which was only reinforced by my Aunt Camille, who gifted me a big stack of colored wax of early '60s J-Pop, bought while she and her husband were stationed in Japan. She saw my obsession with Japan and made it grow with these 45 Singles. But, The Peanuts are magic, their vocal harmonies during the final curtain in MOTHRA, still raises goosebumps on me to this day. Now, I can't believe they're gone.


Yumi (left) and Emi in Daiei's musical LEAPING LADY DAIMYO, 1961.

After retiring from singing in 1975, Yumi turned her career towards another passion: fashion design. And while the women whose voices sang, beautiful, wondrous melodies and harmonies, have left us to be joined together in the next world, those of us left behind still hold now the incredible gift of their lovely voices recorded for all and our posterity to come. Yumi Ito was 75 years old.

"KING KONG VS. GODZILLA" 4K REMASTER SHOTS Teaser Compares Old Master & New Restoration!

4Kリマスター完全版『キングコング対ゴジラ』の比較ショット！


Chirashi (handbill) heralding the premiere broadcast of the 4K Scan!

On October 1st of 2015, I reported on the then-upcoming Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel's satellite cable broadcast of a newly-completed and restored version of KING KONG VS. GODZILLA (read more here), which was followed up this past May 1st's breaking story on the 4k remaster of the film, which has been in sore need of a proper restoration for more than forty years (read more here).

Here are screenshots from a teaser trailer that just began running, comparing the 2015 restoration with the 2016 4k Remaster bowing on the satellite cable provider this coming July. The full teaser trailer was unavailable at press time but will be featured in a future update once it has been uploaded by NESC. For now, there are eight images for you to compare.




Stay tuned to this blog for more updates on this story as they break!

"ATTACK ON TITAN" MOVIE POSTER REVEALED! Two-Parter Stomps Into Theaters Next Summer

その大きさは…超ド級のGODZILLA超え！


Just-revealed advance poster art's tagline, "The world is cruel."

Director Shinji Higuchi's highly anticipated live action adaptation of Hajime Isayama's manga and anime series will hit Japanese cinemas nationwide next summer, with not one, but two consecutive feature films bowing in August and September 2015. Today, Toho Company Ltd., which is producing and distributing the film, has revealed the advance movie poster on their official movie website.

Written by Yusuke Watanabe (20th Century Boys) and critic Tomohiro Machiyama (working with Isayama), both films will feature visual effects directed by veteran Katsuro Onoue (Sinking of Japan), and not Director Higuchi, who is supervising the entire project. Earlier this year, Higuchi teased the film with a viral car commercial featuring a tie-in promotion with the franchise, which led people to believe that he was also directing the visual effects.

Toho's PR department also unveiled the tagline, "Its magnitude is... beyond ultra-grade GODZILLA!", capitalizing on the successful Gareth Edwards film adaptation of the Big G, which did impressively at the domestic box office in Japan. And this hyperbole isn't all hype: The film's titular titans tower at 120-meters (390 feet), twice as tall manga and anime counterparts, while Godzilla is 350-feet high.

Not to be confused with the second anime feature to be released June 26, 2015, ATTACK ON TITAN 2: WINGS OF FREEDOM, audiences will have to see how this colossal conflict between these naked gargantua and the last bastion of humanity plays out next year — will the live action films be a monstrous success or a titanic failure? My money is on Director Higuchi.

HAPPY 60th ANNIVERSARY, GODZILLA! King of Monsters Debuted on November 3, 1954

ゴジラ生誕60年のアニバーサリー !


You're not getting older, Big G — you're getting better!

Has it really been 60 years since Godzilla was loosened upon the world? I remember when the Big G turned 25 in 1979, and since I was born long after 1954, it felt like he had been around an eternity from my young perspective. There was no time before him from my frame of reference. I grew up with Godzilla and he was already eternal. Little did we know that when I was growing up, Godzilla’s time was nigh; the first cycle of films that started in 1954 would be winding down by 1975. How could Godzilla not continue? His popularity in the US was at an all-time high — we still hadn’t gotten any of the films following GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (1971) — he dominated local television, the pages of Famous Monsters and The Monster Times, and our thoughts.

As young Godzilla freaks, we drew pictures, created new monsters, and played with his toys (or made our own from dinosaurs figures) — even using the Aurora plastic model kit — but if you were lucky to live in Hawaii or California, you could buy what the kids in Japan had: 8” tall, soft vinyl “monster dolls” (we used to call them) with the iconic “Bullmark” logo branded on the bottom of their feet. As some of us got older, and remained fans, we organized, we started fan clubs, newsletters, fanzines, and hosted screenings. I was lucky to be retained as the “Godzilla/Japanese Film Expert” for our local horror host, Bob Wilkins, who had me talk about these films and television series on his shows, “Creature Features” and “Captain Cosmic,” thus pushing me in this direction.

The later films came, starting with GODZILLA VS. MEGALON in 1976 (our nation’s bicentennial), and his fans were legion, making the film a box office hit: There was no doubt that the Big G was the "King of the Monsters." Until the summer of 1977. STAR WARS exploded box office records around the world and Godzilla became an old hat, “So, 'last year.'” Even so, I — and others like me across North America — didn’t give up on our mon-star. Long before the Internet, we kept in contact through letters, fanzines, and phone calls. Still, even though Godzilla had been popular, he was looked down upon by many people — whether it was by those who still had a grudge against Japan or science fiction fans who saw the films as subpar — and so those of us who remained loyal, also had to be fiercely protective (not defensive) of the character and the films.

There were promises of revival movies that never materialized: “The Resurrection of Godzilla,” “Godzilla vs. the Devil,” and several US attempts, including a semi-remake, “Godzilla, King of the Monsters! 3D” (written by Fred Dekker and to be helmed by Steve Miner, which was more Gorgo than Godzilla). Finally, by the swelling nostalgic popularity at home, with record merchandise and home video sales, Toho announced an all-new Godzilla for 1984… It was a tenuous return, but one that would eventually spawn another thirteen films over the next two decades. In the 1990s, a new generation of US fans discovered the Big G and loved him. Old Timers discovered these new films, and new fanzines sprung up, as well as several conventions devoted to kaiju eiga.

This brave new fandom did not fade away, it has become stronger through cable and home video, the web, events and social networks. This has also grown to be embraced by those who just love monster movies and fantastic cinema — unscathed by the Roland Emmerich debacle — the reception to both editions of my book, “Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters” (Chronicle Books) has been phenomenal. New comic books, following in the footstomps those of the ‘70s and ‘90s, have taken off with a new, rabid following. And this summer's megabucks spectacle from Gareth Edwards won hearts and minds across the globe.

Everyone seems to have gone gaga for Godzilla. The Big G, kith and kin, have finally become “cool” (but we knew that already). After all, not only is Godzilla the first and greatest true kaiju ever to grace a motion picture screen, he is the one and true "King of the Monsters" — long live the king!

Dedicated to the memory of my childhood pal, Eric Worth

GIRLS, AND CEPHALOPODS, AND KONGS: OH MY!Behind-the-Scenes on KING KONG VS. GODZILLA

スナップ写真『キングコング対ゴジラ』より。


Candid publicity photo courtesy of Genju Ota. ©Toho Co, Ltd.

THE REAL "GODZILLA" IS COMING TO YOUR TOWN US Theatrical Screenings for the Big G's 60th!

初代『ゴジラ』は、アメリカの映画館に来ている！


Original Japanese theatrical release poster (1954). ©Toho Co., Ltd.

UPDATED (08/01/14): Rialto Pictures is once again rolling out the uncut Japanese version of the 1954 classic, boasting a brand-new 60th Anniversary DCP (Digital Cinema Package) Restoration (the transfer made for the Criterion Collection release) and it is now being booked in theaters around the US of A — contact your local cinema to screen it! Now, below is a quick look at the current dates and cities (those in red are newly-announced):

:: March 11: AUSTIN, TX • Alamo Ritz 1 (SXSW Film Festival)

:: April 12: HOLLYWOOD, CA • TCM Classic Film Festival

:: April 18–24: NEW YORK, NY • Film Forum

:: April 25–May 13: NEW YORK,  NY • IFC Center • HELD OVER (May 22)

:: May 1: SAVANNAH, GA • Savannah Film Festival 

:: May 2: HOLLYWOOD, CA • American Cinematheque Egyptian Theatre

:: May 2–4 & 6: SILVER SPRING, MD • AFI Silver

:: May 2–5: PORTLAND, OR • Hollywood Theatre*

:: May 2–8: SEATTLE, WA • SIFF Cinema Uptown

:: May 2–8: SOMERVILLE,  MA • Somerville Theatre • HELD OVER (May 15)

:: May 2–8: SANTA ANA, CA • The Frida Cinema

:: May 3: HOLLYWOOD,  CA • Egyptian Theatre

:: May 4: ASHBURN, VA • Alamo Drafthouse One Loudoun

:: May 4: LOS ANGELES,  CA • Landmark Regent Theatre

:: May 5–8: EDGEWOOD, PA • Pittsburgh Filmmakers (Regent Square)

:: May 5 & 8: KALAMAZOO, MI • Alamo Drafthouse Kalamazoo

:: May 8: AMBLER, PA • The Ambler Theater

:: May 8: KANSAS CITY, MO • Alamo Drafthouse Mainstreet

:: May 9–10: FAIRFAX, VA • Angelika Mosaic

:: May 9–11: NASHVILLE, TN • The Belcourt • HELD OVER (May 16-17 & 20-22)

:: May 9–11: NEWBERG, OR • 99W Drive-In

:: May 9–11 & 13: LUBBOCK, TX • Alamo Drafthouse Lubbock

:: May 9-15: DALLAS, TX • Angelika Dallas (

:: May 9–15: CHICAGO, IL • Music Box Theatre • HELD OVER (May 22)

:: May 9–15: DENVER, CO • Denver Film Society • HELD OVER (May 22)

:: May 9-15: SANTA FE, NM • Jean Cocteau Cinema • HELD OVER (May 22)

:: May 9–15: FORT COLLINS, CO • Lyric Cinema Cafe

:: May 9–15: ALBANY, NY • The Madison Theater

:: May 9–15: SAN FRANCISCO, CA • Sundance Cinemas Kabuki

:: May 9–15: MENTOR, OH • Atlas Cinemas Great Lakes Stadium 16

:: May 9–15: MINNEAPOLIS, MN • Film Society of Minneapolis/St. Paul

:: May 9–15: PORTLAND, OR • The Bagdad Theatre and Pub

:: May 10–11: YONKERS, NY • Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers

:: May 11–12: MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH • Atlas Cinemas Eastgate 10

:: May 11 & 13: ATLANTA, GA • Landmark Theatres Midtown Art Cinema

:: May 12–13: WICHITA, KS • Warren Theatres Old Town

:: May 12 –14: HOLLYWOOD, CA • ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood

:: May 12–13 & 15: EL SEGUNDO, CA • ArcLight Cinemas Beach Cities

:: May 12–13 & 15: PASADENA, CA • ArcLight Cinemas Pasadena

:: May 12–13 & 15: SAN DIEGO, CA • ArcLight Cinemas La Jolla

:: May 12–14: SHERMAN OAKS, CA • ArcLight Cinemas Sherman Oaks

:: May 13: AUSTIN, TX • Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline

:: May 13–14: ALAMEDA, CA • Alameda Theater & Cineplex*

:: May 14: DOYLESTOWN,  PA • The County Theater

:: May 14: BETHLEHEM, PA • Arts Quest

:: May 15: BOISE, ID • The Flicks

:: May 15: NEW BRAUNFELS, TX • Alamo Drafthouse Marketplace

:: May 15: SAN ANTONIO, TX • Alamo Drafthouse Park North

:: May 15: JENKINTOWN,  PA • The Hiway Theater
(Missing from Rialto's current update)

:: May 16–17: BROOKLYN, NY • Nitehawk Cinema

:: May 16–18: CORAL GABLES, FL • Coral Gables Art Cinema

:: May 23–26 HOUSTON, TX • The Museum of Fine Arts

:: May 28: LEXINGTON, KY • Kentucky Theatre

:: May 30–31: ST. LOUIS, MO • Landmark Theatres Tivoli Theatre

:: May 31–June 1: PORT TOWNSEND, WA • The Rose Theatre

:: May 31, June 2 & 5: BALTIMORE, MD • The Charles

:: June 6 – 12: IOWA CITY, IA • FilmScene

:: June 8: SAN FRANCISCO, CA: The Castro Theatre

:: June 14: QUEENS, NY • Museum of the Moving Image

:: June 14: LOUISVILLE, KY • Baxter Avenue Filmworks

:: June 14 – 15: ATHENS, GA • Ciné Theatre

:: June 17: SAN ANTONIO, TX • Texas Public Radio

:: June 18: BRYN MAWR, PA • Bryn Mawr Film Institute

:: June 18: TUCSON, AZ • The Loft Cinema

:: July 1 – 7: ATLANTA, GA • Plaza Theatre

:: July 4: MADISON, WI • UW Cinematheque

:: July 17: COLUMBUS, OH • Wexner Center for the Arts

:: July 18: BERKELEY, CA • Pacific Film Archive

:: August 1: MILFORD, MI • Kensington Metropark

:: August 1, 3 & 6: OMAHA, NE • Film Streams

:: August 8: SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI • Stony Creek Metropark

:: August 10 & 12: ANN ARBOR, MI • Michigan Theater

:: August 12: SALT LAKE CITY, UT • Utah Film Center

:: August 15: NEW BOSTON, MI • Willow Metropark

:: August 22 & 24: SHELBYVILLE, IN • Skyline Drive-In

:: August 23: VICTORIA, TX • Welder Center for the Performing Arts

:: August 26 & 28: ITHACA, NY • Cornell Cinema

:: September 12: HOLLYWOOD, CA • LA EigaFest

:: October 12 & 18: BLOOMINGTON, IN • Indiana University Cinema

:: October 18: MAITLAND, FL • Enzian Theater

Stay tuned for more dates... And if you don't see your city or town, contact your local theaters and ask them to book the film. Also, the new, paperback edition of my book, EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS on sale May 6th from Chronicle Books — and I'm available to introduce the screenings (with a visual presentation on the making of the film).

Currently, my confirmed appearance dates (as of Monday, May 5th) include May 2nd - 4th (The Hollywood Theater, Portland, OR) and May 13th & 14th (Alameda Theater, Alameda, CA). More dates to be announced — for booking contact us at august [dot] ragone [at] gmail [dot] com!

Composer and lifelong Godzilla fan, John "Dutch" DeSentis will be introducing the screening at the Arts Quest Center in Bethlehem, PA on May 14th, and will take questions after the film. For more information, click here.

More importantly, Gareth Edwards, director of Legendary Pictures' upcoming GODZILLA, hosted the screenings at SXSW in Austin and the TCM Film Festival in Hollywood!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EIJI TSUBURAYA! July 10, 1901-January 25, 1970

円谷英二への誕生日おめでとう!


On the set of MATANGO (1963) with Sadamasa Arikawa on the right.

The “Father of Japanese Special Visual Effects” was born on July 10, 1901 as Eiichi Tsuburaya in the town of Sukagawa, Fukushima. As with his life, even his date of birth is steeped in legend — official sources have often listed that Eiji Tsuburaya was born on July 7th — a date of fortune in the celebration of Tanabata (meaning “Seven Evenings”), a Japanese star festival derived from the Obon (a celebration of ancestors). Tanabata is usually celebrated on July 7th or August 7th, to commemorate the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair).

Tanabata originated from the Chinese Festival to Plead for Skills (Oi Xi), which came to Japan in the Heian Period (795-1192), and spread to the public during the Edo Period (1603-1867), where it was then combined with Obon traditions. From the Edo Period, girls wished for better sewing and craftsmanship skills, while boys wished for better calligraphy skills, by writing wishes on strips of tanzaku paper, which were hung on bamboo trees. This tradition is still practiced today in Japan.

Even if Eiji Tsuburaya was not born on July 7th, the myth of being born on the Tanabata certainly was apt, because Tsuburaya would become famous for his multiple artistic and practical skills, which he had in spades — and eventually, the name Tsuburaya would become world-renown with the production of GODZILLA (1954).

GODZILLA WELCOMES YOU TO TOHO STUDIOS! Giant 60th Anniversary Mural Nears Completion

ゴジラ壁画は60周年のための東宝スタジオの門を守る！


The Big G now looms large over the front gates of Toho Studios...

Joining the ranks of large scale murals of Akira Kurosawa's SEVEN SAMURAI (1954) and Ishiro Honda's MOTHRA (1961) emblazoned across the studio walls of Toho, Godzilla now reigns supreme as it's face — combing forces with his 6'+ counterpart statue holding guard at the gates (also a representation of the popular 1990s-style Big G). Thanks to special effects artist, Kakusei Fujiwara for the image.

THE CONTROLLER WANTS YOU TO CAPITULATE: Buy "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters" Now!

X星人統制官の指令：「円谷英二 怪獣の使い」が今を買う！


WANTED: More Readers Like... THE CONTROLLER OF PLANET X!

The Controller orders all mankind to surrender and buy my book, EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS (Chronicle Books), now on sale across the solar system — including Planet X — and throughout the intergalactic structure, as well. NOW!


Now available in a deluxe paperback edition, amended and updated!

Click here for Plan 2, Item 4, Schedule 5!

SIX DECADES OF MONSTROUS MOVIE POSTERS! Linkenback's "The Art of Japanese Monsters"

 The hardcover edition of this upcoming movie poster collection! 

For over 60 years, Japan has produced an incredible array of science fiction and fantasy films to delight generations of moviegoers. From the King of the Monsters, Godzilla, and the space monster Ghidorah, to the fire-breathing turtle Gamera, and invading armies of aliens. Sean Linkenback's "The Art of Japanese Monsters," gathers them all together, a complete reference guide to Japanese Science Fiction Film Posters from 1954 to present, features 230 pages of original art and advertising materials from 75 different films, and more than 1,000 color photos of items from 20 countries around the globe.

The flip side of the hardcover edition featuring Reynold Brown art!

Independently-published, "The Art of Japanese Monsters" promises to showcase Linkenback's 30-year collection, supplemented with select, rare pieces from fellow international collectors, and boasts to be the most comprehensive compendium of promotional movie materials ever published in any language. Linkenback has also prepared two editions; a hardcover edition for avid collectors and the casual fan, alike, and a limited, deluxe leather-bound edition for the hardcore collector. Below are the details:

Hardcover Edition (1,000 copies): Available though Diamond Comic Distributors, Amazon, and select booksellers. 230 pages. Suggested Retail Price: $59.99. Shipping Date: May 1, 2014 (Amazon lists a May 13, 2014 shipping date).

Leather-bound Deluxe Edition (100 copies): Available only through the official Facebook page, each copy will be hand-bound in heirloom quality leather & 20 additional pages of posters (totaling 250 pages). Comes with an exclusive 8” x 10” print by Hugo Award-winning artist Bob Eggleton (each print autographed by Toho stars Akira Takarada & Haruo Nakajima. Retail Price: $150.00. Shipping Date: June 1, 2014.

Will this new book be the "Graven Images" for Japanese Monster fans? I, for one, am looking forward to it (and hope to review it in the near future). Hopefully, we'll have a kaiju eiga companion for Ron Borst's seminal collection of classic horror movie memorabilia. For more info on "The Art of Japanese Monsters," or to reserve your own copy, visit their official Facebook page.

"GODZILLA" ON SONY BLU-RAYS REVEALED! Full Specs On All Four May 6, 2014 Releases

平成とミレニアムのゴジラ映画は米国Blu-rayに来る!


Blu-ray jacket art courtesy Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Following up on my breaking news of February 28th concerning the details on Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's upcoming Blu-ray releases of their Heisei and Millennium Godzilla titles, which went through several updates over following days and weeks, SPHE has finally issued their specs and cover art via their press release site. As you can see, SPHE is still sticking to their English titles, first issued on VHS and DVD back in the 1990s and early 2000s. Click on the links to go to the Amazon listings:

GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH (1991)
GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA (1992)
2 Discs, MFT (Blu-ray/UltraViolet, ST) • Closed Captioned • Screen Format(s): Anamorphic • Languages: English (US) 5.1/Japanese 5.1, English (US) DS • Subtitles: English (US), French (Parisian) • Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1


Blu-ray jacket art courtesy Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (1993)
GODZILLA VS. SPACE GODZILLA (1994)
2 Discs, MFT (Blu-ray/UltraViolet, ST) • Closed Captioned • Screen Format(s): Anamorphic • Languages: English (US) 5.1/Japanese 5.1, English (US) DS • Subtitles: English (US), French (Parisian) • Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1


Blu-ray jacket art courtesy Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

GODZILLA VS. DESTROYAH (1995)
GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS (2000)
2 Discs, MFT (Blu-ray/UltraViolet, ST) • Closed Captioned • Screen Format(s): Anamorphic • Languages: English (US) 5.1/Japanese 5.1, English (US) DS • Subtitles: English (US), French (Parisian) • Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Destroyah) & 2.35:1 (Megaguirus)


Blu-ray jacket art courtesy Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS (2003)
GODZILLA FINAL WARS (2004)
2 Discs, MFT (Blu-ray/UltraViolet, ST) • Closed Captioned • Screen Format(s): Anamorphic • Languages: English (US) 5.1/Japanese 5.1, English (US) DS • Subtitles: English (US), French (Parisian) • Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

These specs do not mention any special features content, so one shouldn't have any expectations of such. Meanwhile, keen cinephiles and kaiju fans alike will notice the conspicuous absence of previous Sony releases of Takao Okawara's GODZILLA 2000 (1999), Shusuke Kaneko's GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK (2001), and Masaaki Tezuka's GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (2002) from this set of releases. Curious, as Sony Pictures created a US theatrical version of GODZILLA 2000, while GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA is the first of the two-part "Kiryu Saga" which concludes in GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS. And of course, GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK is arguably the best of these latter films in both depth and execution.

Did Sony's rights elapse on some of these errant titles? Or do they have something else planned for them? Only time, and Sony, will tell. For now, stay tuned to this blog as this story develops...

Special thanks to Shawn Francis!

ULTRAMAN KNOWS THE WAY TO SAN JOSE! Satoshi "Bin" Furuya at Big Wow!: May 17 & 18

ウルトラマン＝古谷敏がサンノゼに上陸！5月17・18日！


Satoshi "Bin" Furuya, the once and future protector of the world!

SHUWATCH! Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine is proud to bring back Satoshi "Bin" Furuya to the San Francisco Bay Area to join Mr. Kenpachiro Satsuma for the Big Wow! Comic Fest on May 17th & 18th at the San Jose Convention Center! Starting at Toho Studios in the early 1960s, Mr. Furuya would become one of the greatest super heroes of all time in the visual effects series: ULTRAMAN! For 39 episodes, he captivated audiences as the silver and red alien took on hordes of giant monsters and evil aliens. The 1966 show launched a worldwide franchise spawning numerous sequels and spin-offs over the last 48 years.

Mr. Furuya also appeared from behind the mask as a regular cast member in Tsuburaya Productions' popular follow-up, ULTRA SEVEN (1967), as Agent Amagi, the Ultra Guard's computer expert. He also has small roles in such Toho classics as KING KING VS. GODZILLA (1962), GHIDRAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER (1964), and THE WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (1966). He left acting in the 1970s to start a talent and stunt group, Bin Promotions, but has recently returned to make cameos in such genre films as the kaiju comedy MONSTER X STRIKES BACK: ATTACK THE G-8 SUMMIT (2008).

Appearing alongside Mr. Satsuma and Mr. Furuya, I will be hosting and moderating their presentations (to be announced), as well as signing the new paperback edition of my book, "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters" (Chronicle Books) at the event on both days!

Stay tuned for more details on the show, guests, and more by checking out their website: Big Wow! Comics Fest!

GODZILLA KNOWS THE WAY TO SAN JOSE! Kenpachiro Satsuma at Big Wow!: May 17 & 18

ゴジラ＝薩摩剣八郎がサンノゼに上陸！5月17・18日！


Mr. Satsuma will be appearing in Nor Cal for the first time this May!

This spring, Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine brings Godzilla to San Jose's Big Wow! Comic Fest on May 17th & 18th! KENPACHIRO SATSUMA will be flying into the San Francisco Bay Area to meet fans and sign autographs as part of the Famous Monsters Pavilion at this year's show! One of the most famous of the "Men In Suits" actors,  Mr. Satsuma was featured in several Toshiro Mifune productions, before cutting his teen in the kaiju eiga where he played the Smog Monster in GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER (1971) and Gigan in GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (1972), and again in GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (1973).

Taking over the reigns from Mr. Haruo Nakajima, the original Godzilla suit actor, Mr. Satsuma went on to play the titular role of the Big G in RETURN OF GODZILLA (1984) through GODZILLA VS. DESTROYAH (1995), and he even did a little suit acting on television during the '70s as well, under his former stage name — "Kengo Nakayama." Appearing alongside Mr. Satsuma, I will be moderating and hosting his presentations (to be announced), as well as signing the new paperback edition of my book, "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters" (Chronicle Books) at the San Jose Convention Center!

Stay tuned for more details on the show, guests, and more by checking out their website: Big Wow! Comics Fest!

SONY UNLEASHING HEISEI & MILLENNIUM BIG Gs! Double Feature Blu-rays Are "Go" for May 6th

平成とミレニアムのゴジラ映画は米国Blu-rayに来る!


Original theatrical poster for GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH (1991).

UPDATED (Tuesday, March 4th): The "rumor" I posted on Friday, February 28th, that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will be issuing four double-feature Blu-ray releases of their Heisei and Millennium Godzilla titles on May 6th is spot-on! All of the titles, below, have now appeared on Amazon.com on March 1st. SPHE is taking advantage of the frenzy created by the release of the upcoming Gareth Edwards re-imagining of the original creature feature opening on May 16th.

On Monday, March 3rd, the first Amazon.com listings were changed from DVD (as reported on March 1st), to Blu-ray — as per the original story I posted on February 28th, according to an industry insider. Also intimated by an insider at SHPE that these will be a significant upgrade from previous, barebones DVD releases (Amazon, as of today, is currently listing specs as "AC-3, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen"). No doubt that these will be subject to change.

And now, they have:

On Tuesday, March 4th, these specs appeared on the listing for the double feature of GODZILLA FINAL WARS & GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS at Movies Unlimited, indicating (as per my original informant) that this will be a two-disc set. The specs listed include Widescreen, Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1, English Dolby Digital 5.1, English (SDH) and French Subtitles. All of the details originally leaked to me have now been confirmed, so I am now posting it (but we'll have to wait and see if the originally-reported UltraViolent Digital Copies also materialize).

The unchanging MSRP for each of these double features is $19.95. According to an anonymous source this past Friday, these are the titles dropping, which are all still currently listed on Amazon:

GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH (1991) & GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA (1992), GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II (1993) & GODZILLA VS. SPACE GODZILLA (1994), GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH (1995) & GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS (2000), GODZILLA FINAL WARS (2004) & GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS (2003).

Conspicuously missing are GODZILLA 2000 (1999), GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK (2001), and GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (2002). It's unknown at this time if these will follow — I'll keep checking on sources... Stay tuned! But for now, in the words of the immortal Henry Silva, "NOT bullshit!"


Henry Silva says, "I can safely say that this story is NOT bullshit!"

DEAD MONSTER DISPOSAL IN "DAY OF THE KAIJU" New, Independent Film by Kazuhiro Nakagawa!

新世紀怪獣映画『怪獣の日』!

"Haruo, I really think we're going to need a bigger dump truck..."

DAY OF THE KAIJU (Kaiju-no Hi) is a new, independent film produced in the town of Hinode, located in Nishitama District, Tokyo City. From town's official website: "In previous monster movies, Godzilla was created as an anti-nuclear metaphor to bring attention of social issues. In this production, the monster is a symbol of the radioactive waste from nuclear power plants."

The story begins following a giant monster landing at Ogasawara Island, which disappears into the sea from moral wounds inflicted by the Self-Defense Forces. Currents eventually wash the carcass onto the beach of a small town, and the film depicts the events in the aftermath of such an event...

DAY OF THE KAIJU was written and directed by Kazuhiro Nakagawa.

Check out the first trailer, below:

THE KRAKEN RELEASES "GODZILLA" ON BLU-RAY 3 Classics Being Readied for the Big G's 60th!

三大昭和ゴジラ映画は、2014年に米国のBDに来て！

Toho International poster for GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER.

Houston-based Section23 Films is on a roll... the aggressive company formed out of the ashes of ADV Films, with its various niche labels, including Sentai Filmworks (tackling classic anime titles such as GATCHAMAN and CASSHAN), are moving into the realm of live action films and tokusatsu eiga (Japanese Visual Effects films) with their newest label, Kraken Releasing — focusing on titles for mainstream audiences. Their first target: Godzilla. Just in time for the 60th Anniversary, Kraken has announced that they have licensed three very disparate Godzilla titles for DVD and BD (Blu-ray) release — their press release (dated January 21, 2014) only discusses the titles acquired: EBIRAH, HORROR OF THE DEEP, GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH and GODZILLA VS. GIGAN. No further details — print sources, special features, street dates, MSRP, etc. — were made available.

Classic collage still from GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER (1966).

Here's their press release: 1967 may have been the Summer of Love, but 2014 will be the Summer of Godzilla, and Kraken Releasing is spreading the kaiju (giant monster) goodness with the first US Blu-ray release of three classic films featuring the world's most famous giant reptile. Also available on DVD, and including both the English dubbed and original Japanese versions with English subtitles, these are three of the big G's wildest adventures ever and showcase why, sixty years after his atomic birth at Japan's Toho Studios, Godzilla is still one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry!


Original Polish release poster for GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (1971).

The fun begins as 1971's GODZILLA VS. HEODRAH, released theatrically in the US in 1972 as GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER, pits Godzilla against the forces of pollution in the form of a constantly mutating, acid-spewing behemoth from outer space. With eye-popping 1970's “mod” costumes, hairstyles and psychedelic visuals that include conventional cel animation alongside the special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano, GODZILLA VS. HEODRAH director Yoshimitsu Banno's ecologically focused take on the world's greatest monster is easily one of the most unique films in the series and required viewing for any giant monster fan or cult film enthusiast.


Keiko Mari and Toshio Shibamoto in GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (1971).

What happens when three major movie monsters slam dance in the South Seas? The answer is 1966's EBIRAH, HORROR OF THE DEEP  originally released in the US in 1968 under the title GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER. Pairing Godzilla and another of Toho's most popular kaiju, the giant moth Mothra, against a wide variety of adversaries, including the titular sea monster, giant birds and a mysterious terrorist organization, the wet and wild widescreen spectacular was directed by Jun Fukuda.


Original Japanese release poster for GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (1972).

Finally, 1972's GODZILLA VS. GIGAN ups the giant monster ante once again with a series of tag team battles featuring four classic kaiju. Released theatrically in the United States in 1977 as GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND and again directed by Jun Fukuda with special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano, the film unites Godzilla and spiny ally Anguirus against two of the series' most popular opponents: the three headed monster King Ghidorah and the new alien cyborg Gigan.


The redoubtable Yuriko Hishimi in GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (1972).

At this time, all we can ascertain from their press release is the order the films will be released, with HEDORAH streeting first — that is, unless all three will street simultaneously. Looking at these titles begs the question, were these conscious picks by Kraken — or were the other films unavailable because they were already licensed? We do know that Classic Media still has all of theirs (and that they sub-licensed GODZILLA and GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS to the Criterion Collection). So, what's in store for the remaining Godzilla titles on DVD/BD during the 60th Anniversary, especially with the obvious opportunity to capitalize on the massive hype surrounding the upcoming Legendary Pictures-Warner Bros epic? For that, true believers, we must escape into the future; into that dimension we have never seen. Join me for more details as they develop!

PATLABOR: THE NEXT GENERATION (2014) The Legendary Anime Series Goes Live!

2014.4.5 この現実＜リアル＞に参加せよ

The just-unveiled advance poster for THE NEXT GENERATION!

Originating in the late 1980s, MOBILE POLICE: PATLABOR, is a long-running animated series created by a collective calling themselves Headgear, consisting of director Mamoru Oshii (GHOST IN THE SHELL), writer Kazunori Ito (GAMERA 2), mecha designer Yutaka Izubuchi (YAMATO: 2199), character designer Akemi Takada (GATCHAMAN), and manga artist Masami Yuki (BIRDY THE MIGHTY). The extremely popular story has spawned several OVAs, television series, feature films, and manga, centering on the exploits of Tokyo Metropolitan Police Special Vehicle Section 2, Division 2 — which use the titular Patrol/Labor robots against crime and terrorism. Now, these beloved characters will come to life in an all-new series of live action films, which take place in 2013, several years after the original PATLABOR adventures took place.

Initial teaser poster unveiled earlier this year at the Anime Fair.

During the Tokyo International Anime Fair on March 21, 2013 at the, Tohokushinsha Co. Ltd., made the announcement of a live action PATLABOR: THE NEXT GENERATION for 2014, which was followed by a press conference streamed over the Nico Nico Live website on September 25, 2013. In a similar distribution style to SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199, there will be seven theatrical films released through Shochiku, made up of twelve 48-minute episodes, plus a ten-minute prologue (Episode Zero), commencing on April 5, 2013 in six-week intervals (May 31, July 12, August 30, October 18, November 29, and January 1). While the cast and crew have been announced, there has yet been no listing for a visual effects director.

Crew prepping to shoot one of the full-scale Ingram AV-98 props.

Produced on a budget of ¥2 billion (approximately $19,222,000 USD), PATLABOR: THE NEXT GENERATION began shooting in June 2013 under the watchful eye of Supervising Director Oshii, who also wrote all of the episodes with Kei Yamamura (THE IRRESPONSIBLE CAPTAIN TYLOR), while individual episodes are being helmed by Oshii (directing 0, 6, & 12), Takanori Tsujimoto (BUSHIDO MAN) directs 2, 4, & 8, Kiyotaka Taguchi (NEO ULTRA Q) directs 9 & 10, and Hiroaki Yuasa (MOON) directs 3, 5, & 11. And fans can rejoice that the original PATLABOR composer, Kenji Kawai (GUNHED), is also returning for this new production. To insure realism, two impressive, full scale AV-98 Type Ingram Labors, standing a full 8 meters tall (approximately 27 feet), along with their heavy towing equipment, built for in-camera interaction with the cast.

Director Oshii (far right) with the main cast of the new PATLABOR.

Actress and singer Erina Mano (KAMEN RIDER × KAMEN RIDER WIZARD & FOURZE: MOVIE WAR ULTIMATUM) headlines as Akira Izumino (taken from Oishii’s “parallel world” Patlabor novel published in 2011), Seiji Fukushi (ASK THIS OF RIKYU) as Yuma Shinobara, Rina Ota (BRAIN MAN) as Kasha, Toshio Kakei (BAYSIDE SHADOWN: THE FINAL) as Captain Keiji Gotoda, Shigeru Chiba (DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS) reprises his role as Maintenance Chief Shigeo Shiba, and Yoshikatsu Fujiki (KAMEN RIDER BLACK-RX) as Yoshikatsu Buchiyama. Principal Photography on PATLABOR: THE NEXT GENERATION is set to wrap this month. Additionally, an all-original live action feature film, written and directed by Oshii (with a running time of 100 minutes), will follow during the Golden Week holiday in 2015.

Watch the first teaser trailer, here!

Please visit the official Japanese website, here!

Stateside fans can also catch up on the phenomenon as US-based anime label, Maiden Japan recently scored the license for the animated MOBILE POLICE: PATLABOR television and OVA series — check out their website, here!