Godzilla To Star In New Universal Studios Japan Attraction

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Godzilla in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since Toho Studios in the Setagaya district of Tokyo is a 100% working studio with no rides, tours or attractions (except for the Godzilla and Seven Samurai murals and the Godzilla statue, what would be the next best thing?

According to Malay Mail Online:

TOKYO, Aug 2 — Universal Studios Japan has revealed an all-new, 4D attraction set to debut at next year’s “Universal Cool Japan 2017” event, which will bring the Japanese legend of “Godzilla” to life. 

The Osaka-based resort revealed yesterday, August 1 that it will debut the multi-sensory experience “Godzilla: The Real 4D” early next year (at a date to be announced later), while the Universal Cool Japan 2017 event kicks off January 13, 2017. 

The attraction, based on the hit franchise, will see guests personally confront a giant, 118.5-meter-tall “Godzilla” rampaging through the city.

To read more, go here.

Osaka Sees Record Visitors In Fiscal 2015

by Armand Vaquer

Osaka Castle is best-known to Godzilla fans as the final battle site between Godzilla and Anguirus in Godzilla Raids Again (1955) (a.k.a. Gigantis The Fire Monster).

It appears Denise, Aiden and I added to the record number of visitors to Osaka Castle last October, in our small way. 

Kyodo News reported:

The number of visitors to Osaka Castle in western Japan has set a new record in fiscal 2015 mainly due to a rise in foreign visitors, its operator said Monday. 

The previous record was 2,124,790 people set in fiscal 1983, when an event was held to mark the 400th anniversary of the original castle's construction. The number of visitors surpassed the previous record Saturday ahead of the current fiscal year's end on March 31, the operator said.

Above, Denise and Aiden in front of Osaka Castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

"Godzilla vs. Biollante" Coming December 4

by Armand Vaquer

Since the late 1990s, whenever I wanted to watch Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989), my only recourse was to pop in the HBO VHS tape.  It has some of the silliest dialog in a modern Godzilla movie ("Godziller" and "Eggs is eggs").

That's about to change as Godzilla vs. Biollante is about to be released on DVD ($6.99) and Blu-ray ($14.99) by Echo Bridge on December 4.

Godzilla vs. Biollante is the follow-up to Return of Godzilla (1984) (a.k.a., Godzilla 1985 (1985)).  In the previous movie, our hero fell into the cauldron of Mt. Mihara on Oshima Island.  In Biollante, he is released from his confinement and goes on a rampage into Osaka, Japan.  Meanwhile, a grieving scientist mixes cells from a rose bush, his late daughter and Godzilla to create (unintentionally) a giant plant monster.

The movie also introduces psychic Miki Saegusa (Megumi Odaka) into the series.

Godzilla vs. Biollante contains the best special effects work done by Koichi Kawakita in the Godzilla series (in my humble opinion). It is one of the better Godzilla movies of the second (or Heisei) series, although the pacing is a bit plodding.

My grade:  B+.