"Managing Godzilla" by Shogo Tomiyama

by Armand Vaquer

Above, the cover to "Managing Godzilla" by Shogo Tomiyama. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last Tuesday night, when I threw the little dinner party atop of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, several of my guests brought along gifts.

One of which was a book written by and published this year by former Toho Pictures President Shogo Tomiyama.

Above, the Imperial Hotel dinner group. Shogo Tomiyama is second from right. 

Mr. Tomiyama brought an autographed copy of his book, "Managing Godzilla". It is in Japanese, but it is loaded with behind-the-scenes photographs from his years as producer (picking up the torch from Tomoyuki Tanaka) and president of Toho Pictures. This is a book that all Godzilla fans should include in their collections!

It contains 288 pages and is in paperback. Cover price: 2,300 yen.

Above, the autograph. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It can be obtained through www.kadokawa.co.jp/. The ISBN is 978-4-04-869000-3.

At the dinner, I thumbed through the book and marveled at the photographs. I received a good laugh from the dinner group when I mentioned that even though the text is in Japanese, "the pictures are in English."

I had planned to bring along a copy of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan for Mr. Tomiyama, but in the rush to get to the dinner, I forgot to bring it. I mailed a copy to Mr. Tomiyama the next day.

Godzilla Gets Official Residency Papers

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Godzilla news story on Fox News. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The new Godzilla head atop the Toho Cinemas Kabukicho/Hotel Gracery Shinjuku entertainment complex was newsworthy. Godzilla being named tourism ambassador for Shinjuku was also newsworthy.

Now, Godzilla has been named an official resident of the Shinjuku district. What's more, you can obtain a copy of the official document naming Godzilla as a resident. I guess that, too, is also newsworthy.

RocketNews 24 reported:

You could make a long list about all the ways Japan is uniquely awesome (and as a matter of fact, we just did), but it’s not like every aspect of life in Japan is more enjoyable than in other countries. For example, taking care of paperwork at city hall or other government facilities is as boring as it is anywhere else in the world. 

So why is it that this week people have been voluntarily visiting the Shinjuku ward office in the heart of Tokyo? Because they want to get a copy of the official residency document of the district’s newest resident, Godzilla!

All you Godzilla artifacts collectors will want to head over to Shinjuku to get yourself a copy! Otherwise, your collection will not be complete without this very important document!

To read more, go here.

Metropolis Magazine's "Godzilla Issue"

Above, the cover.

By Armand Vaquer


Metropolis magazine's "Godzilla issue" is now out on the stands throughout Tokyo and other parts of Japan. Legendary Pictures/ Warner Bros. Godzilla is opening tomorrow in theaters in Japan. Godzilla's parent company, Toho Co., Ltd. is distributing.

Fortunately, you don't have to fly to Japan to see it. It is available on the official website of Metropolis in .pdf.

To save you time from digging around, here's the link to the .pdf.

Metropolis is a free magazine and is available throughout Tokyo, Japan. I have seen it at convenience stores, train & subway stations, restaurants and even at Narita International Airport.

My portion of the issue:

"It was so cold in Tokyo..."

...that Godzilla had to put on his gloves."

Above, Masaharu Ina of Toho Cinemas and Armand Vaquer at the Godzilla statue in Hibiya.

(A nod to the great Johnny Carson.)

"City of Monsters" Video

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Tokyo Tower is just one of the landmarks spotlighted in a new video. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The SciFi Japan TV guys have produced a very good (about ten minutes long) video on seeing Tokyo "through the eyes of Godzilla" that was just posted yesterday on YouTube entitled, "City of Monsters."

Here's what they say:

SciFi Japan takes you on a tour of Tokyo through the eyes of Godzilla! 

No other districts of Tokyo have felt Godzilla's wrath as much as Ginza, Nagatacho, Shinagawa, and Odaiba. Join us to see the sights and discover the history of Godzilla's favorite stomping grounds!

Most of the places shown are spotlighted in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan with information on how to get to them.

To view the video at YouTube, go here.

"Space Battleship Yamato" To Be Shown In Theaters In October

by Armand Vaquer

Eleven Arts has announced that Space Battleship Yamato (2010) will have a limited theatrical engagement starting in October. The movie will begin playing in Los Angeles and will make its way around the country in selected theaters.

 I saw Space Battleship Yamato in December 2010 at the Toho Cinemas Nichigeki Theaters in the Yurakucho Mullion Building in Tokyo and have a subtitled copy on DVD.

Above, "Space Battleship Yamato" poster at the Yurakucho 
 Mullion Building in Tokyo.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

About Eleven Arts:

ELEVEN ARTS, Inc. is a company dedicated to the sales and distribution of high quality films. Specializing in Japanese and Asian films, we serve as a bridge connecting films to audiences around the world. ELEVEN ARTS is expanding into the field of production, a move that will allow us to be more active in the pursuit of our goal of bringing great films to our audiences. We are based in Los Angeles.

If you haven't seen Space Battleship Yamato on the big screen, you're in for a treat!

For more, go here.

Kaiju Movie Locations Slideshow June 17

by Armand Vaquer

Above, the Shibuya 109 building that was destroyed by Gamera and Megaguirus.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has just been confirmed that I will be giving a slideshow presentation on visiting the landmarks and locations used in Japanese monster movies on Monday, June 17 at 7:30 PM at Distant Lands, 20 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, California 91105.

I will discuss the locations/landmarks in Japan that were demolished by Godzilla, Rodan, Gamera and others and how to reach them.  And, I will also discuss other monster-related sites in Japan, including the Godzilla statue in the Hibiya section of Tokyo and the 9 meter tall (about 30 feet) Godzilla slide in Yokosuka.

About Distant Lands:

Since 1989, Distant Lands has been serving the needs of travelers, whether they are bound for a trekking expedition to Tibet or a relaxing weekend in Santa Barbara. Started by Adrian Kalvinskas, Distant Lands grew out of his love for travel. From an early age, Adrian followed his mother Louanne on her adventures around the globe, from Morocco to Australia, and to many places in between. Drawing on these experiences, Adrian created Distant Lands--A Traveler's Bookstore, to equip travelers with information and skills to make travel easier and more enjoyable. 

Since opening its doors, Distant Lands has quadrupled its inventory, but has not lost its focus. An atmosphere conducive to browsing and the love of travel are paramount, as is the depth and breadth of its selection. The aim at Distant Lands is to give the traveler the most complete selection of books and maps in an atmosphere that encourages wanderlust. 

In 1995, Distant Lands Travel Outfitters opened, giving the traveling public access to the very best travel accessories, clothing, luggage and travel packs available. Durability, functionality and usefulness to travelers of all descriptions determine the items found at Distant Lands. The result is a one-stop resource center for the serious traveler. 

Today, Distant Lands Travel Bookstore and Outfitters strive to be the best source for travelers, with a knowledgeable staff, informative programs, selection and the willingness to go the extra mile.

Admission is free!  C'mon down!

First International Comic Festa To Include Foreign Comics Creators

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Spider-Man scales a Harajuku building.  His parent company is participating in the Int. Comic Festa.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you are a comic book creator (artist, writer, publisher, etc.) and have a "yen" to visit Japan, here's your opportunity to visit the land of Godzilla!

The Asahi Shimbun reported:

The executive committee of the first International Comic Festa revealed details of the Nov. 18 event in Tokyo, including speeches by internationally acclaimed artists. 

The event, which will be held at Tokyo's Big Sight convention center, will bring together comic books from Europe, East Asia and North America, including "bande dessinee" (BD) comics for French and Belgian readers. It will be the first event of its kind in Japan. 

Four major BD publishers from France and Belgium will join the event, as well as the largest U.S. comic publisher, Marvel Entertainment LLC. In addition, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co. and other Japanese publishers of translated comic books will participate.

As the above indicated, this is the first International Comic Festa (short for festival) to be held in Tokyo, Japan.

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Besides having a good excuse to visit Japan, comic book creators just might be able to write off the trip on their tax returns (I was able to write off much of my 2010 trip to Japan as the Tokyo portion of it was promoting The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan).

Maybe is your chance to visit the Land of Godzilla and get a tax write-off to boot!

To read the full article, go here.

"TOKUSATSU--Special Effects Museum"

A new exhibit on tokusatsu miniatures is opening in Tokyo on July 10. The Daily Yomiuri reported:

For decades, children have been enthralled by science fiction and superhero films and TV series, such as Godzilla, Ultraman, Gamera and Chikyu Boeigun (Global defense force), which are produced using "tokusatsu," a Japanese special effect that involves filming miniatures. 

This technique will be showcased in the exhibition, TOKUSATSU--Special Effects Museum, which will open Tuesday in Tokyo. 

Hideaki Anno, 52, who directed the anime series Evangelion, is the exhibition's curator. 

Anno took up this role because he loved tokusatsu movies as a child. Before his professional debut, he directed and acted in the amateur film Kaettekita Ultraman (Ultraman Returns). He wanted to create the exhibition to draw attention to tokusatsu, which is suffering due to the popularity of more advanced methods of filming special effects. 

"Tokusatsu is being replaced by computer graphics, which means the filming technique using miniatures is in decline," Anno said. 

His concern is backed by the loss and destruction of miniatures that were made for older films and TV series. 

"The miniatures are only used when the movies and TV series are filmed." Anno said. "So they are not repaired when they break, and some are simply thrown away." 

He created the exhibition based on his fear that it could be the last opportunity to collect a vast array of miniatures. 

The exhibit features about 500 items used in the filming of tokusatsu movies and TV series that had a huge influence on Anno. 

"TOKUSATSU--Special Effects Museum"runs from July 10 through Oct. 8 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in Koto Ward. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed July 9, 17, 23, and 30; Aug. 6 and 27; and Sept. 3, 10 and 18. 

Admission: 1,400 yen for adults, 900 yen for middle and high school students, 400 yen for primary school students and free for younger children.

To read more, go here.

Get A Gundam Hotel Room!

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Armand on the Gundam Lift at the Bandai Museum.

Fans of Gundam characters can now get a hotel room decorated in a Gundam motif. The Japan Times reported:

Grand Pacific Le Daiba, a hotel in Minato Ward, Tokyo, will be offering three guest rooms starting Friday with interior decorations featuring characters from the popular "Mobile Suit Gundam" animated series. Gundam Front Tokyo, which features a huge, life-size Gundam statue and a museum, opened April 19 in the neighborhood and has turned out to be a popular attraction. The hotel's campaign is part of an effort in the area to take advantage of Gundam's popularity.

For more, go here.

Shopping For Toys In Tokyo

by Armand Vaquer

Above, the entrance to the Broadway Mall in the Nakano section of Tokyo.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the things that attracts fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies to Japan is to fill in gaps in their collections of character toys and movie memorabilia.

There are two sections of Tokyo that are my favorite sources for collectibles.

The Nakano section of Tokyo is one major source for monster goods.  Near Nakano's JR Chuo Line station (north exit) is the Broadway Mall.  In the mall (in the upper floors) are several stores of Mandarake.  Each store specializes in genre collectibles.  One store would specialize in manga.  Another would specialize in toy collectibles.  I last went there in December 2010 and purchased a porcelain figure of "Nipper," the RCA Victor dog ("His Master's Voice").

Over the years, I've made many purchases of Godzilla and Gamera-related toys at Mandarake.  (See page 26 in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.)

Also, the Broadway Mall (third floor) has another store that specializes in kaiju toys and collectibles, Robot Robot.  Both Robot Robot and Mandarake sell used as well as new toys.

More recently, I found a toy store right on Nakamise Street in Asakusa that sells kaiju collectibles.  And, on a side street off of Nakamise Street, is another toy store where I've purchased kaiju toys.  It is right next door to a McDonalds restaurant (photo below), which makes finding it easy.

The nice thing about purchasing kaiju toys in Japan is that the prices are reasonable, whereas, U.S. importers greatly jack-up the prices.  There are other places in Tokyo where fans can buy collectibles.  Akihabara is a mecca for otaku.

For Ultraman collectibles, the Rox department store in Asakusa is the place to go.  A statue of Ultraman stands at the store's entrance (photo below).

And, in the Setagaya district of Tokyo, Ultraman goods can be found at the Ultraman Shopping District (Ultraman characters adorn storefronts and lamposts). See page 22 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

For more information on the Broadway Mall, go here.

"Space Battleship Yamato" In New York

by Armand Vaquer

During my December 2010 trip to Japan,  I was able to see Space Battleship Yamato in Tokyo at the Toho Cinemas Nichigeki in the Yurakucho Mullion Building (above photo).

You won't have to travel that far next month as it will be the closing feature at the Japan Society's Japan Cuts 2012 Film Festival on July 28 at 9:00 PM in New York.

The landmark 1974 animated series Space Battleship Yamato finally gets
a live-action treatment from director Takashi Yamazaki! In the year 2199, earth
has become a wasteland after five years of radiation attacks from an unseen
alien enemy called the Gamilons. One of the survivors is Kodai Susumu (Kimura
Takuya), who picks up a mysterious device one day while hunting for scrap metal.
After discovering a map to a planet inside the device, the military sends out
its last battleship--the Yamato-- in the hopes that it'll be the key to
save humanity. Kodai joins the Yamato crew and quickly proves to be a worthy
team member. With only a year left before the end of earth, what will the Yamato
crew find at the end of their long and perilous journey? One of the
highest-grossing Japanese films of all time, Space Battleship Yamato is
a sci-fi spectacular for audiences of all ages. 

Japan. 2010. 137 min., 35mm, in Japanese with English subtitles. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki.  With Takuya Kimura, Meisa Kuroki, Toshiro Yanagiba.

For ticket information, go here.

Power Rangers/Tokusatsu Bar Opening In Tokyo

by Armand Vaquer

If you were a kid in the 1990s or had a kid in the 1990s, chances are the family television set was tuned to The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

I have to confess,  my daughter Amber was a fan of the show and I watched it with her.  Now, she and others of her age group have gone on to other things in life.  Still (or maybe), she and others have a fondness for the old show.  I have some good news for them.

International Business Times is reporting that a former actor in the show is opening a bar in Tokyo with show memorabilia on display.

According to the article:

Former Power Ranger actor Masaru Shishido is opening a "tokusatsu bar" in Tokyo where clichéd memorabilia and alcohol will unite under one roof, according to Kotaku. The literal translation for the term "tokusatsu" is "special filming," and this usually refers to television shows or movies featuring superheroes and monsters.  The tokusatsu-themed bar will do more than simply pay homage to the Power Rangers series; it will highlight the entire superhero-oriented genre.

Shishido played the role of OhRed, the leader of Chouriki Sentai Ohranger. For those English-speaking Power Ranger fans, this means he played the equivalent of the Red Ranger in the Japanese version, which was known as "Super Sentai." Footage from this series was localized in the "Power Rangers Zeo" series that aired in the U.S. in 1996.  

To read the full article, go here.

"50 Reasons Why Tokyo Is The Greatest City In The World"

by Armand Vaquer

Above, the Tsukiji Fish Market. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along with the Wako Department Store in Ginza, the National Diet Building, the Yurakucho Mullion complex and other kaiju-related sites featured in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, Tokyo has other things for travelers to see and do.

CNN Go.com has a list of "50 Reasons Why Tokyo Is The Greatest City In The World."

Included on the list are the railways, Tokyo Sky Tree, Shibuya Crossing (featured in Godzilla and Gamera movies), Imperial Palace, Yodobashi Akiba (and other Akihabara electronics stores), Tsukiji Fish Market, Mandarake Complex, manga-kissa (or "comics café") and many others.

The Godzilla statue in Hibiya made the list:

34. Behold the least impressive statue of a giant monster

Standing in the shadow of the film company that unleashed Godzilla on the world, this bronze effigy of the giant creature in Hibiya park towers a whopping ... half-meter high. We suppose a life-sized 70-meter version would have been prohibitive, but half a meter? At least the pedestal raises it above eye level.

At least there's the man-sized Godzilla statue at Toho Studios to savor if the one in Hibiya doesn't impress.

To view the list, go here.

Gundam Front Tokyo Opening April 19

by Armand Vaquer


There's a new theme park opening in Tokyo. It's called Gundam Front Tokyo.

According to the Japan Times:

A theme park featuring popular "anime" series "Mobile Suit Gundam" will open on April 19 in Tokyo's Odaiba district.

According to Bandai Co., the new theme park, named Gundam Front Tokyo, will have a huge dome-shaped screen showing images of Gundam, the venerated fighting robot in the popular series, and rare documents related to the series' production will be on display.

The most "Gundam" I've ever done was to pose in a Gundam uniform on the Gundam Lift at the old Bandai Museum (below).



To read the full article, go here.

10th Anniversary of First Japan Trip

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Armand with the Godzilla statue in Hibiya. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

Ten years ago this coming Halloween (October 31), I arrived at the United Airlines Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) terminal for my first trip to Japan. Up to that point, my only "foreign" travels consisted of automotive crossings of the Canadian and Mexican borders from the United States.

October 31 of 2001 was an uneasy time. The September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. were still fresh in peoples' minds. The National Guard posted armed (some say the rifles weren't loaded) guardsmen in airport terminals around the country. LAX was no exception. Security was (and still is) extremely tight at airports.

Above, Richard and Armand with Haruo Nakajima at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

But, I wasn't about to let this heightened security stop me from making my first overseas visit to another country, even though my mother really didn't want me to go. As Japan is 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles time, I arrived at Narita Airport on November 1 (the International Dateline is crossed in the mid-Pacific).

The year before, fellow G-fan Richard Pusateri took a trip to Japan to see Godzilla x Megaguirus. After hearing his tales of adventure and grand time he had upon his return, I got the urge to go to Japan myself. Luckily, I was working as a temp at a Farmers Insurance claims office and security patrol at the time, so I was able to afford a Japan trip. All I had to do was to get a U.S. Passport, plane ticket and hotel reservations. In rapid order, all were obtained.


The 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival was featuring the premiere of Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-out Attack on November 3. So, I decided to time my visit for that. As it happened, Richard was also planning to attend and we met several times at Chili My Soul in Encino to plan the trip. At least I would know somebody while there (other familiar names and faces were also there, it turned out).

Since I was writing for G-FAN at the time, I was also able to obtain a press pass for the Godzilla screening. This allowed me access to the stage for the pre-movie festivities (below).


Following the movie, Richard and I rubbed shoulders with Haruo Nakajima, Hideyo Amamoto, Shogo Tomiyama and others.

Above, Godzilla prop at Toho Studios. Mothra rests nearby on a shelf. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

I was invited to take a V.I.P. tour at Toho Studios while in Japan and was able to invite Richard along. Fortunately, 2001 wasn't 2005, when Toho began demolishing the big pool and several of their old sound stages and facilities, so we were able to see the studio as it was when Eiji Tsuburaya and Ishiro Honda were making movies. One of the things we were greatly impressed with was Toho's old snack bar. It was like stepping back 40+ years in time. Unfortunately, the snack bar is now history. We were shown the studio by Executive Producer Shogo Tomiyama, spfx director Koichi Kawakita and Shozo Watanabe of Toho International following lunch in Hibiya.

For my first visit to Japan, I decided to stay at a ryokan (Japanese inn) to see what it would be like. It was an enjoyable experience (plus the room was cheaper in price). The ryokan was the Hotel Fukudaya in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo. The Tokyo International Film Festival would be screening the Godzilla movie at Orchard Hall in the Bunkamura in Shibuya, within walking distance.

Above, Godzilla entertains attendees of the film festival. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Hotel Fukudaya was also a couple of blocks away from a Denny's Restaurant (it was a surprise seeing Denny's in Japan). While I like Japanese food, I prefer to have a western-style breakfast. Denny's came in handy for that.

Above, Atami, Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My wanderings in Tokyo on that first trip included Ginza, Hibiya, the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, the National Diet Building, Harajuku, Zojo-ji Temple, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Nakano (where I bought a few things from the Mandarake store). Outside of Tokyo, I visited Atami and some areas near Mt. Fuji. After all, I just had to include some Shinkansen (bullet train) traveling experience on the trip!

I also visited the HMV video and record store in Shibuya to see the Godzilla and Baragon filming suits from GMK on display.

One thing that was not planned was a 24-hour flu bug I caught. Thank goodness it only affected roughtly one day of the trip. Since then, I make sure I take Vitamin C tablets every day for about two weeks before a trip and continue taking them during the trip. (I have been back to Japan five more times and have not gotten sick since I started the Vitamin C regimen. This is a word to the wise!)

Above, with Shogo Tomiyama (far left) and Koichi Kawakita (far right) at Toho Studios. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

Besides the jaunts around Tokyo, Mt. Fuji and Atami, I attended an after-premiere dinner party at a Chinese restaurant in Nakano that included Kenpachiro Satsuma and Hiroko Sakurai. It was interesting riding shotgun in a taxi on a rainy night as the driver zig-zagged through traffic (Japanese cars have the driver on the right, just as in England) on Tokyo's side streets to get to the dinner party.

Above, the Nijubashi Bridge at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This was the trip that started me on the kaiju location article series for G-FAN and, eventually, The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

For me, it was a memorable trip and a highly enjoyable one. I decided then that I would re-visit Japan as often as time (and the ol' wallet) will allow. It is hard to believe that ten years has already passed since this trip. The next time I traveled to Japan was with the first G-TOUR in August 2004. I've returned there four more times (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010).

Web Radio Interview From "Old Town" Tokyo In The Works

by Armand Vaquer


The Visit Japan article on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan has caught the attention of the Tokyo-Edo Radio Project.

I am currently discussing a proposed interview with Hans Karlsson of Tokyo-Edo Radio Project and working on setting up a "warm-up" interview session before we do the actual interview.

The Tokyo-Edo Radio Project is based in Asakusa, Tokyo. According to Karlsson, "We have a radio show at http://tokyoedoradio.org/, covering Tokyo, including tourism issues."

Once things are finalized, an announcement will be made on the date and time so you can tune in. From what I gather from their website, the program can be accessed from there or via iTunes. I will report on any additional access information once it is received.

5 Years Since "Gamera The Brave"

by Armand Vaquer

Above, the Tokyo premiere of "Gamera The Brave." I am in the center waiting to get into the theater. This is a screen capture from the Region 2 DVD.

Following the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, my concern and concentration was on Matsushima Bay and Sendai, which were hit hard by the quake and tsunami.

Despite my focus on Sendai and Matsushima, it dawned on me recently that it was five years ago last month that I visited both Sendai and Matsushima Bay in Tohoku. The visit was a highlight of that trip.

Above, at the premiere of "Gamera The Brave," I am at the souvenir table in this screen capture from the Region 2 DVD.

The other highlight of that April 2006 trip to Japan was attending the premiere of Gamera The Brave at the Piccadilly Theaters in the Yurakucho Mullion Building in Tokyo. The Japanese Region 2 DVD has a separate disc containing extras, including the Tokyo premiere. I am in a couple of shots in the premiere footage.

Gamera The Brave was an enjoyable little movie and greatly underrated. It brought Gamera back to his "friend of the children" roots and it was tailored to younger audiences. But it was scripted in such a way that it wouldn't make adult viewers cringe in their seats. It also had good special effects (on a par with Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)). The kid actors did a good job.

The premiere was packed to capacity. Unfortunately, the movie failed to wow them at the box office during its run. Had it been even a modest hit, Kadokawa Pictures would have been able to make sequels. The movie deserved better.

Tokyo Shock released the DVD in the U.S. It is probably now out-of-print. But if one should find a copy, I recommend watching the Japanese language version with English subtitles. The dubbed version is atrocious. At least the viewer is given a choice.

Sure has been a fast five years!

Toho Nichigeki Theater

by Armand Vaquer

Above, the original Toho Nichigeki Theater circa 1961. Note the movie marquee on the right and what movie is playing there. (Kudos to John "Dutch" DeSentis for finding this shot!) The Yurakucho Mullion Building (featured in "Return of Godzilla" (1984)) now occupies this site.

In 1954, Godzilla rampaged through Tokyo, including the exclusive shopping district of Ginza.

Oooh, it tickles!

There is a scene in the movie where Godzilla steps on some train tracks. The electrical current courses through his body, causing his tail to wildly whip about until it hits a birthday cake-shaped building. This building was Toho's Nichigeki Theater.

Above, Godzilla approaches the Nichigeki Theater (left).

Above, as Godzilla steps on the train tracks, his tail whips about as the electricity from the tracks course through his body. The Nichigeki Theater is in the background.

Above, the Nichigeki Theater is smashed by Godzilla's tail.

The scene was intended as an "inside joke" for the patrons screening Godzilla (1954) in the very theater that gets smashed in the movie.

The Site Today

Today, the Nichigeki Theater has been replaced by the Yurakucho Mullion Building. There is a Toho Nichigeki Theater inside the the complex, but the current Nichigeki Theater is a multi-screen theater similar to what is found in shopping malls in the U.S. I saw Space Battleship Yamato at the Nichigeki last December.

Also within the complex, is the Picadilly Theaters where Gamera The Brave (2006) was premiered.

Above, the Yurakucho Mullion Building today. The Toho Cinemas Nichigeki multi-plex is housed within.

For more on the Yurakucho Mullion Building and how to get there to see it, see page 28 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

The Toho Studios Godzilla Statue

Text and photos by Armand Vaquer



Last October, I posted a blog on Hibiya's Godzilla Statue. This is a companion blog on the Godzilla statue that now stands at the entrance to Toho Studios.

Back in 2004, Godzilla Final Wars was announced as the last Toho-produced Godzilla movie for at least a decade due to dwindling boxoffice receipts.

After Godzilla Final Wars was released, Toho made some major changes to their studios in the Setaygaya ward of Tokyo in the ensuing years.

Out were some old soundstages, administrative buildings (including a 1950s era snack bar) and the famous big pool, where Godzilla's water scenes were shot.

New and modern soundstages were erected along with new administrative facilities. Part of the modernization of Toho Studios was a new front gate with a giant mural of one of Toho's most revered movies, Seven Samurai.

Along with the Seven Samurai mural, the new main gate now has a man-sized statue of Toho's biggest star, Godzilla.

I visited the main gate at Toho Studios last December during my trip to Japan for promoting The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Above, Armand with the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios.

The statue is taller than me (I'm 5'11") and its design is of the Heisei series Godzilla. I'd hazard a guess that it stands about seven feet tall.

Above, Godzilla's tail gouges a wall behind him. The main gate and the bottom portion of the "Seven Samurai" mural are in the background.

Toho Studios does not provide tours of their facilities, but fans can go to Setagaya to view the statue, the Seven Samurai mural and the studios on the outside.


Information on how to reach Toho Studios is provided in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.