Visiting the King of the Kaiju Designers!

Akihiko Iguchi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Thursday, September 23, I went to a special event in Shibuya where kaiju and mecha designer Akihiko Iguchi was selling his wares. I stopped by to say hello and pick up a few items (one of which was for a rather lucky friend).

It feels like things are slowly getting back to normal with more events like this, so all I can do is hope the trend continues. As always, Iit was a lot of fun seeing Iguchi-san again, and I hope to have another chance to see him again soon in the future.

Godzilla and NBC at Toho Studios!

In between actor Masaaki Daimon and NBC reporter Scott Swan at Toho Studios.

I'm pleased to report that on Tuesday, September 3, I participated in an NBC News story about Godzilla that will air in the U.S. in July 2020 (just in time for the Tokyo Olympics). The story was produced by the NBC affiliate in Indianapolis, Indiana, but it will be made available to other NBC affiliates nationwide. I'm also told that the story will be available online. So, no matter where you are in the U.S. (or. hopefully, the world), you will get a chance to see it.

I arranged for a couple of Toho alumni to appear in the story, which was shot at Toho Studios. Actor Masaaki Daimon (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Terror of Mechagodzilla) was the first interviewee, and he shared his memories of making Mechagodzilla, as well as his thoughts on the character of Godzilla.

I was very happy to see Daimon-san again, which was the first time since 2016. I was also rather pleased that he remembered me!

Akihiko Iguchi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After Daimon-san's interview, kaiju designer Akihiko Iguchi was interviewed, and he seemed to have a lot of fun discussing his design work. Actually, on the way to Toho, I ran into Iguchi-san at a train station quite by accident, and we went to Toho Studios together. 

After Iguchi-san's interview, yours truly was interviewed for the story, discussing my interest in the character and how Godzilla has endured for all these years. Naturally, I can't wait for the story to air. The NBC crew has a lot of surprises and exclusives in store for you that no other documentary has ever gotten access to. When they showed me one photo in particular, my jaw dropped!

Many thanks to Scott Swan, the NBC crew, and the folks at Toho for making this day one for the history books!

ULTRA-LEGENDS GATHER! Three Major Figures from the 1970s Discuss Ultraman!

Shigemitsu Taguchi, Eizo Yamagiwa, and Akihiko Iguchi gather to discuss their work on the '70s Ultra-series. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Sunday, November 6, I was excited to attend an event that focused on the '70s Ultra-series. The guests of honor were three gentlemen who were instrumental in guiding the series in such a direction that they remain popular to this day. They were director Eizo Yamagiwa, writer Shigemitsu Taguchi, and designer Akihiko Iguchi. 

Akihiko Iguchi discusses his kaiju designs. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The event opened with screenings of an episode from three separate Ultra-series: Return of Ultraman (1971-72), Ultraman Ace (1972-73), and Ultraman Taro (1973-74). All three episodes were directed by Yamagiwa-san, written by Taguchi-san, and featured design work by Iguchi-san.

Shigemitsu Taguchi recalls writing the Ultra-series. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

The episodes were enjoyable, though I had already seen the Return of Ultraman and Ultraman Ace episodes that were screened. Following the screenings, a Q&A was held with all three guests in which they discussed their history with the various '70s Ultra-series and beyond.

Director Eizo Yamagiwa listens intently to a question. Photo by Brett Homenick.

When the Q&A wrapped, it was time for autographs. I had two Ultraman Taro DVD sleeves signed by all three guests. While taking pictures of the proceedings, Iguchi-san (whom I've met several times over the years) asked me to e-mail him copies of the photos I was taking. Consider it done!

Yours truly with all three guests of honor.

It was another excellent event. I'd met Iguchi-san and Yamagiwa-san several time in the past, but I met Taguchi-san for the first time. I was very pleased to meet him.

Hanging with Akihiko Iguchi. 

Shigemitsu Taguchi is a television writer whose credits cover most of what made '70s TV as cool as it was. He wrote episodes of Return of Ultraman, Mirrorman (1971-72), Ultraman Ace, Jumborg Ace (1973), Ultraman Taro, Ultraman Leo (1974-75), and many others. Taguchi-san was very friendly and happy to share his ideas that went into the Ultra-series.

With director Eizo Yamagiwa. 

For most of the evening, I sat with Iguchi-san and Yamagiwa-san during dinner. Iguchi-san in particular was a blast to hang out with. He's always has a great sense of humor! Toward the end of the evening, I joined Taguchi-san and got to speak with him about the Christian symbolism in Ultraman Ace.

A first-time meeting with Shigemitsu Taguchi.

I'd imagine a gathering like this won't happen very often again in the future, so whenever there's a chance to attend such events, I do my best to go. This one was another treat. Many thanks to everyone involved!

LUNCH WITH A DESIGNER! Spending Time with a True Monster Creator!

Akihiko Iguchi during our lunch. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

On Sunday afternoon, I had an Indian lunch with longtime designer Akihiko Iguchi. We talked a bit about the late Kensho Yamashita, with whom Iguchi-san was good friends. We both will miss Yamashita-san, who was as nice as they come.

Even though the framing is a bit off, I love this shot!

Iguchi-san also showed me some designs he recently made. They were just as impressive as ever. It's truly gratifying to see Iguchi-san staying busy doing what he loves.

It was a wonderful afternoon, and I look forward to meeting Iguchi-san again very soon.

AN EARLY BIRTHDAY PRESENT! Dining with a Pair of Toho Greats!

Director Kensho Yamashita, designer Akihiko Iguchi, and yours truly enjoy dinner at a restaurant in Kawasaki, Kanagawa.

With my birthday being right around the corner, I went to dinner with kaiju designer Akihiko Iguchi in Kawasaki. When I arrived, I learned that he had a surprise for me: Kensho Yamashita, director of Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994), would be joining us.

Akihiko Iguchi and Kaiju Booska enjoy their meal together. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The conversation was lively, and both gentlemen shared great stories. I learned that Yamashita-san scouted locations in the U.S. for one of my favorite films, Blue Christmas (1978), on which he served as assistant director. It turns out he scouted San Diego as a possible location, but given the bright blue of the sky and ocean, it was rejected in favor of New York, which better fit the tone of the movie.

Kensho Yamashita and Akihiko Iguchi enjoy each other's company. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yamashita-san discussed his debut movie as assistant director at Toho, the Kei Tani vehicle called Kiki kaikai ore wa dareda?! (1969), and he was surprised when I was able to find the poster image easily on Iguchi-san's smartphone. (Even though I haven't seen it, I was familiar with the film already.)

Kensho Yamashita with the poster image of Kiki kaikai ore wa dareda?! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yamashita-san told many stories about working with director Kihachi Okamoto on films like the aforementioned Blue Christmas and Battle of Okinawa (1971). Yamashita-san also assistant-directed Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975).

Iguchi-san talked about his work on The Human Revolution (1973) and the difficulty of getting the storm effects just right. Both men agreed that working with fire and water is just about the most difficult thing about doing SFX.

It was a wonderful, laugh-filled evening. I was expecting a quiet meal, but we all had a blast taking photos, telling stories, and laughing along the way. Suffice it to say, it blew my expectations out of the water. What a great evening! Special thanks to both gentlemen!

DAVE FILONI MEETS THE CAST AND CREW OF MECHAGODZILLA! MG's Biggest Fan Enjoys the Japanese Vacation of a Lifetime!

Executive producer/supervising director Dave Filoni meets two Godzilla series legends: screenwriter Hiroyasu Yamaura (left) and designer Akihiko Iguchi (right). Photo by Brett Homenick.

The film Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) has no bigger champion than Dave Filoni. But Dave is no ordinary fan. He skyrocketed to success by helming the movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008), as well as the subsequent Emmy® Award-winning TV series (2008-2014). Dave is now executive producer/supervising director of a new critically-acclaimed TV series, Star Wars Rebels (2014-), which has quickly become a fan favorite.

Hiroyasu Yamaura and Akihiko Iguchi show off their newly-acquired artwork, personally drawn by Dave Filoni. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Taking his first vacation since 2008, Dave has come to the Land of the Rising Sun and embarked on a journey that would be a dream come true for any fan of Godzilla's greatest mechanical foe. A few weeks before arriving in Japan, Dave contacted me, and my friend Yasushi and I began working on introducing Dave to several Toho alumni who had worked on Mecagodzilla.

Dave Filoni proudly shows his Akihiko Iguchi Mechagodzilla rendering for the camera. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Over time, we successfully arranged meetings with four personalities: designer Akihiko Iguchi, screenwriter Hiroyasu Yamaura, SFX director Teruyoshi Nakano, and actor Masaaki Daimon. Yasushi and I had met the first three gentlemen at previous events and gatherings, but Daimon-san would be brand-new for us, too, increasing the excitement that much more.

The first meeting was scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 7, which coincidentally also happened to be Dave's birthday. I met Dave at Shinjuku Station, and we made our way to Shin-Yurigaoka Station to meet Iguchi-san and Yamaura-san for lunch at a French restaurant. On the way, we talked about Godzilla and some of our early childhood memories of watching the movies for the first time.

Two Mechagodzilla legends reveal their true feeling about the spacemen from the Third Planet of the Black Hole! Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Yasushi and Iguchi-san met us at the station, and Yamaura-san joined us at the restaurant. We spent a few hours together, and Dave got to ask many questions (all of which were translated ahead of time by Yasushi) about their respective careers. Dave gave each gentleman a woodblock with original King Seesar art on it, and Iguchi-san returned the favor by giving Dave a drawing of Mechagodzilla. Talk about an awesome birthday gift!

When the time came, we said our goodbyes and headed back to Shinjuku Station. Dave, Yasushi, and I hung out at a cafe for a while and chatted until Dave had to leave.

Dave Filoni meets SFX director Teruyoshi Nakano at Shinjuku Station. Photo by Brett Homenick.

We met again at Shinjuku Station the following day with SFX director Teruyoshi Nakano. We went to a Japanese restaurant for a few hours, and Dave and Nakano-san swapped stories about working in the movie biz.

Teruyoshi Nakano reflects on his decades-long special effects career over lunch. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After that, we immediately made our way to a nearby cafe and met with actor Masaaki Daimon and his manager. Daimon-san played Keisuke Shimizu in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla and Kusakari in Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975). Daimon-san has also appeared in Return of Ultraman (1971-72), Lady Snowblood (1973), Cockroach Cop (1973), G-Men '75 (1975-82), Ultraman 80 (1980-81), and Zero (1984). We were all very excited to meet Daimon-san, and I'm pleased to report that he exceeded our expectations. He was a very open-minded gentleman who appreciated that we were interested in his career.

Actor Masaaki Daimon poses with Dave Filoni and his new Star Wars artwork. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After about an hour and a half, I had to leave to go to work. (Gotta make a living!) As I was going to the elevator (in a bit of a rush, as I was already a little late), Dave followed me out and gave me a gift, thanking me for helping to organize these meetings. Suffice it to say, I was touched by the gesture.

That's a wrap! Yours truly with Dave Filoni, a real Godzilla fan!

Many thanks to Dave for being such an energetic and enthusiastic fan of Godzilla. It's always refreshing to know that people who truly understand fans and fandom are in important positions in the entertainment business. Hollywood could certainly use a lot more folks like Dave Filoni!

Arigato gozaimasu, Dave-san!

MEETING MECHAGODZILLA'S MEN! A Two-Day Adventure with Mecha-G Alumni Comes to a Close!

 Yours truly in between screenwriter Hiroyasu Yamaura and designer Akihiko Iguchi.

On June 7, I had a special lunch at a French restaurant in Shin-Yurigaoka with Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla  (1974) staff members Hiroyasu Yamaura and Akihiko Iguchi. I was joined by a couple of friends for this lunch, but the details will follow in a future post.

With SFX director Teruyoshi Nakano at Shinjuku Station.

On June 8, we met up with Teruyoshi Nakano for a Japanese lunch in Shinjuku. After that, we met actor Masaaki Daimon for drinks and a chat. It was our first time meeting Daimon-san, and he couldn't have been friendlier.

It was truly exciting to meet the star of one of my favorite Godzilla films, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)!

So why did we meet so many Mechagodzilla alumni, and who was with us? For the answers, stay tuned to this blog!

DINNER WITH A DESIGNER! Akihiko Iguchi and I Break Bread in Kawasaki!

Kaiju designer Akihiko Iguchi poses with an autograph for a lucky fan (other than myself, of course). Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Tonight I had a pleasant dinner with kaiju/mecha designer Akihiko Iguchi in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. I hadn't seen Iguchi-san in a few months, so this meeting was long overdue.

Although Iguchi-san speaks a little English, and my Japanese is terrible, we were able to communicate and share a lot of laughs. He showed me many illustrations he has made over the years, as well as photos from some of the trips he has made around the world. I was quite impressed by everything I was shown.

When it was all finished, I paid for dinner. It's always a treat to see Iguchi-san, and I hope the near future will hold many more visits. It's hard to believe our last meeting was way back in February before I'd even moved to Tokyo!

That's all, folks! See you next time!

SNOWY TIMES IN TOKYO: Bad Weather Isn't Enough to Deter This Fan!

Before I begin, I should point out (as the title suggests) that Tokyo was hit by its worst snowstorm in about 16 years just before I made my way to the city. (I was there between February 9 and 11.) Despite that, most of my plans went on without a hitch, and I had a successful stay.

As pictured above, my friend Yasushi and I ate lunch with designer Akihiko Iguchi at an Indian restaurant.

Even though we first communicated circa 2006, I didn't meet Daniel Kahl until February 10. Although he is a well known TV personality in Japan, we Godzilla fans know him as the one and only Major Spielberg from Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)!

Now here was a major highlight. I got to spend a couple of hours chatting with Toho supporting actor Toru Ibuki on February 9 as well. Ibuki-san played the long-lost brother, Yata, in Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966) and the bearded alien, Tsuda, in Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975), among various other roles during the 1960s and '70s. Ibuki-san was incredibly warm and polite, as so many of the actors I've met have been.

Eating dinner with producer-writer-director Yoshimitsu Banno is almost a required event for me these days, but it's always enjoyable. Banno-san started at Toho during 1955, so the information at his fingertips is nothing short of amazing!

RETURNING TO TOKYO: 2014 Kicks Off in a Big Way!

 Paying my respects at Eiji Tsuburaya's final resting place in Fuchu, Tokyo. Note the Godzilla toys fans have left out of respect to the master.

I recently returned from my latest trip to Tokyo, so I'll take some time to discuss the highlights. As usual, it was a fun few days, and I got to meet some new faces whom I hope I will see again very soon. On with the show.

Visiting Eiji Tsuburaya's grave site was a brand-new experience for me, and it was quite moving. Tsuburaya-san's influence on the genre we love still has not been properly documented in the West.

Not so far from Kadokawa-Daiei Studios is Nikkatsu Studios, which in 2012 celebrated its centennial. Near the front gates this Gappa sign is clearly visible. 

Here I am with actress-singer Izumi Yukimura. Yukimura-san was a frequent co-star with Akira Takarada at Toho Studios during the 1950s, and also stars in Ishiro Honda's An Echo Calls You (1959), Kihachi Okamoto's All About Marriage (1958), and the big-budget Toho musical You Can Succeed, Too (1964). I had a wonderful time with Yukimura-san, as we spent nearly the entire day together. She speaks English quite well and discussed her illustrious career with me at length. We had coffee (and dinner), walked around Shibuya, and even saw the new movie Gravity at the Toei Theater in Shibuya. It was quite a day!

Here I got to meet Toho and Tsuburaya Productions designer Akihiko Iguchi for the second time. I first met Iguchi-san at a Mechagodzilla event held in Ginza in November 2011. But this was a one-on-one meeting, with his daughter there to assist communication.

After having a cup of hot chocolate (perfect for a cold winter's day in Tokyo), I posed for this picture with Ultraman Ace cast member Keiko Nishi at her cafe in Ginza.

The Godzilla statue in Hibiya during sunset. Nuff sed.

My trip ended with a meeting with Toho star Yosuke Natsuki. We spoke for about four hours (!) with our mutual friend Asako, who very kindly translated the conversation. Natsuki-san is an excellent storyteller, and his company is something I always enjoy and look forward to.