A Heisei Ultraman Event That Was Ultra-Good!

Kazuya Konaka (left) and Keiichi Hasegawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Saturday evening -- that's February 25 -- I attended an interesting event that focused on the Heisei Ultra-series. This is a subject I admittedly know very little about, but it featured not one but two guests I literally hadn't seen in years. With such a rare opportunity on offer, I couldn't pass it up.

Kazuya Konaka (left), Kiyoshi Suzuki (center), and Keiichi Hasegawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

One of the main guests was screenwriter Keiichi Hasegawa. Hasegawa-san penned numerous episodes of Ultraman Tiga (1996-97), Ultraman Dyna (1997-98), Ultraman Gaia (1998-99), Ultraman Cosmos (2001-02), the feature film Ultraman: The Next (2004), Ultraman Nexus (2004-05), Ultraman Mebius (2006-07), Ultraseven X (2007), Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle (2007-08), Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey (2008-09), and Ultraman Ginga (2013). Hasegawa-san has also written for Toei programs, such as Kamen Rider W (2009-10), Kamen Rider Fourze (2011-12), Kamen Rider Drive (2014-15), and Kamen Rider Ghost (2015-16). Godzilla fans would know him as the screenwriter for GMK (2001).

Kazuya Konaka (left), Kiyoshi Suzuki (center), and Keiichi Hasegawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Kazuya Konaka was the another guest of honor. Konaka-san helmed episodes of Ultraman Dyna, Ultraman Cosmos, Ultraman Nexus, Ultraman Mebius, Ultraseven X, Ultraman Ginga S (2014), and Ultraman Orb: The Origin Saga (2016-17). Konaka-san also directed the feature films: Ultraman Zearth 2 (1997), Ultraman Tiga and Ultraman Dyna (1998), Ultraman Gaia: The Battle in Hyperspace (1999), Ultraman: The Next, Mirrorman Reflex (2006), and Ultraman Mebius and Ultra Brothers (2006). 

Also on hand was Kiyoshi Suzuki, a veteran of Tsuburaya Productions who joined the company in 1964 and worked on Ultra Q (1966) and Ultraman (1966-67) as an assistant cameraman. From there, Suzuki-san also worked on such tokusatsu productions as: Kaiju Booska (1966-67), Ultra Seven (1967-68), Mighty Jack (1968), Return of Ultraman (1971-72), Mirrorman (1971-72), Iron King (1972-73), Ultraman Taro (1973-73), and Ultraman Leo (1974-75). Suzuki-san also worked behind the camera as a director, and in that capacity he shot episodes of Super Robot Red Baron (1973-74), Super Robot Mach Baron (1974-75), and Dinosaur Expedition Born Free (1976-77). In the Heisei era, Suzuki-san has mostly worked as a producer on various Ultraman movies that have been made since the 1990s.

Keiichi Hasegawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The event was quite packed with Heisei Ultraman fans, many of whom I'd never seen before. To say they were enthusiastic about the subject would be quite an understatement. In fact, it was hard to get a word in edgewise, as these fans would sometimes even interrupt each other, trying to get their questions out. 

I had a bit better luck with Hasegawa-san, who was always a lot of fun in the previous times we met. I had a chance to ask him about seeing Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966) as a kid, as I remember he mentioned that as his first tokusatsu movie. It certainly has a special place in his heart, as his answer to my question made clear. 

I wish I had more of an opportunity to interact with the special guests, but it was still enjoyable, especially due to Hasegawa-san, who is often the MVP of any event he attends. 

ULTRAMAN SAGA! Key Crew Members Reunite to Discuss This Millennium-Era Ultraman Movie!

Screenwriter Keiichi Hasegawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After the Ultraman Taro event, I attended a special dinner event that was preceded by a screening of Ultraman Saga (2012). I saw Ultraman Saga theatrically when it was released in Japan, and since I didn't have a lot of motivation to see it again, I decided to skip the screening.

Editor Akira Matsuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On hand were Ultraman Saga screenwriter Keiichi Hasegawa and editor Akira Matsuki. As readers of this blog know, I've met Hasegawa-san on several occasions, and he's always a lot of fun to hang out with. In fact, his appearance at this event was the main reason I attended.

The highlight for me was talking Godzilla with Hasegawa-san. Not only did he write GMK (2001), but he also grew up a fan of Godzilla. He saw Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966) in real time, which was his first Godzilla movie. I also had a blast talking about Godzilla vs. Megalon with him, everything from Jet Jaguar to Seatopia.

While a bit more soft-spoken, I also enjoyed meeting Matsuki-san for the first time. It's rare to meet film editors at such events!

What a busy weekend it was. Now it's time to catch up on sleep!

ULTRAMAN DISCOVERS WHAT'S NEXT! Attending a Special Screening of the Millennium-Era Ultra-Saga!

In between director Kazuya Konaka (left) and screenwriter Keiichi Hasegawa (right).

Today, I braved a typhoon to attend a special screening of Ultraman (a.k.a. Ultraman: The Next, 2004). While this movie was highly praised at the time of its release, I have to admit my view hasn't changed since I first saw it on video seven or eight years ago. I don't think turning Ultraman into a horror movie makes a whole lot of sense. While it was great to see the film in 35mm, I still don't think it succeeds.

One of the main guests was screenwriter Keiichi Hasegawa. Hasegawa-san penned numerous episodes of Ultraman Tiga (1996-97), Ultraman Dyna (1997-98), Ultraman Gaia (1998-99), Ultraman Cosmos (2001-02), Ultraman Nexus (2004-05), Ultraman Mebius (2006-07), Ultraseven X (2007), Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle (2007-08), Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey (2008-09), and Ultraman Ginga (2013). Hasegawa-san has also written for Toei programs, such as Kamen Rider W (2009-10), Kamen Rider Fourze (2011-12), Kamen Rider Drive (2014-15), and Kamen Rider Ghost (2015-16). Godzilla fans would know him as the screenwriter for GMK (2001). Hasegawa-san wrote the script for Ultraman.

I've met Hasegawa-san a few times since last year, and he's always a lot of fun to hang out with. I think the above photo speaks for itself on that score.

Kazuya Konaka was the other guests of honor. Konaka-san helmed episodes of Ultraman Dyna, Ultraman Cosmos, Ultraman Nexus, Ultraman Mebius, Ultraseven X, Ultraman Ginga S (2014), and Ultraman Orb: The Origin Saga (2016-17). Konaka-san also directed the feature films: Ultraman Zearth 2 (1997), Ultraman Tiga and Ultraman Dyna (1998), Ultraman Gaia: The Battle in Hyperspace (1999), Mirrorman Reflex (2006), and Ultraman Mebius and Ultra Brothers (2006). Konaka-san, as I'm sure you can guess by now, directed Ultraman.

It was my first time to meet Konaka-san, and I found him to be very kind and friendly.

That's all for now. I'll be back soon with more updates.

MORE SHOTS! The GMK Reunion Rocked the House!

Screenwriter Keiichi Hasegawa and suitmaker Fuyuki Shinada study the GMK Godzilla, built by Shinada-san.

Fuyuki Shinada recalls the process of making the Godzilla suit for GMK.

Actor Takashi Nishina smiles for the camera.

Yours truly poses with Takashi Nishina.

A happy moment: Having a blast with Keiichi Hasegawa and Fuyuki Shinada.

A great time with some great company!

Even Godzilla seems happy to be there, too!

GMK! Cast and Crew from the Millennium Godzilla Series Favorite Reunite!

Screenwriter Keiichi Hasegawa, suitmaker Fuyuki Shinada, and actor Takashi Nishina discuss their work on GMK. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today I attended a screening of the movie GMK: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001). It was the first time I'd seen the movie in many years. If I recall correctly, the last time I saw the film was at a screening at USC in January 2004. So it'd been over 13 years, and I'd imagine it was a good time to revisit it. Even though GMK was the source of a lot ridiculous and over-the-top fan wars in the early 2000s, I was finally able to watch the flick on its own merits and separate it from all the fan-generated nonsense of that era.

It has its pros and cons. Many scenes are well directed and show real flair. Some of the actors are quite good. It's certainly an ambitious film that tries its best to tell an intriguing story. To that extent, it undoubtedly has merit. On the other hand, however, there are still several glaring flaws. The SFX don't hold up very well, the story bogs down in too much spiritual mumbo jumbo, the monsters just don't look very good and aren't given much to do when they battle, etc. I won't go into all the problems I had with the picture because there really isn't much need, and I don't feel like nitpicking the film. To be honest, I enjoyed the movie more this time than I ever had in the past. I'm glad I saw it again with a fresh mindset. I can appreciate the positive while at the same time acknowledging the negative.

Now, on to the event itself. 

Fuyuki Shinada. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Three special guests joined the event to reminisce about their work on the film. First up is suitmaker Fuyuki Shinada. He built Biollante in Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989), Godzillasaurus in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991), Legion in Gamera 2 (1996), Irys in Gamera 3 (1999), and the title monsters in GMK, among many other creatures for both film and television.

Keiichi Hasegawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Also on hand to discuss the film was co-screenwriter Keiichi Hasegawa. A veteran of Tsuburaya Productions, Hasegawa-san has written many episodes of Ultraman Tiga (1996-97), Ultraman Dyna (1997-98), Ultraman Gaia (1998-99), Ultraman Cosmos (2001-02), Ultraman Nexus (2004-05), Ultraman Mebius (2006-07), Ultraseven X (2007), Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle (2007-08), Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey (2008-09), and Ultraman Ginga (2013). Hasegawa-san has also written for Toei programs, such as Kamen Rider W (2009-10), Kamen Rider Fourze (2011-12), Kamen Rider Drive (2014-15), and Kamen Rider Ghost (2015-16). 

Takashi Nishina. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Takashi Nishina was another featured guest. Nishina-san played BS Digital Q assistant director Aki Maruo. He was also an extra in Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995), a soldier in Gamera 3 (1999), as well as appearing in Ring 2 (1999). In terms of TV, he can be seen in the Tsuburaya Productions series Ultra Zone (2011-12) and Ultraman X (2015).

As I said above, I'm glad I gave GMK another go because I have a new appreciation for it. That doesn't mean it's a new favorite of the franchise, or even of the Millennium series. But I quite liked it this time around, which was a pleasant surprise.

ULTRA-ALL-STARS! A Director and Screenwriter Join Forces for a Special Evening!

Noted screenwriter Keiichi Hasegawa. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

On Saturday, September 24, I attended a dinner with two notable names from the world of Ultraman. One was Keiichi Hasegawa, whom I blogged about last week. Among American tokusatsu fans, his biggest credit (by far) is writing the screenplay for GMK: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001), one of the most popular entries in the Millennium Godzilla series.

Yours truly with director Hirochika Muraishi.

The other guest on hand was director Hirochika Muraishi, who is probably best known as the director of the movie Ultraman Tiga: The Final Odyssey (2000). His career dates back many years before that, including the celebrated Denjin Zaboga (1974-75). He was also a suit actor (!) on the TV program Tetsujin Tiger Seven (1973-74). He directed many episodes of Ultraman Tiga (1996-97), Ultraman Dyna (1997-98), Ultraman Gaia (1998-99), and beyond.

With screenwriter Keiichi Hasegawa.

It was a blast hanging out with Hasegawa-san again. Throughout the evening, he kept calling me Jason Bourne, which gave me a big laugh. (Maybe it's my new haircut!) Anyhow, he was certainly in great spirits this evening.

ULTRAMAN NEXUS IN YOKOHAMA! The Cast and Crew Comes Out for an Ultra-Event!

 Ultraman Nexus star Takuji Kawakubo poses with an Ultra-toy. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I spent a pleasant evening in Yokohama at an Ultraman-related event with several guests in attendance. Each one was friendly and outgoing, and even though I'm not very familiar with Ultraman Nexus (2004-05), after this event, I think I'm a fan for life!

With series director Yuichi Abe.

Yuichi Abe was one of the headlining guests. Abe-san directed many episodes of the series, and he has also helmed episodes of some of the more recent Ultraman outings. In addition, he worked on Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) and early on in his career worked on the special effects side of Gunhed (1989) and Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989).

With series star Takuji Kawakubo.

 Also on hand was star Takuji Kawakubo, who played Kazuki Komon. Kawakubo-san is passionate about learning English, so it was a big topic of conversation for us. He was very friendly and a joy to speak with.

With series writer Keiichi Hasegawa.

I also met Keiichi Hasegawa, who was a writer on Ultraman Nexus. However, his biggest credit in the U.S. is penning GMK: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001). He was also quite friendly to speak with.

What a great way to cap a busy week!