An Evening with Veterans of Godzilla's Heisei and Millennium Series!

Toshio Miike, Kenji Suzuki, and Eiichi Asada. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight (Sunday, May 21), I attended a great event with three great guests: Toshio Miike, Kenji Suzuki, and Eiichi Asada. These Godzilla series alumni were a lot of fun to spend the evening with. So, with that said, let's get to the highlights!

Toshio Miike, Kenji Suzuki, and Eiichi Asada. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Toshio Miike poses with his birthday cake. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Kenji Suzuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Toshio Miike. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Eiichi Asada. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Two Godzilla series tokusatsu directors talk shop. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Godzilla series SFX directors Kenji Suzuki and Eiichi Asada pay tribute to Teruyoshi Nakano. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Winter Warms Up for an Afternoon of Tokusatsu!

Kenji Suzuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier today (Sunday, February 19), I had the good fortune to spend a couple of hours with former Toho tokusatsu director Kenji Suzuki. Suzuki-san served in that position on Rebirth of Mothra III (1998), Godzilla 2000 (1999), and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000).

We met at Seijogakuen-mae Station and headed to a nearby cafe. Thankfully, the weather was much warmer than it had been recently, and I didn't even need to wear my winter coat. Once we sat down at the cafe, I got to hear a lot of stories from the sets of various tokusatsu shoots. It was quite enlightening!

My favorite moment, though, was when Suzuki-san was signing a couple of postcards I bought from the Godzilla Store, which were from Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992) and Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), on which he served as chief assistant director of special effects. One of the postcards simply says, "Happy Birthday," which Suzuki-san read out loud, causing me to laugh. Maybe you had to be there.

Many thanks to Suzuki-san for the fun afternoon!

A Late Birthday Celebration for Godzilla!

Yuichi Kikuchi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Godzilla's birthday is celebrated on November 3, but, for me, the festivities really took place on Saturday, November 5, during which I was able to spend a fun evening with three legends of tokusatsu. As you can imagine, it was a lot of fun, and it was the perfect way to celebrate Godzilla's big anniversary.

The guest of honor was tokusatsu director Yuichi Kikuchi. Kikuchi-san is best known for serving as SFX director on Godzilla against Mechagodzilla (2002), as well as working as assistant SFX director on such movies as Gamera 3 (1999) and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000). He was also SFX director on Ultraman: The Next (2004), Ultraman Nexus (2004-05), Ultraman Max (2005-06), Ultraman Mebius (2006-07), as well as other works. When I arrived, I was seated right next to Kikuchi-san, with whom I had a nice chat. I asked him when his next stage production would be held, but he said it hasn't been decided yet. It will be sometime next year. We also talked about some of his favorite tokusatsu productions.

Kazuya Konaka. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Also on hand was Kazuya Konaka. Konaka-san helmed episodes of Ultraman Dyna (1997-98), Ultraman Cosmos (2001-02), Ultraman Nexus, Ultraman Mebius, Ultraseven X (2007), 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).

Admittedly, Konaka-san was the guest I interacted with the least, largely due to the seating arrangement, so I don't have very much to say about our discussions. Oh, well. Maybe next time! 

Kenji Suzuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The final guest was Kenji Suzuki. Before joining Toho, Suzuki-san was a freelance SFX director who did some work at Tsuburaya Productions, most notably Ultraman 80 (1980-81). At Toho, he served as an assistant SFX director on The Imperial Navy (1981) and Sayonara Jupiter (1984). On Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991), Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993), Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), Rebirth of Mothra (1996), and Rebirth of Mothra 2 (1997), he served as the chief assistant SFX director under Koichi Kawakita. On Rebirth of Mothra 3 (1998), Godzilla 2000 (1999), and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus, he was the SFX director. In the 2000s, Suzuki-san returned to Tsuburaya Productions and lent his talents to various Ultra-projects.

Suzuki-san is a bona fide tokusatsu legend, and it's always great to see him. My discussion with him was a bit similar to one I had with Kikuchi-san. Suzuki-san is a soft-spoken gentleman and is about as nice as they come.

And that's all! This is truly my idea of celebrating Godzilla's big day. It was a wonderful evening with several wonderful people. 

Revisiting 'Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon' at a Special Screening!

Director Takao Okawara (left) and special effects director Kenji Suzuki pose with a mask from Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon (1994). Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier today, I had the privilege of checking out Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon (a.k.a. Yamato Takeru, 1994) in 35mm. I believe I'd only seen this film twice before -- and one of those times I fell asleep!

The first time was in mid-2000, just after it was released on VHS. Because I was attending college classes very early in the morning during that time, I remember dozing off toward the end. The second time was in late 2005 on DVD. That time, I was wide awake!

Yoshiaki Kondo. Photo by Brett Homenick.

So it'd been a long time since I'd last seen it, and there was a lot I'd forgotten about it. Overall, it's a mixed bag. Some parts are done very well, but it does start to drag toward the end, and I don't think Koichi Kawakita's mid-'90s-Godzilla-series style of special effects was a good match for a fantasy about ancient Japan. But I'm glad I saw it again, especially in 35mm. 

From left to right: Takao Okawara, Yoshiaki Kondo, and Kenji Suzuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I was surprised to that a mask from the film was brought to the event, which in a way made it a mini Tokusatsu DNA exhibit! Another surprise was the presence of Yoshiaki Kondo. Kondo-san worked as an assistant director on Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991), Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993), Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon, Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), Rebirth of Mothra (1996), and Godzilla 2000 (1999).

Takao Okawara. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Takao Okawara was the headlining guest. Okawara-san began his career as an assistant director on Submersion of Japan (1973), Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha (1980), and Godzilla 1985 (1984). After becoming a director at Toho, Okawara-san helmed the SFX productions of Godzilla vs. Mothra, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, and Godzilla 2000.

I brought my original Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II poster for both Okawara-san and Kenji Suzuki (the chief assistant SFX director of the film) to sign. It was great to see Okawara-san in such a good mood, often laughing at the funny stories Kondo-san told -- and even telling a few himself! During the evening, I asked Okawara-san if he remembered the CNN story for which he was interviewed about Godzilla's demise in Godzilla vs. Destoroyah. I was very surprised when he told me he had no memory of it. So I pulled out my smartphone, found the story on YouTube, and showed it to him. He found it interesting but still had no memory of it. Perhaps the interview clips were supplied by Toho and weren't actually shot by a CNN crew, which would explain why he doesn't remember. In any case, I thought that was noteworthy.

Kenji Suzuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The other headlining guest was Orochi's chief assistant SFX director Kenji Suzuki. Before joining Toho, Suzuki-san was a freelance SFX director who did some work at Tsuburaya Productions, most notably Ultraman 80 (1980-81). At Toho, he served as an assistant SFX director on The Imperial Navy (1981) and Sayonara Jupiter (1984). On Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991), Godzilla vs. Mothra, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, Rebirth of Mothra (1996), and Rebirth of Mothra 2 (1997), he served as the chief assistant SFX director under Koichi Kawakita. On Rebirth of Mothra 3 (1998), Godzilla 2000, and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000), he was the SFX director. In the 2000s, Suzuki-san returned to Tsuburaya Productions and lent his talents to various Ultra-projects.

Whew, what a busy weekend it was! Suffice it to say, there was no time to stop and smell the roses. But it was a lot of fun, and I wouldn't have it any other way. More fun's yet to come. Stay tuned!

MOTHRA FLIES AGAIN! But Was the Third Time the Charm?

Kenji Suzuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I took in a screening of Rebirth of Mothra III (1998) in glorious 35mm. I don't think I'd seen the movie in close to 20 years, and I'd only seen it once before. I basically remembered only two things from the film -- that King Ghidorah captures children, and the less-than-convincing dinosaur puppets. 

Overall, I found the film a bit too slow for my liking. I'd rank it as my least favorite of the late '90s Mothra trilogy (with the first Rebirth of Mothra being my favorite). The only characters who stood out were the returning characters from the previous entries: Moll, Lora, and Belvera. The rest were instantly forgettable. It was nice to see the ubiquitous Koichi Ueda in a small role, but that's about all. It's not a bad film, but it is a something of a let-down.

The special guest of the screening was SFX director Kenji Suzuki. Before joining Toho, Suzuki-san was a freelance SFX director who did some work at Tsuburaya Productions, most notably Ultraman 80 (1980-81). At Toho, he served as an assistant SFX director on The Imperial Navy (1981) and Sayonara Jupiter (1984). On Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991), Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon, Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), Rebirth of Mothra (1996), and Rebirth of Mothra II (1997), he served as the chief assistant SFX director under Koichi Kawakita. On Rebirth of Mothra III, Godzilla 2000 (1999), and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000), he was the SFX director. In the 2000s, Suzuki-san returned to Tsuburaya Productions and lent his talents to various Ultra-projects.

And that's about all. I had an enjoyable afternoon. I'm glad I saw the film again, and despite my misgivings, I can recognize the film's positive aspects. It's been great to reevaluate the entire Mothra trilogy this year.

GODZILLA 2000! The Behind-the-Scenes Staff Reunites for a Special Screening!

Takao Okawara, Kenji Suzuki, and Yoshiaki Kondo gather to discuss Godzilla 2000. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier today, I was able to view a special screening of Godzilla 2000 (1999) in 35mm. I honestly have no idea when the last time I saw the movie was. It's never been one of my favorites, but given the rare opportunity to see this film (as well as a chance to mingle with the guests), it was a chance I couldn't pass up.

Takao Okawara. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Takao Okawara began his career as an assistant director on Submersion of Japan (1973), Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha (1980), and Godzilla 1985 (1984). After becoming a director at Toho, Okawara-san helmed the SFX productions of Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993), Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon (1994), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), and Godzilla 2000.

Kenji Suzuki. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Before joining Toho, Kenji Suzuki was a freelance SFX director who did some work at Tsuburaya Productions, most notably Ultraman 80 (1980-81). At Toho, he served as an assistant SFX director on The Imperial Navy (1981) and Sayonara Jupiter (1984). On Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991), Godzilla vs. Mothra, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon, Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), Mothra (1996), and Mothra 2 (1997), he served as the chief assistant SFX director under Koichi Kawakita. On Mothra 3 (1998), Godzilla 2000, and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000), he was the SFX director. In the 2000s, Suzuki-san returned to Tsuburaya Productions and lent his talents to various Ultra-projects.

With Yoshiaki Kondo.

Yoshiaki Kondo worked as an assistant director on Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, Godzilla vs. Mothra, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon, Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, Mothra (1996), and Godzilla 2000.

Ultimately, my view on the film hasn't changed much at all. I still think it feels like leftovers from the Heisei series, the film gets completely bogged down by about the halfway point, Orga is a boring enemy for Godzilla, and the SFX don't hold up particularly well.

While I have more than my share of issues with Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000), one thing I can appreciate about that movie is that it gives the Millennium series its own identity. Godzilla 2000 didn't quite seem to know how to break away from the previous era.

While I may not be the movie's biggest fan, I had one heck of a good time tonight. I really enjoyed everything about the day. Even though I was wiped out by the end, it was tremendous fun, and the guests couldn't have been friendlier. Let's do it again!

PICTURES GALORE! Extra Photos from the Megaguirus Event!

Hiroshi Kashiwabara and Masaaki Tezuka recall Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000).

Masaaki Tezuka describes the making of Godzilla movies at Toho Studios.

Masaaki Tezuka and Kenji Suzuki pose for the photos with their fans.

Hiroshi Kashiwabara poses for pictures from the paparazzi.

Everyone is all smiles as they take pictures!

That's a wrap!

MEGAGUIRUS INVADES JAPAN! A Trio of Toho Vets Discuss Their Toho Careers!

Hiroshi Kashiwabara, Masaaki Tezuka, and Kenji Suzuki talk about their work in the Godzilla series. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Sunday, March 13, I attended a screening of Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000) in Yokohama, which was followed by a Q&A event. Megaguirus looked great in 35mm, although the film itself is not one of my favorites. When I first saw it in 2001, I thought it was a vast improvement over Godzilla 2000 (1999), which I never really liked. Although there are things I still enjoy about the film, it's too long, and too many of the SFX shots don't work at all.

Director Masaaki Tezuka shares his memories. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Three guests were in attendance for the film. Director Masaaki Tezuka (who also directed the two Mechagodzilla films later on in the Millennium series) was joined by screenwriter Hiroshi Kashiwabara (Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla) and SFX director Kenji Suzuki (Godzilla 2000).

After the movie screened, the three guests sat down at a table and answered questions about the making of Megaguirus and other Godzilla films. The interview session lasted over an hour, and many stories from the set were told, often causing uproarious laughter from the audience!

Screenwriter Hiroshi Kashiwabara listens to his colleague reflect. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The autograph signings came next. I first spoke with Kashiwabara-san (who waved to me when he saw me in the audience). We had a brief chat about the upcoming Godzilla Resurgence. It was great to catch up with Kashiwabara-san again.

SFX director Kenji Suzuki reveals the secrets to directing Godzilla ... and living to tell the tale! Photo by Brett Homenick.

After that, I spoke with Tezuka-san and Suzuki-san and got their signatures. Shortly thereafter, the dinner portion began, and we all sat down for a nabe (hot pot) meal. It was rather tasty as usual, and everyone seemed to enjoy their conversations as much as the meals.

The three filmmakers laugh at one of the more humorous memories from the set. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I suppose my favorite part of Megaguirus was seeing some familiar actors onscreen. Shigeo Kato has a small cameo toward the beginning when he greets the main characters as they enter the G-Graspers' headquarters. Of course, Yuriko Hoshi (Godzilla vs. The Thing, Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster) returns to the series in a big way with her role as a scientist. Otherwise, I do have to agree with a lot of the criticisms I've read over the years. Megaguirus' evil grin and Godzilla's belly flop are not the series' highlights, to say the least.

Yours truly with Hiroshi Kashiwabara, Masaaki Tezuka, and Kenji Suzuki.

All that aside, I enjoyed seeing all three guests last night. They all enjoyed meeting and mingling with those in attendance. Hopefully they'll return again soon!