Godzilla the Art by Parco Vol. 2!

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Godzilla the Art by Parco Vol. 2 runs from December 28 through January 9, and today (Thursday, January 4) I had the opportunity to stop by. A friend of mine in the U.S. told me about it, especially due to the blue 1991 Godzilla for sale at the event. (See photos below.) I wasn't too interested in that, but what really caught my attention was the Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) filming suit on display.

Yes, you read that correctly; the signage there said so! (Again, see below.) Apparently, this was in fact the Burning Godzilla suit sculpted by Godzilla suitmaker Tomoki Kobayashi and repainted "black" (their description, not mine) sometime after filming. Naturally, I had to photograph it from just about every angle. Check out the photos below. Enjoy! 

Shibuya Welcomes an Unexpected Visitor!

Just another day in Shibuya. Photo by Brett Homenick.

"Fucking Donald Trump Lotto." -- Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)

While out and about in Shibuya today, I spotted a rather unusual sight. I've seen anti-vaxxers in Shibuya at the height of COVID, but I have to admit this was a new one on me. Quite frankly, it was too amusing to ignore. But it may also haunt my nightmares -- who knows.

Um, anybody got a spare murder board lying around? Photo by Brett Homenick.

Apparently, this activist wants Trump to reveal the truth about who "really" shot former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. I'm not sure how this gent knows what Trump knows on this subject, but I am society, so I judge ye not. 

If we can't get to the bottom of that case, do you think maybe Trump could tell us who shot CR? The late, great Charles Rocket would certainly like to know who, um, did it.

This isn't a political blog, so I won't say anything more than that. (I already have enough weirdos trying to leave their oddball comments on this blog without encouraging any more.) I just thought folks would get a kick out of seeing this surreal sight.

Halloween in Shibuya!

Shibuya "welcomes" you to Halloween. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tuesday, October 31, marked the return of Halloween to Shibuya. Unlike previous years, the presence of police and random security guards was beefed up to absurd proportions, resulting in incessant shouting and whistle-blowing from these so-called authorities. If you stood in place for more than a couple of seconds, you were hounded until you moved on. If you wanted to stop to take a picture, some rando sporting a uniform would get in your face and demand you keep walking. 

Still, despite the best efforts of Shibuya City to ruin everyone's Halloween, it seems a lot of people still managed to have a good time. I sure do hope they tone down the jackboots next year, though. It's really not a good look for Shibuya's powers that be, who otherwise try to project a "friendly" image. Anyway, with that stupidity out of the way, let's check out some highlights!

'Godzilla Minus One' Ballyhoo Stomps into Shibuya!

Toho Cinemas Shibuya. Photo by Brett Homenick.

While out and about in Shibuya on Halloween, I did manage to notice some promotion for Godzilla Minus One (2023). The photo above was, naturally, at Toho Cinemas Shibuya. 

The photo above was a Koala mattress advertisement with a promotional tie-in for Minus One inside Shibuya Station. Now you too can sleep like Godzilla!

SPECTREMAN: Coming to the Rescue at a Train Station Near You!

A Spectreman toy dispenser in Shibuya Station. Photo by Brett Homenick.

While messaging a friend of mine in the U.S., he told me about the Spectreman (1971-72) toy dispensers that are currently making the rounds in Japan. I hadn't seen one but was intrigued. My buddy, with whom I'm doing a trade, asked for one of the toys from one if I could one.

Well, as luck would have it, I had to pass through Shibuya Station today, and, as I was about to get on the Yamanote Line, I noticed a whole row of toy dispensers. So I took a quick look-see, and I instantly found one of the Spectreman dispensers.

Naturally, I got one for my friend, but he'll have to open it and tell me what it was. I didn't get one for myself, as cool as these things look, because, well, I'm really trying to cut down on clutter. Besides, I only had enough change in my pocket for one. Ah, well. At least I have these photos to look back on!

Sting Invades Shibuya Station to Take on The Great Muta!

Sting vs. The Great Muta at Shibuya Station! Photo by Brett Homenick.

On the way home tonight, I spotted this cool advertisement in Shibuya Station. As a big pro wrestling fan (well, of '90s wrestling, anyway), it was quite a surprise to see Sting, one of WCW's top stars, prominently featured in a poster there. I really wish I could attend this event, but I already have plans for this weekend, so it's not going to happen, sadly. But I'd love to see Sting wrestle in person -- and, at his age, there won't be very many other opportunities! Oh, well. Seeing the poster itself was fun enough, though. Here's what I saw. Enjoy!

Tokyo Celebrates Halloween!

Happy "Helloween"! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Halloween took place, as it does every year, on October 31, and it was a big deal in Tokyo again for the first time since 2019. The turnout in Shibuya was quite massive, as you will see below. Enjoy!

The massive crowd near the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Halloween in Shibuya is not for the claustrophobic. Photo by Brett Homenick.

What it's like to get stuck behind two Spider-Men. Photo by Brett Homenick.

A bike-riding Jawa in Shibuya. Photo by Brett Homenick.

 

Freddy Krueger is a lot shorter in person. Photo by Brett Homenick.