THE SYMPHONIC FURY OF KOW OTANI! The Kaiju Composer Holds Court in Japan!

 Composer Kow Otani clowns around with his old pal, Gamera. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I just returned from a great dinner event with Heisei Gamera series and GMK: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack composer Kow Otani and animation director Keiichi Hara. It was my first time to meet both gentlemen, and they were as kind and generous as I expected.

Yours truly with Kow Otani.

While I'm admittedly not the biggest fan of the Heisei Gamera series or GMK, it's always cool to get a chance to meet someone so closely associated with the genre I grew up with. Besides, Otani-san's reputation as a friendly guy was more than enough to convince me to take this opportunity. I'm glad I did.

Anime director Keiichi Hara's take on Godzilla. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Also on hand was anime director Keiichi Hara, who is best known for his work on the Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan television and movie series. I must admit I'm really not familiar with his work at all. Anime just isn't my bag. But he was one heck of a nice guy, and his talents were quite evident to me.

And that's all for tonight. What a blast it was. Stay tuned to this blog for all the coolest happenings in Japan!

SYMPHONIC FURY! The Music of Japanese Monsters!

The Symphonic Fury CD set has been released, and thanks to conductor John DeSentis, I have received a copy. Symphonic Fury was an enormously successful concert held in Chicago's Pickwick Theater in July 2015. The first part of the concert featured a live performance of Kow Otani's music from all three of the Heisei Gamera series films as well as GMK (2001). Kow Otani himself was in the audience for this performance. The second half of the concert focused on Akira Ifukube's works, specifically Kishi Mai (1943) and Symphonic Fantasias No. 1-3 (1983). The CD set also contains a booklet that features John DeSentis' full-length interview with Kow Otani.

Want some Symphonic Fury stuff? Here's how to get it!

Just like the Ifukube 100 concert in 2014, this is another amazing performance. John DeSentis once again worked tirelessly to hire, organize, and lead a full orchestra to perform some classic kaiju compositions. Erik Homenick of AkiraIfukube.org was instrumental (no pun intended) in providing information and material to the effort. These concerts are the first of their kind in the U.S., and it's easy to see why they have quickly become a fan favorite.

Symphonic Fury/Ifukube 100 CDs and swag are available, and if you're interested in supporting a fan-oriented group that offers professional services and a product worthy of support (trust me, there aren't many around), please consider purchasing some items. 

John DeSentis knocks it out of the park again. Full marks!

SYMPHONIC FURY! A Beloved Heisei Gamera Series Actor Signs Autographs!

Yukijiro Hotaru poses with a signed Symphonic Fury foldout. Photo © 2016, CES, Inc.

Recently, conductor John DeSentis, the mastermind of the successful Symphonic Fury concert in Chicago, asked me to help secure some signatures on foldouts for the concert's biggest backers. After pounding some pavement, I am pleased to reveal that actor Yukijiro Hotaru, whose roles in the Heisei Gamera trilogy were standouts, has added his signature to these foldouts for some very lucky fans.

Yukijiro Hotaru signs a Symphonic Fury foldout. Photo © 2016, CES, Inc.

I would like to thank Mr. Hotaru and CES, Inc., for their help in making this possible. I have a feeling that they made the day (and then some!) of some very fortunate Gamera fans in America. 

GODZILLA VS. GAMERA! How You Can Make the Long-Awaited Showdown Happen!

John DeSentis and friends (including the late Koichi Kawakita) at G-FEST last summer. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Composer/Godzilla fan John DeSentis plans to do it again, and in true kaiju eiga spirit, his plans are even bigger than before! John has launched a new Kickstarter campaign to bring Godzilla and Gamera music to the Pickwick Theater this July!

John DeSentis, Erik Homenick, and Chris Oglio celebrate after a successful concert in 2014.

Entitled "Symphonic Fury! The Music of Japanese Monsters," Akira Ifukube's classic Symphonic Fantasia will join the first-ever live concert of Ko Otani's Gamera trilogy score. If enough funds are raised, Otani-san himself plans to attend the concert live and in person!

Donate to the Kickstarter and help make music (and kaiju) history!