The Godzilla Statue at Toho Studios!

The Godzilla statue at Toho Studios. Photo by Brett Homenick.

We stopped by Toho Studios and the Godzilla statue earlier today, and here are the highlights. At the bottom, you'll find a promotional tie-in between the Odakyu Romancecar and Godzilla Minus One (2023) that I spotted -- where else? -- on the Odakyu Line. Enjoy these photos, too!

Ultraman Great Flies into Tokyo!

Dore Kraus poses with Ultraman at a Mandarake shop at the Nakano Broadway shopping mall. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Actor Dore Kraus, who played Ultraman Great's alter ego, Jack Shindo, in Ultraman: Towards the Future (1992), came to Tokyo in April of this year, and I had the distinct privilege of spending time with him during his vacation on two separate days. Dore contacted me a few days before arriving, and, when I knew he would be coming to my neck of the woods, I made sure to set aside plenty of time.

We first got together on Saturday, April 22, in Nakano after I finished work. Then we met up again on Sunday, April 30, in Ebisu (before moving on to Ultraman Street and Toho Studios) and spent most of the day together. There's a lot to see, so let's get right to the photos!

Dore Kraus poses under a sign listing Ultraman Great at Nakano Broadway. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Dore Kraus finds an Ultraman Great figure at a toy shop in Nakano Broadway. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After dinner at Gusto in Nakano. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Dore Kraus poses with Ultraman at Soshigaya-Okura Station. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Ultraman watches over Soshigaya-Okura Station. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Dore Kraus poses with Ultraman. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Say, that guy flying over us looks a bit familiar... Photo by Brett Homenick.

Dore Kraus (can you spot him?) at Toho Studios. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

It's Godzilla vs. Jack Shindo! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Jack Shindo would have made a great addition to the Seven Samurai. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Photo by Brett Homenick.

Capping off a fun day at the Hotel Excellent Ebisu.

Godzilla Bears the Torch for the Tokyo Olympics!

With the Tokyo Olympics due to begin this July, Scott Swan and the WTHR team came to Tokyo in the late summer of 2019 to cover the enduring popularity of the Godzilla franchise. This video contains a lot of exclusive content, including comments from Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) star Masaaki Daimon and perhaps another familiar face or two. Check it out!

A Godzilla/Gamera Tour of Tokyo!

Jacob at the Godzilla statue in Toho Cinemas in Hibiya. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

My friend Jacob is currently visiting Japan, and on Sunday, I had a great time showing him around some familiar locations, such as Toho Studios, Kadokawa Daiei Studios, Godzilla and Ultraman statues, and beyond. A few highlights are below, but they don't really do justice to the fun we had just hanging out and gabbing about monster movies. Anyway, on to the photos.

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!

Toho Studios Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms bloom at Toho Studios. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I stopped by Toho Studios to see the cherry blossoms, which are now in full bloom in Japan. The sights were quite beautiful, as these photos will attest. Enjoy!