GODZILLA TOKUSATSU! Akira Takarada and Yuriko Hoshi Headline a Major Talk Show Event!

I bid you welcome! Godzilla Junior greets all who enter the 60th anniversary exhibit.

Today I visited the 60th anniversary Godzilla Tokusatsu event at Ikebukuro Sunshine City (the same venue hosting Ultraman Festival), which was quite impressive. Of course, most of the items, props, and memorabilia on display were off-limits to cameras, but some of the set-ups did allow photography.

Rather than type out a long essay about what was there, I'll let the following photos do the talking for me. I will say that the talk show with Akira Takarada and Yuriko Hoshi was a lot of fun. The two co-starred in The Last War (1961), and I brought a DVD sleeve of the film for them to sign. At one point, Takarada-san asked me to stand up, and he proceeded to introduce me to the audience. It was a huge surprise to me, but one I'll always remember. At the end, I gave Takarada-san a gift: a vintage movie poster in which he was one of the stars. Ultimately, we surprised each other. On with the photos.

GODZILLA IN GINZA! Yurakucho Mullion Is Attacked by the Big G One More Time!

I finally had a chance to get out to Ginza and photograph the large advertisement for the new Legendary film on the side of Yurakucho Mullion, which as we all know was demolished by Godzilla in 1984. Thirty years later, Godzilla struck again!

VISITING RIICHIRO MANABE: Spending Time with One of My Favorite Composers

I just returned from visiting Godzilla series composer Riichiro Manabe, with whom I spent about two hours. I brought Manabe-san a couple of boxes of manju, one of his favorite Japanese sweets. He always enjoys eating them as we talk.

Manabe-san composed the scores for Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster (1971) and Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973), among other titles.

I will likely visit Manabe-san again in the next month or so. And when I do, I'll be sure to bring a couple of boxes of manju!

SEEING LEGENDARY'S GODZILLA! Toho Cinemas in Shibuya Is the Place to Be!

I returned home earlier this afternoon from seeing the new Godzilla at Toho Cinemas in Shibuya. Of course, the movie has been playing around the world for months, but it just opened in Japan on July 25.

I invited actress-singer Izumi Yukimura to join me at Toho Cinemas. Although she's acted in numerous Toho movies, she has never appeared in a tokusatsu production. We had seen Gravity together earlier in the year, so I thought it would be nice to see with film with her for the first time. Thankfully, she was game to see it!

We took in a 3-D screening of the film, which was dubbed into Japanese. (And, yes, I did recognize Katsuhiko Sasaski's voice dubbing Admiral Stenz!) I was a bit disappointed not to see the English-language version, but ultimately I don't think I missed much. The story was easy (too easy?) to follow, so I never felt I was in the dark about anything that was going on.

In short, I didn't feel the movie lived up to its potential. There were certain scenes that I enjoyed, but overall the movie felt more like it was trying to be a slightly more serious Pacific Rim (which I did not care for at all). I was hoping for more drama, better acting, and a sense of urgency. Some of that is contained in the earlier scenes (with Bryan Cranston and Juliette Binoche), but it's largely absent after those actors leave the movie. The movie is just another summer blockbuster, which is fine if that's what you're looking for, but as for me, I've been there and done that.

Still, I had a great time with Yukimura-san who told me she was amazed by the special effects. I don't think she's ever seen a 3-D movie before, so this was a brand-new experience for her.

All in all, it was a great day with a so-so movie. I'm not too anxious to see the announced sequel, but we'll see how that one turns out.

RIP, John Fasano

Writer-director John Fasano gives me a genuine work of art in July 2012 in Los Angeles.

Word just came that filmmaker John Fasano passed away in his sleep last night. John was a big Godzilla fan and has contributed a substantial amount of art to G-FAN magazine in recent years. He was also a friend, whom I always enjoyed speaking with about monster movies. John was incredibly talented and passionate, and I'm shocked at his passing. This news will take a long time to process.

RIP, John Fasano. I'll miss you every day for the rest of my life.

GODZILLA RAVAGES TOKYO MIDTOWN! Roppongi Will Never Be the Same!

Wanna talk to somebody in charge? Well, at Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi, this guy is in charge! I saw the incredible new Godzilla statue. Standing 6.6 meters, this Godzilla statue will only be on display until the end of August, so stop by while you can. This Japan Times article has more information, but before reading it, here are the photos I snapped.

GODZILLA IN SHIBUYA! A New Godzilla Exhibit Wows Them at Shibuya Hikarie!

For a limited time, Godzilla fans in Tokyo can take in a rather cool gallery of Godzilla-related props, replica suits and busts, and other goodies at Shibuya Hikarie. The exhibit opened today (July 20) and runs through July 29. So, if you're in the vicinity, stop by while you can!

As with most such exhibits, photography is mostly frowned upon here. However, there is a specific section where pictures are allowed, so shutterbugs take note. The photos of the designated section are presented here.

Overall, the exhibit is rather impressive, if a bit small. It's essentially all contained in one large room, and most of what's on display are replicas. However, some original props made it in.

Here's the train car from King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)! Now that was great to see -- only at Shibuya Hikarie! For more information, follow this link.