ULTRA SEVEN RETURNS! Koji Moritsugu Hosts Fans in Fujisawa!

Ultra-stars Koji Moritsugu (left) and Shota Minami (right) pose for photos after a recent talk show event at Joli Chapeau. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

May 23 saw a joint talk show and autograph event at Koji Moritsugu's cafe Joli Chapeau in Fujisawa, Kanagawa. Moritsugu-san played Dan Moroboshi in Tsuburaya Productions' Ultra Seven (1967-68), which is perhaps the most popular Ultra-series of them all.

Moritsugu-san usually has an Ultra-related guest to join him for his fan events, and this time he was joined by actor Shota Minami. Minami-san played Rei in the TV series Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey (2008–2009), as well as Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends - The Movie (2009). Minami-san seemed to attract several younger women to the event who were rather eager to meet him.

After signing autographs for the attendees, Moritsugu-san and Minami-san settled in for their talk show. Led by Moritsugu-san, the pair swapped stories about working in the Ultra-series, as well as attending the various fan events related to the franchise. At one point, on the subject of Hong Kong, Moritsugu-san started using a few random English phrases, which drew laughter from the audience. Naturally, I laughed, too!

After the two fielded questions from the audience, the two guests posed for photos. As usual, Moritsugu-san was extremely friendly and outgoing, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that Minami-san was, too. He certainly seemed very appreciative of his fans.

Another successful event wrapped, and I had another wonderful time. I must thank Moritsugu-san for his hospitality and Minami-san for being a wonderful guest. I am looking forward to the next time I can attend Moritsugu-san's fan meetings. They're Ultra-good!

SMOG MONSTER'S DIRECTOR! Mr. Banno Talks Toho Over Coffee!

Director Yoshimitsu Banno poses for a photo in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Friday, May 22, I had coffee with Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster director Yoshimitsu Banno. We caught up on what's new, and then the discussion turned to Banno-san's Toho days. It was another enlightening conversation.

We should be meeting again later this week, and a surprise should be in store. Watch this space.

GODZILLA STILL WANTS TO TALK TO SOMEBODY IN CHARGE! The Big G Returns to Roppongi!

Godzilla returns to Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Last summer, the release of Legendary Pictures' Godzilla (2014) was celebrated by a massive bust of Godzilla on display in Roppongi's Tokyo Midtown. This year, the Big G makes a temporary return to Tokyo Midtown, but only for a limited time. But those in the Tokyo area can stop by and see the four-meter King of the Monsters until May 24. Today I stopped by Tokyo Midtown and snapped some photos, which are below. Enjoy!

NIISAN TAKAHASHI: 1926-2015

Screenwriter Niisan Takahashi left an indelible mark on the history of Japanese monster movies. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I'm very saddened to report the passing of Showa Gamera series scribe Niisan Takahashi on May 5, 2015. He was 89. Takahashi-san was a screenwriter at Daiei Studios during its heyday, and he wrote all the screenplays for the early Gamera films, starting with Gammera the Invincible (1965) and culminating with Gamera Super Monster (1980).

Takahashi-san speaks about his life and career during a rare interview. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I had the distinct privilege of meeting Takahashi-san on two occasions (in the fall of 2012 and spring of 2013). Both times, my friend Yasushi and I went to a Coco's restaurant near his home in Chigasaki, Kanagawa. During our first meeting, I learned something quite fascinating about Takahashi-san, which I posted about elsewhere on this blog and will quote here:

The most fascinating thing I learned is that Mr. Takahashi has a middle Christian name. No, he wasn't born with it, but he took it on after a tragic event happened in his life. On December 31, 1982, his wife passed away after a lengthy illness. She was a Christian, so Takahashi-san researched notable Christians who also passed away on New Year's Eve. One he discovered was Pope Sylvester I, who died on December 31, 335. Takahashi-san decided to make Sylvester his adopted middle name in honor of his wife.

Posing for photos with Takahashi-san after completing an interview in the spring of 2013.

Takahashi-san was extremely friendly, giving me many gifts he had acquired over the years related to the Gamera series. These items included books and DVDs, and he was quite happy to sign anything we asked. During our last meeting, he wanted to sing the theme song he wrote for a movie called I Am Five Years Old (1970), which was also directed by Gamera series director Noriaki Yuasa. He was always proud of this song and wanted to share it with me.

My friend Yasushi and I conducted a lengthy interview with Takahashi-san, and I hope it will eventually get completed.

Rest in peace, Takahashi-san. I will always remember your kindness.

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE AKIRA TAKARADA BIRTHDAY BASH! An Extra Look at This Extraordinary Celebration!

Akira Takarada and Yosuke Natsuki share a laugh while Akira Wakamatsu looks on in the background. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Having taken many pictures at the birthday celebration for Toho star Akira Takarada last Sunday, there was not nearly enough room to include even most of the highlights from my last report. So I will present an additional look at the celebration in this blog post with even more photos. After all, they're worth a thousand words!

The delightful Yumi Shirakawa and Akira Takarada share the stage. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Yuriko Hoshi honors Akira Takarada. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Shogo Tomiyama poses with actress Machiko Naka. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Akira Takarada addresses the audience. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Yuriko Hoshi, Yosuke Natsuki, and Yumi Shirakawa pose for the paparazzi. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Machiko Naka and Yuriko Hoshi, both veterans of the Young Guy series, pose for a picture. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

This dynamic group shot only shows a few of the folks in attendance. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Yosuke Natsuki offers some words of praise for Akira Takarada at the after-party. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Akira Takarada addresses the gathering. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Yosuke Natsuki has a chat with Bin Furuya at the after-party. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AKIRA TAKARADA! The Toho Legend Hosts an All-Star Birthday Bash in Shinjuku!

Yours truly with Akira Takarada at his birthday bash in Shinjuku.

Sunday, May 3, saw an incredible all-star birthday celebration of one of Japan's biggest stars, Akira Takarada. Held on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (a.k.a. the Tax Towers), it was a once-in-a-lifetime affair, and certainly the most star-studded event I've ever attended in Japan.

Takarada-san greets fellow Toho actors Yuriko Hoshi (middle) and Machiko Naka (right). 

Among the guests were Yuriko Hoshi (Godzilla vs. the Thing, Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster), Machiko Naka (the Young Guy series, Godzilla's Revenge), Yosuke Natsuki (Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster, Godzilla 1985), Akira Wakamatsu (Mothra, Dogora the Space Monster), Shogo Tomiyama (Godzilla series producer), and (at the after-party) Bin Furuya (Ultraman, Ultra Seven).

With actress Yuriko Hoshi, the star of many films from Toho.

As the party was just beginning, Natsuki-san invited me to join him at the VIP table with him, Shirakawa-san, and Wakamatsu-san. Natsuki-san and I jumped right in to talking about the latest news and what we were both up to.

Natsuki-san introduced me to Shirakawa-san and Hoshi-san (whom I last met in August of last year), and I introduced myself to Naka-san. I interviewed Naka-san about her acting career by correspondence several years ago, and pointed out that I was the one who interviewed her. As I expected, Naka-san was very kind and warm.

The two stars of Godzilla vs. the Thing reunite with an old colleague. Photo by Brett Homenick.

In the best Japanese I could muster, I spoke to Hoshi-san about her fellow Toho alumnus Tatsuyoshi Ehara, as well as her involvement in a few Toho films. Hoshi-san was more than happy to mix and mingle with her fans.

With actress Machiko Naka.

Each of the special guests took the stage (one by one) and addressed Takarada-san, wishing him a happy birthday. The chemistry between the guests and Takarada-san was palpable, and the audience could sense a feeling of genuine admiration between them.

Yosuke Natsuki (left) shares a laugh with actor Akira Wakamatsu. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I enjoyed meeting all the guests, and everyone went out of his and her way to accommodate the fans. Given that many in attendance simply never attend public events, many fans were eager to get their items signed and photos taken. But I'd like to single out one guest in particular who went above and beyond the call of duty.

A picture is, indeed, worth a thousand words. Yumi Shirakawa and I pose for a photo.

Yumi Shirakawa was exceptionally friendly with her fans and admirers. I'd often heard that she was an open-minded person, but never having a chance to meet her myself, I couldn't be sure until I got such a chance. But, after Natsuki-san introduced us, it became clear that she was very open-minded ... and then some! I mean, just look at the above picture!

One of the highlights for me was borrowing her camera and taking pictures of some of the goings-on at the party. It was truly my pleasure to be in her company.

Hanging with Shirakawa-san and Natsuki-san at the after-party. 

After the main celebration completed, many of the attendees and a few of the guests moved to another building for the after-party. Natsuki-san and Shirakawa-san were the first to arrived, followed by Takarada-san and later Bin Furuya. Once again, Natsuki-san invited me to sit at the VIP table with him, which was another honor for me.

With Bin Furuya, who flew in from M78 for the occasion!

The after-party was much more laid back, and guests and fans freely hung out and spoke with one another. I congratulated the organizers on a job well done, and I hope more such events will take place in the future. After the after-party, Bin Furuya and a few of us (including Takarada-san's secretary and Kyoko Ifukube, the composer's daughter) went to a Japanese restaurant for perhaps an after-after-party. This gathering was even more relaxed, and many laughs were had by all.

Yum! That birthday cake looks good! Photo by Brett Homenick.

All in all, it was an excellent event. The phrase "once in a lifetime" is thrown around a lot these days, but this celebration certainly had all the earmarks of such a description. It was the perfect way to cap off what was already an amazing week.

Happy birthday, Takarada-san!

GODZILLA'S DIRECTOR AND ART DIRECTOR ASSEMBLE! Kensho Yamashita and Akira Sakuragi Hold Court in Yokohama!

Director Kensho Yamashita (left) and art director Akira Sakuragi (right) talk about their careers in tokusatsu. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yokohama's Cinema Novecento a special Godzilla event today, which included a special screening of Godzilla 1985 (1984) in 35mm. The special guests for the event were director Kensho Yamashita, who directed Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994), and Toho art director Akira Sakuragi, who served in that position on Godzilla 1985, Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (1990), and Mothra 3 (1998).

Akira Sakuragi shows off his Toho staff ID card. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Godzilla 1985 remains one of my favorite Godzilla movies, and this was my first time seeing it in 35mm. Naturally, it's never looked better. Following the screening, a talk event with Yamashita-san and Sakuragi-san was held, in which the two spoke about their respective careers. Sakuragi-san discussed everything from working on Sayonara Jupiter (1984) to working with Akira Kurosawa on Dreams and Kagemusha (1980).

Sakuragi-san discusses the movement of the sea louse Shockirus by demonstrating with a toy. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Following the interview, Yamashita-san and Sakuragi-san signed autographs and took photos with their fans. Given Yamashita-san's history as an assistant director on a couple of my favorite films, namely Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) and Blue Christmas (1978), I brought items related to those films for him to sign.

Kensho Yamashita recalls his career in tokusatsu and beyond. Photo by Brett Homenick.

After the signing, it was dinnertime, and the small group of us sat down with the guests and talked kaiju over our meal. Toward the end of the festivities, Yamashita-san took out his digital camera and took pictures of all the group members, including yours truly. He also asked us to sign a Godzilla book that was given to him as a gift, and I signed my name in English and katakana. It's not every day that a Godzilla director asks for your autograph!

Posing with Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla director Kensho Yamashita.

After taking pictures with Sakuragi-san, he pointed out that he owns the same camera as I do, an Olympus Stylus 1. As someone who has only just dabbled in photography, I can rest assured that I made a good choice in cameras if Akira Kurosawa's former art director uses the same camera as I do!

Yours truly with Akira Sakuragi, whose career touches both Godzilla and Kurosawa films.

As usual, it was another great event, and I enjoyed spending more time with Yamashita-san. (I met him briefly at another event in 2012.) It was a blast meeting Sakuragi-san for the first time. Both gentlemen are very friendly, and here's hoping I have a chance to see them again soon.