GODZILLA: MONSTER PLANET! A Familiar Face Appears at Toho Cinemas Roppongi!

When I went to the upper level in Toho Cinemas Roppongi last night, I saw a familiar face on display. Yes, it's the Big G from Godzilla: Monster Planet, due for release on November 17. Godzilla looked exactly the same as he did in Kawasaki, but it was still a cool setup. Here are the photos. Enjoy!

OLD TOKYO REMEMBERED! Actor Shoji Mori Keeps the Culture Alive!

Actor Shoji Mori. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

On Saturday evening, September 9, actor Shoji Mori hosted another discussion of Edo and old Tokyo culture. The crowd was a bit more intimate than usual, and I'm sure the last-minute announcement of the event had a lot to do with that. But I prefer smaller crowds, anyway, so it was a bonus in my book.

As readers of this blog ought to know by now, Shoji Mori began his career primarily in television during the mid-1960s, but by the '70s he began appearing in some notable films. Among his credits are: Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman (1971), Woman Gambler's Iron Rule (1971), Zatoichi in Desperation (1972), and Slaughter in the Snow (1973). On TV, Mori-san appears in episode 3 of Kamen Rider Super-1 (1980-81), and episode 3 of the third season of the Shin Zatoichi TV series (1979).

It was another fun evening, and Mori-san, as always, was a true gentleman. See you again soon!

ROPPONGI AT NIGHT! Cool Shots from Being Out and About!

A nighttime view of Tokyo Tower. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night, I returned to Roppongi Hills, and since I had camera in hand, I took a few shots of the familiar fixtures of the area, particularly Tokyo Tower and Maman, the giant spider statue. Enjoy!

Yoshio Tsuchiya: 1927-2017

Actor Yoshio Tsuchiya. Photo by Brett Homenick.

According to a reliable source in Japan, veteran Toho actor Yoshio Tsuchiya (Seven Samurai, The Human Vapor, Monster Zero) passed away at age 89. No other details are available at this time.

RIP, Tsuchiya-san.

UPDATE (9/7): Yoshio Tsuchiya passed away on February 8 of lung cancer, a few months shy of his 90th birthday. 

DRINKS WITH A TOHO ACTOR! Hearing Many Great Stories from the Golden Age!

Tatsuyoshi Ehara. Photo by Brett Homenick.

By far, the highlight of the day was going to a cafe with former Toho actor Tatsuyoshi Ehara. Ehara-san guest-starred in episode 1 of Ultra Q (1966), but worldwide he is probably best known for his work in Akira Kurosawa's Sanjuro (1962) and Red Beard (1965). 

During his Toho years, Ehara-san worked with director Ishiro Honda. He wondered why Honda never cast him in a Godzilla movie, and Honda told him it was because his acting was too natural and realistic. I, for one, would have loved to see Ehara-san in a Godzilla flick.

KAMEN RIDER AND SUPER SENTAI IN ROPPONGI! New Heroes Conquer the TV Asahi Building!

While in Roppongi, I noticed something quite interesting at the TV Asahi building. On display were two massive advertisements for the current Toei superhero programs airing on the channel. The brand-new Kamen Rider Build joins Uchu Sentai Kyuranger on Sunday mornings in Japan. To be honest, I'm not particularly interested in either program, but it was rather cool to see, so I'm sharing my photos here. Enjoy!

OUT AND ABOUT IN ROPPONGI! Taking in the Various Sights!

Tokyo Tower stands tall in Minato Ward. Photo by Brett Homenick.

During my travels today, I visited Roppongi Hills and decided to take some photos of the scenery. It's nothing new to this blog, but I decided to take the opportunity.

Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills is the sixth-tallest building in Tokyo and has an observation deck that provides an excellent view of the city.

I've been in Japan so long that I remember when it was the fifth-tallest building in the city! (The Tokyo Skytree wasn't finished at the time.)

The bronze sculpture Maman has been a fixture in Roku-Roku Plaza for many years, and it's most definitely an attention-getter. Who wouldn't immediately pay attention to a 10-meter spider?

In the distance, Tokyo Tower was clearly visible. Of course, if you've seen any number of kaiju movies over the years, you're well aware of this structure.