Shin Ultraman Meets Godzilla!

A Shin Ultraman poster underneath the Godzilla head in Shinjuku. Photo by Brett Homenick,

Shin Ultraman comes to Japanese theaters next month, and the advertising campaign is currently in full swing. A stop by the Toho Cinemas in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, is certainly proof of that. Here's the view from earlier today.

Spring Comes to the Godzilla Store Tokyo!

I paid a visit to the Godzilla Store Tokyo today, and spring was certainly in the air (despite the lousy weather). Here are some of the fun displays that I saw. Enjoy!

It's Doraemon!

When he wasn't too busy explaining the new normal at movie theaters, I saw Doraemon while transferring between train lines at Noborito Station!

Experiencing the Musical Side of Takahashi-san!

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Tuesday evening, April 5, I attended a musical performance by actress Yoko Takahashi. Takahashi-san was a prolific actress in the 1970s, with her best-known work in the West being the Oscar-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974). She also can be seen in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

Rie Yokoyama (left) onstage with Yoko Takahashi.

The event was held in Daikanyama, Tokyo. Takahashi-san sang and played the guitar with a couple of other back-up musicians. Admittedly, I wasn't familiar with most of the songs she played, but there were a couple of familiar pieces.

Rie Yokoyama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

There was an intermission of sorts, during which fellow actress Rie Yokoyama went onstage and discussed her acting career with Takahashi-san. Afterward, Takahashi-san continued playing music.

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Of particular note, Takahashi-san sang the (Japanese) theme to Popeye, which I thought was quite entertaining. I mentioned that to her after the show as my favorite song that she performed.

 All in all, it was a fun evening, and I got to see a different side of Takahashi-san. If there is another such performance in the near future, I hope I have a chance to attend!

Meeting an Expert Tokusatsu Cinematographer!

Keiichi Sakurai. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Wednesday, April 6, I was privileged to spend a fun afternoon with tokusatsu cameraman Keiichi Sakurai. Sakurai-san's career in special effects photography goes back to the 1970s, but he's best known for his tokusatsu cinematography on Shin Godzilla (2016).

It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. It was my first time to meet Sakurai-san, and, given how friendly he is, I'm surprised it took this long. Hopefully, there will be many more chances in the future.

Kaiju Key Chains in Tokyo!

Acrylic kaiju key chains on offer! Photo by Brett Homenick.

While visiting a local Tsutaya rental shop, I found this fun key chain dispenser, featuring a bevy of familiar Toho kaiju. And look who's front and center! I passed on picking one up, but I'm starting to have second thoughts. Gotta go back there and give it a try!

Meeting a Gamera Series Legend!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On March 30, I had the distinct privilege of meeting former child actor Yoshiro Uchida, who is best known for playing Toshio in the Daiei classic Gammera the Invincible (1966). Of course, the original Japanese version was released domestically in 1965. 

One topic of conversation was traditional tokusatsu techniques. Uchida-san mentioned that he felt the hand-made special effects in The Poseidon Adventure (1972) were preferable to the CGI used in Titanic (1997). I asked if he'd ever seen Gandhi (1982), whose amazing crowd scenes would probably be done by computer graphics today. He said he hadn't, but I strongly recommended the film.

I had a wonderful time meeting Uchida-san. Hopefully, it won't be the last!