The Gargantuas Sanda and Gaira battle the alien Trilopods in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #21, coming next week from IDW.
Image courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2015 Toho Co., Ltd.

Sneak Peek at the Latest Issue of IDW’s Godzilla Comic Book Series!
Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

IDW Publishing has provided SciFi Japan with an exclusive preview of the first five pages from Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #21. The issue — featuring Godzilla, Rodan, Baragon, Sanda, Gaira, Kumonga, Zilla, Battra, Gorosaurus, King Caesar, Kumonga, Mechagodzilla, Megaguirus, Moguera, Mothra, SpaceGodzilla and the new Trilopod monsters — will be available from comic shops and retailers on Wednesday, March 4th.
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Photo courtesy of Bandai Co., Ltd. Godzilla and Biollante TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: Bandai Co., Ltd.

Bandai and X-Plus are partnering on a limited edition Godzilla 1989 & Biollante Light Up Ver. Set from GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE (ゴジラ VS ビオランテ, Gojira Tai Biorante, 1989).
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Source: Diamond Comic Distributors
Special Thanks to Deborah Moreland

Photo courtesy of Diamond Select Toys. © 2015
Diamond Select Toys. GODZILLA and the character
design are trademarks of Toho Co., Ltd. © 1974, 2015
Toho Co., Ltd.

Diamond Comic Distributors has provided SciFi Japan with information and photos for new Godzilla items available in comic book shops beginning May 2015. These Godzilla products are also listed in Diamond’s March Previews Catalog, on sale now.

Find your nearest comic shop at findcomicshop.
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Godzilla 2014 returns to the S.H.MonsterArts advanced monster action figure line with glowing fins and atomic breath. Photo courtesy of Bluefin.
© 2014 Toho Co.,Ltd. © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. © Legendary. GODZILLA and the character design are trademarks of Toho Co.,Ltd.

Product Specs and High-Res Photos of Upcoming Godzilla Figure from Bandai
Source: Bluefin Corp.
S.H.MonsterArts Official Site: tamashii.jp/shma (Japan)
Special Thanks to Xavier Lim

Tamashii Nations introduces the S.H.MonsterArts Godzilla 2014 Spit Fire Ver., a fierce new remix of the enormously popular S.H.MonsterArts Godzilla 2014 figure from the hit film by Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures! Clear blue materials are used meticulously for Godzilla’s dorsal plates and the all new attack effect part allows for extreme atomic breath scene recreation.
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Images courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2015 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer

IDW Publishing has announced solicitations for Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #24 and the Godzilla: The Half Century War Oversized Hardcover. Both publications are coming to comic book shops and retailers in May 2015.
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Diamond Select’s Godzilla Classic Minimates Series 2 Box Set are now on sale. Photo courtesy of Diamond Select Toys.
© 2014 Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles, LLC. GODZILLA and the character designs are trademarks of Toho Co., Ltd. © 2015 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Diamond Select Toys press release
Special Thanks to Zach Oat

Diamond Select Toys has a bunch of new items coming to comic shops and specialty stores across North America this week. The lineup includes the second series of Godzilla Minimates, arriving a month earlier than originally announced.
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Images courtesy of Walt Disney Studios. PORCO ROSSO © 1992 Nibariki ∙ GNN © 2014 Disney. POM POKO © 1994 Hatake Jimusho ∙ GNH © 2014 Disney.
TALES FROM EARTHSEA © Nibariki ∙ GNDHDDT © 2014 Disney

Author: Keith Aiken
Source: Walt Disney Studios, Click Communications
Special Thanks to George Roush

In recent years, Walt Disney Studios has been releasing their library of films from the acclaimed Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli on Blu-ray in North America. November 2014 saw a trio of titles from the legendary Hayao Miyazaki — KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE, PRINCESS MONONOKE and THE WIND RISES — while this week brings more films from three different Ghibli directors.
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Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Godzilla TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Chief of Ultra Seven © Tsuburaya Productions.

Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd.
Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos of their limited edition Godzilla and Ultra Seven figures to be sold at the upcoming Tokyo hobby festival, Wonder Festival. The Winter 2015 Festival will be held Sunday, February 8th at Makuhari Messe exhibition center.
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Photos courtesy of Marusan. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Vinyl Figures Available in March 2015
Source: Marusan Toys, Inc.

Following January’s wave of jet-black Toho monster figures, Marusan Toys will release a trio of glow-in-the-dark figures in late March. These reissues of Marusan’s classic Godzilla and Mothra figures are molded in phosphorescent vinyl that emits a soft light.
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Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Anguirus TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Billgamo © Tsuburaya Productions. Gamera © 1999 Kadokawa Shoten TNNH

Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd.
Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos of their giant monster figures scheduled for release in late March 2015.
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Diamond Comic Distributors is offering a number of Godzilla figures and collectibles from different companies. Photos courtesy of Diamond Comic Distributors.
GODZILLA and the character designs are trademarks of Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Diamond Comic Distributors
Special Thanks to Deborah Moreland

Diamond Comic Distributors has provided SciFi Japan with information and photos for a half-dozen new Godzilla items that will be available in comic book shops beginning April 2015. These Godzilla products are also listed in Diamond’s February Previews Catalog, on sale now.
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The King of the Monsters Returns to Deal Destruction and Wage Battle with Classic Enemies
Source: BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. press release
Official Site: godzilla.bngames.net (Japan), bandainamcogames.com/godzilla (US)

Leading videogame publisher and developer BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. has announced GODZILLA for Western audiences coming to both the PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system.
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Godzilla! Battra! The Trilopods! It’s a monster melee in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #20, coming this week from IDW. Image courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2015 Toho Co., Ltd.

Sneak Peek at the Latest Issue of IDW’s Godzilla Comic Book Series!
Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer and Matt Frank

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

IDW Publishing has provided SciFi Japan with an exclusive preview of the first five pages from Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #20. The issue — featuring Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, Battra, SpaceGodzilla, Baragon, Megaguirus, Kumonga, Gaira and Sanda and the new Trilopod monsters — will be available from comic shops and retailers on Wednesday, January 28th.
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Source: Cinedigm, GKIDS Inc., Bender/Helper Impact
Official Movie Site: yumetokyoki.com (Japan), gkidsfilms.com/kingdom (US)
Special Thanks to Geovani Rocha

DVD cover art. Image courtesy of Cinedigm. © 2013
dwango

GKIDS and Cinedigm are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the Studio Ghibli documentary, THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS AND MADNESS (夢と狂気の王国, Yume to Kyoki no Ohkoku, 2013), on DVD.

First premiering at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS AND MADNESS is a fascinating, never-before-seen look inside the quirky and wonderful world of Studio Ghibli, creators of masterpieces like PRINCESS MONONOKE (もののけ姫, Mononoke Hime, 1997), MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (となりのトトロ, Tonari no Totoro, 1988) and the Oscar-winning SPIRITED AWAY (千と千尋の神隠し, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, 2001). Granted near-unfettered access to the notoriously insular Studio Ghibli, director Mami Sunada follows the eminent director Hayao Miyazaki, producer Toshio Suzuki, and the elusive and influential “other director” Isao Takahata, for a year as the studio rushes to complete two films, Miyazaki’s THE WIND RISES (風立ちぬ, Kaze Tachinu, 2013) and Takahata’s THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA (かぐや姫の物語, Kaguyahime no Monogatari, 2013).

THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS AND MADNESS will be available from retailers on January 27th, but here is your chance to win the DVD for free!
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Images courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2015 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer

IDW Publishing has announced solicitations for Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #23 and Godzilla: Rulers of Earth Vol. 5 TPB. Both publications are coming to comic book shops and retailers in April 2015.
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Blu-ray + DVD and DVD packaging art for Isao Takahata’s THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA.
Image courtesy of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. © 2013 Hatake Jimusho ・ GNDHDDTK

Nominated Best Animated Feature
Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Click Communications press releases
Official Movie Site: kaguyahime-monogatari.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Tyler Gagnon

From Studio Ghibli, the studio that brought you SPIRITED AWAY (千と千尋の神隠し, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, 2001), MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (となりのトトロ, Tonari no Totoro, 1988), and THE WIND RISES (風立ちぬ, Kaze Tachinu, 2013) comes a powerful and sweeping epic that redefines the limits of animated storytelling and marks a triumphant highpoint within an extraordinary career in filmmaking for director Isao Takahata. Announced today as an Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Feature, THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA (かぐや姫の物語, Kaguyahime no Monogatari, 2013) is a critically praised film that features the best of Japanese folklore and artful animation.
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© 2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., Legendary and Ratpac-Dune Entertainment LLC. GODZILLA TM & © Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Home Box Office, Inc.
Official Site: Godzillamovie.com (US), godzilla-movie.jp (Japan)

Following the theatrical run; Blu-ray, DVD and digital release; and Video on Demand screenings; Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ GODZILLA (2014) will make its pay cable debut this Friday, January 16th. The film will premiere 7:55 PM on Time Warner’s Cinemax, with additional screenings scheduled on the various Cinemax channels into March. GODZILLA will also be added to Cinemax’s On Demand and Max Go services.
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Photos courtesy of Chikyu-Boueigun. TM & © 2001,2015　TOHO CO.,LTD.

Source: Chikyu-Boueigun (Japan)

Japanese kaiju product manufacturer Chikyu-Boueigun has announced new Godzilla and Baragon statues for their Toho Monster Collection. Sculpted by Studio Nero, the figures depict the two monsters as they appeared in GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK (ゴジラ・モスラ・キングギドラ 大怪獣総攻撃, Gojira, Mosura, Kingughidora: Daikaiju Soshingeki, 2001).
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Photo courtesy of X-Plus. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd.
Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photos for the Limited Edition “light up” version of Gigan (1972). The figure — depicting the cyborg monster as seen in its first appearance, GODZILLA VS GIGAN (地球攻撃命令 ゴジラ対ガイガン, Chikyuu Kogeki Meirei Gojira Tai Gaigan) — will be released in late February 2015.
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© Fujiko Pro / 2014 STAND BY ME Doraemon Film Partners

Source: Lucky Red
Official Site: doraemon-3d.com (Japan)

The 3D computer animated feature STAND BY ME DORAEMON (STAND BY ME ドラえもん, STAND BY ME Doraemon) was the top-grossing anime film in Japan for 2014. The movie is directed by Ryuichi Yagi and Takashi Yamazaki, who previously collaborated on FRIENDS: NAKI ON MONSTER ISLAND (friends もののけ島のナキ, Friends: Mononoke Shima no Naki, 2011).
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Source: Fuji Creative Corporation
Official Site: psycho-pass.com

Image courtesy of Fuji Creative Corporation. ©
PSYCHO-PASS Committee

PSYCHO-PASS — the hardboiled, gun-slinging sci-fi anime series from Katsuyuki Motohiro (BAYSIDE SHAKEDOWN), Gen Urobuchi (PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA) and Production I.G, the studio behind GHOST IN THE SHELL (攻殻機動隊, Kookaku Kidootai, 1995) and BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE （ブラッド ザ ラスト ヴァンパイア, 2000） — comes to the big screen with PSYCHO-PASS THE MOVIE (劇場版 PSYCHO-PASS サイコパス, Gekijooban Saikopasu). Toho will release the film in Japanese cinemas on January 9th, while FUNimation will bring it to North America at a date TBA.
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Diamond Comic Distributors is offering a number of Godzilla figures and collectibles from different companies. Photos courtesy of Diamond Comic Distributors.
GODZILLA and the character designs are trademarks of Toho Co., Ltd. © 1964, 1971, 2014 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Diamond Comic Distributors
Special Thanks to Deborah Moreland

Have some Christmas money burning a hole in your wallet? Then you’re in luck… Diamond Comic Distributors has provided SciFi Japan with information and photos for a dozen new Godzilla items that will be available in comic book shops beginning January 2015. Additional Godzilla products are also listed in Diamond’s January Previews Catalog, on sale now.
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Limited Edition “Toho Monster Memorial: Eternal Godzilla” Autographed by Haruo Nakajima
Source: Bandai Co., Ltd.
Official Site: lalabitmarket.channel.or.jp/godzilla

Photo courtesy of Bandai Co., Ltd. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Bandai continues the celebration of Godzilla’s 60th anniversary into early 2015 with the Toho Monster Memorial: Eternal Godzilla (東宝怪獣メモリアル　永遠のゴジラ, Toho Kaijuu Memoriaru Eien no Gojira) deluxe signed and framed limited edition photo print. This is the first Godzilla release in Bandai’s Memorial line, which launched in 2007 with the Ultraman franchise “Ultra Hero Memorial” and followed in 2009 with the “Rider Hero Memorial” series of Kamen Rider characters.

This collectible features a famous publicity still from GODZILLA (ゴジラ, Gojira, 1954), reproduced with state-of-the-art digital printing and matted in black with a “Toho Monster Memorial” nameplate. The silver frame includes a wall-hanging mount. A distinct serial number is included on back.

Each photo is personally autographed by suit actor Haruo Nakajima, who played Godzilla in the Toho films from the original GODZILLA to 1972’s GODZILLA VS GIGAN (地球攻撃命令 ゴジラ対ガイガン, Chikyuu Kogeki Meirei Gojira Tai Gaigan). Mr. Nakajima signed the prints in gold metallic ink to better contrast with the black and white image.
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Left: Jeff Zornow’s cover for Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #22. Right: Godzilla: Cataclysm TPB cover by Dave Wachter.
Images courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2014 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer

IDW Publishing has announced solicitations for Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #22 and the trade paperback collection of the Godzilla: Cataclysm mini-series. Both publications are coming to comic book shops and retailers in March 2015.
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Destoroyah returns to wipe out mankind in Godzilla: Cataclysm #5, available from comic book shops and retailers on December 17th.
Image courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2014 Toho Co., Ltd.

The Climactic Ending to the Acclaimed Mini-Series!
Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer

IDW’s Godzilla: Cataclysm mini-series concludes with issue #5, on sale tomorrow. The five part series takes place years after the monster apocalypse that nearly destroyed mankind. As one of Godzilla’s most devastating foes emerges, Hiroshi must come to terms with his role in the Cataclysm. Will his actions be enough to rectify the mistakes of the past?
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Image courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2014 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

IDW Publishing has provided SciFi Japan with a preview of their Godzilla: Rulers of Earth Vol. 4 Trade Paperback, collecting Godzilla: Rulers of Earth issues #13–16.

Both Godzilla: Rulers of Earth Vol. 4 TPB and Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #19 will be available from comic shops and retailers on December 17th.
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Photos courtesy of Marusan. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Jet Black Figures Available in January 2015
Source: Marusan Toys, Inc.

In January, Marusan Toys will reissue a trio of their classic Toho monster vinyl figures with new jet black colors. The lineup includes Godzilla — first released in 1966 — Mechagodzilla from GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA (ゴジラ対メカゴジラ, Gojira Tai Mekagojira, 1974), and the original Mogera from THE MYSTERIANS (地球防衛軍, Chikyuu Boeigun, 1957).
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Source: ACTV Japan

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

This week SciFi JAPAN TV continues its celebration of the 30th anniversary of THE RETURN OF GODZILLA (Gojira, aka GODZILLA 1985) with an extended SciFi JAPAN TV EXTRA episode of our exclusive interview with the film’s special FX director, Teruyoshi Nakano. This time Mr Nakano discusses the design and action of a new Godzilla for a new generation.
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Battra lashes out in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #19, coming next week from IDW. Image courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2014 Toho Co., Ltd.

New Monsters in Latest Issue of IDW’s Godzilla Comic Book Series!
Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

IDW Publishing has provided SciFi Japan with an exclusive preview of the first five pages from Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #19. The issue — featuring Godzilla, Battra, Mothra, Megaguirus and the new Trilopod monsters — will be available from comic shops and retailers on Wednesday, December 17th.
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Source: Kadokawa Shoten
Official Site: hobby.dengeki.com

Cover art for Godzilla Toho Champion Festival Perfection.
TM & © Toho Co., Ltd.

Rising production costs and dwindling ticket sales hammered the Japanese film industry in the late 1960s/early 1970s. Struggling to find new ways to lure moviegoers into theaters, in 1969 Toho launched the Champion Festival series, a children’s block that packaged a movie packaged along with a mix of cartoons and short features. Nineteen different Toho Champion Festivals were released through 1978, premiering during the New Year, summer and/or March school vacations. All of the Godzilla films from ALL MONSTERS ATTACK/GODZILLA’S REVENGE (ゴジラ・ミニラ・ガバラ オール怪獣大進撃, Gojira, Minira, Gabara: Oru Kaijuu Daishingeki, 1969) through TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (メカゴジラの逆襲, Mekagojira no Gyakushuu, 1975) were first released as part of the Toho Champion Festivals.

Dengeki Hobby Books, an imprint of Kadokawa Shoten’s ASCII Media Works, recently released Godzilla Toho Champion Festival Perfection (ゴジラ 東宝チャンピオンまつり パーフェクション, Gojira Toho Chanpion Matsuri Paafekushon), a new book on the history of the Champion Festivals.
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