Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Redkiller, Gavora, Muruchi and Ultraman Leo © TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS. Godzilla (2019) © 2020 Legendary. All Rights Reserved.
TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary. SpaceGodzilla TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Product Info and Exclusive GIANT High-Res Photos, Direct from X-Plus!
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd.
Special Thanks to Shingo Fujimoto

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The Japanese collectibles company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and daikaiju-sized photos of their giant monster and anime figures scheduled for release in June 2020.
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Source: Shout! Factory press release
Official Site: tenkinoko.com (Japan), WeatheringWithYouMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Lauren Blum

Blu-ray cover art. Image courtesy of Shout! Factory. ©2019
“Weathering With You” Film Partners

The extraordinary new animated film WEATHERING WITH YOU (天気の子, Tenki no Ko, 2019) will be available to purchase digitally on August 4, 2020, and on September 15 will arrive on Blu-ray + DVD Combo, DVD, and SteelBook format from GKIDS and Shout! Factory. In addition, a limited edition Collector’s Set will also be released in November.

GKIDS proudly presents the highly-anticipated new film from director Makoto Shinkai and the creative team, including producer Genki Kawamura, behind the critically-acclaimed, global smash hit YOUR NAME. Featuring music from the hit band RADWIMPS, and backed by an all-star voice cast including Lee Pace (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, THE HOBBIT Trilogy), Alison Brie (GLOW, THE LEGO MOVIE franchise), and Riz Ahmed (ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, VENOM), Shinkai has once again brought incredible beauty and a powerful story to the screen.
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Conan Edogawa will return to the big screen in DETECTIVE CONAN: THE SCARLET BULLET. Image Key art courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. © 2020 GOSHO AOYAMA/
DETECTIVE CONAN COMMITTEE All Rights Reserved.

Source: Toho Co., Ltd.
Translation: Benjamin Chaffins
Official Site: conan-movie.jp (Japan)

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Toho has provided information and high-res images from their new anime film, DETECTIVE CONAN: THE SCARLET BULLET (名探偵コナン　緋色の弾丸, Meitantei Konan Hiiro no Dangan). The the 24th installment in the blockbuster series based on the Detective Conan manga by Gosho Aoyama was scheduled for nationwide release in Japan on April 17th, but is now listed as “coming soon” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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John LeMay discusses his work on books like The Lost Films: Mutated Edition and Writing Japanese Monsters.
Photos courtesy of John LeMay. ©John LeMay

Author: Benjamin Chaffins

Author John LeMay has published several books over the years. His books are entertaining informative reads and you can find his books on Amazon for a very reasonable price.

I wanted to speak with John about his books and to get some insight from him about the publishing process, how stressful it was typing these books up, and to put some information out there for those who are unfamiliar with his work.
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Special Thanks to John LeMay

Writing Japanese Monsters. Photo courtesy of John LeMay.
©John LeMay

Author John LeMay is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a signed paperback copy of his Writing Japanese Monsters: From the Files of the Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies, perhaps the first tome to take an in-depth look at both the writers and the writing process behind these films.

This book charts the wild developmental process of all of Japan’s many monster films. Learn how Gamera was born when the Daiei Studios president looked out his airplane window and saw a cloud shaped like a turtle; how KING KONG VS. GODZILLA began as King Kong vs. Frankenstein; and how Ultraman originally started out with the name and design of one his future opponents!

Discover a floppy-eared Godzilla; a blue-scaled, rainbow-winged King Ghidorah; and a transforming Mechagodzilla! Marvel at Gorgo’s roots as a Japanese co-production called Kuru Island; puzzle at a spoof of GODZILLA 1985 starring Leslie Nielsen; thrill to Mothra’s secret origin in The Luminous Fairies and Mothra; and be amazed at Miki Saegusa’s surprising backstory in an early treatment for GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE.
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Yuhki Isayama (Hidetoshi Nishijima) and Nami Isayama (Haruka Ayase) have some marital issues in CAUTION, HAZARDOUS WIFE: THE MOVIE.
Photo courtesy of Toho. ©2020 “Caution, Hazardous Wife: The Movie” Film Partners

Source: Toho Co., Ltd., Nippon TV
Official Site: okusama-movie.jp (Japan)

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The mighty wife returns!

Toho Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with press notes and high-res photos from their upcoming action drama, CAUTION, HAZARDOUS WIFE: THE MOVIE (奥様は、取り扱い注意, Okusama wa, Tori Atsukai Chūi). The Japanese version of the Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie movie MR. & MRS. SMITH, the film is a continuation of the hit television series CAUTION, HAZARDOUS WIFE, which debuted in October 2017 and hit a peak 25.6% rating share during its broadcast run on Nippon TV. The movie is directed by Toya Sato, the filmmaker behind the blockbuster KAIJI series (2010-20) and GATCHAMAN (ガッチャマン, 2013).
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GODZILLA. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

From the 1950s to the present day, Japan has released a wide variety of fantastic science-fiction movies over the decades. Here is a look at five of the very best.
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Photos courtesy of Shout! Factory. KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE ©1989 Eiko Kadono • Nibariki • GN. NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND
©1984 NIBARIKI • TOKUMA SHOTEN • HAKUHODO

Source: Shout! Factory press release
Special Thanks to Shannon Meehan

Studio Ghibli and GKIDS, with distribution by Shout! Factory, will release KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE and NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, from the famed Studio Ghibli library of films, on August 25, 2020 in limited edition SteelBook packaging with striking new art. Each SteelBook will house a Blu-ray & DVD combo pack, presenting the film alongside hours of bonus features and a booklet with stunning art and statements from the filmmakers.

With this release, two films from one of the world’s most coveted animation collections can come home to collectors in limited edition SteelBook packaging for the first time in North America.
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Source: Shout! Factory press release
Official Site: promare-movie.com (Japan), PromareMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Shannon Meehan

Final artwork pending, Image courtesy of Shout! Factory.
©TRIGGER, Kazuki Nakashima/XFLAG

Following a phenomenally successful North American theatrical run, PROMARE (プロメア, Puromea),, the top-grossing original anime feature of 2019, makes its way to home entertainment with a newly announced Collector’s Edition. The hyperkinetic, candy-colored visual masterpiece is available now on digital download and On Demand, and will be released on Blu-ray + DVD combo pack, as a standalone DVD, and as a SteelBook edition of the Blu-ray on May 19, 2020 from GKIDS and Shout! Factory. Bonus features include an interview with director Hiroyuki Imaishi, a round table with Studio TRIGGER, and SIDE: GALO and SIDE: LIO short films with new English dubs featuring the original dub cast.

Later this year, fans can look forward to the upcoming PROMARE Collector’s Edition, featuring new special packaging, as well as added bonus features exclusive to the Collector’s Edition. The PROMARE Collector’s Edition is being produced in partnership with Anime Limited, the film’s UK distributor, and will be available at a suggested retail price of $64.99.
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RIDE YOUR WAVE, from director Masaaki Yuasa (THE NIGHT IS SHORT, WALK ON GIRL and DEVILMAN Crybaby) is coming to home video in North America.
Photos courtesy of Shout! Factory. © Ride Your Wave Film Partners

The latest film by anime auteur Masaaki Yuasa, director of THE NIGHT IS SHORT, WALK ON GIRL
Source: Shout! Factory press release
Official Site: Official Site: kimi-nami.com (Japan), RideYourWaveMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Shannon Meehan

The deeply emotional new film RIDE YOUR WAVE (きみと、波にのれたら, Kimi to Nami ni Noretara, 2019) will be released on digital download, On Demand, on Blu-ray + DVD combo pack and as a standalone DVD on August 4, 2020 from GKIDS and Shout! Factory. Winner of the 2019 Best Animated Feature award at Fantasia, Sitges and Shanghai International Film Festivals, the film makes its way to home entertainment following a nationwide theatrical release earlier this year.
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Photo courtesy of Bandai. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

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

Source: Bandai Co., Ltd.
Special Thanks to Tatsuru Kaneda

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Bandai Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and daikaiju-sized, high-res photos of their new GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (ゴジラ対メカゴジラ, Gojira Tai Mekagojira, 1974) figure set. The first of two sets based on Mechgodzilla’s introduction in the film, this release contains two “Fake Godzilla” figures depicting the cyborg monster in the midst of burning away its false skin.
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Maser tanks confront Godzilla in the short film, GODZILLA APPEARS IN SUKAGAWA. ©TOHO CO., LTD.

Author: Benjamin Chaffins

It was reported in 2018 that a new short film would be released during Godzilla’s 64th anniversary. Indeed, a 14 minute video was created — although not available to the public. In Eiji Tsuburaya’s hometown of Sukagawa, a few crew members were able to produce this special video in honor of the late Eiji Tsuburaya. So, what exactly does this mean?
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Source: Amazing Figure Modeler
Official Facebook: facebook.com/amazingmodeler
Special Thanks to Terry Webb and David Fisher

Cover art courtesy of Amazing Figure Modeler. ©2020
Amazing Publications & Communications, Inc. Godzilla TM & ©
TOHO CO., LTD.

Fans of Godzilla and other Toho monsters should be sure to pick up Amazing Figure Modeler #69. The latest issue of the world’s number one sci-fi, horror and fantasy figure modeling publication is packed with articles and photos devoted to kaiju kits, figures and dioramas.

Among the highlights is a history of Godzilla Super-Deformed kits by Stan Hyde. Next, take a tour of Japan with a unique diary photo journal by Robert Troch that escorts you from Osaka to Tokyo with a stopover at the world famous Wonder Festival. Kurt Krause shows how to refurbish the classic Aurora Godzilla model, while Dave Prosser builds an incredible Mechagodzilla 2002 diorama.

The magazine also contains two artists profiles. First, AFM editor Terry Webb throws the spotlight on Resin Chef’s sculptor Bill Gudmundson and his menagerie of offbeat Toho kaiju kits. Then Stan Hyde talks with Takuji Yamada, one of the world’s finest diorama masters.

All this and so much more destruction awaits you in the newest foot-stompin’, city smashing issue of Amazing Figure Modeler!
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Photo courtesy of NECA. © 2019 Legendary, All Rights Reserved. TM & © TOHO CO.,LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary.

Source: NECA
Special Thanks to Peter de Leon

NECA has announced that their Mothra (2019) 12” Wing-to-Wing “Poster Version” Action Figure is rolling out from their warehouse this week and will soon be available from retailers.
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Photo courtesy of NECA. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: NECA press release
Special Thanks to Peter de Leon

NECA has announced that restocks of their Godzilla (1964) and Godzilla (2001) Action Figures are rolling out from their warehouse this week and will soon be available from retailers.
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Image courtesy of GKIDS. ©TRIGGER, Kazuki Nakashima/XFLAG

Source: GKIDS Inc. press release
Official Site: promare-movie.com (Japan), PromareMovie.com (US)
#Promare

GKIDS is hosting a watch party today for the anime feature film PROMARE (プロメア, Puromea, 2019).
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Deforeal Series: King Caesar (1974) Limited Edition. Photo courtesy of X-Plus. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Product Info and Exclusive GIANT High-Res Photos, Direct from X-Plus!
Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd.
Special Thanks to Shingo Fujimoto

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The Japanese collectibles company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and daikaiju-sized photos of their upcoming DefoReal Series figure of King Caesar from GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (ゴジラ対メカゴジラ, Gojira Tai Mekagojira, 1974). The figure will be available in August 2020.
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Special Thanks to John LeMay

The Lost Films: Mutated Edition. Photo courtesy of John
LeMay. ©John LeMay

Author John LeMay is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a signed paperback copy of his The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: The Lost Films: Mutated Edition. This newly released second edition runs 470 pages and measures 7 x 10″, and is packed with information about movies that went uncompleted like BATMAN MEETS GODZILLA starring Adama West and a DAIMAJIN remake starring Steven Seagal.

This book covers: Unproduced scripts like BRIDE OF GODZILLA (1955), GAMERA VS. THE ICE MEN FROM OUTER SPACE (1966), ULTRAMAN: OPERATION GIANT (1966), KING KONG VS. EBIRAH (1966), GAMERA VS. TWO-HEADED MONSTER W (1971), THE TIME MACHINE II (1979), GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS IN 3-D (1983), IT ATE CLEVELAND! (1984), COO FROM A DISTANT SEA (1989), MOTHRA VS. BAGAN (1990), GAMERA VS. PHOENIX (1993), GODZILLA VS. GHOST GODZILLA (1995), YAMATO TAKERU II (1997), and HEDORAH VS. MIDORA (2017).
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Godzilla and other iconic Toho monsters are coming to Magic: The Gathering. On the left is the Godzilla Buy-a-Box promo card.
Images courtesy of Toho. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. ©2020 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Godzilla, Mothra, King Caesar, and more of TOHO’s iconic monsters will appear in the upcoming Magic: The Gathering premier card set
Source: Toho Co., Ltd. press release
Official Site: magic.wizards.com/Ikoria
Special Thanks to Lawrence Lacsamana

The King of the Monsters makes his debut in Magic: The Gathering! Wizards of the Coast, in a groundbreaking collaboration with TOHO CO., LTD, is proud to announce that the iconic monsters from the Godzilla franchise are coming to Magic: The Gathering. The Godzilla Series Monster cards are a special feature of the upcoming premier card set, Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths.
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Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Mechagodzilla TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Kamen Rider Den-O © Ishimori Pro・Toei. Ultraman Neos,
Re-Sabotendar and Black End ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS. Mothra (2019) ©2019 Legendary, All Rights Reserved. TM & © TOHO CO.,LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary

Product Info and Exclusive GIANT High-Res Photos, Direct from X-Plus!
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd.
Special Thanks to Shingo Fujimoto

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The Japanese collectibles company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and nearly 100 daikaiju-sized photos of their giant monster figures scheduled for release in May 2020.
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Source: Diamond Select Toys
Special Thanks to Zach Oat

Photo courtesy of Diamond Select. TM & © TOHO
CO., LTD.

Diamond Select Toys is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Godzilla 1974 Figural Bank. Sculpted by Gentle Giant, this full-figure vinyl bank depicts Godzilla, exactly as he appeared in 1974’s GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (ゴジラ対メカゴジラ, Gojira Tai Mekagojira). The 12-inch rendition of the King of All Monsters in his full 1970s glory features a coin slot on his back and a removable tail that reveals an access door. Measuring 18 inches long from nose to tail, he is the perfect addition to any Godzilla collection!
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Photo courtesy of NECA. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: NECA press release
Special Thanks to Peter de Leon

NECA has announced that restocks of their Godzilla (2001) Atomic Blast 12” Head-to-Tail Action Figure are rolling out from their warehouse this week and will soon be available from retailers. This version of the beloved monster is based on Godzilla’s “Atomic Blast” attack in the 2001 movie 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), a spectacular battle between Godzilla and some of his most famous foes.
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The Masterline Premium Statue: King Ghidorah Deluxe Edition is now available for pre-order from Spiral Studio.
Photo courtesy of Spiral Studio. © 2019 Legendary, All Rights Reserved. TM & © TOHO CO.,LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary

Source: Spiral Studio Co., Ltd.
Special Thanks to Ash S

The collectibles company Spiral Studio Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and large, high-res photos of their long-awaited and highly-anticipated Ultimate Masterline Premium Statue: King Ghidorah Deluxe Edition. Equipped with LED light-up functions, King Ghidorah Deluxe Edition is exclusively crafted with remarkable movie-accuracy to depict the iconic scene of the final battle in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ 2019 Kaiju blockbuster GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS.
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NECA’s Godzilla (1985) 12” Head-to-Tail Action Figure returns to stores soon. Photo courtesy of NECA. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: NECA
Special Thanks to Peter de Leon

NECA has announced that restocks of their Godzilla (1985) 12” Head-to-Tail Action Figure are rolling out from their warehouse this week and will soon be available from retailers.
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PROMARE will now be available on digital on April 21, with the Blu-ray + DVD combo pack, DVD and Best Buy exclusive SteelBook Blu-ray
following on May 19. Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory. ©TRIGGER, Kazuki Nakashima/XFLAG

Source: Shout! Factory press release
Official Site: promare-movie.com (Japan), PromareMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Shannon Meehan

The top-grossing original anime feature of 2019, PROMARE (プロメア, Puromea), will be available for digital download from GKIDS and Shout! Factory on April 21, earlier than previously announced. Fans can pre-order the hyperkinetic, candy-colored visual masterpiece on iTunes now.
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Key art courtesy of Toho. ©”All About March” Film Partners

Source: Toho Co., Ltd.
Official Site: yayoi-movie.jp (Japan)

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Toho Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with press notes and high-res photos from their new romance film, ALL ABOUT MARCH (弥生、三月 -君を愛した３０年-, Yayoi, Sangatsu: Kimi o Ai Shita Sanjunen). Kazuhiko Yukawa, director of A LOVING HUSBAND (恋妻家宮本, Koisaika Miyamoto, 2017) and screenwriter for the popular television dramas I’M MITA, YOUR HOUSEKEEPER (家政婦のミタ, Kaseifu no Mita, 2011), OVERPROTECTED KAHOKO (過保護のカホコ, Kahogo no Kahoko, 2017) and OUR DEAREST SAKURA (同期のサクラ, Doki no Sakura, 2019), makes the month of March the focus of this love story spanning 30 years in the lives of a man and woman bound by fate.
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Win a Godzilla Gallery: Godzilla 1991 Deluxe PVC Figure from Diamond Select Toys and SciFi Japan! Photo courtesy of Diamond Select.
TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: Diamond Select Toys
Special Thanks to Zach Oat

Diamond Select Toys is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their Godzilla Gallery: Godzilla 1991 Deluxe PVC Figure, the first in a new line of Gallery PVC Dioramas starring Godzilla, his allies and his enemies.
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SHIN GODZILLA production assistant Yoko Higuchi at Toho Studios. Photo courtesy of Yoko Higuchi. ©TOHO CO., LTD.

Author: Benjamin Chaffins

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The 7 Japanese Academy Award-winning film SHIN GODZILLA (シン・ゴジラ, Shin Gojira) continues to be hailed by critics in both east and west after its release in 2016. The film received awards such as Best Art Direction, Best Sound, Best Editing, Best Lighting, Best Film, Best Director and Best Picture. While some continue to have issues with this film, it’s important to look further into the production aspects.

Who better to talk about the film than someone who was there during production? Yoko Higuchi is an up-and-coming American filmmaker residing in New York who became a Production Assistant for SHIN GODZILLA.
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Toho Classics in High-Definition on June 9, 2020
Source: Mill Creek Entertainment press release

Photo courtesy of Mill Creek. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Travel back to the days before CGI, when special effects were real and the results were spectacular! Director Ishirô Honda and special effects wizard Eiji Tsuburaya bring thee wildly colorful tokusatsu eiga THE H-MAN (美女と液体人間, Bijo to Ekitai-ningen, 1958) and BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE (宇宙大戦争, Uchū Daisensō, 1959) to life in this high-definition double feature presentation.

Following their SteelBook edition of MOTHRA (モスラ, Mosura), Mill Creek brings the Toho/Columbia movies THE H-MAN and BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE to Blur0ay. The films are presented in the 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio with DTS-HD Master Audio for both English and Japanese tracks and English subtitles.
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Photo courtesy of NECA. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: NECA press release
Special Thanks to Peter de Leon

NECA continues to celebrate Godzilla, the most famous kaiju in the world, in action figure form with two new classic Toho figures this June.
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