The Godzilla 89 resin kit from Yuji Sakai was one of te many models and figures available at this year’s Winter Wonder Festival.
Photo by Ed Godziszewski. © 1989 Toho Co., Ltd.

Severe Snowstorms Can’t Stop Godzilla, Ultraman, Gamera and More from Attending Tokyo Hobby Festival
Author: Ed Godziszewski
Official Site: wf.kaiyodo.net

Having attended so many Wonder Festivals over the last few years, one finds oneself hard pressed to come up with new things to say. But the Winter Wonder Festival of 2014 (held Sunday, February 9th at Makuhari Messe exhibition center) will always stand out from the others, not so much because of the show itself, but because of the circumstances surrounding it.
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Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer

Jeff Zornow’s cover for Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #14.
Image courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2014 Toho Co.,
Ltd.

A new world-wide threat emerges in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #14, the latest issue announced for the fan-favorite series from IDW Publishing. Issue #14 will be coming to comic book shops and retailers in July 2014.

As our world recovers following Godzilla’s climactic battle against the Devonians, a threat unlike any before takes aim at not only our world, but the monsters themselves! One of the biggest chapters in the series starts right here!
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Front and back cover designs for The Art of Japanese Monsters. Image courtesy of Sean Linkenback. © 2014

Sample Pages from the Full Color Reference Guide to Japanese Science Fiction Film Posters and Lobby Cards
Source: Sean Linkenback

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Author Sean Linkenback has given SciFi Japan an advance look at pages from his upcoming hardcover book, The Art of Japanese Monsters. A complete reference guide to Japanese science fiction film posters from 1954 to present, the book will contain artwork from over 60 different films, including the Godzilla, Gamera, and Mothra series; RODAN, GAPPA, the Majin films, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS, THE H-MAN, and many more. Over 1,000 posters and lobby cards from 20 different countries will be featured in full color.
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Shot from the new GODZILLA “Nature Has An Order” TV spot. © 2013 LEGENDARY PICTURES PRODUCTIONS LLC & WARNER BROS ENTERTAINMENT INC.
GODZILLA TM & © Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures
Official Site: Godzillamovie.com

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures continue to release television spots for the new GODZILLA.
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Win all four “Toho Godzilla Collection” double feature Blu-ray sets from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and SciFi Japan!
Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. © Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Special Thanks to Leif Helland

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win all four of their new “Toho Godzilla Collection” sets! Get Blu-ray double features of GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH + GODZILLA AND MOTHRA: THE BATTLE FOR EARTH, GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II + GODZILLA VS. SPACEGODZILLA, GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH + GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS and GODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. + GODZILLA: FINAL WARS… for free!
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Four different Godzilla posters from Koichi Kawakita’s Dream Planet Japan will be available for purchase during the exclusive GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE
event at Anime Jungle in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo. Images courtesy of Jungle. © Toho Co., Ltd.

Special Godzilla Events on May 3rd at the Aratani Theater and Anime Jungle
Source: Anime Jungle
Event Site: animejungle.net/godzillavsbiollantescreening
Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota and Yoichi Kakuma

Anime Jungle has provided a sneak peek at some of the Godzilla merchandise being sold exclusively at the “G in Jungle” Special Event on Saturday, May 3, 2014. The event caps off a day of Godzilla’s 60th anniversary festivities headlined by two screenings of GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE (ゴジラ VS ビオランテ, Gojira Tai Biorante, 1989) at the Aratani Theater in the Little Tokyo section of Los Angeles.
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Mechagodzilla is blasted by Baragon in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #11, coming next week from IDW. Image courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2014 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

IDW Publishing has sent SciFi Japan an exclusive preview of the first seven pages from Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #11. Baragon takes a long overdue trip to Paris — but Mechagodzilla (Kiryu version) shows up to spoil the fun — while Godzilla deals with a pack of fan-favorite aquatic monsters in this issue!
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Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2013 LEGENDARY PICTURES PRODUCTIONS LLC & WARNER BROS ENTERTAINMENT INC. GODZILLA TM & © Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Edelman, JAKKS Pacific, NECA, Insight Editions, Running Press, Rogue Play, Hallmark, Trends International, Red Robin, Silver Buffalo
Official Movie Site: Godzillamovie.com
Special Thanks to Laura Reeve, Summer Mullins, Victoria Venturi, Kristi Ernsting, Michelle Kesler, Nate Adams, Natalie Nicolson, Seta Zink, Gabriel Vicuna, Ellen A. Portantino, Stacey Matzkin

As the May 16th release of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ GODZILLA draws near, more and more tie-in merchandise and promotions are being announced. With the assistance of Warner Bros. Consumer Products and many of the licensing companies, SciFi Japan presents a guide to more than 100 different products from the new GODZILLA.
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SciFi Japan has previews of the new trade paperback collections Godzilla: History’s Greatest Monster and Godzilla: Rulers of Earth Vol. 2 from IDW.
Images courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2014 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

IDW Publishing has sent SciFi Japan exclusive previews of their new trade paperback collections Godzilla: History’s Greatest Monster and Godzilla: Rulers of Earth Vol. 2. Both books will be available from comic shops and retailers on Wednesday, April 16th.
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Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Movie Site: elevenarts.net/space-battleship-yamato (US)
Special Thanks to Scott Lonski and Tim Baxter

Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010
Space Battleship Yamato Production Committee.

FUNimation Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the 2-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack of the live-action sci-fi epic SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (宇宙戦艦ヤマト, Supeesu Batorushippu Yamato, 2010).

Based on the incredibly popular 1970′s anime series of the same name — shown in the US as STAR BLAZERS — SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO was directed by Takashi Yamazaki (RETURNER, the ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET films) and stars Takuya Kimura (REDLINE, HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE). The story is set in the year 2199. The Gamilas, a mysterious alien enemy, has been decimating the Earth to unlivable and irradiated conditions for the past 5 years. Humankind now lives underground to escape the radiation, but with only a year until extinction. One day while roaming the surface of Earth, former pilot Susumu Kodai (Takuya Kimura) comes across a capsule sent from the planet Iskandar that reveals there is technology that has the power to eradicate the radiation from Earth. A chosen crew of the Space Battleship Yamato takes off on the long trip to Iskandar with hopes to save the Earth.

The SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack (SRP $29.98) will be available from retailers on April 29th, but here is your chance to get the set for free!
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Source: Mill Creek Entertainment
Special Thanks to Chris Smith and Barrett Evans

Mill Creek Entertainment has released a new trailer for their upcoming GODZILLA: THE SERIES DVD set. The entire 40 episode series will be available together for the first time in this 4-Disc collection, which will present the shows in their original production order and include 2 unaired episodes.

Don’t miss SciFi Japan’s GODZILLA: THE SERIES DVD contest for your chance to win a free copy of this set!
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Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Godzilla TM & © 1989, 2014 TOHO CO.,LTD. Ultraman Ace, Alien Borg, Dodongo, Terotirus, Ultraman 80
and Alien Prote © Tsuburaya Productions. Gamera © 1996 KADOKAWA ＮＨＦＮ.

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 Toho, Kadokawa/Daiei and Tsuburaya Pro giant monster figures scheduled for release in late May 2014.

X-Plus reported that no decision has been made yet regarding figures from the upcoming American GODZILLA film. The company also refuted recent online reports of changes to their release schedule that would have push back several figures until late August 2014. Upcoming figures will follow the same release pattern X-Plus has used for the past several years.
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Win 4-Disc Set Containing All 40 Episodes of the Sony Animated Series
Source: Mill Creek Entertainment
Special Thanks to Chris Smith and Barrett Evans

Image courtesy of Mill Creek. © 1998 Global
Entertainment Productions GmbH & Co. Medien KG and
SPE German Finance Co. Inc. © 1998-2000 Adelaide
Productions, Inc. © 1998 Toho Co., Ltd.

Mill Creek Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the hit animated show GODZILLA: THE SERIES on DVD. The entire 40 episode series will be available together for the first time in this 4-Disc DVD set, which will present the shows in their original production order and include 2 unaired episodes.

GODZILLA: THE SERIES picks up immediately after the events of Sony’s GODZILLA theatrical remake (1998). After helping take down Godzilla, biologist Dr. Nick Tatopoulos (Ian Ziering) stumbles upon his hatchling, who bonds with the scientist as a parental figure. Recruiting his own environmentally-directed research outfit — HEAT (Humanitarian Environmental Analysis Team) — Nick sets out to study not only this new generation, but also to investigate the increasing reports of monsters of all types and other environmental anomalies menacing the Earth. Each exciting episode is a pulse-pounding monster–hunt driven by Nick’s team — accompanied by their 300-foot giant reptile — as they travel the globe defending humankind against mutant threats.

The GODZILLA: THE SERIES DVD will be available from retailers on April 29th, but here is your chance to get the set for free!
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Photo courtesy of Diamond Select Toys. © 2014 Diamond Select Toys. KING GHIDORAH, GODZILLA and the character design
are trademarks of Toho Co., Ltd. © 1991, 2014 Toho Co., Ltd.

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

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Hail to the King!

Godzilla has met his match with this vinyl bust bank depicting Ghidorah, the three-headed alien monster, as he appeared in 1991′s GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH (ゴジラvsキングギドラ, Gojira Tai Kingu Gidora). Measuring approximately 8 inches tall, the bank has a coin slot on its back for inserting your loose change, and an access door underneath. Have him battle your Godzilla bust bank for shelf supremacy!
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Win the new EBIRAH: HORROR OF THE DEEP, GODZILLA VS HEDORAH and GODZILLA VS GIGAN Blu-rays from Kraken Releasing and SciFi Japan!
Photos courtesy of Section23 Films. © 1966, 1971, 1972 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Section23 Films, Kraken Releasing
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

EBIRAH: HORROR OF THE DEEP, GODZILLA VS HEDORAH and GODZILLA VS GIGAN will be available on Blu-ray (SRP $14.98 each) and DVD (SRP $9.98 each) from retailers on May 6th, but Kraken Releasing is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the Blu-ray editions of all three films for free!
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Photos courtesy of Bluefin.

Bandai Figures to be Sold in Japan and America
Source: Bluefin Corp.
Bandai Tamashii Nations Official Site: tamashii.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Xavier Lim

Distributor Bluefin Corp. has provided product specs and high-res photos for figures and collectibles coming from Bandai’s Tamashii Nations in July and August 2014.

Fans and collectors can purchase Bandai Tamashii Nations products from authorized Bluefin dealers, including SciFi Japan’s sponsor Anime Jungle.
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Source: Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures
Official Site: Godzillamovie.com

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have released an extended preview of the new GODZILLA.
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Special Godzilla Events on May 3rd at the Aratani Theater and Anime Jungle in Little Tokyo
Source: Anime Jungle
Event Site: animejungle.net/godzillavsbiollantescreening
Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota, Yoichi Kakuma and Mark Jaramillo

A sneak peek at the design for the exclusive poster that
will be available only at Anime Jungle’s GODZILLA VS
BIOLLANTE event with SPFX director Koichi Kawakita.
Image courtesy of Jungle. © 1989 Toho Co., Ltd. © 2012
Miramax

In celebration of Godzilla’s 60th anniversary, Anime Jungle presents two special screenings of GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE (ゴジラ VS ビオランテ, Gojira tai Biorante, 1989) at the Aratani Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 3rd. The 3:00pm showing will be dubbed in English and the 6:00pm showing will be the original Japanese language version with English subtitles. The screenings are planned as a part of Fiesta Matsuri by the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo.

In attendance will be filmmakers Koichi Kawakita and Norihiko Iwasaki. In 1989, Mr. Kawakita took over as lead SPFX director on the Godzilla series with GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE, supervising the effects through 1995′s GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH (ゴジラVSデストロイア, Gojira tai Desutoroia). Mr. Iwasaki is a producer and owner of the FX company Marbling Fine Arts, which has created miniatures for the Godzilla, Gamera and Ultraman series.

Both Koichi Kawakita and Norihiko Iwasaki will also appear at a FREE event at Anime Jungle at 9:00pm. They will take part in a panel and Q&A session, sign autographs and screen the rarely-seen independent tokusatsu short film THE GOD OF CLAY (ねんどの神さま, Nendo no Kamisama, 2009/2011) which was co-directed by Mr. Kawakita and features miniature models by Mr. Iwasaki.

Mr. Kawakita will also bring exclusive Godzilla merchandise from his company Dream Planet Japan and an EXCLUSIVE POSTER of GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE will be available only at the Anime Jungle event!
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The adult Godzilla Jr. joins Bandai’s S.H.MonsterArts line this summer. Photo courtesy of Bluefin. © TOHO PICTURES, INC. TM & © 1995, 2014 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

Godzilla returns to the high end S.H.MonsterArts advanced monster action figure series in July. Sculpted by Yuji Sakai with meticulously crafted detail and dynamic articulation, this figure depicts the former Godzilla Jr. as he re-appears in the final seconds of the movie GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH (ゴジラVSデストロイア, Gojira Tai Desutoroia, 1995), transformed and reborn as the new King of the Monsters.
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© 2013 LEGENDARY PICTURES PRODUCTIONS LLC & WARNER BROS ENTERTAINMENT INC. GODZILLA TM & © Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures
Official Site: Godzillamovie.com

This week Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures began releasing the first television spots for the new GODZILLA.

An epic rebirth to Toho’s iconic Godzilla, GODZILLA is a Legendary Pictures production directed by Gareth Edwards. Slated to open on May 16, 2014, the film will be presented in 3D, 2D and IMAX in select theatres and distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, except in Japan, where it will be distributed by Toho Co., Ltd.
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Sony answers fan questions about their “Toho Godzilla Collection”. Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. © Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

On May 6, 2014 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release four “Toho Godzilla Collection” Blu-rays. Coming to the North American marketplace in high definition to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the franchise, the sets include double features of GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH (1991) + GODZILLA AND MOTHRA: THE BATTLE FOR EARTH (1992), GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II (1993) + GODZILLA VS. SPACEGODZILLA (1994), GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH (1995) + GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS (2000) and GODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. (2003) + GODZILLA: FINAL WARS (2004). The 2-Disc sets have a SRP of $19.99 each.

The news has created a lot of interest — and quite a few questions — from Godzilla fans. In an exclusive to SciFi Japan, Sony reps have now answered the most frequently asked questions about these Blu-rays.
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Double Feature Streets May 13th
Source: Classic Media
Special Thanks to Robert Mayo and Rachel Cohen

Packaging for Classic Media’s re-release of the original
GODZILLA. Image courtesy of Classic Media. © 1954, 1956
Toho Co., Ltd.

Days before the theatrical release of the new GODZILLA from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, the original Toho classic GODZILLA (ゴジラ, Gojira, 1954) — along with the Americanized edit GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS (1956) — will be reissued on DVD by Classic Media.

In 2011, Classic Media sub-licensed GODZILLA to The Criterion Collection. Criterion digitally restored the Japanese and US versions of the film for deluxe Blu-ray and DVD editions in 2012.

While the restored GODZILLA Blu-ray and DVD are still available from Criterion, Classic Media has decided to reissue their GOJIRA DVD set to tie-in with the new movie and to offer a lower priced alternative to fans and retailers. The 2-disc set will be re-released with new packaging as GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS.
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Source: Monster Attack Team press release
Special Thanks to Edward L. Holland

Image courtesy of Monster Attack Team. GODZILLA TM &
© Toho Co., Ltd.

Meet Haruo Nakajima, Mr. Godzilla at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan on Saturday May 17, 2014 during the matinee showing of Legendary Pictures’ GODZILLA!

Nakajima-san acted in countless tokusatsu films and TV programs including GODZILLA, RODAN, MOTHRA, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS, ULTRAMAN, ULTRA SEVEN and many more. During Word War II he lived with his family in Yokosuka, joining the Japanese Imperial Army and working at the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal where major Naval aircraft were designed. Now MONSTER ATTACK TEAM is proud to present Mr. Nakajima, in his first official return to the Yokosuka U.S. military base, where he will speak to the audience of active duty military members, dependents, and civilians before the matinee screening of this summer’s highly anticipated blockbuster, directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Olsen, Ken Watanabe, and Akira Takarada.
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© 2013 LEGENDARY PICTURES PRODUCTIONS LLC & WARNER BROS ENTERTAINMENT INC. GODZILLA TM & © Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures
Official Site: Godzillamovie.com

An epic rebirth to Toho’s iconic Godzilla, GODZILLA is a Legendary Pictures production directed by Gareth Edwards. Slated to open on May 16, 2014, the film will be presented in 3D, 2D and IMAX in select theatres and distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, except in Japan, where it will be distributed by Toho Co., Ltd.
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The main image for GATCHAMAN, the live-action feature film adaptation of the classic Tatsunoko Pro anime.
Photo courtesy of Nippon TV. © Tatsunoko　Production/2013　Gatchaman Film Partners

Source: Nippon TV
Official Movie Site: gatchaman-movie.jp (Japan)

Nippon TV has provided SciFi Japan with production notes and high-res images from GATCHAMAN (ガッチャマン, 2013), the live-action feature film based on the classic Tatsunoko Production anime series. With the exception of international film festival screenings, the GATCHAMAN movie is currently unavailable outside of Asia.
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Win KING KONG VS GODZILLA and KING KONG ESCAPES on Blu-ray from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and SciFi Japan!
Photos courtesy of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. © 1962, 19767 Toho Co., Ltd. © 1963, 1968 Universal Studios

Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Special Thanks to Cecilia Sandoval and Haley Lierman

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win KING KONG VS GODZILLA and KING KONG ESCAPES on Blu-ray. The films will be available on Blu-ray (SRP $19.98 each) from retailers April 1st, but here is your chance to win both for free!
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Source: Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures
Official Site: Godzillamovie.com

An epic rebirth to Toho’s iconic Godzilla, GODZILLA is a Legendary Pictures production directed by Gareth Edwards. Slated to open on May 16, 2014, the film will be presented in 3D, 2D and IMAX in select theatres and distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, except in Japan, where it will be distributed by Toho Co., Ltd.
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Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. © 2003, 2004, 2014 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released the back cover art and title treatments for their “Toho Godzilla Collection” GODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. + GODZILLA: FINAL WARS double feature Blu-ray set. The new images have been added to SciFi Japan’s March 20th report.
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GODZILLA TM & © Toho Co., Ltd.

Be Part of an Event Unlike Any Other
Author: John DeSentis
Official Site: kickstarter.com/ifukube-and-godzilla-a-musical-celebration

“Ifukube and Godzilla: A Musical Celebration” is an effort to raise funds to put on a concert honoring the iconic musical connection between the man and the monster. The Kickstarter Campaign is now just about halfway over and to this point it has been hugely successful as fans and friends from all over have come together to help make this historic event a reality.

But now the real push begins and the organizers of this concert need your support.
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A whale gets the fright of its life in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #10, coming next week from IDW. Image courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2014 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

IDW Publishing has sent SciFi Japan an exclusive preview of the first seven pages from Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #10. The countdown to the biggest battle yet begins as Sanda, Gaira, Destoroyah, Manda, Titanosaurus and Gezora join Godzilla for the latest issue of the fan-favorite comic book series!
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