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Publisher Shogakukan Inc. celebrates both the 60th anniversary of the King of the Monsters and the 40th anniversary of their own Big Comic Original magazine with Big Comic Original: Godzilla Special Issue (ビッグコミックオリジナル ゴジラ増刊号, Biggu Komikku Orijinaru Gojira Zookan-Go). Cover dated August 10, 2014, the special edition brings together some of Japan’s top manga creators — billed as “Earth’s strongest writing team!” — to do their own takes on Godzilla. Continued…
Bandai Figures and Collectibles 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 October and November 2014.
Fans and collectors can purchase Bandai Tamashii Nations products from authorized Bluefin dealers, including SciFi Japan’s sponsor Anime Jungle. Continued…
In November 2004, the Japanese company Kasakura Publishing released Godzilla Encyclopedia, a 50th anniversary special edition with photos and information on the film series from the original GODZILLA (ゴジラ, Gojira, 1954) to GODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. (ゴジラ×モスラ×メカゴジラ 東京SOS, Gojira tai Mosura tai Mekagojira Tokyo Esu Oo Esu, 2003).
Kasakura has now released a new 60th anniversary Godzilla Encyclopedia: New Edition (ゴジラ大事典【新装版】, Gojira Daijiten [Shinsoo-Ban]), updated by original author Kohei Nomura. Produced with the cooperation of Toho Co., Ltd., the book runs 400 pages, including 16 pages in full color.
Author: Kohei Nomura
Publisher: Kasakura Publishing Co., Ltd.
Language: Japanese
Size: A5 (21.2 x 15.2 x 2.6 cm)
Pages: 400
ISBN: 978-4-7730-8725-3
Release Date: July 25, 2014
Price: ￥2,800 (Approximately $27.49 US)
Latest Box Office Numbers from Warner Bros. and Toho
Source: Rentrak Corporation, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Toho Co., Ltd.
Official Site: Godzillamovie.com
Special Thanks to Paul Dergarabedian and Tom Molter
Today Warner Bros. received from Toho the official Japanese weekend box office numbers for GODZILLA. The confirmed weekend results for GODZILLA in Japan came in roughly on par with Sunday’s forecast with a 3 day number of ¥683,500,000 (Approximately $6,709,860 US) and 460,000 admissions from 427 Toho screens. Continued…
Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of July 27, 2014
Source: Rentrak Corporation, Warner Bros. Entertainment
Official Site: Godzillamovie.com
Special Thanks to Paul Dergarabedian and Tom Molter
GODZILLA stomped into Japan this weekend, dominating the market at #1 with an outstanding 3 day projected gross of ¥704,000,000 (Approximately $6.95 million US). The film was screened in both 2D and 3D with English subtitled or Japanese dubbed options, drawing over 481,000 admissions from 427 Toho Cinemas screens. Continued…
Legendary Pictures thrilled Godzilla fans at San Diego Comic-Con today with the announcement that Toho favorites Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah would be returning to the big screen in sequels to the new GODZILLA from Legendary and Warner Bros. Pictures. Legendary CEO Thomas Tull was on hand to break the news and screen new “classified Monarch footage” teasing the monsters. Continued…
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has provided a new advertisement for their Blu-ray and DVD release of GODZILLA, coming September 16th. For more information of the various home video formats and editions, please see SciFi Japan’s report with cover art and specs. Continued…
In this episode of SciFi JAPAN TV: EXTRA, we take a more in-depth look at the special GODZILLA screening in Yokosuka, Japan hosted by Monster Attack Team magazine, as featured in last week’s episode of SciFi JAPAN TV. The event saw original Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima return to the Yokosuka base where he served during World War 2 to share some wartime stories and enjoy the new GODZILLA movie with the troops. Continued…
Hobby Japan will release Artworks of Yasushi Torisawa -The Attack of Toho Monsters- (酉澤安施画集 東宝怪獣大進撃!, Torisawa Yasushi Gashuu Toho Kaijuu Daishingeki!) in Japan on July 26th. Continued…
Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of July 20, 2014
Source: Warner Bros. Entertainment
Official Site: Godzillamovie.com
This past weekend saw some box office improvement for Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ GODZILLA. After opening in 3,952 theaters on May 16th, the numbers had fallen to a low of 303 locations by the July 11-13 weekend. But this weekend saw a slight expansion to 326 as GODZILLA began the transition from first-run cinemas to secondary and “discount” theaters where it will finish out its run before the Blu-ray and DVD release on September 16th. Continued…
As previously reported, The 18th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea is screening seven Godzilla films, including the 1954 original, for its special 60th anniversary program this month. Continued…
Nature controls man, not the other way around, in GODZILLA arriving onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, 2-Disc DVD Special Edition and Digital HD on September 16 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. An epic action adventure directed by Gareth Edwards (MONSTERS), Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ GODZILLA is the long-awaited big screen return of the King of the Monsters. Continued…
On the same day the new GODZILLA by Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures opens in Japan, publisher Kadokawa Shoten will release the film’s novelization, ゴジラ, through their Kadokawa Bunko imprint.
The book is the Japanese language edition of the American book, Godzilla: The Official Movie Novelization, written by Greg Cox (Man of Steel, The Dark Knight Rises novels) from the screenplay by Max Borenstein and story by David Callaham. Cox’s novel has been translated by Akira Katagiri (Julian Assange: The Unauthorized Autobiography) for the Japanese release.
Promoted as the “latest Hollywood Godzilla, which pays homage to the original version of 1954″, GODZILLA pits Toho’s iconic monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity’s scientific arrogance, threaten mankind’s very existence. Continued…
Japanese publisher Magazine House will release the Mook Godzilla 60: Complete Guide (ゴジラ徹底研究, Gojira Tettei Kenkyuu) on July 22nd. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Godzilla franchise and the release of the new 3D American GODZILLA, this fully illustrated book includes…
• Godzilla Movie History
• Monster Encyclopedia
• GODZILLA 2014 Filmmaker Interviews
• The Secret Story of Godzilla’s Birth
• Memories of Godzilla: Interviews with Akira Takarada, Kenji Sahara, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Kenpachiro Satsuma and others
• Toho Self-Defense Forces
• Godzilla Profile Continued…
Update on Upcoming Godzilla and Mothra Blu-rays
Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released the back cover art and title treatments for their new “Toho Godzilla Collection” Blu-ray sets scheduled for September 9, 2014. The SRPs for these discs are $19.99 each. Continued…
Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer
A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE
IDW Publishing has sent SciFi Japan an exclusive preview of the first five pages from Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #14. A new world-wide threat emerges as the latest incarnation of Mechagodzilla goes to war with Anguirus!
Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #14 will be available from comic shops and retailers on Wednesday, July 23rd. Continued…
In this week’s episode of SciFi JAPAN TV, we join Monster Attack Team magazine for a special screening of the new GODZILLA movie at the US naval base in Yokosuka, along with special guest Haruo Nakajima, the original Godzilla suit actor. Mr Nakajima has come to share some of some stories from his time serving at the Yokosuka base during World War 2, before watching GODZILLA with the troops. Continued…
Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Kahlil Schweitzer and Rosalind Morehead
IDW Publishing has announced solicitations for Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #17 plus the third issue of the five part mini-series Godzilla: Cataclysm. Both titles are coming to comic book shops and retailers in October 2014. Continued…
For 30 years, master kaiju illustrator, Yuji Kaida, has amazed fans worldwide with his paintings for CD and home video covers, posters, model kits, dioramas and more. In February, his work was displayed at the “ART OF KAIJU: Monster Artist Yuji Kaida Original Exhibition” at the the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival.
Now, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Godzilla and the Japanese release of the Hollywood GODZILLA, comes Kaida’s new art book, Godzilla Illustrations (ゴジラ・イラストレーションズ, Gojira Irasutoreeshonzu). This latest collection features Kaida’s Godzilla and Toho monster works published in full color, along with a new interview. The book will be released in Japan on July 29th. Continued…
Source: Bluefin Corp.
S.H.Figuarts Official Site: tamashii.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Xavier Lim
Bluefin Distribution has announced their exclusives for 2014 San Diego Comic-Con. The company will once again have 2 booths at the convention — Booth #140 and Booth #3545 — each offering their own Bandai exclusives. Continued…
Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of July 13, 2014
Source: Warner Bros. Entertainment
Official Site: Godzillamovie.com
Nine weeks into its theatrical release, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ GODZILLA has made $198.36 million domestically. The film earned just over $246,000 at 303 theaters in North America over the July 11-13 weekend for 24th place at the box office. Continued…
The King of the Monsters joins Futabasha Publishers’ “Common Knowledge” series with Common Knowledge of Godzilla (ゴジラの常識, Gojira-no Joushiki), released in Japan on July 4th.
The book covers Godzilla’s 60th anniversary with profiles of all 28 films produced by Toho as well as the new GODZILLA by Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures. Also featured are related Toho monster movies featuring the likes of Mothra, Rodan and Varan.
The Japanese publisher Kodansha will release the Mook Godzilla Character Encyclopedia: Toho Special Effects Movie Complete History (ゴジラ キャラクター大全 東宝特撮映画全史, Gojira Kyarakutaa Taizen Toho Tokusatsu Eiga Zenshi) on July 15th.
This deluxe edition book looks back at 60 years of Godzilla (described as “the monster born to dominate the world”) with profiles of the 28 films in the Toho series. Popular monsters like Mothra and King Ghidorah from the Toho special effects movies are also featured.
Godzilla Character Encyclopedia: Toho Special Effects Movie Complete History also includes a section devoted to the new GODZILLA by Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures. Continued…
Hallmark Cards, Inc. is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new Godzilla Keepsake Ornament. Based on the film GODZILLA by Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, the figurine is sculpted by Orville Wilson and stands 3⅞” tall. It also features sounds from the new movie… hear Godzilla in action at the press of a button!
We’ve hidden a 4-digit code somewhere in the latest episode of our SciFi JAPAN TV web series. Click here to watch SciFi JAPAN TV #19: Kaiju Bar, find the code and email it to us for your chance to win this great ornament for free!
If you would rather purchase the Godzilla Keepsake Ornament, it is available now at Hallmark Gold Crown stores (U.S. only) and will also be sold online at Hallmark.com starting July 21, 2014 (U.S. only). The SRP is $17.95. Continued…
Bandai America, Inc. returns to Comic-Con this year with all new Limited Edition products for sale at the Bandai booth — this includes 3 new Power Rangers exclusive items and 1 new Godzilla exclusive to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic monster. Continued…
Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of July 6, 2014
Source: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Rentrak Corporation
Official Site: Godzillamovie.com
Special Thanks to Tom Molter, Tonis Kiis and Paul Dergarabedian
In its eighth week of release, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ GODZILLA fell to 18th place at the domestic box office and dropped out of the top 20 internationally. This past weekend the movie played at 352 theaters in North America, down from 750 the previous week. Continued…
GODZILLA & MOTHRA ARE BACK & PRIMED FOR BATTLE!
Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, MPRM Communications
Special Thanks to Leif Helland
A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has given SciFi Japan an exclusive first look at their second wave of “Toho Godzilla Collection” Blu-rays featuring both Godzilla and Mothra.
Scheduled for September 9, 2014, the lineup features the debut of three new Blu-ray sets featuring Toho films previously unavailable on Blu-ray in North America. The stand-alone title GODZILLA 2000 (1999) presents both the U.S. version of the film along with — for the first time in America — the original Japanese version. The Godzilla Double Feature contains GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK (2001) and GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (2002), and the REBIRTH OF MOTHRA TRILOGY features REBIRTH OF MOTHRA (1996) plus REBIRTH OF MOTHRA II (1997) and REBIRTH OF MOTHRA III (1998), marking the first ever home entertainment release of REBIRTH OF MOTHRA III in North America. Continued…
The visual effects of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ GODZILLA are profiled in the current issue of Don Shay’s excellent Cinefex magazine. Cinefex No.138 is now on sale and can be purchased from retailers and cinefex.com. The issue has two cover variants, giving readers their choice of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 or CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER.
In September, the main articles of Cinefex No.138 will be included the Japanese edition of the magazine. Cinefex No.34 (Japanese Version) will feature GODZILLA on the cover. Continued…
In this week’s episode of SciFi JAPAN TV, we visit the Tokyo Big Sight for the 2014 International Tokyo Toy Show, one of the world’s most important toy exhibitions. From Godzilla and Sentai to Star Wars and Gundam, you can find all your favorite characters on display here every year. So come with us as we take a look at all the goods and toys coming soon here in Japan!
Come back for new episodes of SciFi JAPAN TV every Thursday! Continued…
Tsuchiya, Kenpachiro Satsuma and others
