Godman ©1972 Toho Co., Ltd

Godzilla director helms new GODMAN project
Author: James M. Ballard
Sources: HMV

Details of an otherwise unassuming DVD compilation make a surprising revelation. The new 3-disc DVD box set RETURN OF THE GOOD MORNING HEROES: GO! GO! GODMAN & GREENMAN (Kaetekita Ohayou Hiiroo: Yuke! Yuke! Goddoman & Guriinman), due for release on May 23rd in Japan, will compile a carefully selected choice of popular episodes from the Toho TV series GO! GODMAN (Ike! Goddoman, 1972) and GO! GREENMAN (Yuke! Guriinman, 1973).

But along with the set will come a special bonus disc featuring the tentatively-titled NEW GODMAN PRODUCTION (Shinsaku Goddoman). Attached to the new project is director Masaaki Tezuka, best known for his work on the recent Godzilla productions GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS (Gojira tai Megagirasu G Shoumetsu Sakusen, 2000), GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (Gojira tai Mekagojira, 2002) and GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS (Gojira Mosura Mekagojira Tokyo SOS, 2003), as well as the time-travel adventure film SAMURAI COMMANDO MISSION 1549 (Sengoku Jietai 1594, 2005).
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The Rescue Force, ready for action! ©2007 Tomica Hero Rescue Force Production Committee

New SPFX drama to re-invent image of a “hero”
Author: James Ballard
Source: Press Release

On December 5th, Japanese toy manufacturer Takara Tomy issued a press release announcing their participation in the production committee of a new special effects TV drama, TOMICA HERO RESCUE FORCE (Tomika Hiiroo Resukyuu Foosu), scheduled to be broadcast nationwide in Japan from Spring 2008.

Until now, Japanese heroes have always been depicted fighting against aliens, monsters and other adversaries. But TOMICA HERO RESCUE FORCE aims to create a new image of a hero. An “exhilarating” action series, the Rescue Force will utilize many “Super Vehicles” and “Super Tools” (based on Takara Tomy’s toys) in order to rescue people in need. The team’s battles will be against an outbreak of super disasters all over the world. The idea behind the series is to communicate the important message of pollution and the state of the global environment to children though an engaging special effects TV series.
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KIKAIDA 01 DVD Box Set Review
Author: Bob Johnson
Official Website: www.generationkikaida.com
Special Thanks to JN Productions and Generation Kikaida

KIKAIDA 01 ready to burst into your home and onto your TV! © 1971 Ishimori
Production Inc. and Toei Co., Ltd.

Following the release of the original KIKAIDA series on nine individual DVDs, JN Productions now packages the follow-up series KIKAIDA 01 in a single, 6-disc set.

Kikaida 01 was the older brother of the original Kikaida and for the first half of the series battled the Hakaida Force, lead by the original Hakaida. Three other Hakaidas, each with a different weapon and each housing the brain of Professor Gill’s most brilliant scientists, made up this deadly team.

Kikaida 01 is joined in episode three by the original Kikaida and the two of them combine forces in various episodes throughout the series. Kikaida 01 is also joined by a female cyborg, Bijinda. Check out all the action in this review of the KIKAIDA 01 DVD set.
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A Look Back at the Many Incarnations of AMBASSADOR MAGMA
Author: Bob Johnson
Source: Uchusen, Lakeside Television, Japanese Fantasy Film Journal, Tezuka Osamu World, various
Additional Material: Keith Aiken and Oki Miyano

Goldar (a.k.a. Ambassador Magma) battles the monster Noronda
(Stopgon) in P-Productions’ classic tokusatsu series THE SPACE
GIANTS. © 1966 Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd.

Though the name THE SPACE GIANTS may be unfamiliar to anyone under age 35, for a decade or so beginning in the early 1970s this 52 episode Japanese science fiction series was a popular fixture on syndicated television in the United States. Much like its brethren ULTRAMAN and JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT, each episode of THE SPACE GIANTS featured a gigantic humanoid super-hero battling bizarre monsters and aliens who threaten mankind.

Known in Japan as AMBASSADOR MAGMA (Magma Taishi), the show was Japan’s first weekly special effects TV series to be broadcast in color. The show also made it to American shores, and many older US fans of Japanese fantasy fondly remember THE SPACE GIANTS and long for its return on television or home video.

So blow your supersonic whistle three times, as SciFi Japan takes a look at the the original manga by Osamu Tezuka, the making of the live action AMBASSADOR MAGMA, how it was Americanized into THE SPACE GIANTS, and the copyright dispute over the US version! Plus we present episode guides for both the original series and the 1993 anime remake. Enjoy!
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MASKED RIDER THE NEXT ©2007 Masked Rider The Next
Production Committee

First Teaser Trailer Released
Author: James Ballard
Official Website: Masked Rider The Next

The first teaser trailer for Toei’s upcoming theatrical film MASKED RIDER THE NEXT (Kamen Raidaa Za Nekusuto, 2007) has been released on the film’s official website. The new film is a direct sequel to MASKED RIDER THE FIRST (Kamen Raidaa Za Faasuto, 2005), featuring the return of Masked Riders 1 and 2, and the introduction of Masked Rider V3.

Just as MASKED RIDER THE FIRST was a loose re-telling of both Shotaro Ishinomori’s original manga and Toei’s MASKED RIDER (Kamen Raidaa, 1971) TV series, MASKED RIDER THE NEXT is set to re-tell the story behind Toei’s MASKED RIDER V3 (Kamen Raidaa Buisurii, 1973) TV series.
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© 1971 P Productions / 2007 Inspire

Author: Robert Saint John
Source: Hobby Search

The Japanese collectible website Hobby Search has announced that it is accepting pre-orders for a March release of a 6 3/4″ Spectreman pre-painted vinyl figure, based on the superhero of the tokusatsu TV series produced by P Productions and aired on Fuji TV in 1971-72. The figure is being manufactured by Inspire, and list price is 3,850 yen (approximately $32.00 US). Click on the image caption to visit the page.

Toei’s latest Rider appears January 28th
Author: James Ballard
Official Site: TV Asahi

Toei’s newest hero, MASKED RIDER DEN-O,
premieres next week in japan. © 2007 Ishimori
Pro/TV Asahi/ADK/Toei Co.,Ltd

Following the climax of MASKED RIDER KABUTO (Kamen Raidaa Kabuto, 2006) this Sunday, the latest entry in the Masked Rider series, MASKED RIDER DEN-O (Kamen Raidaa Denou), premieres on January 28th. MASKED RIDER DEN-O is the seventeenth entry in the long running television franchise produced by Toei Company and Ishimori Productions, a collaboration which began with the hugely popular MASKED RIDER (Kamen Raidaa) in 1971.

Masked Rider Den-O (the Japanese “Den” meaning “electric” and “Ou” meaning “king”) is an all-new hero, crossing through different times and dimensions. Den-O’s transformation is accomplished through various Rider Tickets which are to be used with the Rider Pass on his belt. As well as Den-O’s basic red “Sword Form”, he will initially be able to adopt three other forms; a blue “Rod Form”, a yellow “Axe Form” and a purple “Gun Form”. Not only will Den-O have the traditional motorcycle, he will also be riding in on his own train, the Den-Liner, which is what allows him to cross through time and space.
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Promotional “Conceptual CG Illustration” from the press release. Photo courtesy of Imagi International Holdings Ltd.
©2006 Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and Imagi International Holdings Ltd.

Author: Robert Saint John
Source: Press Release
Official Japanese Site: Imagi Animation Studios

Imagi Animation Studios announced this week that it will co-produce with Tatsunoko Production a feature-length CG animated film version of Tatsunoko’s popular TV anime series, SCIENCE NINJA TEAM GATCHAMAN. Originally produced in 1972, Kagaku Ninja tai Gatchaman was in many ways the forefather of the live action Super Sentai genre, and Gatchaman and its sequels were later made popular worldwide through English adaptations such as “Battle of the Planets” and “G-Force”.
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Director to helm a new DAIMAJIN for Kadokawa/ Media Blasters brings ZEBRAMAN to US

Takashi Miike will remake the classic film DAIMAJIN and Media Blasters will release the director’s ZEBRAMAN on American DVD.
DAIMAJIN © 1966 Kodakawa Pictures. ZEBRAMAN photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2004 Zebraman Partners

Takashi Miike has developed a reputation as one of the most prolific, talented, and controversial filmmakers in the world with credits such as AUDITION, ICHI THE KILLER, GOZU, ONE MISSED CALL, IZO, ULTRAMAN MAX, THREE EXTREMES, and the “banned” episode of Showtime’s MASTERS OF HORROR. This past week saw two big announcements concerning the director; one from Japan, the other from America.

Following his success with THE GREAT YOKAI WAR, Kadokawa Pictures has hired Takashi Miike to helm a remake of the classic film DAIMAJIN. At Anime Boston, Media Blasters revealed that they would be bringing Miike’s hilariously entertaining 2004 favorite ZEBRAMAN to America for the first time.

Robert Saint John and Clay Holden provide some early news plus a look back and forward to these projects here.