EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS by August Ragone

[August]

Here's the preliminary cover of my upcoming book (there may be minor adjustments when it comes off the presses). EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS is the first official and authorized biography on this important figure (produced with the complete cooperation of Toho, Tsuburaya Productions and the Tsuburaya Family) published outside of Japan! With contributions by Toho CEO Shogo Tomiyama and Tsuburaya Productions CEO Akira Tsuburaya!



EIJI TSUBURAYA was the behind-the-scenes hero to anyone who has thrilled to giant monsters duking it out over Tokyo—the visual effects mastermind behind Godzilla, Ultraman, and numerous Japanese science fiction and fantasy movies and television hits shown around the world.

Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters details the dynamic life and movie career of this legendary film figure, from his early fascination with aviation, motion pictures, and model building to his work in the Golden Age of Japanese Cinema to the ingenious technical innovations that brought miniature worlds and fantastic characters vividly to life.

Collecting hundreds of film stills, posters, character art, and dozens of delightful on-set photos of Tsuburaya instructing his monsters to crush one building after another, this highly visual biography also features rare profiles of the master’s collaborators, detailed information about his key films and shows, and special features on his legacy and the enduring popularity of the characters he helped to create.

EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS is 208-page hardcover, heavily-illustrated, coffee table book, which will be hitting shelves on November 1st—but is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com—just click the link in my signature!

[JordanGLC]

This will be a definite must have!

About the cover; any particular reason why a picture with Ultraman was chosen over one with Godzilla?

[Benjamin Haines]

This will be a definite must have!

About the cover; any particular reason why a picture with Ultraman was chosen over one with Godzilla?

I'm not August or anything, but I can think of two reasons.

1. Eiji Tsuburaya was just one of five men that originally brought Godzilla to life. Ultraman on the other hand was completely his brainchild. (At least, that's how I understand it, correct me if I'm wrong.)
2. That's just a really, really nice pic of him on the set, standing right there with his creation.

[Baltan II]

The presence of Baltan certainly couldn't hurt either.

I'm not going to rush out to preorder it or anything, but definitely worth consideration once released.

[JimPV]

I'm not going to rush out to preorder it or anything, but definitely worth consideration once released.

I definitely pre-ordered this - can't wait!

BTW, was Tsuburaya that short, or was the guy who played Ultraman that much taller than him?

[August]

About the cover; any particular reason why a picture with Ultraman was chosen over one with Godzilla?

There were several different cover designs that were in the running, all of the others with Godzilla on the cover, and the publishers and editors picked this one—I'm sure that they know a sight more about marketing than we do, and perhaps felt that this was a stronger cover image. I don't think we need to get partisan about this, because there are plenty of Godzilla stills in this book, as well as Gargantuas and everyone else in-between the covers, so no worries, people.

Don't judge a book by its cover and all of that—if the book wasn't good, Toho and Tsuburaya Productions wouldn't let it out on the market.

I'm not going to rush out to preorder it or anything, but definitely worth consideration once released.

Order now and pay only $26.40—save $13.60 (that's 34%) off of the cover price of $40.00, and see if you qualify for free shipping!

BTW, was Tsuburaya that short, or was the guy who played Ultraman that much taller than him?

Tsuburaya, like many Japanese of his generation, was not tall, but the Ultraman suit actor, Satoshi "Bin" Furuya, himself was tall—over 6' tall.

Anyhow, thanks for the kind comments, people.

[Lord Hastur]

This is going to F#cking kill !!

Augie - Really can't wait to read this. Thank's for putting it out.

Danny T.

[Chop Top]

No matter how good this book is, it will never surpass the Official Godzilla Compendium.




























I kid, of course. I just pre-ordered it, and blew my entire paycheck in one night on the book and a bunch of DVDs from DeepDiscount. I love you August Ragone :color:

[kiryugoji04]

Weird question but I'll ask it anyway...

August, what are the book's dimensions? Just want to get an idea as to the size of the thing, since it sounds like it might be pretty big.

[August]

This is going to F#cking kill !! Augie - Really can't wait to read this. Thank's for putting it out.

Cheers! Thanks to Tsuburaya Productions for putting me on the project and Chronicle Books for accepting me.

No matter how good this book is, it will never surpass the Official Godzilla Compendium.

No comment. But, seriously, the GC is good for kids as a "Godzilla 101" primer.

I kid, of course. I just pre-ordered it, and blew my entire paycheck in one night on the book and a bunch of DVDs from DeepDiscount. I love you August Ragone :color:

I love you, too!

Weird question but I'll ask it anyway... August, what are the book's dimensions? Just want to get an idea as to the size of the thing, since it sounds like it might be pretty big.

It's bigger than a Bread Box (sorry, old joke)... I don't have the exact dimensions, but it's a coffee table book, so it would be roughly around 14" tall x 10" wide. But, don't quote me on that -- when I proofed the Galleys (layouts) they were not at actual size, so I'm just hazarding a guess.

From Wikipedia: A coffee table book is a hardcover book that rests on a coffee table or similar surface in an area where guests sit and are entertained, thus inspiring conversation or alleviating boredom. They tend to be oversized and of heavy construction, since there is no pressing need for portability. Subject matter is generally confined to non-fiction, and is usually visually-oriented. Pages consist mainly of photographs and illustrations, accompanied by captions and small blocks of text, as opposed to long prose. Most tend to be biographies or fall into the genres of history, art, or entertainment.

[kiryugoji04]

Weird question but I'll ask it anyway... August, what are the book's dimensions? Just want to get an idea as to the size of the thing, since it sounds like it might be pretty big.

It's bigger than a Bread Box (sorry, old joke)... I don't have the exact dimensions, but it's a coffee table book, so it would be roughly around 14" tall x 10" wide.

From Wikipedia: A coffee table book is a hardcover book that rests on a coffee table or similar surface in an area where guests sit and are entertained, thus inspiring conversation or alleviating boredom. They tend to be oversized and of heavy construction, since there is no pressing need for portability. Subject matter is generally confined to non-fiction, and is usually visually-oriented. Pages consist mainly of photographs and illustrations, accompanied by captions and small blocks of text, as opposed to long prose. Most tend to be biographies or fall into the genres of history, art, or entertainment.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking! Thanks!

[August]

Chronicle Books had a sample copy of the book on display at the booth at San Diego Comic-Con. I am very pleased with the way the layout and printing turned out--the paper stock is a thick, glossy bond -- and I am throughly satisfied with the finished product. I hope that everyone will as well. Cheers!

[The Top Crusader]

I never get around to looking in this particular subforum, but I recently read that book all about King Kong (haha, yes, I know no clue what the title is or who the author is) that covers all the films, and was looking on Amazon for something Godzilla related to read, when I stumbled across this book.

Definitely looks awesome, August! I'm too broke to promise that I will pre-order it right now but I definitely plan on getting it as soon as I can!

[August]

Thanks, Crusader! Unlike most of the other English-language books, there are plenty of photos in "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters" (200 in all)! Here's what I heard from my publicist today: "We brought a sample of the book to Comic Con. It was by far the most perused, paged-thru, and lusted-after book at the show. We featured the book in a special sneak preview catalog, encouraging attendees to pre-order the book on the Chronicle Books website."

Chronicle Books page for EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS

[Andrew Nguyen]

This is going to be exceptionally fun. We are all forever in your debt.

[August]

Thanks, Andrew, I hope that you will enjoy the book -- we had a great time putting it together!

[August]

Oh my God... I just saw that WAL-MART is offering "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters" for pre-order at $25.34 -- that's a real good discount from the MSRP of $40.00. But, WAL-FREAKIN'-MART!? Wow. My book is getting some serious across-the-board distribution. Damn.

"Honey, don't forget to pick up a pair of sweat pants, a new toaster oven, a case of beef jerky, and a copy of "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters"!

[Andrew Nguyen]

Oh my God... I just saw that WAL-MART is offering "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters" for pre-order at $25.34 -- that's a real good discount from the MSRP of $40.00. But, WAL-FREAKIN'-MART!? Wow. My book is getting some serious across-the-board distribution. Damn.

"Honey, don't forget to pick up a pair of sweat pants, a new toaster oven, a case of beef jerky, and a copy of "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters"!

I don't know if you remember this series Kung Fu: The Legend Continues but in the words of the old monk that aids Kwai Chang Kane and his son Peter.

"Bloody marvelous".


Oh and if you don't know what I meant, it was an attempt for a very nice complement.

[kiryugoji04]

You have a book coming out?

[armandv]

Well, I completed and submitted my review of Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters last night for inclusion in G-FAN #81, which is fast becoming the "Special August Ragone Issue."

[metal_bryan]

Wow, I really need to put some money aside so I can pre-order this.

[August]

Well, pre-order soon, because the book hits shelves on the West Coast in the middle of next month, and the East Coast in early November (they are shipped by truck) -- from what I was told.

[armandv]

Well, pre-order soon, because the book hits shelves on the West Coast in the middle of next month, and the East Coast in early November (they are shipped by truck) -- from what I was told.

Under tight security like the recent Harry Potter book?

[The Top Crusader]

Well, good news for me. My wife gave me permission to order the book as part of her Christmas gift for me.

[August]

Excellent! Thank her for me!