Kawikata Alcoholism?

[Gman2887]

It was recently suggested to me on another forum that Kawakita had developed a drinking problem after Godzilla vs. Biollante and it worsened as the series progressed. This information was apparently swapped around a lot at Toho Kingdom, so I've been wondering if anyone knew there was any truth to it. Did Kawakita slip into drinking post-Biollante? Did it effect his work? Why did it happen? Family reasons or work? Does he still have an issue with it?

This isn't meant to bash the man or his career, but rather get more insight into his personal life. I'm interested in looking into that a bit further.

[Benjamin Haines]

I read that this was first reported in Guy Tucker's Age of the Gods book. I don't have the book so I can't vouch for that.

[eabaker]

[Jorzilla]

Someone needs to sacrifice their copy and digitalize it, since I have always wanted to read this book.

[Gman2887]

[kiryugoji04]

The quote I remember reading was, "He drank like he wanted to die," though I cannot for the life of me remember who that quote was attributed to.

[MouthForWar]

He definitely did have a big drinking problem. A lot of it started around the time of GUNHED, which was an all around disaster (production wise, box office wise, and reception wise).

[The Great MM]

This would explain all the damn sparks everywhere.

[SpaceMal]

This is the first I've ever heard of such a thing. I wonder what role that might have played in his decision to retire. And I also wonder if he came out of retirement after getting sober. And I also wonder if that's the explanation for the... you know, that whole Space Godzilla thing.

Having an addiction I can understand, but "drinking like he wanted to die?" He was literally living the dream. He resurrected his second favroite monster. He won awards and junk. If he was drinking to kill some sort of pain I doubt it has anything to do with GunHed doing badly at the box office, there's gotta be some whole other personal thing going on.

This bugs me, Koichi Kawakita is the best. Is there any other source on this other than Guy Tucker? Also, isn't Guy Tucker the guy who wrote Godzilla vs. Ankyron for the Godzilla 2 story contest, or am I thinking of someone else?

[Jorzilla]

When he came to LA for the Biollante showing, did anyone take him to a beer afterwards?

[kiryugoji04]

[SpaceMal]

[Jorzilla]

[planetxleader]

Yep, you will find that Kawakita and the Heisei series have few fans on this board.

Biollante and Gunhed looked slick as hell (thought there was a noticeable lessening of the sense of scale that Nakano's G'84 had). Everything afterwards, though, I'd have a hard time calling "good." I have to wonder if it was the alcoholism that contributed to the lazy effects work in the '90s, or what, but basically, the way it's told, Kawakita became immensely depressed after both Biollante and Gunhed bombed, and that's when the drinking started.

[nicecubes]

Reading the half assed idiocy on this board from trolls...spreading rumors...and the idiotic rants of fan boys reminds me why most fandom is so bad and the tools that write this are among the most reprehensible twits I have ever seen....seriously. sit in mommys basement and watch gigan or son of godzilla for the thousanth time and please...don't sudenly decide to actually breed...let those genetics just die out.

[planetxleader]

Um.... what?

[klen7]

How old are you?
Most of this forum are older fans that were Godzilla fans before the Heisei films were made, and quite a few of us have spouses and children. So to show up as the new guy and insult a community that has been constructively discussing these films and many other topics for over 10 years makes you come across as the socially inept tool...just saying.

[DannyBeane]

I see no trolling and the Monster Zero community has been one of the most levelheaded Godzilla communities I've ever posted on.Most of us have known each other for 11+ years. So check the attitude at the door.

[lhb412]

I always thought the decline in the quality of FX after Biollante was due to tighter budgets and shooting schedules (and the decision to make a 100 meter Godzilla, effectively shrinking the miniatures and their amount of detail), I'd not heard of his alcoholism... which just makes me feel bad.

He's better now, right?

[Gman2887]

^That and other things are questions I'd like answered. I really wish there were some more definite quotes from Guy Tucker floating around somewhere. I take it no one has a copy of his book anywhere? I currently don't have $300+ to drop to find out.

[Legion]

[MekaGojira3k]

[jellydonut25]

[kiryugoji04]

[Gman2887]

^Yes, but aren't Daiei's shooting schedule's easier to deal with than Toho's which are known for rushing their filmmakers? I'm pretty sure Toho's hectic scheduling is why Higuchi didn't climb on board GMK.