Toho Launches Gojikon (Godzilla Strategy Council)

[XvGojira]

[daikaijusaurus]

Well this certainly sounds like good news for the future of Godzilla in Japan, whatever Toho decides that will be. I don't want to see Toho do any live action Godzilla films, I'd rather see Legendary take the reigns on that. But I would love for Toho to do a Godzilla animated film series. One animated film every year or two would be great, enough to keep us busy until Godzilla 2 in 2018

[walshiam]

It's good to know that Toho is being proactive and doesn't intend to let Godzilla just fade away into the sunset so to speak. As long as the projects are varied, fresh and creative, overkill shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure they could benefit from a little insight into the Ultraman franchise and how Tsuburaya Productions have kept the ball rolling.

[XvGojira]

This was my reply from the post on it on reddit.

Sounds like a great idea. It's good to see Toho try and care about their beloved character and NOT making decisions without knowing what to do with the character.

Now this sounds like more than setting up the films, but more of a wider "What else can we do with this property?"

First off, straighten out the Return of Godzilla license sort out and release a bluray. It'd be nice to have the other movies come out on bluray as well, but I'm not sure if studios can really pressure companies to release their movies.
Resend the "No Extras" on new Bluray/DVDs policy. Yeah, Media Blasters screwed up on the first DAM release but that's because they're Media Blasters. They wouldn't be Media Blasters if there weren't screw ups and several delays. I want my Ed G. Biollante commentary damnit!

Godzilla on TV. Anime, Western Animated Show, Tokusatsu, something.

More toys, or at least a wider release and bigger presence . And not just Bandai Creations figures, as nice as they are. Maybe have Tamashii Nations produce more figures and release them wider in the West, since we buy more than in Japan. Bandai and NECA are in the perfect spot to make a line of Godzilla toys and accessories to rival what Trendmasters gave us in the 90's. Although it might mean Toho might have to make deals or discounts on licensing the other kaiju.

More and wider release of official clothing. And please not just black shirts with an image, I want a more colorful wardrobe. I'd love to see a Godzilla costume hoodie that's of equal quality of the Super Hero hoodies I see every where (ie good material, pockets, and spikes are more than just pieces of fabric).

What I'd love to see is something like a touring Godzilla Encounter/History of Godzilla Exhibit. Props, suits, and memorabilia.

Pie in the sky, a Godzilla the Ride at Universal theme park.

But I might be reading a bit more into it than there is. But I guess we'll know more in November.

[lhb412]

Exciting! I wonder just what'll come of this.

I think they'll leave the movies to Legendary, but there's so many other venues Godzilla could be put in with a little imagination.

[MekaGojira3k]

I keep thinking of G-Fest 2013 when there was talk of somehow getting Legendary Beast Wolfman v.s. Godzilla released. That'd be cool.
I know Toho doesn't think much of it, but television would be an interesting venue. Animated or otherwise.

[kiryugoji04]

I'm not saying they need to make more Japanese, tokusatsu-style movies.

I am saying that I wouldn't complain in the least.

[Hybrid Gojira]

Discussing the future of Godzilla seems like a good thing. Until something more concrete emerges, I guess all we can do is wait.

[Jorzilla]

I am not ready to abandon Godzilla movies to Hollywood overlords. If we can see some more classic Godzilla that's good in my book. A Japanese person (with a Japanese perspective) with a passion for the franchise is invariably going to make a different movie than a Westerner. This is a conflict that has gone back to Saperstein's days with his push to heroize Godzilla.

[kiryugoji04]

LET KIYOTAKA TAGUCHI DIRECT A GODZILLA FILM. DO IT, TOHO.

[Gwangi]

[walshiam]

[Jorzilla]

[daikaijusaurus]

[Mac]

Hopefully this initiative will lead to new, original Godzilla films by Japan's brightest and upcoming film-makers, who (hopefully) respect the traditional tokusatsu effect-styles.

Leave Legendary to regurgitate the same old stories starring Mothra and King Ghidorah with their lame-o CGI.

[Cookie]

I'd be down with anime style G films if they went that route. Hopefully good stuff comes from this.

[Gwangi]

I always wondered had that Toho-Indonesian film that Tomoyuki Tanaka was negotiating did indeed come to fruition. Would we have had Godzilla? And with no Godzilla, that would certainly alter a lot of things. I would not mind seeing this Goji-Kon do some sort of film or a short film at least on that subject – an alternate universe where there is no Godzilla and the many people who worked on them, due not factor in our lives. Tsuburaya would be stuck doing war pictures. And hardly no notoriety for Honda except working on some Kursoawa films. But hey, we would still have that Toho-Indonesian movie! Perhaps not a fascinating subject to some, but would certainly capture my interest.

[daikaijusaurus]

[walshiam]

I'm not a fan of the animation idea unless there's something exceptional about the animation. That goes for CG animation as well.

[kiryugoji04]

I'm only interested in anime if someone insane got ahold of it, like Imaishi or Tsurumaki. Anything else would probably be boring.

[Mac]

[Shin_Edda_Robo!!!!!]

[Psycho Soldier]

It'd be interesting to do an anthology film - something like Heavy Metal or ABCs of Death, except better. You could have multiple directors utilizing various techniques (tokusatsu, 2D animation, CGI, etc.) to their hearts' content. The stories would be rather condensed, but considering how overlong the movies have been since '91, that could work to the project's benefit.

My biggest worry for Gojikon is that Toho will keep playing it safe, that this is sound and fury signifying nothing. I think it's time to experiment with the franchise as much as possible, or at least expand its outreach somehow. I hope Toho thinks so, too, but I'm not certain that they do. Guess we'll find out.

[mr.negativity]

[daikaijusaurus]