Moderator: Controllers
Jordan Zakarin wrote:Five years ago, Toho selected around 20 employees from different divisions of the company to participate in the Godzilla Strategic Conference, a group devoted to plotting the public future of the studio's crown jewel. At the time, Toho hadn't released a Godzilla movie of its own since 2004's monster royal rumble pic Godzilla: Final Wars, which meant that the public impression of the kaiju was largely limited the new licensed American movie released that year. As Legendary Pictures and Gareth Edwards's Hollywoodized Godzilla movie was raking in half a billion dollars at the box office, GSC was planning to also reassert Toho's version of its monster into the international public consciousness.
Akito Takahashi, a Toho employee who serves as the GSC's Project Manager, gave an overview of the studio's plans in a conversation with SYFY WIRE, via a translator, at the company's booth on Thursday. The initial question they needed to answer, he says, was how to better tap into the devotion of the existing fan base.
Benjamin Haines wrote:SyFy Wire, 07/19/2019:
Toho's Godzilla hits Comic-Con with its first booth, part of the Japanese studio's master planJordan Zakarin wrote:Five years ago, Toho selected around 20 employees from different divisions of the company to participate in the Godzilla Strategic Conference, a group devoted to plotting the public future of the studio's crown jewel. At the time, Toho hadn't released a Godzilla movie of its own since 2004's monster royal rumble pic Godzilla: Final Wars, which meant that the public impression of the kaiju was largely limited the new licensed American movie released that year. As Legendary Pictures and Gareth Edwards's Hollywoodized Godzilla movie was raking in half a billion dollars at the box office, GSC was planning to also reassert Toho's version of its monster into the international public consciousness.
Akito Takahashi, a Toho employee who serves as the GSC's Project Manager, gave an overview of the studio's plans in a conversation with SYFY WIRE, via a translator, at the company's booth on Thursday. The initial question they needed to answer, he says, was how to better tap into the devotion of the existing fan base.
"We love the Hollywood Godzilla, we think it's really an honor that they wanted to sort of remake their Hollywood version," Takahashi says. "It's so different. We're going to continue that branding and that type of Godzilla universe to expand even more. However, the Japanese Godzilla has 29 movies that have already come out. It's a very specific type of Godzilla universe, so we're probably going to see both of them sort of evolving as we go. We just love that there's two sides of Godzilla."
Gentleman wrote:Sounds like they haven't officially pulled the plug on Legendary's license. Maybe they're hedging until they see what kind of numbers GvK brings in.
In 1954 Japanese studio TOHO CO., LTD. introduced the world to Godzilla, and except for a few Hollywood collaborations they've kept the King of the Monsters to themselves. But as Godzilla celebrates its 65. anniversary this fall Toho is celebrating by spreading the gospel of Godzilla to the rest of the world.
"We're very excited to revitalize the original series of 29 feature films, says Takaaki Nakazawa, head of global licensing for Toho during an interview at the company, Tokyo headquarters. "Audiences have always appreciated the franchise, and now we feel the time is right to launch our new exciting GODZILLA: GENESIS campaign."
Toho is excited to be able to offer all 29 films, either as a package or separately, to international broadcasters, cable stations and video platforms for the very first time.
"Because MIPCOM is a market for media content we're looking forward to discussing deals for the series," says Nakazawa, "but we also want to strengthen the brand value of the franchise."
In preparation for GODZILLA: GENESIS, Toho conducted a survey to gauge public awareness of Godzilla in other countries around the world, and found that the majority of the respond.ts were familiar and had a relatively strong engagement with the monster, but as Nakazawa points out there is still a great deal of potential for the character.
"The key driving content will be different in each territory, he says. "For instance, in China the Hollywood versions contributed greatly to Godzilla, popularity, while in the U.S. and Europe the original Toho films are mainly responsible."
Godzilla is such an iconic film presence that the brand encompasses more than just the films, so merchandising will also figure heavily in the campaign. Toho plans to showcase Godzilla brand sake at its MIPCOM Launch of GODZILLA: GENESIS and at their booth. In the future it will also license other titans of the Godzilla Universe such as Mothra and Rodan individually.
For the first time they'll also increase localization by providing production entities with music and effects soundtracks so that individual films can be dubbed into other languages. Despite the fact that Americans first encountered Godzilla through a hybrid version of the original in 1956, The Godzilla films produced by Toho have so far not been dubbed, with very few exceptions
Much of the series' appeal is its never-ending cycle of destruction and rebirth, a theme that may seem particularly Japanese given the island nation, history, but which Nakazawa believes is universal.
"People all over the world suffer disasters that they must overcome to rebuild their lives and move on," he says. "It, something everybody understands and is a universal experience."
At the panel Toho revealed that there will be a Godzilla toyline inbound for January 2020, as well as announced the new partnership with a major clothing brand.
Godzilla Fest will be back in Hibiya! A variety of events will be held to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the birth of Godzilla!
11.3 Sun 10:00~19:00
Hosted by: Godzilla Fest 2019 Executive Committee / UNIJAPAN (Tokyo International Film Festival Executive Committee)
Co-hosted by Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Sponsored by: Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. / Hibiya Area Management Association
Links: Official Site (Japnese Site)
DANIEL ALVAREZ wrote:Godzilla will once again arrive in Japan, but this time as a theme park attraction. The King of the kaiju has been enjoying a surge in worldwide popularity as of late. The monster's next film, Godzilla vs. Kong, stomps into theaters in March 2020.
Godzilla has always been well known, but it's only recently that he's gained special prominence outside Japan. Recently, Turner Classic Movies aired most of the older Japanese Godzilla movies. Criterion, the prestigious home video company, recently released a Blu-ray set for all the Godzilla films released between 1954-1975. Of course, this year saw the release of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, which reintroduced King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Rodan. Though the film received lukewarm reviews from critics, many fans greatly enjoyed it. Godzilla is everywhere, and soon a full-scale attraction will be built for fans to visit.
Nijigen no Mori, the anime theme park on Awaji Island, is getting a full-scale Godzilla attraction (via Kyodo News) next summer. Called the "Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji," the attraction is based on the title character from Shin Godzilla. According to Chief Godzilla Officer Keiji Ota, the attraction "will have huge presence and tremendous impact." Visitors will role-play as researchers, using pulleys to enter Godzilla through his mouth. While inside the beast, visitors will attempt missions, including a shooting game trying to destroy Godzilla's cells.
The Godzilla attraction will be massive, about 20 meters high. As one can see in the image, it will be as if Godzilla's head is truly emerging from the ground. According to Ota, the attraction will be the first "permanent" full-scale replica of the creature, so it sounds like fans can look forward to this for years to come. This also isn't the first Shin Godzilla-themed attraction in Japan. There was also the 4D ride at Universal Studios Japan, which featured Godzilla and a new version of King Ghidorah.
It should come as no surprise that Shin Godzilla is still being heavily marketed in Japan as the quintessential Godzilla. Shin Godzilla won numerous Japanese Academy awards in 2016, including Picture of the Year. It is also the highest-grossing Japanese Godzilla film. Interestingly, TOHO plans to build a new Godzilla cinematic universe instead of following up on Shin Godzilla. This isn't shocking, because Shin Godzilla works as a standalone feature. One of the directors of Shin Godzilla, Hideaki Anno, will be the producer on Shin Ultraman, releasing in 2021. It is certainly a good time to be a fan of Godzilla and Japanese giants.
Source: Kyodo News
Godzilla Mixes It Up with Symphogear Anime in Smartphone Game Collab
It’s been a whopping 65 years since the original Godzilla made its massive mark upon Japan and the world with Ishiro Honda’s 1954 film Gojira. One of the many celebrations has the Big G stomping his way toward the girls of Symphogear for a collaboration with the Symphogear XD UNLIMITED smartphone game.
Appropriately titled Godzilla vs. Symphogear, the collaboration was revealed during this past weekend’s Godzilla Fest 2019 event in Tokyo. There’s currently just a teaser, so we’ll have to wait to find out how Godzilla will fully integrate into Bushiroad and Pokelabo’s “symphonic battle” game.
XvGojira wrote:So it looks like that clothing line that was talked about for the Godzilla Genesis project is with Mondo.
https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/201 ... collection
lhb412 wrote:XvGojira wrote:So it looks like that clothing line that was talked about for the Godzilla Genesis project is with Mondo.
https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/201 ... collection
The Gigan shirt is maybe the coolest looking article of clothing merchandising tie-in this franchise has ever produced. It looks awesome.
Return to Shin Godzilla and Beyond!
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests