Kaiju design by Eiji Yamamori for the upcoming Netflix anime series GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT. Image courtesy of Toho. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: Toho Co., Ltd. press release
Official Site: godzilla-sp.jp (Japan), Godzilla Singular Point | Netflix (US)
Official Twitter: twitter.com/GODZILLA_SP (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jennifer Cruz

Netflix announces an all new original anime series GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT (ゴジラ S.P ＜シンギュラポイント＞, Gojira S.P < Shingyura Pointo >) featuring a brand new cast and original story set to premiere globally on Netflix in 2021.
Continued…

Photo courtesy of Toho. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: Toho Co., Ltd. press release
Official Site: godzilla.com, pintrill.com/collections/godzilla
Special Thanks to Jennifer Cruz

PINTRILL has released its second series of collectible pins with Toho’s Godzilla. Series 2 is a chibi (short, cute) adaptation of some of the most famous monsters in the Godzilla universe.
Continued…

Source: GKIDS Inc. press release
Official Site: lupin-3rd-movie.com (Japan), gkids.com/films/lupin-the-3rd-the-first (US)

US poster art. Image courtesy of GKIDS. © Monkey Punch
/ 2019 LUPIN THE 3RD Film Partners

GKIDS, the acclaimed distributor of multiple Academy Award-nominated animated features, brings LUPIN III: THE FIRST (ルパン三世　THE FIRST, Rupan Sansei THE FIRST) to U.S. cinemas in October. The movie is based on the manga by Monkey Punch ans is directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET trilogy, SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (SPACE BATTLESHIP ヤマト, Uchu Senkan Yamato, 2010) and THE ETERNAL ZERO (永遠の0, Eien no Zero, 2013).

The iconic “gentleman thief” Lupin III returns in an action-packed, continent-spanning adventure, as Lupin III and his colorful underworld companions race to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Bresson Diary, before it falls into the hands of a dark cabal that will stop at nothing to resurrect the Third Reich. The gang undertakes trap-filled tombs, aerial escapades and daring prison escapes with the trademark wit and visual finesse that have made LUPIN THE 3RD one of the most storied animation franchises in the world, in a thrilling new caper that is sure to delight fans old and new.
Continued…

Logo courtesy of Steve Ryfle. © 2020 KAIJU MASTERCLASS

Source: KAIJU MASTERCLASS press release
Special Thanks to Steve Ryfle

Announcing KAIJU MASTERCLASS, a three-day online convention with guest lineup featuring composer Bear McCreary (THE WALKING DEAD, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS), director Shinji Higuchi (SHIN GODZILLA, ATTACK ON TITAN), composer David Arnold (the JAMES BOND franchise, GODZILLA 1998), director Shusuke Kaneko (GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH, DEATH NOTE), composer Michiru Oshima (GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS), and long list of genre creators and scholars.
Continued…

Image courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2020 Love Me, Love Me Not (Animation) Film Partners ©I.Sakisaka/Shueisha

Source: Toho Co., Ltd.
Official Site: furifura-movie-animation.jp (Japan)

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Toho Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res images from the anime feature film LOVE ME, LOVE ME NOT (アニメーション映画『思い、思われ、ふり、ふられ』, Animēshon Eiga Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare).
Continued…

Photo courtesy of Bluefin. ©Studio Ghibli

Highly Collectible Mehve Glider Set Previously Released Only in Japan from Premium Bandai Now Available for First Time to Studio Ghibli Fans in North America
Source: BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin) press release
Special Thanks to Scott Barretto

While the popularity of its films has never waned over its 35-year history, Studio Ghibli is now enjoying a major resurgence as mainstream audiences everywhere experience its films for the first time — digitally. To address fan and collector demand, BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin), a BANDAI NAMCO Group company and the master distributor of officially licensed Studio Ghibli merchandise in North America, announced plans to offer exclusive limited-time and limited-run product for the first time ever in North America via its direct-to-consumer website BluefinBrands.com.
Continued…

Photo courtesy of NECA. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: NECA
Special Thanks to Peter de Leon

NECA has announced new variant editions of their recently released Godzilla 1989 and 2003 figures. Both will be available exclusively from Target in early September.
Continued…

The “Drive-In Super Monster-Rama”lineup.

Source: Avery Guerra
Official Site: riversidedrivein.com/special-events

This September, the Riverside Drive In Theatre in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania will host the “Drive-In Super Monster-Rama” featuring cult classics like KING KONG VS GODZILLA, KING KONG ESCAPES, MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND and THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK.
Continued…

The Ultimate Gambler (Tatsuya Fujiwara) is back in KAIJI: FINAL GAME. Photo courtesy of Toho. © Nobuyuki Fukumoto, KODANSHA　
© 2020「KAIJI FINAL GAME」FILM PARTNERS

Source: Toho Co., Ltd., Nippon TV
Official Site: kaiji-final-game.jp (Japan)

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Toho Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with press notes and high-res photos for KAIJI: FINAL GAME (カイジ　ファイナルゲーム, Kaiji Fainaru Gēmu), the third live action film based on the hit manga about a clever gambler who tries his luck against incredible odds. The movie was released in Japanese early this year and is now being offered for international licensing by Nippon TV.
Continued…

Photo courtesy of NECA. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: NECA
Special Thanks to Peter de Leon

NECA has announced new variant editions of their recently released Godzilla 1989 and 2003 figures. Both will be available exclusively from Target in early September.
Continued…

Photo courtesy of Bandai. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Photo courtesy of Bandai. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: Bandai America Incorporated

Bandai America has provided SciFi Japan with information and photos of their new Mechagodzilla (1975) Space Beam Version figure. Part of X-PLus’ 30cm Series, the figure is based on the Mechagodzilla 2 design from the 1975 film TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (メカゴジラの逆襲, Mekagojira no Gyakushū). A special feature of the figure is Mechagodzilla’s eyes, which light up 7 colors to recreate the cyborg monster’s Space Beam attack from the movie.
Continued…

Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2020 Love Me, Love Me Not (Animation) Film Partners ©I.Sakisaka/Shueisha

Source: Toho Co., Ltd.
Official Site: furifura-movie.jp (Japan)

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Toho Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res photo from the new movie LOVE ME, LOVE ME NOT (思い、思われ、ふり、ふられ, Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare). This feature film sequel to STROBE EDGE (ストロボ・エッジ, Sutorobo Ejji) and BLUE SPRING RIDE (アオハライド, Aoharaido, 2014) completes the live-action adaptations of Io Sakisaka’s same-named girls’ comic trilogy. The movie is directed by romance film maestro Takahiro Miki (YELL FOR THE BLUE SKY, MY TOMORROW, YOUR YESTERDAY, FORTUNA’S EYE).
Continued…

Source: Benjamin Chaffins press release

Japanese sci-fi fans can now preorder Discovering Tokusatsu,
a new book of interviews by Benjamin Chaffins. Image
courtesy of Benjamin Chaffins.

SciFi Japan contributor Benjamin Chaffins’ first book, Discovering Tokusatsu: Interviews With The Makers of Godzilla, Gamera, Ultraman, And Other Kaiju Eiga is now available for preorder at amazon.com.

The book contains interviews with Yoko Higuchi on SHIN GODZILLA; Xavier Frazier, Alan Maxson, TJ Storm, Jason Liles and Richard Dorton on GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS (2019); Norman England on GAMERA 3: THE REVENGE OF IRIS and the Millennium Godzilla series; Shinpei Hayashiya on the fan film GAMERA 4: TRUTH; Peter Hayes Brothers on his books; Daisuke Sato on HOWL FROM BEYOND THE FOG, Hiroto Yokokawa on NEZURA 1964; Akira Ohashi on GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF LEGION and GAMERA 3; John LeMay on his books; Yuichi Kikuchi on ULTRAMAN: THE NEXT and ULTRAMAN NEXUS (an exclusive to the book); Shizuo Nakajima on THE LEGENDARY WOLFMAN VS. GODZILLA; Minoru Kawasaki on THREE GIANT MONSTERS GOURMET: MONSTER SEAFOOD WARS; and Yoshikazu Ishii on ATTACK OF THE GIANT TEACHER, ULTRAMAN MAX, ULTRAMAN SAGA, ULTRAMAN MEBIUS, ULTRAMAN GINGA/GINGA S, ULTRA ZERO FIGHT and more. 128 pages total, Ben’s book covers details about each film and television show and explains how these interviews came to be.
Continued…

Source: Shout! Factory press release
Official Site: promare-movie.com (Japan), PromareMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Shannon Meehan

Final artwork pending, Image courtesy of Shout! Factory.
©TRIGGER, Kazuki Nakashima/XFLAG

Following a phenomenally successful North American theatrical run, PROMARE (プロメア, Puromea), the top-grossing original anime feature of 2019, comes to home entertainment with a new Collector’s Edition from GKIDS and Shout! Factory. The hyperkinetic, candy-colored visual masterpiece will be available next Tuesday, August 4 with new special packaging, an interview with director Hiroyuki Imaishi, a round table with Studio TRIGGER, and SIDE: GALO and SIDE: LIO short films with new English dubs featuring the original dub cast, as well as added bonus features exclusive to the Collector’s Edition. The PROMARE Collector’s Edition is being produced in partnership with Anime Limited, the film’s UK distributor, and will be available at a suggested retail price of $64.99.

The first feature-length film from the acclaimed studio TRIGGER, creators of KILL la KILL, LITTLE WITCH ACADEMIA and the upcoming B.N.A., and director Hiroyuki Imaishi (GURREN LAGANN), PROMARE is a blistering action-adventure that will set your soul on fire.
Continued…

Source: Toho Co., Ltd., Funko press release
Official Site: godzilla.com
Special Thanks to Sarah Allen

Photo courtesy of Toho and Funko. © Funko. All rights reserved.
TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Funko Games has partnered with Toho International for the Godzilla: Tokyo Clash Strategy Game. The game is on sale now at Target, and will be available from other retailers in August 2020.

In Godzilla: Tokyo Clash Strategy Game, you are Earth’s most fearsome Kaiju — Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, and Megalon — battling for dominance as the most terrifying monster in Japan! Stomp across the vintage Tokyo cityscape, unleash devastating attacks, and throw trains, tanks, and battleships at your enemies.

Master each Kaiju’s unique battle style to gain dominance before the humans drive the monsters from the city! The game features an impressive 3-D table-presence with large-scale figures, buildings, and a modular gameboard so every game is unique!
Continued…

Photo courtesy of NECA. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: NECA press release
Special Thanks to Peter de Leon

NECA has provided high res photos of the packaging for their Godzilla 1989 and 2003 Action Figures. Both figures are now available from retailers for the SRP of $24.99 each.
Continued…

Wraparound cover design for Discovering Tokusatsu, a new book of interviews by Benjamin Chaffins. Image courtesy of Benjamin Chaffins.

Source: Benjamin Chaffins

SciFi Japan contributor Benjamin Chaffins is preparing to release his first book, Discovering Tokusatsu: Interviews With The Makers of Godzilla, Gamera, Ultraman, And Other Kaiju Eiga. The PDF will be submitted to Amazon self-publishing (KDP) on July 27th for an August 2020 release.
Continued…

Photo courtesy of Bandai. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: Bandai Co., Ltd.
Special Thanks to Tatsuru Kaneda

Bandai Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and photos of their new Jet Jaguar Punch Punch Punch figure set. The next release in Bnadai’s “Kaiju Out of the Law” series includes two Jet Jaguar figures (one in his giant pose, the second in a flying pose), two sets of replacement arms, and the flash flash effect parts for the robot’s transformation from human sized to giant.
Continued…

Source: Shout! Factory press release
Official Site: tenkinoko.com (Japan), WeatheringWithYouMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Lauren Blum

Box art. Image courtesy of Shout! Factory. ©2019
“Weathering With You” Film Partners

Makoto Shinkai’s magnificent new animated film WEATHERING WITH YOU (天気の子, Tenki no Ko, 2019) will be getting the ultimate Collector’s Edition treatment this fall, after receiving glowing reviews from critics and theatrical audiences alike. WEATHERING WITH YOU (Collector’s Edition) will be available November 17 from GKIDS and Shout! Factory.

Exclusive to the limited edition 4-disc set is the highest possible quality version of the film, in stunning 4K UHD, as well as the full-length feature and standard bonus features on Blu-ray, an additional Blu-ray disc dedicated to the feature-length documentary “The Making Of WEATHERING WITH YOU,” as well as the film’s soundtrack on CD, a 104-page perfect bound book, a mini poster, and decal sticker, all in a beautiful hard case designed for collectors. Additional bonus features on the feature film’s Blu-ray disc include an interview with Director Makoto Shinkai, the “Weather Front” featurette, a talk show interview with Makoto Shinkai and journalist Yumiko Udo, director filmography featurette, and trailers & TV spots.
Continued…

Image courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. © Fujiko Pro ・ Shogakukan ・ TV Asahi ・ Shin-Ei · ADK 2020

Source: Toho Co., Ltd.
Official Site: doraeiga.com/2020 (Japan)

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and high-res images from DORAEMON THE MOVIE: NOBITA’S NEW DINOSAUR (映画ドラえもん のび太の新恐竜, Eiga Doraemon Nobita no Shin Kyōryū), the 50th anniversary anime feature film based on the manga created by Fujiko Fujio (Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko). The fortieth entry in the series reunites the creative team of screenwriter Genki Kawamura and director Kazuaki Imai from DORAEMON THE MOVIE: NOBITA’S TREASURE ISLAND (映画ドラえもん のび太の宝島, Eiga Doraemon Nobita no Takarajima, 2018), which earned the highest Japanese box office receipts in the series to date.
Continued…

Photos courtesy of Shout! Factory. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO © 1988 Nibariki • G. PRINCESS MONONOKE © 1997 Nibariki • GND

Source: Shout! Factory press release
Special Thanks to Shannon Meehan

Studio Ghibli and GKIDS, with distribution by Shout! Factory, will release MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO and PRINCESS MONONOKE, from the famed Studio Ghibli library of films, on October 20, 2020 in limited edition SteelBook packaging with striking new art. Each SteelBook will house a Blu-ray & DVD combo pack, presenting the film alongside hours of bonus features and a booklet with stunning art and statements from the filmmakers.
Continued…

Photo courtesy of NECA. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: NECA press release
Special Thanks to Peter de Leon

NECA has announced that their Godzilla 1989 and 2003 Action Figures are rolling out from their warehouse this week and will soon be available from retailers.
Continued…

Photo courtesy of Bluefin. ©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION. © 2020 Legendary. All Rights Reserved. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary

First Round of 2020 SDCC Exclusives Feature Dragon Ball and Godzilla Franchises and S.H.Figuarts, S.H.MonsterArts, FiguartsZERO, Dragon Stars and Final Blast Series Lines
Source: BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin) press release
Special Thanks to Scott Barretto

Fans need wait no longer because tonight BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin) officially drops this year’s collection of anime and kaiju San Diego Comic-Con exclusive figures. For 2020, Bluefin, the BANDAI NAMCO Group company and leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products in North America, is offering nine different figures from the Dragon Ball and Godzilla franchises across five of the most popular figure lines from Tamashii Nations and Bandai America.
Continued…

Source: Avery Guerra
Official Site: mahoningdit.com

SCHLOCK-O-RAMA IV. Image courtesy of Avery Guerra.

The Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, PA is sure to delight monster and sci-fi movies fans with great events this July and August.

First up is SCHLOCK-O-RAMA IV, a 10 film event the kicks off Friday, July 24 and features such greats as KING KONG VS GODZILLA, VALLEY OF GWANGI, FORBIDDEN PLANET, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS and BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS.

Then on Tuesday, August 4, the Toho classic DESTROY ALL MONSTERS will be screened in 35mm.
Continued…

Photo courtesy of Toho. JENGA® is a registered trademark of Pokonobe Associates. ©2020 Pokonobe Associates. Used under license from
Pokonobe Associates. All Rights Reserved. TM & © denotes U.S. Trademarks. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: The Op
Special Thanks to Jamie Scharbarth and Jake Davis

usaopoly (The Op) is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new JENGA: GODZILLA Extreme Edition game. The titan of terror is trying to bring your tower down with a heat ray. Featuring custom game play, players remove and replace blocks according to the directives to keep it standing through every threatening roll of the dice. Beware, Godzilla marches toward the tower raising the threat of destruction with every step!
Continued…

Japanese monster fans… be sure to attend the virtual event Kaiju Con-Line this weekend!
Logo courtesy of Kyle Yount. ©2020 KAIJUCAST

Kaiju Con-line press release
Source: Special Thanks to Kyle Yount

Mark your calendars, Monster Kids! Due to the cancellation of conventions and festivals around the globe, several dedicated daikaiju fans have joined forces to create a new event for the monster masses.

Kaiju Con-Line is a free “virtual” event being held on July 11th and 12th, the same weekend that would have hosted the annual gathering of Godzilla fanatics in Chicago; once that cancellation was announced, a clawful of motivated monster fiends converged to form this online convention that kaiju enthusiasts from around the world can enjoy from the comfort of their own home.
Continued…

Kaiju fans and industry professionals have teamed up for the international KAIJU DEFEAT COVID! campaign. Photo courtesy of Edward L. Holland.

Author: Benjamin Chaffins*
Special thanks to Edward L. Holland
#KAIJUDEFEAT COVID
#Capsulemonster

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the entire world to its core and the spread of the nasty virus has only gotten worse after countless cases have been confirmed across the globe. In order to address this pandemic, directors Shinji Higuchi, Katsuro Onoue, and many others participated in KAIJU DEFEAT COVID!, a project to help inspire kaiju and anime fans worldwide to be safe and get through this pandemic together.
Continued…

The King of the Monsters battles a gigantic werewolf in WOLFMAN VS GODZILLA, the legendary indie production by filmmakers
who worked on Toho’s Godzilla movies! Photo courtesy of Shizuo Nakajima. © Toho Co., Ltd.

Author: Benjamin Chaffins

Shizuo Nakajima is a filmmaker who worked as a production assistant for Toho on movies such as GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (ゴジラ対メカゴジラ, Gojira Tai Mekagojira, 1974) and TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (メカゴジラの逆襲, Mekagojira no Gyakushū, 1975). In the early 1980s, he and some of his colleagues thought it would be fun to make their own kaiju fan films, and produced a handful of shorts featuring Godzilla and other monsters. Nakajima and his team created the monster suits, props and miniature sets themselves, using materials they had purchased from Toho.
Continued…

Photo courtesy of Toho. ©1935, 2020 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

Source: The Op
Special Thanks to Jamie Scharbarth and Jake Davis

usaopoly (The Op) is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new MONOPOLY: GODZILLA board game. Demolish the competition in a city-terrorizing twist on the classic Hasbro game by collecting iconic kaiju in their familiar settings — such as Rodan on Monster Island (formerly known as Boardwalk) and Mothra on Infant Island (formerly known as Park Place) — in order to reign supreme. Navigate the MONOPOLY game board with custom sculpted tokens of the giants Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, Minilla, King Ghidorah and Mechagodzilla!
Continued…

© 2020 Legendary. All Rights Reserved. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary

Source: Bandai Co., Ltd.

Premium Bandai and other retailers are now taking proerders for new Hyper Modeling Series GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS figures from Bandai’s Art Spirits division. Based on the 2019 feature film from Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, the six figures will be available separately and in a set.
Continued…