Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

Here's what I posted on another board recently when the subject of AGON came up:



MABOROSHI-NO DAIKAIJU AGON (Agon, the Mysterious Giant Monster) was a television mini-series produced in 1964 by Nippon Denwa Eiga, written and produced by Shinichi Sekizawa, who was one of the main scribes for Toho's 1960s fantasy films. It was shot like a feature, but was structured in four chapters (much like some of the Mexican horror-wrestling movies from the 1960s). Legend has it that the original airing was stopped by Toho, who claimed there was infringement on Godzilla, but it eventually aired in 1968. (Apparently, this story is not true, but Toho did show some concern when it was in production -- but they okayed it -- in actuality, the broadcast was delayed because the sponsor dropped out).

AGON (English sales title AGON, THE ATOMIC DRAGON) is a slow-moving, low-key, black and white affair, that is probably best viewed as a curio of the time -- it's production paralleled the Eiji Tsuburaya's own ULTRA Q (produced in 1964 through 1965 and airing in 1966). Ironically, AGON was issued on VHS by Toho Video in the 1980s (and subsequently in 1993) and on DVD in 2005 by King Records. The monster suit, created by ex-Toho employee Fuminori Ohashi (who worked on the original cycle of Toho's monster films), refitted the costume for use in five episodes of THE SPACE GIANTS in 1966.

*sigh* I'm getting really old or really too busy, or both.

BTW, thanks Keith, Bob and Oki for the huuuuge write up. THIS is a show that could really use an official R1 DVD release.

Greetings,

Sorry for the Necropost, but this was the only thread title I could find about Agon: The Atomics Monster.

Now... I know this miniseries is easy enough to get, just do a YouTube search. However, there is this on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Agon-Atomic-Monst ... words=agon

I know bootlegs show up on Amazon occasionally despite their best efforts, but I was just curious to know if anyone has any news about this? Is it a legit release? -Any assistance is appreciated. Thank you.

Well, Amazon lists it as being manufactured by GI Studios.

My google-fu didn't turn up much info but from what I can tell they're one of those dime-a-dozen "public domain" cheapo bootleg dvd outfits. You know, the kind who just copy vhs tapes of things they assume are public domain (or things they hope nobody will notice) onto dvd and sell them in bargain bins for a buck or two. I'd bet the disc is atrocious quality and barely watchable at best.

Just finished up this series online and I really enjoyed it. Yes the pacing is a little slow and yes the Agon suit is a little goofy looking but the miniature work is top notch for the budget. Also the soundtrack is very atmospheric, creepy and other worldly. The characters are stock characters so expect reporters, scientists etc. This film really does come off as a made for TV remake of Gojira and that's not a bad thing. I just purchased the DVD for this film from amazon and I think it will feature heavily in some of my monster movie marathons. I think this would make a really fun late night Halloween film in particular with its creepy droning soundtrack.

lists a number of releases from GI Studios, among them Pulgasari and Space Giants. Apparently, these guys really like dissing Godzilla.