Tokyo Tower, Tokyo, Japan Feel the fascination of special effects at Tokyo Tower! Report on "DNA of Special Effects / Tokyo Tower SOS: Godzilla, Mothra and Toho Special Effects Exhibition

Focusing on the "technology" and "inheritors" of tokusatsu culture, the "DNA of Tokusatsu" exhibition event allows visitors to get up close and personal with many of the stuffed animals and miniatures used in filming.

Since 2016, the "DNA of Tokusatsu" exhibition event has been held in various locations based on various themes, including Godzilla, Ultraman, and Gamera. Currently, "DNA of Tokusatsu / Tokyo Tower SOS: Godzilla, Mothra, and Toho Tokusatsu Exhibition" themed on "Tokyo Tower and Toho Tokusatsu" is being held at Tokyo Tower (until August 7).

Since its opening in 1958, Tokyo Tower has been an indispensable landmark in tokusatsu productions, and in the Showa period (1926-1989), it was the location where the larvae cocooned in "Mothra" (1961), the climax of the battle between King Kong and Mecha Kong in "King Kong Strikes Back" (1967). In recent years, many people may remember its appearance in the "ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street" series (2005, 2007, 2012).

The landscape has also been used in the Super Sentai and Heisei Masked Rider series, and most recently in the final episode of "Ultraman Trigger" (2021), where a scene depicting the collapse of the building was depicted, and it continues to attract attention as a spectacular feature in special effects films.

Director Masaaki Tezuka, who worked on "Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo SOS" (2003), was a special guest on the day of the media preview. He showed off two shots of the Type 3 Koryu (Mechagodzilla) and the Tokyo Tower in the background, and commented on the Type 3 Koryu, which he had not seen for a long time, saying, "In previous exhibits, it was jammed under its own weight, but this time it was suspended by wires and in its best condition, It's the way it should be," he said with a satisfied smile.

Tezuka also directed three films in the Godzilla series: "Godzilla x Megaguirus: Operation G Annihilation" (2000), "Godzilla x Mechagodzilla" (2002), and "Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo SOS" (2003). Regarding special effects films, which are shot in two groups, one for the main story and the other for special effects, Tezuka said, "Naturally, special effects are more important in a Godzilla film, but it is the director's job to convey what he wants to everyone, so my stance as a director is the same even if it is a special effects film. For the three films, he worked with three special effects directors (*credit goes to special effects), Kenji Suzuki, Yuichi Kikuchi, and Eiichi Asada, and he said that "all three were very interesting to work with," especially for "Tokyo SOS. He recalled that "all the jobs were very interesting," especially "Tokyo SOS.

From here, I would like to introduce some of the exhibits at the venue. The venue is the "Tower Hall" located in the B1 of the Tokyo Tower, where a panel of Mothra and a Type 3 Kikoryu greet visitors at the front of the stairs. Then, going down the stairs, posters of the first "Godzilla" (1954) to "Shin Godzilla" (2016) and all 29 films in the Godzilla series over the years are displayed on the landing. The font, photographic materials, and catchphrases allow visitors to read the concept of each work and the transition from one era to the next, and this alone is enough to get them excited.

Rare materials of the first "Godzilla" (1954), the starting point of all the series. On the left is the script used by director Eiji Tsuburaya, with "G works Godzilla" written on the cover. Next to it is a scrapbook of storyboards recorded on paper. To the right is a plaque presented by the Japan Film Technology Association for the special techniques used in the film. Last is a 35mm film can. It shows that the original film consists of 10 rolls.

The statue of Godzilla created in later years by Teizo Toshimitsu, who was involved in the sculpting of the first Godzilla. The sleepy look of the face gives a unique impression, but the ears and the line at the tip of the nose show features similar to those of the first Godzilla. Some fans may remember it from a past appearance in the tokusatsu magazine "Spaceship" (Asahi Sonorama → Hobby Japan). This event will be a rare opportunity to see the real thing up close.

Mechagodzilla II from "Mechagodzilla Strikes Back" (1975), the original suit actually used in the filming. It is a miracle that it still exists, although it is somewhat deteriorated. Also, when viewed from the front, the left and right sides of the suit are slightly out of balance, but this is also part of its charm.

Prop exhibits related to the Showa era Mechagodzilla. From left to right, a lion figurine from "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla" (1974). This is the first time the lion figurine, an important prop for unsealing King Caesar, has been exhibited. In the center is the artificial brain of Mechagodzilla II. If you look closely, you can see that the base of the brain is made from plastic model runners. On the right are Mechagodzilla II's feet. The footwear has a wide opening to prevent accidental removal when photographed. The full-body suit has been partially repaired, but this is the first time it has been exhibited in its original state.

Storyboard of "Mechagodzilla Strikes Back" (1975) by special effects director Akiyoshi Nakano. The numbers "56-58" are assigned to a series of climactic battles, and in #123-3, where Godzilla seizes the Titanosaurus and shoots down the disk of the Black Hole Third Planet Man with radioactive flames, there is the message "Godzilla: 'Damn it! and all the radiation!" is interestingly written. Also, "62" in the lower right corner of the screen is a storyboard for the last scene. The script also specifies the setting sun, but this storyboard, which reads "Sunset sky--Godzilla leaves in the setting sun ......," was used to create the lyrical and famous scene shot in the open of the large swimming pool. was materialized.

At the exhibition, various sculptures are also displayed on the ceiling, which should not be missed. The photo shows the flying form of Baran from "Daikaiju Baran" (1958). The model on display is a restored version of the original for filming. Sculptor Keizo Murase is also known for his work on Baran's transparent spikes, which he created by processing vinyl hose. He also sculpted King Ghidorah in "Godzilla vs.

The Jet Jaguar flying doll has been gaining popularity in recent years, including being refined for the "Godzilla S.P <Singular Point>" anime (2021). Of course, this is the real Jet Jaguar used in the filming of "Godzilla vs. Megalo" (1973). The FRP mask on display separately has a built-in antenna extension/retraction and deployment gimmick, which we hope visitors will check out at the exhibition.

The panel exhibit titled "Tokyo Tower and Toho Special Effects" explains in detail the Tokyo Tower that appeared in Toho special effects films, including filming episodes, and is a must-see and must-read. The title of the "Dennou Keisatsu Cyber Cop" (1988), which is introduced in the lower right corner of the photo, is a special effects hero program produced by Toho. Episode 13 "Satellite Falls! Jupiter's death in the line of duty!" (1988), there is an astonishing scene in which the hero's motorcycle-shaped mecha Blade Liner uses Tokyo Tower as a jumping off point in order to destroy a satellite.

In "Heisei Mothra vs. Miregoji!　Rainbow Mothra, with its vividly colored wings, has appeared in two of the Heisei Mothra trilogy films, "Mothra 2: The Great Undersea Battle" (1997) and "Mothra 3: King Ghidorah Attacks" (1998). And Miregoji, which set a new image, was seen in "Godzilla 2000 Millennium" (1999), and then was refurbished for "Godzilla x Megaguirus" (2000), both Mothra & Godzilla were sculpted by Shinichi Wakasa.

Radon-related exhibits. The three in the foreground are from "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla" (1993). The two on the left are two different sizes, and the one on the right is a Fire Radon, all sculpted by Shinichi Wakasa. In the back is a prop illustration from "Radon, the Great Monster of the Sky" (1956), which is surprisingly well-preserved, as it is hard to believe that it is more than 60 years old. Some of you may recall a scene in the movie in which this illustration and a fragment of what appears to be a radon feather that happened to be reflected in a photograph overlap.

The Type 3 Koryu, mentioned at the beginning of this article, is displayed with an elaborate miniature set that pays homage to the "Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla" movie (2003). Miniature sets are the flower of special effects. In a sense, they are another mainstay of tokusatsu. Find your favorite angle and take as many photos as you like.

As 20 years have passed since "Godzilla x Mechagodzilla" (2002), in which the Type 3 Godzilla made its first appearance, one of the main attractions of the exhibition is "Mechagodzilla (Mechagodzilla) / Shinagawa Genshi," an illustration newly drawn by illustrator Tokyo Genshi (left) to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first appearance of the Mechagodzilla (Mechagodzilla). The concept and plot were written by director Masaaki Tezuka at the request of Toho's Kazunari Yamanaka, who asked him to "bring back the Ki Ryu. If you read the lengthy plot by Director Tezuka, which is displayed along with the illustrations, you will appreciate the illustrations even more. At the press conference, he said, "It was easy to draw in terms of the world, but Godzilla, Mechagodzilla, and Mothra are so large that it was difficult to find a way to interpret them in my mind. I managed to complete the drawing while receiving instructions to make several revisions." Director Tezuka commented, "The scene floating in the setting sun is very beautiful, as expected of Tokyo Genshi. The scenery floating in the setting sun has a sense of nostalgia, and he was able to create a picture that shocks the hearts of human beings.

Near the entrance of the exhibition hall, a memorial corner was set up for those who have lost loved ones related to the tokusatsu works. From left, Nobuyuki Yasumaru, sculptor of "King Kong Strikes Back" (1967) and "Godzilla" (1984). Akira Takarada is a proud Toho movie star who has appeared in many special effects films, including "Godzilla" (1954), "Yukio the Beastmaster" (1955), and "Mothra vs. Godzilla" (1964). Hiromi Muraishi is a director who has demonstrated his skills in many special effects hero films, including the Heisei Ultraman series and "Cyber Cop" (1988). Akiyoshi Nakano is a special effects director whose best-known work is "Sinking of Japan" (1973). He led Toho's special effects after the death of Eiji Tsuburaya, and was also the special effects director for "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla" (1974) and "Mechagodzilla Strikes Back" (1975), which are also featured in this exhibition. We hope that you will once again recall their great achievements.

There is also an extensive merchandising corner. The official pamphlet and catalog of the "DNA of Special Effects: Godzilla Revealed at Mt. This is a great opportunity to pick up a copy (*Check availability).

From August 11, "Heisei Gamera Trilogy Exhibition: Gyaos flies to Tokyo Tower! will be held at the same Tokyo Tower from August 11.

(Reporting, writing, and photography by Tomohisa Toyota)

Event Information

DNA of Special Effects / Tokyo Tower SOS: Godzilla, Mothra, and Toho Special Effects Exhibition

Dates: July 16 (Sat) - August 7 (Sun), 2022

Opening Hours

Saturday - Thursday: 11:00 - 19:00 (last admission at 18:30)

Friday: 11:00 - 21:00 (last admission at 20:30)

Venue: Tokyo Tower B1 Tower Hall (4-2-8 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo)

Admission (tax included)

General (high school students and older): Same-day admission ticket / 1,700 yen

Elementary and junior high school students (6-15 years old and under): Same-day admission ticket / 800 yen

Pair ticket (for two people): Same-day ticket / 3,200 yen

All prices include tax.

Preschool children are admitted free of charge.

No admission privileges will be given to those who do not have an admission ticket or invitation ticket. No merchandise will be available for purchase.

TM & (C)TOHO CO.

(C)TOKUSATSU NO DNA Production Committee