Anybody wanna talk Godzilla? Ultraman? Gamera?

Ah, I guess that was wishful thinking... Oh well, I reckon I'll just have to look outside of FSM to talk monsters!

Talk monsters with me...I have a couple of Kaiyodo Zilla models and they're excellent.

Rogue

Hi, Rogue!
Thanks for posting.
Glad to meet ya.
Which kits do you have? Are Kaiyodo kits difficult to come by in your area? In my time in the States, I never EVER saw one on the shelves. Everything was mail-order back then.
Here in Japan, well, they're everywhere!

I believe all the Kaiyodo Gs were sculpted by Yuji Sakai, and they are all excellent.
I've got the Godzilla '68, '89, '91, and '96 Kaiyodo kits, plus a ton of others by Billiken, Wave, Volks, Max Factory, Paradise, Tsukuda, and even Bandai.

Other Kaiyodo kits I've built are the original Gamera and the Gamera I, II, and III kits, and they are all just dead on.

Well, before I ramble on too much about my junk, tell me about your collection and where your interests lie kaiju-wise!

And you other kaiju modeling fans out there! Join in!

I love Godzilla kits. Though I build anything that interests me, aircraft, spaceships, you name it- I have more Godzilla kits than any other single subject. I have mostly the Kayiodo kits that are around 9" tall- though I also have the 89 Paradise Bio-Goiji and the Bandai King Goiji and both are really big. Also tons of toys and stuff. I have also painted a few of the excellent X-plus toys and filled the seams. Godzilla is just a really fun character- though I think the new Gamera films are far and away better in terms of story and effects.

J-Hulk,
The Godzilla kits I have is the Kaiyodo Godzilla '89 (Biolante) and Kaiyodo 'Zilla from "Godzilla against Mothra". Both are fine kits, I prefer the 89 Godzilla design to others. I also have the standard Aurora Godzilla and the large Polar Lights Godzilla. I have been hoping the PL will issue a new large scale King Kong as a companion piece to their "Big G". While I am a traditional Godzilla fan, I was somewhat dissapointed that they (PL) didn't follow through with the planned release of the US Godzilla. That kit just faded away. When I attend Wonderfest here in the US, I'm always on the lookout for futher Godzilla kits. Haven't tried any of the Gamera kits...I just may have to look into getting one of them sometime.

Rogue

Hi, guys!

Good to see we have some kaiju fans in the FSM forums!

Same here, Bio-Goji's my fave. I too have the big Paradise kit and the Kaiyodo kit. Seems a lot of manufacturers have a hard time capturing the essence of Bio-Goji, though. KOC, and a bunch of lesser companies have tried, but there's always something not quite right with the proportions.

Have you guys seen the big Tokyo Marui radio controlled Godzillas? The '54 G is based on the Inoue Arts (now Paradise) kit, but the Bio-Goji an original sculpt for the RC version by Yuji Sakai (he did release it as a resin kit, too). For the RC versions, the bodies are molded in soft rubber, which is mounted over a plastic frame. I see these kits in the stores all the time, but I've never seen them operate.
They also put out a Mothra, and there were plans for a HUGE King Ghidora.

Yeah, I thought PL was gonna do a US Godzilla (which, by the way, I loved), but never heard anything further.

There are a lot of very nice, well-detailed toys out there, screaming for a little attention and a repaint!

Justimagine, I'm with you about the Heisei Gamera series. Gamera III in particular is just fantastic cinema, monster flick or not.
Has there been an English version released?
For that matter, did any of those films play in theaters overseas?

Finally, a word about the Aurora Godzilla.
I grew up with that kit, and must've gone through at least 5 or 6 of them (still have 3 original Aurora's and 2 Monogram re-releases left!). The thumbs! The thumbs and fins were always the first to go...
Anyway, I mentioned this in another post somewhere, but isn't that Aurora Godzilla the spittin' image of Foghorn Leghorn? It wouldn't take much to turn that kit into a perfect likeness of Foghorn! You'd have to scratchbuild a chickenhawk, though.

How do ya'll feel about the lastest design (from 2000 to the present)? And the one-off "GMK" Godzilla?

Heard the latest G-news? This December 13, we get "Godzilla X Mothra X Mecha-Godzilla: Tokyo SOS."

The folks at Toho seem to have given up trying to create new characters, I'm afraid!

In response to your question on the Gamera films, I have the DVD's that were recently released- I've never seen them in the theaters- though they were shown at some theatres in the LA area. If anyone has not seen them I HIGHLY recommend they see the 3rd film-Gamera VS Iris- it has some astounding stuff in it. I have not seen the last 3 toho Godzilla stuff yet- The SCI-Fi channel is supposed to air GMK and Godzilla vs Meglinasus (or what ever that Giant Dragonfly's name is!) on Sunday, August 31st. starting at 3pm eastern. BE THERE.

I've posted a picture of some of my collection. Any comments?

Jeez, justimagine. That's an impressive display. J-Hulk, I'd love to have just a few of what you get to see everyday, but all I'm able to lay my hands on are the Polar Lights kits. I have the two Godzillas, Rodan, Gidorah, all the old Universal monsters, and a few others. Any distributors stateside I can look up? - Ed

That is one fine collection you have there, justimagine!

From what I can see in the picture, they all look very well done.
I'm diggin' the "Gojira no Gyakushu" diorama in front of your Paradise Bio-Goji. Is that the Kyodai Legion in front of Kin-Goji? Can't quite make it out in the pic.

Good to see the Enterprise and Robot on hand to keep all those kaiju in line!

Ed, I can't describe the sensory overload I experienced in the Godzilla department when I first came over here 10 years ago.

Growing up, I suffered with the Foghorn Leghorn Aurora Godzilla kit (well now, it wasn't that bad!), yearning for a replica that LOOKED like Godzilla...then, sudden immersion into total Godzilla heaven!

The wallet suffered heavily, yes it did...

Ironically, most of my kaiju collection is back in the States. Been doing mosty armor these days (that's my latest metal beastie down in my signature), but I do have some Billikens and Tsukudas and Kaiyodos unbuilt in the closet here, waiting their turns!

I do have some good pix of my collection, but they're all prints, so I gotta go get 'em scanned onto a CD for postability!

Imagine, can you give us some close-ups up some of your work?

Which is your favorite piece?

Alright- with the help of my daughter-computer whiz, I have posted a number of close-ups of my collection of Godzilla kits for those interested. J-Hulk, the Gigantis diorama you like are the cool x-plus prepaints. Shown are a wide variety of vinyl, resin and plastic, toys too! The Cool Polar Lights Godzilla's Go-Cart was built and given to me by a friend- all others I did. Not seen and still unfinished are the HUGE Biolante/godzilla by M-1, and a Godzilla 64/Mothra diorama kit also by M-1. I also have the huge x-plus Ghidrah. I have traded for many and found some real bargains on ebay. Some were build-ups I redid and bought for cheap! the link is-
http://muars.kardakkan.net/dadjunk/godzillacollection/
Also, the PL godzilla has a scratch-built base and n-scale RR cars and tiny figures. I painted him like the BW movie image.
Lots of the 98' G stuff, the big head is a rubber 1/2 scale suit head. Thanks to everyone for the interest- NO One I know over 8 years old seems even remotely interested- I'm not a nut, Godzilla's just a fun character to collect in my eye.

Justimagine, I am HUGELY impressed by your fantastic collection, and your amazing modeling talents. Just great stuff!

I really like the swimmin' G (from Biollante?) with the refracted sunlight painted on. Very, very nice.

I like the porch, too!

Gertie? Is that in your home? Where'd you get a Brachiosaur (if that'S what it is) kit that big?

Aaaahh, now that you mention it, that huge M-1 Bio-Goji kit you have may be the same sculpt used for the Tokyo Marui RC Bio-Goji. Is it by Yuji Sakai?

The X-Plus stuff sure is cool!

Thanks for posting all those pix.

I'll get some of my meager efforts posted as soon as I scan and burn 'em on CD!

Thanks for the kind comments J-Hulk. The Bio-Goji is the same as used for the RC model. The swimming Godzilla is a resin kit I produced and traded with for things. There are about 20 out there before the mold fried. Same with the 62 Godzilla wading among the ice flows.
Gertie the Brachiosaurus is 6 1/2' long and came from Rhineharts taxidermy supply. She came in 2 parts and is made of lite-weight foam with glass eyes. By the way, she is in my home office along with the Godzillas, you can see her "brisket" in the top of the photo on the forum page. Other thoughts about Godzilla.

PL cancelled the 98 Godzilla kit when the movie did not do the huge sums they thought it would- a matter of economics.

In one of the very first FSM's there is an article called "Attack Lizard!" Where in the modeler builds the Aurora kit and passes it off as a Japanese Secret Weapon in WW II! Kinda Fun.

I see from another forum a question about B-17's in german markings- B-17s- I can talk that. In the Dec. issue of FSM I'll have an article about the Memphis Belle. In the Nov. issue I build the PL 3 stooges and just had one on building the Raiders Flying Wing. Whew! We'll have to get a Godzilla article in there one day.

You're a buzy man, Justimagine! Thanks for sharing all your great stuff and knowledge with us!

Yeah, that was my Luftwaffe B-17 post over at the AC forum. Thought it looked pretty neat!

I'll check out your articles!

Just a quick reminder to all that the SciFi channel will be running several never-seen in the US Godzilla films tommorrow- you can go to the SciFi website for the list and times.

Good to hear that!
I wonder which ones?
I'll check out that website!

I just bought last year's Godzilla vs Mecha-Godzilla on DVD a coupla days ago. Has that one made it over there yet?

Far as I know it has not made it- I bought a Chinese copy on dvd- but got what I paid for- lousy image for dvd- I learned that lesson. That's my favoritite of the Hensi series by a long shot. Watched the scifi channels movie marathon of Godzilla films today. Here's my 2 cents worth of movie reviews.
The rebirth of Morthra and its sequel should have been stillborn. NO plots to speak of and the effects range from pretty good to not as good as the 60's Mothra . Skip these entirely.

Godzilla vs Meginarus (can't spell it or say it!) Lousy! Slow moving, and when the big bug shows up the effects are embarassing! the first few shots have the wires holding him up CLEARLY visible. A few cool moments- but nothing can save it.
I liked the design of this version when I first saw it photographed at Wonderfest, but
on film it looks less impressive than the hensi series. The big back fin is just a tad too stylized for me and seen from the front he has a stupid expression.

GMK- All Monsters Attack. Alright- somebody was paying attention here. Best since the Hensi series and one of the best anyway. Plot moves right along and is comprehensible for a change. Ignores all the other films except the original Godzilla so it has an original take on the other monsters. The Godzilla is total bad-ass monster. Good design with sinister white eyes and moves well- kinda pot-bellied though! Great growls and roars that are meaner sounding than the original. Great Mothra and Baragon. (Baragon is totally outmatched by Godzilla. King Ghidorh is not as cool as the previous versions. (I think the original appearance is the best) Mothra flies better than ever- but Ghidorah not so well. Still a must see!
What's anyone else think? Agree or disagree.

Hi, Justimagine!
I'm pretty much with ya on all of those.
Question: there are 2 Heisei "Godzilla X Mecha-Godzilla" films, one in 1993(actually called "Godzilla VS Mecha-Godzilla") and one last December. Which one are you talking about? The one in 1993 was with Rodan and Baby Godzilla.
Last year's was pretty cool, I thought. MG is actually called "Kinryu" (metal dragon) and incorporates Godzilla's own DNA in it's bio-cybernetic brain. Interesting story, good action!

Yup, Godzilla X Megaguirus was a stinker. A few interesting moments, but ttthhhpppptttt as far as I'm concerned. My favorite bit is when G fought all the li'l bugs on the island!

GMK rocks. Does it surprise you that it was made by a lot the Heisei Gamera series staff? Gamera series director Shusuke Kaneko and many of the effects guys worked on GMK. I agree about Ghidora. Probably the weakest design yet, with those short necks (in some shots!), short wings, and sad puppy faces...oh well!
The Baragon design is excellent, and the fight between B and G is touted in the Japanese genre media as one of the all-time best kaiju brawls, and I'd have to agree.
Good story, great effects, and an absolutely brutal Godzilla make GMK one of my faves!

You got the Mothra flix right! Worthless!
EXCEPT: that is the COOLEST version of King Ghidora ever, design-wise! That was in Mothra III...I can barely recall I and II...Death Ghidora, or some baloney? Hooey!

And in three more months, as I mentioned earlier:
Godzilla X Mothra X Mecha-Godzilla: Tokyo SOS hits the screens here December 13th!

J-hulk,

Are you stationed over there or what? I'm in north Mississippi.
Like you the Godzilla vs the "little" bugs was the best part of that flick- otherwise its pretty much a one-time watch. My son watched the tape of GMK this morning and proclaimed it the best Godzilla film ever. He thought Godzilla was kinda fat too - otherwise he loved the design.
I've not seen the Godzilla VS MechaGodzilla from last year- I like the design of the new robot though. I spoke of the 93' film.
I think you may be thinking of DeathGhidorah in the mothra film, the one that yells like an elephant and spends the whole movie just burning trees. The design is really cool- worthless movie though! I still like the original "monster zero" look best. I think it's the long necks and curved horns I like. By destroy all monsters they had goofed up the faces for some reason.

Hi guys, I don't generally get into this genre but I have been following this thread every so often. I gotta say that justimagine has some nice work. I don't know much about monsters but I sure know nice work when I see it.

The man is talented!

Justimagine, the Ghidora design I'm talking about is not Death Ghidora, but the bona-fide King himself, in Mothra 3. I think Death Ghidora was in 2. There are three Mothra flicks (what were they thinking???), in the last of which the rockin' King Ghidora I'm talking about appeared in, plus a young Ghidora as it appeared during the Cretaceous (loooong story...). Basically the original design, just VERY well executed, great expressions on the faces, and just exuding power. The goofy part is that it sucks up kids and deposits them in some big glowing dome, for digestion or some such nonesense. So, Mothra 3 is worth seeing just for the superb King Ghidora design. Too bad they used Rodan's voice, a la Godzilla vs King Ghidora...

Am I stationed here? No, I'm not in the military.
I came to Japan in 1993 as an exchange student (my major was Japanese), and I've been here ever since! Working in the insurance/medical field now.
It's a beautiful country and a beautiful people, so if you ever get a chance to visit, I heartily recommend it! Godzilla notwithstanding!

...yeah, that GMK Godzilla IS a little pudgy, isn't he? And what's with those feet???

Thanks Claymore. It's good to check out new areas- I've been learning about German Armor and cars from the guys at my chapter of IMPS and its' given me a whole new appreciation of what it takes to build'em. I've even gotten a few to try my stuff too for a halloween model contest in the club. The biggest problem with building monster figures and the like is that "I quit playing with toys when I was a kid" attitude some modelers feel compelled to lay on me occassionally. I thought the hobby was supposed to be Fun! For these guys I can also build a pretty mean aircraft too.

"And to think- this all started with a mouse." - Walt Disney

Hi, guys!
You know, I've always kind of felt that Godzilla and the rest of the kaiju clan really tied in all aspects of modeling.
You've got every type of military modeling represented, with armor, aircraft (including helos), and ships in every film.
Railroad modeling is well represented, along with buildings and other infrastructure.
Automotive modeling also is well represented.

So, in my opinion, G and crew bring it all together!

Heck, I was inspired to build the Dragon M4A3E8 after watching a rare theater showing of War of the Gargantuas!
Here's a coupla pix of that stalwart monster-battler:





And what do you think was the inspiration to buy that big Hasegawa 1/32 F-86 I have sitting in the closet?

These days I mostly do armor, but I'd have to say the roots of my military interests (besides being a military brat and growing up on bases!) can be found with the Ol' Buddy, Big G!

I stand corrected J-Hulk, I have noit seen Mothra III- but I did record it the other day- though I wasn't here- I'll watch it to see what you're talking about. Great tanks![:0] Got any of those Wave Laser tanks?

I have the Kayiodo SuperX2 to keep that big Paradise kit in line.

I'd love to see Japan- but I don't see it happening soon with my cash flow!

Overall, Mothra 3 is just as bad as 1 and 2, but the Ghidora design is worth checking out. Plus, you get to see "Young Ghidora" snacking on a T-Rex!

There haven't been many kits of this Ghidora done, but the huge Bandai toy is one of their best sculpts.

Is the SuperX2 you have the one with the convertible front end? Closed or opened diamond reflector? Was that a Max Factory or a Wave kit? Or neither?

I've got one Wave Maser Tank, but I had sent it back to the States years ago when I thought I might return home. They still turn up once in a while in shops here. Nice kit!

Still haven't gotten my pix burned onto CD yet...I'll post some pix as soon as I do.

-Hulk: NOW I know what you're talking about with the Ghidorah.
Great design! They just kinda stopped trying with those films eh?[:(
Especially when Ghidorha gets his wing sheared off and just continues to hang magically in the air. (Not that the limited flaping looked as if it was really holding them up!)

The X2- I thought it was Kayiodo. Whatever- it has the option to make the mirror open or closed- I built it closed.

About the American Godzilla, I too loved the design of the beast- too bad the directors showed such contempt for the original films and the audience for them . Granted some fanatics will be unhappy no matter what they get- but the film is really a remake of Beast from 20,000 fathoms-Not a Godzilla film. I read an article by a director who was trying to get a sequel going- he compared it to the Star Trek films that really took off with the sequels. I think he understood the character of Godzilla far better- doubt anything will ever come of it though.
One thing it did show is what the series could be.

I have most of the Godzilla 98' toys- I have carved apart the "Ultimate" toy and I'm slowly filling the seams and reshaping things- a massive job. It'll be one big mama when done though!

Hello!
Ah, you did say the SuperX2 was Kaiyodo! Missed it...Sorry!

Yup, the famous Toho anti-grav flap was in full form in Mothra 3! Sheesh...

Looking forward to seeing your finished '98 G!

Say, for all you Godzilla collectors- I walked into Kay Bee toys in the mall yesterday and they have the Bandai Godzilla toys made for American sale in the store for about 8.00 apiece. There are 4 different toys- Original 54' Godzilla, Burning Godzilla, Rainbow Mothra, and Gigan. They are quite nice- much better than the Trendmaster stuff. Gigan is especially well done. Check it out.[:D

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Glad to see they're making it over there!