Godzilla Minus One statue at Chanter building entrance during Godzilla Fest 2023 by Edward L. Holland. TM&©TOHO CO., LTD ()
Godzilla diehards and casual fans heralded the 69th anniversary of the King of Monsters at Godzilla Fest 2023 in Hibiya, Tokyo on Nov. 3 with an eight-hour long historic celebration of the beast first established on celluloid in 1954. From his humble dawn at Toho Studios nine years after the end of world war to the latest movie GODZILLA MINUS ONE, directed by Takashi Yamazaki released on Godzilla Day Nov 3, the crown of the tyrant king has never tarnished.
Festivities kicked off at eight in the morning with Fuji TV announcer, actor and Master of Ceremonies Shinsuke Kasai keeping hundreds of kids and their families entertained. Children pressed in tight near the main stage with their Godzilla toys cheering on not only local kaiju, but US counterparts from Legendary Entertainment’s Monsterverse. Previews of the Apple TV+ series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters were well received by boys and girls who passionately shouted monsters names out as they appeared on screen.
Steady crowds at Hibiya Tokyo Midtown grew larger by the hour as live presentations by monster creators, directors of the world’s biggest and brightest movie star laid further foundation for his destructive path.
As in years past, there were Godzilla-related foods, Godziban puppet demonstrations and displays, a Godzilla Store pop-up shop and multiple opportunities to meet returning crowd favorite Chibi (Little) Godzilla, and new this year robot Jet Jaguar, and Godzilla from Godzilla: Final Wars!
If you kept your eyes open, you might have recognized luminaries like director and special effects wizard, Shinji Higuchi (Shin Ultraman, Shin Godzilla, and Gamera) or the gracious Sonoe Nakajima, daughter of the “God” of Suits, the late, great Haruo Nakajima and other notable VIPs in the crowd.
Strains of composer Akira Ikube’s Godzilla theme blared from speakers as children and their parents clapped thunderously in unison not missing a single beat. A warm, resounding feeling permeated the air for all to revel in and join the young, old and young at heart in a sonic salute of praise. Many who could not attend watched the events from the comfort of their homes on the live YouTube Godzilla channel beaming from Japan to France, to the tiny town of Paris, Texas and all band wagon stops in-between.
The 2023 festival experience attracted approximately 30,000 fans lining up for high fives with the iconic characters, coveted goods and to gather with fellow fans and friends who made the pilgrimage from near and far.
The growing fan base infused by American releases from Legendary continues to intensify the creature’s presence in popular culture on both shores. From tie-ins at sporting events in Japan to upcoming productions and licenses in the works there is no extinguishing his burning fame.
Whether you just joined the party or came aboard years ago during Saturday afternoon TV broadcasts, the Godzilla franchise entering its 70th anniversary in 2024 will continue to shine brighter, sell more tickets and generate an ever-increasing flood of imports and exports for generations to come.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward L. Holland is a longtime contributor to Stars and Stripes, a tour office manager in Yokosuka city, featured in Godzilla (1954) and a recipient of a community service award from the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan. Follow him on Instagram @ edwardlholland
