Tomoko Ai never dreamed of becoming an actress, but once she became one, she achieved international attention with her starring role as Katsura Mafune in Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975). Prior to her casting in the final Godzilla movie in the Showa series, she portrayed Monster Attacking Crew (MAC) member Haruko Matsuki in Ultraman Leo (1974-75). In July … Continue reading REFLECTIONS IN A GLOWING EYE! Tomoko Ai on Her Breakout Role as Katsura Mafune!
Akihiko Hirata
‘SAYONARA JUPITER,’ HELLO JAPAN! Actor Ron Irwin on His Standout Role in Toho’s Sprawling Sci-Fi Epic!
Sayonara Jupiter was an ambitious, bid-budget special effects extravaganza that Toho released in 1984 in the months leading up to the studio’s 30th anniversary relaunch of its Godzilla series. With amazing SFX directed by Koichi Kawakita, and a production overseen by legendary science fiction novelist Sakyo Komatsu (of Submersion of Japan fame), the film seemed … Continue reading ‘SAYONARA JUPITER,’ HELLO JAPAN! Actor Ron Irwin on His Standout Role in Toho’s Sprawling Sci-Fi Epic!
DR. WILLEM SAYS ‘SAYONARA’ TO JUPITER! Actress Rachel Huggett Remembers Her Toho Star Turn
Toho’s science fiction film Sayonara Jupiter (1984) was an ambitious attempt by the studio to create an international box-office success on the level of the Star Wars series. Directed by Koji (Godzilla 1985) Hashimoto, as well as author Sakyo Komatsu (often called the Arthur C. Clarke of Japan), the end result was a mixed bag. … Continue reading DR. WILLEM SAYS ‘SAYONARA’ TO JUPITER! Actress Rachel Huggett Remembers Her Toho Star Turn
Vantage Point Interviews 