Fuchimu Shimakura in January 2021. Photo © Brett Homenick. Born on October 5, 1940, Fuchimu Shimakura began working at Toho in the late 1950s, creating or assisting in the creation of tokusatsu backdrops for the Showa era's most notable special effects movies, including Battle in Outer Space (1959), Mothra (1961), King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), … Continue reading RECOLLECTIONS OF TOHO’S GOD OF CLOUDS! Fuchimu Shimakura on Painting the Studio’s Tokusatsu Backdrops!
Destroy All Monsters
THE GODFATHER OF GODZILLA’S ATOMIC RAY! Sadao Iizuka on His Optical Effects Work at Toho!
Sadao Iizuka in January 2021. Photo © Brett Homenick. Born on December 26, 1934, Sadao Iizuka joined Toho Studios in 1954 during the production of the original Godzilla, working as an assistant in the tokusatsu art department. Mr. Iizuka stayed at Toho for many years thereafter, eventually pioneering Toho’s trademark optical effects that would become … Continue reading THE GODFATHER OF GODZILLA’S ATOMIC RAY! Sadao Iizuka on His Optical Effects Work at Toho!
TOHO’S FAN FAVORITE! Screen Legend Kenji Sahara on His Most Notable Film and Television Tokusatsu Roles!
Kenji Sahara in June 2012. Photo © Brett Homenick. Kenji Sahara (born May 14, 1932) has appeared in more Godzilla films than any other actor. Mr. Sahara appeared in the original Godzilla (1954) in two small roles and went on to star in such popular titles as: King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), Mothra vs. Godzilla … Continue reading TOHO’S FAN FAVORITE! Screen Legend Kenji Sahara on His Most Notable Film and Television Tokusatsu Roles!
INSIDE TOHO’S MIGHTIEST MONSTERS! A Candid Conversation with Nobuyuki Yasumaru About His Kaiju Creations!
Nobuyuki Yasumaru in December 2018. Photo © Brett Homenick. Born on January 24, 1935, in Toyama Prefecture, Nobuyuki Yasumaru is a creator of miniatures and monster suits who has worked on some of Toho's most popular kaiju films. Beginning his career with Toho in the early 1960s, Mr. Yasumaru's credits include Mothra (1961), King Kong … Continue reading INSIDE TOHO’S MIGHTIEST MONSTERS! A Candid Conversation with Nobuyuki Yasumaru About His Kaiju Creations!
TOHO’S MAN OF ACTION! Toru Ibuki Recalls His Adventurous Years On- and Off-screen!
Toru Ibuki was Toho’s action star of the 1960s, and some of the action scenes he performed proved to be more dangerous than mere stunts. Born on January 28, 1940, Mr. Ibuki’s acting career brought him to the attention of worldwide audiences via his roles in the Godzilla series. Most notably, Mr. Ibuki played the … Continue reading TOHO’S MAN OF ACTION! Toru Ibuki Recalls His Adventurous Years On- and Off-screen!
REMINISCENCES OF A SHOWA ACTOR! Chotaro Togin Remembers Acting During Japan’s Golden Age!
Chotaro Togin is one of Toho’s most recognizable supporting actors from the 1960s. Born on November 28, 1941, in Tokyo, Mr. Togin joined Toho in the early 1960s and appeared in some of Toho’s best-known films under the guidance of some of the country’s greatest directors. Among his movie credits are: Ichino in Godzilla vs. … Continue reading REMINISCENCES OF A SHOWA ACTOR! Chotaro Togin Remembers Acting During Japan’s Golden Age!
IN THE GRASP OF GAIRA! An Interview with Toho Actress Wakako Tanabe!
Wakako Tanabe, born on January 7, 1941, began her acting career at Toho Studios in the early 1960s. During her career, she appeared in small but memorable roles in a number of the studio's monster films. Ms. Tanabe plays Torahata's companion while he speaks to Kumayama on the phone in Godzilla vs. The Thing (a.k.a. … Continue reading IN THE GRASP OF GAIRA! An Interview with Toho Actress Wakako Tanabe!
CELEBRATING THE ‘HAPPY’ DAYS! Actor Yasuhiko Saijo Opens Up About ‘Ultra Q’ and Toho!
Yasuhiko Saijo (born on February 20, 1939) is a Japanese actor who began his career at Toho Studios in 1957. A graduate of Seijo University, Mr. Saijo played a major role in changing Japanese television when he was cast as one of the three leads in the groundbreaking TV series Ultra Q (1966), which went … Continue reading CELEBRATING THE ‘HAPPY’ DAYS! Actor Yasuhiko Saijo Opens Up About ‘Ultra Q’ and Toho!
Vantage Point Interviews 