Akira Takarada performs onstage in July 2015. Photo © Brett Homenick. Born on April 29, 1934, in what is now Chongjin, North Korea, Akira Takarada joined Toho as a member of the studio’s sixth New Face class in 1953 and quickly established himself as one of its brightest stars. His big break came with the … Continue reading MY LIFE WITH GODZILLA! Toho Star Akira Takarada Reflects on His Decades-Long Association with Filmdom’s Mightiest Monster!
Kihachi Okamoto
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!
GODZILLA’S LEADING MAN OF THE 1970S! Katsuhiko Sasaki Discusses His Life and Career in Film!
Katsuhiko Sasaki is a third-generation movie actor whose credits in the Godzilla series are among the most popular. Born on December 24, 1944, in Tokyo, Mr. Sasaki’s father (Minoru Chiaki) and grandfather (Takamaru Sasaki) were not only actors themselves, but also appeared in Godzilla movies (Godzilla Raids Again and Monster Zero, respectively). Mr. Sasaki joined Toho … Continue reading GODZILLA’S LEADING MAN OF THE 1970S! Katsuhiko Sasaki Discusses His Life and Career in Film!
SHOWA REFLECTIONS! Singer Yumi Mizusawa on Her Days as a Blossoming Actress!
Yumi Mizusawa is an actress-singer who became involved in the entertainment world from a very young age. She entered Toho New Talent's 5th class (with Bibari Maeda) and went on to become a prolific television actress and singer. She starred in the TV series What Is Youth? (1965-66) alongside Toho star Yosuke Natsuki. While her credits … Continue reading SHOWA REFLECTIONS! Singer Yumi Mizusawa on Her Days as a Blossoming Actress!
THE YOUNG GAL! Actress Machiko Naka Answers Questions About Her Toho Days!
Machiko Naka, born on October 12, 1936, is an accomplished actress who has appeared in many Toho films throughout the years. She was a regular actress in the popular "Young Guy" series and appeared in such movies as the Crazy Cats film Las Vegas Free-for-All and The Battle of Okinawa (directed by Kihachi Okamoto). Godzilla … Continue reading THE YOUNG GAL! Actress Machiko Naka Answers Questions About Her Toho Days!
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SAMURAI! Actor-Singer Mickey Curtis on His 60 Years in Japanese Entertainment!
For more than 50 years, Mickey Curtis has been one of Japan’s most influential celebrities, whose film and music careers have been equally revolutionary. Although he is best known to American fans for his work in later SFX films such as Gunhed (1989) and Reigo the Deep-Sea Monster vs. the Battleship Yamato (2008), Mr. Curtis … Continue reading ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SAMURAI! Actor-Singer Mickey Curtis on His 60 Years in Japanese Entertainment!
FILMMAKING DURING THE SHOWA ERA! A Look Back at the Golden Age of Cinema with Tatsuyoshi Ehara!
Tatsuyoshi Ehara is a prolific Japanese actor whose career stretches all the way back to the 1940s. Born on March 26, 1937, Mr. Ehara began in entertainment as a child actor. His entry point into the world of filmmaking was at Shochiku Studios, the home of legendary auteur Yasujiro Ozu. Moving to Toho Studios in the … Continue reading FILMMAKING DURING THE SHOWA ERA! A Look Back at the Golden Age of Cinema with Tatsuyoshi Ehara!
Vantage Point Interviews 