Tag: ‘Kaiju’

Pachimon playing cards

23 Feb 2011

In the early 1970s, the Kewpie Corporation (maker of Kewpie brand mayonnaise) produced a deck of promotional playing cards featuring various pachimon kaiju (imitation monsters modeled after creatures from popular movies and TV shows).

Pachimono playing cards -- Pachimono playing cards --
1 -- Kyuradorosu (vampire monster)/ Height: 5 meters/ Weight: 800 kilograms/ From Chiba
2 -- Kashuasu (pollution monster)/ Height: 10 meters/ Weight: 3,000 tons/ From Osaka

Pachimon playing cards -- Pachimon playing cards --
3 -- Gohoho (ice monster)/ 18m/ 10,000 tons/ From the South Pole, moved to Tokyo
4 -- Altamegaro (space monster)/ 35m/ Weight unknown/ From Alta W, planet 5

Pachi playing cards -- Pachi playing cards --
5 -- Deredoron (pesticide monster)/ 20m/ 10,000 tons/ From Tohoku
6 -- Tapikurosaurus (ancient monster)/ 35m/ 9,000 tons/ From Kyushu

Pachimon playing cards -- Pachimon playing cards --
7 -- Elekipurosu (electric humanoid)/ 25m/ 15,000 tons/ From Kurobe Dam
8 -- Meji (space wolf)/ 16m/ 5 tons/ From Meteoroid R

Pachimono playing cards -- Pachimono playing cards --
9 -- Eru (space monster)/ 32m/ 18,000 tons/ From the planet Pegasus
10 -- Puradon (space monster)/ 32m/ 5,000 tons/ From Galaxy W, planet 8

Pachi playing cards -- Pachi playing cards --
J -- Mambaa (monster fish)/ 20m/ 15,000 tons/ From the Arctic depths
Q -- Oapiaa (proto-Saharan)/ 6m/ 1 ton/ From the Sahara Desert

Pachimon playing cards -- Pachimon playing cards --
K -- Alien Achiira (space monster)/ 15m/ 9 tons/ From the planet Achiira, moved to Japan Alps
1 -- Methanoron (pollution monster)/ 28m/ 30,000 tons/ From Tokyo-Kawasaki-Yokohama area

See more pachi-kaiju playing cards »

Illustrated anatomy of Gamera and foes

21 Jan 2011

The anatomical features of Gamera and his foes are detailed in a set of illustrations found in one volume of the Kaijū-Kaijin Daizenshū movie monster book series published by Keibunsha in 1972.

Gamera anatomical illustration --
Gamera

Gamera's features include infrared eyes with night vision, arms that can lift 50,000 tons, an organ for producing the flames he shoots from his hands, electrical spikes on his back, poison claws, sac-like organs for storing lava, coal, oil and uranium, balloon-like organs that blast jets of air out through the feet, and a tail of elastic cartilage that can deliver a powerful punch.

Guiron anatomical illustration --
Guiron

Guiron's most prominent feature is his knife-shaped head, which is 100 times harder than diamond and is packed with shuriken-like stars that can be fired from a pair of openings above the eyes. The creature has 360-degree radar vision, 60 times more teeth than a piranha, lungs adapted for long-distance space travel, sac-like organs for storing energy and uranium, balloon-like organs in the legs that blast jets of liquid through the feet, webbed fins for stability in water, and magnetic suction cups on the hands.

Baragon anatomical illustration --
Barugon

Barugon's features include dorsal spikes that produce a deadly rainbow ray, an organ to produce frosty liquid (-100 degree Celsius) that can be shot from his 30-meter-long weaponized tongue, a stomach that can digest diamonds (his favorite food), and radar horns atop his head.

Viras anatomical illustration --
Viras

Viras's features include a spike-shaped head capable of piercing through a meter of steel, a brain with an IQ of 2500, organs for producing a force field and controlling the minds of others, tentacles that are 10,000 times stronger than an elephant's trunk and which can emit powerful beams for space travel, and organs to break down cell tissue and control metamorphosis (for creating its human disguise).

Jiger anatomical illustration --
Jiger

Jiger's features include a pair of horns that shoot missiles made of hardened saliva and one that fires a deadly "magnetium" beam, powerful suction cups covering her entire body, an organ for shooting jets of seawater at 300 kilometers per hour, a stomach that can melt iron ore, and an ovipositor tail.

[Via: Tokusatsu Figure-kan]

Czech & Polish posters for kaiju films

11 Jan 2011

Here are a few classic Japanese monster movie posters from Poland and the former Czechoslovakia. [Via Monster Brains]

Polish Godzilla poster --
Godzilla (Poland, 1957)

Polish Godzilla poster --
Son of Godzilla (Poland, 1974)

Czech poster for Daikyoju Gappa --
Monster from a Prehistoric Planet (Czechoslovakia, 1986)

Polish kaiju film poster --
War of the Gargantuas (Poland, 1975)

Polish Godzilla movie poster --
Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (Poland, 1978)

Polish Godzilla movie poster --
Terror of Mechagodzilla (Poland, 1977)

Polish kaiju film poster --
Gappa the Triphibian Monster (Poland, 1973)

Polish Gamera movie poster --
Gamera Super Monster (Poland, 1980)

Polish King Kong movie poster --
King Kong Escapes (Poland, 1967)

Polish Godzilla poster --
Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster (Poland, 1971)

Polish kaiju film poster --
The X from Outer Space (Czechoslovakia, 1968)

Polish Godzilla poster --
Godzilla vs. Gigan (Poland, 1977)

Monster illustrations from Ultraman sonosheet book

27 Sep 2010

These Ultra Monster illustrations by Toshio Okazaki are from 'The Return of Ultraman' sonosheet book (Volume 1) published by Elm in 1971.

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Takkong, Ultraman, Twin Tail [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Zazahn, Sadora [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Kingsaurus III, Alien Zarab, Geronimon [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Jirass, MAT Arrow 1, MAT Arrow 2 [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Gorbagos, Suflan, Kiyla [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Keronia, Dada, Shugaron [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Mognezun, Kemular [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Seagoras, Seabozu, Dodongo [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Dorako, Ultraman, Gomora [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Skydon, Earthtron, MAT Arrow 2 [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Dangar, Gabora, Gyango, Alien Baltan [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Antlar, Pigmon, Gudon [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Pestar, Ultraman, Gabadon, Alien Zarab [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Detton, Zambolar, Telesdon [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Gamakujira, Stegon, MAT Vehicle, Kanegon [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Alien Mephilas, Hydra, Jamila, Ultraman [+]

Monster illustration by Toshio Okazaki --
Gesura, MAT Sub [+]

[More: Ultra Monster paintings by Toshio Okazaki]

Ultra Monster paintings by Toshio Okazaki

01 Sep 2010

A pair of action-packed Ultraman Monster paintings by Toshio Okazaki were published in Shōgakukan's 1979 edition of Ultra Kaiju (Shōgakukan Nyūmon Hyakka Series #97).

Ultra kaiju painting by Toshio Okazaki --
[+]

Ultra kaiju painting by Toshio Okazaki --
[+]

Ultra kaiju painting by Toshio Okazaki --
Alien Guts, Windam, Gyango, Black End, Kingsaurus III, Bemstar

Ultra kaiju painting by Toshio Okazaki --
Alien Icarus, Gomora, Muruchi, Alien Baltan, Alien Magma, Kemular

Ultra kaiju painting by Toshio Okazaki --
Dancan, Giradorus, Astromons

Ultra kaiju painting by Toshio Okazaki --
Gandar, Gabora, Alien Metron, Agira, Antlar, Seabozu, Woo

Ultra kaiju painting by Toshio Okazaki --
Gubira, Takkong, Pestar, Gamakujira, Bemular

Ultra kaiju painting by Toshio Okazaki --
Eleking, Alien Kuuru, King Joe, Zemistiar

Ultra kaiju painting by Toshio Okazaki --
Geronimon, Jirass, Alien Pegassa, Dino-Tank

Ultra kaiju painting by Toshio Okazaki --
Pegassa, Hydra, Black King, Mephilas, Verokron, Starbem Gyeron, Red King, Dorako, Godola

[Source: Ultra Kaiju (Shōgakukan Nyūmon Hyakka Series #97), 1979]

Pachimon postcards

14 Jun 2010

Here is a collection of vintage bromide cards showing various pachimon kaiju (imitation creatures based loosely on famous TV and movie monsters) at iconic locations around the world. Published by Yokopro in the 1970s.

Pachi-mon --
New York

Pachi-monster --
London

Pachi-monster illustration --
Egypt

Pachi-mono card --
India

Pachimono card --
Italy

Pachimon illustration --
Africa

Pachi-monster card --
Netherlands

Pachi-mono card --
Rome

Pachimon illustration --
Mexico

Pachimon illustration --
Alaska

Pachi-mono card --
Hong Kong

Pachimono card --
America

Pachi-mon bromide --
Africa

Pachi monster bromide --
London

Pachimon postcard --
Hawaii

Pachi-mon --
Moscow

Pachimono postcard --
Paris

Pachi-mon illustration --
America

[Link: Room 103]

Ultra Monster art by Takayoshi Mizuki

15 Apr 2010

Here is a selection of Ultra Monster illustrations done by Takayoshi Mizuki between 1965 and 1972.

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Ultraseven vs. Aron

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Ultraman vs. Gabula & Rigger

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Alien Goron vs. Gumonga

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Kaiju Ebanashi

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Alien Godola, Alien Borg, Alien Baltan, Alien Zarab, Alien Icarus, Alien Bado

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Eleking, Dino-Tank

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Capsule Monsters: Windam, Agira, Miclas

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Ultraseven

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki -- Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Alien Baltan // Magular

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki -- Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Garamon // Kanegon

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki -- Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Litra & Gomess // Peter & Todora

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Ultraseven, Alien Icarus, Alien Pega, Alien Cool

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Ultraseven, Bostang, Starbem Gyeron

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Kaiju Ebanashi

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Ultraman vs. Jirass

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Seabozu & Zaragas

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Peguila & Kanegon

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Jamila & Alien Mephilas

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Kaiju Ebanashi

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Aboras, Banila, Zambolar

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Ultraman vs. Jamila

Ultra Kaiju illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki --
Ultraman, Alien Baltan, Bemular

[Link: Takayoshi Mizuki]

Ultra Monsters dance to ‘Thriller’

07 Dec 2009

Ultraman kaiju dance to Thriller --

A recent episode of the Fuji TV variety show Mecha-Mecha Iketeru! featured a group of Ultraman monsters dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" as part of a mock audition for the new Ultraman film "Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legend The Movie."

[Link: Dailymotion via Japan Probe]

Mechani-Kong and Dr. Who’s secret pyramid base

20 Nov 2009

In 1967, Shōnen Magazine published a set of illustrations detailing the secret weapons of Dr. Who, an evil scientist bent on capturing King Kong who regularly appeared in "The King Kong Show," a popular animated series on Japanese and US television at the time (not related to the British "Doctor Who").

Mechanikong of Dr. Who --
[View full image]

"Death Battle with Robot Kong," an illustration by Takashi Minamimura, features a cutaway diagram of Robot Kong, also known as "Mechani-Kong" in the US version of the cartoon and in the 1967 spin-off film "King Kong Escapes." Built to defeat King Kong, the 50-meter tall remote-control robot is powered by a 200,000-kilowatt nuclear reactor and can shoot laser beams from its eyes and poison gas from its nose.

Mechanikong of evil Dr. Who -- Mechanikong of evil Dr. Who --

The accompanying text describes Dr. Who's sinister plans to capture King Kong, place a mind-control helmet on his head, and use him to hijack ships and rob banks. He estimates King Kong can carry about 100 million yen in cash in his giant paws.

Secret pyramid base of evil Dr. Who --
[View full image]

Appearing in the same issue of Shōnen Magazine is a schematic illustration by Takayoshi Mizuki entitled "Secret Pyramid Base," which shows Dr. Who's secret base inside one of the Giza pyramids in Egypt.

Secret pyramid base of Dr. Who --

The pyramid is equipped with advanced military hardware, including 3D radar, jet launchers, recoilless guns, flamethrowers, rocket launchers, and military tanks that burrow underground. Dr. Who monitors all the action from a wall of TV screens in his room at the center of the pyramid. The base is powered by a nuclear reactor in the basement and surrounded by giant ant-lion sand traps.

Secret pyramid base of evil Dr. Who --

Situated nearby is a giant nuclear-powered Sphinx Tank. King Kong battles a variation of this weaponized Sphinx in an episode of "The King Kong Show." (Watch "The Jinx of the Sphinx.")

The diabolical Dr. Who and Mechani-Kong also appear in the 1967 film "King Kong Escapes," which was an adaptation of some of the cartoon episodes.

King Kong Escapes --

In the film, King Kong is captured and hypnotized by Dr. Who, but he eventually snaps out of it and escapes to Tokyo. Dr. Who sends Mechani-Kong after him, and the two end up in a battle to the death atop Tokyo Tower.


+ King Kong Escapes - US trailer

[Images via: 昭和の雑誌広告・懐かしモノ]