November 3rd is almost here, which marks the anniversary of Godzilla (1954). For a few years now Toho has really rallied around this date, creating what they themselves call “Godzilla Day”. Furthermore, this year is the 68th anniversary of the character and the 50th anniversary of Gigan, which the company is also working into the celebration. We’ll be tracking what’s in store for that date, from the Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex short to merchandise, and on that note Toho has teamed with some really awesome companies this year.
What’s listed here isn’t all there is and will be updated as more information comes in for Godzilla Day 2022.
New Godzilla Movie Directed by Takashi Yamazaki
In a surprise turn of events, Toho announced a new Japanese Godzilla movie has been in the works, and is slated for a release on November 3rd, 2023. Currently untitled, the movie is being directed by Takashi Yamazaki, director of Always: Sunset on Third Street (2005) and its 2007 sequel, and more recently, Ghost Book (2022).
ゴジラ最新作、製作決定。
監督：山崎貴
2023年11月3日（金）公開。 pic.twitter.com/2ZxeMaNeUB— ゴジラ (@godzilla_jp) November 3, 2022
Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex
An entirely 3D animated short movie titled Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex was shared during the Godzilla Fest 2022 livestream. Acting as a sequel to the short G vs. G fan film released 3 years prior by GEMSTONE, the short film pits Godzilla against a horde of Gigan Miles and their leader, the crimson-colored Gigan Rex, in a battle for dominance. The opening of the short includes an ominous narration by Megumi Odaka, best known for portraying the character of Miki Saegusa from the Heisei VS Series era of Godzilla films. Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex can be viewed on Toho’s official Godzilla Channel below.
Fest Godzilla 3: Gigan Attacks
A follow up to the Godzilla vs. Hedorah short released last year, this latest live-action endeavor pits Godzilla, sporting its Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) design, against the space-faring monster, Gigan. The villainous cyborg was built from scratch for use in this short through a crowdfunded Toho-run page, and is modeled after its Showa incarnation. Much like the short released last year, this special was only available for a limited time and could only be viewed during the Godzilla Fest 2022 livestream. A trailer, though, can be viewed below.
GigaBash | Godzilla Collaboration DLC Teaser #1
To commemorate Godzilla Day, Passion Republic Games shared a teaser for the latest combatant to enter the fray of their 3D fighter, GigaBash – Godzilla! The teaser in question can be viewed below. Godzilla will officially enter the game on December 9th, 2022.
Varan Merchandise Resurgence
While this year’s festivities were largely revolved around Godzilla and Gigan, the giant monster Varan also received some attention. Having won a Movie Monster Series poll from earlier in the year, Varan’s long-awaited vinyl figure was fully revealed during a separate livestream. Movie Monster Series Varan is currently available for order through the Godzilla Store, and is expected to ship later this November.
Additionally, various items such as teacups, clear files, stickers, and t-shirts were made available for purchase on the Godzilla Store featuring the monster. Some of the merchandise even included Godzilla from Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) facing off against his unused opponent, the White Wind Monster Varan, from the early movie proposal Godzilla X Varan, Baragon and Anguirus: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack.
S.H. MonsterArts Gigan (1972)
During the Godzilla Fest 2022 livestream, a booth centered around Tamashii Nations merchandise was briefly shown. One of the latest figures revealed for the S.H. MonsterArts line included the 1972 incarnation of Gigan. Release information will become available at a later time.
The Godziban Corner
Continuing to display their professional craft of puppeteering, the staff of the Godziban web show held live performances in a dedicated section of the Godzilla Fest. Their main attractions included wireworks for small Kumonga and Kamacuras props, as well as their giant Bagan puppet set to appear in a special Blu-ray episode this coming December. Videos of their puppets in action can be viewed below, uploaded by attendees of the festival.
カマキラスも pic.twitter.com/r0n30ZBMXw
— なおっぺ＠パムパムファクトリー WF2023W参加 (@pucooon1) November 3, 2022
動くバガン
これ着ぐるみというよりアニマトロニクスだろ pic.twitter.com/4gF7Are9ut— 石清水テラ (@IwashimizuTera) November 3, 2022
Monarch: G-Team Project Preview
To commemorate Godzilla Day, a special preview for a MonsterVerse-related project was shared by actor O’Shea Jackson Jr., who portrayed Chief Warrant Officer Barnes in Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019). In collaboration with Toho Kingdom’s own Chris Mirjahangir and artist Sean Sumagaysay, the project is named Monarch: G-Team, a 3-season 2D anime series pitch to Toho and Legendary featuring members of G-Team and their close encounters with the world’s numerous rising Titans. Preview images included a look at the cover page of the script, concept art for a more organic-looking Gigan, and what appears to be an underground shrine with Biollante. Consider showing support on Jackson’s post on the project!
Click the images below for larger versions:
Godzilla Battle Line: Promotion
Last year saw the introduction of Kiryu into the Godzilla Battle Line mobile game for Godzilla Day 2021. This year Toho is keeping the Godzilla Day event a bit closer to the chest. What they have revealed, though, is that the max level for units will be increased from 40 to 50 for one to three star units. The max level will also increase from level 30 to 40 for four star units. To help balance this for newer players, the amount of battle pieces required to upgrade will be reduced at the lower levels. In addition, Toho has announced that an event that will reduce G-token upgrade costs by 30% (for units up to level 30) that starts the day after Godzilla 2022: November 4th.
In addition Toho has teased an upcoming collab event for the game. While who the collab is around is inclusive, the image seen above would heavily imply Evangelion Unit-01 (aka Eva-01) from the Evangelion series based on the outline in combination with the purple background.
The full video, where the image comes from, can be seen below which walks through past collabs before teasing the upcoming one.
11月3日（木・祝）21:00より
生配信番組「ゴジバトサミット」開催です。
URL:https://t.co/Tp9oJfTsuU御期待ください。#ゴジバト#ゴジバトサミット pic.twitter.com/qtTUWG2t4r
— ゴジラ バトルライン 公式 (@Gz_battleline) October 27, 2022
More on this will likely be revealed soon, as a Godzilla Battle Line Summit will be live streamed just before Godzilla Day, on November 3rd at 4:00PM PST. A link to watch is here.
Jade City Foods: Hot Sauces
Godzilla hot sauces have been growing in popularity, as has the number of sauces introduced as well. A collection of them can be seen on Jade City Foods website. The company is looking to introduce some new flavors as well. These include:
- Destoroyah: Perfect Oxygen Destroyer
- Gezora: Giant Monster of the South Seas
- Mechagodzilla: Death Metal
Gezora, from Space Amoeba (1970), is an interesting choice considering outside of stock footage the mutated creature hasn’t appeared in a Godzilla movie. Possibly a sign of Jade City Foods branching out, or that someone was a large fan of the kaiju’s appearance in the Godzilla: Monster of Monsters video game.
FYE: Godzilla Snacks
For Your Entertainment (FYE) is introducing a variety of Godzilla themed snacks for the King of the Monsters’ 68th anniversary. This includes:
- A 1/2 Pound Spicy Chocolate Bar ($24.99) filled with crispies and Carolina Reapers
- Godzilla Force of Nature ($12.99) Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce
- Godzilla Ghost Pepper Ramen 5 Pack ($14.99)
- Godzilla Blue Raspberry Reawaken Energy Drink ($3.99)
- Godzilla King of the Monsters Chocolate Mochi Bites ($9.99)
Honey & Butter Macarons: Godzilla Macarons
Honey & Butter Macarons, located in Irvine, CA, is teaming up with Toho International to create Godzilla-character macarons. These macarons will be available for three days only, on October 29th, November 3rs, and November 5th. In addition the shop will also have Godzilla-inspired merchandise for sale.
Langer’s: #68
The deli chain Langer’s is partnering with Toho International for a sandwich promotion throughout the week of November 3. Called the #68, in honor of Godzilla’s 68th anniversary, the week-long special includes a large pastrami sandwich with unlimited chips and soft drinks. The promotional meal will run from October 31 to November 5.
