GiganAdmin4958 XPAug-17-2019 10:44 PMTeam GhidorahAs someone who has mostly given up on the Monsterverse at this point, I've spent more time getting excited over other happenings in tokusatsu and the kaiju sub-genre. In no specific order, here's the top things I'm most looking forward to:
Raiga and Reigo Coming to Blu-ray in North America
From the director of the (infamous?) Gamera 4 fan film--Shinpei Hayashiya, produced these two indie kaiju flicks almost a decade ago. The fact that they're getting a limited, North American DVD/Blu-ray release from SRS Cinema is nothing short of a miracle for this niche genre. Especially independent films in the genre.
Ultraman Taiga World Wide Release Next Year
The current Ultraman series, Ultraman Taiga, will get a world wide release next year according to the Tokusatsu Network. With Tsuburaya Productions expanding Ultraman globally, this is huge. Taiga has been received pretty well, so I'm looking forward to this one.
Mill Creek Acquires Entire Ultraman Library for North American Release
In a shocking move, Tsuburaya Productions has licensed the entire Ultraman franchise to Mill Creek for release. (Mill Creek recently did a great job with the Mothra release.) The first two series, Ultra Q and Ultraman, will be released on Blu-ray this October. This is the first time we will ever see them in high definition and with plenty of extras. Ultraman series never before released in America will finally make it over as well. Not to mention, the steel cases look great!
Criterion's Godzilla: The Showa Era Blu-ray Set
I'm just as excited about this as I am the entire Ultraman series finally making it to North America. Finally, the entire Showa series will be released in a single set and in high definition - Ishiro Honda's films will be released on Blu-ray for the first time in North America - And for the first time in history the Japanese version of King Kong vs. Godzilla will be released in the US! I could go on and on about the amazing special features, but I'm in shock this set even exists. Yeah, it's a shame not all of the same features and audio commentaries will be included, insuring that I'll keep the Classic Media releases--But I'm happy the best films in the series are finally getting the prestigious release they deserve.
Shin Ultraman in 2021
Shinji Higuchi and Hideaki Anno, the directors and writer of Shin Godzilla, will be producing the most expensive Ultraman film yet! It makes since Tsuburaya Productions would ask them after how fantastic Shin Godzilla turned out. Ultraman was a major influence on Anno's work, particularly Evangelion, so I can't wait to see what these two do with Tsuburaya's crown jewels. The film is supposedly a re-imagining of the original series. Can't wait to see it.
For me, with all of this fun stuff, I can take or leave the Monsterverse. The genre is alive and kicking with or without it and I look forward to all of these goods.
TitanosaurusMember729 XPAug-18-2019 5:57 AMCount me in the opposite camp. As someone who's used to living in and consuming Western media, having the Monsterverse is the real dream.
It's a big budget Hollywood giant monster series. While not the most financially successful, there's the exposure angle and the iconicism. G-Fest proves just how big the Monsterverse has made the Godzilla brand, for example.
But besides that, it's an accessible and visible brand for the giant monster genre. Without the Monsterverse, what would the world at large have? Much of the things highlighted here are very Japanese-centric, and so the rest of the world doesn't get as much exposure.
I've said before and I'll say it again: I don't want to lose Godzilla again. I want him and the brand to stay in the rest of the world, and the Monsterverse is the best bet at that. While people will be aware of Japan's giant monster productions, it just doesn't feel the same as being able to go to your average theatre and see this major daikaiju production being shown across the world.
RodanMember1789 XPAug-18-2019 8:28 AMThis ought to be fun.
Zwei Wing is the best singing duo. Change my mind.
TitanosaurusMember729 XPAug-18-2019 8:32 AMAnyways, the above is just my own thoughts.
I know that not everyone agrees, so we should just agree to disagree on that front.
Personally, I'm most excited for Godzilla vs. Kong. People are speculating that a trailer could come out in October, potentially to be attached to WB's release of The Joker.
GiganAdmin4958 XPAug-18-2019 9:08 AMTeam GhidorahThe Monsterverse was an interesting side project for a bit, but it's become boring by now--Far more interested in the Japanese media. My love for the genre and franchise has never been about its popularity or seeing how much exposure it has. The niche portion is the genre.
For those who love the Monsterverse, good for you. I'm glad Godzilla is getting the exposure and more fans will undoubtedly follow suit. But that's not what this thread is about. It's about the upcoming stuff outside of it I find far more exciting.
TitanosaurusMember729 XPAug-18-2019 9:32 AMDidn't realize it wasn't supposed to include the Monsterverse. I thought that part was just you projecting your personal thoughts and that the thread was supposed to be for ALL things included in the genre.
Fair enough if that's supposed to be the case, but maybe make that clearer?
GiganAdmin4958 XPAug-18-2019 9:48 AMTeam GhidorahI never said it didn't need to. It's simply not in mine.
The thread is just not a debate regarding the Monsterverse's relevance vs. the genre as a whole.
TitanosaurusMember729 XPAug-18-2019 9:55 AMWell, anyways, I'm legitimately buzzed for the upcoming 4th installment in the Monsterverse.
We got scenes in Hong Kong and Florida, so that should make for some excellent backgrounds for the fights.
RodanMember1630 XPAug-18-2019 11:47 AMHonestly, I’m equally excited for both lol
If people weren't lazy, we wouldn't try to be efficient. If we weren't efficient, we'd never get anything done.
BaragonMember199 XPAug-18-2019 5:06 PMGMan, being the fan of Japanese cinema/culture as you are, I can understand why you’re jacked about all of those.
From my perspective, as far as Reigo and Raiga go, unless they’re rentals, I won’t be seeing them. I’ve never seen them outside of stills of the monsters themselves, so I have no idea about the quality of these movies. Not going to buy them sight unseen.
With Ultraman, I loved the original series as a boy, so that’s something I might be willing to check out, for the right price.
As for Shin Ultraman, I’ve never seen Evangelion, and although I own Shin Godzilla, I’m not a huge fan, so the fact they’re attached doesn’t carry much weight for me.
That brings us to the Criterion Showa series. I’m glad they are all available on Blu-Ray in the states now, but the price is a bit steep for what amounts to 6 movies that I would actually want from that series; one of which (Godzilla), I already own, so $150 plus for 5 movies isn’t happening. I’d buy the other 5 I want in a heartbeat, but I don’t think they’ll be releasing them individually, which is a shame.
As for the MonsterVerse, they are 2 out of 3 for me. Not a huge fan of 2014. I thought Kong: Skull Island was a step up and I loved King of the Monsters. I have wanted a remake of King Kong Vs Godzilla since forever, so I’ll at least get that wish.
I am looking forward to Toho’s plans for a shared universe, which they’ve already done obviously, but definitely looking forward to their next iteration.
GiganMember4125 XPAug-18-2019 5:12 PMTeam MothraWell I hope the monsterverse keeps going, although i wouldn't mind more japanese godzilla movies but not at the cost of cancelling the monsterverse.
BaragonMember199 XPAug-18-2019 5:20 PM@Xenotaris - I hope it does also, but after KOTM's performance, I'm prepared for it to end after next year. On the whole I've enjoyed what they've done. But, it is what it is.
GiganMember4125 XPAug-19-2019 7:18 PMTeam Mothra@KoldWarKid62 - I'm not ready for that yet
