Godzilla Anniversaries

Above, Godzilla and producer Shogo Tomiyama unveil Godzilla's
star on the Walk of Fame in 2004. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Godzilla reached 60 yesterday. The occasion, although noted among fans and some media outlets, was a far cry from the hoopla that took place ten years ago this month when the 50th anniversary of Godzilla was celebrated. Godzilla opened in Japanese theaters on November 3, 1954.

This is quite understandable as the 50th anniversary of anything is generally noted for being a half-century old, time-wise.

Back in 2004, Godzilla's 50th anniversary was celebrated by the premiere of the last Japanese-produced Godzilla movie, Godzilla Final Wars at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. The Hollywood celebrations also included a Godzilla Final Wars float that traveled down Hollywood Boulevard at the Hollywood Christmas Parade and the unveiling of Godzilla's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The unveiling was led by the then-Honorary Mayor of Hollywood, the late Johnny Grant.

Above, the Godzilla Final Wars float in Hollywood. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There was also a major exhibit in the town of Koriyama, Japan (said to be Eiji Tsuburaya's hometown) of Godzilla artifacts in 2004. The exhibit was called "Since Godzilla."

This year, Toho Studios got into the 60th anniversary spirit yesterday as a ceremony was held before the new Godzilla mural at the studio. Nearby, a man-sized Godzilla statue stands near the Toho Studios main entrance.

According to the Asahi Shimbun:

Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward honored Godzilla on Nov. 3 as one of its most globally recognized citizens during a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the fictional prehistoric monster's big screen debut. 

The award ceremony took place at Toho Studios in the ward’s Seijo district, where most of the Godzilla movies were filmed. The long-running franchise is one of the world's most popular movie series. 

At the event, crowds looked on as Setagaya Mayor Nobuto Hosaka presented Minami Ichikawa, the director of the board at Toho, with a certificate. Also on hand was an actor in a Godzilla suit, no taller than the mayor, who appeared with the two in front of a 14-meter-high wall featuring a giant mural of the popular creature.

 To read the full article on yesterday's event at Toho Studios, go here.