Godzilla: The Monster That Defined Japan’s Pop Culture

Above, Godzilla peers over Shinjuku buildings in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's pop-culture has numerous characters to choose from.

They run the gamut from giant monsters, anime, Pokemon, Hello Kitty, Ultraman and others. But the one character that started it all was the King of the Monsters: Godzilla.

According to an article by Takashi Nagaya at Vocal Media's Geeks website, Godzilla defined Japanese pop-culture starting in 1954. Last year, Japan celebrated Godzilla's 70th anniversary.

The article begins with:

How a Nuclear-Age Beast Became a Global Icon

Few movie monsters are as instantly recognizable as Godzilla. For over seven decades, the towering kaiju has stomped through cities, battled rival creatures, and captured the imagination of audiences worldwide. But Godzilla is more than just a movie monster—it is a cultural phenomenon that reflects Japan’s history, anxieties, and creativity.

Above, yours truly with the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in 2010.

To read more, go here. 

National Coin Week Celebrates Pop Culture and Money

Above, a proposed design for the Superman coin.

Other nations have featured pop culture characters in coins over the years.

A couple of years ago, I picked up Godzilla and King Kong silver coins issued from the island nation of Niue. 

This year, several DC Comics super-heroes will be featured on coins to be issued by the U.S. Mint.

According to EIN Presswire:

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES, April 7, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- What do Homer Simpson, the Olympic games, Elvis Presley, and Superman have in common? They've all been featured or will soon be featured on coins. This year’s annual National Coin Week, April 20-26, 2025, explores the fascinating ways pop culture influences money.

The nonprofit American Numismatic Association (www.money.org), based in Colorado Springs, Colo., has sponsored National Coin Week since 1924. This year’s theme is “Iconic Change: Pop Culture & Coins Unite!”

“Coins are not just money,” explained Thomas J. Uram of Pennsylvania, president of the American Numismatic Association. “They're pop culture time capsules. From superheroes to sci-fi, sports legends to blockbuster movies, coins have captured the icons we love. National Coin Week 2025 celebrates the surprising ways money and pop culture come together.”

This year, the United States Mint will begin producing collectible coins and medals featuring three iconic DC superheroes “who reflect American values and culture,” according to the Mint. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman will be the first characters featured.

To read more, go here. 

Nakano Broadway: Pop Culture Wonderland

Above, the Nakano Broadway entrance from JR Nakano Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When foreign tourists can finally travel to Japan unhindered and without overbearing rules as was the case before the pandemic, one must-see location in Tokyo to visit is Nakano Broadway.

Nakano Broadway is considered a "mecca" for otaku shoppers while in Tokyo. I made it a point to stop in whenever I am in Japan. I've purchased a number of items there including Godzilla figures and, if you can believe it, "Nipper", the RCA Victor dog.

Above, RCA Victor's "Nipper" I purchased at Nakano Broadway. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nippon.com posted an article on Nakano Broadway that is well worth a thorough read.

They start it off with:

At the end of the Nakano Sun Mall shopping arcade outside of JR Nakano Station can be found a holy ground for otaku: Nakano Broadway. Packed with stores selling anime figurines and other ephemera, it even attracts fans who make pilgrimages from abroad. An exploration of the past, present, and future of this iconic Tokyo shopping space.

From Success to Shutters

The year 2022 marked the fifty-sixth anniversary of the opening of Nakano Broadway. A long shopping promenade called Sun Mall extends from the north exit of JR Nakano Station; Nakano Broadway, a 10-story building with three basement levels, sits near the north end of this arcade. The fifth through tenth floors are residential, and residents have access to a rooftop pool, a playground, and a garden plot.

The bottommost two floors are mechanical facilities, but the first basement floor through the fourth floor are jam-packed with a huge variety of shops—as many as 350 tiny outlets. The number isn’t precisely known, for the turnover of shops is constant.

To read more and see some tantalizing photos, go here. 

The Meaning Behind Uncle Jesse's Name On Full House

Above, Elvis's twin brother's cenotaph at Graceland. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the late 1980s, like many others, we watched Full House on television.

One of the characters, Uncle Jesse (played by John Stamos), was portrayed as an Elvis Presley fan (in a slighly subtle way).

A little bit of trivia on the Uncle Jesse character was posted by Popsugar.com.

Their article reads, in part:

I recently visited Graceland — the former home of Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee — and Stamos was the narrator for part of the tour (you put on a pair of headphones to learn about each room as you walk through the house). He briefly brings up Full House, and mentions the sweet and slightly heartbreaking way his character pays tribute to Elvis in every single episode, without the audience even realizing it. While Elvis was (and still is) incredibly famous, many people may not know that he had a twin brother. Elvis' parents, Gladys and Vernon, had no idea they were expecting twins, and when their first son was stillborn, they were heartbroken at having lost the only child they thought they would ever have. But just over 30 minutes later, they got the surprise of their life when Elvis made his debut. And what did they name their firstborn son? Jesse. 

Stamos confirmed that his character was named after Elvis' twin brother. It was a way to subtly show his love for his favorite musician, and also to pay tribute to the life Jesse never got to live. At Graceland, Elvis is buried next to his parents and a cenotaph in honor of Jesse.

To read more, go here. 

Movie Indoctrination

Above, the poster for Love & Mercy, one of my suggestions.

Diane, my "honorary sister" and I were having an email chat on movies after I mentioned that I watched My Cousin Vinny (one of her favorites, since she's an attorney) yesterday. Her daughter is about to enter a police academy and she wants her to see some movies for some pop culture "education". She listed a few movies she wants her to see and asked me for some suggestions.

She said:

Any others you can think of that she must see to round out pop culture?  I have never seen most of the classics, including Casablanca and others like that, so I suppose I'm lacking also.  Dad certainly got me indoctrinated with every possible western though ;-)  

My response (after they came to the top of my head):

Pop culture? Hmm.

I saw Airplane with Caddyshack with a friend. We had a full house at the theater (I think it was Del Amo in Torrance) and everyone was roaring. I would recommend Caddyshack and Animal House (that one I can relate to since I was in a frat).

Naturally, the first 2 Godfather movies are a must, with a plate of spaghetti. The first three Dirty Harry movies. Casablanca would be a good one as would Gone With The Wind. Apocalypse Now and Taxi Driver. Bullitt with Steve McQueen. Easy Rider. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

Seven Samurai or its western remake, The Magnificent Seven. For horror, the original Japanese Ringu (The Ring). For classic horror, the 1931 Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein. After seeing those, Young Frankenstein, so she would be able to understand the jokes. Another Mel Brooks classic, Blazing Saddles.

I watched Red River last night. Since your dad indoctrinated you into westerns, I'm sure you've seen She Wore A Yellow Ribbon and The Searchers? McLintock! The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. 

For something more recent, Love & Mercy (about Brian Wilson and my 2015 favorite) and Gran Torino.

These would all be a good start. 

Her response:

Great list!  Some of those I haven't seen either.  I definitely have to round out her education with some of these though.  One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is one I had forgotten about, but she should be familiar with it.  

I'm sure I missed a few, so I am looking to friends to make some suggestions. I didn't mention any Godzilla movies as she is well aware of my "fondness" for them.

If you happen to have a kid who is not all too familiar with the "more important" movies, I would recommend these to get him/her started.