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Godzilla: The First 70 Years: The Official Illustrated History of the Japanese Productions
An epic celebration of Godzilla’s 70th anniversary, exploring every aspect of the creation, design, and evolution of King of the Monsters in Toho Studios' films and TV series from 1954 to the present
Godzilla: The First 70 Years is a narrative and visual history of Japan’s King of the Monsters, chronicling the triumphs, challenges, and meaning of seven decades of city-trashing, kaiju-smashing mayhem.
It's also a tribute to Godzilla’s creators and costars—the filmmakers, special-effects wizards, cast members, even the stuntmen inside the monster suit—and an appreciation of the behind-the-scenes artistry involved in bringing Godzilla to cinematic life, then and now.
Extensive visuals detail the evolution of kaiju design, as well as profile the creative contribution and SFX developments across seven decades of exceptional filmmaking and innovation.
Exclusive behind-the-scenes photography, production materials, posters, and lobby cards showcase:
• The Showa Era films (1954–1975)
• The Heisei Era films (1984–1995)
• The Millennium Series (1999–2004)• Animated works
• Shin Godzilla (Japan’s Picture of the Year, 2016)
• Academy Award–winning 2023 box-office phenomenon Godzilla Minus One
Godzilla: The First 70 Years is a narrative and visual history of Japan’s King of the Monsters, chronicling the triumphs, challenges, and meaning of seven decades of city-trashing, kaiju-smashing mayhem.
It's also a tribute to Godzilla’s creators and costars—the filmmakers, special-effects wizards, cast members, even the stuntmen inside the monster suit—and an appreciation of the behind-the-scenes artistry involved in bringing Godzilla to cinematic life, then and now.
Extensive visuals detail the evolution of kaiju design, as well as profile the creative contribution and SFX developments across seven decades of exceptional filmmaking and innovation.
Exclusive behind-the-scenes photography, production materials, posters, and lobby cards showcase:
• The Showa Era films (1954–1975)
• The Heisei Era films (1984–1995)
• The Millennium Series (1999–2004)• Animated works
• Shin Godzilla (Japan’s Picture of the Year, 2016)
• Academy Award–winning 2023 box-office phenomenon Godzilla Minus One
- GenresNonfictionFilm
432 pages, Hardcover
First published July 15, 2025
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30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 23, 2025
GODZILLA: THE FIRST 70 YEARS is a delight for the fan of the Japanese Godzilla film series. The writers, Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski, have produced a literal "coffee table" volume that is filled with fascinating technical information about the making of the films, a comprehensive listing of the filmmakers both in front of and behind the camera, and the production trends from Toho Studios which highly influenced the changing "look" of the iconic creature, and its assortment of allies and adversaries.
I mention "coffee table" book not only in reference to its size (and weight), but the inclusion of so many fascinating and stunning photographs that had me mentally reliving favorite moments. It provides detailed information for every Godzilla movie that had Toho's direct involvement including the most recent GODZILLA: MINUS ONE. (The American iterations are sometimes very briefly mentioned, but they are not part of the focus of this volume.)
I've read several "making of" books regarding Godzilla through the years, so I considered myself to be one of the more knowledgable Readers. Still, I learned a great deal that I hadn't known before, especially the "facts" that have been repeated so often in so many sources that they are now part of the legend. This book cast a more critical light on those assertions, even with a hint from time-to-time that there may have been some publicity intent.
In addition to a generous overview of each movie, there are also special sections that both intrigued me and caused me to want to scurry back to my film collection for some rewatches. I especially enjoyed the sections detailing what life was like inside the Godzilla suit for its performers, the differences in Godzilla's appearance through the years, and a recounting of the various weapons that have been created to fight Godzilla.
One serious omission was not having a bit more detailed background of the major performers in front of the camera, and some of the long-time technicians behind it. A perfect illustration of the absence was the wonderful Foreward by Megumi Odaka who portrayed a popular recurring character in six Godzilla movies. In the Foreward, she talks about how she came to Toho Studios, what it was like to work there, and some of the influences on her character. That really doesn't occur again in the remainder of the book for others. I would have greatly appreciated knowing more about these people who were so important to the films.
Even with my disappointment regarding that last aspect, GODZILLA: THE FIRST 70 YEARS will join the treasured special volumes in my library. It would be a great reference source, but I would enjoy even more being transported back to my "Monster Kid" years.
I mention "coffee table" book not only in reference to its size (and weight), but the inclusion of so many fascinating and stunning photographs that had me mentally reliving favorite moments. It provides detailed information for every Godzilla movie that had Toho's direct involvement including the most recent GODZILLA: MINUS ONE. (The American iterations are sometimes very briefly mentioned, but they are not part of the focus of this volume.)
I've read several "making of" books regarding Godzilla through the years, so I considered myself to be one of the more knowledgable Readers. Still, I learned a great deal that I hadn't known before, especially the "facts" that have been repeated so often in so many sources that they are now part of the legend. This book cast a more critical light on those assertions, even with a hint from time-to-time that there may have been some publicity intent.
In addition to a generous overview of each movie, there are also special sections that both intrigued me and caused me to want to scurry back to my film collection for some rewatches. I especially enjoyed the sections detailing what life was like inside the Godzilla suit for its performers, the differences in Godzilla's appearance through the years, and a recounting of the various weapons that have been created to fight Godzilla.
One serious omission was not having a bit more detailed background of the major performers in front of the camera, and some of the long-time technicians behind it. A perfect illustration of the absence was the wonderful Foreward by Megumi Odaka who portrayed a popular recurring character in six Godzilla movies. In the Foreward, she talks about how she came to Toho Studios, what it was like to work there, and some of the influences on her character. That really doesn't occur again in the remainder of the book for others. I would have greatly appreciated knowing more about these people who were so important to the films.
Even with my disappointment regarding that last aspect, GODZILLA: THE FIRST 70 YEARS will join the treasured special volumes in my library. It would be a great reference source, but I would enjoy even more being transported back to my "Monster Kid" years.
Displaying 1 of 1 review