Toho and Books

[Guardian7]

Does TOHO ever produce novels on the SHOWA era Kaiju and related chara?

Are they excepting of ideas or proposals? (one has to assume they get proposals all the time).

Are there comics about Kaiju (Such as Godzilla and buddies) produced in Japan?

If they were (and someone out there knows), would they be receptive of writings from or of the SHOWA era? Seems to me that a few of the (Children's?) books out there were based primarily on the SHOWA era (From the writer C.L. Werner?).

Thanks

Grd7

[August]

I would not send them proposals or ideas... they keep them, sometimes use them, and you'll never receive any credit or acknowledgement for your work. Once they receive it, they own it. They've done this to two professionals and two fans. Too messy to go into the details here, nor do I want to (they don't involve me, thankfully).

Short manga of Toho fantasy films have been published for children's magazines since the original GODZILLA. Few of these have been reproduced or reprinted (two [/i]tankobon[/i] volumes of vintage Toho kaiju manga were issued in the early 1990s) -- a couple have also turned up in big collectors sets like "Godzilla Classic Box").

As for novels for Showa films, there were several issued in conjunction with the films' initial releases, including "Godzilla", "Godzilla Raids Again", "Mothra" and "Matango." "Godzilla" was later combined with "Godzilla Raids Again," was was reissued several times over the years (about 15 years ago, IIRC, a new novelization of "Godzilla" was released). There was also a novelization of "Mothra vs. Godzilla" (1964) issued as well in the 1990s. The novels were written for the general public, and weren't children's books.

I hope this answers your questions!

[Guardian7]

Wow I can't believe that TOHO are stinkers like that...

Especially when they have a whole treasure trove of lawyers were "THEIR" creations are concerned... the thought that they might steal from someone else is a total oxymoron considering how selfish they are with their property (distrubing they would steal someone else's).

How sad...

Grd7

[Scorpion13mk2]

Wow I can't believe that TOHO are stinkers like that...

Especially when they have a whole treasure trove of lawyers were "THEIR" creations are concerned... the thought that they might steal from someone else is a total oxymoron considering how selfish they are with their property (distrubing they would steal someone else's).

How sad...

Grd7


Dude, every single other company in the world, ever, since the beginning of civilization has behaved that way. Its not really new, nor anything that Toho shouldnt be doing.

[G2KMaster]

Here is a link to pics of the Classic Box:
http://clubtokyo.org/listings/itemListingRpt.php?catID=9&subCatID=86&contentID=171

Occasionaly, you can see it on ebay for $120 and above...

[Guardian7]

Scorpion13mk2 said -- Dude, every single other company in the world, ever, since the beginning of civilization has behaved that way. Its not really new, nor anything that Toho shouldnt be doing.

All right... fair enough. Other companies do it.
As far as the "Anything Toho Shouldn't be doing." part... well that we don't agree on.
Stealing is plain stealing... if I send them a proposal of some kind (not knowing the nature of the beast... even though I should be cynical enough to figure it out for myself) and THEY/TOHO steals my idea... that is plain WRONG.

Does TOHO do it? apparently... should they be doing it? If you all don't know the answer to that question... then to discuss this any further is pointless.

But since you put it that way... that means that if I can make more dough than TOHO with their property (like they could hypothetically off someone else's property...) would you say it is something I shouldn't be doing?

Whether or not I can get away with it (from what I have read TOHO snatched up as many copies of the Encyclopida of Godzilla and block that other guy's book)... Is a different story. I am sure there is a way to weasel your way around it...

Best way to fight Chaos... is with Chaos... *Grin*

cya
Grd7

[Guardian7]

Scorpion13mk2 said -- Dude, every single other company in the world, ever, since the beginning of civilization has behaved that way. Its not really new, nor anything that Toho shouldnt be doing.

All right... fair enough. Other companies do it.
As far as the "Anything Toho Shouldn't be doing." part... well that we don't agree on.
Stealing is plain stealing... if I send them a proposal of some kind (not knowing the nature of the beast... even though I should be cynical enough to figure it out for myself) and THEY/TOHO steals my idea... that is plain WRONG.

Does TOHO do it? apparently... should they be doing it? If you all don't know the answer to that question... then to discuss this any further is pointless.

But since you put it that way... that means that if I can make more dough than TOHO with their property (like they could hypothetically off someone else's property...) would you say it is something I shouldn't be doing?

Whether or not I can get away with it (from what I have read TOHO snatched up as many copies of that Encyclopedia of Godzilla and block that other guy's book)... Is a different story. I am sure there is a way to weasel your way around it...

Best way to fight Chaos... is with Chaos... *Grin*

cya
Grd7

P.S. if I ever get my hands on an Encyclopedia of Godzilla... I am gonna download the entire thing so that everyone can have it. By the time TOHO gets wind of it... it will already be out there... *Grin*

[Gojira2000]

Here's a list (with pictures) of many Godzilla/kaiju-related comics, several produced in Japan:

http://www.tohokingdom.com/comics.htm

[G2KMaster]

Saddly, that isn't all... In fact two mangas need to be mentioned:

"In the Days of Mechagodzilla" - made from 2002-2003, it was a mock making of Godzilla X Mechagodzilla and Godzilla: Tokyo SOS. I think only two volumes of this were published. It realy comedy-oriented (baed on the comic pannels I have seen on ebay)

Monster Zone - Godzilla vs. a dragon and I heard Deutalios...

[kpa]

Scorpion13mk2 said -- Dude, every single other company in the world, ever, since the beginning of civilization has behaved that way. Its not really new, nor anything that Toho shouldnt be doing.

All right... fair enough. Other companies do it.
As far as the "Anything Toho Shouldn't be doing." part... well that we don't agree on.
Stealing is plain stealing... if I send them a proposal of some kind (not knowing the nature of the beast... even though I should be cynical enough to figure it out for myself) and THEY/TOHO steals my idea... that is plain WRONG.

Does TOHO do it? apparently... should they be doing it? If you all don't know the answer to that question... then to discuss this any further is pointless.

Guardian7, I don't support stealing at all but your comments here are naive and show a real lack of how business and copyrights work.

Over the past 20 years I've worked for comic book publishers like Marvel and DC, for book publishers, video game and DVD companies, and on animated TV shows. I've done dozens of licensed projects, including several with Toho. These companies all have rules for submissions and they're usually pretty simple to understand if you actually look into it and don't just jump to conclusions.

I can tell you that many companies like Disney and Toho aren't interested in unsolicited submissions from people they don't know. There's a few reasons for that... one being that most submissions aren't very good or usable-- people with talent and the ability to create original stories are a rare thing-- and it's a pain to read hundreds of bad stories you didn't ask for in the first place.

Another reason is that these companies have paid writers who have to constantly come up with new stories for comics, movies, TV shows etc and they don't want to be accused of stealing.

I first started in comics and got to see a lot of this firsthand. I had a good friend who was an artist at Marvel and once worked on a comic featuring the daughter of Wolverine. He didn't write the story but he did design the look of the character. One year at the San Diego Comic Con, a husband and wife came up to him and accused him of stealing their idea for a daughter of Wolverine character. First of all, doing the "son", "daughter", "cousin", or "bride of" any popular character is not an original idea... the concept is used in hundreds of books, movies, and comics. Secondly, my friend didn't know these fans and have never seen their idea. And thirdly, the idea they explained to him was nothing like what appeared in the comic. In fact, their design form the character was a xeroxed photo of a woman that they had colored orange with a marker.

That's not an isolated case. I've seen and heard many stories. One year at Wondercon I saw a guy try to submit a 300 page Batman story he wrote and drew on napkins.

Let's say some fan comes up with a story where Spider-Man fights the Hulk inside a volcano. Since Marvel publishes hundreds of comics annually and has been around for 50 years there's a good chance something similar has already been done or is being planned. What if 5 years from now some professional writer for Marvel comes up with a similar idea all on his/her own? Does that mean Marvel can never do a story with those characters in a volcano because some fan thinks he owns the idea?

It would be impossible to produce new comics, films, etc if companies had to check every single story to make sure no fan over the past 40-50 years had ever sent in a similar idea.

Companies don't want to deal with that stuff.

Editors and writers for Marvel used to tell me that they would get stories sent to them all the time. Comic book publishers usually have submission departments where hopeful writers and artists can submit samples of their work, so editors would just send the stories there so people not involved in producing the comics could decide if the writer was worth giving a sample story to. The professional writers just throw the stuff away... it's frustrating for them to toss out something a fan may be passionate about, but it's the one way to guarantee no one can accuse them of stealing their ideas.

Another way companies avoid this hassle is to have an official policy that states if anyone sends unsolicited material they are giving consent for the company to use it.

That is basically Toho's policy. They didn't ask for your story, and they didn't break into your home or computer to steal it. If you give it to them, you automatically give them permission to do whatever they want with it.

It's a smart policy because it takes the effort off the company's shoulders and puts it back on the person submitting the idea. If you don't want Toho or some other company "stealing" your idea, then you need to use your brain and contact them first to find out what that company's policy is for unsolicited submissions. If you don't like their policy, don't send them your story and you want have anything to complain about.

But since you put it that way... that means that if I can make more dough than TOHO with their property (like they could hypothetically off someone else's property...) would you say it is something I shouldn't be doing?

Of course you shouldn't be doing that. And your comparison makes no sense whatsoever. Toho never sent you the idea for Godzilla, one of your own characters, or anything else in the hopes that you'll buy it so it's a different situation from you sending them a story using their characters.

Also, Toho's characters and property are copyrighted so if you try to profit off them they can and probably will sue you. You wouldn't have a legal leg to stand on and would probably be responsible for financial damages and also all of Toho legal fees. I don't know know a lot of people who have that kind of money to throw away, but if you do maybe you should spend it on publishing your own books and characters instead.

There's also the matter of what constitutes "your" property. I can write a story or draw a picture of Mickey Mouse or Superman or Godzilla or whatever and that story or artwork would be mine. But I would have no legal right to mass produce or publish (and that includes online) and sell it without the permission of the copyright owners.

So you can't do anything with Toho's characters without risking legal action. But they could use your story ideas for the characters if you sent it to them. Once again, if you don't want them to use it don't give it to them.

Whether or not I can get away with it

You couldn't. the lawyers would eat you alive.

(from what I have read TOHO snatched up as many copies of that Encyclopedia of Godzilla and block that other guy's book)... Is a different story.

The Encyclopedia used Toho's copyrighted photos without permission so their lawyers cracked down on it. They've also blocked other projects that tried to use Godzilla's copyrighted name and likeness without permission.

But Steve Ryfle's excellent book Japan's Favorite Mon-Star was published and sold in bookstores all across America because he did not use copyrighted photos or Godzilla's name in the title. And August Ragone's Eiji Tsuburaya bio (another great book) is currently available in bookstores and online... and it includes Toho photos because Brad Warner of Tsuburaya Productions approached Toho in advance and negotiated a deal for those photos.

And here's a big thing: the Encyclopedia was written by Ed Godziszewski, and Ed understood why Toho had a problem with the book. Many years later, Toho approved Ed to do the audio commentary and extra features for the British DVD of the original GODZILLA. Then Toho approved Ed to do the same for the recent American Godzilla DVDs from Classic Media. And then they approved Ed to co-write and co-produce Classic Media's BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE, the first official American documentary about Godzilla and Japanese FX movies. And Ed's been to Toho many times and interviewed people who worked on the films and visited sets while they were filming.

Y'know, because Toho are such evil bast*rds and all that...


I am sure there is a way to weasel your way around it...

Sure there is...

Best way to fight Chaos... is with Chaos... *Grin*

No, the best way to fight chaos is with intelligence, maturity, and reason.

More than once the Toho filmmakers have told me they love the fans and can't stand fanboys. Most of them are/were fans themselves so they understand the enthusiasm fans feel for this stuff and enjoy sharing that with the fans. I've seen the same thing with comic book creators and so on.

Most of them don't like fanboys, those people who don't get the real world. That includes people who don't have a life outside of fandom, or those who assume they're entitled to use the characters because they're fans (Companies try to make a product -- like a movie or comic book-- that customers will enjoy and feel was worth their time and money. That's the end of the company's obligation to their fans... anything else they do is gravy). Fanboys jump to conclusions and then get angry because things aren't the way they want them to be.

You don't have to agree with everything Toho or Marvel or whoever does (I certainly don't) but if you take time and effort to learn why they do things that way you can at least se it's not "chaos" and therefore approach them with intelligence and mutual respect. It's amazing how much more effective that can be than going off like an angry child.

P.S. if I ever get my hands on an Encyclopedia of Godzilla... I am gonna download the entire thing so that everyone can have it. By the time TOHO gets wind of it... it will already be out there... *Grin*

Yeah that's a great idea.... steal Toho's copyrighted material and Ed's writing and research. That's honest and honorable.

Seriously, what you've posted here just proves why Toho and other companies have the policies they do. Look at what you've written and ask yourself... why any company would want to do business with you?

Here's an idea: instead of wasting a bunch of time scanning and uploading a 200 page book so you can "stick it" to Toho (and Ed), how about taking that time to do something smart like writing a company before before you send them your ideas? That would take a lot less effort, might get a positive result, and would avoid any legal hassles.

[G2KMaster]

approached Toho in advance and negotiated a deal for those photos.

And here's a big thing: the Encyclopedia was written by Ed Godziszewski, and Ed understood why Toho had a problem with the book. Many years later, Toho approved Ed to do the audio commentary and extra features for the British DVD of the original GODZILLA. Then Toho approved Ed to do the same for the recent American Godzilla DVDs from Classic Media. And then they approved Ed to co-write and co-produce Classic Media's BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE, the first official American documentary about Godzilla and Japanese FX movies. And Ed's been to Toho many times and interviewed people who worked on the films and visited sets while they were filming.

Y'know, because Toho are such evil bast*rds and all that...


My fave quote from you from this forum. As back to books in general, I am surprised that my personal fave hasn't been mentioned: "A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series" by David Kalat. Of cource, there is only one real compaint about the book - the GKOTM backround (not Gojira, GKOTM) is accurate only 98%. But what the book does that is diffrent is that instead of making of information, it compares character development, script development, and SFX development from film to film and compares this to the social climate of the time of the film or films. I own the original print of this book (the original was all black. The new release has a firey city on the cover). But it and be amazed. You WILL find yourself highlighting passages, reading the book over, and just loveing it.

[Gojira2000]

I have nothing really new to add here, but I just wanted to tip my hat to Mr. Aiken here for another great glimps into the real business of show business. (Hey, how's that for a book titled?) I always sincerely enjoy your posts, Keith, and especially ones like the above where you take the time to set matters straight. Heck, I respect Toho and all that they do (even when I don't agree with it), but having you plaining set out the reasons WHY, well, that makes respecting their stand that much easier! It also helps shut up conplaining mouths about movie franchizes and why they do what they do. (I.E., 'why is Mothra in every other G-flick?!' Because Mothra=$$$. The End.)

I must say, sometimes I wish you'd just write a book and lay all things out. And not just in the legal department but within the framework of the genre as well. (Anybody that can accurately and simply decode the chaos that is the twisted plot of GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH immediately has my respect.) You hear this often on KP, but I just going to say it again; you're insight and knowledge is invaluble to the forums and the fans; thanks for always sharing it! :)

[EternalMothra]

I completely agree with Evan, Keith. Your insight does often guide us all in the right direction when it comes to matters in regards of how Toho functions, or simple movie plot confusions.

I actually have sent Toho an idea of mine once, and I did get a reply. Granted I don't think it was from the correct branch of Toho. They sent me something nice in return telling me that my work would be forwarded to the correct branch. Granted that was several years ago lol.

[G2KMaster]

I agree with Gojira2000 totaly, even though I dare question the system sometimes (WWG)...Another book I would like to recomend which is heavily Showa influenced is Guy Tucker's AGE OF THE GODS. Guy Tucker, the late kaiju book writer and G-FEST participant, realy did a phenominal job taking all the information he gained when he interviewed all the cast/crew members of the Showa era (including one interview with David Milner, who's brilliant interviews are on monsterzero.us) and compiling it all into one book which like the Godziszewski text, just blows peoples mind with the amount of information which was rare not and most of which is common knowledge among G-FANS today (but there are some intricate details in which some writiers/aspiring writers like myself want to bring back out into the public). But the book is awesome and all and is just, wow.There are more authors... However, this is for all who read this topic: Who have you read, reguarding the Kaiju authors of printed material:-Ed Godziszewski, Steve Ryfle, Guy Tucker, Stuart Goldbraith, William Tsutsui, David Kalat, August Ragone, Keith Aiken (I'm sure that he has done something, just can't think of it. He hasn't written a full book, but he has writen articles I belive)

[Gojira2000]

I own Tsutsui's book, and of course J.D. Lees', but unfortunately the others are too expensive, out of print, or not carried at my local library. Though I am going to make it a point to track down all of them, starting with Ragone's book as it's still availible.

[G2KMaster]

I own Tsutsui's book, and of course J.D. Lees', but unfortunately the others are too expensive, out of print, or not carried at my local library. Though I am going to make it a point to track down all of them, starting with Ragone's book as it's still availible.

I would only own J.D.'s book for pictoral refrence. The book is so filled with errors...http://www.historyvortex.org/GodziilaCompendium.html

[Guardian7]

KPA

First off... I don't need you coming off all heavy handed like that. so you can just back off...

You can rant and rave and make some huge assumption that I don't know what copyrights are and be an idiot if you want to. I am WELL AWARE Of WHO'S PROPERTY those chara are.
My response was IN RESPONSE to THEM (That would be TOHO Genius) stealing someone elses ideas when they are so guarded with their own (THERE OWN... and yes... I do know what they own).

Then I did the little rant thing... but I thought I had put a LOL in there and that everyone would know I was kidding.

You need to seriously take a pill... I am not a FANBOY like that.

I mean come on... SERIOUSLY... CHAOS WITH CHAOS? WHO SAYS THAT?
Furthermore... WHO WOULD MEAN IT?

Makes me wish I had inserted those LOLs... my bad... don't cross KPA otherwise you get the REVERAND KPA...

You know... maybe next time you feel that strongly about it... you might want to send me a private message... so we can discuss it... sorry if my black humor pissed you off and you decided you needed to put on your high-handed verbal stomping boots. But my only real irritation was theft from me...

Yeah... right... I am gonna take on the TOHO Lawyers...
You thinking that is about a dumb as me actually trying to do it.

Lighten up an pull the stick out corporal.

Jeez
Grd7

[G2KMaster]

KPA

First off... I don't need you coming off all heavy handed like that. so you can just back off...

You can rant and rave and make some huge assumption that I don't know what copyrights are and be an idiot if you want to. I am WELL AWARE Of WHO'S PROPERTY those chara are.
My response was IN RESPONSE to THEM (That would be TOHO Genius) stealing someone elses ideas when they are so guarded with their own (THERE OWN... and yes... I do know what they own).

Then I did the little rant thing... but I thought I had put a LOL in there and that everyone would know I was kidding.

You need to seriously take a pill... I am not a FANBOY like that.

I mean come on... SERIOUSLY... CHAOS WITH CHAOS? WHO SAYS THAT?
Furthermore... WHO WOULD MEAN IT?

Makes me wish I had inserted those LOLs... my bad... don't cross KPA otherwise you get the REVERAND KPA...

You know... maybe next time you feel that strongly about it... you might want to send me a private message... so we can discuss it... sorry if my black humor pissed you off and you decided you needed to put on your high-handed verbal stomping boots. But my only real irritation was theft from me...

Yeah... right... I am gonna take on the TOHO Lawyers...
You thinking that is about a dumb as me actually trying to do it.

Lighten up an pull the stick out corporal.

Jeez
Grd7

Wow, holy crap. Ok, G7, not to be the devil's advocate but here is something:First, many people including me, have made comments on this and other forums which serverely show that people do not know the rather diffrent copyright ways which Toho and other Japanese studios have compared to our copyright system. Second, Toho IMO wouldn't be stealing unless the person who submitted the idea said that if they decline that they are not allowed to use the concept. If they don't Toho can use it.For the rest, yea the LOL marks are important. I actualy got flamed alot because I did not use IMO so I came off like I was pushing my opinion as fact...As for taking on Toho's lawyers, good luck:http://www.courttv.com/archive/legaldocs/misc/godzilla.htmlhttp://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/11/godzilla-terror.html

[EternalMothra]

KPA

First off... I don't need you coming off all heavy handed like that. so you can just back off...

You can rant and rave and make some huge assumption that I don't know what copyrights are and be an idiot if you want to. I am WELL AWARE Of WHO'S PROPERTY those chara are.
My response was IN RESPONSE to THEM (That would be TOHO Genius) stealing someone elses ideas when they are so guarded with their own (THERE OWN... and yes... I do know what they own).

Then I did the little rant thing... but I thought I had put a LOL in there and that everyone would know I was kidding.

You need to seriously take a pill... I am not a FANBOY like that.

I mean come on... SERIOUSLY... CHAOS WITH CHAOS? WHO SAYS THAT?
Furthermore... WHO WOULD MEAN IT?

Makes me wish I had inserted those LOLs... my bad... don't cross KPA otherwise you get the REVERAND KPA...

You know... maybe next time you feel that strongly about it... you might want to send me a private message... so we can discuss it... sorry if my black humor pissed you off and you decided you needed to put on your high-handed verbal stomping boots. But my only real irritation was theft from me...

Yeah... right... I am gonna take on the TOHO Lawyers...
You thinking that is about a dumb as me actually trying to do it.

Lighten up an pull the stick out corporal.

Jeez
Grd7


Whoa now, G7. Keith hardly meant any offense by his post from what I read. Take a chill pill.

[Gojira2000]

I can see this was a misunderstanding on both partes. I do not believe that any offense was meant to anyone, so let's shake hands and make up.

I do enjoy black humor, but I must admit--your post G7 did sound rather serious in nature; I think we assumed that it was because others in the past have gotten just as upset with TOHO about this very same thing and they were dead serious about it. So yeah, please insert little "I'm just joking" hints throughout your black humor posts, just to be safe. ;)

I wouldn't take too personally what Keith said; I think he was more or less stating facts and using what you said as a jumping board. Besides, his post serves well to inform any other members that might just be serious about Toho "stealing". (And as was stated, they are not "stealing" unless you previously copyrighted your submitted work in the first place, in which case they likely won't use it because why pay a stanger for a story when you got a writing staff for that purpose? :P )

Misunderstanding cleared. Let's go on with life. ;)

[G2KMaster]

Um, Evan, maybe you should use the term "dark" humor and not black humor...

[Gojira2000]

Actually I thought about that as I was writing it. I agree, it would have been wiser on my part. But to be fair, "black humor" is the official term for "dark humor," to my understanding. Thanks, though.

[G2KMaster]

Ok, just hope that people do not get offended by it.

Something people need to write a book on is the history of the fandom in the US...

[Gojira2000]

Didn't Tsutsui touch on that a little?

[G2KMaster]

Yep, but I am mean detailed. From 1956-now. All major fan activity like the history of G-FEST, Video Daikaiju, the theater experiance, ect...

[Gojira2000]

G-FEST history (and the G-cons prior to it) are fairly well documented in G-Fan magazine, I think.

[G2KMaster]

But there is so much more than that.

[kpa]

I'm glad most people here understood the point I was trying to make.

I can see this was a misunderstanding on both partes. I do not believe that any offense was meant to anyone, so let's shake hands and make up.

I do enjoy black humor, but I must admit--your post G7 did sound rather serious in nature; I think we assumed that it was because others in the past have gotten just as upset with TOHO about this very same thing and they were dead serious about it. So yeah, please insert little "I'm just joking" hints throughout your black humor posts, just to be safe. ;)

I wouldn't take too personally what Keith said; I think he was more or less stating facts and using what you said as a jumping board. Besides, his post serves well to inform any other members that might just be serious about Toho "stealing". (And as was stated, they are not "stealing" unless you previously copyrighted your submitted work in the first place, in which case they likely won't use it because why pay a stanger for a story when you got a writing staff for that purpose? :P )

Misunderstanding cleared. Let's go on with life. ;)

You raise some good points, Gojira2000. There's been a long history of fans doing stuff with Toho's characters and property that's not exactly legal. Back in 1996, there was a convention that screened a chunk of GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH (this was shortly after the film was released in Japan and well before it was sold in America) because they thought it would be okay. Toho disagreed and sued them.

Fans sell bootleg videos, post whole movies online, make shirts and screen savers and other products, and use copyrighted video and audio for YouTube videos... and then complain when Toho goes after them because they're "just fans showing their support".

And then 4-5 years ago fans got up in arms claiming Toho was going after all fan fiction, even though Toho doesn't go after fan art or material that doesn't use their copyrighted photos/video. So of course, nothing happened... but then a year or so back fans got up in arms claiming Toho was going after all fan fiction (deju vu!). And again, nothing happened.

And then there was the rumor a year or so that back that Toho was going to shut down all the fan sites. Once again, nothing happened.

The silliness went to a new level when the fan site Toho Kingdom was accused of shutting down other sites so they could be the only one. Some fans seriously believed that.

So based on many, many examples over the past 10-15 years, it's easy to believe that some fans will continue to do silly, misinformed and illegal behavior when they say that's what they're going to do. After all, it's not like that hasn't happened before...

[G2KMaster]

The silliness went to a new level when the fan site Toho Kingdom was accused of shutting down other sites so they could be the only one. Some fans seriously believed that.

Well, that is just crazy. Obviously this site is still standing...

[August]

"And August Ragone's Eiji Tsuburaya bio (another great book) is currently available in bookstores and online... and it includes Toho photos because Brad Warner of Tsuburaya Productions approached Toho in advance and negotiated a deal for those photos."

Almost, but not quite; the book was done under the auspices of the "Eiji Project", a cooperative consortium of companies (including Toho) and publishers (Kodansha, etc.), to promote the life and works of Eiji Tsuburaya. In November 2000, Toho agreed to offer their full cooperation in any endeavor under this banner at the Tokyo Fantastic Film Festival event announcing the formation of the "Eiji Project" (I was in the audience with Brad Warner). Thanks for the kind words about my book, BTW!

[G2KMaster]

August, hasn't your book been translated and release in Japan yet?

[August]

It's available in Japan (and other countries including France, Germany and the UK), but not translated into Japanese. There was talk about that, early on, but I don't think that my publisher moved on that idea.

[G2KMaster]

Have you every come accross the book, "Eiji Tsuburaya - The Director of Special Effects" (Asashi Sonorama '93)?

[kpa]

"And August Ragone's Eiji Tsuburaya bio (another great book) is currently available in bookstores and online... and it includes Toho photos because Brad Warner of Tsuburaya Productions approached Toho in advance and negotiated a deal for those photos."

Almost, but not quite; the book was done under the auspices of the "Eiji Project", a cooperative consortium of companies (including Toho) and publishers (Kodansha, etc.), to promote the life and works of Eiji Tsuburaya. In November 2000, Toho agreed to offer their full cooperation in any endeavor under this banner at the Tokyo Fantastic Film Festival event announcing the formation of the "Eiji Project" (I was in the audience with Brad Warner).

Thanks for the clarification. I knew Brad had visited Toho LA a few time to discuss photo clearances, and I was at Brad's one time when he and Ed were going over photos to use from Ed's collection. I know there was a lot of stuff Ed offered that Toho eventually didn't approve.

It sounded a lot like the situation with the Classic Media DVDs. Just because we had all of these resources didn't mean Toho would let them be used. You just try to push through as much as you can.

I don't know if you're aware of this, but at Brad's request I also contacted friends at Kadokawa to try and get clearance for a Gamera photo that was used in your book. Just cause I'm evil and all that. ;P

Thanks for the kind words about my book, BTW!

My pleasure. Whatever personal issues you think there are you know I've always enjoyed your writing. I'm happy to have it on my bookshelf next to Steve, Ed, and Guy's books.

[G2KMaster]

photos... from Ed's collection.

Bet that was a wonder. Like if someone went through Peter Jackson's Kong collection, only alot better and more Japanese.

One thing about Ed's photo collection: is it mostly lobby cards or is it all still from the film and their production?

[Guardian7]

KPA

Why wouldn't TOHO approve the use of pics, that were decades old, if it increased their profit margin?

For that matter why wouldn't they do the same thing with Classic Media (or whomever) for the same reason? They are only going to garner more cash.

Who truely cares about all that old footage besides Godzilla Fans (particularly here in America where it still seems like we have a limit as to what we can get our hands on)? Who else are they going to market it to that would make them (TOHO) want to hold back like that? Doesn't seem like smart buisness to me. Cause eventually everyone (That is even remotely interested) is going to have everything they want and if TOHO doesn't release that stuff... what would make a fan of Godzilla (or that stuff of that nature) want to buy it all again? The packaging? LOL

Problem I see is TOHO has a VERY limited audience with this sort of stuff (Kaiju department) HERE and unfortunately... most people I know can't stand Godzilla or most Kaiju movies in general. They consider it all kids stuff (stupid is thrown in there most times) and certainly not stuff to take with any grain of seriousness (at least enough to be a fan of... and I am not talking the Japanese audience).

You seem to be on the inside track... why is it that way? Why don't they increase their profit margins by giving the fans (who will purchase it) what they want? Which one would think would ultimately be to their benefit.

Frankly I am surprised they didn't re-deal with your buddy Ed (at least that is the impression I get) - writer of the Encyclopedia of Godzilla and truely rake in the cash (I am sure they could revise/edit it... possibly with Ed's assistance and make a truely outstanding book). Has there EVER been any discussion of this sort of event taking place to your knowledge?

Just curious.

G7

[G2KMaster]

Because one, Toho can boss you around with their trademarks. Plus, it is verry expensive to get pictures, since you got to pay for the picture, the people's copyright and character's copyright, and written permission. So it is worth to get away from all of that.

As for CM, not realy. The CM releases are known only by people who are DVD fans or monster fans in general and not everyone.

Same reason as the first paragraph in this post. And to awnser your question, pure material attitudes AKA people who are heavy fanboys and completists, like moi.

I just said so because I have seen Keith say it numerous times. Toho, while simple, is complicated compared to copyright procedures in the US.

They can't do it because thr way Toho does it is copyright law which Toho has to go by. So if they decided to just go and alow a mass pressing of TIEOG, Toho and the publisher would be violating copyright law.

[August]

Respectfully, Keith, you did not work on the project, so you really cannot comment on what did or did not happen in regards to the photos on my book. I can tell you that the majority of the photographs that I submitted were used and there were no "clearance" issues. Brad told me that Toho said we could use whatever we wanted. The final selection of photos were chosen by the editors at Chronicle, and I never heard that Toho, at any time, stepped in at any time to deny us using anything.

As for the Gamera photos, that was a favor you did for Brad, who was in charge of gathering photos for Chronicle, and was not done on my behalf (this also stands for Ed G.'s involvement) -- Brad never mentioned anything to me. As for the other comments in your post, I don't feel that this is the appropriate forum for such insinuation.

[Guardian7]

August

So it is possible to get Toho to allow stuff? :sarcasm:

Like... oh I dunno to do a coloring book or maybe a comic? That they aren't nearly as staunch about it? or are they? :confused:

No offense to anyone... but it seems as if these posts have been Yin/Yang. One time it seems as if they are receptive... then it seems that they are not? I am getting to a point where I am not sure who to believe and that it is mostly spectulative assumptions on a lot of parts. :eyebrow:

I would rather hear from someone who has actually had some body of work done... rather than word of mouth. ;)

I do not believe that TOHO could possibly be that difficult to work with. I am more curious, than as in I have a REAL project/proposal to give/offer to TOHO (as of this writing). I certainly wouldn't do that if I knew it was pointless. :crazy:

Just seems like you all keep regurgitating the same comments over and over (particularly the copyright crap-god give it a rest). no offense... :D

*wink*
Grd7

P.S. don't anyone get all bent out of shape... lol

[G2KMaster]

Respectfully, Keith,

Don't you mean me? I was the one who said:


Because one, Toho can boss you around with their trademarks. Plus, it is verry expensive to get pictures, since you got to pay for the picture, the people's copyright and character's copyright, and written permission. So it is worth to try to get away from all of that.