2023’s Godzilla Minus Onehit big with audiences, particularly in the west, where it won an Oscar for its visual effects. We already knew another film was on the way, and now we know what it’ll be called: Godzilla Minus Zero.
Toho revealed the title at Godzilla Fest in Tokyo with a one-minute video featuring a watery background. Recall that Minus One ended with Godzilla blowing his head off in the middle of the ocean, which began to remake itself as it sunk further and futher down. Takashi Yamazaki, who previously wrote and directed that film and handled its VFX, is back and reprising all three roles for the sequel, and drew its logo.
What does the “Minus Zero” mean? That’s currently a mystery; the press release says to “stay tuned for future updates.” At the moment, we don’t know if we’ll be checking back in with Kōichi and Noriko, the leads of Minus One, or spending time with a new cast of characters. But you can expect the film to jump further in the timeline.
We’ll have more on Godzilla Minus Zero as news comes out. Until then, might be a good time to watch Minus One again in its various formats and wherever it’s streaming.
The Haneda Airport in Japan is getting a kaiju-sized new feature in the form of a big-ass Godzilla installation. The King of the Monsters is packing his bags to move into position at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 as part of a partnership between Toho Co., Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd., and the Tokyo International Air Terminal Corporation.
In 2024, the legendary icon celebrated his 70th anniversary—and the festivities continue with the “Haneda Godzilla Global Project.” The installation will include a few different immersive elements, including artwork decorating the arrival lobby and a statue of Godzilla from the recent Oscar-winning film Godzilla Minus One, also in the arrivals area.
The chonky dino’s biggest impact, though, will be positioned for the benefit of departing travelers. It’s going to be colossal: the statue will measure approximately 131 feet wide and 20 feet high, according to a press release.
Currently, there are only renderings to tease the massive scale of this Godzilla, which will be on display from December 2025 through December 2026. We love a tourist attraction based on the sheer prominence of Godzilla’s glory. Like yes, Godzilla also has to deal with TSA and baggage claim.
We can’t wait to see it all in person before heading off to zipline into Godzilla’s mouth at the Nijigen no Mori Park on Awaji Island—or checking out the new attraction, Godzilla the Ride: Great Clash (directed by Minus One filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki), at Seibuen Amusement Park in Tokorozawa.
Move over South Korea, there’s a new player in the international arena. Japan’s famously risk-averse broadcasters and studios have woken up to the world outside Japan and are making a bold move on the the U.S. and other international markets.
In part inspired by the global success of Korean content, but also aware that their huge domestic market is shrinking as Japan’s population declines, major players such as Toho, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) and Fuji Television realize they need to find a source of revenue elsewhere in order to grow. And with deep libraries of anime, manga, movies, formats and games, they’ve also realized that they’re sitting on huge reservoirs of valuable IP.
Toho was among the first Japanese studios to make international moves, under forward-thinking president and CEO Hiro Matsuoka, taking back some rights to its Godzilla franchise and getting involved in merchandising in the U.S., rather than licensing away all the IP. After self-distributing its Japanese-language Godzilla Minus One in the U.S., the ambitious studio has gained an even firmer footing in the North America market by acquiring leading anime distributor Gkids.
Now the other studios and broadcast networks in Japan are taking note. At the TIFFCOM contents market, which wrapped in Tokyo today, TBS Holdings and Fuji TV both gave presentations on their international expansion plans, which include establishing new U.S. offices and selling and packaging their extensive libraries of IP.
“All these companies are now expending considerable resources on selling their formats and programming so they can increase revenue from outside Japan,” says former Disney Japan executive Harry Tanaka, who has co-founded Studio Muso to help U.S. studios navigate the complex world of Japanese IP. “For the longest time, they neglected that business but now they’re all turning in that direction.”
Tanaka explains that format sales is the first step, but many of these companies are also talking about co-producing and co-investing with international partners to produce English-language content based on their properties, rather than passively licensing to third parties.
During TIFFCOM, TBS Holdings president Masamine Ryuho unveiled an ambitious expansion strategy, involving investment of $1BN (JPY160BN), new offices in Los Angeles and Seoul and the acquisition of New York-based formats licensing group Bellon Entertainment.
“TBS International plans to build a strong sales network in Europe and the U.S. mainly focusing on format sales, while in Korea we will develop new content, mainly dramas and remakes, building a strong foundation in Asia,” Ryuho said.
“In addition, with Tokyo being the hub of global operations, we are building a strategy to enter new markets in Southeast Asia, India, Europe and the Middle East. In order to realize all this growth, we will select business partners and engage in activities such as M&A, cooperative content investment and business alliances.”
TBS International vice president Goshu Segawa, who heads the new LA office, and Bellon Entertainment founder Gregory Bellon also took to the stage to announce expansion plans for Ninja Warrior and other TBS properties in North America. Bellon is TBS’ long-term partner in the exploitation of its Ninja Warrior IP across multiple platforms and markets, which already includes a FAST channel and adventure parks in the UK.
“The key to realizing the potential of these properties it to adapt them for Western audiences,” said Segawa. “And to do so, my ambition is to team up with producers in Hollywood to unlock this potential.”
TBS International has also struck a deal with LeBron James’ Springhill Company to adapt an unscripted format based on the broadcaster’s IP. The company’s Japanese-language content is also going global through shows produced by in-house division The Seven for Netflix, including the third season of sci-fi thriller Alice In Borderland and action fantasy YuYu Hakusho.
Fuji TV also gave updates on its global strategy during TIFFCOM, including collaborations with Thailand’s GMM Studios International, POPS Worldwide in Southeast Asia, and Korea’s Kakao Entertainment and short drama producer Playlist.
Among other projects, Fuji TV is co-producing a Japanese remake of GMM Studios’ drama Girl From Nowhere; co-producing short dramas with Playlist and Kakao, leveraging the latter’s experience in webtoons; and co-producing and handling international distribution of kids’ short music content with POPS Worldwide.
“By co-creating with overseas studios and platforms, we will develop IP that will be accepted around the world,” said Koji Ishii, Fuji TV senior executive director and Head of Content Business Strategy. “We will also develop IP that can be used globally, such as video adaptations from webtoons and licensing business from short animations. By exploring new areas and co-creating with new partners, we will expand the IP business market from Japan to the entire world.”
While it didn’t make a presentation at TIFFCOM, Toei also recently announced a global expansion strategy, which includes production of content aimed at international audiences, with a focus on Southeast Asia, Chinese-speaking territories and the U.S.
Nippon Television has been expanding its international business for several years, mostly through format sales of both scripted and unscripted properties, including its female-focused drama series Mother, which has so far been acquired for local-language remakes in 11 countries, with recent deals including Greece and the Philippines.
Other factors driving these expansion plans – the emergence of the streamers, providing a global distribution platform for both English and Japanese-language content, which has been behind the phenomenal growth in anime consumption over the past few years.
There’s also been a changing of the guard at the Japanese studios with more internationally focused executives such as Toho’s Matsuoka and Toei’s Noriyuki Tada taking over and shaking up previously conservative and insular companies.
And with ever-increasing demand for new stories and ideas to fill the pipelines of global streamers and studios, the interest appears to be reciprocated, at least from the U.S.
“One of the reasons I’m doing this business is because I saw increasing demand for Japanese ideas,” says Tanaka, who is working with TBS, Japanese publisher Shueisha and other players to identify and secure Japanese IP for the U.S.
“Marketwise, maybe it’s still China or India, but when it comes to ideas and projects we find that many U.S. executives already have an affinity with Japanese culture. The issues have been that, due to geographical distance, language barriers and the closed, conservative nature of Japanese studios, they haven’t been able to access or communicate with that culture in the way that they wanted.”
Fans of Godzilla Minus One, it took longer than usual but we have fantastic news. The Oscar-winning monster movie is finally available to pre-order as a region-free physical disc that includes English subtitles, a feature missing from an earlier version.
The disc is available on Godzilla.com and comes with a 4K, a Blu-ray, special features, and so much more. You can read the full description at the site but for now, let’s just marvel at a few of the images.
Godzilla Minus One 4K and Blu-ray – Toho
Godzilla Minus One 4K and Blu-ray – Toho
Godzilla Minus One 4K and Blu-ray – Toho
Godzilla Minus One 4K and Blu-ray – Toho
There’s no specific release date yet but it’s expected to ship in September. Basically, this is the exact same release that was available in Japan earlier this year, but now includes English subtitles and menus.
After Godzilla Minus One broke all sorts of box office records in the U.S., and won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects, a few months passed where it was impossible to see the film anywhere, legally. Eventually, Netflix fixed that and put it on its service but collectors out there have been clamoring for an edition to hold in their hands. Now they have it. Again, here’s the preorder link.
Here at io9, we love Godzilla Minus One. We also love very cool art. And we especially love very cool Godzilla Minus One art. So it’s a good job Toho is getting ready to release some of the film’s most glorious official posters for us to plaster our walls with—and we’ve got your first look.
io9 can exclusively reveal four new Godzilla Minus One posters coming this Thursday, June 20, to the U.S. Godzilla store—bringing familiar art with a new twist, and home access to some of the swankiest official posters dropped during the film’s titanic run at the box office.
The new drop includes four releases: the “Destruction” poster, depicting Godzilla looking over the ruins of Ginza, in a lenticular format created with the poster experts at Bottleneck Gallery; the U.S. and Japanese theatrical posters for the film’s black-and-white re-release as Minus One/Minus Color; and the “For Your Consideration” poster used as part of Minus One’s successful Oscar nomination campaign earlier this year.
All four posters will be available exclusively through the U.S. Godzilla store starting at 12 p.m. PT tomorrow, June 20—click through to take a look and get more details!
The distributor Toho International said it’s been adding screens this week due to marketplace demand. It will be playing the film by Takashi Yamazaki in 2,540 locations (up from 2,308).
Godzilla Minus One made over $11.4 million at its North America opening, beating Godzilla 2000: Millennium ($10 million) and current title-holder The Adventures of Milo & Otis (a comedy adventure featuring an orange tabby cat named Milo and a pug Otis), which grossed $14.1 million in 1989 and a 1990 re-release.
Godzilla Minus Zero is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes at 97% with critics (read Deadline’s review here) and 98% with audiences.
The biggest foreign opening this year was Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba, which opened to $10.1 million in March.
Yamazaki also wrote the screenplay and served as director of VFX. “I am happy that Godzilla, of all characters, has eclipsed a record that had not been broken for a long time. Looking back, I think that the cast and crew were all working on the film with the same goal in mind: to make something entertaining! That is what led to such a wonderful result. I will always remember this,” he said in a statement provided by Toho.
“Toho’s iconic movie monster Godzilla remains a screen idol some 70 years after first appearing in theaters,” said Comscore’s Paul Degarabedian. “This exciting and original take on the Godzilla mythology has captivated audiences and critics alike with its impressive VFX imagery, bold filmmaking style and the box office result reflects the enthusiastic moviegoer response to the film.”
If, like me, you’re making your way toward Anime Expo, the self-proclaimed “largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America” this coming weekend (yes, the Otaku of Kotaku will be there!), you may be feeling overwhelmed. But fear not! If you have no earthly idea what must-see events the great congregation of weebs has in store for you or how to make the most of your precious time during the expo, here’s a helpful guide to all the biggest panels at the four-day convention.
Disney’s New Post-Apocalyptic Anime Proves The Mouse Has Good Taste
Anime Expo, which takes place from July 1 to July 4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, revealed a cavalcade of anime trailers and info on highly anticipated series like Chainsaw Man, Mob Psycho 100, and Trigun Stampede during last year’s event. This year’s convention is looking to maintain that energy with many must-see events as well. While the offerings at this year’s expo include listening to live music from DJ Diesel (that’s Shaq btw), samurai sword training, and discussing the LGBTQ+ themes in Sailor Moon, this list will only cover where and when big-name anime studios will host panels and chat with visitors.
It should also be noted that, while last year’s expo ultimately did require proof of covid vaccination or a negative test result, this year those requirements have been dropped, according to the event’s health and safety guidelines.Anime Expo, however, “strongly recommended” attendees get vaccinations and/or booster shots before attending and wear face masks while inside the Los Angeles Convention Center. Without further ado, here’s your definitive itinerary guide to the biggest panels at Anime Expo.
Image: Anime Expo /Kotaku
July 1
Welcoming Ceremony
Where: Main Events
When: 10:30-11:20 a.m.
Bungo Stray Dogs Panel
What’s Happening: Bungo Stray Dogs creator Kafka Asagiri talks about how he went about crafting the popular mystery manga series.
Where: JW-Platinum
When: 11 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead World Premiere
What’s Happening: The world premiere of the anime adaptation of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, which premieres on Hulu and Netflix on July 9.
Where: Petree Hall
When: 12:30-1:50 p.m.
Bandai Namco Panel
What’s Happening: Bandai Namco Filmworks, known for making anime like Mobile Suit Gundam and Cowboy Bebop, reveals news on its upcoming anime shows “and more.”
Where: Panel Room 408 AB
When: 2-2:50 pm
Netflix J-Content Presentation
What’s Happening: Netflix provides new info on anime like Pluto, Pokémon Concierge, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, and the final season of Beastars featuring producers of those respective shows during its “From Japan to the World” presentation.
Where: Main Events
When: 3:15-4:05 p.m.
Toho Panel
What’s Happening: Toho hosts a lineup of panels featuring industry professionals from anime series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Spy x Family, and My Hero Academia.
Where: Petree Hall
When: 2:30-3:50 p.m.
Screenshot: Trigger / Kotaku
Studio Trigger Panel
What’s Happening: Studio Trigger is presenting the world premiere of the first episode of its upcoming series Delicious in Dungeon and a first look at a new anime from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners director, Hiroyuki Imashi.
Where: Main Events
When: 1:45-2:35 p.m.
Mappa Panel
What’s Happening: Mappa CEO Manabu Otsuka and producer Makoto Kimura will discuss behind-the-scenes info on its upcoming anime shows.
Where: JW Marriott Ballroom
When: 3-3:50 p.m.
The Ancient Magus Bride Season 2 Panel
What’s Happening: Studio Kafka will be hosting live drawing, cosplay, and behind-the-scenes discussion events as well as the premiere of Ancient Magus Bride season 2’s first episode.
Where: Panel Room 408 AB
When: 3:30-4:50 p.m.
Spy x Family Panel
What’s Happening: Crunchyroll is hosting a panel with voice actor Takuya Eguchi, who plays Loid Forger in Spy x Family’s Japanese cast.
Where: LA Convention Center Main Events Hall
When: 5-5:50 p.m.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Panel
What’s Happening: Voice actors Chiaki Kobayashi and Alek Le, the Japanese and English voices of protagonist Mash, respectively, discuss the first season of the anime.
What’s Happening: World premiere of NieR: Automata creator Yoko Taro’s new anime KamiErabi GOD.app by Studio Bones.
Where: 403 AB
When: 10-11:30 a.m.
Mappa x Crunchyroll Panel
What’s Happening: Mappa discusses and gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at popular anime titles like Jujutsu Kaisen.
Where: JW-Platinum
When: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dark Horse Manga Panel
What’s Happening: Dark Horse reveals new releases and answers questions about manga series like Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Mob Psycho 100, and Berserk.
Where: 408 AB
When: 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
Screenshot: Production I.G. / Adult Swim / Kotaku
Production I.G x Wit Panel
What’s Happening: Production I.G and Wit present information about shows like the highly anticipated anime adaptation of horror creator Junji Ito’s Uzumaki.
Where: Main Events
When: 12-12:50 p.m.
Warner Bros. Japan Anime Panel
What’s Happening: Warner Bros. hosts panels for the new seasons of Record of Ragnarok and Bastard!!!- Heavy Metal Dark Fantasy.
Where: 408 AB
When: 1-2:20 p.m.
Undead Unlock Panel
What’s Happening: TMS Entertainment gives fans a first look at the anime adaptation of Undead Unlock featuring the Japanese voice actors for Shen and Fuuko Izumo.
Where: Main Events
When: 1:30-2:20 p.m.
Studio Bones 25th Anniversary Panel
What’s Happening: Studio Bones president Masahiko Minami and Cowboy Bebop character designer Toshihiro Kawamoto reveal new info on their upcoming cyberpunk anime, Metallic Rouge, as well as discuss some of their earlier work.
Where: JW-Platinum
When: 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Yoshitaka Amano Panel
What’s Happening: A panel with legendary Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano, featuring a live drawing, a discussion of his work, and the announcement of an upcoming anime project
Where: Petree Hall
When: 2:40-3:30 p.m.
Jujutsu Kaisen Panel
What’s Happening: Crunchyroll hosts a panel discussing behind-the-scenes info on the previous and upcoming season of Jujutsu Kaisen with the team behind the show.
Where: Main Events
When: 3-3:50 p.m.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Panel
What’s Happening: Aniplex producer Yuma Takahashi and the Japanese voice actors for Demon Slayer’s Tanjiro Kamado and Muichiro Tokito discuss the anime’s latest season, the Swordsmith Village Arc.
Where: Main Events
When: 4:30-5:50 p.m.
VIZ Official Industry Panel
What’s Happening: Masakazu Morita,the Japanese voice actor for Bleach’s Ichigo Kurosaki, joins Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead artist Kotaro Takata to discuss the upcoming seasons of their shows.
Where: 408 AB
When: 4:30-5:20 p.m.
SEGA Presents: Dragons of Japan
What’s Happening: RGG Studio hosts an hour-long panel about the upcoming Like a Dragon game featuring producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto, and the English and Japanese voice actors for Kiryu Kazuma.
Where: Petree Hall
When: 5:30-6:20 p.m.
Premieres
July 3
Persona 5 Tactica Panel
What’s Happening: Atlus West and Persona 5 Tactica voice actors give fans a closer look at the upcoming turn-based spin-off.
Where: Petree Hall
When: 10-10:50 a.m.
Warner Bros. Japan x Wit Studio Panel
What’s Happening: Warner Bros. Japan and Wit Studio reveal a “mysterious brand-new anime project” that it promises will blow fans’ minds. It’s apparently an isekai show.
Where: JW-Platinum
When: 10-10:50 a.m.
Aniplex of America x A-1 Pictures Panel
What’s Happening: Aniplex of America and A-1 Pictures reveal their lineup of anime for 2023 and some behind-the-scenes production info.
Where: Petree Hall
When: 11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Panel
What’s Happening: Viz Media celebrates the release of the second part of Bleach’s final season with Masakazu Morita, the Japanese voice actor for Ichigo Kurosaki.
Where: Petree Hall
When: 1:30-2:50 p.m.
Crunchyroll Industry Panel
What’s Happening: Crunchyroll announces new info about new and upcoming anime to the streamer.
Where: Petree Hall
When: 3:30-4:50 p.m.
Hi-Fi Rush Panel
What’s Happening:Hi-Fi Rush game director John Johanas and voice actors discuss developing Tango Gameworks’ rhythm action game.
Where: 403 AB
When: 3:30-4:20 p.m.
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 Panel
What’s Happening: Aniplex Producer Masami Niwa and Yamada voice actor Koki Uchiyama talk about the rom-com gaming anime’s first season.
Where: JW-Platinum
When: 4:30-6 p.m.
Persona 3 Reload Panel
What’s Happening: Atlus West gives players a behind-the-scenes peek at the remake of its beloved RPG series.
Where: Petree Hall
When: 7-7:50 p.m.
Shin Megami Tensei 35th Anniversary
What’s Happening: Atlus looks back on the past games and gives players a “glimpse into the future” of its RPG series.
Where: 411
When: 7-8:20 p.m.
Premieres
Screenshot: Toei Animation / DandeLion Animation Studio / Kotaku
July 4
Undead Unlock Auditions
What’s Happening: TMS Entertainment and Bang Zoom! Studios host open auditions for visitors to land a role in its upcoming anime, Undead Unlock.
Where: Main Events
When:10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Horimiya: The Missing Pieces Panel
What’s Happening: Crunchyroll hosts a panel for the rom-com spin-off of Horimiya featuring the anime’s director and Izumi Miyamura voice actor Kouki Uchiyama and a sneak peek at the first episode.
Where: 408 AB
When: 10:30 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
Closing Ceremony
Where: Main Events
When: 4-5 p.m.
Premieres
Kotaku is covering everything at Anime Expo 2023, including big announcements at panels and exclusive one-on-one interviews with the industry’s biggest creators. Whether you’re a seasoned anime fan or a newbie, you can keep up with all things Anime Expo 2023 here.
