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December 24, 2025
I like 'monsters' more than 'emotions'! The mythical monster Terraincognita appears as a sofubi figure. Interview with Director Minoru Kawasaki of the film 'Kaiju Tengoku' | MEDICOM TOY
MEDICOM TOY | MEDICOM TOY
Terraincognita (Kaiju Tengoku Edition)
A boy and a monster's strange friendship, a grand battle of 22 great monsters shaking the universe! A gem of a fantasy for monster kids worldwide. Minoru Kawasaki's latest film, 'Kaiju Tengoku,' starring Tomoya Warabino from 'Ultraman Blazer,' is set to be released on Friday, January 23, 2026. MEDICOM TOY will be holding a lottery sale for a sofubi figure of the mythical monster 'Terraincognita' that appears in the film. To commemorate this, we interviewed Director Kawasaki about his thoughts on the film 'Kaiju Tengoku,' the monsters appearing in it, and his enduring love for monsters.
Text by SHINNO Kunihiko | Photographs by NAGAO Masashi | Edit by TOMIYAMA Eizaburo
Even During the Star Wars Craze, Monsters Were Our Top Priority
Director Minoru Kawasaki began making 8mm films in his university film club. His first monster film, 'Futo' (77), featured a giant tofu monster cornered in Korakuen Stadium (now Tokyo Dome) and defeated by being made into a hot pot – a bizarre story that foreshadowed his later work 'Kaiju Gourmet' (20).
KawasakiThe seniors directed 'Futo,' and I was in charge of special effects, art, sculpting, and scriptwriting. When I entered university, the Godzilla and Ultraman series had both ended, creating a void. Monster films were looked down upon as 'not for adults.' It was around then that Hiroshi Takeuchi formed the 'Kaiju Club' (Note 1), and their features on Ultraman in Shogakukan's youth magazine 'GORO' (Note 2), along with Asahi Sonorama's Fantastic Collection 'The Wonderful World of Ultraman,' finally brought monsters back into the spotlight.
(Note 1) A pioneering Japanese research group for kaiju and special effects, formed in 1975 at the call of Hiroshi Takeuchi. In 2017, a drama series inspired by the group, 'Kaiju Club ~Fantasy Special Effects Youth Chronicle~' (MBS), was broadcast.
(Note 2) The feature 'Ultraman Encyclopedia' in Shogakukan's youth magazine 'GORO' dated September 8, 1977, triggered the third monster boom, primarily centered around print media.
Minoru Kawasaki | kawasaki.minoru
Born in 1958. From Tokyo. Film director. Representative of Reverb Top production company. Gained attention for self-producing 8mm films during his time at Meiji University. His commercial directorial works include 'Girl of the Iron Defense Iko' (87), 'Ika Wrestler' (04), 'All Nippon Sinks' (06), 'The Great Monster War: The Battle for Lake Toya Summit' (08), 'Assault! Neighboring UFO' (23), 'Tomoko Matsushima's Shark Game' (24), and 'High School Sixty-Year-Olds' (25). A 'master of absurd films' who consistently creates special effects comedy works. On January 27, 2026, the novel 'Sixth Grader,' by Naoki Prize winner Minato Shikawa, based on the director's life, is scheduled for release.
Born in 1958. From Tokyo. Film director. Representative of Reverb Top production company. Gained attention for self-producing 8mm films during his time at Meiji University. His commercial directorial works include 'Girl of the Iron Defense Iko' (87), 'Ika Wrestler' (04), 'All Nippon Sinks' (06), 'The Great Monster War: The Battle for Lake Toya Summit' (08), 'Assault! Neighboring UFO' (23), 'Tomoko Matsushima's Shark Game' (24), and 'High School Sixty-Year-Olds' (25). A 'master of absurd films' who consistently creates special effects comedy works. On January 27, 2026, the novel 'Sixth Grader,' by Naoki Prize winner Minato Shikawa, based on the director's life, is scheduled for release.
KawasakiWhen 'Star Wars' was released in Japan in 1978 and the whole world shifted its attention, we still prioritized monsters. No matter how much George Lucas or Steven Spielberg were hyped, Toho's special effects films like 'The H-Man' (57) and 'Battle in Outer Space' (59) had already done it all.
So, I felt that Japanese traditional entertainment was superior. For us 'Tsuburaya Children,' Eiji Tsuburaya is a god, so I continue to work with monster suits with Japanese pride. Well, it's also because I don't have money (laughs). Nowadays, everything is full CG, but we old-timers need something tangible. Isn't MEDICOM TOY so popular worldwide because you can 'touch' their products? While most people are probably satisfied with digital data now, we're like the Galapagos.
(Note 3) Special Effects Director [1901 - 1970]. Known as the 'Father of Special Effects' for his work on films like 'Godzilla' (54), maximizing techniques such as miniature work and screen process. In 1963, he founded Tsuburaya Productions (now Tsuburaya Productions) and launched the TV series 'Ultra Q,' 'Ultraman,' and 'Ultra Seven.'
KawasakiI'm from the direct Ultraman generation, but the generation slightly older than me is the Godzilla generation. Those who insisted that Godzilla shouldn't do the 'Shē' pose (Note 4). When Ultraman fought the monster Bemular in the first episode, if the zipper on his back was visible, those older fans would only say, 'The zipper is showing.' But we, as kids, thought, 'What are they talking about! The zipper is showing, but it's amazing!' That's actually the theme of the current film 'Kaiju Tengoku.'
(Note 4) The 'Shē' pose, performed by the character Iyami from Fujio Akatsuka's manga 'Osomatsu-kun' serialized in the 1960s, became a social phenomenon. Godzilla even performed it in the movie 'Invasion of Astro-Monster' (65), sparking debate.
If 'Destroy All Monsters' featured 11 monsters, ours has 22!
KawasakiTo briefly explain the story: there's a fourth-grade boy who truly believes monsters exist. He goes to watch a pro-wrestling group called 'Kaiju Pro-Wrestling' (Note 5). While peeking into the backstage area, he sees a man emerge from a monster costume by unzipping it. Shocked, he runs home crying. That's where the story begins. Pretty good, right? (laughs). On his way home, feeling dejected by the Sumida River, a real monster suddenly appears. The boy tries to open its zipper but can't find it. In the end, he ends up taking the real monster home with him.
(Note 5) An entertainment pro-wrestling organization founded by Yaguchi Thunder, where monsters and UMA engage in fierce battles.
Kawasaki'Kaiju Tengoku' was originally conceived as a festival film for monster fans. Around the time 'Ultra Q' (Note 6) was airing, director Akio Jissoji filmed a documentary about Eiji Tsuburaya called 'Modern Protagonists: The Man Behind Ultra Q' (aired June 2, 1966). In it, the 'Ultra Q' monsters M1 and Lagon visit Tsuburaya's home and ask, 'What should we do now?' Tsuburaya then replies, 'Perhaps a 'Kaiju Heaven' might be possible someday.'
Later, Jissoji wrote a script for 'Ultra Seven' that would have involved a 'monster warehouse' (Note 8) containing all the finished monster suits after filming, but it was rejected. If it had been realized, it would have been a dream project for monster fans. I'm just doing it myself now (laughs).
I saw Toho's 9th Godzilla film, 'Destroy All Monsters' (68), at the Nichigeki theater when it was released. That one boasted 11 monsters, right? Ours has double that, 22 monsters (laughs).
(Note 6) A special effects TV drama broadcast for 27 episodes on the TBS network from January 2 to July 3, 1966.
(Note 7) Film director and producer [1937 - 2006]. After joining TBS, he was active in special effects works such as 'Ultraman.' After leaving, he worked extensively in films like 'Teito Monogatari,' commercials, stage productions, novels, and opera direction.
(Note 8) A place where monster and hero suits, no longer in use, were stored in Kinuta, Soshigaya Okura, where Tsuburaya Productions' first headquarters was located.
Monsters that have appeared in Director Kawasaki's previous works are all featured. It's no exaggeration to say that the fact these suits were stored in good condition made this project possible.
KawasakiI have my own 'monster warehouse' in Kōta Town, Aichi Prefecture. In 2022, I filmed 'Super Fusion God Hikozā' for a local revitalization project in Kōta Town. It's about a descendant of Kōta Town's hero, Hikozō Ōkubo, transforming into a male-female fusion robot (laughs). I've made three such absurd films (Note 9) so far, and I've donated the suits to Kōta Town. There's no place to store them in Tokyo.
(Note 9) 'Super Fusion God Hikozā' (22), 'Assault! Neighboring UFO' (23), 'Cyborg Isshin Tasuke' (24).
This film features the new monsters 'Mamitora,' an original creation by the figure manufacturer Marmit; 'Bigmon,' a new monster by popular creator GYAROMI; and the 1970s mythical monster 'Terraincognita.'
KawasakiMamitora is an original monster created by Kazumitsu Akamatsu of Marmit, and its sofubi figure was released 20 years ago. It has a tanuki face and a Baragon body, and Akio Jissoji was very fond of it. He wrote in his essay serialized in 'Figure King' magazine at the time, 'Perhaps Kawasaki should film this.' I'll be reprinting that article in the 'Kaiju Tengoku' pamphlet, and that's how Mamitora became the starring monster this time.
This face, doesn't it look a bit like 'Majestic Beast Booska' (Note 10)? Essentially, Booska belongs to the lineage of 'Obake no Q-taro.' Chronologically, it's like Q-taro, Booska, Doraemon – the pattern of an intruder appearing in a child's daily life, becoming a houseguest, and causing chaotic fun every day is my favorite (laughs). Based on the story of the boy and Mamitora, I decided to include Terraincognita as well, as other strange visitors would appear.
(Note 10) A special effects TV drama broadcast for 47 episodes from November 9, 1966, to September 27, 1967. It depicts the comical disturbances caused by the monster Booska and the boys, including Daizaku Tonden, who loves inventing.
KawasakiGYAROMI, who is currently very popular for their Cthulhu-oid series, designed the enemy character 'Condroid' for the third Kōta Town film, 'Cyborg Isshin Tasuke.' GYAROMI also loves monsters, and together we created a new monster called 'Bigmon' for this project.
Last year (2024), I was invited to a film festival in Vic, Spain (FESTIVAL NITS DE CINEMA ORIENTAL DE VIC) and received an award. Spain also has its own monsters, and I drew inspiration from them. I then incorporated elements from Daimon in 'Daimon the Monster,' (68) and Hyakume from 'Akuma-kun,' setting them as the strongest monsters to shake the universe. It's similar to Geronimon in 'Ultraman,' you know. It's a work I've unofficially dedicated to Director Tsuburaya and Director Jissoji.
'Kaiju Tengoku' is a work I've unofficially dedicated to Director Tsuburaya and Director Jissoji.
Terraincognita, a "mythical monster" born in a 1972 TV program, is known among fans and is now being released as a sofubi figure with new sculpting by ZOLLMEN for MEDICOM TOY for the first time in about 15 years.
KawasakiTerraincognita was created by Shinsuke Sanba for the variety show 'Chibikko Special,' which aired Sundays at 7 PM on Tokyo Channel 12 (now TV Tokyo) from 1971 to 1972. The face is said to be modeled after the legendary Go player Yasuharu Oyama (Note 12). The reason it's considered mythical is that no one has ever seen it in motion.
'Chibikko Special' aired opposite 'Silver Kamen' (TBS) and 'Mirrorman' (Fuji TV), so naturally, all the kids watched those. Although it was apparently set as a dinosaur-human in the show, it likely never made it into a drama. There's a photo of it confronting Toho's monster Gabara, probably from a minor scuffle in the studio. It was a casual thing. Then it was forgotten for a long time, until 2004 when a manga by Reijiro Kato about a quest for mythical monsters began serialization in the magazine 'Tokusatsu Ace' (Note 13).
(Note 11) Comedian, actor, and host [1930 - 1982]. A representative TV star of the Showa era, known for his work with the Tentenpuku Trio. His signature gag was 'Bikkuri shita naa, moo!' (I was so surprised!).
(Note 12) Yasuharu Oyama. Go player [1923 - 1992]. A giant of the Go world who set numerous records, including 1,433 wins and 781 losses, 50 consecutive title match appearances, and 44 seasons in A-class, leaving behind many famous games and players.
(Note 13) Reijiro Kato's manga 'Searching for the Mythical Monster Terraincognita' (2004-2005), serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's magazine 'Tokusatsu Ace.' Medicom Toy's president, Seki, also provided information at the time. Reijiro Kato, born in 1966, is a manga artist. He is a longtime friend of Director Minoru Kawasaki and has appeared in his films. In 2005, he designed the costumes for Akio Jissoji's opera 'The Magic Flute.'
KawasakiI investigated the rights holders extensively, but found nothing. I then contacted Shinsuke Sanba II, the son of Shinsuke Sanba. He readily agreed, saying, 'Sure, do whatever you want. No one will complain.' So, I incorporated it into the story, but how it's integrated is something to discover when you watch the movie.
This suit was made by a special effects artist named Kaji Yasunobu, who lives in Ishikawa Prefecture. He's an absolute genius. He's created the suits for my recent works like 'Kaiju Gourmet' (20) and others. With geniuses like him, I can barely manage to make movies. 'Kaiju' has truly become a world-class Japanese culture, hasn't it? The word 'KAIJU' appears as is in Guillermo del Toro's 'Pacific Rim' (13), and Eiji Tsuburaya received an award in America (Note 14). 'Kaiju Tengoku' is a film I've unofficially dedicated to Director Tsuburaya and Director Jissoji, and that dedication appears as a subtitle at the beginning of the film. Dedicating it is my prerogative, no matter what anyone says (laughs).
(Note 14) In 2025, he will be the first Japanese person to receive the Hall of Fame, a lifetime achievement award from the Visual Effects Society (VES) in the United States.
MEDICOM TOY is amazing for releasing a sofubi of such an obscure monster!
KawasakiYou know Hideaki Anno's 'Return of Ultraman' (Note 15)? Before that, I made '√Ultraman Seven ~After Wandering~' (79), the world's first copycat Ultraman film. The '√' (root) is a humble pun, implying it's smaller than the real Seven (laughs). The actual Ultraman appears in it.
(Note 15) 'Return of Ultraman: The Launch Order of Matt Arrow 1' is an 8mm film created for DAICON4, the 1983 Japan SF Convention. Hideaki Anno served as general director and played Ultraman.
KawasakiAt that time, Tsuburaya Productions would rent out their monster suits to the public, not just for attractions. The Ultraman suits for attractions had yellow eyes, so we couldn't use those. We went to the monster warehouse to look. I had been visiting Tsuburaya Productions since I was in junior high school.
We found suits that had actually been used in filming. The real ones, worn by suit actor Koji Jonishi. The person in charge of the Tsuburaya warehouse said, 'Is this worn-out one okay? Then, 5,000 yen is fine.' So, we rented it for a week for 5,000 yen and shot the film. The Ultra Guard helmets are also real, though battered.
Back then, props were just thrown away after filming, so people like me, Tomoo Haraguchi (Note 16), and Yuji Nishimura of M1号 often received discarded items. They said, 'You can take it,' so I took the MJ suit (Note 17). It was made of iron and 2 meters long. Tsuburaya Productions is about a 20-minute walk from Soshigaya Okura Station, but I carried it alone like a surfboard and took it home on the Odakyu Line (laughs). We took those fragments of dreams and made a copycat Ultraman Seven film.
(Note 16) Born in 1960. He frequented Toho Studios and Tsuburaya Productions from a young age and joined the 'Kaiju Club' in high school as the youngest member. He has worked on numerous projects as a special effects makeup artist and special effects director, including the 'Heisei Gamera Series' (1995-1999), and as a special effects director and director for 'Ultraman Mebius' (2006-2007). He currently runs the bar 'BAR KAIJU-CLUB HATAGAYA.'
(Note 17) A giant flying and submersible battleship that appeared in the Tsuburaya Productions' sci-fi special effects TV series 'Mighty Jack' and 'Fight! Mighty Jack,' broadcast in 1968.
Kawasaki'√Ultraman Seven ~After Wandering~' was the first film where Tomoo Haraguchi (Note 18) created aliens. A photo of Haraguchi making the aliens for '√Ultraman Seven' is featured in the magazine 'Subarashiki Tokusatsu Eizo no Sekai' (Asahi Sonorama), a special issue of Manga Shonen published in 1979. Well, it was an 8mm film made by students, so the quality aside, it's historically valuable, isn't it? Incidentally, an article about 'Futo' was also published in the same issue of 'Subarashiki Tokusatsu Eizo no Sekai,' written by Saki Seizaki, who passed away this year. Thanks to people like them, we can continue making these absurd films. I'm grateful.
(Note 18) Writer, editor [1952 - 2025]. While publishing the fanzine 'Fushisha Gahō' (The Undead Pictorial) on bizarre sci-fi films, he joined the 'Kaiju Club.' He planned and edited for Asahi Sonorama's 'Fantastic Collection' and 'Uchu Senkan.' He was active in various fields with his extensive knowledge.
Finally, we asked for his impressions upon seeing the finished product of the newly released "Terraincognita (Kaiju Tengoku Edition)."
KawasakiWow, ZOLLMEN is incredible. It's so well-made. They even added fur to the limbs, recreating the suit Kaji made for the film almost exactly. And Seki, who decided to release this, is also amazing (laughs). Reijiro Kato has drawn the included display card, so it's quite luxurious in that sense too.
So... this interview might be interesting for otaku, but completely incomprehensible to the general public (laughs). But it's also a form of reflection. The excitement I felt as a child remains the same. If I were to put it poetically, it's the 'heart of a boy.' Nowadays, with the internet and Ultraman available onstreamingservices, age is irrelevant. People who say, 'Are you still watching that?' are the ones who seem out of touch now.
I don't really like making my own films about 'emotion.' I prefer 'monsters' over 'emotion' (laughs). I'll continue to make strange films without giving up, but first, I want 'Kaiju Tengoku' to be a hit, and then I'd like to ask President Seki for more projects.
Terraincognita (Kaiju Tengoku Edition)
Sculptor | ZOLLMEN
Size | Approx. 400mm in height
Sales Method | Lottery sale period: Wednesday, December 24, 2025, 0:00 to Saturday, January 10, 2026, 23:59 at MCT TOKYO
Release Date | Scheduled for February 2026 shipping
Price | ¥132,000 (incl. tax)
※For details, please visit www.medicomtoy.co.jp.
※The sample shown is under supervision. The actual product may differ slightly.
© Shinsuke Sanba Memorial Hall
Kaiju Tengoku
Director | Minoru Kawasaki
Starring | Tomoya Warabino, Hiroaki Kuroiwa, Nene Shida, Hitomi Maruta, Okada Izzy, Shinsuke Sanba II, and others
Release Date | Friday, January 23, 2026, at Ikebukuro Cinema Rosa, Human Trust Cinema Shibuya, and other theaters nationwide
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