Hello and welcome!
Today, we’re diving into another exciting entry in the Godzilla All Movie Collector’s Box series. We’re taking an in-depth look at my second and last box, which is Volume 23, centering around the 1984 film “Godzilla”, known internationally as The Return of Godzilla and in the U.S. as Godzilla 1985.
Before we delve into the contents, it’s worth mentioning that while Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956) and Godzilla 2000 have their own collector’s boxes, Godzilla 1985 does not. The absence is due to ongoing legal issues with New World Pictures, which makes a collector’s box for the 1985 version unlikely. However, I still hold out hope for an official DVD or Blu-ray release of this film in the near future.
Let’s start with the box itself. The cover art features a still of Godzilla battling the Super X, with
the DVD box logo prominently displayed in the top left corner. Just below that is a promotion for an exclusive Greenman T-shirt, which could only be won via lottery by purchasing issues 21 to 25 consecutively. This shirt was limited to just 100 winners; hopefully they found great homes!
The top right corner of the box displays a dramatic subtitle: “Just as I thought, he’s alive! Will
he swallow Japan or destroy the Earth? 80 meters, 50,000 tons, Godzilla The Giant Monster that
tears the archipelago apart!” This quote sets the tone for the epic content inside.
The middle of the box features the movie’s logo, with a list of the contents displayed at the bottom.
Flipping the box over, you’ll find some historical context about the film:
“Godzilla”
“During the hiatus following the release of ‘Terror of Mechagodzilla’ in 1975, plans for a new Godzilla film were repeatedly considered in Japan between 1977 and 1980 under the title ‘Godzilla’s Resurrection’. Then, in 1984, the 30th anniversary of the release of the firm film in 1954, the remake was restarted after a nine-year hiatus. It made a comeback under the same title as the first film, ‘Godzilla’. Following the trend of Toho’s special effects disaster movies after ‘Japan Sinks’, (Submersion of Japan), it returned as the first Toho monster movie of the New Year, with a focus on reality, with specialists from various fields of the time invited as special staff members. The use of a gigantic computer-controlled ‘Cyber Godzilla’ measuring 4.8 meters also attracted attention.”
Theater Pamphlet Reproduction
As with Volume 1, the first item you’ll find when you open the box is a reproduction of the
original theater pamphlet. It’s stapled to the box, just like in previous volumes, making it a
permanent part of the set.
Promotional Flyer
Next up is a promotional flyer, which isn’t technically part of the set, but it advertises
brochures and binders designed to store your collections from various volumes.
B2 Poster
This volume includes a high-quality reproduction of the theatrical poster, measuring
72.8cm x 51.5cm. Unlike the more paper-like finish of the 1954 poster, this one has a
glossy finish, adding to its appeal.
B1 Poster
The real highlight is the B1 poster, featuring stunning artwork by Noriyoshi Ohrai. This teaser
poster is massive, measuring 103cm x 72.8cm, and it’s one of the largest posters in my
collection.
Godzilla vs. Biollante’ Flyer
A promotional flyer for Godzilla vs. Biollante is also included, serving as a teaser for Volume 24
of the series. Feel free to translate the text for more details!
Gamera vs. Godzilla
For a bit of fun, there’s a reprint of an article from an April 1981 issue of TV Magazine titled
“Who’s Stronger? Dream Showdown: Gamera vs. Godzilla.” This nostalgic piece takes you back
to a time when fans dreamed of these two titans clashing, showcasing the capabilities of each
kaiju—Gamera’s ability to fly fast versus Godzilla’s more limited flying abilities, etc.
Check out MyKaiju’s Translation on it!
The Mysterious Adventure Manga: The Last Godzilla
The final printed piece is a reprint of an Omoshiro Book from October 1957, titled The Mysterious Adventure Manga: The Last Godzilla. For more on this manga, be sure to check out Toho Kingdom’s review.
The DVD
Oh, don’t think I forgot about the DVD! Once again it’s Region 2, so I can’t show you anything
in the disc.
But from what it shows, we have:
● Main Movie: The Return of Godzilla (1984)
● Episodes of Go! Godman:
○ Godman vs. Ostotam Part 1-3
○ Godman vs. Elephander Part 1-3
○ Godman vs. Wolflar Part 1-2
○ Godman vs. Wolflar and Gejilba Part 1-2
○ Godman vs. Gejilba Part 1-2
● Episodes 109-113 of Godzilla Island:
○ Episode 109: Friendship that Breaks Rocks
○ Episode 110: SOS G-Guard
○ Episode 111: Secret Maneuver
○ Episode 112: Invitation from Kamacuras
○ Episode 113: Disarray of Unity
● Monster Planet of Godzilla (1994) Short:
○ While it’s not presented in its original 3D format, this short is still a cool addition.
And there you have it! These boxes are must-haves for any Tokusatsu fan, offering a blend of
nostalgia, exclusive content, and high-quality collectibles/reproductions. Do you have any
collector’s boxes in your collection? If so, which ones? Let us know in the comments below, and
share your experiences with fellow fans! Thank you for reading! Hope to come back soon with
more goodies for you guys! Stay tuned for my YouTube channel. The best is yet to come! Bye!
