First and foremost, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jacob Lyngle for giving me the opportunity to cover this event! If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have had the chance to be part of such an incredible experience. It truly means a lot. Thank you, Jacob!
You know the saying, “They grow up so fast?” Kaiju Brooklyn is living proof of that. From its humble beginnings on October 7th, 2023, with a single vendor hall, to what we saw this year: a sprawling, air-conditioned convention floor with over 60 vendors, it’s nothing short of inspiring. You can take a look back at the previous events in my video right here!
As someone who’s attended this event from the beginning, I couldn’t be prouder to see it spread its wings. Event founder John Belloti Jr. and the rest of the Kaiju Brooklyn team have given NYC the Tokusatsu convention it so deeply deserves, and they hit the bullseye this year!
All Kaiju Brooklyn 3 (KB) programming was hosted at BrooklynONE Productions in Industry City’s Building 5, with additional events extending to nearby venues. Gun Hill Brewery hosted the Kaiju Lounge next door, while Powerhouse Books (Building 2) held the early release for the Ultraseven novelization. (The Ultraman novel was included as well, and they BOTH sold out within 2 hours of announcement!)
Day 0: Set-Up and VIP Kickoff
I was lucky enough to be involved behind the scenes as a volunteer and got a firsthand look at how something this massive comes together. By the time I arrived, most of the base setup was already complete, a testament to the team’s hard work and organization. Vendors arrived one by one, setting up their booths, and there was a warm sense of anticipation in the air.
That evening, the Art Show/VIP party was scheduled to take place outdoors, but due to anticipated rain (which never quite arrived), it was moved inside. Better safe than sorry! Honestly, it worked out, the mood was lively, the community spirit was strong, and the background Super Sentai/Power Rangers footage on the DJ screen added the perfect flair.
Day 1: Mach Full Force
The big day opened with a buzz of energy. Final adjustments were being made across the vendor hall and panel room before the 11:00 A.M. opening. The first panel began at 10:30 A.M., led by the ever-fantastic team of Ultraman Connection, returning after launching the first panel at KB2 last year. Hopefully, this becomes a tradition!
Their panel covered quite a lot, including the new Ultraman FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming) Channel on Amazon Prime. This aims to consolidate many series under one banner, starting with key entries from the Gen 2 era and moving forward. While the channel doesn’t have certain shows just yet, it’s shaping up to be a permanent hub for Ultraman fans on the go.
They also touched up on the English-dub releases on YouTube, including Ultraman Arc and the upcoming Ultraman Omega, both developed in collaboration with Okratron 5000 (also behind the Shin Ultraman, Ultraman Z, and Ultraman Blazar dubs).
A big surprise reveal? The film of the night was Ultraman Arc The Movie: The Clash of Light and Evil, the latest film in the long-running Ultra franchise. But what made it even more special was that it marked the World Premiere of the English dub!
Additional highlights from the panel:
- Mill Creek’s new Blu-Ray releases: Ultraman USA and Ultraman: The Adventure Begins. The original English dub of Adventure Begins will NOT be included due to Hanna-Barbera’s rights, but a new dub by Okratron 5000 will be in its place. Ultraman USA will include the 1987 English dub and Japanese audio with subtitles.
- Card Game Updates: Battle Pack 04 is set to release on August 1, 2025, with a special note from EJ: “No AI was used. Artists like Bob Eggleton, Art Adams, and Robo 7, along with many others, are bringing true art to this battle pack.”
- Book Releases: Early copies of the Ultraseven novel were sold at Powerhouse Books. A new middle-grade series title, Ultra Academy, was also revealed with its debut title: Beware the Baleful Baltan, a contemporary story of SSSP recruiting kids into kaiju science studies.
- Crossover Comics: Paperbacks for Ultraman X The Avengers, and Ultraman: Along Came a Spider-Man are set for release.
Celebrating Identity and Expression
At 12:42 p.m., Lillie Chiu-Lin, Kaiju Hime, and Henry Winston hosted a panel on queer themes in monster movies. Their insights shed light on how fans often find identity, strength, and comfort in these narratives. It was moving to see a community where everyone felt safe to speak freely and be themselves.
Afternoon Panels and Shenanigans
Shortly after, Nick Crispino (Kaijujunkie) and I had the pleasure of meeting Linda Miller on behalf of Jacob. From the moment we approached her table, she greeted us with such warmth and sincerity. She explained how much she appreciated being there and connecting with fans. She also spoke about the recent interview she had done with Jacob, saying it meant a lot to her about being asked about her career and to be remembered so fondly by the Tokusatsu community (Read the interview here!)
I didn’t want to take too much of her time either, especially with fans already starting to approach her right after we took this photo together with her! So I simply thanked her for coming and made the moment count. It was short, but incredibly meaningful.
Another standout panel was Godzilla & Filmmaking: The Battle for Respect with Yoko Higuchi and Kim Lacnilao (KaijuKim). The panel touched on how Godzilla and Tokusatsu are often overlooked or condescended to in mainstream media, especially compared to more “accepted” franchises like King Kong. It was thought-provoking and fun! Especially when a guy in a Godzilla PJ suit crashed the panel with a “KING KONG WINNING = FAKE NEWS” sign (the same guy that had the funny “Make Monster Island Great Again” sign from the first KB event!).
A little after, I went back up to the new vendor hall and came into a surge of amazing cosplay: Godzilla, Jet Jaguar, and even an inflatable Gigan!
Later in the afternoon, I found myself drifting into Frying Pan Brooklyn. A place that had embraced the Kaiju Brooklyn spirit and had Kaiju-dedicated drinks since the first convention. I took a moment to glance over the menu, while the selection was great, time was not on my side, and I didn’t get to try any of the drinks myself. But hopefully for KB4, I could do it. It’s just one more reason to come back!
A Masterclass in Acting
At 4:20 (nice) P.M., Yoko Higuchi hosted what became my favorite panel of the entire con: an intimate, mic-free sit-down (well, in their case, standing up), with actor Keone Young (known for voicing Tsunetomo Yamamoto in the English dub for Godzilla Singular Point and Dr. Onda in Ultraman Rising. Rather than sticking to the typical Q&A format, Keone transformed the session into part storytelling, part mentorship. He spoke candidly about the highs and lows of his career, and offered invaluable advice with warmth and humility. It was a shared experience that, as cliche as it sounds, left me inspired and grateful.
Cosplay Contest
Outside, a cosplay gathering was forming near St. Mark’s Comics as the cosplay contest was nearing completion. The contest itself was packed with talent. Jet Jaguar took third, Showa Godzilla earned second, and Mothra on stilts won first place. Congrats to all the cosplayers who participated!
English Dub World Premiere: Ultraman Arc The Movie: Clash of Light and Evil
Introduced by Jeff & Evangelina Gomez and E.J. Couloucoundis, this movie was a delight. The dub was incredibly well done, seamless, emotional, and authentic. Taking place between episodes 21 and 22, the film tackled three thematic trails with heart and humor: one centered on mercy, one filled with wacky parody (something like John Carpenter’s The Thing, you could say), and one driven by drama and redemption. Guil-Arc’s character arc brought good emotional weight. The mix of CGI and Tokusatsu practical effects was a feast for one’s eye. A few tonal hiccups aside, this was a fun and heartfelt entry. 7/10
Day 2: Cool Down and Closing Time
Sunday was calmer, but still content. The second Ultraman Connection panel dropped more card game news, including Klenda Vee’s epic Ultraman Z card for BP04. Other artists featured included Jamie Noguchi, Chrysoula Artemis, and John Bellotti Jr., with E.J. Couloucoundis moderating.
Then came the panel Lost and Unmade Kaiju Films, hosted by Nick Crispino with special guest Kevin Deredorf (author of Kaiju for Hipsters). Together, they showed the audience through a slideshow of what could’ve been, projects like Godzilla 3D To the Max, Tristar’s unmade 1994 Godzilla, and others from kaiju history that never made it to the big screen.
While I was already familiar with many of the titles discussed (thanks to years of digging and knowledge), it was incredibly rewarding to see the audience’s reactions, the gasps, laughter, and curiosity from those discovering these projects for the first time. A clear reminder that no matter how much we think we know, there’s already someone out there hearing it all new. Panels like these keep forgotten stories alive.
The final panel I attended was a heartfelt and nostalgic interview with Linda Miller, moderated by Kaiju Kim. Linda herself radiated warmth and humility throughout the conversation, inspiring others to chase their dreams. You could tell how deeply touched she was to be still remembered after all these years. Her words were a reminder of why we must cherish and appreciate these actors while we still can, because so many of the stars from the films we grew up with are no longer with us. You can watch the full interview with Linda Miller on Kaiju Kim’s YouTube channel.
‘King Kong Escapes’ star Linda Miller on stage at Kaiju Brooklyn.
A Bittersweet Goodbye
As the weekend wrapped up, I was given the honor by Henry and Lillie to photograph all the special guests assembled together; a true highlight for me. Thank you to both of them!
From left to right: Phillip Andrew, Rashaad Santiago, Linda Miller, Keone Young, Eiji Kaminaga
And then, like all good things, it came to an end. We broke down the tables and packed away everything, ending the weekend with a casual hangout among friends and colleagues.
Kaiju Brooklyn 3 went bigger, bolder, and deeper, while still preserving the soul of what made the original so special, from the artists’ tables and the vendor booths to the panels, screenings, and conversations between friends old and new. It captured everything that makes the community special: the fandom, friendships, and the passion for all things Tokusatsu. Even when challenges popped up, the team faced them head-on with heart and determination.
To John, the Kaiju Brooklyn crew, BrooklynONE Productions, and every person who made this happen, THANK YOU! The weekend was a reminder of why we love this genre and this community. Here’s to even more memories down the line. Until next time, see you soon! Bye-bye!
