Community is at the core of everything we do at Kaiju United. Everything.
That’s why we love going to kaiju & tokusatsu gatherings, events, and screenings around the country. Art brings people together, and it’s undeniable that our favorite epics featuring giant beasts, mechanical titans, and transforming specters of justice are all various forms of art. In my opinion, after years of flying around the country and attending multiple shows, no single event in this country champions art and creativity more than Kaiju Brooklyn, which has been held in the historic and thriving Industry City since 2023. I mean, think about it – the former venue (now the panel room) is a performing arts center (BrooklynOne Productions), the opening night feature for KB4 was an art show featuring original works by amazing creators from all walks of life, and there is a careful selection process behind who the guests are; a “theming” behind everything. Even the colors change on the logo to signify which annual iteration of the convention we are currently in.
Because of this careful attention to detail, I was eager to return to the show after a two-year gap to see just how much the new convention on the block had grown and adapted over the past few years. And I’ll be the first to tell you, they have not only succeeded in adapting to the growth, but have also committed to innovating a kaiju fan convention experience with new things each and every single year. For my own personal return to KB as a fan, what I saw at the show was a well-run, tight-knit effort by an entire community of people with a shared love for the genre. One could even go further and say that the KB Team is a carefully curated group of talent, with each providing their expertise and insight into a very successful show that only seems to be getting bigger and bigger each passing year.
I will preface my further thoughts by stating right out of the gate that I attended this show as a mere fan. I was not a vendor, I did not do any panels, and I was more than happy to just soak in the experience as a normal conventiongoer. Sure, we had Kaiju United coverage plans, but ultimately, my goals were to just live in the moment at the show, embrace the Industry City atmosphere, and to spend time with my friends at the show, both established regulars and newcomers to the scene. That proved to be fruitful, as it really reminded me that even after all the incredible opportunities, brand collaborations, and “big boys” noticing KU, the true heart and soul of the site, its socials, and everything we do… is the community. I started this entire thing to give back after almost twenty years as a Godzilla fan and twelve years in the community scene attending G-FEST, moderating Facebook groups, and just generally being a presence. Kaiju Brooklyn IV did something that I never thought would happen at an event: It completely rejuvenated and revitalized me in a way that has never been done before. Sure, I have had fun at other events (it would be remiss of me to not say that kaiju conventions are not fun), but this show was different.
The first reason this show really impacted me in a different way than before was the sheer amount of wonderful newcomers to the convention scene that were in attendance this year.
Our former Visual Editor, Rachel Kingery, was there vending as her art & collectibles business, Gigantuan Design. As many of you know, Rachel left KU to go pursue that venture, and to see it come full circle and be there to witness not only her vending for the first time, but also attend her first kaiju show (this has been YEARS in the making, folks!), really made me feel like a proud old friend that can simply watch the joy and experiences of others getting to see what I’ve been seeing all along, and to be there for them along the way. To go from showing Rachel her very first kaiju films in 2013 while we were sophomores in high school to finally being there for her first kaiju show felt full circle, like I finally had one of my best friends in a space I have felt the most like myself for many, many years, and they could see firsthand how much I loved being at these places. That was deeply personal, and I will always treasure that.
KU Contributing Writer Mario Macchiarulo, while not a stranger to events due to his coverage last year at New York Comic Con, was also at his first ever kaiju show, getting to experience the fun and festivities of the event alongside his KU peers. Amusingly, before the show, Mario said he would follow me around the convention “like a Pokémon,” and that he did! It was fun getting to introduce him to many faces that I knew and sing his praises as a true young up-and-coming talent. Plus, it’s not every day that you can get five Kaiju United team members at one show to hang out, but we did it here, and it was pure magic. Every group photo felt like a band photo, with everyone involved with KU happy, aligned, and interacting with incredible positivity. That’s what this is all about – and that to me, was the real experience of this year’s Kaiju Brooklyn. And it wasn’t just my “group” either! As I looked around the show, that is quite literally all I saw. There was not an ounce of weirdness, there were no creep-os making people uncomfortable, and there was no weird drama that can permeate community circles. Everything at Kaiju Brooklyn is positive, drama-free, warm, welcoming, and most of all, no matter what anyone says, it is safe.
Last, but most certainly not least, was getting to meet one of my newest friends and a relative newcomer to the kaiju scene that will undoubtedly be doing incredible things for our community and the broader conversation behind these films. Dr. Tex Collins, the Principal Investigator at The Kaiju Papers, made their first ever kaiju convention appearance on Saturday to check out the happenings. It was great to introduce Dr. Tex to everyone that I knew, with many of them giving incredibly moving and insightful answers to the question: “What can kaiju teach us about achieving a better future?” It is a stark reminder that these films are incredibly powerful. Godzilla films can teach us all how to become better humans through the lenses of tragedy, collaboration, and most importantly, healing. The films showcase the indomitable human spirit, whether you’re trying to survive the terrors of life, or are wanting to feel the strength of an unstoppable, angry creature that won’t back down, no matter what. TGP gets it, while also making their field reports incredibly funny, deeply thought-provoking, and educational for both casual fans and seasoned kaiju enthusiasts alike. The Kaiju Papers was such a wonderful new introduction the past few months, and I am very much looking forward to future collaboration with them.
The most notable panel that I attended this weekend was the grand return of Starlight Runner Entertainment to Kaiju Brooklyn. After much speculation and murmur, the company many fans know as responsible for Ultraman’s push into the West the past seven or so years graced the stage to debut their brand-new IP, Soccer Gods. Starting as a card game, it seems to be aiming to become a new transmedia production by the company, and finally something that they have produced internally, and not for another company. This new chapter is fascinating and exciting, and things are certainly looking bright for the shining company. I do want to point out that the answer of “What happened?” was answered during this panel, and it was done so in such a well-balanced way: It gave fans the answers they were seeking but ensured that it was professional and amicable across the board. It’s no secret that Starlight Runner CEO Jeff Gomez knows how to speak incredibly well (just ask me to recall the story of him recalling seeing Kikaider and Ultraseven as a young man), but here it was more important than ever to stick the landing, and he certainly did. We’re looking forward to Soccer Gods and the future projects that are not only confirmed to be in development, but are curiously kaiju-centric in some way, shape, or form. Stay tuned for our full recap of the panel and for more updates on this new venture from Starlight Runner Entertainment!
It’s hard to speak about a kaiju convention without the features, right? Let’s break them down. The guest lineup was short, sweet, and solid! A great mixture of a MonsterVerse headliner in TJ Storm, voice actors in Ultraman Tiga star Wayne Grayson & the returning Keone Young, and artists celebrations in the additions of Tom Whalen, James Groman, Paul Komoda, and Sean Sumagaysay, known professionally Project Nautilus Cosplay. The panel schedule, curated by Sal “Ultrazilla” Cipriano, was a nice balance between historical retrospective on the good, bad, and downright ugly of kaiju history (Yonggary, anyone?), and interesting panels like the 70 years of kaiju music put on by KU Alumni Map & The Bright Humans. Each panel was carefully selected and put on by talented individuals with a healthy balance of expertise and passion. That’s no easy feat, but Sal makes it look so, so easy. Finally, the vendor hall was full of brand-new tables, a nice blend of artists, merchandise sellers, and companies. A lot of kaiju conventions suffer from having the same people vend at every single show, but KB manages to keep it fresh and exciting, thanks to vendor manager Lillie Andrick. The 2024 and 2026 vendor halls feel like two completely different shows, and they should! Very nice work from the whole team all around.
Kaiju Brooklyn IV surprised me in so many powerful ways. I was very much looking forward to assessing for myself how the show had grown over the years, but nothing prepared me for being so emotionally moved. I was reunited with many individuals that said incredibly nice things to me that weekend, and I really felt appreciated. It moved me at my core, and I am forever grateful and honored. There aren’t too many words I can describe this feeling with, but never before have I felt more comfortable, safe, and warm at a kaiju convention. This show made me feel like I was at my very first G-FEST, way back when I was a shy fourteen year-old kid with braces and a bowl cut. To put it bluntly, Kaiju Brooklyn rekindled the flame in me that drives my passion for community-building, pushing for a more inclusive & welcoming space for all, and most of all… my unwavering love for the art of tokusatsu. The explosions and rubber suits are cool and innovative, but it’s the humanity that brings me back, whether it’s the cinema, or the real-life experiences that we share on this planet.
Thank you, John. You’ve got a great show and a great crew.
Whatever it is, we’ve got to cherish life, because it ain’t going to happen again.
– Jeff Gomez
