Access to Tokusatsu media within the UK seems scarce but with some
good digging (or a check of this article) you’ll be able to start
building a library of media to quench that Toku thirst. Today’s
article is strictly about physical releases within the UK but check
back for future articles covering streaming options, import
selections and western Toku media.
CUTIE HONEY (DVD)
Though the UK is only now really getting Toku products brought to our
shores, Cutie Honey was a rare exception back in the day. A 2004 live
action anime adaptation by Hideaki Anno, you’re likely to feel like
this is an unofficial fourth film in the live action Shin trilogy.
This release is only on DVD and no longer in print so you’ll need
to search the internet for second hand copies but the film is well
worth seeking out.
DAIMAJIN TRILOGY (BLU-RAY)
Daimajin is the coolest giant statue that wants to destroy anything
and everything that ever lived. A trilogy of films released back to
back with very similar plots, the stand out to this series was the
destruction Daimajin would wreck upon the towns at the end of each
movie. Daimajin isn’t a sequential series, it’s a concept made
three times by varying directors and each feature stand out visuals
in the final act. This set contains commentary tracks for each film
along with other special features to sweeten the purchase.
GAMERA THE SHOWA ERA/GAMERA THE HEISEI ERA (BLU-RAY)
Fans of the giant turtle Gamera may already be aware that there is a
Gamera: The Complete Collection set on the market but as it is out of
print and very expensive, I’m splitting these out to the two
individual box sets that are readily available for much lower prices.
The first set contains the first eight movies in the Gamera
franchise, ending with Gamera Super Monster. The set features
commentary tracks for each movie along with a host of other special
features.
The Heisei Era box set contains the amazing Gamera Trilogy released
in the 90s along with the stand alone Gamera: The Brave movie from
2006. Similarly, this box set has a commentary track for each film
along with other special features. The releases here are the same as
that in the Complete Collection set and the two individual box sets
can be placed side by side to complete a full art of Gamera himself.
GODZILLA: THE SHOWA-ERA FILMS, 1954-1975 (BLU-RAY)
The much loved King of the Monsters doesn’t need much of an
introduction to modern audiences but if you were to look at the
physical release output for Godzilla features in the UK you wouldn’t
have thought he was that popular at all. Unfortunately the UK is
sorely missing out on a lot of great Godzilla movies from Japan but
the last decade has seen some relief for fans with Criterion
releasing this Showa-Era set.
With fifteen Godzilla movies in one collection, this Criterion
release is at the top for best Toku purchase fans could make. The set
spans from the original 1954 Godzilla release to the 1975 Terror of
Mechagodzilla and packs a heap of special features. This set also
includes the 1956 American cut, Godzilla King of the Monsters, that
added actor Raymond Burr to the cast for English speaking audiences.
GODZILLA (DVD)
Don’t worry, the inclusion of this BFI release on the list does not
mean the film isn’t included in the larger Criterion collection
Blu-Ray set. Arguably the Blu-Ray set includes the better release of
this film as it comes with the optional American cut and is a new high-def
restoration. The reason this BFI DVD release makes the list is simply
that the special features on this set vary to that from Criterion.
SHIN GODZILLA
(BLU-RAY, DVD)
Shin Godzilla is well known among Toku fans not just for the
resurgence it had for the Godzilla franchise, but for being the first
in a trilogy of stand alone movies based around popular Tokusatsu
franchises. Shin Godzilla is a well constructed, modern adaptation of
the original movie concept of a giant monster attacking Japan. The
themes within the film have also been updated as Shin criticises the
governments inability to respond quickly to an emergency and
celebrates the more unique people who can.
THE H MAN/BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE (BLU-RAY)
A double bill release for Ishiro Honda projects, H Man and Battle in
Outer Space are wildly different movies conceptually, with H Man
focusing on people mysteriously turning to into ooze monsters while
Battle in Outer Space focuses on an all out war against aliens. The
best part about this package is the ability to follow Ishiro’s work
following Godzilla. The Blu-Ray includes two commentary tracks for
each film, really helping to make the most of the money spent.
KING KONG VS GODZILLA (BLU-RAY)
Another item on the list that appears in the Criterion Showa-Era
collection, this release is one of the cheapest Toku films you could
buy today, but for good reason. Using the American cut, the original
Japanese copy of the film is not included here and features no
special features. While the price is good if all you want is to own
this single American cut of the film, the Criterion set includes both
the American and Japanese cuts of the feature and is likely the
better purchase.
Buy King Kong VS Godzilla on Amazon
KING KONG ESCAPES
(BLU-RAY)
Though King Kong
VS Godzilla was a let down compared to other alternatives on the
market, the additional release of King Kong Escapes more than makes
up for it. Though this is again the American cut of the film, we’re
going to have to settle for these scraps as the Japanese version is
not available to purchase on western shores like VS is. With no
special features, this isn’t a must buy movie, but we’re glad
it’s available.
MOTHRA (BLU-RAY)
If Godzilla is king, then Mothra is queen. Mothra has been a big hit
from the Godzilla catalogue of kaiju, with the beast having four
stand alone features herself while also appearing in a number of big
Godzilla titles. Eureka brough this film to UK markets, with the
Blu-Ray featuring two commentary tracks for you to enjoy after the
main feature.
THE MYSTERIANS (DVD)
A 1957 alien invasion movie from the director of Godzilla, Ishiro
Honda, The Mysterians is a well known hit from Honda’s library of
film. The film features the aliens using a robot kaiju to attack, with
that kaiju, Mogera, becoming a character within the Godzilla
universe. This BFI release is short of special features but we’re
happy to have it in our library.
WARNING FROM SPACE (BLU-RAY)
A creature feature made in the immediate aftermath of Godzilla’s
success, Warning From Space lives in the genre of science fiction
monsters that some might consider predictable schlock. But look
beyond that slightly and you’ll see an interesting part of Japanese
Toku history as cinema was going through immediate changes following
the release of Godzilla. This release features a commentary track
along with a HD scan of the American release of the feature.
YOKAI MONSTERS
COLLECTION (BLU-RAY)
Another great release from Arrow Video Following their Daimajin and
Gamera sets, the Yokai Monster Collection features three classic and
mostly disconnected movies about Yokai along with the 2005 Great
Yokai War movie that brought them all together into an epic adventure. As
with the previous, this set includes a number of special features
along with a commentary track for the Great Yokai War. Unortunately
this set does not include the 2021 Great Yokai War: Guardians.
DAIMAJIN TRILOGY (BLU-RAY)
GAMERA THE SHOWA ERA/GAMERA THE HEISEI ERA (BLU-RAY)
GODZILLA: THE SHOWA-ERA FILMS, 1954-1975 (BLU-RAY)
SHIN GODZILLA
(BLU-RAY, DVD)
THE H MAN/BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE (BLU-RAY)
KING KONG VS GODZILLA (BLU-RAY)
KING KONG ESCAPES
(BLU-RAY)
WARNING FROM SPACE (BLU-RAY)
YOKAI MONSTERS
COLLECTION (BLU-RAY)
