Tag: kaiju

UPDATE #115 (4/22/26): I Wrote a Documentary?! A Sneak Peak at “KEIZO MURASE: THE LAST MONSTER MAKER”

Howdy there, readers!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned some big upcoming projects I couldn’t wait to tell you about. And when it comes to big projects, they don’t get much bigger than an actual, honest-to-goodness feature-length documentary film.

And while said film was officially revealed to the world last month (via an exclusive news drop at Kaiju United), I wanted to make sure you knew about it, too!

So, for those who might not have heard, there’s a new kaiju-related documentary coming out soon. A doc celebrating the remarkable life and career of the legendary suit maker behind Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, Varan, Baragon, Kamen Rider, and innumerable other iconic characters. A doc I’m beyond honored to have written, produced, appeared in, and served as historian/creative consultant for!

The official poster for Keizo Murase: The Last Monster Maker. How many references to his storied career can you spot?
Copyright  ©2026 ET13 Productions

To fully explain the awesomeness of this project, I’ve opted to forego my usual rambling and simply post the full press release I wrote for the film here. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Read on for all the juicy info:

SRS Cinema’s upcoming Blu-ray release of the highly anticipated Brush of the God will include a feature-length documentary on the film’s legendary director. Directed by Elijah Thomas, Keizo Murase: The Last Monster Maker pulls back the curtain on a one-of-a-kind artist, telling the inspiring story of the beloved craftsman whose masterful work with monster suits and props literally re-sculpted the face of Japanese sci-fi/fantasy cinema.

The documentary – the first of its kind in English and created with the blessing of the Murase family – spotlights every known project overseen by the revered sculptor, representing nearly 100 films/TV episodes from 1958’s The H-Man to the 2025 documentary The Monster and The Old Man, and including exclusive insights into Murase creations and contributions never before discussed outside Japan.

The Last Monster Maker brings together more than two-dozen collaborators, friends, family members, fans, and historians to celebrate Murase’s life and artistry. Special guests include Shinichi Wakasa (creature designer, Godzilla 2000), Daisuke Sato (director, Howl from Beyond the Fog), Matt Frank (artist, Mothra: Queen of the Monsters), Yoshikazu Ishii (director, Yuzo: The Biggest Battle in Tokyo), Ed Godziszewski (co-author, Godzilla: The First 70 Years), and Naoto Murase (son of Keizo Murase and CEO of Twenty Co.).

Synopsis:

Artist. Innovator. Teacher. Inspiration.

For more than 70 years, Japan’s handcrafted visual effects films have thrilled, delighted, and inspired viewers from around the world. But only one remarkable man presided over the entire length and breadth of the artform. From his humble beginnings as a modeling assistant in 1958 to his acclaimed directorial debut Brush of the God in 2024, the legendary Keizo Murase spent his career dedicated to the art of monster making, bringing life to many of Japan’s most iconic and beloved kaiju characters. But behind every rampaging monster and transforming superhero were the hands of a dedicated artist, whose contributions to the Japanese film industry might have been forgotten, if not for a dedicated group of close friends, longtime admirers, and fans from every corner of the globe.

Now, in the wake of his passing and the release of his first and last feature film as director, this group has united to share their stories about Murase as a man, a mentor, and an inspiration. For the first time in the English-speaking world, the life, career, and legacy of this singular creative visionary are revealed and celebrated in a feature-length tribute that sheds detailed light on the accomplishments of Japan’s last great monster maker, and preserves the stories of those who knew and loved him best.

“Mr. Murase was a pillar for the world of kaiju and tokusatsu,” says Thomas. “I am really excited for audiences to learn about the amazing career and life led by him. Working on this project has been such an eye-opener for me and I’ve learned so much. My hope is the audience does, as well.”

“The impact of Murase-san’s artistry cannot be overestimated, and it deserves to live on forever,” adds Daniel DiManna, screenwriter, producer, historian, and creative consultant on the film. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to be part of preserving his story through this documentary. May it bring joy and inspiration to monster lovers and stand as a worthy tribute to the soul of a true master.”

The team behind the documentary also includes narrator Matt Burkett (creator/host of Monstrosities, bonus feature producer for Kamen Rider Dyad), composer Gratton Conwill (Disectoid, Amityville 2000), editor Jackson Gibbens (co-host, Kaiju Conversation), and more.

Keizo Murase: The Last Monster Maker will be available as a bonus feature on SRS Cinema’s Blu-ray release of Brush of the God. The set is expected to ship between late April and late May, 2026.

PREORDER LINK: https://srscinemastore.com/products/brush-of-the-god-blu-ray?srsltid=AfmBOop2-o0VnuDfnzMLndU1u6Av1uq6LNuy2yr-Zu2pqOHIgdboeVD0

ABOUT ET13 PRODUCTIONS

Founded in 2019, ET13 Productions acts as the in-house production studio for filmmaker Elijah Thomas. The company’s first major production was the 2022 short film S.O.S. Seek Shelter. The company has produced over half a dozen short films since its founding. Most recently, ET13 produced Elijah’s largest-scale short films: Edo Kami no Gyakushu and the Amityverse: Endgame segment, The Amity Q. ET13 Productions has also housed the popular tokusatsu-oriented podcast Kaiju Conversation since 2019.

ABOUT SRS CINEMA

SRS Cinema LLC is among the leaders in ultra-low-budget indie film distribution, having evolved to its current form from its roots as “Salt City Home Video” in 1992. They have handled rights to over 300 movies domestically and worldwide. SRS Cinema now distributes DVD exclusively through MVD, while their Sub Rosa branch handles limited special edition VHS releases.

Well, there you have it!

Needless to say, this has been a beast of a project to work on. This documentary is a true labor of love, produced across multiple continents and made possible by a remarkable team, the support of SRS Cinema, and an incredible group of assembled interviewees ranging from historians and collaborators to the two sons of Keizo Murase, who both generously took the time to speak about their father’s life and legacy.

The film might even feature some of you! A month or so ago, I put out a call on social media for kaiju fans to submit photos/videos of themselves with Murase at G-Fest or other events he attended. If you submitted your own pics or vids, congrats! Your tribute will be included and preserved in the doc forever!

It’s very easy to throw around sensational phrases like “there’s never been a kaiju documentary like this before” or “you’ll hear information in this doc you’ve never heard anywhere else.” But hand to heart, both of these statements are absolutely true. My dear friend and partner in crime on this project, director Elijah Thomas, and I have worked hard to assemble something truly definitive, a testimony of Murase’s life and career that’s as comprehensive and thorough as possible. Elijah (who’s making his feature film directorial debut with this doc!) has truly cooked up something special, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve discovered with kaiju fans everywhere.

There will be much more to say and share about this film in the coming weeks and months as its release draws near, but needless to say, I’m thrilled and honored beyond words for the opportunity to have paid tribute to this one-of-a-kind artist. The story of Keizo Murase is singularly remarkable and deeply inspiring, and it has been an honor to be a part of telling it.

As a recap, this doc will be released as a co-feature on SRS Cinema’s upcoming Blu-ray release of Brush of the God, Murase-san’s final film. Click the link in the press release above to preorder your copy (they should be shipping within the next month!).

That should just about do it for this very long, very overdue update. And yet, would you believe… there’s still more cool stuff on the horizon?

I’ve got additional announcements and updates coming soon, including my G-Fest schedule, more news about my upcoming book (which releases in less than a week!), and some reveals for what my next books (yes, “books” plural) will be!

Until then, thank you for continuing to support all my crazy kaiju-related endeavors. So many of these incredible opportunities and blessings are only possible because of you clicking the links, reading the stories, buying the books, leaving the likes, and spreading the word. I will never take that gift for granted. You and your kindness are appreciated beyond words.

Until next time, stay kind, stay safe, and stay grateful. Thank you so much for being here.

-Daniel

UPDATE #113 (4/8/26): “G-Cinema” Preorder Link Roundup

Salutations, readers. Happy April!

As of today, we are a mere three weeks away from the U.S. release of my new book, G-Cinema: An Exploration and Celebration of Japan’s Monster King. After a two-year journey, it’s hard to believe we’re this close!

Over the last few months, as the book has begun to roll out around the world (Amazon U.K. is already needing to replenish their stock, so THANK YOU to everyone across the pond who grabbed a copy!), I’ve gotten a lot of inquiries from readers wanting to know if the book is coming to their country. I’ve done my best to keep up with all your questions, but figured there might be a more helpful solution.

A few weeks ago, I began rounding up links to every North American and international bookseller I’ve found that’s selling (or will be selling) the book. All those links currently live on the Press & Appearances page on the GNP website, and more are being added as I find them.

So, if you’re curious about where to get the book in your country, that list is your best bet. And if you know of a bookseller that’s not listed and has the book for sale, please let me know and I’ll be sure to add it!

The list (as of the day I’m writing this update) is below, for your convenience:

There you have it! 15 countries, 20 booksellers and counting… it’s pretty surreal to see it all listed out like this. What an amazing experience this continues to be.

I’ll be back with more book updates and announcements (plus some additional BIG projects and opportunities I’m finally able to talk about!) very soon. Until then, stay happy, stay kind, and stay grateful for the blessings and amazing experiences in your life.

Thank you for continuing to join me on this journey. More fun to come!

-Daniel

UPDATE #112 (2/4/26): Full Cover Reveal for “G-Cinema” (And Other Book Info/Shenanigans)

Hi there, GNP readers… welcome to 2026!

Oh, the year started 35 days ago? We’re somehow already a month into 2026? Well, in that case… welcome to February!

All kidding aside, this is the first GNP update of the year, and it’s set to kick off an absolute doozy of an 11 months. There’s so much in the pipeline this year – from massive writing and home video projects to new GNP chapters/books/short stories, convention appearances, and exciting collaborations – that my head is spinning from just thinking about how insane and busy 2026 will be. But don’t worry, it’s the good kind of insane and busy!

And to kick things off, it’s time to talk about possibly the biggest thing on my list: a little somethin’ I wrote that’s finally set to release this year…

That’s right, it’s official… my new book “G-Cinema: An Exploration and Celebration of Japan’s Monster King” has been revealed in all its fiery, pre-orderable, “holy crap this is actually happening” glory!

A few days ago, the book’s publisher, Fonthill Media (a member of the Pen And Sword Books family of publishers) did a full reveal of the newly orange-ified cover (a slight tweak of the lighter-colored version I shared last year – isn’t it friggin’ striking?) and jumped full steam into the promotion process. They were kind enough to share the book via social media, both on their own pages and by sharing links in multiple Godzilla fan groups on Facebook. All the while, they and I worked behind the scenes to finalize everything from copy edits to image proof approvals.

And now, at long last, the final product is done and ready to hit bookstore shelves.

Absolutely. Surreal.

Since I’ve gotten some questions from readers about the specifics of the release, here’s some quick info on what you can expect, when you can expect it, and how all this madness is gonna play out:

  • The book actually has two release dates. Since Fonthill Media is based in the UK, merry old England will be getting the book first, and very soon, since it’s releasing on February 28th! Two months later, it’ll release in the US on April 28th. Think of it like, oh, say, a classic Godzilla film getting released in Japan first, and then popping up in America afterword. If you’ve seen multiple release dates for the book online, that’s why!
  • The book will not just be on Amazon. This is a full release and will be available via multiple online booksellers and – most remarkably – in physical bookstores! Links for a handful of these stores are at the bottom of this post.
  • While currently listed at 224 pages on most websites, “G-Cinema” will actually be 242 pages of text and 274 pages in total (the extra 32 pages are full-color image plates). So, you’ll be getting even more Godzilla history than advertised!

Last but not least, here’s the final synopsis for the book:

He’s iconic. He’s atomic. And at 70 years young, he’s still the King of the Monsters!

Ever since his silver screen debut back in 1954, Godzilla has maintained a mighty hold on the collective imaginations of cinema lovers around the world. Originally conceived as a powerful metaphor for Japan’s fears of nuclear destruction, the character has undergone a complex metamorphosis over an incredible seven decades and more than three dozen films. From allegory to superhero, from atom-age menace to children’s matinee star, from arthouse to grindhouse and back again, Godzilla has survived by adapting and reacting to the changing cultures and generational expectations of the countries—and the filmmakers—that bring him to life. In this exploration and celebration of Godzilla’s first 70 years, the full story of Japan’s kaiju icon is revealed through detailed histories, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, cultural connections, and contextualizing thematic analyses. Beginning with his postwar origins and continuing through his many rises, falls, revitalizations, and reinterpretations, this comprehensive companion to the Godzilla franchise seeks to place the character in his proper historical perspective and, by doing so, shed light on the depth, the flexibility, and the fun that’s kept him relevant and beloved for generations.

And, just for fun, here’s the author bio that will appear on the back flap:

Daniel DiManna is a film historian, artist, voice actor, and professional goober. An award-winning marketing writer by day and an unapologetic monster-nerd by night, Daniel is the author of multiple short stories/novellas and creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project, a fan-driven endeavor to write novel adaptations of every Japanese G-flick. His academic writing has been published via multiple magazines/websites. He is a frequent panelist at G-Fest and can be heard hosting audio commentaries for SRS Cinema’s kaiju Blu-rays and guesting on multiple kaiju-related podcasts. Daniel lives in Sylvania, Ohio, surrounded by DVDs, books, and an unhealthy number of monster toys.

I’m truly speechless at how dreamlike and borderline unreal this all is. It’s one thing to sit down at a desk and do some writing – something I do every day of my life – and another thing entirely to see a book with my name on it slowly coalesce and come into being. To craft and publish a book has been a dream of mine since childhood, an aspirational goal that – despite the hard work and good fortune I’d need to get there – I always hoped in my heart was possible.

And now, here it is. An honest-to-goodness book, written by me, available to purchase from just about anywhere books are sold – including physically at several of the world’s largest bookstores.

Just… wow.

Thank you so very much to the amazing people at Fonthill Media and Pen and Sword Books (Jay Slater, Jasper Hadman, editor Tony Walton, cover designer George Kalchev, and a remarkable team of typesetters and artists) for making this book look like a million bucks, and for allowing me to take this journey. You only get to write your first book once, and I’m so fortunate to have done so with this amazing team.

And thank you to you, the readers of the GNP, for following me this far and being the most supportive crew of Godzilla nerds a fella could ask for. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to adequately express how profoundly grateful I am for the opportunity to have brought this dream project to life, and your continuing belief in me is a crucial and humbling cornerstone in that opportunity. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

“G-Cinema: An Exploration and Celebration of Japan’s Monster King” releases in bookstores on February 28th in the United Kingdom and on April 28th in the US of A. You can secure your copy from your bookseller of choice at the links below:

All of these links (and any future ones) will be added to the Press & Appearances page on the GNP website. If you’re looking for a specific place to buy the book, that’ll be your one-stop shop moving forward!

And now, the countdown to release can officially begin! The next few months will be an exciting time; I’m already coordinating interview requests and planning for signings and maybe even a few surprises at this year’s G-Fest. It’ll be a great time, and I’ll keep you all informed and updated as cool things continue to happen. What a gift all of this is, and what an extraordinary year it will be! Thank you for coming along on the journey.

I’ll be back soon with more. Until then, stay happy, stay safe, and stay kind.

All the best,

-Daniel

UPDATE #111 (12/12/25): A New Short Story – Inspired by “Godzilla vs. Biollante” – Is Live

On December 16th, 1984, an explosion destroyed a Middle-Eastern bioengineering laboratory operated by the government of the Republic of Saradia. The deadly terrorist attack destroyed irreplaceable research and ended dozens of lives.

On that day, Dr. Genichiro Shiragami – a geneticist heading the lab’s experimental botany research team – discovered that his daughter, Erika, was among those killed in the attack.

On that day, a father lost his child.

And his heart would never be the same again…

Season’s greetings, everyone.

Before we jump into this post, I apologize for the incredibly long gap between updates. If you’re a follower of the GNP on social media, you’re likely aware that the project went on a brief hiatus this summer/fall while I navigated some personal struggles. The back half of my year has been incredibly difficult, and at the risk of sounding dramatic, it truly did rob me of any semblance of a creative spark. Typically, writing and art are an effective escape for me, a way to recharge and heal. Sadly, not so these last few months.

That said, while these struggles are still ongoing, I have been gradually working my way back into being creative. And with the year closing out, I knew it was time for me to usher a new GNP short story out into the wild.

Truth be told, this tale is not one I was expecting to tell. It began falling out of my brain and through my fingers several days ago, and I couldn’t stop the flow.

The end result – inspired by work I did several years ago writing the script for an animated Godzilla vs. Biollante fan film that, unfortunately, remains unproduced – is not the happiest of tales. It takes the form of a letter written by a grief-stricken Dr. Shiragami roughly one year after the death of his daughter, Erika. A letter written to his daughter. A letter she will never read.

While the proposed fan film – to have been created by my dear friend “Kaiju” Kim Lacanilao – would have focused on Erika’s perspective as her psyche slowly transforms into something monstrous (a remarkable story I dearly hope Kim gets to tell some day), I instead chose to step behind the eyes of Erika’s father. To lose a child is, perhaps, the greatest, most unspeakable pain a human being can endure. What would this do to a man with Shiragami’s intellect? How would it break him, fracture his heart, and ultimately put him on the path to attempting his daughter’s resurrection five years later?

All interesting questions, and all representing the exact kind of emotional character study the GNP loves to tackle with its short stories. It’s my hope that this raw, devastated deep dive into Shiragami’s grief will not only expand upon one of the Godzilla franchise’s most intriguing and tortured characters, but also articulate – to the best of my ability – how even the strongest of people struggle to process a pain that, tragically, is all too real in our world.

That said, a word of caution: this story – as you can imagine – deals with some very heavy topics. If you’ve ever lived through the death/loss of anyone close to you (be it friend, parent, or child), please use discretion as to whether you should read or not.

The GNP proudly presents… “Missing You” – A Short Story

READ IT HERE

I hope you enjoy it.

And with that, the GNP has officially published its last short story of 2025. I will be taking the remainder of the year to breathe, de-stress as best I can, and spend time with my family. I hope to enter the New Year with as much renewed energy as I can muster, because, to put it mildly, I will need that energy for what’s destined to be a packed 2026. Between my Godzilla history book beginning its press/promotion and hitting bookstore shelves, a whole second book I haven’t even announced yet, some exciting collaborations on upcoming kaiju Blu-ray releases, the inevitable wave of G-Fest prep, and some big plans for the GNP (including finishing that Godzilla 1985 short story I promised you), it’s going to be big and very exciting year! I can’t wait to reveal it all to you.

Until then, thank you for being here. Thank you for your patience, your support, and for continuing to believe in me and this project. It means more to me than I can say, and it has been especially uplifting for me over the last few months. I appreciate each and every one of you, and I hope you have a safe, special, and healing holiday season with those you love.

With love and gratitude,

–Daniel

UPDATE #110: A New Godzilla History Book Written by Me… Coming to Bookstores This Winter!

“Godzilla is special. This is the story of why…”

Hi there, and welcome to one heck of an update!

This announcement isn’t strictly related to the Godzilla Novelization Project; it’s not the reveal of a new chapter, nor does it tease an upcoming adaptation. But it’s safe to say that nothing I’m about to reveal would’ve been possible if not for the incredible community that’s formed around the GNP.

Ever since launching this project seven-and-a-half years ago, I’ve been blessed with incredible opportunities to show my love for all things Big-G. Through convention appearances and podcasts, through silly social media posts and, of course, through writing. I’ve gotten to retell my favorite films in prose, explore their stories in unique ways, weave a few original monster tales here and there, and both explore and celebrate the history and meaning of the genre through articles, essays, reviews, retrospectives, and even an audio commentary (with more on the way!). I couldn’t begin to express my gratitude for every amazing bit of it.

And now, close to a decade after starting this journey (and more than two decades since my childhood self was first inspired by the King of the Monsters), my path has led me to the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

I had the surreal pleasure of revealing this dream exactly three weeks ago at G-Fest, during the Writer’s Panel on Friday afternoon. I then spent the next three days, 12 hours, seven panels, and two workshops promoting it for the single best crowd I could’ve announced it to. Literally hundreds of people got to hear the news, and now, it’s time all of you did, too…

I’m incredibly excited to officially reveal my new book: “G-Cinema: An Exploration and Celebration of Japan’s Monster King.”

Across its 224 pages (32 of them in full color with images/artifacts scanned from my personal collection), this book seeks to tell the entire story of Godzilla and – through the “Exploration and Celebration” of the title – answer the question of why Godzilla is so enduring, so beloved, and so incredibly special.

Here’s the official synopsis:

He’s iconic. He’s atomic. And at 70 years young, he’s still the King of the Monsters.

Ever since his silver screen debut back in 1954, Godzilla has maintained a mighty hold on the collective imaginations of cinema lovers around the world. Originally conceived as a powerful metaphor for Japan’s fears of nuclear destruction, the character has undergone a complex metamorphosis over an incredible seven decades and more than three dozen films. From allegory to superhero, from atom-age menace to children’s matinee star, from arthouse to grindhouse and back again, Godzilla has survived by adapting and reacting to the changing cultures and generational expectations of the countries – and the filmmakers – that bring him to life.

In this exploration and celebration of Godzilla’s first 70 years, the full story of Japan’s kaiju icon is revealed through detailed histories, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, cultural connections, and contextualizing thematic analyses. Beginning with his postwar origins and continuing through his many rises, falls, revitalizations, and reinterpretations, this comprehensive companion to the Godzilla franchise seeks to place the character in his proper historical perspective and, by doing so, shed light on the depth, the flexibility, and the fun that’s kept him relevant and beloved for generations.

The book is being published through the amazing folks at Fonthill Media, who will distribute it in both the United Kingdom and the United States. I owe them more than I could possibly put into words for allowing me to go on this journey, and I thank them dearly for giving this book a home.

There’s so much more to talk about regarding this book, but for now, mark your calendars… because “G-Cinema” is coming to bookstores (Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.) in February 2026!

(Preorders will be opening soon, so keep your eye on the GNP’s social media – and this page on the website – for links when they become available.)

As I said above, I owe so, so much to the amazing readers who’ve supported the GNP for all these years. You’ve allowed me to celebrate Godzilla in ways my childhood self never would’ve thought possible, and now, in seven months’ time, my ultimate celebration of the franchise will be appearing on bookstore shelves. It’s surreal and humbling to even contemplate, and I have to keep reminding myself that it’s real. But real it is, and for making it possible, I thank you so very, very much. I hope you enjoy the book when it releases!

Until next time, please stay happy, stay safe, and stay kind.

With gratitude,

-Daniel