Skip to content
1981
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Journal of Adaptation in Film & Performance
  4. Volume 16, Issue 1
  5. Article
Making Monsters
  • ISSN: 1753-6421
  • E-ISSN: 1753-643X

Abstract

Since the arrival of (1954), the science-fiction genre of started booming its monsters by adapting different DIY techniques. The post-war period defined a collaborative effort between artists who worked within limited creative conditions due to economic restraints. They experimented with unusual materials for making monsters and image techniques to create visual effects on the filmed screen. Sculptors, art students, freelance workers and animators started collaborating to discover ways to produce suitmation and strategies to make the monster seem alive. Specifically, in Toho Studios, the Special Effects Department, directed by Tsuburaya Eiji, helped create a generation of monster-making specialists that spread to other studios. Along with Iizuka Sadao, they produced special effects using the animation stand and animation-related techniques, such as optical composition, to create the monster zigzag gleaming rays that became the staple of monsters. The analogue era of monster-making only starts to change from the series (1995–2006), where analogue and digital intertwine and culminate in (2016). This article investigates the possibilities of monster creation and adaptation and how this challenge created a space for hybrid images in the contemporary Japanese media landscape.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Japanese Government Monbukagakusho Scholarship, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology
© 2023 Intellect Ltd
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/jafp_00090_1
2023-07-10
2025-03-17
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Akio, J.. ( 1990), ウルトラQ ザ・ムービー 星の伝説 (Ultra Q The Movie: Legend of the Stars), DVD, Japan:: Shochiku, Sega Enterprises, Tohoku Shinsha and Tsuburaya Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Amemiya, A.. ( 2018), SSSS. GRIDMAN, DVD, Japan:: Studio Trigger;.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Amemiya, K.. ( 1993), 仮面ライダーZO (Kamen Rider ZO), DVD, Japan:: Ishinomori Productions, Bandai and Toei Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Anderson, G., and Anderson, S.. ( 1965–66), Thunderbirds, DVD, UK:: AP Films and ITV;.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Anno, H.. ( 1983), DAICONFILM 版帰ってきたウルトラマン (DAICONFILM: The Return of Ultraman), Japan:: Prime Video;.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Anno, H.. ( 1995–96), 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン (New Genesis Evangelion), DVD, Japan:: Gainax and Tatsunoko;.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Anno, H.. ( 2004), キューティーハニー (Cutie Honey), DVD, Japan:: Towani, Warner Bros. Pictures;.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Anno, H.. ( 2023), シン・仮面ライダー (Shin Kamen Rider), Japan:: Toei Co and Cine Bazar;.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Anno, H., and Higuchi, S.. ( 2016), シン・ゴジラ (Shin Godzilla), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co. and Cine Bazar;.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Ara, M.. ( 1956;), ‘ 想像科学映画論’ (‘Theory of imagined scientific cinema’). , Kinema Junpo, 158:10, pp. 44–47.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Blackton, S.. ( 1906), Humorous Phases of Funny Faces, USA:: Vitagraph Company of America;.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Bray, J.. ( 1913), Artist’s Dream, USA:: Pathé Frères and JR Bray Studios;.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Cooper, M. C., and Schoedsack, E. B.. ( 1933), King Kong, DVD, USA:: RKO Films;.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Dougherty, M.. ( 2019), Godzilla: King of Monsters, DVD, USA:: Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Edwards, G.. ( 2014), Godzilla: King of Monsters, DVD, USA:: Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures;.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Emmerich, R.. ( 1998), Godzilla, DVD, USA:: TriStar Pictures and Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Gauthier, Philippe. ( 2011;), ‘ A trick question: Are early animated drawings a film genre or a special effect?. ’, Animation: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 6.2, pp. 163–75.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Hashimoto, K.. ( 1984), ゴジラ (The Return of Godzilla), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Higuchi, S.. ( 2012), 巨神兵東京に現わる (Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo), DVD, Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo, DVD, Khara, Inc. 2012, Studio Ghibli, Special Effects Laboratory Co., Khara, Inc.;, Japan:.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Higuchi, S.. ( 2022), シン・ウルトラマン (Shin Ultraman), Japan:: Toho Co., Cine Bazar, Tsuburaya Pro. and Khara, Inc;.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Hikawa, R.,, Anno, H.,, Higuchi, S.,, Haraguchi, T.,, Onoe, K., and Miike, T.. ( 2014), 日本特撮に関する調査 (‘Research on Japanese Tokusatsu’), Tokyo:: Mori Building Co;, https://mediag.bunka.go.jp/projects/project/tokusatsu-2014.pdf. Accessed 4 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Hikawa, R.,, Anno, H.,, Higuchi, S.,, Onoe, K.,, Sakai, M., and Miike, T.. ( 2013), 日本特撮に関する調査 (‘Research on japanese tokusatsu’), Tokyo:: Mori Building Co;, https://mediag.bunka.go.jp/projects/project/images/tokusatsu-2013.pdf. Accessed 4 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Honda, I. H.. ( 1954), Godzilla, DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Honda, I. H.. ( 1956), 空の大怪獣ラドン (Rodan), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Honda, I. H.. ( 1961), モスラ (Mothra), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Honda, I. H.. ( 1964), 三大怪獣地球最大の決戦 (Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Ishiguro, N.. ( 1982), 超時空要塞マクロス (Macross), DVD, Japan:: Studio Nue, Artland Inc. and TBS;.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Jones, M.. ( 2007;), ‘ Vanishing point: Spatial composition and the virtual camera. ’, Animation, 2:3, pp. 225–43.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Kaneko, S.. ( 1995), ガメラ大怪獣空中決戦 (Gamera: Guardian of the Universe), DVD, Japan:: Daiei Film;.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Kaneko, S.. ( 1996), ガメラ2 レギオン襲来 (Gamera 2: Attack of Legion), DVD, Japan:: Daiei Film;.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Kaneko, S.. ( 1999), ガメラ3 邪神〈イリス〉覚醒 (Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris), DVD, Japan:: Daiei Film;.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Kaneko, S.. ( 2001), ゴジラモスラキングギドラ大怪獣総攻撃 (Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Kato, B.. (加戸 敏) et al. ( 1966–67), マグマ大使 (Ambassador Magma), DVD, Japan:: P. Pro (ピープロ);.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Katsumata, T.. ( 1972–74), Mazinger Z, DVD, Japan:: Toei Animation;.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Kitamura, R.. ( 2004), ゴジラ FINAL WARS (Godzilla Final Wars), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Komatsu, S., and Hashimoto, K.. ( 1984), さよならジュピター (Bye-Bye Jupiter), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Maeda, M.. ( 1998–2000), 青の6号 (Blue Submarine No. 6), DVD, Japan:: Studio GONZO and Bandai Visual;.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Matsumoto, L., and Nishizaki, Y.. ( 1974–75), 宇宙戦艦ヤマト (Space Battleship Yamato), DVD, Japan:: オフィス・アカデミー (Ofisu Academy) and Yomiuri TV;.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Méliès, G.. ( 1896), Le Manoir du diable (The House of the Devil), France:: Star Film Co.;, https://archive.org/details/le-manoir-du-diable-1896-georges-melies. Accessed 24 January 2023.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Méliès, G.. ( 1901), L’homme à la tête de caoutchouc (The Man with the Rubber Head), DVD, France:: Lobster Films and Georges Méliès – le premier magicien du cinéma;.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Miyazaki, H.. ( 1984), 風の谷のナウシカ (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind), DVD, Japan:: Toei Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Oda, M.. ( 1955), ゴジラの逆襲 (Godzilla Raids Again), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Ohzeki, K.. ( 2012;), ‘ 映画産業における写真フィルム技術と映画の保存 ―デジタル化の時代を迎えて―’ (‘Photographic film technology in motion picture industry and preservation of motion picture film. ’), Journal of the Imaging Society of Japan, 51:6, pp. 650–60, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/isj/51/6/51_650/_article/-char/ja/. Accessed 4 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  44. Okawara, T.. ( 1999), ゴジラ2000 ミレニアム (Godzilla 2000: Millennium), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  45. Ōmori, K.. ( 1991), ゴジラvsキングギドラ (Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  46. Prince, S.. ( 1996;), ‘ True lies: Perceptual realism, digital images, and film theory. ’, Film Quarterly, 49:3, pp. 27–37.
     [Google Scholar]
  47. Sadao, I., and Hajime, M.. ( 2016), 光線を描き続けてきた男飯塚定雄 (The Man Who Continues Drawing ‘Rays’, Legend of Iizuka Sadao), Tokyo:: Yōsen Publishing;.
     [Google Scholar]
  48. Sakuma, Y.. ( 2003;), ‘ アニメを超えた実写!?　“ハニメーション”とは？―『キューティーハニー』制作発表会開’ (‘Live-action beyond animation? What is “Hani-mation”? Cutie Honey production presentation. ’), ASCII, 23 October, https://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/340/340237. Accessed 4 May 2022.
     [Google Scholar]
  49. Shizuno, K., and Seshita, H.. ( 2017), ゴジラ怪獣惑星 (Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters), DVD, Japan:: Polygon Pictures and Toho Animation;.
     [Google Scholar]
  50. Shizuno, K., and Seshita, H.. ( 2018a), ゴジラ星を喰う者 (Godzilla: The Planet Eater), DVD, Japan:: Polygon Pictures and Toho Animation;.
     [Google Scholar]
  51. Shizuno, K., and Seshita, H.. ( 2018b), ゴジラ決戦機動増殖都市 (Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle), DVD, Japan:: Polygon Pictures and Toho Animation;.
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Soga, K.. ( 1993–94), 電光超人グリッドマン (Denkou Choujin Gridman), DVD, Japan:: Tsuburaya Pro., TBS;.
     [Google Scholar]
  53. Special Effects Film Society ( 2002), 怪獣とヒーローを創った男たち―特撮世界の造型師たちが語る時代を飾った作品群の製作秘話 (‘The men who created monsters and heroes: The untold story of the production, as told by the special effects world’s sculptors’), Tokyo:: Tatsumi Publishing;.
     [Google Scholar]
  54. Takemoto, K.,, Yamada, M.,, Taguchi, K.,, Kitamura, H., and Konishi, M.. ( 1975–77), 秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー (Himitsu Sentai Gorenger), DVD, Japan:: Toei Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  55. Takemoto, K.,, Okunaka, A.,, Hirayama, K.,, Taguchi, K., and Yamada, M.. ( 1977), ジャッカー電撃隊 (J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai), DVD, Japan:: Toei Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  56. Thompson, K.. ( 1980;), ‘ Implications of the cel animation technique. ’, in T. Lauretis, and S. Heath. (eds), The Cinematic Apparatus, London:: Palgrave Macmillan;, pp. 102–20.
     [Google Scholar]
  57. Toho Company ( 2018), 2019 Winter Tokyo Attack: 特撮のDNA「ゴジラ」から「シン・ゴジラ」まで (‘2019 Winter Tokyo Attack: Tokusatsu DNA from Godzilla to Shin Godzilla’), Tokyo:: ‘DNA of Tokusatsu’ Exhibition Executive Committee;.
     [Google Scholar]
  58. Tomino, Y.. ( 1979–80), 機動戦士ガンダム (Mobile Suit Gundam), DVD, Japan:: Nippon Sunrise and Nagoya TV;.
     [Google Scholar]
  59. Tsuburaya, H.. ( 1966), Ultra Q, DVD, Japan:: Tsuburaya Pro;.
     [Google Scholar]
  60. Tsuburaya Productions ( 1966), Ultraman, DVD, Japan:: Tsuburaya Pro;.
     [Google Scholar]
  61. Ultraman ( 2019, Japan:: Tsuburaya Productions and Production I.G);.
     [Google Scholar]
  62. Ultraman ( 2022, Japan:: Tsuburaya Productions and Production I.G);.
     [Google Scholar]
  63. Wakamatsu, S.. ( 2000), ホワイトアウト (Whiteout), DVD, Japan:: Toho Co;.
     [Google Scholar]
  64. Yuasa, N.. ( 1965), 大怪獣ガメラ (Gamera, the Giant Monster), DVD, Japan:: Daiei Film;.
     [Google Scholar]
  65. Longo, Angela. ( 2023;), ‘ The remaking of tokusatsu monsters. ’, Journal of Adaptation in Film & Performance, Special Issue: ‘Making Monsters’, 16:1&2, pp. 81–99, https://doi.org/10.1386/jafp_00090_1
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1386/jafp_00090_1
Loading
  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): analogue; animation; digital; miniature; special effects; tokusatsu

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test