Behind-the-scenes hero to anyone who's thrilled by giant monsters duking it out over Tokyo, Eiji Tsuburaya was the visual effects mastermind behind Godzilla, Ultraman, and numerous Japanese science fiction movies and TV showsbeloved around the world. The first book on this legendary film figure in English, this highly visual biography details his fascinating life and career, featuring hundreds of film stills, posters, concept art, and delightful on-set photos of Tsuburaya prompting monsters to crush landmark buildings. A must-have for fans, this towering tribute also features profiles of Tsuburaya's film collaborators, details on his key films and shows (most available on DVD), and features on the enduring popularity of the characters he helped create.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"In Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters, San Francisco based writer August Ragone has produced a fond, generously illustrated biography of the tokusatsu (special effects) genius " Time magazine, December 13, 2007
"The difference between this book and other coffee table volumes that have covered daikaiju before, though, is the staggeringly researched detail that Ragone has put into the text itself. This is not just a picture book to flip through, nod approvingly at and stick on the shelf; this is a record easily in scale with the monsters Tsuburaya created a critical and historical look at the creation and output of an industry that spanned (and has continued to span) the decades. —Tooth and Dagger, October 2007
"Anyone with a taste for reading about frantic production schedules and creative jury-rigging solutions will find much to enjoy in Ragone's text." &mdashPowell's Books.com, November 2007
About the Author
August Ragone has written and commented on Japanese film and pop culture for more than twenty years. He lives in San Francisco.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is one of those gem of a book that crosses genres. August Ragone shows us behind he scenes of the man who created Godzilla and Ultraman. Well written at a level anyone can enjoy, and with a host of never seen before pictures (at least in America) of the behind the scenes making of these icons makes this a great read. Lots of information not readily known outside of Japan. Can't wait for volume 2!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Martin Arlt
Format:Hardcover
This book is a meticulous, thoughtful, well-written, and beautifully laid-out tribute to a true master of special effects. It is a fascinating look, not only into Tsuburaya's life and career, but also the way the film industry works in Japan. An interesting read for non-fans; a must-have for fans of the genre.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was purchased as a Christmas gift for my husband, who wanted to stop opening gifts so that he could read it! His love of Japanese movies seems to be growing with every page he reads of this book... and I think I may have "created a monster" - husband is promising to show the baby tons of Godzilla & Ultraman dvds.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Jeremy
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Phenomenal book. Great quality, design, and content. If you have any remote appreciation for this kind of film making and monster design, this book is an absolute love letter... A must have!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By lordhoot
Format:Hardcover
Tsuburaya Eiji was the Japanese special effects director who was behind so many monster movies that came out from Japan during the 1950s and 1960s. This is a pictorial biography of Tsuburaya Eiji that proves to be very well written and informative. I found the book to be rather insightful as the author included inserts written by men who worked with or worked under Tsuburaya Eiji during his career. The book also comes well illustrated with photographs and movie posters on almost every page as it traces the life and time of Tsuburaya Eiji's career. It was interesting to note that during World War II, he made a movie made from miniatures that showed the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was so realistic that during the initial post war period, Americans thought it was the real thing. Tsuburaya Eiji was also the man who made Godzilla what he was and creator of the Ultraman series that is still going on to this day.
Overall, this book is definitely worth your time and money to read over and treasure. Tsuburaya Eiji is one of the great pioneers of motion picture industry regarding special effects and his influence help shape this industry to this day. His influence in the science fiction genre will remains pretty strong as monster movies like Cloverfield still hit our theaters and on DVD to this day. The book strongly reflects the heydays of Japanese monster movie era history and it will remind many of us, the fun and wonder these movies brought us during our younger days. And it will inform otherwise misinformed that there is more to these movies then just a "guy in the monster suit" concept.
(And yes, I am writing the subject's name in Japanese style...sur name first always...Tsuburaya Eiji is the way you would address him if he was still alive today...... Read more ›
Overall, this book is definitely worth your time and money to read over and treasure. Tsuburaya Eiji is one of the great pioneers of motion picture industry regarding special effects and his influence help shape this industry to this day. His influence in the science fiction genre will remains pretty strong as monster movies like Cloverfield still hit our theaters and on DVD to this day. The book strongly reflects the heydays of Japanese monster movie era history and it will remind many of us, the fun and wonder these movies brought us during our younger days. And it will inform otherwise misinformed that there is more to these movies then just a "guy in the monster suit" concept.
(And yes, I am writing the subject's name in Japanese style...sur name first always...Tsuburaya Eiji is the way you would address him if he was still alive today...... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Gavins
Format:Hardcover
A Japanese book titled The Films of Eiji Tsuburaya has become a hard to find collectors item and for that reason I have never owned it. That indicates a level of interest which this new English language book meets very well. There are lavish illustrations and insightful text written by those who were fortunate to be able to research this topic firsthand. Pleasantly surprising is the section written by the now deceased Guy Mariner Tucker. The fact that Tsuburaya had such a hand in tokusatsu and kaiju eiga enables the writing of a book that covers multiple productions from Godzilla to Mighty Jack. Well done and well priced.
By Quangaroo
Format:Hardcover
I found this to be a very enjoyable & informative book--the only thing that takes away from the reading experience is the Author's or Publisher's decision to run the captions for the photos VERTICALLY along their sides.
Whether this was done to emulate traditional Japanese character-style writing or just to save space, I can think of nothing more annoying than constantly having to crane your head or turn the book sideways to read a photo caption.
I hope the next printing involves placing the captions under the photo, so the reading experience flows better.
Otherwise it's a great book...
Whether this was done to emulate traditional Japanese character-style writing or just to save space, I can think of nothing more annoying than constantly having to crane your head or turn the book sideways to read a photo caption.
I hope the next printing involves placing the captions under the photo, so the reading experience flows better.
Otherwise it's a great book...
Format:Hardcover
Written in chronological order, this book depicts the man's life from birth till his demise and beyond. This book is more heavily on Godzilla than Ultraman (and UltraSeven), but nevertheless, the influences that both has seemed eternal and endears to generations of follower.
How I wish to visit UltramanLand! Or get into a monster costume at Tsuburaya Productions and smash up some buildings... haha!
Wonderfully written with many articles contributed by various key figures in the life of Eiji Tsuburaya. Lots of photos in it as well. The only grouse I have about this book is the descriptions for all the photos, always inserted at a strange 90 degree, I have to [...] my head just to read them, very uncomfortable.
But on the whole, this is the must-have for the "Tsuburaya" fan.
How I wish to visit UltramanLand! Or get into a monster costume at Tsuburaya Productions and smash up some buildings... haha!
Wonderfully written with many articles contributed by various key figures in the life of Eiji Tsuburaya. Lots of photos in it as well. The only grouse I have about this book is the descriptions for all the photos, always inserted at a strange 90 degree, I have to [...] my head just to read them, very uncomfortable.
But on the whole, this is the must-have for the "Tsuburaya" fan.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
movie monster book
My son-in-law was extremely pleased to get this book as a birthday gift. It arrived in good time and in superb condition.
Published on February 25, 2011 by valleyfaye
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ultracool book for anyone interested in japanese popculture
Godzilla, Ultraman, Booska... they all come together in this book. Eiji Tsuburaya is a newly discovered hero of mine. Read more
Published on June 5, 2009 by J. B. De Zwart
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive, well written, and brimming with photos!
This is a fantastic book for anyone interested in Eiji Tsuburaya and his work. It is full of biographical information and anecdotes about the man that is best known for bringing... Read more
Published on April 15, 2009 by Adam Mann
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oh no, there goes Toyko...
Amazing Book! Super cool photos! EVERY KAIJU / MONSTER FAN SHOULD OWN THIS!
great inside to the japanese film studios as well.
great inside to the japanese film studios as well.
Published on January 22, 2009 by Janie M. Gantt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tsuburarya IS The Master!
If you like giant monster movies, and want to know more about how they were made, this book is for you. Read more
Published on June 5, 2008 by Michael P. Goobic
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
This is a wonderful coffee-table size book that contains beautiful photos and interesting commentary. If you are a fan of Godzilla and/or Eiji Tsuburaya this is the book to get!
Published on April 16, 2008 by Timothy Mccormick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Godzilla to Ultraman............
I been reading books on japanese monsters for many years. But I have to say this is the far by best book ever. Just seeing the never before pictues is worth the price alone. Read more
Published on March 5, 2008 by George Carabetsos
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