The Kaiju Connection

The Kaiju Connection
Author: Jason Barr
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 211
Release: 2023-10-02
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 147669351X

What makes a kaiju a kaiju? What makes an ape a large ape, and why do we sympathize with some, such as King Kong, and not with others, such as Konga? And what makes a giant person become a "monster"? This book provides a new perspective on kaiju and reveals that our boundaries for the genre are perhaps not so solid. The work focus primarily on newer kaiju works, ranging from Colossal to Shin Godzilla to Godzilla vs. Kong, but also touches on classics such as King Kong, Mighty Joe Young, Godzilla Raids Again, and lesser-known works such as What to Do With the Dead Kaiju? and Agon. Like our ancestors we have collectively adopted giant monsters into our culture, especially our pop culture. Within the domains where giant monsters walk, we experience the rigidity of our moral structures, and the fleeting borders of our definitions of humanity. Within the kaiju film genre rest our own assumptions about what makes a monster a monster, and, more importantly, what makes a human a human.

Giant Creatures in Our World

Giant Creatures in Our World
Author: Camille D.G. Mustachio
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 213
Release: 2017-10-13
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1476668361

Dismissed as camp by critics but revered by fans, the kaiju or "strange creature" film has become an iconic element of both Japanese and American pop culture. From homage to parody to advertising, references to Godzilla--and to a lesser extent Gamera, Rodan, Ultraman and others--abound in entertainment media. Godzilla in particular is so ubiquitous, his name is synonymous with immensity and destruction. In this collection of new essays, contributors examine kaiju representations in a range of contexts and attempt to define this at times ambiguous genre.

The Kaiju Preservation Society

The Kaiju Preservation Society
Author: John Scalzi
Publisher: Tor Books
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2022-03-15
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0765389134

The Kaiju Preservation Society is John Scalzi's first standalone adventure since the conclusion of his New York Times bestselling Interdependency trilogy. When COVID-19 sweeps through New York City, Jamie Gray is stuck as a dead-end driver for food delivery apps. That is, until Jamie makes a delivery to an old acquaintance, Tom, who works at what he calls “an animal rights organization.” Tom’s team needs a last-minute grunt to handle things on their next field visit. Jamie, eager to do anything, immediately signs on. What Tom doesn't tell Jamie is that the animals his team cares for are not here on Earth. Not our Earth, at least. In an alternate dimension, massive dinosaur-like creatures named Kaiju roam a warm, human-free world. They're the universe's largest and most dangerous panda and they're in trouble. It's not just the Kaiju Preservation Society who have found their way to the alternate world. Others have, too. And their carelessness could cause millions back on our Earth to die. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Japan's Green Monsters

Japan's Green Monsters
Author: Sean Rhoads
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 227
Release: 2018-01-25
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1476631344

In 1954, a massive irradiated dinosaur emerged from Tokyo Bay and rained death and destruction on the Japanese capital. Since then Godzilla and other monsters, such as Mothra and Gamera, have gained cult status around the world. This book provides a new interpretation of these monsters, or kaiju-ū, and their respective movies. Analyzing Japanese history, society and film, the authors show the ways in which this monster cinema take on environmental and ecological issues--from nuclear power and industrial pollution to biodiversity and climate change.

Kaiju Unleashed

Kaiju Unleashed
Author: Shawn Pryor
Publisher: Epic Ink
Total Pages: 247
Release: 2024-10-29
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 0760392900

Celebrate the world of movie monsters and beasts with Kaiju Unleashed, a complete reference guide to strange creatures in film and how they came to be. Kaiju (Japanese for “strange creature”) is a film genre that emerged in Japan in the early ’50s. The movies center on giant monsters battling humans, machines, or other beasts. This film category has stomped its way back into mainstream culture. This comprehensive guide features: A thorough discussion of monster movies (Gamera; Rodan; Destroy All Monsters) Insight into how kaiju has impacted international films (Ant Man; 50-Foot Woman; Jurassic Park) Stunning movie posters and film stills, plus fan-made tributes to some of the kaiju classics (Godzilla; King Kong; Mothra; Pacific Rim) And more! If you are a kaiju fan or are interested in kaiju’s cultural influence worldwide, this volume provides the perfect general introduction to the genre, reference to its film highlights, and celebration of its practitioners, trends, and stories.

Kaiju Rising

Kaiju Rising
Author: Tim Marquitz
Publisher:
Total Pages: 512
Release: 2017-04-18
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9781944760892

Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters is a collection of stories focused on strange creatures in the vein of Pacific Rim, Godzilla, Cloverfield, and more. Opening with a foreword by Jeremy Robinson--author of Project Nemesis, the highest selling Kaiju novel in the United States since the old Godzilla books--the collection features work from New York Times bestsellers to indie darlings.

Arrival

Arrival
Author: Paul Parsons
Publisher:
Total Pages: 342
Release: 2021-06-14
Genre:
ISBN: 9781736154106

The Sullivans are a normal family. But after being transported to the magical world of Arenia, normal isn't a luxury they can afford. It's just another Thanksgiving for the Sullivans-until the walls disappear and they discover they are being transported to Arenia, a place where game rules are real and their Earthen ability to reincarnate grants them unlimited potential. Or it would, if the celestial administrator in charge of their case hadn't mixed up longitude and latitude and sent the wrong family. Oops. Too bad he already faked their deaths. Now scattered throughout the Arenian wilderness and armed only with their Tomes-books containing all of their skills, accomplishments, and quests-the family members must discover a strength they didn't know they had if they are going to survive long enough to find each other. Note: Contains some profanity and a turkey, but not a profane turkey. Personally, I'm fine with profane turkeys, but if that's where you draw the line, you should know that there are none in this book. In fact, I'm going to promise you no profane turkeys for the entire series. That's my gift to you.

Anzu the Great Kaiju

Anzu the Great Kaiju
Author: Benson Shum
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Total Pages: 21
Release: 2022-01-11
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 125086822X

An adorable picture book about a tiny monster with a big heart trying to follow in his family's footsteps. All great Kaiju are born with a super power to strike fear in the heart of the city. But Anzu is different. Instead of mayhem, he likes May flowers. Instead of striking fear, he prefers to be sincere. Can Anzu find a way to make his family proud and stay true to his kind self? From Disney animator and illustrator Bensom Shum comes an adorable and heartwarming picture book about making your own way and the unexpected power of gentleness—perfect for fans of Ferdinand the Bull.

Kaiju for Hipsters

Kaiju for Hipsters
Author: Kevin Derendorf
Publisher:
Total Pages: 418
Release: 2018-07-03
Genre:
ISBN: 9781983293771

"The Radioactive King of the Monsters!" "The Universe-Guarding Friend to Children!""The Mightiest Moth in All Creation!"You won't find them here.No, this is not a collection reviewing the same old giant monster movies that we've all seen covered countless times already. This book is for those who've already watched those, and are looking for a new fix, outside of those familiar franchise behemoths.Here you'll find information on the more esoteric kaiju cinema experience: quirky parodies (such as Big Man Japan and Ultraman Zearth), animated features (like Cyborg 009: War of the Monsters), Taiwanese fantasy flicks (e.g. King of Snake and its better-known Hong Kong edition, Thunder of Gigantic Serpent), low-budget indie pictures (including Monster Movie G and Orochi Strikes Again), TV miniseries (for example, Moonlight Mask: Mammoth Kong or Iron Armor Mikazuki), and more. There's a lot to enjoy, so come take a walk down the road less trampled.