Japanese Science-Fiction At Monsterpalooza

by Armand Vaquer



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The upcoming Monsterpalooza on April 8-10 is the third show.

The inaugural show came in 2009 at the Burbank Marriott and Convention Center (across the street from Bob Hope Airport) and it was very impressive. The show was loaded with guests, exhibits, actors, vendors, directors, producers, screenwriters, authors, make-up artists and many other frightful things for the monster fan.

As good as the previous shows were, Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies were not well represented. There was one kaiju toy dealer and not much else.

This year's show will greatly rectify this. Presentations include:

Haruo Nakajima, who was the man-in-the-suit for Godzilla and many other Japanese monsters, will be attending along with his daughter Sonoe. He will take part in the Men In Suits Presentation. Sunday, April 10 at 2:00 PM.

and...

Haruo Nakajima will also have his own presentation at Monsterpalooza that will be moderated by August Ragone and Jason Varney. The session will include rare photos and film clips. Saturday, April 9 at 3:00 PM.

Peter H. Brothers, author of Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda, will give a presentation on the greatest Japanese monster director. Friday, April 8 at 7:00 PM.

Following Brothers, I will give a presentation on kaiju movie locations based on The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. Friday, April 8 at 8:00 PM.

There will also be kaiju toy dealers present, including Clawmark Toys from Japan and Anime Jungle and Toyfreak from California.

As you can see, fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy films have several reasons to attend this year's Monsterpalooza.

Monsterpalooza will be held again at the Burbank Marriott and Convention Center.

For additional information on Monsterpalooza, go here.

Hope to see you there!