Godzilla director helms new GODMAN project Author: James M. Ballard Sources: HMV Details of an otherwise unassuming DVD compilation make a surprising revelation. The new 3-disc DVD box set RETURN OF THE GOOD MORNING HEROES: GO! GO! GODMAN & GREENMAN (Kaetekita Ohayou Hiiroo: Yuke! Yuke! Goddoman & Guriinman), due for release on May 23rd in Japan, will compile a carefully selected choice of popular episodes from the Toho TV series GO! GODMAN (Ike! Goddoman, 1972) and GO! GREENMAN (Yuke! Guriinman, 1973). But along with the set will come a special bonus disc featuring the tentatively-titled NEW GODMAN PRODUCTION (Shinsaku Godadoman). Attached to the new project is director Masaaki Tezuka, best known for his work on the recent Godzilla productions GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS (Gojira tai Megagirasu G Shoumetsu Sakusen, 2000), GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (Gojira tai Mekagojira, 2002) and GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS (Gojira Mosura Mekagojira Tokyo SOS, 2003), as well as the time-travel adventure film SAMURAI COMMANDO MISSION 1549 (Sengoku Jietai 1594, 2005). The team also includes monster suit maker Fuyuki Shinada, whose previous work has included such high-profile productions as GODZILLA, MOTHRA & KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK (aka GMK, Gojira Mosura Kingugidora Daikaiju Soukougeki, 2001), the monster Legion for GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF LEGION (Gamera 2 Region Shurai, 1996) and Iris for GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS (Gamera 3 Irisu Kakusei, 1999).

Airing for 26 episodes from October 5th 1972 until April 10th 1973, GO! GODMAN (Ike! Goddoman, 1972) was Toho`s first venture into the realm of giant heroes, pre-dating both ZONE FIGHTER (Ryuusei Ningen Zoon, 1973) and the Jet Jaguar character in GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (Gojira tai Megaro, 1973). Just as ZONE FIGHTER utilized the popular characters Godzilla, Gigan and King Ghidorah, the original GO! GODMAN included the Toho movie monsters Gorosaurus, Sanda, Gaira, Gabara and Kamoebas. The series was followed by GO! GREENMAN on November 12th 1973, which ran until September 27th 1974 with 52 episodes. GREENMAN likewise featured appearances by Minya, Sanda, Gaira and Gabara.