Author: Keith Aiken
Source: 3Y Film
Special Thanks to Avery Guerra
A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE
Our friends at 3Y Film, the Japanese production company behind THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL (大仏廻国, Daibutsu Kokaiku, 2019) and NEZURA 1964 (ネズラ1964, 2020), and MRTS have shared an exclusive first look at their next kaiju film, HOSHI 35 (星35). ‘Hoshi’ means ‘star’ in Japanese and, like the English word, has several meanings. The movie, which will use traditional Japanese FX techniques (aka tokusatsu), will be directed by Hiroto Yokokawa (THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL, NEZURA 1964, GHOST CAT RHAPSODY). Daisuke Sato (HOWL FROM BEYOND THE FOG) is also working on the film as cinematographer and part of the kaiju modeling team.
3Y Film has a tradition of bringing back actors known for their work in classic kaiju and tokusatsu films and television shows. HOSHI 35 is no exception, with the fan-favorite Godzilla series actress Megumi Odaka already signed onto the production.
In 1987, Ms. Odaka won the second Toho Cinderella Grand Prix, an competition for aspiring actresses, and soon began acting in movies and TV shows. Her most famous role was the psychic girl Miki Saegusa, who was introduced in GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE (ゴジラVSビオランテ, Gojira tai Biorante, 1989) and would return in five consecutive Godzilla films through GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH (ゴジラVSデストロイア, Gojira tai Desutoroia, 1995), giving Odaka the record for most appearances by the same actor as the same character in the Godzilla series. Megumi Odaka retired from acting 2001, although she did appear in the 2020 NHK documentary GODZILLA'S LEADING LADIES (ゴジラとヒロイン, Gojira to Hiroin) and recently narrated the computer animated short film GODZILLA VS GIGAN REX (ゴジラ VS ガイガンレクス, Gojira VS Gaigan Rekusu) that premiered during Toho’s Godzilla Fest 2022 this past November 3rd.
HOSHI 35 marks Megumi Odaka's first onscreen appearance in a kaiju film in decades. Her involvement is being announced to Japanese audiences during this weekend’s “Megumi Odaka Anniversary Project" (小高恵美アニバーサリープロジェクト, Odaka Megumi Anibāsarī Purojekuto), being held at the Ikebukuro HUMAX Cinemas in Tokyo. Celebrating the 35th anniversary of her acting career, the event includes a Q&A and autograph session with Megumi Odaka and other special guests, an exhibition of rare photos and items from her movies, and a special screening of M35, a new documentary short about the actress made by Hiroto Yokokawa.
At 3Y Film’s request, SciFi Japan is running this article to coincide with the HOSHI 35 reveal at the Megumi Odaka Anniversary Project, which will take place at 4:00pm JST.
In addition to Ms. Odaka, the main cast of HOSHI 35 will feature some familiar faces for tokusatsu fans. Jun Hashizume played Koji Shinjo, G-Force Lieutenant – and Miki Saegusa’s love interest – in GODZILLA VS SPACEGODZILLA (ゴジラVSスペースゴジラ, Gojira tai Supēsugojira, 1994). His additional genre credits include GODZILLA FINAL WARS (ゴジラ FINAL WARS, Gojira Fainaru Uōzu, 2004) and ULTRAMAN Z 『ウルトラマンZ(ゼット), Urutoraman Z (Zetto), 2020』.
Daijiro Harada played Mechagodzilla captain Takuya Sasaki in GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA ll (ゴジラVSメカゴジラ, Gojira tai Mekagojira, 1993), appeared in SHIN KAMEN RIDER: PROLOGUE (真・仮面ライダー 序章(プロローグ, Shin Kamen Raidā: Purorōgu, 1992) and provided the voice for the dog Heen in Studio Ghibli’s HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (ハウルの動く城, Hauru no Ugoku Shiro, 2004).
Hiroshi Miyasaka’s filmography includes AKIRA KUROSAWA’S DREAMS (夢, Yume, 1990), the international hit SHALL WE DANCE? (ダンス?, Sharu wi Dansu?, 1996) and ULTRA GALAXY FIGHT: THE DESTINED CROSSROAD (ウルトラギャラクシーファイト 運命の衝突, Urutora Gyarakushī Faito Unmei no Shōtotsu, 2022).
Yumiko Tanaka appeared in the Kamen Rider series MASKED RIDER SUPER-1 (仮面ライダースーパー1, Kamen Raidā Sūpā Wan, 1980-81, had a cameo role in THE RETURN OF GODZILLA (ゴジラ, Gojira, 1984), and recently worked with Hiroto Yokokawa on GHOST CAT RHAPSODY.
The monster Hoshikuzu will be played by Akira Ohashi. Ohashi is a veteran suit actor, known for portraying Gamera in GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF LEGION (ガメラ2 レギオン襲来 Gamera 2 Rregion Shūrai, 1996), Trauma Gamera and Iris in GAMERA 3: THE REVENGE OF IRIS (ガメラ3 邪神〈イリス〉覚醒), King Ghidorah in GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL OUT ATTACK (ゴジラ・モスラ・キングギドラ 大怪獣総攻撃, Gojira, Mosura, Kingu Gidora: Daikaijū Sōkōgeki, 2001), and the titular creature in GHOST CAT RHAPSODY.
About 3Y Film
3Y Film is part of the video production company 3Y Co., Ltd. Founded in 2015 by Hiroto Yokokawa, 3Y has been involved with the production, filming, photography, editing and CG effects for commercials, movies, stage productions and corporate videos. The company has recently branched out into their original productions such as the feature film THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL.