Toho to Produce First ‘Godzilla’ Animation Movie

TOKYO – Japan’s movie giant, Toho has announced the production of a feature-length Godzillaanimation. Simply titled “Godzilla,” it is set for release next year.

Tokyo-based Polygon Pictures is handling production duties with Kobun Shizuno (“Detective Conan” series) and Hiroyuki Seshita (“Knights of Sidonia”) co-directing. Gen Urobuchi, a popular writer of graphic novels, light novels and anime scripts, whose credits include the 2015 feature animation “Psycho-Pass: The Movie,” is in charge of the original story and screenplay.

Although Toho has previously collaborated on TV animation series based on the Godzilla character it controls, this is the first feature animation project in the franchise’s 62-year history.   “We’re aiming to make a big-scale animation entertainment that people who love Godzilla and people who know nothing about him can both enjoy,” Shizuno said in a statement.

Toho has been encouraged by the success and revival of the monster franchise. Its latest live-action entry, “Shin Godzilla” has recorded more than two million admissions since its June 29 Japanese release. Read more…