From Character JAPAN

With the release of the new "Godzilla" film, this "Godzilla Special" issue celebrates 100 years of history; Godzilla's 60th birthday and Big Comic Original's 40th anniversary.

A total of 20 authors including Rumiko Takahashi (Urusei Yatsura), Kitami Kenichi (Tsuribaka Nisshi), and Keigo Shinzo (Bokura no Funka Matsuri) have passionately created works brimming with their love for Godzilla.

Additionally, this issue is full of special features like interviews with celebrity Godzilla fans Shiro Sano, Baku Yumemakura, and Masuko Naozumi (of Dohatsuten) in which they each reflect passionately on what Godzilla means to them.

Also included are a chart showing Godzilla's evolution and a summary of a round-table discussion with Godzilla fans.

■ Contributors

Shimpei Ito, Yasuo Otagaki, Tobira Oda, Naoki Karasawa, Masahiko Kikuni, Kenichi Kitami, Akira Saso, Keigo Shinzo, Yasuhiko Takata, Rumiko Takahashi, Yamamoto Terry, Kazuichi Hanawa, Mochiru Hoshisato, Yasushi Hoshino, Nobuyuki Hori, Kazuha Magokoro, Koichi Masahara, Yukio Miyama, Daijiro Morohoshi, Sensha Yoshida (ordered by Japanese syllabary)

 ■ Special Features

1. "60 Years of Godzilla, King of Monsters"
An introduction to the history of Godzilla along with a chart showing how the monster has changed over the years.

2. "An analysis of the movie 'Godzilla'" - by Minoru Kawasaki
Film director Minoru Kawasaki talks all about the new Hollywood big budget Godzilla movie.

3. "Godzilla vs. Godzilla Fans: The Greatest Conversation on Earth"
A summary of a 7 hour roundtable discussion between kaijuu (giant monster) loving manga authors Nobuyuki Hori, Sensha Yoshida, and Naoki Karasawa, as well as Fuyuki Shinada, a molding artist with previous experience working on Godzilla suits.

4. "Godzilla Fan Interviews: Roar at Godzilla!"
Actor Shiro Sano, author/photographer Baku Yumemakura, and musician Masuko Naozumi (of the band Dohatsuten) each give passionate interviews on what Godzilla means to them.

 ■ Big Comic Original Extra "Godzilla Special" digital version details:

On sale from July 22nd (Tuesday)
Price: ¥350 (excluding tax)
Sales period: July 22nd, 2014 (Tuesday) - October 24th, 2014 (Friday)
Publisher: Shogakukan's official digital comic sales site — Comic Shogakukan Books

From Hobby Japan

Artworks of Yasushi Torisawa: The Attack of Toho Monsters is a new art book being released to celebrate Godzilla's 60th Anniversary, below is the description from Hobby Japan's website.

2014, Godzilla revival Memorial! 
Toho monster Godzilla and the monster designer of contemporary stamps draw flocks! 
Toho Godzilla and buzz at home and abroad with the public latest movie "GODZILLA" and the 60th anniversary, "Godzilla" birth guru-ToriSawa depreciation of facilities monster design in present-day draw with detail and a unique touch, at dynamic movement lively, a monster. I record and sketch illustrations column was serialized special effects magazine "Spaceship" and "Toho Monsters advance", the design work of Toho special effects ToriSawa dealt with in the past. Cover, pinup, door page! Drawn will be the first full public also, this book is a faithful reproduction of the richly-colored, such as King Ghidorah and Mothra drawn by the ToriSawa by the high-resolution printing. It is possible to thoroughly enjoy the beautiful is.

Publisher: Hobby Japan
Language: Japanese
Release Date: July 26, 2014
Price: ￥3,000 (Approx $30 US)

Japanese publisher Magazine House is releasing two books one Godzilla 60: Complete Guide, and Ultra Seven Encyclopedia both will be available July 22 in Japan and sold through retailers like Amazon Japan. Details below.

Godzilla 60: Complete Guide
Godzilla Movie History
Monster Encyclopedia
GODZILLA 2014 Filmmaker Interviews
The Secret Story of Godzilla’s Birth
Memories of Godzilla: Interviews with Akira Takarada, Kenji Sahara, Yoshio
Tsuchiya, Kenpachiro Satsuma and others
Toho Self-Defense Forces
Godzilla Profile

Publisher: Magazine House
Language: Japanese
Pages: 128
Release Date: July 22, 2014
Price: ￥1620 (Approx $16 US)

Ultra Seven Encyclopedia
Details of the series including the Ultra Guard and Ultra Hawk
Interviews
And more

Publisher: Magazine House
Language: Japanese
Pages: 111
Release Date: July 22, 2014
Price: ￥1000 (Approx $10 US)

To help mark Godzilla's 60th Anniversary Aspect is releasing Godzilla Illustrations a book featuring the artwork work of Yuji Kaida. The book being released on July 28 features Kaida's works in the full color book as well as an interview. The book is 128 pages and will be about $30 US. Below is a bio on Kaida from Aspect's site, and you can purchase the book on Amazon Japan here.

 YUJI KAIDA
1953年Born in Hyogo Prefecture. Kyoto City University of Arts graduation. Illustrator. Living in Tokyo. 
A number of monster film, including "Godzilla" series from boyhood, familiarize yourself with the special effects movie, while involved in the editing of the fanzine of special effects more relevant art school student, and begins to announce the illustration work. Activities start as an illustrator and to Tokyo after graduation. I deal a lot of illustrations cover magazine "spacecraft", Plastic package "Godzilla" and "Mobile Suit Gundam" series, such as video Soft Jacket "Ultraman" and "Godzilla" series, to take the nickname of <monster painter> unawares made. Continued beside fan activities of work, twice a year, I have been editing issue "special effects came" a fanzine. "Monster Gallery Exhibition" (1996, Shibuya Tokyu Toyoko shop, etc.), "Monster Museum Exhibition" (Kawasaki City Museum in 1997), "Yuji Kaida dream exhibition of the 20th century and the Monster" (2007, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa), Trade shows many "world of special effects and Tsuburaya monster artist Yuji Kaida" (~ 2012, Shibuya Parco other, etc.). I was held illustration exhibition of Toho special effects movie associated "ART OF Godzilla" at Ginza Qi path Gallery in the spring of 2014. A "monster caricature" (Bandai), "Monster Gallery" (Media Works), "Ultra Q Yuji Kaida art book" (Kadokawa Shoten), "UTOPIA Yuji Kaida Works" and (wedge Holdings) to book. 

Godzilla Character Encyclopedia: Toho Special Effects Movie Complete History is another awesome Godzilla book coming to celebrate his 60th anniversary published by Kodansha Ltd. 

The book features not only Godzilla but many other monsters including Legendary's Godzilla. 

The book is 176 page deluxe edition book that will retail for about $38 US and will be release on July 15 and is available on Amazon Japan here.

Another Godzilla book is coming as we officially get to his 60th Anniversary, Common Sense of Godzilla/Common Knowledge Of Godzilla (depending on the translation) it was release in Japan on 7/2/14.

It's 196 pages cover Godzilla as well as other Toho monsters even including Legendary's Godzilla. Cost is a quite reasonable $6 US. 

It is published by Futabasha Publishers Ltd and you can purchase it through Amazon Japan here.