- Published on
The Folio Society To Publish JAPANESE GHOST STORIES,
A Collection of Twenty Spine-Tingling Classic Tales from Japan
Illustrated by Award-Winning Artist Yuko Shimizu
Featuring An All-New Introduction by Novelist Yoko Ogawa
Press release,
(October 13, 2026) This fall, the Folio Society, independent publisher of beautifully illustrated hardback books, will publish JAPANESE GHOST STORIES, a stunning, collectible collection of twenty spine-tingling tales illustrated by award-winning artist Yuko Shimizu. Set in the haunted world of Ancient Japan, the classic tales were collected and translated by Lafcadio Hearn, a 19th-century traveller and resident of Japan whose collections of supernatural stories drawn from folklore are wildly popular in Japan. JAPANESE GHOST STORIES is the latest literary classic from Japan to be published by the Folio Society, alongside contemporary classics by Kazuo Ishiguro and Haruki Murakami and Japanese Tales, a treasury of Japanese folklore and wisdom, beautifully bound by Folio, translated by Royall Tyler and also illustrated by artist Yuko Shimizu. The Folio Society edition of JAPANESE GHOST STORIES will include an all-new introduction from Japanese novelist, Yoko Ogawa, whose novel The Memory Police was a finalist for the National Book Award for Translated Literature, the International Booker Prize and the World Fantasy Award. JAPANESE GHOST STORIES will be available on the Folio Society’s website on October 13, 2026, just in time for Halloween.
JAPANESE GHOST STORIES features twenty transportive and sometimes terrifying tales, including “The Story of Aoyagi,” in which a young samurai falls in love with a mysterious woman only to discover she is not what she seems; “Oshidori,” the haunting tale in which a mandarin duck mourns the loss of her lover, who was shot and killed by a hunter’ “The Dream of Akinosuké,” in which a man becomes the king of an ant kingdom; and “Rokuro-Kubi,” an action packed story in which a monk battles five flying heads.
In JAPANESE GHOST STORIES, the dead wreak revenge on the living, paintings come alive, spectral brides possess mortal men and a priest devours human flesh. These tales draw on the phantoms and ghouls of traditional Japanese folklore—including the headless 'rokuro-kubi', the monstrous goblins 'jikininki' and the faceless 'mujina' who stalk lonely neighbourhoods. The stories are massively popular in Japan and highly regarded by folklore aficionados and horror enthusiasts alike.
The stories in JAPANESE GHOST STORIES are provided by Lafcadio Hearn, a writer, journalist and translator whose works introduced Western readers to the culture, folklore and literature of Japan. Born on the Greek island of Lefkada to an Irish father and Greek mother, he emigrated to the United States before settling in Japan in 1890. There he married, became a Japanese citizen under the name Koizumi Yakumo, and devoted himself to recording the country’s stories, customs and beliefs. His ghost stories—Kwaidan, In Ghostly Japan, Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan—which were drawn from Japanese folklore, appeared in collections throughout the 1890s and 1900s. He remains today a much-celebrated figure in Japan.
“Lafcadio Hearn's 19th-century ghost stories are famous throughout Japan and are part of that country's culture of the supernatural. I love the way we've taken something traditional and given it a modern twist,” said Folio Society Editor Mandy Kirby. “At first glance, you might think Yuko Shimizu's illustrations are from the time of Hokusai, but look closer and you can see that they have modern touches, and the cover is unmistakably 21st century. One of Japan's contemporary novelists, Yoko Ogawa, has provided an introduction in which she talks about Japan's obsession with ghosts and demons, and how unsettling and scary these stories actually are. She's right - they are absolute gems of the supernatural, the perfect read for the ghostly season.
JAPANESE GHOST STORIES is accompanied by 5 haunting double-page illustrations—as well as a frontis, cover, slipcase and endpaper art—by the New York-based Japanese artist Yuko Shimizu, who has received multiple Gold and Silver Medals from the Society of Illustrators. JAPANESE GHOST STORIES marks Shimizu’s third collaboration with The Folio Society, following Japanese Tales (2018) and The Great Gatsby (2025).
Shimizu is a multi-award-winning Japanese illustrator based in New York City. She is also an instructor at The School of Visual Arts and has more than twenty years of experience illustrating. Her work includes multiple disciplines; from pages of The New York Times, TIME, Newsweek, and The New Yorker to WIRED, covers for DC Comic, Penguin Random House, and Scholastic, and advertising for BBC, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Intel, Universal Pictures, SONY, Paramount, MTV, Nike, Hasbro, and Target, to name a few. Additionally, she has collaborated with the United Nations, Smithsonian Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Library of Congress.
Shimizu has illustrated multiple books including two Caldecott Honor-winners: The Cat Man of Aleppo (2020 written by Karim Shamsi-Basha and Irene Latham) and Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains (2024, written by Anita Yasuda) the Museum of Tolerance Young Reader Award winning Barbed Wire Baseball (2013 written by Marissa Moss), A Wild Swan by Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Michael Cunningham, and Godzilla: The Official Pop-Up Book (2024 written by Chip Carter and Matthew Reinhart). This is her 3rd book from Folio Society, following Japanese Tales (2018, written by Royall Tyler) and The Great Gatsby (2025, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald). She will be providing both cover and interior art for Haruki Murakami’s highly anticipated upcoming book Abandoning a Cat ( October 2026 from Knopf). Shimizu has also provided art for multiple films for the Criterion Collection, including The Ballad of Narayama (1958 directed by Keisuke Kinoshita), Demon Pond (1979, directed by Masahiro Shinoda), Godzilla (1959, directed by Ishirō Honda), The Mikado (1939 directed by Victor Schertzinger), The Samurai Trilogy (1954 - 1956 directed by Hiroshi Inagaki) and Tospy Turvy (1999, directed by Mike Leigh) and created art for films including John Wick 4 (2023, directed by Chad Stahelski) and 60th anniversary of Darling (1965, directed by John Schlesinger).
“Coming up with a good concept, or, at least a concept I am excited to materialize, is the most important and crucial part of the process,” said Shumizu. “After looking at a lot of old Japanese books and its formats, I wanted to make the illustrations look like a traditional Edo period EHON. These picture books are like an ancestor of manga. They are magazine format story books for adults that are heavily illustrated. But of course, this book is coming out in the 21st century, so it’s a traditional Edo Ehon look with a modern twist.”
“The full spread illustrations were created first, then they were dropped into the framed pages, in the style of typical Ehon,” added Shumizu. “Each image has the title written in Japanese on the edges of the page, which I asked my very good friend Ai Tatebayashi in Japan to create the calligraphy of. I can draw anything with brush, but I cannot write, and I needed her help.”
JAPANESE GHOST STORIES is perfect for fans of J-horror and classic Japanese horror films like Kwaidan. The 200 page hardcover edition will be on October 13, 2026 exclusively from https://www.foliosociety.com/.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Yuko Shimizu is an award-winning New York-based Japanese artist, renowned for her intricate and expressive artwork. She has a MFA from the Illustration as Visual Essay Program offered by the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where she now teaches in the BFA undergraduate department alongside working as a freelance artist. Her work has been published by Penguin, Time, Newsweek, the New York Times and the New Yorker; for Folio her work includes Japanese Tales (2018) and The Great Gatsby (2025). Her accolades include multiple Gold and Silver Medals from the Society of Illustrators, along with recognition as one of Newsweek Japan's '100 Japanese People the World Respects'.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) was a writer, journalist and translator whose works introduced Western readers to the culture, folklore and literature of Japan. Born on the Greek island of Lefkada to an Irish father and Greek mother, he emigrated to the United States before settling in Japan in 1890. There he married, became a Japanese citizen under the name Koizumi Yakumo, and devoted himself to recording the country's stories, customs and beliefs. His ghost stories – Kwaidan, In Ghostly Japan, Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan – which were drawn from Japanese folklore, appeared in collections throughout the 1890s and 1900s. He is a much celebrated figure in Japan.
ABOUT THE INTRODUCER
Yoko Ogawa is one of Japan's most prominent writers and has won every major Japanese literary award. Internationally, she has been the recipient of the Shirley Jackson Award and the American Book Award. Her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, A Public Space and Zoetrope. Her works include The Diving Pool, The Housekeeper and the Professor, Hotel Iris and Revenge. Her dystopian novel, The Memory Police, was shortlisted for the 2020 International Booker Prize.
ABOUT THE FOLIO SOCIETY
The Folio Society, based in London, publishes beautifully produced, illustrated hardback books. From a single purchase to a lifetime of collecting, book lovers around the world can buy these exquisite editions exclusively from their website, foliosociety.com. Proudly independent for its 75-year history, in 2021 under the leadership of its CEO, Joanna Reynolds, The Folio Society became an Employee Ownership Trust. The Folio Society is committed to a progressive sharing of power and profit in publishing, and this is reflected in their new status.
The Folio Society publishes some of the best names in publishing past and present, across the globe in high specification, collector editions. Notable publications include Frank Herbert’s Dune, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Andrew Chaikin’s A Man on the Moon and Alice Walker’s The Color Purple among many other contemporary and classic titles including a publishing partnership with Marvel delivering the world-recognized, iconic brand’s luxury editions
Retail price: $110
Pages: 200
Dimensions: 9½ inches × 6¼ inches (24.5 × 17 cm)
Production Details:
Bound in screen-printed cloth
Text printed in four colours throughout
Printed endpapers
Ribbon marker
Colour top book edge
Die-cut and blocked slipcase covered in a tactile, textured Japanese-inspired pape
Included Stories:
Oshidori
The Story of Mimi-Nashi-Hōïchi
The Story of O-Tei
Ubazakura
Diplomacy
Rokuro-Kubi
Of a Mirror and a Bell
Jikininki
Mujina
Yuki-Onna
A Dead Secret
Jiu-Roku-Zakura
The Dream of Akinosuké
Riki-Baka
The Story of Aoyagi
Hi-Mawari
Hōrai
The Story of Kwashin Koji
The Story of Itō Norisuké
The Story of O-Kamé
- Published on
The Mondo Art Of Godzilla
Author: Chip Carter
Publisher: Insight Editions
Hardcover
Publication date: October 13, 2026
Print length: 256 pages
Retail price: $60.00
Amazon pre-order here.
Discover Mondo’s stunning collection of official Godzilla artwork in this visually breathtaking celebration of the King of the Monsters.
For the first time, Mondo’s expansive artwork celebrating TOHO’s Godzilla is gathered in a single, visually stunning volume, spanning posters, statues, records, pins, apparel, and other products. Known for highly collectible, breathtaking creations, Mondo has earned a near-mythic status among fans. This definitive collection brings these coveted works together, showcasing everything from early designs and initial releases to recent collaborations in one beautifully presented and accessible book.
Alongside the artwork, the book explores the origins of both Mondo and Godzilla, offering a concise look at Mondo’s history and the iconic eras of Godzilla media that continue to inspire Mondo artists. It also features quotes and behind-the-scenes insights from the artists, designers, and creatives of Mondo and members of TOHO International, providing a rare glimpse into the process that brings these legendary pieces to life.
Featuring striking works from fan favorites including Attack Peter (Peter Santa-Maria), Hector Arce, Jesse Hernandez, and Tom Whalen, The Mondo Art of Godzilla is the perfect gift for every Godzilla fan and a captivating celebration of Mondo’s kaiju creations.
- Published on
McFarland & Company Publishes SCORING GODZILLA: AN ANALYSIS OF AKIRA IFUKUBE’S MUSICAL NARRATIVES
Press release
- Authored by Erik Homenick, PhD (UC San Diego), founder of AKIRAIFUKUBE.ORG and an internationally recognized expert on Akira Ifukube and his Godzilla music.
- First full length book about Akira Ifukube in English (or any language other than Japanese).
- Explores Ifukube’s life, career, and formation of his unique compositional style as well as his philosophies of nationalism and anti-modernity.
- Focuses on and critically analyzes his famous musical scores in Godzilla films such as Godzilla (1954), King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), and Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964).
- Undertakes a novel, multi-disciplinary approach to interpreting and analyzing Godzilla films that includes musicology and composer-based auteurism.
- To be released in Fall 2026. (No exact street date yet—updates will follow, Amazon and B&N list April 28, 2027 release date.)
- Page count: 214.
- Retail price: $55.
Scoring Godzilla: An Analysis of Akira Ifukube’s Musical Narratives is the first ever book in English about the famous Japanese composer Akira Ifukube (1914-2006) and his personal interpretations of what the character of Godzilla represents. For Ifukube, Godzilla is not so a much a symbol of nuclear weapons as it is a mighty representation of an ancient and protective (if chaotic) spirit of Japan.
Taking this idea to heart, Scoring Godzilla, which underwent blind peer review, complicates and builds upon the more common “nuclear horror” interpretation of the broader Godzilla phenomenon and offers innovative interpretations of Godzilla films through analyses of Ifukube’s original music written for those films. The book argues that Ifukube’s Godzilla music is distinctively infused with the composer’s philosophies of Japanese/Pan-Asian nationalism and anti-modernity in order to portray monsters like Godzilla as spiritual protectors of Japan. The book therefore explores how the auteur Ifukube uses definable compositional techniques to portray these giant monsters according to his unique interpretations—and how these techniques allow us not only to see but hear Godzilla films in new, fascinating ways.
The two main case studies in the book are Ifukube’s music in Godzilla (1954) and King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962). Other film scores are also discussed, including Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964), Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1993), and Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995). The analyses of the genre soundtracks discussed in Scoring Godzilla were undertaken by direct consultation with the original, rarely seen manuscript materials prepared by the composer.
Scoring Godzilla also offers substantial biographical information about the composer, his composition methods, and production background on the genre films discussed. Additionally, the book includes several rarely seen photographs supplied from Ifukube’s estate.
Early Praise for Scoring Godzilla
“Scoring Godzilla is a major contribution to Japanese film studies, persuasively positioning Akira Ifukube not just as a composer of colossal, emotionally charged scores but as a true co-author of Godzilla and the many other science fiction and fantasy films his music animates. With its incisive blend of musicology, auteur theory, and cultural history, Dr. Erik Homenick’s study reveals how Ifukube’s nationalistic, anti-modernist soundscapes transformed the kaiju genre into a profound meditation on a uniquely Japanese guardian spirit rather than a simple atomic allegory.”
Steve Ryfle, co-author of Godzilla: The First 70 Years and Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film from Godzilla to Kurosawa
“Within [Scoring Godzilla] is a treasure trove of information on a great many things: biography, history, politics, ethnology, music, etc. It’ll also prove valuable to film aficionados in and out of Godzilla fandom in how it pushes one to regard its subject’s artistry. This book demonstrates that Akira Ifukube wasn’t merely a technician who wrote exciting music to complement exciting imagery; he was a serious creator with an active mind and reasons behind his methods.”
Patrick Galvan of Toho Kingdom and author of Ruan Lingyu: Her Life and Career
World Wide Web
Scoring Godzilla: An Analysis of Akira Ifukube’s Musical Narratives is now available for pre-order on the McFarland & Company website: https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/scoring-godzilla/
It is also available for pre-order at major online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
For more information about Akira Ifukube, visit Erik Homenick’s website: https://www.akiraifukube.org/
Author Bio
Erik Homenick received his PhD in literature from the University of California, San Diego, where he has taught critical writing, film studies, and French courses. He has also taught French at San Diego State University and various community colleges. A long time researcher of Akira Ifukube, Erik is also the founder of the official English language website about the composer, AKIRAIFUKUBE.ORG, which is approved of by the late composer’s estate. He is also the co-founder of the Kaiju Masterclass online Godzilla convention that took place in 2020 and 2021. Additionally, Erik has contributed film music-related supplementary materials to Blu-ray releases produced by Arrow Video.
- Published on
by Daniel DiManna
A comprehensive exploration of Godzilla’s 70-year evolution, from nuclear allegory to global pop culture icon.
He’s iconic. He’s atomic. And at 70 years young, he’s still the King of the Monsters.
Ever since his silver screen debut back in 1954, Godzilla has maintained a mighty hold on the collective imaginations of cinema lovers around the world. Originally conceived as a powerful metaphor for Japan’s fears of nuclear destruction, the character has undergone a complex metamorphosis over an incredible seven decades and more than three dozen films. From allegory to superhero, from atom-age menace to children’s matinee star, from arthouse to grindhouse and back again, Godzilla has survived by adapting and reacting to the changing cultures and generational expectations of the countries—and the filmmakers—that bring him to life.
In this exploration and celebration of Godzilla’s first 70 years, the full story of Japan’s kaiju icon is revealed through detailed histories, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, cultural connections, and contextualizing thematic analyses. Beginning with his postwar origins and continuing through his many rises, falls, revitalizations, and reinterpretations, this comprehensive companion to the Godzilla franchise seeks to place the character in his proper historical perspective and, by doing so, shed light on the depth, the flexibility, and the fun that’s kept him relevant and beloved for generations.
About the Author
Daniel DiManna is a film historian, author, artist, voice actor, and lifelong student of Kaijulosophy (a thing he totally made up but thinks sounds kinda cool). An award-winning marketing writer by day and an unapologetic monster-nerd by night, Daniel is the author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project, a fan-driven endeavor to write novel adaptations of every Japanese G-flick. His writing has been published in G-Fan, Prehistoric Magazine, Kaiju Ramen Magazine, and on various websites. He can also be heard guesting on multiple kaiju-related podcasts. Daniel lives in Sylvania, Ohio, surrounded by DVDs, books, and an unhealthy number of monster toys.
- Hardcover: $34.95, E-book: $16.99
- 224 Pages
- Publisher: Fonthill Media
- Publication date: April 28, 2026
- Pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble
- Published on
Book Description
A thrilling and cataclysmic collection of city-smashing titans and the desperate coalitions of humanity clinging to survival in the wreckage, from the New York Times-bestselling and multiple award-winning editors.
Featuring bestselling and award-winning authors such as Tananarive Due, Christopher Golden, Seanan McGuire, Scott Sigler and Steve Alten, author of The Meg.
An explosive collection of monster terror, featuring 25 original tales of creatures the size of skyscrapers. See cities shattered and worlds ended, as great beasts rise from the deep.
Featuring work from:
- Steve Alten
- Linda D. Addison
- Kevin J. Anderson
- Maurice Broaddus
- Tananarive Due
- Luke Dumas
- Kane Gilmour
- Maxwell Gold
- Christopher Golden
- Henry Herz
- Jamal Hodge
- Ai Jiang
- Alma Katsu
- Tim Lebbon
- Jonathan Maberry
- Seanan McGuire
- Lee Murray
- Tobi Ogundiran
- Cynthia Pelayo
- Jeremy Robinson
- Michelle Sagara
- Scott Sigler
- Ben Spada
- Anne Walsh
Details
- Format: Hardcover
- Pages: 400
- Release date: August 25, 2026
- Retail price: Hardcover - $29.99, E-book - $12.99
- Publisher: Titan
- Pre-order here.
- Published on
Press release,
Tokyo, June 8, 2025 – Tsuburaya Productions and Sky Turtle Press today announced the release ofBeware the Baleful Baltan!, the first book in the groundbreaking Ultraman: The Ultra Academyseries by Rebecca K. Reynolds. Set to release on September 23, 2025, this marks the first time a North American publisher has been entrusted with creating new kids’ books for the Ultraman franchise in six decades, bringing Japan’s most iconic superhero to a new generation of readers through imaginative science fiction adventure.
When twelve-year-old volcano enthusiast Jack Newton receives an invitation to join the Ultra Academy, an elite training program run by the legendary Science Special Search Party (SSSP), he thinks he’s won the ultimate science lottery. But when giant alien Baltans infiltrate underwater volcanoes with a diabolical plan to overtake the planet, Jack and five other brilliant young recruits must overcome Baltan mind control tactics while combining their unique talents to save the planet.
Through heart-pounding adventures, Beware the Baleful Baltan! explores themes of resilience, trust, invention, staying cool under pressure, and forgiveness as the young heroes learn that their greatest strength lies not in their individual talents, but in their ability to support each other. Each young character brings different scientific skills to the team—from volcanology and forensic science to computer programming and botany—helping young readers grow curious about the wonders of science.
With Tsuburaya Productions set to have a major Ultraman presence at G-FEST 2025, fans of the franchise will not want to miss an exclusive onsite offering, as there will be a limited number of copies available for purchase at the Sky Turtle Nova show floor booth. Author Rebecca K. Reynolds will also be spotlighted in an Ultra Academy panel at G-FEST, Friday, July 11 at 3pm. As a part of a weekend-long activation by Tsuburaya Productions at the convention, the panel will also feature live special guest character Alien Baltan…and more!
Ultraman is taking over G-FEST with the Chicago premiere of the English dub of Ultraman Arc The Movie: The Clash of Light and Evil with Ultraman Arc himself making a live appearance. Throughout the weekend, fans can explore the Ultraman universe, from 1966’s beloved classic Ultraman to 2025’s newest series, Ultraman Omega, and enjoy special activities, including a focus on the Ultraman Card Game with brand new art reveals. Meet your favorite Ultra Heroes and Kaiju at character meet & greets, and witness the action up close with live mini-stage battles. Hiroko Sakurai, known for her iconic roles as Yuriko Edogawa in Ultra Q and Akiko Fuji in Ultraman, will appear for autograph sessions and a special live talk show.
“Ultraman: The Ultra Academy Series represents a major step forward for Tsuburaya Productions and the elevation of the Ultraman brand in North America,” said transmedia producer Jeff Gomez. “These books will find their way into libraries, store shelves, and classrooms, introducing kids to an amazing universe of adventure, courage, exploration, and learning. We’re thrilled to let longtime fans have a first look at Beware the Baleful Baltan! at G-FEST!”
“It’s an incredible honor to be entrusted with Ultraman,” said author Rebecca K. Reynolds. “This beloved franchise has brought joy to millions worldwide for six decades, and we’ve felt like time travelers watching it grow from the Showa Ultras, through the Heisei era, to the Reiwa generation. Each new chapter has given audiences grand adventures filled with wonder, courage, and hope. Now we get to contribute our own stories to this extraordinary legacy. We love Ultraman, and we can’t wait to share that love with American kids. It’s going to be quite a journey!”
The Ultra Academy series continues with additional volumes planned for 2026, each featuring classic Kaiju, new scientific challenges, and exciting cameos by the Giant of Light himself, Ultraman!
The Ultraman universe first debuted in 1966 in the television series Ultra Q, and over the last 58+ years, the Ultraman franchise has spawned a record number of television series, films, video games, and more. The continued presence of Ultraman at G-FEST for 2025 comes at a time of major growth and increased brand awareness of the Ultraman franchise.
Beware the Baleful Baltan! is published under Sky Turtle Nova, the speculative fiction imprint of Sky Turtle Press, known for producing high-quality books that bridge classic and contemporary storytelling. The book will be available in hardcover for $16.99 on September 23, 2025 wherever books are sold.
209 pages, HC
Language English
Reading age 9 - 13 years
Rebecca K. Reynolds (Author, Illustrator), David Miles (Illustrator)
Retail price: $16.99
Pre-order here.
- Published on
Authors Takehiko Fukunaga, Yoshie Hotta and Shin'ichiro Nakamura
Translated by Jeffrey Angles
Description
The original story that hatched Mothra, one of the most beloved monsters in the “kaijuverse”—available in English for the first time
Mystical and benevolent, the colossal lepidopteran Mothra has been one of the most beloved kaiju since 1961, when The Luminous Fairies and Mothra was originally published in Japanese. Commissioned by Tōhō Studios from three of Japan’s most prominent postwar literary writers (Shin’ichirō Nakamura, Takehiko Fukunaga, and Yoshie Hotta), the novella formed the basis for the now-classic monster film Mothra, with a protagonist second only to Godzilla in number of film appearances by a kaiju. Finally available in its first official English translation, The Luminous Fairies and Mothra will captivate ardent, longtime fans of the films as well as newcomers.
Written just months after the largest political demonstrations Japan had ever seen, The Luminous Fairies and Mothra reflects the rebellious spirit of the time. In this original story, explorers visit a South Pacific island and capture a group of fairies, inciting the fury of the goddess Mothra, who sets out for Japan on a mission of rescue and revenge. Expressing a powerful social stance about Japan’s need to chart its own foreign policy during the Cold War, the novella’s political message was ultimately toned down in the Tōhō Studios film. Through this translation, Anglophone audiences will discover Mothra as a figure of protest fiction intricately reflecting the complex geopolitical situation in early 1960s Japan.
The Luminous Fairies and Mothra is translated into lively prose by Jeffrey Angles, who also wrote an extensive afterword about the novella’s cultural context, the unusual story of its composition, and the development of the 1961 film. Following Angles’s best-selling translation of the original Godzilla novellas, this new work will once again delight kaiju fans everywhere.
Retail e-book files for this title are screen-reader friendly with images accompanied by short alt text and/or extended descriptions.
Authors
Shin’ichirō Nakamura (1918–1997) was a critic, scholar, and author of dozens of novels, many of which feature the experience of intellectuals during and after World War II.
Takehiko Fukunaga (1918–1979) was a prolific poet, translator of French fiction, and novelist, known for his sensitive, poetic writing style and interest in existential themes.
Yoshie Hotta (1918–1998) was an essayist and novelist involved in leftist politics and the international nonalignment movement of the 1960s.
Jeffrey Angles is professor of Japanese literature at Western Michigan University. He is author of three books and translator of several works in Japanese, including Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again by Shigeru Kayama, also published by the University of Minnesota Press.
Details
- Published on
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic Gamera film, this thrilling manga reveals the origins of the legendary kaiju in the prequel to the Netflix series.
Set in an ancient civilization, a vengeful boy battles powerful kaiju created for war, uncovering a dark conspiracy.
On the 60th anniversary of Gamera’s debut, GAMERA -Rebirth-: Code Thyrsos Vol. 1 reveals the shocking origins of the legendary kaiju – the prequel to the Netflix anime series. Set 100,000 years before the events of GAMERA -Rebirth- on Netflix, this thrilling prequel uncovers the rise of the ancient civilization of Elisitania, where powerful creatures were created for artificial wars to benefit the elite.
The story follows a boy named Lucius, who is left scarred and vengeful after witnessing the death of his father in one of these brutal conflicts. As the kingdom’s experiments lead to the creation of Gamera, a fire-breathing turtle with immense power, Lucius vows to dismantle the aristocracy and destroy the source of these monstrous creations.
With stunning artwork by Cambria Bakuhatsu Taro, this manga blends action, drama, and sci-fi, taking readers deep into the heart of ancient technology, kaiju warfare, and revenge. Fans of classic kaiju like Godzilla and Mothra will be hooked on this epic tale of a world that birthed the ultimate protector of nature—and the forces that sought to control it. GAMERA -Rebirth-: Code Thyrsos Vol. 1 is the beginning of a new monster saga!
About the Author
Cambria Bakuhatsu Taro is a Japanese manga artist known for his dynamic artwork and storytelling, particularly in the kaiju and sci-fi genres. He has worked on several notable titles, including GAMERA -Rebirth-: Code Thyrsos, as well as contributions to Monster Hunter and Kaiju No. 8 fan projects. Taro’s style is recognized for its detailed action, atmospheric design, and ability to bring monstrous worlds to life, captivating fans of both classic and contemporary manga.
Japanese animation and visual effects director, Hiroyuki Seshita, created the Gamera Rebirth story. He is best known for directing the CG animation films “Knights of Sidonia” (Season 2), “Ajin,” “Blame!”, and “Gamera: Rebirth”. He also co-directed the GODZILLA anime trilogy.
Cambria Bakuhatsu Taro is a Japanese manga artist known for his dynamic artwork and storytelling, particularly in the kaiju and sci-fi genres. He has worked on several notable titles, including GAMERA -Rebirth-: Code Thyrsos, as well as contributions to Monster Hunter and Kaiju No. 8 fan projects. Taro’s style is recognized for its detailed action, atmospheric design, and ability to bring monstrous worlds to life, captivating fans of both classic and contemporary manga.
- Publisher: Titan Manga
- Language: English
- Paperback: 192 pages
- Release date: November 25, 2025
- Price: $12.99
- Pre-order from Amazon, and other retailers.
- Published on
Author Takashi Yamazaki
$15.99 US
Seven Seas Entertainment
On sale Sep 02, 2025
320 Pages
Rated T
From the director of the hit film Godzilla Minus One comes the novelization packed with even more action and story to celebrate Godzilla’s 70th anniversary! In postwar Japan, the kaiju of legend has become even more powerful and fearsome. Can a country in shambles withstand the might of Godzilla?
In post-World War II Japan, the citizens are left picking up the pieces in the aftermath. As millions find new homes and bury their loved ones, they must adjust to a new way of life. For disgraced kamikaze soldier Koichi Shikishima, he’s lost everyone and everything he loves and is left living with survivor’s guilt. But when he meets Noriko Oishi, a young woman who’s also lost everything, and the baby she rescued, he finds a new purpose. As the two begin a new life to survive and raise baby Akiko, Koichi’s new job puts him face to face with something terrible, something he thought had only been a nightmare from his time at war. A monster mutated by the U.S. government’s nuclear tests is making its way toward mainland Japan, and nothing seems to be able to stop its path of destruction.
Godzilla rises from the sea with Japan in its sights. Can a country devastated by war withstand the might of the king of monsters?
The novelization of the hit movie is now available in English print!
- Published on
Description
When Tokyo is threatened by rising monster attacks, an all-star athlete reluctantly returns home to take on the mantle of Ultraman, discovering that his greatest challenge isn’t fighting giant monsters – it’s raising one.
The Art and Making of Ultraman: Rising goes behind the scenes for an in-depth look at the animated movie-making process. Starting at the genesis of the original idea, follow along as the team designs a baby kaiju, creates bold, stylized worlds, and crafts the emotional heart of the story, accompanied by expert commentary from cast and crew, including director and writer Shannon Tindle and co-director John Aoshima. A true love letter to Ultraman, the film and book are treats for fans of the classic Japanese show and those just discovering the character alike.
Specifications
- ISBN: 9781835410714
- Format: Hardback
- Pages: 192
- Published: 3 Dec 2024 (US, UK)
- Dimension: 10.75" x 11.94" (US), 273mm x 302mm (UK)
- Retail price: US/Canada $50.00, UK/Rest of World £39.99
- Pre-order here.
About the Author
Drew Taylor is an author, film reporter and podcaster with over a decade of experience chronicling film news. He has contributed to The New York Times, Collider, Syfy and The Wrap, in addition to authoring The Art of Onward. He hosts two podcasts – Light the Fuse and Fine Tooning – showcasing his expertise in Mission Impossible and all things animation. Based in LA.
About Tsuburaya Fields Media & Pictures Entertainment Inc.
Tsuburaya Fields Media & Pictures Entertainment Inc., headquartered in Los Angeles, is active in the production and distribution of ULTRAMAN entertainment content for North America and other markets. The new subsidiary will expand the ULTRAMAN North America licensing program into the UK, EU, South America, and MENA markets thereby solidifying the franchise’s place on the global stage.
About Titan Books
Titan Books was founded in 1982 and for many years operated out of the Forbidden Planet store in Drury Lane, London (UK). In 2000, now a part of TEG the company moved to its current residence on Southwark Street in South London, not far from the Tate Modern.
Titan Books originally came to prominence as the first British trade paperback/reprint publisher for long-running UK comics anthology series 2000 AD‘s — focusing primarily on the lead character Judge Dredd. However it soon added to its roster with a major distribution deal with DC Comics — starting with The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller in 1986.
The DC Comics deal was in many ways the first deal of it’s kind, bringing Graphic Novels produced by the comics giant to UK books and entertainment stores, making popular characters like Batman, Superman and the Green Lantern available to a general audience. This was quite an innovation and helped pave the way for a burgeoning Graphic Novels market in the UK today.
In 1992 Titan Distribution was sold to Diamond Comics and the team who co-owned the company parted ways. Nick Landau and Vivian Chueng took over full ownership of Forbidden Planet and in 1993 launched the umbrella company Titan Entertainment Group.
It was in the 1990’s that Titan Books seized on the opportunity to begin publishing movie and television tie-in books. Fans of major sci-fi and supernatural movies and TV shows were hungry to learn more about how they were made. With lavish art, concept drawings, info on special effects and interviews with the cast and creators, these books take you behind the scenes of some of the biggest shows and movies of their time. Some of the very earliest tie in books came from Alien, Terminator, Star Trek and Star Wars amongst many others.
In 1995 TEG launched Titan Magazines to help provide a swelling audience of thirsty fans more information on their favourite shows in a current and up-to-date way, launching magazines for Star Trek, Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, X-Files and many others.
With fans ever hungry for more, Titan produced many fiction tie-in titles that took stories of major movies and shows further, introducing major new canon story-lines for key and minor players in each franchise. Some of the earliest fiction Titan produced was for Star Trek Next Generation, and has since grown to include Alien and Aliens, Terminator, Planet of the Apes and many TV shows including X-files, Supernatural, 24 and Fringe.