Tomoyuki Tanaka

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Tomoyuki Tanaka
Tomoyuki Tanaka with three Godzillas
Born April 26, 1910
Osaka, Japan
Died April 2, 1997
Occupation Producer
First work Duel at Yagyu Valley (1945)
Notable work Yojimbo (1961)
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Godzilla is the son of the atomic bomb. He is a nightmare created out of the darkness of the human soul. He is the sacred beast of the apocalypse.
„ 

— Tomoyuki Tanaka speaking about Godzilla, his most famous creation

Japan is rich and people can buy whatever they want. But what is behind that wealth? Nothing very spiritual. Everyone's so concerned with the material, and then Godzilla rips it all apart. I suspect that is good for us to see.
„ 

— Tomoyuki Tanaka in People Magazine, 1985

Tomoyuki Tanaka (田中 友幸,   Tanaka Tomoyuki) was a Japanese film producer, most famous for creating Godzilla. He was born in Osaka, Japan on April 26, 1910, and died in Tokyo on April 2, 1997.

Not long after graduating from Kansai University in 1940, Tanaka joined Toho Studios. After four years with the company, he began producing his own films. In his 60-year career with Toho, Tanaka produced more than 200 films, including all of the company's kaiju releases from 1954 to 1995. In the 1950's and 1960's, his kaiju and science-fiction films frequently brought together director Ishiro Honda, special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya, and composer Akira Ifukube. He also produced eight of legendary director Akira Kurosawa's films.

He has a dedication to his death in the credits for TriStar Pictures' GODZILLA.

Selected Filmography

Producer

Gallery

Trivia

  • Rebirth of Mothra III was the first Toho kaiju film made without Tanaka's involvement. A framed photo of him appears in the Sonoda family's house as a tribute.

Real World
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