ZEN KAIJU KAIJIN
A Complete Guide to Tokusatsu Shows

by Matt Alt, February 1999

The actual translation of the title of this book is "All the Monsters and Creatures, but that's not really descriptive enough for this two-volume set of books. They're black-and-white (except for a few color pages at the beginning of each) and printed on cheap paper, but the scope of these books is breathtaking. They feature entries for every single Tokusatsu (live-action fantasy/horror/SF) show that's aired from 1959 to 1989, complete with thumbnail photos of every character and monster. That's right, every monster and every enemy from EVERY episode. (When they said 'All the Monsters,' they weren't screwing around.) It's probably the only place to get unflinching looks at better-off-forgotten shows such as the live-action Astro Boy and Tetsujin 28 series.

Ultraman, Kamen Rider, Daitetsujin 17, Red and Mach Baron, Battle Fever J, Denjin Zaborga, Robocon, Robot Hacchan, you name it -- if it was live-action SF, horror, or fantasy, it's in here. Pick 'em up and realize what you've been missing all your life.

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