The Daimajin Trilogy

The Daimajin Trilogy.

Cultpix is proud to have partnered Kadokawa to bring you three sets of great Japanese genre film classics from the Daiei Studio. These films will only be available in Scandinavia initially, but we are working on making them available to Cultpix members everywhere, as we are a global service. First are the bad-ass-demon-god-statue-comes-alive "Daimajin" films. If you've already seen North Korean Kaiju monster epic "Pulgasari" (1985) you will have a fair idea of what they are all about. Daimajin's origins can be traced back to "Gamera vs. the Space Icemen," "an unrealized sequel to the original Gamera in which Gamera fought against a giant sentient ice statue unleashed by space aliens."

The Daimajin trilogy of films, released between 1966 and 1968, is a set of classic Japanese giant monster movies that have since become cult favorites. Produced by the Daiei Motion Picture Company and directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda and two other directors in the span of just one year, these films were groundbreaking in their time, combining elements of folklore, mythology, and action to create something truly unique.

The first film in the trilogy, "Daimajin," was released in 1966 and tells the story of a small village that is being terrorized by a local warlord. Despite the villagers' pleas for help, they are unable to get the attention of their distant and uncaring rulers. It is not until they invoke the wrath of the giant stone statue, Daimajin, that they finally receive the protection they need.

Did somebody call for a giant demon god? 

The second film, "Return of Daimajin," was released in 1966 and features a similar storyline, with a group of oppressed villagers turning to the giant stone statue for help. This time, however, Daimajin's wrath is aimed at a feudal lord who has been terrorizing the countryside.

The final film in the trilogy, "Wrath of Daimajin," was released in 1968 and features a new story about a group of soldiers who are seeking to overthrow the ruler of a province. Once again, the giant stone statue is invoked to bring about justice and protect the oppressed. This time there is also a kids-on-a-quest sub-plot that differentiates it from the first two films, which have essentially the same plot, but in different geographical settings,

Behind the scenes, the Daimajin trilogy was a collaboration between some of the best talent in Japanese cinema. Director Kimiyoshi Yasuda was known for his work in the chambara (sword-fighting) genre and brought his sense of action and adventure to these films. Meanwhile, the special effects team at Daiei Motion Picture Company created the iconic image of Daimajin, a giant stone statue that came to life to protect the oppressed.

The cast of the Daimajin trilogy was made up of some of the most talented actors of the time, including Jun Fujimaki, Fujio Suga, and Noriko Kitazawa. Their performances brought depth and nuance to their roles, helping to make the Daimajin trilogy more than just a series of monster movies. A special mention to former baseball player Chikara Hashimoto who played Daimajin. It is his eyes you see when the statue comes alive and he never blinks - making them blodshot from the lights and dust but also making the staue express emotions (mostly fury).

The Daimajin trilogy really is a must-see for fans of Japanese cinema and Kaiju monster movies alike. With its groundbreaking special effects, talented cast and crew, and timeless themes of justice and oppression, these films continue to captivate audiences today and are an important part of Japanese popular culture.

Don't mess with Daimajin, frick'n feudal overlords.