Nov. 3 is the 70th anniversary of Godzilla. Little Tokyo hobby retailer Anime Jungle has planned a Godzilla pop-up shop and special screening surrounding the anniversary date and extending for two weeks, Nov. 2 to 17. Hours: 12 to 7 p.m. (closed Tuesdays). The pop-up shop will be in Japanese Village Plaza adjacent to Anime Jungle’s retail stores, 319 E. Second St., Suite 122/123.
The pop-up shop will feature three event-exclusive Anime Jungle products, official “Godzilla store” merchandise, a special immersive photo area, and freebies with purchases of $50 or more. Customers can get a free event-exclusive Godzilla tote bag with a purchase of $50 or more and a free Godzilla poster with purchases of $100 or more while supplies last.
The double-feature screening of the original “Godzilla” movie (1954) and “Godzilla Minus One” (2023) at the Aratani Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 12 p.m. Director Shizuo Nakajima will make a special appearance and hold a panel discussion.
Ticket 1 (“Godzilla” only, Q&A not included), $10 (plus $1 fee). Ticket 2 (double feature, pre-screening Q&A, exclusive bonus poster), $20 (plus $2 fee). Info: https://jaccc.org/events/godzilla-invades-little-tokyo/ or https://animejungle.net/event/godzilla-70th/
Continuing to drive ridership to Downtown, Regional Connector stations, and support local business, Metro is partnering with Anime Jungle once again to promote their pop-up shop. Metro will support the Godzilla event by blanketing the transit system with Godzilla promotions six weeks before the event – including a train wrap, first domination of Little Tokyo Station, and digital screen media.
As one of the promotions on E-Line, a fully wrapped Godzilla train is running from Downtown Santa Monica to Atlantic until Nov. 17.
On Nov. 2, Metro will present is Godzilla Station activation, which will include:
- Large format panels: Using the ample footprint of Little Tokyo Station, Metro Creative & Brand will use Toho’s approved media to create large-format panels (10”x10”) that will only be up for the weekend of Nov. 2-3.
- Godzilla cosplay meetup: Metro will organize this event at Little Tokyo Station with the goal of attracting 70 Godzillas to the 70th anniversary. Upon critical mass, Metro staff will lead the parade of cosplay participants to Japanese Village Plaza and the opening of the pop-up shop.
- Meet & greet: Godzilla cosplay actor Krystopher Baioa will appear in his Fusion Godzilla suit.
- Contest and giveaways: 500 commemorative Godzilla TAP cards will be available to attendees. The criteria to receive a card: Must show an existing TAP card; must show up in Godzilla or kaiju cosplay.