“Mirrorman: Dinosaur Aroza Rises from the Dead” (ミラーマン 生きかえった恐竜アロザ), Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1972, B2 Size (51 x 73cm) C153A
This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed in 1972 for Mirrorman: Ikikaetta Kyōryū Aroza (ミラーマン 生きかえった恐竜アロザ), a theatrical presentation connected to the original Mirrorman television series. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions and distributed through Toho, the film was released as part of the Toho Champion Festival summer programme in 1972.
Film background
Mirrorman was one of Tsuburaya Productions’ major early-1970s tokusatsu heroes, following Kyōtarō Kagami, a young man who transforms into the silver giant Mirrorman to battle alien invaders and monstrous threats. This theatrical release was not a standalone feature in the usual sense, but a cinema presentation of material from the original television series, centred on the resurrected dinosaur monster Aroza.
In the story, the alien Invaders steal dinosaur bones from a museum and use cosmic life energy to revive them as Aroza, a dangerous monster capable of absorbing and countering Mirrorman’s attacks. The plot gives the film a classic tokusatsu structure: ancient creature, alien conspiracy, and a hero pushed to the edge of defeat.
Poster design
A dynamic early-1970s tokusatsu design, dominated by Mirrorman charging forward against a rocky backdrop, preparing one of his special techniques. The composition places the hero in a strong central action pose, while supporting vignettes show his civilian alter ego Kyōtarō Kagami and the resurrected monster Aroza.
The upper-left Japanese tagline reads: 「ミラーナイフが通じない！ミラーマン最大のピンチがやって来た！」 — “The Mirror Knife has no effect! Mirrorman’s greatest crisis has arrived!” This copy neatly captures the drama of the film: Mirrorman’s usual powers fail against Aroza, raising the stakes for the hero.
The bold lower title block features ミラーマン in red and yellow, with the subtitle 生きかえった恐竜アロザ beneath. The circular Toho mark at upper right places the poster firmly within its original theatrical campaign context.
Rarity and significance
Original Japanese posters from the Toho Champion Festival era are increasingly sought after, particularly examples connected to Tsuburaya Productions and non-Ultraman tokusatsu heroes. These posters were produced for short-term family and children’s cinema programmes and were not generally preserved as collectibles at the time.
This example is especially appealing for collectors of 1970s tokusatsu, Tsuburaya Productions, Toho Champion Festival material, and vintage Japanese monster cinema.
Condition
Very Good / Excellent. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.
It is over 54 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
