“Zero Monster” (怪獣大戦争 / Invasion of Astro-Monster), 1965 Japanese STB Tatekan Poster (First Release), Rare, STB Size (c. 51 × 145 cm)
This is an original Japanese STB tatekan (two panel standing) poster issued in Japan for Toho’s landmark kaiju / sci‑fi crossover known internationally as Invasion of Astro-Monster and, in the U.S., Monster Zero. Produced in the dramatic STB format (two B2 sheets designed to display together as one tall vertical), it’s a quintessential “country-of-origin” Godzilla-era piece—built for maximum theatrical impact, with the title rendered at monumental scale and the film’s full cosmic/monster spectacle staged around it.
Important note on authenticity: there are many reproductions of this design in circulation—this example is 100% original. It has been stored flat for over 25 years in a private collection and presents at an exceptional level. Many of our pieces are sourced directly from across Japan (often privately); our owner is Japanese and has built an extensive network of dealers and collectors over nearly a decade, allowing us to secure scarce paper in the right condition.
Film background
Released by Toho in 1965, Invasion of Astro-Monster (怪獣大戦争, Kaijū Daisensō, “The Giant Monster War”) is directed by Ishirō Honda with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya, and stands as the sixth film in the Godzilla series of the Shōwa era. The story pivots on a seductive offer from the “X” aliens of Planet X: they want to “borrow” Godzilla and Rodan to stop King Ghidorah, who is ravaging their world—only for it to reveal itself as a calculated betrayal aimed at turning the monsters on Earth. Nick Adams appears as astronaut Glenn (one of the film’s most famous international casting choices), alongside Akira Takarada, Kumi Mizuno, Akira Kubo, and Yoshio Tsuchiya—an ensemble that gives this entry its distinctive Japanese‑American flavor and space‑age swagger.
Poster design
This STB is pure Toho spectacle: the composition is split into two cinematic worlds that meet under a single, towering title. The upper panel delivers the kaiju promise in one glance—Rodan sweeps in silhouette, King Ghidorah rears with all three heads snarling, a saucer hovers above, and Godzilla anchors the scene below, framed by swirling motion lines that sell the chaos and scale. The background transitions from blazing orange atmosphere into deep space, while the enormous, blocky red kanji title 「怪獣大戦争」 dominates the center like a marquee carved into the sky. Along the right edge, bold vertical hot‑pink copy name-checks the monsters and the mysterious “X” star people, pushing the “cosmic conflict” hook as hard as the imagery does. The lower panel leans into the film’s sleek sci‑fi identity—planetary vistas, a rocket, astronauts, and key character portraits—topped off with the striking English line “INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER”. It’s an ideal example of mid‑60s Japanese advertising that looks cleaner and more futuristic than the movie’s own effects ever could.
Rarity and condition
Japanese STB tatekan posters were printed in far smaller quantities than standard one-sheets and were made for real cinema use—meaning complete, high-grade two-panel sets are genuinely difficult to find today. For an A‑tier title in the Godzilla canon, scarcity becomes even sharper, and first release 1965 STB paper in this condition is exceptionally uncommon.
Condition is excellent, very close to near mint: no pinholes, no tears, and no fold lines. Colors remain strong and the overall presentation is remarkably crisp for a piece of this age. The poster was stored flat for 25+ years in private hands. Please inspect the photos carefully as they show the exact poster for sale. It is over 60 years old. It is not a reproduction or a reprint. Certificate of Authenticity included.
