“Mothra vs. Godzilla”, Official Japanese Toho / Kodansha Poster 2016, Reproduction of the Original 1964 Theatrical Design, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) O29
This is an official Japanese B2 poster produced by Toho and Kodansha in 2016, faithfully reproducing the celebrated original Japanese theatrical artwork for the 1964 kaiju classic Mothra vs. Godzilla (モスラ対ゴジラ).
Issued as part of Kodansha’s Godzilla All Movie DVD Collector’s Box series, this is not a 1964 theatrical printing; rather, it is an officially licensed Toho reproduction of the original first-release poster design, printed more than fifty years later for the major archival collector programme.
The lower margin carries the clear copyright line:
“TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. KODANSHA 2016”
providing definitive provenance for this official modern issue.
Film background
Released in Japan in 1964, Mothra vs. Godzilla is widely regarded as one of the finest films of the original Shōwa-era Godzilla series.
Directed by Ishirō Honda, with special effects by the legendary Eiji Tsuburaya, the film brings together two of Toho’s most famous monsters in one of the studio’s defining kaiju confrontations.
After a gigantic egg washes ashore following a typhoon, unscrupulous businessmen attempt to exploit it as a commercial attraction. The egg belongs to Mothra, whose tiny priestesses—the Shobijin, played by twin sisters Emi and Yumi Itō of The Peanuts—plead for its return.
When Godzilla subsequently emerges and begins another destructive advance through Japan, humanity is forced to appeal to Mothra for help.
The film combines spectacular monster battles, environmental themes, corporate satire and some of the most celebrated miniature and suitmation effects of Toho’s golden age.
Poster design
This Japanese B2 preserves one of the most dynamic poster compositions produced for the original film.
The upper section is dominated by an enormous adult Mothra, wings spread across the frame as she descends towards Godzilla. Her vast compound eyes, furred body and sweeping wings create an extraordinary sense of scale.
At right, Godzilla unleashes his atomic breath, directing the blue beam towards Mothra as the two monsters clash across the composition.
The battle is presented with the highly saturated colours and dramatic montage style associated with 1960s Japanese kaiju advertising.
Across the centre, the enormous Japanese title appears in vivid red:
「モスラ対ゴジラ」
“Mothra vs. Godzilla”
with the bright yellow 「対」 dramatically separating the two monster names.
The English title:
“GODZILLA AGAINST MOTHRA”
appears at lower left alongside additional scenes of Godzilla advancing through waves and destruction.
The human cast occupies the lower portion, while at far right appear the instantly recognisable Shobijin / Mothra Twins, played by Emi and Yumi Itō.
Running vertically along the upper-right side is the dramatic campaign copy:
「マッハ3の巨蛾か！ミサイル重戦車のゴジラか！空・海・陸を揺がす世紀の激斗」
Approximately:
“The giant moth flying at Mach 3—or Godzilla, the missile-like heavy tank! A battle of the century shaking the land, sea and sky!”
The original Toho emblem, cast credits and period-style musical-note border are all faithfully reproduced, preserving the exuberant visual language of the 1964 campaign.
2016 Godzilla All Movie DVD Collector’s Box
This poster was officially reproduced for Kodansha’s ambitious:
「ゴジラ全映画DVDコレクターズBOX」
“Godzilla All Movie DVD Collector’s Box”
series launched in 2016.
The bi-weekly collection celebrated the history of Toho’s Godzilla and tokusatsu films through DVDs accompanied by reproductions of original promotional materials, including movie posters, pamphlets, press sheets and other period ephemera.
Mothra vs. Godzilla appeared as Volume 3, and this large B2 poster was included as one of the principal reproduction pieces.
Unlike unofficial modern reprints, this example carries Toho and Kodansha’s own copyright information, making it an authorised Japanese collector issue produced directly in connection with the rights holder.
Collectibility
Although it should not be confused with an original 1964 theatrical poster, this official 2016 edition offers collectors the opportunity to own the classic first-release Japanese artwork in full B2 scale without the cost and fragility associated with surviving 1960s paper.
It also has its own collecting interest as an official Toho archival issue from the extensive 2016 Godzilla collector programme.
The combination of Godzilla, Mothra, the Shobijin, classic Shōwa-era artwork and official Toho provenance gives the poster strong display appeal for both established Godzilla collectors and newer fans of Japanese kaiju cinema.
Condition
Excellent.
The poster retains exceptionally vivid colour, crisp photographic imagery and excellent overall display impact.
It retains the original factory fold lines associated with its presentation inside the Collector’s Box. These are part of the poster’s original method of issue rather than later damage.
The reverse remains clean and bright, with only very light evidence of handling consistent with an authentic 2016 collector piece.
Please review the photographs carefully—they show the exact poster for sale.
This is an official Japanese Toho / Kodansha B2 poster produced in 2016 as a reproduction of the original 1964 theatrical design.
It is not an original 1964 theatrical printing, and it is not an unauthorised modern reproduction.
It is approximately 10 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
