“Destroy All Monsters” (怪獣総進撃), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1968, Ultra Rare, Conservation Linen-Backed, STB Tatekan Size c. 20 × 57 in. (51 × 145 cm) - Gallery
A spectacular original 1968 Japanese first-release STB tatekan for Toho’s Destroy All Monsters—a holy-grail Godzilla poster and, in our view, one of the finest Japanese monster-poster designs of the 1960s. Printed in the exceptionally scarce tall-format STB / tatekan size, this poster stands nearly five feet high, giving its extraordinary monster ensemble a scale and presence that smaller formats cannot match.
The dramatic painted composition brings together all eleven monsters, with Godzilla and King Ghidorah dominating a crowded field of creatures, energy beams, and smoke. Above them, the Moonlight SY-3 spacecraft cuts across a deep-blue starfield, while enormous scarlet Japanese title lettering fills the lower section. Each monster is individually labelled in Japanese, turning the artwork into a spectacular roll call of Toho’s kaiju stars.
First-release Godzilla STB posters from the 1960s are exceptionally difficult to find. In our experience, they are almost impossible to source—particularly for this title. The combination of an original 1968 release, the scarce two-sheet format, and this remarkable design makes the present example an exceptional centrepiece for a serious Godzilla collection.
Date & Japanese Theatrical Release
Destroy All Monsters opened in Japan on 1 August 1968, distributed by Toho under the title 怪獣総進撃.
This is an original poster from that first Japanese theatrical campaign, now more than 55 years old.
Printed in the rare STB tatekan standing-display format, it measures approximately 20 × 57 inches / 51 × 145 cm, excluding the additional linen border. Its elongated composition was created for prominent cinema display, with the spacecraft, monster ensemble, and monumental title arranged specifically for the tall format.
The Film & Its Place in Godzilla’s Legacy
Directed by Ishirō Honda and produced by Tomoyuki Tanaka, Destroy All Monsters is one of the defining ensemble spectacles of the Showa-era Godzilla series. Its screenplay was written by Honda and Kaoru Mabuchi, with music by Akira Ifukube. Sadamasa Arikawa directed the special effects, with Eiji Tsuburaya credited as special-effects supervisor.
Set in the then-future year of 1999, the story begins with Earth’s monsters confined to the scientifically controlled island sanctuary of Monsterland. When the alien Kilaaks seize control of the creatures, they unleash attacks on cities around the world. Humanity’s counterattack involves the spacecraft Moonlight SY-3, a lunar mission, and the eventual liberation of the monsters, leading to the celebrated confrontation with King Ghidorah near Mount Fuji.
The film assembles Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, Anguirus, Minilla, Gorosaurus, Kumonga, Baragon, Manda, Varan, and King Ghidorah. Its appeal lies in the extraordinary scale of that gathering: creatures previously associated with separate films and adventures share one expansive science-fiction world.
Combining alien invasion, futuristic technology, miniature destruction, and an unforgettable monster showdown, Destroy All Monsters remains a landmark of Toho’s all-star kaiju filmmaking.
Design Notes
Godzilla and King Ghidorah: Godzilla towers along the right side of the composition, confronting the three-headed King Ghidorah across a field of intersecting beams. Their opposing forms give the upper artwork its dramatic centre, with Ghidorah’s golden colouring standing out against Godzilla’s dark body and the blue background.
The complete eleven-monster ensemble: The illustration incorporates all eleven featured kaiju, including Varan at upper left, Rodan at upper right, Gorosaurus along the left edge, and Minilla near the centre. Kumonga, Baragon, Manda, Anguirus, and larval Mothra crowd the lower portion of the monster montage. The density of the composition conveys the scale of the film’s gathering.
Individual Japanese monster labels: Small yellow name panels identify each creature. These bright labels punctuate the artwork and emphasise that the monsters themselves are the campaign’s principal stars.
Moonlight SY-3 and the space setting: The spacecraft stretches diagonally across the top beneath a curved planetary surface, with exhaust streaming behind it. Its prominent placement gives the design a strong science-fiction identity beyond the monster battle below.
Monumental Japanese title: The immense red characters 怪獣総進撃 occupy much of the lower half in two powerful vertical columns. Their angular forms and white surrounds create exceptional visibility and turn the title into a major part of the artwork.
Human cast and period credits: Small photographic portraits run down the lower-left margin, while cast and production credits occupy the lower-right area. The contrast between these modest human figures and the towering monsters reinforces the film’s spectacular scale.
Toho, Tokusatsu, and the Japanese Release Pitch
The red circular Toho emblem appears at upper right, while the spacecraft is explicitly identified as ムーンライトSY-3号—Moonlight SY-3. The prominent red diagonal tagline reads:
「凄絶！11大怪獣の大激闘！そして謎のキラアク星人の正体は？」
“A ferocious showdown between eleven giant monsters! And who are the mysterious Kilaaks?”
This wording captures the campaign’s two central attractions: an unprecedented monster gathering and the mystery of an alien invasion.
The printed credits distinguish director Ishirō Honda, special-effects supervisor Eiji Tsuburaya, and special-effects director Sadamasa Arikawa. Together with the monster labels and spacecraft imagery, they present the film as a major Toho effects spectacle, combining familiar creatures with an ambitious futuristic adventure.
About STB / Tatekan Posters
Japanese STB / tatekan posters were tall standing-board advertisements, generally printed in two separate sheets and assembled vertically for cinema display. At approximately twice the height of a standard Japanese B2, the format allowed designers to create unusually dramatic compositions.
These were working theatrical advertisements intended for temporary display. Pasting, handling, exposed edges, and disposal after a film’s run all made the preservation of complete examples difficult.
For 1960s Godzilla first releases, surviving STB posters are particularly desirable. This example combines the format’s imposing scale with an outstanding design for one of Toho’s most celebrated monster ensembles.
Condition Report
Overall condition: restored near mint, professionally linen-backed by Fourth Cone Restoration in Los Angeles.
The poster has undergone professional linen backing and restoration, supporting the original paper and preparing this exceptionally rare two-sheet piece for display.
Restoration has addressed areas of missing pigment along the fold lines and edge wear, carefully filling and retouching these affected areas to improve the continuity of the printed image and title lettering.
The restored near mint assessment refers to the poster’s condition following this conservation treatment.
The deep-blue background, richly coloured monsters, bright yellow identification panels, and enormous scarlet title give the completed composition exceptional visual impact. Once framed, this poster will display exceptionally—a remarkable centrepiece for a Godzilla or Japanese cinema collection.
Please refer to the accompanying photographs for details of the exact poster offered for sale. This is an original 1968 Japanese first-release theatrical poster, not a reproduction or reprint.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
