“Godzilla vs Mothra” (ゴジラvsモスラ), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1992, Artwork by Noriyoshi Ohrai (生頼範義), Rare B1 Size (c. 73 × 103 cm), Excellent+ Condition — Gallery
This is an original Japanese B1 theatrical poster printed for the first Japanese release of Godzilla vs Mothra in 1992, featuring spectacular artwork by Noriyoshi Ohrai, one of Japan’s most celebrated film-poster illustrators.
An exceptionally colourful composition, the design places an immense Mothra behind Godzilla, her patterned wings extending almost the full height and width of the sheet. Below them, larval forms, a fractured egg, turbulent water and billowing explosions create a richly detailed fantasy landscape.
In our opinion, this is one of the most beautiful designs of the Heisei Godzilla period. Mothra’s brilliant wings give the poster an immediately recognisable identity, while Ohrai’s intricate painting rewards close inspection.
Presented in the impressive B1 format, this example is in Excellent+ condition, with a front presentation close to Near Mint—a particularly desirable combination of artwork, scale and preservation.
Date & Japanese Theatrical Release
Godzilla vs Mothra opened in Japan on 12 December 1992, distributed by Toho.
The announcement along the lower edge reads:
「’93年正月全国東宝系公開」
“Opening nationwide at Toho cinemas for New Year 1993.”
This identifies the film’s 1993 New Year holiday campaign, which began with its December 1992 opening. The wording belongs to the original theatrical promotion.
The sheet also retains the ©1992 TOHO copyright, Toho emblem, Eirin mark and printed identifier 200266-228, together with the small production and distribution details along the bottom edge.
Measuring approximately 73 × 103 cm, the Japanese B1 format provides roughly twice the surface area of a standard B2 poster, giving this expansive composition considerable presence.
About the Film
Directed by Takao Ōkawara, with a screenplay by Kazuki Ōmori, special effects by Kōichi Kawakita and music by Akira Ifukube, Godzilla vs Mothra combines monster spectacle with an ecological fantasy about humanity’s treatment of the natural world.
After a meteorite disturbs the Earth, Godzilla awakens. On Infant Island, an expedition discovers a gigantic egg and encounters the Cosmos, two miniature guardians who explain its connection to Mothra and warn of the destructive creature Battra.
An attempt to transport the egg to Japan brings the expedition into Godzilla’s path. What follows develops into a three-way conflict between Godzilla, Mothra and Battra, culminating in a spectacular confrontation around Yokohama’s waterfront.
The cast includes Tetsuya Bessho, Satomi Kobayashi, Takehiro Murata and Megumi Odaka, with Keiko Imamura and Sayaka Osawa appearing as the Cosmos.
The film brings together adventure, environmental concerns and Mothra’s distinctive mythology, giving its giant-monster battles an atmosphere of wonder as well as destruction.
The Film’s Reception & the Heisei Godzilla Series
The nineteenth Godzilla feature and fourth instalment of the Heisei continuity, Godzilla vs Mothra reunited two of Toho’s most enduring monsters for a new generation.
It also introduced Battra, whose role as a fierce defender of the Earth complicates the relationship between destruction, protection and human interference.
The film became a major commercial success, leading the Japanese-film distributor-revenue rankings for the 1993 reporting year. Its popularity helped establish the Godzilla series as a major attraction of the early-1990s holiday cinema season.
The poster captures that broad appeal particularly well. Its brilliant colour, recognisable monsters and emphasis on Mothra’s transformation give the campaign a strong sense of spectacle and anticipation.
Noriyoshi Ohrai & the Godzilla Campaign
Noriyoshi Ohrai (1935–2015) was one of the outstanding Japanese illustrators of his generation, celebrated for paintings that gave imaginary creatures and extraordinary worlds a convincing physical presence.
His international reputation was strengthened by his artwork for The Empire Strikes Back in 1980. Beginning with Godzilla in 1984, his paintings also became closely associated with the renewed visual identity of Toho’s Godzilla films.
Ohrai’s particular strength was his ability to combine monumental composition with extraordinary surface detail. Scales, wings, smoke, water and reflected light contribute to the drama without obscuring the overall image.
Here, that approach produces a striking contrast between Godzilla’s dense, armoured body and Mothra’s delicate, vividly patterned wings. The creatures feel substantial, yet the composition retains the imaginative freedom of a fantasy painting.
Ohrai’s printed signature appears in red near the lower-left edge, forming part of the original artwork reproduced on the poster.
Poster Design
Mothra’s wings dominate the composition. Their sweeping shape creates an almost symmetrical framework around the title and principal figures. Scarlet, orange, cream and golden-yellow markings stand against deep blue-black areas, with large circular patterns near the upper corners.
The face is remarkably expressive. Mothra’s pale, textured head, elaborate antennae and luminous blue compound eyes create a focal point beneath the title. Fine painted detail gives her a combination of delicacy and enormous scale.
Godzilla stands forward of Mothra, slightly to the right. His cool blue-grey colouring provides a strong counterpoint to the warm wings behind him. Raised claws, an open mouth and a curling tail give the figure movement, while the detailed scales and dorsal plates establish his formidable weight.
The foreground introduces two larval figures and a broken egg. One larval form rises from the fractured green-toned shell, while another appears low in the water. Together, these elements bring the imagery of emergence and transformation into the composition.
Explosions frame the lower section. Orange and yellow flames break through violet-blue smoke on either side, while pale waves run across the base. These smaller details give the monsters a setting and reinforce their immense proportions.
The large Japanese title occupies the upper portion of the sheet, with red Godzilla lettering, a pale-to-orange Mothra title and the English “GODZILLA vs MOTHRA” beneath.
At B1 scale, the fine brushwork and carefully balanced colours become especially rewarding. The poster has immediate impact from a distance and considerable detail to discover at close range.
Japanese Text & Translation
「極彩色の大決戦」
“A Great Showdown in Vivid Colour.”
The headline directly reflects the artwork’s spectacular palette, making colour itself part of the film’s promise to its audience.
「ゴジラvsモスラ」
“Godzilla vs Mothra.”
「’93年正月全国東宝系公開」
“Opening nationwide at Toho cinemas for New Year 1993.”
「製作・東宝映画 配給・東宝」
“Production: Toho Pictures. Distribution: Toho.”
Rarity & Collector Significance
Original first-release B1 examples are particularly desirable, especially with a front as fresh and visually impressive as this one.
The larger format gives Ohrai’s painting the space it deserves. Mothra’s wings become enveloping, while the detailed foreground and the contrast between warm colour and dark blue tones have considerable impact.
For collectors, the appeal brings together several important qualities: original Japanese theatrical paper, Noriyoshi Ohrai artwork, two of Toho’s most famous monsters and the substantial B1 format.
The first-release printing also preserves the campaign’s original Japanese typography, holiday announcement and production markings, placing the artwork firmly within the film’s theatrical history.
This is a particularly compelling example for collectors of Godzilla, Mothra, Japanese science-fiction cinema and painted film-poster illustration.
Condition
Excellent+ condition overall, with a front presentation close to Near Mint.
Overall, this is a beautifully presenting example whose combination of colour, scale and preservation makes it especially attractive for display.
Please review all photographs carefully. They show the exact poster offered, including the front, reverse and close-up details.
An original Japanese first-release B1 poster for Godzilla vs Mothra (1992), combining Noriyoshi Ohrai’s remarkable artwork with the impressive scale of the larger theatrical format.
It is not a reproduction or a later reprint.
Over 30 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
