{"product_id":"king-kong-2-キングコング2-king-kong-lives-original-japanese-b1-first-release-theatrical-poster-1986-rare-noriyoshi-ohrai-artwork-b1-size-c-72-8-103-cm","title":"“KING KONG 2 \/ キングコング2” (KING KONG LIVES), ORIGINAL JAPANESE B1 FIRST-RELEASE THEATRICAL POSTER 1986, RARE NORIYOSHI OHRAI ARTWORK, B1 SIZE (c. 72.8 × 103 cm)","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery Rare Original B1 Illustrated Design | Japanese First-Release Campaign | Artwork by Noriyoshi Ohrai | John Guillermin \/ Carlo Rambaldi | c. 72.8 × 103 cm \/ 28.7 × 40.6 in | Excellent Condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal Japanese B1 theatrical poster produced for the first Japanese release of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing Kong 2 \/ キングコング2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—released internationally as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing Kong Lives\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—in 1986\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, featuring spectacular original artwork by legendary Japanese illustrator \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNoriyoshi Ohrai \/ 生賴範義\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt more than one metre tall, the rare B1 format gives Ohrai’s painting extraordinary presence. Kong towers beneath a vast full moon while helicopters, aircraft, soldiers, fire and smoke fill the landscape around him. His enormous figure dominates the composition, transforming the military assault below into something almost miniature by comparison.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe upper slogan reads:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e「世界映画史上、最高のスーパーヒーローが帰ってくる!!」\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“The greatest superhero in the history of cinema returns!!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat wording is central to the Japanese campaign. Kong is presented not simply as a monster, but as a returning hero—embattled, protective and surrounded by overwhelming human force.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Japanese B2 examples of this design are already highly collectible, but the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1 theatrical printing is considerably rarer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and far more imposing. This example survives in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent+ condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, unfolded and unbacked, with rich colour and exceptional display appeal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA monumental original Japanese B1 combining one of cinema’s greatest creatures with the unmistakable painterly vision of Noriyoshi Ohrai.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Film \u0026amp; Japanese Release\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing Kong 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is the direct sequel to Dino De Laurentiis’s 1976 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing Kong\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and again places the character under the direction of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJohn Guillermin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe film reveals that Kong survived his fall from the World Trade Center and has remained in a coma for ten years. Dr. Amy Franklin, played by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLinda Hamilton\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, develops an artificial heart capable of saving him, but the operation requires a compatible blood donor. The discovery of a female giant ape—Lady Kong—provides the answer and sets the story in motion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKong ultimately becomes not merely a destructive force but a protector, fighting to defend Lady Kong and their offspring against the military.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe film opened in Japan on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e20 December 1986\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with the Japanese campaign prominently presenting it as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eキングコング2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing Kong 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe poster belongs to the original first-release campaign and carries period production credits, Dolby Stereo notation, the Eirin mark and the printed lower-right credit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eILLUSTRATED BY NORIYOSHI OHRAI\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesign Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKong as the central figure:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kong occupies most of the composition, painted in deep blacks, violets and greys. His face and upper body emerge from the surrounding atmosphere with enormous weight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe full moon:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The vast pale moon directly behind his head acts almost like a halo, separating Kong from the blue-violet sky and giving the image a mythic quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe military assault:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Helicopters, aircraft and soldiers fill the lower half of the image. Ohrai renders even the smaller military details with remarkable precision, creating a dense sense of scale and chaos.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kong holds foliage and flowers against his chest—an unusually tender detail within an otherwise violent composition, reflecting the film’s emotional focus on Lady Kong.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe colour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The upper half is cool and atmospheric, dominated by moonlit blues and greys, while the battlefield below burns in reds, oranges and black.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Japanese title:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The enormous white \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e「キングコング2」\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e lettering anchors the lower edge and balances the scale of Kong above.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe artist credit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The printed line \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“ILLUSTRATED BY NORIYOSHI OHRAI”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e appears at the lower right, confirming the artwork attribution.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNoriyoshi Ohrai\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNoriyoshi Ohrai \/ 生賴範義 (1935–2015)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was one of Japan’s most important commercial illustrators, renowned for his work across film posters, publishing, science fiction, military illustration and games.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternationally, he became celebrated for his artwork for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Empire Strikes Back\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while in Japan his association with Toho and Godzilla produced some of the most iconic kaiju poster imagery of the 1980s and 1990s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 1986 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing Kong 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e design displays many of his greatest strengths: monumental scale, atmospheric light, military detail and the ability to organise an immense amount of visual information without losing clarity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor an Ohrai collector, the combination of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emajor monster subject, original 1980s theatrical issue and rare B1 format\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is particularly desirable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Japanese B1 Format \u0026amp; Rarity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Japanese \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1 format measures approximately 72.8 × 103 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, around twice the printed surface area of the standard B2.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat scale matters enormously with Ohrai’s work. Fine details in Kong’s fur, the helicopters, soldiers, smoke and fire remain clearly visible, while the overall composition gains tremendous wall presence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal B1 examples of this design are substantially harder to source than the corresponding B2 and are especially difficult to find \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eunfolded, unbacked and in strong condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal 1986 Japanese B1 first-release theatrical poster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing Kong 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e a modern reproduction, decorative art print, later exhibition poster or commemorative reissue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertificate of Authenticity included.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA very rare original Japanese B1 from the first release of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing Kong 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—Noriyoshi Ohrai’s monumental vision of Kong as returning hero, preserved in Excellent condition at the scale this extraordinary painting deserves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57533895999866,"sku":null,"price":348.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/High-riselivingroomwithafeaturewall2026-11-05-14-402026-11-08-15-582026-11-09-15-51.jpg?v=1794207139","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/king-kong-2-%e3%82%ad%e3%83%b3%e3%82%b0%e3%82%b3%e3%83%b3%e3%82%b02-king-kong-lives-original-japanese-b1-first-release-theatrical-poster-1986-rare-noriyoshi-ohrai-artwork-b1-size-c-72-8-103-cm","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}