{"product_id":"tokyo-the-last-megalopolis-帝都物語-original-release-japanese-poster-1988-extremely-rare-in-b1-and-in-excellent-condition-b1-approx-103-72-8-cm","title":"“Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis” (帝都物語) Original release Japanese poster, 1988 — extremely rare in B1 and in excellent condition (B1 approx. 103 × 72.8 cm)","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal release Japanese poster, 1988 — an exceptionally striking design for Akio Jissoji’s cult supernatural epic, presented in the extremely scarce B1 format.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn original Japanese B1 cinema poster for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTokyo: The Last Megalopolis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTeito Monogatari\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), Akio Jissoji’s ambitious adaptation of Hiroshi Aramata’s novel. A remarkable meeting of occult fantasy, historical spectacle and supernatural horror, the film introduced cinema audiences to Kyusaku Shimada’s unforgettable portrayal of Yasunori Kato.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExtremely difficult to find in B1, this design makes extraordinary use of its scale. Kato’s immense, shadowed face, piercing yellow eyes and black military cap dominate a composition of electric blue symbolism, pink celestial light and a threatened city skyline. The colours are wonderfully strong, and the poster has tremendous presence: an imposing piece of Japanese cinema design that rewards both close inspection and viewing from across a room.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFilm:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTokyo: The Last Megalopolis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJapanese title:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 帝都物語 — \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTeito Monogatari\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1988\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Japanese release:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 30 January 1988\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCountry:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Japan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirector:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Akio Jissoji\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScreenplay:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kaizo Hayashi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal novel:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Hiroshi Aramata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrincipal cast:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kyusaku Shimada, Shintaro Katsu, Mieko Harada and Junichi Ishida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMusic:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maki Ishii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCinematography:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Masao Nakabori\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFilm art direction:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Takeo Kimura\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal distributor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Toho\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Japanese B1, portrait, single-sided\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 103 × 72.8 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Excellent overall, with a small edge tear repaired on the verso using archival acid-free tape; further details below\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContext: Akio Jissoji and the occult metropolis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAkio Jissoji’s career moved between television fantasy and adventurous art cinema, encompassing work on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUltraman\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e as well as films such as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Transient Life\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMandala\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. His attraction to unusual compositions, disquieting atmosphere and the collision of the everyday with the extraordinary made him a particularly compelling director for Aramata’s material.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTeito Monogatari\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e imagines the development of modern Tokyo as a struggle involving spiritual forces, historical personalities and buried resentments. Adapted from the opening four volumes of Aramata’s novel, the film brings together the city’s transformation, supernatural conflict and the upheaval of the Great Kanto Earthquake.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts creative team was equally distinctive. Alongside Jissoji, screenwriter Kaizo Hayashi and art director Takeo Kimura, H. R. Giger contributed as the film’s conceptual designer. The resulting production combines elaborate period settings with unsettling creatures and spectacular visions of destruction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKyusaku Shimada: the face of Yasunori Kato\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn his film debut, Kyusaku Shimada created an immediately memorable antagonist as Yasunori Kato, the mysterious figure intent on Tokyo’s destruction. His severe military appearance and extraordinary screen presence give the supernatural threat a recognisable human form.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe poster places that performance at the centre of its appeal. Almost everything resolves around the face beneath the cap: the sharply illuminated nose, the shadowed expression and, above all, those brilliant yellow eyes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA particularly interesting detail appears in the printed cast credits, where Shimada is identified as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e嶋田久作（新人）\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, marking him as a newcomer. It connects the poster directly to the arrival of an actor whose portrayal of Kato would become inseparable from the film’s identity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe film this poster represents\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA cult favourite with the ambition of a major cinematic spectacle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased in Japan in January 1988, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTokyo: The Last Megalopolis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was a substantial production, with elaborate effects, a large ensemble cast and extensive sets recreating the capital of an earlier age. It became one of Japan’s leading domestic releases that year.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe story follows Kato’s attempts to destroy Tokyo and the efforts of those who oppose him. Fictional characters encounter historical figures, while the spirit of Taira no Masakado, occult practices and the city’s modernisation become part of the same expansive narrative.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts lasting appeal lies in that unusual combination: historical imagination, supernatural horror and extravagant visual invention. Later retrospective screenings, including Japan Society’s celebration of the film’s thirty-fifth anniversary in 2023, reflect its continuing place in cult cinema.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor collectors, this poster captures that appeal with exceptional directness. The face, the symbols and the city below establish the film’s threatening atmosphere before a single line of its story is known.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe poster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYellow eyes, electric blue symbols and a city beneath a red moon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a wonderfully forceful composition. The glossy black cap occupies much of the upper sheet, creating a broad field of darkness from which the eyes emerge. Beneath it, the face extends almost to the skyline, giving Kato a scale that feels overwhelming.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the lower right, an enormous red and pink cratered moon hangs above the buildings. Diagonal streaks of blue and violet light connect the upper and lower portions of the design, while the city is surrounded by a spectral, flame-like glow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lettering is equally important. Large cream brush-style characters descend down the right side, balanced by the heavy grey title with its red edging on the left. The contrast between photographic detail, geometric symbols and expressive Japanese lettering gives the poster its distinctive character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey visual elements, as seen in the artwork:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe immense portrait of Kato beneath a glossy black military cap.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrilliant yellow eyes set against deep shadow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTwo overlapping blue pentagram outlines at the upper right.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA huge red and pink cratered moon above the city.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDark skyline silhouettes surrounded by luminous, flame-like forms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBold vertical Japanese lettering in cream, grey and red.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe dominant slogan reads:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e我を崇めよ\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Worship me.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe accompanying text identifies the antagonist:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e神堕しの魔人、加藤保憲\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Yasunori Kato, the demon who brings down the gods.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlongside it is the threat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e「みんなこわしてやる！」\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“I’ll destroy everything!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt approximately 103 cm high, the B1 format gives these elements exceptional impact. The portrait becomes imposing, the fine lunar detail becomes more apparent, and the contrast between the dark ground and bright colours has real depth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRarity and survival\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn extremely elusive design in the large B1 format\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis poster is extremely hard to find in B1. For collectors of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTeito Monogatari\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Japanese supernatural cinema or the work of Akio Jissoji, the large format is a particularly compelling way to own this design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe composition benefits enormously from the additional scale. Kato’s face and the looming moon have room to dominate, while the smaller cast credits, skyline details and Japanese typography remain rewarding to examine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is a striking addition to a collection of Japanese horror and fantasy posters, with the visual strength to serve as a centrepiece in its own right. The combination of an elusive format, memorable imagery and excellent overall presentation makes this an especially appealing example.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent overall, with a small archival repair to the verso\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe poster is in excellent overall condition. A tiny edge tear has been repaired from the verso using archival acid-free tape. The repair is shown in the accompanying photographs and sits towards the upper right edge when the poster is viewed from the front.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe close-up images also show light edge creasing and minor handling marks. These should be considered alongside the repair when assessing the sheet, while the principal portrait and the overall composition remain beautifully presented.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe colours are particularly effective: the deep dark background, vivid yellow eyes, electric blues and rich pinks retain excellent visual strength.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition includes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent overall presentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrong colour and contrast throughout the principal artwork.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA tiny edge tear repaired on the verso with archival acid-free tape.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLight edge creasing and minor handling marks visible in the close-up photographs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFront and verso photographs showing the poster’s condition and the repair.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease refer to all photographs, including the close-up and reverse images, as part of the condition description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnce framed, with or without a mount, this poster will display exceptionally well. An extremely scarce B1 with commanding presence and a wonderfully sinister design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57530691977594,"sku":null,"price":478.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/IMG_8842_f8ece199-8c62-40f0-836b-831f51b2f500.jpg?v=1794120306","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/tokyo-the-last-megalopolis-%e5%b8%9d%e9%83%bd%e7%89%a9%e8%aa%9e-original-release-japanese-poster-1988-extremely-rare-in-b1-and-in-excellent-condition-b1-approx-103-72-8-cm","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}