Godzilla building in Tokyo

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I missed this idea from Ironicsan's David Friedman when it was first posted on 12.4.06, but it's a seriously cool idea that Tokyo's city fathers should absolutely run with: "The people of Tokyo should construct a giant building shaped like Godzilla. Imagine what it would do to the city's skyline, and to the tourism industry. People would come from all over to take pictures.

"His eyes could flash red so airplanes don't hit him. There could be an observatory in his mouth so people could look out over Tokyo. One of his arms could house a bar, and the other arm a restaurant. They could serve drinks called Mothra Martinis and dishes like Grilled Gamera Steaks, with a side of mashed potatoes.

"And conversations could take place like this one (translated from Japanese):

"'Hey, I just got a new job!'

"'Oh, really? Where do you work?'

"'You know the Godzilla Building? I'm just a couple blocks south of there.'

"Or maybe it could be partially residential. And then people could talk about that famous artist who used to live in the Godzilla Building in the apartment right above Godzilla's left nipple. And then they could argue over whether or not Godzilla even has nipples."

Of course, being a reptile, he doesn't.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 25, 2007 at 11:08 AM

comment #1

joncro says ...

Then they could make a new Godzilla movie where Godzilla trashes his way throught the city, comes up to the Godzilla building, gives it a mean look and then smashes it to bits.

Posted by joncro at December 25, 2007 11:59 AM

comment #2

The Hoyk says ...

It'll never happen, if only because Toho would be unable to charge tourists a fortune in licensing fees to take photos of it. I'm surprised they haven't already sent you a cease-and-desist to take those pictures down.

Posted by The Hoyk at December 25, 2007 12:49 PM

comment #3

Stephe96 says ...

Yeah, it's interesting: in many of those Godzilla movies it's the 'evil capitalists' who are portrayed as bigger villains than many of the monsters...but, man, try to even whisper the name 'Godzilla' without a Toho licensing fee and just watch how quickly their lawyers swoop down like Rodan and take you to court!

Posted by Stephe96 at December 25, 2007 2:32 PM

comment #4

christian says ...

Kids, there is a Godzilla Tower. In GODZILLA VS. GIGAN.

Welcome to the party, pal!

http://www.millionmonkeytheater.com/GodzillavsGigan.html

Posted by christian at December 25, 2007 3:30 PM

comment #5

dangovich says ...

Seems like a logical next step for Frank Gehry.

Posted by dangovich at December 25, 2007 5:40 PM

comment #6

BurmaShave says ...

How about a mushroom cloud?

Posted by BurmaShave at December 25, 2007 7:04 PM

comment #7

AJW says ...

Did J.J. Abrams get Toho's permission to make Cloverfield?

Posted by AJW at December 25, 2007 7:14 PM

comment #8

hypeful says ...

Why stop there? Why not build Euro-Godzilla in Paris?

Posted by hypeful at December 25, 2007 10:33 PM

comment #9

hypeful says ...

Why stop there? Why not build Euro-Godzilla in Paris?

Posted by hypeful at December 25, 2007 10:33 PM

comment #10

Craig Kennedy says ...

Are we really going to let a top shelf Mushroom Cloud over Japan joke go by without so much as an uncomfortable throat clearing??

Come on! What is this, Christmas or something?

Posted by Craig Kennedy at December 26, 2007 1:07 AM

comment #11

insider77 says ...

The mushroom cloud is not bad. But we have to be bold, my friend: a couple of twin structures in New York, with a smoke & fire spectacle three times a day. Mannequins falling from the windows and a holografic Boeing crashing in the top floors.

Now, THAT's a city atraction.

Posted by insider77 at December 26, 2007 5:41 AM

comment #12

insider77 says ...

And, you know, the tragedy industry is the future of the travel business. People would be more than ready to pay good bucks to take the Waco Camping, or the Virgina Tech Tour.
And mark my words, in ten years Guantanamo will be the new Alcatraz: japanese people flooding the cages and taken thousands of pictures. Ex-prisoners directing the crowds:
"Now we're gonna see the water-board rooms".

Posted by insider77 at December 26, 2007 5:47 AM

comment #13

Rich S. says ...

I know this stuff was said in jest, but you folks do know that the original Godzilla was an allegory about nuclear devastation, right? Watch the original Japanese version (without Raymond Burr), which only recently became available on video here.

True, Godzilla eventually became a pop-culture icon, but his original connotation would make a Godzilla high-rise problematic.

Then again, on a recent visit to the Air and Space Museum next to Dulles Airport, I saw a number of Japanese tourists taking pictures of the Enola Gay. So what do I know?

Posted by Rich S. at December 26, 2007 7:25 AM

comment #14

christian says ...

The first Godzilla film - or GOJIRA as we gaijin geeks call it -- is a grim, somber metaphor for Japan's destruction. All the Big G. films are. Just not as grim or somber. Jet Jaguar 4ever!

Posted by christian at December 26, 2007 10:45 AM

comment #15