Kitaro's Cosmic Rise: Shirogumi's GeGeGe & Godzilla VFX Triumph at Chofu Film Town Awards!
The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe wins Best Picture, celebrating its dark fantasy brilliance; Shirogumi Inc. earns a Special Award.
The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe Wins Best Picture at Chofu Film Town Awards
The anime film Kitarō Tanjō: Gegege no Nazo (The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe) achieved significant recognition at the 7th Chofu Film Town Awards, winning the Best Picture Award. Meanwhile, visual effects powerhouse Shirogumi Inc., known for its work on the live-action Godzilla Minus One, received the Special Award at the ceremony held on Saturday.
Other Winners
Several notable technicians and contributors were also honored for their exceptional work:
- Hisashi Takeuchi, sound technician for Godzilla Minus One, won the Best Sound Award.
- Ryuji Miyajima, the editor of the same film, secured the Best Editing Award.
Significance of the Chofu Film Town Awards
The Chofu Film Town Awards primarily celebrate the vital contributions of filmmakers, technicians, and production studios that support the creative process behind the scenes. Chofu City, located in Tokyo's Tama district, proudly carries the title of "The City of Movies," as many cinematic and video production companies are headquartered there.
A Closer Look: Shirogumi Inc. and Chofu City
Shirogumi Inc., the visual effects studio, operates out of Chofu City. The connection between Chofu and the GeGeGe no Kitarō series runs deep. Notably, Shigeru Mizuki, the original creator of GeGeGe no Kitarō, lived in Chofu for over 50 years and is regarded as an honorary citizen. The city is also home to Fudaten Shrine, famous for its wooded thicket, which the legendary character Kitarō is said to have called home. Several landmarks tied to the beloved Kitarō character can be found throughout the area.
Box Office Success of Kitarō Tanjō: Gegege no Nazo
The Kitarō Tanjō: Gegege no Nazo film was released in Japan in November 2023, earning 160,106,620 yen (approximately $1.07 million USD) and selling 111,500 tickets during its first three days. Its re-cut version, titled Kitarō Tanjō: Gegege no Nazo Shinsei-ban (True Birth Version), debuted on October 4, 2024, and performed strongly as well. Ranking #3 during its opening weekend, the film sold 97,700 tickets and grossed 156,305,640 yen (about $1.05 million USD) during its first three days.
Godzilla Minus One's Continued Accolades
Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the live-action film Godzilla Minus One, has also received multiple prestigious awards internationally. Notably:
- It won Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards (2024).
- It earned the Best International Film Award at the Saturn Awards on February 2, 2025.
Conclusion
Both Kitarō Tanjō: Gegege no Nazo and Godzilla Minus One highlight Japan’s exceptional talent in storytelling and filmmaking. These accolades further solidify Chofu City's reputation as a hub of cinematic innovation, bringing honor to the talent and heritage of the region.
Source: Cinema Today, Cinema Today (Link 2)