Quotes

[Regarding the 1998 Tristar 'Godzilla' film] "It is interesting the U.S. version of Godzilla runs about trying to escape missiles...Americans seem unable to accept a creature that cannot be put down by their arms."

[on Kaiju films] Saying it's "just a guy in a suit" is not the right attitude. It's more enjoyable to watch these films when you understand their long history and culture.

[on the Kaiju genre] We didn't consider them science-fiction movies. We didn't have that kind of an idea. But ever since the Godzilla movies in the 1950s, many kaiju movies were made after that. They became their own genre. They are kaiju movies rather than science fiction.

[Kaiju genre] Within the genre, there are science-fiction leanings, there are fantasy leanings, but the kaiju genre is a genre in and of itself. The concept of science fiction started in America because America is a young country. Japan has such a long tradition, so it's difficult for science fiction to root itself in this country.