Eiji Tsuburaya
1.2Visual Effects

Eiji Tsuburaya

Jul 7, 1901 - 日本,京都府

Eiji Tsuburaya ranks alongside Willis H. O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen as one of the great visionary SFX masters of twentieth-century fantasy cinema. Best remembered as the amazing special effects genius behind the "Godzilla" series of monster films commencing in 1954, he also contributed effects to a host of other Japanese monster / fantasy / science fiction / drama / propaganda films for over four decades.

Eiji Tsuburaya had a keen interest in the cinema from a young age, and legend has it that he acquired a second-hand movie projector when he was only ten years old, and pulled it apart and put it back together with relative ease. He began work as a cinematographer in Kyoto around 1919 and then enhanced his skills to include camera work throughout the 1920s, at which time his eye for detail was in high demand from many studios. Around 1938, he became head of Special Visual Techniques at Toho Studios, and during the Second World War, he was involved in the production of several Japanese propaganda films. He went freelance after the war, and in 1954 he collaborated with director Ishirô Honda on the monster epic Gojira (1954) (aka "Godzilla"). The film was an enormous hit in Japan, and additional scenes were filmed with US actor Raymond Burr and then inserted strategically to give the movie western appeal. "Godzilla, King Of The Monsters" was then released in the USA to strong box office takings, and Godzilla has since appeared in over two dozen films spanning over fifty years, becoming a key cult icon of Japanese culture!!

The incredibly talented Tsuburaya went on to be the SFX director behind dozens of Japanese monster & science fiction classics including Sora no daikiju Radon (1956) (aka "Rodan"), Bijo to ekitai ningen (1958) (aka "The H-Man"), Densô ningen (1960) (aka "The Telegian"), Mosura (1961) (aka "Mothra"), Kingu Kongu tai Gojira (1962) (aka "King Kong versus Godzilla"), Varan the Unbelievable (1962), Matango (1963), Furankenshutain tai chitei kaiju Baragon (1965) (aka "Frankenstein Conquers the World"), and Kaiju soshingeki (1968) (aka "Destroy All Monsters" ). Tsuburaya had also established his own production company in 1963 (Tsuburaya Productions), creators of the highly popular "Ultraman" character, and subsequent TV shows and films.

On January 25, 1970, while vacationing in Shizuoka Prefecture, Tsuburaya suffered a sudden, fatal heart attack. His incredible film & SFX production company is still active today under the guidance of his grandson, Kazuo Tsuburaya.

Credits

Cast

Media
Movie1966The Father of Ultra Q

Crew

Media
Movie1962Varan the UnbelievableVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1955Marital RelationsVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1958Half Human: The Story of the Abominable SnowmanVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1958VaranVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1958The H-ManVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1958The Hidden FortressVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1958The Tale of the White SerpentVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1954Samurai I: Musashi MiyamotoVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1956RodanVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1963AtragonSpecial Effects CoordinatorCrew
Movie1964Ghidorah, the Three-Headed MonsterSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1969Latitude ZeroProduction ManagerProduction
Movie1961The Last WarSpecial Effects CoordinatorCrew
Movie1949Hanakurabe tanuki-denSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1949White-haired DemonSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1949The Invisible Man AppearsVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie2017Dragon Force: So Long UltramanOriginal ConceptWriting
Movie2019Dragon Force: Rise of UltramanOriginal ConceptWriting
Movie1931Reimei izenCinematographyCrew
Movie1960The Human VaporSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1946Lord for a NightSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1945Five Tokyo MenSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1942Bouquet of the South SeasVFX Director of PhotographyVisual Effects
Movie1955Half HumanSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1965Invasion of Astro-MonsterSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1964Mothra vs. GodzillaSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1972Daigoro vs. GoliathProducerProduction
Movie1943Hot WindSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1962GorathSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1947A Thousand and One Nights with TohoSpecial Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
Movie1966Ebirah, Horror of the DeepSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1944Colonel Kato's Falcon SquadronSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1954Sound of the MountainSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1954GodzillaStoryWriting
Movie1956Godzilla, King of the Monsters!StoryWriting
Movie1957The MysteriansSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1965Frankenstein Conquers the WorldSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1963MatangoSpecial Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
Movie1953The LoversSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1957Godzilla, the Monster of the Pacific OceanVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1962GorathVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1993Ultraman - The Alien InvasionOriginal StoryWriting
Movie2022Shin UltramanOriginal StoryWriting
Movie1935Chorus of a Million PeopleDirector of PhotographyCamera
Movie1954Farewell RabaulSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1963MatangoSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1965Frankenstein Conquers the WorldVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1962GorathVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1959Battle in Outer SpaceVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1959Battle in Outer SpaceSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1957Godzilla, the Monster of the Pacific OceanVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1954GodzillaVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1956Godzilla, King of the Monsters!Visual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1977GodzillaVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1979Akio Jissoji's UltramanExecutive ProducerProduction
Movie1959The Adventures of Sun Wu KungSpecial Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
Movie1961Daredevil in the CastleSpecial Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
Movie1929Yôma kitanCinematographyCrew
Movie1965The Crazy AdventureSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1956Godzilla, King of the Monsters!Special EffectsCrew
Movie1964WhirlwindSpecial Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
Movie1943Military Song of the Morning MistSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1936Across the EquatorDirectorDirecting
Movie1952The Skin of the SouthSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1957Godzilla, the Monster of the Pacific OceanStoryWriting
Movie1959The Three TreasuresSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1942RamayanaScreenplayWriting
Movie1977GodzillaSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1957Godzilla, the Monster of the Pacific OceanSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1959Gigantis, the Fire MonsterVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1959Gigantis, the Fire MonsterSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1966Ebirah, Horror of the DeepSpecial Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
Movie1966Ebirah, Horror of the DeepVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1958VaranSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1962Varan the UnbelievableSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1962King Kong vs. GodzillaSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1963King Kong vs. GodzillaSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1963King Kong vs. GodzillaVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1953AnatahanSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1958Half Human: The Story of the Abominable SnowmanSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1955Godzilla Raids AgainSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1955Godzilla Raids AgainVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1964Mothra vs. GodzillaVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1962King Kong vs. GodzillaVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1958VaranVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1963King Kong vs. GodzillaVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1956RodanSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1956RodanVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1959Gigantis, the Fire MonsterVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1965The Retreat from KiskaSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1964Ghidorah, the Three-Headed MonsterVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1964Ghidorah, the Three-Headed MonsterVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1946A Descendant of Urashima TaroSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1970Space AmoebaSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1970Space AmoebaSpecial Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
Movie1955Half HumanVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1958Half Human: The Story of the Abominable SnowmanVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1959Submarine I-57 Will Not SurrenderSpecial Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
Movie1926A Page of MadnessAssistant CameraCamera
Movie1935Kaguya HimeDirector of PhotographyCamera
Movie1943音楽大進軍Special EffectsCrew
Movie1952The Man Who Came to PortSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1958Song for a BrideSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1962ChûshinguraSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1961Blood on the SeaSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1928Castle of Wind and CloudsDirector of PhotographyCamera
Movie2020Monster SeaFood WarsOriginal StoryWriting
Movie1943The Opium WarSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1964Tiger FlightSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1968Destroy All MonstersSpecial Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
Movie1966Zero FighterSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1940The Burning SkyVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1969Crazy Big ExplosionSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1957The Paradise Island StoryVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1955Half HumanVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1969Crazy Big ExplosionVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1954Invisible ManVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1958Song for a BrideVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1954GodzillaSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1953Youth of Heiji SenigataVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1962King Kong vs. GodzillaVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1957Throne of BloodVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1956Godzilla, King of the Monsters!Visual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1964Mothra vs. GodzillaVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1957The MysteriansVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1966The War of the GargantuasVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1954GodzillaVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1959The Three TreasuresVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1967King Kong EscapesVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1955Godzilla Raids AgainVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1940Navy Bomb SquadronVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1963MatangoVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1961MothraVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1951The Lady of MusashinoVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1961Valley of the DragonsSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1965Invasion of Astro-MonsterVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1965Invasion of Astro-MonsterVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1966The Birth of UltramanCreatorCrew
Movie1960The Human VaporVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1960The Human VaporVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1943Hyoroku's Dream TaleSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1942RamayanaSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1943World of LoveSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1960The Secret of the TelegianVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1959Battle in Outer SpaceVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1957Tokyo 1960StoryWriting
Movie1957Tokyo 1960Special EffectsCrew
Movie1957Tokyo 1960Visual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1957Tokyo 1960Visual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1954Invisible ManDirector of PhotographyCamera
Movie1954Invisible ManSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1954Invisible ManVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1969All Monsters AttackSpecial Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
Movie1969All Monsters AttackSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1961MothraVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1961MothraSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1967King Kong EscapesSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1967King Kong EscapesVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1957The MysteriansVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1977GodzillaStoryWriting
Movie1977GodzillaVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1967Ultraman: Monster Movie FeatureProduction SupervisorProduction
Movie1967Ultraman: Monster Movie FeatureCreatorCrew
Movie1969All Monsters AttackEditorial ConsultantEditing
Movie1964DogoraSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1964DogoraVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1964DogoraVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1953The Eagle of the PacificSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1953The Eagle of the PacificVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1953The Eagle of the PacificVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1960The Storm of the PacificSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1960The Storm of the PacificVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1960The Storm of the PacificVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1960The Secret of the TelegianVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1960The Secret of the TelegianSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1949The Invisible Man AppearsSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1949The Invisible Man AppearsVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1942The War at Sea from Hawaii to MalayaSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1942The War at Sea from Hawaii to MalayaVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1942The War at Sea from Hawaii to MalayaVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1944Colonel Kato's Falcon SquadronVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1944Colonel Kato's Falcon SquadronVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1942Wings of VictorySpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1942Wings of VictoryVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1942Wings of VictoryVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1940The Burning SkySpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1940The Burning SkyVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1966The War of the GargantuasVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1966The War of the GargantuasSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1957Rodan! The Flying Monster!Special EffectsCrew
Movie1957Rodan! The Flying Monster!Visual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1967Ultraman: Monster Movie FeatureProducerProduction
Movie1963Siege of Fort BismarckSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1963Siege of Fort BismarckVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1963Siege of Fort BismarckVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1936Across the EquatorCinematographyCrew
Movie1956The Legend of the White SerpentSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1956The Legend of the White SerpentVisual EffectsVisual Effects
Movie1956The Legend of the White SerpentVisual Effects DirectorVisual Effects
Movie1967Son of GodzillaSpecial EffectsCrew
Movie1967Son of GodzillaSpecial Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
Movie1967Son of GodzillaVisual Effects SupervisorVisual Effects
TV Show2013Neo Ultra QCreatorCrew
TV Show1966UltramanProduction SupervisorProduction
TV Show1966UltramanProducerProduction
TV Show1966Ultra QProduction SupervisorProduction
TV Show1966Ultra QProducerProduction
TV Show2018Ultraman R/BCreatorCreator