We are entering an unprecedented era of tokusatsu media. Whether it be books, movies, or TV Series, the remainder of 2021 has some huge releases on the horizon. There are a number of smaller releases that need to be given their due as well, as such let us dive in and talk about what 2021 has in store for monster fans.
Comics:
The Trials Of Ultraman
Release: Issue #1 releasing March 17th, 2021
Written by: Mat Groom and Kyle Higgins Art by: Francesco Mann and Eduardo Ferigato
Hot off the trails of their The Rise of Ultraman series, Marvel is continuing with another five-issue miniseries entitled The Trials of Ultraman. Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom continue the story they started with Trials. It looks like Trials will feature monster fights much more prominently than the first series. It seems like instead of having one ongoing Ultraman title, Marvel will continue the story using mini-series, so be sure to mention that to your comic store if you are getting it in your pull box. Fascinated to see where the story goes from here.
Power Rangers and Mighty Morphin
Release: Issue #5 of Mighty Morphin March 10th, 2021 and Issue #5 of Power Rangers March 24th, 2021
MM#5 Written by: Ryan Parrott Art by: Marco Renna
PR#5 Written by: Ryan Parrott Art by: Francesco Mortarino
There are currently two ongoing Power Rangers titles that involve the team designs you recognize in Mighty Morphin and a newly designed team in the Power Rangers. Who is on both teams will surprise you and explaining the significance of the two ongoing teams would take a while as this is the latest iteration of an ongoing series with tons of backstory. If you are sad we don’t more stories with the Rangers you grew up with the comics are for you and they don’t show any signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Godzilla: Dominion and Kingdom Kong
Release: All comics release March 30th, 2021
KK Written by: Marie Anello Art By: ZID
GD Written by: Greg Keyes Art By: Drew Johnson
With a new Legendary MonsterVerse movie there is always a girth of comic books released to coincide with the film. Godzilla and Kong both receive their own prequel graphic novels. What they will entail is not wholly clear but there have been reports of new Titans appearing in both series. Legendary comics are usually pretty solid and worth reading.
Manga:
Ultraman Volume 15
English release date: April 20th, 2021
Credits: Tomohiro Shimoguchi and Eiichi Shimizu
With all the Ultraman coming to English markets it is easy to forget this outstanding manga series that re-imagines Ultraman in a very fun way. The series continues to be a delight and worth keeping up with.
Kaiju No. 8
Release Date: Weekly
Credits: Naoya Matsumoto
This is a relatively new Shonen Jump series that has been making big waves due to its huge readership. New chapters are released weekly. The series is about a disillusioned adult who obtains the ability to turn into a Kaiju. He uses this new power to assist the team of monster defence forces who keep the public safe from these rampaging beasts. It is a digital series and as such can be easily followed.
Books:
Kong & Me
Release Date: March 30th 2021
Story: Kiki Thorpe Art by: Nidhi Chanani
A children’s book all about Kong and the new child character from Godzilla vs. Kong. It looks to be incredibly cute and well worth picking up for anyone with kids.
Godzilla vs. Kong: The Official Movie Novelization
Release Date: April 6th 2021
Written by: Greg Keyes
This may be hard for some to believe but I promise you if you are a fan of these movies the novelizations are worth investigating. The Godzilla King of the Monsters novelization was a true delight and managed to tie the entire MonsterVerse together. With Greg Keyes working on this novel hopefully, we can expect an equally impressive book.
Godzilla vs. Kong: Sometimes Friends Fight: (But They Always Make Up)
Release Date: April 6th 2021
By: Carol Herring
They are really going all out on Godzilla vs. Kong tie-in merch including a second children’s book. This is described as a board book and is mainly about being a good friend. Scale be damned the book featured Kong helping Godzilla get up the Empire State Building. Looks to be super cute and great if you have monster-loving kids.
Godzilla vs. Kong: One Will Fall: The Art of the Ultimate Battle Royale
Release date: May 21st, 2021
Written by: Daniel Wallace
The release date of the art of GVK book has not changed unlike every other release date but it is unclear if this is just an oversight or if we actually cannot expect it until May. Either way, these are the closest you get to intricate making of’s nowadays so if you want a behind-the-scenes look at these movies this is your best bet.
How to Have an Adventure in Scotland
Release date: Spring
Written by: Raffael Coronelli
Okay so this might not have anything to do with Tokusatsu at all but Coronelli’s last book was outstanding and I will be picking this up ASAP. We could all use a journey right now whilst we are stuck at home and Coronelli continuously allows us to escape.
TV:
Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger
Release Date: first episode March 7th 2021
The wildest designs for any sentai, Zenkaiger looks to be a zany colourful series. They are being released in Japan but fansubbers usually have these turned around for English fans in record time. Sentai is always a good way to escape if one is looking for a simple good time.
Kamen Rider Saber
Release Date: Weekly
The newest Kamen Rider series is 23 episodes in as of this writing. I’ve heard mixed things but at the very least you can depend on this series for sword fights containing plenty of sparks and explosions. Which is what we could all use a little more of in our lives.
Power Rangers Dino Fury
Release Date: Weekly
Based off of Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger, the Power Rangers franchise continues. This is the 28th season of Power Rangers and will most likely be a popular one as it features DINOSAURS. Dinos are always the most popular Power Ranger seasons.
Pacific Rim: The Black
Release Date: March 4th 2021
After hearing rumours about this series for YEARS we are finally getting the Pacific Rim anime. A pair of siblings must escape a Kaiju-infested Australia. Hopefully the series does well and can continue the Pacific Rim universe.
Godzilla Singular Point
Release Date: April 21st 2021
Of all the Big G stuff on the horizon, this is what I am most excited for. The art style looks great and I cannot wait to see all of the Kaiju imagined in a new universe. The April release date is the Japanese date and it is unclear if we will get it simultaneously or if we will have to wait a few months.
Ultraman Season 2
Release Date: Unclear
We will definitely be getting a second season for the Ultraman anime adapted from the aforementioned manga series, but an official date has not been given as of yet. Having read ahead via the manga I am very excited to witness this new chapter being brought to life.
Ultraman Leo
Release Date: April 13th 2021
Mill Creek will finally be completing its spine artwork with the 7th Ultra series, Ultraman Leo. My wallet is thankful these releases have slowed down a bit recently so I have had time to save up and catch up. Many people were wondering about Leo as it has been in Shout Factory’s hands for some time, lucky for us an agreement was made and we will get to bask in more Showa Ultra goodness.
Movies:
Godzilla vs. Kong
Release Date: March 31st 2021
The rematch you’ve waited decades for has finally arrived. With the trailer doing HUGE numbers, hopefully this will be a film to match the hype. Please do not go to theatres unless you have received the vaccine, stay at home and keep us all safe, it is what Godzilla would want.
Ape vs. Monster and War of the Monsters
Release Date: Unclear
With a blockbuster there must also be a mockbuster and as Maser Patrol has reported it seems like we will be getting two of them. Nothing is known asides from their titles but schlock fans will no doubt be champing at the bit.
Shin Ultraman
Release Date: Unclear
Shin Ultraman has had its first trailer but asides from that little is known about this hotly anticipated followup by Shin Godzilla creators Shinji Higuchi and Hideaki Anno. Of all the trailers we have seen in the last bit I must confess this is the one I was the most cool on. Regardless one can hope it receives some sort of western release.
War of The God Monsters and Monster Seafood Wars
Release Dates: March and April
SRS cinema is continuing to release content we would never experience without them. War of the God Monsters in particular is a truly bizarre artifact. I cannot wait for either of these releases.
The Invisible Man Appears/Invisible Man vs The Human Fly
Release Date: March 16th 2021
Per Arrow Video:
‘In The Invisible Man Appears, written and directed by Nobuo Adachi in 1949, a scientist successfully creates an invisibility serum, only to be kidnapped by a gang of thugs who wish to use the formula to rob a priceless jewel. In addition to being the earliest surviving Japanese science fiction film ever made, the film’s entertaining special effects were an early credit for the legendary Eiji Tsuburaya, five years before he first brought Godzilla to life.
Eight years later, Mitsuo Murayama’s exciting The Invisible Man vs. The Human Fly tells the story of a series of mysterious murders where the only clue is strange buzzing noise at the scene of the crime… could this be linked to secret wartime experiments in shrinking humans to the size of insects? And can a scientist who’s just invented an invisibility ray be the one to stop it?’
