Tomoyuki Tanaka
- Production
- April 26, 1910 · Osaka, Japan
- April 2, 1997
Biography
Born in Osaka Prefecture, Tomoyuki Tanaka was head man at Toho Studios and one of its most prolific producers. Throughout his career he would produce the films of notable filmmakers such as Akira Kurosawa, Senkichi Taniguchi, Kon Ichikawa, and Mikio Naruse. However, he is probably best remembered as the creator of Godzilla. After graduating from the Economic Department at Kansai University, Tanaka joined Toho in 1940. In 1954 Tanaka would spearhead the original Godzilla film with director Ishiro Honda. After Godzilla's monumental success, Tanaka was instructed to "make another one". Tanaka would produce every Toho monster film up until Godzilla vs Destoroyah. Tanaka was also a heavy supporter of Toshiro Mifune, producing his films with Kurosawa as well as Mifune's own production company and sole directorial effort in Legacy of the 500,000. Tanaka would champion Godzilla's return in 1984 and be heavily involved in the series until his death in 1997. In his near 60 year career Tanaka would go on to produce over 200 films.
Known for
Filmography
- Godzilla · In Memory Of
- Rebirth of Mothra II · Producer, Story
- Rebirth of Mothra · Story, Lyricist
- Godzilla vs. Destoroyah · Executive producer
- Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla · Executive producer
- Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II · Executive producer
- Godzilla vs. Mothra · Executive producer, Story
- Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah · Executive producer
- Godzilla vs. Biollante · Executive producer
- Gunhed · Executive producer
- Princess from the Moon · Executive producer
- Actress · Producer
- Toho Unused Special Effects Complete Collection · Self, Production Supervisor
- Godzilla 1985 · Story, Executive producer
- Making of The Return of Godzilla · Production Supervisor, Producer
- The Return of Godzilla · Story, Executive producer
- Ohan · Executive producer
- Zero · Producer
- Sayonara Jupiter · Executive producer
- The Makioka Sisters · Executive producer
- The Longest Tunnel · Producer
- The Imperial Navy · Executive producer
- The Last Days of Planet Earth · Executive producer
- Magnitude 7.9 · Executive producer
- Kagemusha · Executive producer
- The War in Space · Executive producer, Story
- High Seas Hijack · Executive producer
- Bloodthirsty Hawk · Executive producer
- House · Producer
- Mount Hakkoda · Producer
- Monsters of the Lost Continent · Executive producer
- The Alaska Story · Producer
- Godzilla · Producer, Story
- Zero Pilot · Executive producer
- Human Revolution II · Executive producer
- Conflagration · Executive producer
- Tidal Wave · Executive producer
- Terror of Mechagodzilla · Executive producer
- ESPY · Executive producer
- Submersion of Japan · Producer
- Prophecies of Nostradamus · Executive producer
- Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla · Executive producer
- Submersion of Japan · Government official (uncredited), Executive producer
- The Human Revolution · Producer
- Katango's War · Executive producer
- Zone Fighter · Producer, Production Supervisor
- Godzilla vs. Megalon · Producer
- Horror of the Wolf · Executive producer
- Satan's Creature · Executive producer
- Godzilla vs. Gigan · Producer
- Godzilla vs. Hedorah · Executive producer
- Will to Conquer · Producer
- Space Amoeba · Executive producer
- The Vampire Doll · Executive producer
- Terror in the Streets · Executive producer
- All Monsters Attack · Executive producer
- Portrait of Hell · Producer
- Battle of the Japan Sea · Production Director, Producer
- Latitude Zero · Executive producer
- Samurai Banners · Producer
- Motta, the Flying Dracula Monster · Executive producer
- Admiral Yamamoto · Producer
- Destroy All Monsters · Producer
- Kill! · Producer
- Judge and Jeopardy · Producer
- Homeless Ninja Trick Book: Lose in All Directions · Executive producer
- Golden Eyes · Executive producer
- Son of Godzilla · Executive producer
- Japan's Longest Day · Producer
- King Kong Escapes · Executive producer
- Samurai Rebellion · Producer
- The Killing Bottle · Executive producer
- The Age of Assassins · Executive producer
- Ebirah, Horror of the Deep · Executive producer
- What's Up, Tiger Lily? · Producer
- The War of the Gargantuas · Executive producer
- The Mad Atlantic · Producer
- Zero Fighter · Producer
- Adventure in Kigan Castle · Executive producer
- Invasion of Astro-Monster · Executive producer