Convention - SDCC 2025 : Godzilla at 70 to Roar Through San Diego with Toho International’s Unmissable Anniversary Panel

By Mulder, 14 july 2025

This July 25, 2025, San Diego Comic-Con will be shaken to its very foundations as Toho International, the U.S.-based subsidiary of the legendary Japanese studio, hosts one of the most anticipated events of the convention: Godzilla at 70: Seven Decades of the King of the Monsters. The panel, scheduled for 4:15 p.m. in Room 6DE, promises to be an all-encompassing celebration of the enduring legacy of Godzilla—a character that has transcended its origins as a cinematic metaphor for post-war nuclear trauma and evolved into a global pop culture phenomenon. In a year filled with major anniversaries and pop culture milestones, few will carry the emotional and historical weight of honoring seven decades of the King of the Monsters, and Toho International appears fully prepared to deliver a tribute worthy of the creature’s towering cultural stature.

The event will be headlined by Shinji Higuchi, the acclaimed co-director of Shin Godzilla, whose work on the 2016 film brought a chilling and politically resonant new dimension to the character. Shinji Higuchi has long been celebrated not only for his imaginative mastery of tokusatsu-style visual effects but also for his ability to reframe Godzilla through a contemporary lens. His presence at the panel signals more than just a retrospective glance—it points toward a thoughtful discussion about how the monster continues to evolve in both narrative form and symbolic function. Longtime fans and newcomers alike will likely gain invaluable insight into how Japan’s most famous cinematic export has managed to remain relevant across genres, generations, and continents.

Equally compelling will be the panel’s focus on Godzilla’s deep and ongoing influence across consumer products. Brian Flynn, the visionary founder of Super7, is set to share his perspective on how collectibles have become a vital storytelling tool in their own right. Known for their highly stylized retro figures and deep respect for franchise heritage, Super7 has carved out a devoted fanbase of collectors who don’t just purchase toys—they invest in icons. Joining him will be Hector Arce and Peter Santa, both Senior Directors of Creative and Product Development at Mondo, a brand renowned for its elevated pop culture merchandise. Expect these three industry creatives to provide rare behind-the-scenes anecdotes on translating Godzilla’s scale, menace, and mythology into products that fans can proudly display at home. From vinyl figures to intricate statuettes, their segment of the panel will showcase how Godzilla continues to stomp across the collectibles landscape with the same force he brings to Tokyo.

Adding another layer to the panel’s narrative will be Jeff Gordon, Director of Franchise and Retail Brand Development at Bandai, whose company has been synonymous with Godzilla-related toys for decades. Jeff Gordon is expected to present exclusive insights into the design philosophies and commercial strategies that have kept Bandai’s Godzilla line both globally competitive and culturally faithful. There’s something particularly exciting about hearing from industry insiders like him—people who understand not only the emotional resonance of Godzilla as a symbol but also how to effectively package that resonance for fans across different demographics and cultures.

The literary and artistic worlds of Godzilla will also be fully represented thanks to the participation of several top-tier comics professionals. Brian Buccellato, the writer behind the explosive Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong crossover for DC Comics, will bring his unique take on integrating Godzilla into the fabric of superhero storytelling. It will be fascinating to hear how he balances kaiju mythology with the larger-than-life personas of DC’s most iconic characters. Alongside him, IDW Comics will be represented by writer Tim Seeley and editor Jake Williams, who have both played pivotal roles in crafting Godzilla stories that embrace horror, satire, and adventure while remaining loyal to the franchise’s roots. Their panel discussion will likely delve into the creative freedoms and constraints that come with working on a legacy property—especially one as beloved and fiercely protected as Godzilla.

Adding further dimension to the panel will be Gerry Duggan, a veteran Marvel Comics writer known for his sharp wit and world-building prowess. Though primarily associated with Marvel titles, Gerry Duggan’s inclusion speaks to Godzilla’s ability to unite creators across competing publishers—a testament to the monster’s singular place in pop culture history. The entire panel will be moderated by Drew Taylor from The Wrap, whose deep familiarity with animation, visual effects, and genre storytelling should help guide a rich, multi-layered conversation that caters to both casual fans and hardcore devotees.

There is something poetic about Godzilla being celebrated at SDCC in such a comprehensive and reverent fashion. Seventy years after first emerging from the waves of Tokyo Bay, the creature has grown into a cultural bridge—connecting East and West, film and merchandise, the analog past and the digital present. Panels like this serve as both homage and forecast, honoring what has come before while teasing what looms on the horizon. If Toho International delivers on the promise of this panel, fans should expect exclusive reveals, nostalgic callbacks, and perhaps even hints at what Godzilla’s next cinematic incarnation might look like. More than just a panel, Godzilla at 70 will be a moment of communion for those who’ve followed the monster’s journey from rubber suits to CGI epics, from Saturday morning cartoons to limited-edition collectibles. And for those lucky enough to be in Room 6DE on that Friday afternoon, it will undoubtedly be a once-in-a-lifetime roar of appreciation for the monster who never truly sleeps.

The Godzilla at 70: Seven Decades of the King of the Monsters panel 
When :  Friday, July 25, 2025 at 4:15 pm.
Where : Room 6DE San Diego Convention Center
WHO: Moderated by Drew Taylor, featuring Shin Godzilla co-director Shinji Higuchi, Super7 founder Brian Flynn, Mondo’s Senior Directors of Creative and Product Development, Hector Arce and Peter Santa, Bandai’s Director Franchise and Retail Brand Development, Jeff Gordon, DC Comics, Justice League v Godzilla v Kong writer Brian Buccellato, IDW Comics Writer Tim Seeley and Editor Jake Williams, and Marvel Comics Writer Gerry Dugan. 

(Source : press release)