Jun Fukuda

Jun Fukuda was a Japanese film director, screenwriter and producer. Fukuda joined Toho in 1946 and ventured into the realm of assistant director, being taken under the wing by directors like Hiroshi Inagaki. By 1959, Fukuda began a career as a full-fledged director, his early work slanted more toward mystery, but then expand into more comedic work by the mid-1960s, such as the spy spoof Iron Finger (1965). He also wrote the screenplay for the unproduced The Invisible Man vs. the Human Torch. Fukuda would eventually be tasked to direct a Godzilla movie, Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966). Fukuda would go on to direct various entries in Toho's popular Young Guy series and Konto 55, however he would be best known for his Godzilla work, becoming the "go to" director for special effects productions after Ishirō Honda. Fukuda famously harbored a harsh view of his work in the Godzilla series saying, "The monsters became the stars, and the human characters were put into the background." and "I give all of my Godzilla films a minus score." Despite the distain he felt towards his work, he was pleasantly surprised to find fans who enjoyed his film and who sent him well wishing cards near the end of his life.

Works

Monkey

Buddhist priest Tripitaka and his three disciples Monkey, Pigsy, and Sandy, travel from China to India to fetch the Buddhist scriptures. They have been sent by Buddha, and getting these scriptures will bring peace to the people of the world.

Release Date1978-10-01

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Episode Count11

Vote Count14

Son of Godzilla

Reporter Goro Maki stumbles upon scientists conducting weather experiments on Sollgel Island in the South Seas. He discovers the island is inhabited by giant mantis and a woman named Saeko who's been cast away since the death of her father. The pair soon find a helpless infant monster that Godzilla must adopt and learn to raise as one of his own.

Release Date1967-12-16

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count230

Operation: Mystery

Release Date1968-09-15

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Episode Count1

Vote Count5

A Dark Rabbit has Seven Lives

Taito has been really sleepy lately, and keeps dreaming of a female vampire who says she has given him her "poison." Sometimes he even thinks he hears her voice when he's awake. But after surviving an accident that should have killed him, Taito's world changes drastically and he realizes that his dreams are more real than he thought.

Release Date2011-07-09

DepartmentProduction

JobProducer

Episode Count12

Vote Count11

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

An Okinawan prophecy that foretells the destruction of the Earth is seeming fulfilled when Godzilla emerges to return to his destructive roots. But not all is what it seems after Godzilla breaks his ally Anguirus's jaw. Matters are further complicated when a second Godzilla emerges, revealing the doppelgänger as a mechanical weapon.

Release Date1974-03-21

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count262

Rodan

Mining engineer Shigeru investigates the disappearance and death of his fellow coworkers when prehistoric nymphs are discovered emerging from the mines. After an attack on the local village, Shigeru heads deeper into the mines only to make a more horrifying discovery in the form a prehistoric flying creature. Soon a second monster appears as the two converge in Fukuoka.

Release Date1956-12-26

DepartmentDirecting

JobFirst Assistant Director

Vote Count176

Godzilla vs. Gigan

Manga artist Gengo Odaka lands a job with the World Children's Land amusement park only to become suspicious of the organization when a garbled message is discovered on tapes. As Gengo and his team investigate, Godzilla and Anguirus quickly decipher the message and begin their own plan of action.

Release Date1972-03-12

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count211

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep

Searching for his brother, Ryota stows away on a boat belonging to a criminal alongside two other teenagers. The group shipwrecks on Letchi island and discover the Infant Island natives have been enslaved by a terrorist organization controlling a crustacean monster. Finding a sleeping Godzilla, they decide to awaken him to defeat the terrorists and liberate the natives.

Release Date1966-12-17

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count201

The Mad Atlantic

Captain Murakami takes over as skipper of the Azuma Maru, replacing the well-liked former captain. Murakami forces the crew to work harder than they ever have, creating enmity and exhaustion. Just when the ship has taken a huge catch of tuna in its nets, Murakami learns that his ship is the only one in position to rescue the crew of another ship, sinking in a storm. He must choose between saving the catch or saving lives. Either choice may mean his ruin.

Release Date1966-07-13

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Godzilla vs. Megalon

Inventor Goro Ibuki creates a humanoid robot named Jet Jaguar. It is soon seized by an undersea race of people called the Seatopians. Using Jet Jaguar as a guide, the Seatopians send Megalon as vengeance for the nuclear tests that have devastated their society.

Release Date1973-03-17

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count222

The War in Space

The year is 1988, and in the midst of recovering from a near-miss with a large comet, Earth finds that there are much worse matters at hand: the sudden arrival of a strange army of aliens and their fleet of unstoppable warships.

Release Date1977-12-17

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count20

Horror of the Wolf

Enigmatic teenager Akira Inugami is, by night, a powerful werewolf, who falls for a beautiful young teacher, and copes with a ruthless teen gang leader, whose yakuza father murdered Akira's parents years before.

Release Date1973-03-09

DepartmentWriting

JobWriter

Vote Count2

Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island

A humble and simple Takezo abandons his life as a knight errant. He's sought as a teacher and vassal by Shogun, Japan's most powerful clan leader. He's also challenged to fight by the supremely confident and skillful Sasaki Kojiro. Takezo agrees to fight Kojiro in a year's time but rejects Shogun's patronage, choosing instead to live on the edge of a village, raising vegetables. He's followed there by Otsu and later by Akemi, both in love with him. The year ends as Takezo assists the villagers against a band of brigands. He seeks Otsu's forgiveness and accepts her love, then sets off across the water to Ganryu Island for his final contest.

Release Date1956-01-03

DepartmentDirecting

JobAssistant Director

Vote Count125

ESPY

The film deals with the recruitment of race car driver Jiro Miki (Masao Kusakari) and his dog, Caesar, to a group of people who use ESP, psychokinesis, and other special mental abilities to fight crime.

Release Date1974-12-28

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count5

Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple

After years on the road establishing his reputation as Japan's greatest fencer, Takezo returns to Kyoto. Otsu waits for him, yet he has come not for her but to challenge the leader of the region's finest school of fencing. To prove his valor and skill, he walks deliberately into ambushes set up by the school's followers. While Otsu waits, Akemi also seeks him, expressing her desires directly. Meanwhile, Takezo is observed by Sasaki Kojiro, a brilliant young fighter, confident he can dethrone Takezo. After leaving Kyoto in triumph, Takezo declares his love for Otsu, but in a way that dishonors her and shames him. Once again, he leaves alone.

Release Date1955-07-12

DepartmentDirecting

JobAssistant Director

Vote Count126

Submersion of Japan

Submersion of Japan

In this TV series of the hit 1973 film, Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes shake Japan. Firestorms burn beautiful Japanese cities to the ground. A weather survey group discovers that the Japanese Archipelago is moving towards the Japanese Trench, which if left to continue on its collision course, would bring the whole island of Japan under the sea!

Release Date1974-10-06

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Episode Count26

Comedy: Love and Justice Among Cheaters

Ex-conman Junpei plots revenge on a corrupt corporation by leading a team of swindlers posing as politicians. A slick crime comedy of cons and payback.

Release Date1974-05-15

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Hiroshi Moriya Sandogasa Series: I Want to Weep

A wandering swordsman helps a doll maker and his fiancée fight against a ruthless gang in a small town. As tensions escalate, epic duels and betrayals lead to a final showdown that shifts the balance of power. The swordsman departs, leaving a lasting impact on those he helped.

Release Date1961-06-23

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Hiroshi Moriya Sadogasa Series: Thank You, Sandogasa

When noble wanderer Moritaro saves a disowned merchant’s son from gangsters, he becomes entangled in a town’s struggle against corruption. Teaming up with a rogue monk, bold tea-picking girls, and even a reformed thug, he battles a violent crime boss exploiting local families. Amid betrayals and brawls, justice and solidarity triumph.

Release Date1961-08-06

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto

Struggling to elevate himself from his low caste in 17th century Japan, Miyamoto trains to become a mighty samurai warrior.

Release Date1954-09-25

DepartmentDirecting

JobAssistant Director

Vote Count189

Blood and Diamonds

A group of criminals whose diamond heist goes wrong retreat to a WWII era bunker where tensions begin to rise.

Release Date1964-07-01

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Zone Fighter

Zone Fighter, known in Japan as Ryūsei Ningen Zone, is a tokusatsu science fiction superhero television series. Produced by Toho Company Ltd., the show aired on Nippon Television from April 2 to September 24, 1973, with a total of 26 episodes, it was cancelled due to the oil crisis of 1973. This was Toho's answer to not only the popular Ultra Series, but the Henshin Hero phenomenon started by shows like Kamen Rider and Android Kikaider. The previous year, Toho had just made their successful first superhero show, Rainbowman. The series was also notable for its guest appearance by Toho's own Godzilla, as well as two other Toho monsters, King Ghidorah and Gigan. Supplementary materials published by Toho have confirmed Zone Fighter to be part of the Showa-era Godzilla series, taking place in between Godzilla vs. Megalon and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.

Release Date1973-04-02

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Episode Count6

Vote Count3

The Secret of the Telegian

Men are being murdered by a psycho called "The Telegian," who uses a matter-transmitting device to locate his victims.

Release Date1960-04-10

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count8

Golden Eyes

A killer-for-hire gets mixed up with a cast of wacky characters involved in a gold smuggling route from Beirut to Tokyo.

Release Date1968-03-16

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count5

The Young Ace in Hawaii

Fourth entry in Toho's Wakadaishō series directed by Jun Fukuda and released on a simultaneous screening with Matango. Filmed on location in Hawaii.

Release Date1963-08-11

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Trap of Suicide Kilometer

Klima, Deputy Minister of Industry of the Republic of Alabanda, has come to Japan to purchase materials for the water dam construction. Kitami, who called himself a salesman and met with Klima, acts as his bodyguard. However, Kitami learns that a large number of industrial cylinders unrelated to dam construction have been purchased, and Klima secretly confined her secretary, a former army colonel, and threatened to produce poisonous gas. Klima packed the gas in a cylinder and sent it to Alabanda in an attempt to cause a civil war between the government and the tribes. Around that time, Klima secretly investigated Kitami's identity and learned that he was a secret agent.

Release Date1964-02-14

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

The Great Japanese Pick-Pocket Club

A crime story (with strong elements of comedy) that pits a determined detective against a gang of pickpockets in Osaka. The detective (played by Keiju Kobayashi) and the leader of the gang (played by Norihei Miki) have an interesting wartime backstory together that fuels much of the story.

Release Date1969-11-22

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Ironfinger

After being mistaken for an Interpol agent, a man who was just supposed to go on vacation gets mixed up in a war between two gangs intent on winning the favor of a notorious arms dealer.

Release Date1965-12-05

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count8

Red-Light Bases

Story about a poor Japanese woman living near an American army base who resorts to prostitution.

Release Date1953-12-08

DepartmentDirecting

JobAssistant Director

City of Beasts

University student Arima Yasuhiro becomes acquainted with Ishihama, the president of a pharmaceutical company with a dark past, slowly but surely getting more embroiled in his dirty dealings.

Release Date1970-05-23

DepartmentProduction

JobProducer

Vote Count3

Young Guy - Freshman

Young Guy graduates from University.

Release Date1969-01-01

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

College Champ

Yuuichi Tanuma, our young hero, is a senior at Kyonan University and captain of the marathon team. His parents run a sukiyaki restaurant back in his hometown. When his allowance stops coming in, Yuuichi moves back in with his folks to work part-time. He has his eyes set on nationals in the fall, until one day he runs into a young woman who's fallen into trouble with the Lightning Gang...

Release Date1962-07-14

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

The Witness Killed

Japanese neo-noir crime drama movie directed by Jun Fukuda

Release Date1961-12-17

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Sensation Seekers

1963 Japanese movie

Release Date1963-02-16

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Counterstroke

Ryusuke and Joe Oki escape from prison. Ryusuke was incarcerated for killing his younger brother Yasuhiko, who was a bouncer at the cabaret "Three Cats" and Junko's lover who worked at the same restaurant. Of course, Ryusuke did not commit this crime...

Release Date1962-05-15

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Operation Mad Dog

Film number six in the Desperado Outpost serie directed by Jun Fukuda

Release Date1963-09-29

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

The White Rose of Hong Kong

Narcotics officer Matsumoto’s investigation into a drug smuggling ring leads him from Tokyo to Hong Kong, where personal ties and painful secrets unravel a complex web of betrayal. As love, family, and justice collide, Matsumoto must face a truth too deep to escape—and a loss too great to mend.

Release Date1965-08-25

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

It's a Man's Way of Life

Comedy about a lewd man (Fujita) learning to enjoy life's little pleasures.

Release Date1970-11-28

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

The Man Who Came to Port

An Ishiro Honda film.

Release Date1952-11-27

DepartmentDirecting

JobAssistant Director

Vote Count1

Konto 55: Grand Outer Space Adventure

A Toho film featuring the comedy duo Konto 55, (コント55号), comprised of comedians Kinichi Hagimoto and Jiro Sakagami.

Release Date1969-12-20

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count1

Konto 55: Grandson of a Ninja

A Toho film featuring the comedy duo Konto 55, (コント55号), comprised of comedians Kinichi Hagimoto and Jiro Sakagami.

Release Date1969-10-10

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

The Weed of Crime

Toho-produced crime drama involving the drug trade.

Release Date1962-12-08

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Young Guy in New Zealand

Yuzo Kayama visits New Zealand

Release Date1969-07-12

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Rodan! The Flying Monster!

A mining engineer investigates the deaths of his colleagues, discovering prehistoric nymphs and a creature capable of flying - and wreaking havoc - at supersonic speeds.

Release Date1957-11-07

DepartmentDirecting

JobFirst Assistant Director

Vote Count1

The Merciless Trap

Taut thriller about a too-perfect criminal case against an ex-convict that makes a nosy detective suspicious.

Release Date1961-02-01

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count1

A Woman's Identity

1962 Japanese movie

Release Date1962-05-22

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

3,000 Kilometer Trap

A young man has to deliver a Mitsubishi Galant GTO from Kagoshima (on the southern tip of the southern Japanese island of Kyushu) 3000 kilometers across the length of Japan to the northern island of Hokkaido.

Release Date1971-05-22

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

A Swindler to the West: A Con Man to the East

A satirical comedy starring Makoto Fujita, depicting the two East and West con artists swindling illicit money from bad guys.

Release Date1971-09-11

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Konto 55: Mankind's Weaknesses

A Toho film featuring the comedy duo Konto 55, (コント55号), comprised of comedians Kinichi Hagimoto and Jiro Sakagami.

Release Date1969-08-13

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

The Terrible Game

Story of rebellious youth follows the 19-year-old son of a Hokkaido farmer who has an affair with the daughter of a wealthy trading company president.

Release Date1959-11-15

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Ankokugai zenmetsu sakusen

The 1965 Japanese yakuza film is the last episode of the Ankokugai series.

Release Date1965-02-14

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Godzilla, King of the Monsters

Documentary focusing on the Japanese Godzilla, featuring interviews with such people as Director Jun Fukuda, the wide of the late Ishiro Honda and Alex Cox. This documentary incorporates footage from rare shows like "Ultra Q" and films like "King Kong Escapes".

Release Date1998-07-11

Vote Count9

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