Shinichi Sekizawa
Writing
Born: June 2, 1921 · Kyoto, Japan
Died: November 19, 1992 (aged 71)
Biography
Shinichi Sekizawa (June 2, 1921 – November 11, 1992) was a Japanese screenwriter known for his immense contributions to the original Godzilla series, providing screenplays and/or stories for 10 of the original 15 Showa films. He began his career in his native Kyoto, joining an association of manga cartoonists which included the anime pioneer Osamu Tezuka. His career would be interrupted when he was reluctantly drafted to fight in the South Pacific during WWII. Sekizawa would reignite his film career in 1946 when he joined Beehive Productions as an assistant director, demonstrating a talent for screenwriting when completing the screenplay for the film Profile of the City in a record four days. Later at Shintoho Studios he would direct the now considered lost film Fearful Attack of the Flying Saucers. His career at Toho began in 1958 working on Kihachi Okamoto's early films before eventually became the studio's go-to monster scripter after the immense success of his screenplay for Mothra. His kaiju screenplays for Ishiro Honda have been noted for their inventiveness, especially in his interplay of human drama blending with monster action and characterization. His lighthearted approach was contrasted to that of Takeshi Kimura, whose scripts had a darker, more cynical sensibility. Sekizawa's talents were not limited to science fiction, with his output in the 60s being as many as six screenplays a year in genres such as salaryman comedies and war movies as well as TV shows such as the original Ultraman. While Sekizawa enjoyed writing monster movies, he would eventually become tired of the Godzilla series and moved on to scripting for animating features while continuing his career as a lyricist. He was also an aficionado of model trains and published numerous publications on the subject. Before his death he was awarded a Purple ribbon by the Japanese government due to his immense artistic and cultural contributions.
Known for
King Kong vs. Godzilla
1962
Mothra vs. Godzilla
1964
Godzilla vs. Biollante
1989
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
1964
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
1974
King Kong vs. Godzilla
1963
Invasion of Astro-Monster
1965
Son of Godzilla
1967
Godzilla vs. Megalon
1973
Godzilla vs. Mothra
1992
Godzilla vs. Gigan
1972
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
1966
Photos (2)
Directing (1)
Writing (81)
Ultraman
Writer
Godzilla vs. Biollante
Story
King Kong vs. Godzilla
Screenplay
Godzilla vs. Mothra
Lyricist
Son of Godzilla
Screenplay
Invasion of Astro-Monster
Screenplay
Mothra vs. Godzilla
Screenplay
Mothra vs. Godzilla
Lyricist
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
Screenplay
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Story
Godzilla vs. Gigan
Lyricist
Godzilla vs. Gigan
Screenplay
Godzilla vs. Megalon
Lyricist
Godzilla vs. Megalon
Story
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
Screenplay
King Kong vs. Godzilla
Screenplay
Atragon
Screenplay
All Monsters Attack
Screenplay
All Monsters Attack
Lyricist
Mothra
Screenplay
Mothra
Lyricist
Latitude Zero
Screenplay
Varan the Unbelievable
Screenplay
Super Atragon - Part II
Original Film Writer
Battle in Outer Space
Screenplay
Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature
Writer
Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider
Writer
Super Atragon - Part I
Original Film Writer
Agon: The Atomic Dragon
Writer
Take Aim at the Police Van
Screenplay
The Big Boss
Screenplay
Dogora
Screenplay
Dogora
Adaptation
The Last Gunfight
Screenplay
The Last Gunfight
Lyricist
Operation Mad Dog
Writer
Gulliver's Travels Beyond the Moon
Writer
A Texan in Tokyo
Screenplay
Rebirth of Mothra II
Lyricist
Rebirth of Mothra
Lyricist
The Killing Bottle
Screenplay
The Secret of the Telegian
Screenplay
Westward Desperado
Screenplay
Warring Clans
Writer
Samurai Pirate
Screenplay
Varan
Screenplay
Attack Squadron
Writer
University Bandits
Screenplay
Tokyo is a Fine Place
Idea
Local Reporter
Screenplay
The Mad Atlantic
Writer
娘十八嘘つき時代
Screenplay
Motta, the Flying Dracula Monster
Screenplay
Mighty Jack
Writer
Do Your Best! Godzilla
Screenplay
Adventures of Princess Anmitsu
Screenplay
風来忍法帖 八方破れ
Screenplay
A Man's Flower Path
Adaptation
Operation Enemy Fort
Screenplay
Devil Princess’ Beauty Competition
Screenplay
The Crimson Sky
Screenplay
Hiroshi Moriya Sadogasa: Thank You, Sandogasa
Screenplay
Jack and the Witch
Screenplay
Tomboy Samurai
Screenplay
風来忍法帖
Screenplay
Blueprint of Murder
Screenplay
Blueprint of Murder
Lyricist
Gambling Youth
Screenplay
The Young Boss is Third Generation
Screenplay
Tokyo Profile
Screenplay
Fearful Attack of the Flying Saucers
Writer
A Keg of Powder
Screenplay
Hiroshi Moriya Sandogasa: I Want to Weep
Screenplay
Hiroshi Moriya Sandogasa: I Want to Weep
Lyricist
Queen of Asia
Screenplay
Ant Hell War
Writer
Tomorrow Will Be Fine Weather
Writer
Zero Fighter
Writer
A Young Boss Tries Really Hard
Lyricist
Phantom Monster Agon
Screenplay
Shōjo to fūsen
Screenplay
