Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2012

Ever wonder what Godzilla and co. look like on the inside? Shoji Otomo (1936-1973) was so curious he decided to write a book about it. An Anatomical Guide to Monsters, which Otomo wrote in 1967, and other items from a life devoted to monsters and superheroes are now in display in “Kikkai Shinshi! Kaiju Hakushi! Otomo Shoji no Daizukaiten” (“Monster Alert! Monster Expert! Shoji Otomo Illustration Exhibition”). Otomo’s monsters appeared in the popular teen magazine “Ultra Series” and were also widely published in illustrated books. This exhibition presents hundreds of works that introduce Otomo’s synthesis of monster movies, special effects and sci-fi motifs.

Yayoi Museum, through Sep 6 (listing).