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There's not a lot of Godzilla (or Gamera) about in Japan, I'm afraid. It's almost like the guy never existed. But, you will see plenty of Ultraman and Kamen Rider (as well as Gundam and other famous animated series), almost everywhere you look. Still, don't let that hold you back — it's a beautiful country filled with wonderful and weird things!

Yes, it does, Mike. "Popular" by whose standards in Japan? I've lived there, and have first-hand experience for over twenty-five years of traveling there — one time, ULTRA SEVEN was on one channel every weekday afternoon at 3pm, and ULTRAMAN TARO was on at 5pm. I never seen a Godzilla movie on broadcast television in Tokyo. Ever. Most of the Godzilla films after the Godzilla Mania of the early-to-mid 1980s underperformed at the box office to Toho's expectations (with the exception of KING GHIDORAH and MOTHRA in 1991 and 1992, respectively). This is something that Americans generally have a hard time wrapping their heads around, because Godzilla is so permeated in our pop culture. But, the Japanese are very pedestrian when it comes to the Big G. As for citing an "Ultraman film" (can't you Google the title?) against GFW, the point is weak — as your post seems to infer that there was only one Ultraman film to compare to GFW — and like it or not, ULTRAMAN has been on TV continually since the 1980s (both on satellite cable and syndication) and continues to do so to this day.

So, let's compare. Since 1989, there have been twelve Godzilla films (not including GINO), while there have been fourteen Ultra movies (since 1990) — not including thirteen television series (starting in 1996) and the NEOS and SEVEN direct-to-video series. Ultraman kith and kin far outstrip Ultraman, whose only competition is the revived Kamen Rider franchise (kicking off in earnest in 2000 and still going strong with no end in sight, and numerous feature films under its collective henshin belts). Now, if we were to have a show of hands among Japanese fans — if that's what you mean — Godzilla and Ultraman would probably be tied, because of what we don't get is that when ULTRA Q and ULTRAMAN first hit in Japan, it was bigger than the Batcraze in the US. We cannot underestimate the huge cultural impact that Ultraman created in the 1960s, which transcends generations to this day. The truth is that Godzilla's heyday was the 1960s and was done by the 1970s. The demographic that brought him back in the late 1980s and early 1990s are now in their 40s and 50s, and that's the demographic that Godzilla has pretty much been stuck in ever since.

Now, again, as far as Pop Culture is concerned — which doesn't mean "retro" culture — Ultraman and Kamen Rider (and the Super Sentai) franchises are still hip and relevant. Because they are producing new and successful productions — and the merchandizing keeps them going. This is not the case with Godzilla, which has become a speciality item geared to the over 30 set. To change that and become relevant again, Godzilla needs a serious makeover in Japan. SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO was stuck in the same rut as Godzilla. Even last year's SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: RESURRECTION failed to blow its the ballast tanks. Then comes the live action film, which has now taken YAMATO out of the doldrums of fan ghetto, and blasted it into relevance again (although the largest segment of ticket buyers for the film are males in their 40s and 50s). Where are Godzilla's fans in Japan when he needs them?

You have your fears which may become reality. And you have Godzilla's irrelevance to Japanese young people, which is reality.