Daiei Motion Pictures

Background

Daiei Motion Pictures was founded in 1942 as Daiei Motion Picture Company (大映株式会社, Daiei Kabushiki-gaisha), the studio went bankrupt in 1971. In 1974 it was bought by Tokuma Shoten; and in 2002 was sold to Kadokawa Shoten and renamed Kadokawa Daiei Motion Picture Co., Ltd., later Kadokawa Pictures.

1st Logo (1942-1961)

Logo: On a blank background, we see the Daiei logo: consists of two circular outlines with a triangular cut on the bottom, as well as "映" on the top. Below is "大映株式会社製作" (A Daiei Co., Ltd. Production).

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: The opening theme of the movie.

Availability: Uncommon, bordering on ultra rare. When Kadokawa has restored those old films through the facilities, such as Gate of Hell, Floating Weeds, Ugetsu, Sansho the Bailiff, Buddha, or Rashomon, it's currently harder to find on those films; Criterion DVD and Blu-ray and Kadokawa DVDs/Blu-ray prints are intact this logo on their bootlegs of Daiei productions. It's seen on early films from the company.

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo (1960s-2002?)

Nickname: "The Sun on the Sky"

Logo: We see the logo and text from before above the clouds as the sun rises, illuminating everything. In newer films from the company, "製作" is cut from the name, rendering it as simply "Daiei Co., Ltd.".

FX/SFX: The sun rays starting to shine. Fairly simple animation, but good for its time.

Music/Sounds: The opening theme of the movie or none.

Availability: Can be seen on every film (excluding early ones) produced from the company, including the famous Rashomon, and Ju Dou. It is also seen on later films before the defunct production company's like Pulse and Akira Kurosawa's Dreams.

Editor's Note: None.