By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
The King of the Monsters is back, shredding its way into rock history with Fender, and powering up with C4 energy drinks.
The double-barreled licensing deals mark another kaiju-sized licensing victory for Toho, which has made 2025 the Year of the Lizard King. As well, both these agreements come as Toho prepares for Godzilla Day on November 3.
Godzilla was introduced to the world on November 3, 1954, amid fears of nuclear weapons during the Cold War. The brand celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2024 with a year-long licensing program.
With Godzilla Day fast approaching, Fender Musical Instruments and C4 energy drink maker Nutrabolt have jumped into Toho’s monster universe.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and Fender Music Corporation Japan have teamed up with Toho to unleash a truly monstrous collaboration that brings together two seismic cultural icons: the world’s most famous guitar brand and cinema’s most unstoppable kaiju.
Dubbed the Fender | Godzilla 70th Anniversary Collaboration Collection, the lineup roars to life with three spectacular guitars. They include the Limited Edition Masterbuilt Godzilla Stratocaster, hand-crafted by Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Andy Hicks with art by Los Angeles illustrator Tom Neely, plus two Made-in-Japan models; Godzilla Stratocaster Blue and Godzilla Stratocaster Black.
Each instrument channels Godzilla’s cinematic fury, combining sonic power with the big lizard’s apocalyptic flair.
Hicks, who describes himself as a lifelong “Godzilla guy,” says the Masterbuilt edition captures every era of the monster’s reign.
“This guitar unites my two greatest passions: Godzilla and the guitar. The front features the iconic Heisei-era Godzilla in monochrome as a tribute to its origins, while the back showcases Godzilla’s evolution across eras, from Shōwa to Heisei, Millennium, Shin Godzilla, and Godzilla-1.0.
“Every version holds special meaning for me, and I hope that you can feel the passion that went into this piece,” Hicks added. “My favorite detail is the special mechanism. With the push of a button, the legendary roar thunders through the amp; a true union between the King of Monsters and the ‘King of Guitars’.”
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Illustrator Tom Neely, whose glowing, blacklight-ready design electrifies the back of the instrument, says the collaboration was a dream gig.
“I first encountered Godzilla as a child watching late-night TV movies, and I’ve been a devoted fan ever since,” said Neely. “For the front of the guitar, working with Andy Hicks, we featured a black-and-white Godzilla with a blue blast to complement the neck inlay, capturing the spirit of the Heisei-era films. For the back, to celebrate Godzilla’s 70th anniversary, we created a montage of seven Godzillas — from the 1954 original to Godzilla Minus One — and added neon paint that glows under black light for a dynamic effect.
“As a lifelong fan of music, Godzilla, and Japanese culture, I’m honored to have taken on my first custom-painted guitar for such a historic milestone.”
Fans in Japan can experience the collaboration firsthand at the Fender Flagship Tokyo store, which will feature exclusive F is for Fender x Godzilla apparel, a Godzilla-themed drink at the Fender Café, and a soon-to-launch Godzilla Distortion Pedal set to stomp into stores in spring 2026, and is guaranteed to make your solos sound downright cataclysmic. A commemorative 12-piece pick set rounds out the monster-sized collection.
Toho also teamed up with Nutrabolt’s C4 Energy brand for C4 Ultimate Energy x Godzilla, an explosive collaboration that merges the King of Energy with the King of Monsters.
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“We’re thrilled to partner with C4 Ultimate Energy to bring fans a powerful new way to experience the energy and excitement of Godzilla,” said Kristin Parcell, General Manager of Toho International. “This collaboration captures the larger-than-life spirit and unstoppable force that Godzilla represents, while connecting with a whole new generation of fans through a bold, high-energy brand that shares our passion for strength, endurance, and impact.”
Launching November 3 on Godzilla Day, the limited-edition Sour Blue Razzilla flavor packs 300mg of caffeine, zero sugar, and a “Tri-Stim” formula strong enough to wake a sleeping kaiju.
“Since the first film, Godzilla has reigned as the undisputed King of the Monsters,” said Robert Zajac, Chief Marketing Officer of Nutrabolt. “What a perfect partner for C4 Ultimate Energy – a legend among energy drinks!
“While C4 Ultimate Energy doesn’t have heat rays, it does have 300mg of caffeine and a brand-new Sour Blue Razzilla flavor that packs a delicious punch.”