Thunderbirds, the special-effects puppet series whose video and merchandising rights in Japan are handled by Tohokushinsha Film Corporation (head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Keiichi Kosaka), marks 60 years since its Japanese television debut on Wednesday, September 30. To celebrate, a range of anniversary activities are underway, including a special 60th-anniversary key visual for the Japanese market, new commemorative merchandise, a collaboration in a VR space, and a special screening and talk show on September 30, "Thunderbirds Day."
Beyond its standing as a legend of tokusatsu (special-effects) entertainment, Thunderbirds also helped show the world a new model linking a TV series with a merchandising business built around plastic models and toys. As it reaches this 60th-anniversary milestone, Tohokushinsha is carrying that pioneering spirit forward with product and collaboration plans in categories the franchise hasn't explored before.
Japan's 60th Anniversary Key Visual
To mark the milestone with a fresh look, a key visual featuring Thunderbird 1 through Thunderbird 5 has been created, designed so that even silhouette and color alone are instantly recognizable. It's set to be used for wallpaper downloads on the official website, on social media, in digital spaces, and at events.
New Products
Beyond the model kits and books already available, new merchandise is in the works that brings the Thunderbirds world into everyday scenes like the outdoors and going out.
Camping Car
Camping cars are increasingly used not only for leisure but also for disaster response, and that image of "rescue" fits neatly with the world of Thunderbirds. A special collaboration has now come together with Direct Cars, a camping-car specialty shop with a Good Design Award to its name. A prototype will be unveiled, with orders opening, at the Yokohama Camping Car Show 2026, held in Yokohama on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Direct Cars: https://www.cars-drt.com/
Goshuin
Because the late Shigeru Komatsuzaki, the illustrator behind so many of the Thunderbirds model kit box art pieces, lived in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, Kashiwa Shrine in the same city is now distributing a Thunderbirds-themed goshuin (shrine stamp).
Kashiwa Shrine: https://www.kashiwajinja.com/
60th Anniversary Model Kits and Limited-Edition T-Shirts
Bellfine, which produces the Thunderbirds model kits, has released the 60th-anniversary kit series "Thunderbirds Mechanic Selection," along with limited-edition T-shirts featuring the 60th-anniversary logo on each box-art design.
Bellfine Thunderbirds product lineup: https://shop.bellfine.co.jp/view/category/thunderbirds
60th Anniversary Replica Figures
Puppet sculptor Kenji Sakamoto is also preparing 60th-anniversary replica figures of Gordon Tracy, John Tracy, and Lady Penelope, with further details to be announced once finalized.
Starlex (Kenji Sakamoto): https://bluearrow.p-kit.com/
A VR Collaboration Fit for a Series That Imagined the Future
A giant 3D model of Thunderbird 3 (the rocket) has been installed in "Lumarnity®," a VR moon-based smart community developed by 日揮グローバル that lets visitors experience a rocket fuel plant and lunar base in a "future moon city." The collaboration lets many users get an up-close look at Thunderbird 3 in VR, turning it into a virtual "tourist landmark" where visitors can take commemorative photos, share them on social media, and celebrate the 60th anniversary together.
Lumarnity® official page: https://vrchat.com/home/launch?worldId=wrld_dea560af-cc20-4cab-83c1-326420915e38
Special Screening and Talk Show Set for "Thunderbirds Day"
To mark "Thunderbirds Day" on Wednesday, September 30, a screening and talk show will be held with guest Rira Maikaze, a stage and screen actor and former top musumeyaku (leading female actress) of the Takarazuka Revue's Snow Troupe (Yuki-gumi). Drawing on the refined stagecraft and expressive range she honed as a top musumeyaku, the talk show will explore the series' appeal from her own perspective, touching on how the show builds and immerses viewers in its world, how Lady Penelope's emotions are conveyed, and the depth added by its live-instrument theme songs.
The screening will show the series' landmark first episode along with episode 28, a fan favorite that spotlights the popular character Penelope. Ticket sale details will be announced once finalized.
Event Overview
Event name
Thunderbirds 60th Anniversary Premium Screening on the Big Screen — An Unrivaled Tokusatsu Classic Created by an Extraordinary British Couple (tentative)
Date and time
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 — two showings, at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM, each followed by an approximately 20-minute talk show
Venue
Marunouchi Piccadilly (Tokyo)
Films screened
Thunderbirds Episode 1, "Trapped in the Sky," and Episode 28, "The Cham-Cham"
Guest
Rira Maikaze (actor; former top musumeyaku, Takarazuka Revue Snow Troupe)
Ticket details
To be announced
About Thunderbirds
Thunderbirds is the signature work of celebrated British television producer Gerry Anderson, widely regarded as the finest achievement of the tokusatsu puppet genre through its original "Supermarionation" filming technique. The series began broadcasting in the UK in 1965 and in Japan the following year, in 1966. With its strong storytelling, groundbreaking special effects, memorable music, and vision of a future lifestyle, it has long been loved around the world as entertainment that goes well beyond a children's show. Its popularity in Japan in particular has been immense, and it's known as a legendary work in the tokusatsu genre with fans not only among viewers and consumers but also among film directors and other creative professionals.
Thunderbirds official website: https://www.tbjapan.com
Thunderbirds official X (@thunderbirds_jp): https://x.com/thunderbirds_jp
Thunderbirds ™ and © ITC Entertainment Group Limited 1964, 1999 and 2026. Licensed by ITV Studios Limited. All rights reserved.
