BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

WHAT:        Interview executives at Julien’s Auctions and view highlights from Julien’s Auctions Presents “Kaiju King: The Sompote Sands Legacy Collection” (auction Sept. 23, 2026)

WHO:         Roy Parker-Saladino, Senior Specialist, Hollywood and Pop Culture, Julien’s Auctions

WHEN:         Thursday, September 17th, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Pacific Time

WHERE:       Julien’s Studios 13007 S. Western Avenue Gardena, CA 90249

WHY:            Julien’s Auctions, the leading international entertainment auction house, presents the Sci-Fi auction event of the season “Kaiju King: The Sompote Sands Legacy Collection” taking place live Wednesday, September 23 at Julien’s Studios in Los Angeles and online at Julien’s Auctions.  A remarkable archive of over 300 original film artifacts and memorabilia direct from the estate of the legendary filmmaker and tokusatsu (special effects) visionary Sompote Sands, will be offered at auction for the first time in history, spotlighting his work in the Ultraman universe and providing fans and collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of the global pop culture phenomenon. The collection, amassed over five decades by the founder of Chaiyo Productions and displayed at his personally curated museum ‘Sompote House’ in Thailand, includes production used suits, monster miniatures, props, scripts, vintage hero figures, toys, original artwork and behind-the-scenes treasures. This auction joins all the excitement and events taking place around the world in celebration of the 60^th anniversary of Ultraman, a cornerstone of Japanese pop culture and the international phenomenon, that’s generated a billion-dollar merchandising industry and numerous sequels, spin-offs, and tributes worldwide, influencing anime, manga and the modern era of sci-fi filmmaking with blockbusters Power Rangers, Pacific Rim, and Ready Player One among others.

Highlights include: an Ultraseven production maskfrom Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen and Ultraman promotional flying miniature used to promote the film; an original Jumborg Ace production suit torso, worn in Jumborg Ace & Giant; a massive Ultraman Jack vending machine statue from the 1974 premiere of Hanuman and the Seven Ultramen at Bangkok’s Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre; Fighting Star” fighter jet miniature from the production of Jumborg Ace & Giant; original 3-D artwork of Ultraman, Pigmon, and Alien Baltan by legendary Ultraman character designer Tohl Narita and an Ultraseven prototype design statue in solid resin, created by Narita as an early concept for the 1967 television series; hand-painted original poster artworkfor Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders and Jumborg Ace & Giant; plus, pieces from Sompote Sands’ pioneering career such as his personal Japanese production script for 1962’s King Kong vs. Godzilla; a crocodile SFX Eye from Sands’ “crocodile” films;  one-of-a-kind hand-painted and signed poster listing 1962/63 Japanese films, with the signatures of Akira Kurosawa, Ishiro Honda, Eiji Tsuburaya and other legendary directors; over 100 lots of rare and vintage sofubi figures of kaiju and heroes from franchises such as Ultraman and Godzilla including Banpresto and Bandai releases from 1983–2000, and other archival treasures.  

Julien’s Auctions

For the moments that matter.

You know that moment when the lights dim, right before your favorite band starts playing? Or that feeling right before the credits roll on a movie that changed your whole world in an instant? The air is charged with anticipation and words are never going to do it justice because you just really had to be there.

At Julien’s, we exist to bring those moments back into your life through iconic artifacts and one-of-a-kind collections. Whether collaborating directly with artists, partnering with legendary estates, or working closely with discerning collectors, our auctions make culture pop with the promise of discovery and reconnection. From Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Ringo Starr to Lady Gaga, Banksy, and Kurt Cobain-from LA to the world, we are where originals find their kind.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo From Julien’s Auctions