Japanese King Kong (1933 film)

Wasei Kingu Kongu, translated literally (and simply) as Japanese King Kong, is a little-known Japanese short film released in 1933, the same year as the original King Kong. Despite its short turnaround time, it is seemingly based on the U.S. film, or possibly on the 1932 novel that proceeded it.

Detailed information about this silent, black & white project has been virtually non-existant, particulary outside of Japan, as the film is believed lost since the late 1940s. This has been attributed to events ranging from the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 to the bombing of Japan during World War II. Film historians agree this is likely, as approximately only 1% of Japan's pre-war films survived these events.

Without physical evidence or accounts by any of the cast or crew, the existance of the film has been long debated. If proven to be real, it would be by far the first daikaiju film, having preceeded its equally-enigmatic followup Edo ni arawareta Kingu Kongu (King Kong Appears in Edo) by five years, and the current record-holder Gojira by 21 years.