Netflix GAMERA-REBIRTH!

[dragon53]

Trailer released for the Netflix animated tv series.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Looks interesting, at least Gamera looks more like Gamera. If this is pretty much just some straight up fights I wish they had done the same for Godzilla.

[Paleo Flo]

Looks interesting, at least Gamera looks more like Gamera. If this is pretty much just some straight up fights I wish they had done the same for Godzilla.

You nailed it

[stargatedalek]

I for one quite adored Godzilla Singular Point. A whole lot better than those awful movies they made a few years prior.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I for one quite adored Godzilla Singular Point. A whole lot better than those awful movies they made a few years prior.

I just felt it was OK. I know a lot of fans like the designs more than the show itself and they are making another season I think?  I tried to watch it twice, the first time while I was working and it made no sense at all to me. The second time I got more of it..but it was still pretty hard to figure out and digest in a way that made sense. It took way too long to get to the main character as well, Godzilla himself.  I'm ok with some story elements but in the end I'm here to see giant monsters is all.

[stargatedalek]

I have nothing against the Godzilla main character style stories, a lot of them have some serious charm and I feel Legendary has done a decent job incorporating elements of that into their movies despite an overall more "serious" tone in most cases, but I also disagree with the idea every Godzilla program should try and be that. Especially if Godzilla is going to be an antagonistic force.

I would say Singular Point is aiming to be in the vein of films like the original and Shin Godzilla, but leaning more into early sci-fi elements as opposed to the human (responses to) calamity elements. In particular I like the use on non-euclidean physics and quantum mechanics the same way a lot of sci-fi of that era used concepts like radiation and mutation. Science well enough understood to sound genuine, but obscure enough the average viewer is (deliberately) going to get a bit lost when they start explaining things. It makes the jargon a lot easier to take at face value.

Gamera is also a franchise that has always leaned a lot more into the idea of characterization from the start, whereas Godzilla reached that point gradually. So for Gamera, an approach like that would end up being a stark departure and I'd prefer something along the character Kaiju route instead as well.

[Flaffy]

I would say Singular Point is aiming to be in the vein of films like the original and Shin Godzilla, but leaning more into early sci-fi elements as opposed to the human (responses to) calamity elements. In particular I like the use on non-euclidean physics and quantum mechanics the same way a lot of sci-fi of that era used concepts like radiation and mutation. Science well enough understood to sound genuine, but obscure enough the average viewer is (deliberately) going to get a bit lost when they start explaining things. It makes the jargon a lot easier to take at face value.

I really liked the new direction they took to explain the kaijus lore. Them being extra-dimensional beings just fits so well, and the use of the aformentioned physics made Singular Point a very refreshing take on the big-G himself.

The best part of the show were the designs by far. I currently own the S.H. Monsterarts Godzilla Ultima figure, and man he's simply spectacular. SHM as a line has gotten many flack in recent years (well deserved), but this figure in particular is quite the standout among the slog of half-arsed Monsterverse Godzilla repaints. Salunga is another favourite of mine from the show, a very unique kaiju that seamlessly blends elements from mammals, reptiles and oceanic organisms.


However, this overfocus on explaining such complex theoredical physics did not lend itself well to the overall pacing and storytelling. Some segments felt overly dry and dragged out, as if I was listening to a lecture instead of watching/enjoying a show. Unsurprising since the writer for Singular Point is first and foremost a physicist.

90% of the bloated cast felt very flat, which is a shame in an expressive medium like anime. Like many I would've greatly preferred the main cast to have focused on the Otaki Factory workers and how they dealt with the upcoming crisis head-on; rather than following a university student's rambles on scientific jargon, which would require prior knowledge of said concepts to fully comprehend as a viewer. As much as I love the topic of theoretical physics, I want to see kaiju action in my kaiju flick.

Like seriously who are half these people, and why should I care about them

I guess what I'm trying to say is that they should've hired someone who can balance the scientific aspects of the show with actual storytelling. The theoretical physics is a perfect background to telling a kaiju story, to which I'm surprised writiers haven't borrowed more from in the past. These monsters are basically edlritch abominations that wreck havoc on our fragile society. However, it should've never been the main focus of the show.

Take for example the (fantastic) film Everything Everywhere All At Once. It borrows from concepts of the multiverse and various other aspects of theoretical physics, but never makes it the sole focus of the movie. At it's core, it's a heartfelt story of the struggles of an immigrant family in a foreign land, strained familial relationships and generational trauma. Good storytelling shouldn't be sacrificed for the sake of having unconventional/unique concepts. No matter how interesting the ideas are, it's the final exection of the film that matters most afterall.

[Fembrogon]

I enjoyed Singular Point as well - definitely more so than the Monster Planet film trilogy - but I do agree that a lot of the physics and high-concept science ended up flying right over my head. It was an ambitious story, though, and I do think it succeeded in being more compelling than many of the other Godzilla titles from the last couple of decades.

Gamera, of course, has no obligation to do the same thing; in fact, a completely different show style will probably be to the series' benefit to distinguish itself as its own thing. Honestly it's kind of surreal to see this actually being advertised after such a long dry spell. We're really getting a new Gamera project at last!!

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Flaffy, I agree with all that in regards to pacing, cast, and storytelling.  In these old monster movies the scientist character would drop some info maybe two people actually got but it wasn't intrinsic to the plot to understand.

I'm not opposed to complicated ideas or concepts, it just depends on my mood. I've watched anime since I was little. It's just the way this was handled. It's why I went back and watched it again.  I did like Godzilla Planet better, but not by much. It still needed something.   I'm hoping the new Toho Godzilla film doesn't go these routes. Shin took me awhile and repeated viewings to warm up to.

The characters just seemed to be there to move the story along and drop a few lines, I think the best was the little old man. I can't name any of them.

It took what more than 120 minutes to actually get to Godzilla himself?  Hopefully Gamera appears in the first episode, this series is a bit shorter after all.

[GojiraGuy1954]

Flaffy, I agree with all that in regards to pacing, cast, and storytelling.  In these old monster movies the scientist character would drop some info maybe two people actually got but it wasn't intrinsic to the plot to understand.

I'm not opposed to complicated ideas or concepts, it just depends on my mood. I've watched anime since I was little. It's just the way this was handled. It's why I went back and watched it again.  I did like Godzilla Planet better, but not by much. It still needed something.   I'm hoping the new Toho Godzilla film doesn't go these routes. Shin took me awhile and repeated viewings to warm up to.

The characters just seemed to be there to move the story along and drop a few lines, I think the best was the little old man. I can't name any of them.

It took what more than 120 minutes to actually get to Godzilla himself?  Hopefully Gamera appears in the first episode, this series is a bit shorter after all.

Each episode of Gamera Rebirth has one monster for it. Presumably each episode will be about a fight between Gamera and the enemy. First is Gyaos.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Flaffy, I agree with all that in regards to pacing, cast, and storytelling.  In these old monster movies the scientist character would drop some info maybe two people actually got but it wasn't intrinsic to the plot to understand.

I'm not opposed to complicated ideas or concepts, it just depends on my mood. I've watched anime since I was little. It's just the way this was handled. It's why I went back and watched it again.  I did like Godzilla Planet better, but not by much. It still needed something.   I'm hoping the new Toho Godzilla film doesn't go these routes. Shin took me awhile and repeated viewings to warm up to.

The characters just seemed to be there to move the story along and drop a few lines, I think the best was the little old man. I can't name any of them.

It took what more than 120 minutes to actually get to Godzilla himself?  Hopefully Gamera appears in the first episode, this series is a bit shorter after all.

Each episode of Gamera Rebirth has one monster for it. Presumably each episode will be about a fight between Gamera and the enemy. First is Gyaos.

That will be good as I suspect most of the Gamera villains haven't appeared since their original films.

[GojiraGuy1954]

Flaffy, I agree with all that in regards to pacing, cast, and storytelling.  In these old monster movies the scientist character would drop some info maybe two people actually got but it wasn't intrinsic to the plot to understand.

I'm not opposed to complicated ideas or concepts, it just depends on my mood. I've watched anime since I was little. It's just the way this was handled. It's why I went back and watched it again.  I did like Godzilla Planet better, but not by much. It still needed something.   I'm hoping the new Toho Godzilla film doesn't go these routes. Shin took me awhile and repeated viewings to warm up to.

The characters just seemed to be there to move the story along and drop a few lines, I think the best was the little old man. I can't name any of them.

It took what more than 120 minutes to actually get to Godzilla himself?  Hopefully Gamera appears in the first episode, this series is a bit shorter after all.

Each episode of Gamera Rebirth has one monster for it. Presumably each episode will be about a fight between Gamera and the enemy. First is Gyaos.

That will be good as I suspect most of the Gamera villains haven't appeared since their original films.

Also, I believe it was Kaneko who implied that Gamera has green eyes because Green eyes are often associated with evil in the West.

Perhaps it's a true Showa throwback, to where Gamera was an evil force in his original movie, and all of the enemies he fights will be Showa enemies also? I'd love to see Barugon come back again

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Flaffy, I agree with all that in regards to pacing, cast, and storytelling.  In these old monster movies the scientist character would drop some info maybe two people actually got but it wasn't intrinsic to the plot to understand.

I'm not opposed to complicated ideas or concepts, it just depends on my mood. I've watched anime since I was little. It's just the way this was handled. It's why I went back and watched it again.  I did like Godzilla Planet better, but not by much. It still needed something.   I'm hoping the new Toho Godzilla film doesn't go these routes. Shin took me awhile and repeated viewings to warm up to.

The characters just seemed to be there to move the story along and drop a few lines, I think the best was the little old man. I can't name any of them.

It took what more than 120 minutes to actually get to Godzilla himself?  Hopefully Gamera appears in the first episode, this series is a bit shorter after all.

Each episode of Gamera Rebirth has one monster for it. Presumably each episode will be about a fight between Gamera and the enemy. First is Gyaos.

That will be good as I suspect most of the Gamera villains haven't appeared since their original films.

Also, I believe it was Kaneko who implied that Gamera has green eyes because Green eyes are often associated with evil in the West.

Perhaps it's a true Showa throwback, to where Gamera was an evil force in his original movie, and all of the enemies he fights will be Showa enemies also? I'd love to see Barugon come back again

I have a bit of a confession, while I know of Gamera villians I haven't seen any of the older films yet save the newer three, Guardian, Iris, ect..  Godzilla was just much more prevalent in the video rental stores, I can't even recall seeing any of them there.  I did read the comics that had a pretty short run back in the 90's.

[Fembrogon]

The classic Showa-era Gamera films are definitely a different beast than the trilogy; they're much more whimsical and fantastical, often getting downright silly in the later entries. Kaneko's trilogy was a drastic overhaul of the franchise, with a little more grounding and a tone closer to classic Godzilla or Ultra Q.
I'm guessing the Netflix show will be tonally closer to the trilogy, since that seems to be the default image for the franchise anymore.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

The classic Showa-era Gamera films are definitely a different beast than the trilogy; they're much more whimsical and fantastical, often getting downright silly in the later entries. Kaneko's trilogy was a drastic overhaul of the franchise, with a little more grounding and a tone closer to classic Godzilla or Ultra Q.
I'm guessing the Netflix show will be tonally closer to the trilogy, since that seems to be the default image for the franchise anymore.

I'm ok with that I guess as it's what I was expecting. I've seen some pretty gruesome Gamera vs Gyaos art, it could pass for Junji Ito level stuff lol  Now to see the monster lineup I guess.

[Fembrogon]

Oh, there's plenty of monster bloodshed to be had in the old Gamera films! They may be silly, but Gamera gets beaten up badly quite regularly, and usually returns in kind!
Honestly they can be pretty wild films. They're not for everyone, but they're worth a look for serious fans.

...And, of course, there are also the MST3K episodes featuring several Gamera movies. Those are definitely fun as well.

[dragon53]

GAMERA REBIRTH---poster and synopsis released for the Netflix animated monster tv series. The synopsis says, "The last summer. Friends. And Kaiju--. In the summer of 1989, Boko, Joe, and Junichi, all sixth grade elementary school students, were having their last summer vacation. Each of them is worried about their future. Brody, the son of a US military commander, appears before the three of them and steals away the money they have saved together. Boko and his friends are furious and plan a plan to get their money back. As they are about to carry out the plan, the town is threatened. The kaiju Gyaos suddenly attacks Tokyo. The four are petrified in a town ruined by Gyaos. As Gyaos sets its sights on them, a huge kaiju appears. Its name is Gamera. This is the beginning of their 'Summer of Kaiju.' Kaiju appear one after another, and Gamera fights back despite his wounds. The boys witness the legend."

[Over9K]

WHOA... Jiger right on the poster too!