Gamera Rebirth

''Gamera Rebirth'' (stylized as ''GAMERA -Rebirth-'') is a Japanese original net animation (ONA) series directed and co-written by Hiroyuki Seshita ( jp). Produced by Kadokawa Corporation and animated by ENGI, it is a reboot of the ''Gamera'' franchise following '' Gamera the Brave'' (2006), the first animated entry in the franchise and the first entry in the franchise's Reiwa era. The series was released worldwide on Netflix on September 7, 2023.

Synopsis

During summer 1989, three elementary students witness Gamera in battle as monsters converge on Tokyo before they annihilate most of humanity.

Voice cast

Production

On November 16, 2022, Kadokawa announced plans for a new ''Gamera'' production, entitled ''Gamera Rebirth'', which will be released globally on Netflix. Shusuke Kaneko, director of the Heisei ''Gamera'' trilogy, had proposed an idea for a new film. However, Kadokawa had already proceeded with their new project by the time Kaneko presented his pitch. Regardless, Kaneko had expressed his support for the project. A figure of Gamera was exhibited at Tamashii Nation 2022 between November 18 and 20, along with a newspaper featuring Gamera that was distributed at the event.

In February 2023, Kadokawa revealed the cast and staff. The series would be animated by ENGI, with Hiroyuki Seshita directing, who co-directed Polygon Pictures' ''Godzilla'' anime trilogy, Tetsu Iijima producing, Atsushi Tamura designing the characters, and Kan Takahama designing the monsters. A teaser released in January debuted footage, albeit briefly, from the series and revealed that it would consist of six episodes and feature five additional enemy monsters. In March, Kadokawa released a new key visual poster, a synopsis, and a full trailer.

A number of references to previous films and scrapped projects and unused ideas were made, and the time setting of the series (1989) is to represent both eras of Showa and Heisei.Kadokawa Anime, October 12, 2023,
GAMERA -Rebirth- , Special Interview Part 4
', at 01:37 and 06:15, Youtube Designs of Gamera and Gyaos, and the first scene of Gamera to fight against a flock of small Gyaos in the first episode were reused from the 2015 short film, and Katsuhito Ishii, the director of the 2015 short film was credited as the designer of Gamera. The titles of each episodes are references to classic films and other productions; ''Kanał'', '' Run Silent, Run Deep'', Daiei Film's '' Destiny's Son'' in which Masaichi Nagata and others had participated in, ''The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress'', '' Childhood's End'', and ''Aura Battler Dunbine''. ''Aura Battler Dunbine'' was directly mentioned and an actual publication of ''Dunbine'' was briefly depicted within the first episode; its episode title and the location (Nishi-Shinjuku) were tributes to Yoshiyuki Tomino by Shinichiro Inoue ( jp) as Inoue was once a editor in charge of Tomino including the ''Dunbine'' publication, and Inoue specially gained a permission to use the book from Arata Sasaki ( jp) for the reference.

Seshita originally prepared fighting scenes twice more than actual ones, including more diverse abilities and characteristics of kaiju, however he had to cut them in half, and noted the difficulty to insert kaiju battles in every episode due to budgetary constraints. One of policies for battle scenes was not to depict human casualties by Gamera, therefore such depictions were avoided during Gamera's appearances in early episodes in Tokyo; Gamera arrived at Tokyo after most evacuations were completed, and he threw Gyaos and Jiger at open areas without people ( Showa Memorial Park in the first episode, and a riverbed of Tama River in the second episode). This direction was also effective to reduce production costs.

Japanese punk rock band Wanima provided both opening and ending songs, ''Natsuake'' and ''FLY&DIVE'' ( jp). An acoustic version of ''Gamera March'' ( ja), the iconic song used in Showa films and other medias, was also inserted.

Episodes

Tie-in media

Novelization

Official novelization of the series consisting of two parts by Hiroyuki Seshita and Jin have been published in August 2023 and May 2024 respectively.

Manga

A prequel manga, ''GAMERA Rebirth Code Thyrsos'', illustrated by Cambria Bakuhatsutarō began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's ''Young Ace UP'' website on September 8, 2023. The prequel is licensed in English by Titan Comics.

Collaborations

An official collaboration with the mobile game ''Godzilla Battle Line'' was made, featuring Gamera and Gyaos and Guiron as playable characters. "Godzilla Earth", the Godzilla incarnation from Hiroyuki Seshita's anime trilogy, was chosen for the key art of the collaboration.ScifiJapan.com
Godzilla vs Gamera in New GODZILLA BATTLE LINE/GAMERA -Rebirth- Collaboration
Another collaboration with '' Ao Oni Online'' of the ''Ao Oni'' series to feature Gamera and Boco and Gyaos as playable characters and ornaments was made where the game previously collaborated with the 2021 film '' The Great Yokai War: Guardians'' to feature Daimajin, the character re-developed from the ''Gamera'' franchise. Special collaborations with '' Odekake Kozame'' and '' Nights with a Cat'' have also been conducted. Exclusive booster pack of the show on the card game ''Union Arena'' is released on May 31, 2024. A one time collaboration with the sake brand ''Shinkame'' was conducted as both represents "godly turtles".

Reception

Bloody Disgusting's Paul Lê criticized the animation but praised the characters. He called the animation "awkward and stiff" but felt that the visual aesthetic complimented the monster battles. Lê found the human subplot "compelling" and the series' child leads to be an improvement over the child leads of the ''Showa'' era ''Gamera'' films. Lê awarded the series four skulls out of five and praised it for being an "emotional, ambitious, and well-told story." Writing for ''The A.V. Club'', Kayleigh Dray likewise found similar flaws in the series and likened ''Gamera Rebirth'' to ''Stranger Things''. She praised the effort that went into its character development and friendship themes that results in characters that are "pretty damn likable." However, she criticized the animation for feeling "clunky", comparing it to a low-resolution version of ''The Sims'' and likened the characters to PlayStation 2 animations. While Dray didn't consider the series to be bingeable or a must-watch, she awarded the series a C+.

Joshua Kristian McCoy from ''GameRant'' did not consider ''Gamera Rebirth'' to be an "ideal" introduction for newcomers. McCoy also criticized the animation for being "jittery" and compared it to the animation from ''Robot Chicken'', and found the concept to be flawed; he specifically targeted the series' tone and its depressing climax, calling them improper for a ''Gamera'' story. He concluded by ridiculing the creators for taking inspiration from '' Godzilla Singular Point'' instead of '' Shin Godzilla'', stating that the series starts "rough, gets weird, and ends almost impressively poorly." James Beckett from ''Anime News Network'' scored the series a C+, commenting that "it's a shame that the ugliness of visuals will likely turn away a good many potential fans because underneath all of that jank is a solid kaiju adventure". Masaki Tsuji positively reviewed the series for its variety of fighting sequences and uniqueness of human characters.

Insufficiency of budget is also pointed out; 3D models of humans are poor and do not fit in with 2D backgrounds. It also lacks an opening animation which is a common feature of Japanese anime. Additionally, as aforementioned, fighting scenes were declined to the half of what Seshita originally intended where it was very difficult to add kaiju battles in every episode due to budgetary problem. A number of abilities and characteristics of kaiju were also eventually not used.

Fussa City and Tsushima Island were elected for one of Anime Pilgrimage Sites of 2024 by the Anime Tourism Association as Gamera battled Gyaos and Jiger in the former, and fought against Zigra at the Omega Station.

Ryan Bartley who voiced Boco in the English edition was nominated for the 2023 Voice Arts Awards.

Potential sequel

Its production committee, including the director and other executives, is willing to produce additional seasons with more budgets and increased fighting scenes, however its future is uncertain.Gamera Rebirth Production Committee, January 29, 2024, ''GAMERA -Rebirth- Official Setting Materials'', pp.7-17, p.35, pp.77-92, pp.94-95, pp.110-111, KADOKAWA, ISBN：9784041138410 Seshita noted that he has enough ideas for up to five seasons, and he pointed a possibility of a future live-action adaptation if the series is successful. Seshita also hopes the series to eventually become (one of) stepping stone(s) for the revival of the franchise in the future. Dengeki Hobby Magazine, September 6, 2023
Netflix『GAMERA-Rebirth-』“シーズン5まではいける”瀬下寛之監督は早くも実写化に意欲！金元寿子さん・松岡禎丞さん・豊崎愛生さんたち声優陣も登壇したトークショーをレポート！
/ref>KADOKAWA Anime, October 05, 2023
『Making of "GAMERA -Rebirth-"』ガメラリバースインタビュー映像③【Netflix世界配信中】
at 04:24, Youtube

Notes

References

External links

Official ''GAMERA -Rebirth-'' website
by Kadokawa
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{{Young Ace

2023 anime ONAs
Action anime and manga
ENGI
Gamera
Kadokawa Anime
Kadokawa Shoten manga
Netflix original anime
Science fiction anime and manga
Seinen manga
Television series set in 1989
Titan Books titles