Gamera Trilogy Director Pledges to Make A New Film in the Franchise

Shusuke Kaneko, director of the acclaimed trilogy of Gamera films that released in the mid-to-late 1990s, is publicly campaigning to get a new film developed, and has pledged to direct it himself.

During GAMERA EXPO, a new event celebrating the appeal of the franchise and 60th Anniversary of the giant turtle monster’s debut, the director was joined on stage by Japan Academy Prize-winning actress Shinobu Nakayama, who played Mayumi Nagamine in the trilogy, for a screening of the new 4K transfer of Gamera: Guardian of the Universe. It was during that screening that Nakayama-san finished the panel by commenting on the lack of Gamera films, especially in an age where they are doing incredibly well, with Godzilla Minus One taking home both Japanese and American Academy Awards.

“I asked fans to submit questions in advance, and then I received a message from a fan saying, “I want Nagamine Mayumi to strongly convey this to the director and KADOKAWA,” Nakayama said, speaking on behalf of the fans’ feelings: “Enough is enough! How long are we going to keep this up? How many years do you think it’s been since the Reiwa era began? Please make a new ‘Reiwa Gamera’ already!” The audience agreed with her passionate feelings and erupted in applause.”

She continued, getting fans excited about the possibility and urging them to chant together “I want to see Reiwa Gamera!” due to the noted attendance of Kadokawa officials in the audience.

Director Kaneko-san quietly tried to shutter the audience expectations, but also added, “The appeal of Gamera is that you never give up… so I’ll do my best.” As the two journeyed around the expo, however, he felt a little more inspired to make this pipe dream of all kaiju fans a reality. Reportedly, after looking at the three main suits on display, standing tall and proud after being permanently preserved by Tokusatsu DNA, Kaneko-san pledged to personally ensure there would be a new Gamera film made, no matter the cost. He stated, “It didn’t feel like they were very old. They felt like they were alive again. It really gave me a sense of mission: I have to do the next one.“

Will we see a new Gamera film with Shusuke Kaneko at the helm? That remains to be seen. It has been noted that the director has previously pitched Kadokawa some ideas to revitalize Gamera’s rich cinematic history, but the studio opted for the Netflix anime Gamera: -Rebirth- instead. With the 60th Anniversary of the beloved kaiju franchise happening this week on the 27th, Gamera’s new appearance in Kaiju fighter GigaBash, and a new English translation of the prequel manga to -Rebirth- coming very soon, there is no better time for the Friend of All Children to make another appearance after a 20-year cinematic absence.