A new trailer and crowdfunding campaign has launched for the tentatively titled Hot Spring Shark Attack 2: Great Kyushu Showdown. After a successful international release in the United States that included a screening at the Chattanooga Film Festival, official distribution by Utopia, and more, the sequel to the cult favorite shark romp has finished production and is looking to secure more funds for an English dub, additional VFX, and an English subtitle track. And for the shark fanatics out there – there are three times as many as before – all brought to life with practical effects!
The previous film, Hot Spring Shark Attack (Onsen Shark), began as an independent project in 2023 and garnered widespread support through a crowdfunding campaign that raised 11.4 million yen (roughly $73,000 USD) from 1,278 backers. According to the film’s Kickstarter listing, while shark films have gained popularity in Japan, the number of domestically produced titles remains limited. Rewards for backers include signed screenplays, t-shirts, a possibility to have your name in the credits, and a returning reward called Shark Reloaded Plan,” in which every 1,000 yen added to the campaign will add another shark to the film.
©2025 PLAN A Inc.
The sequel’s story expands across the entire Kyushu region in Japan, delivering even bigger tokusatsu action alongside a “moving narrative set against the rich backdrop of hot spring culture.” Filming took place in Atami City (Shizuoka Prefecture), Oguni Town (Kumamoto Prefecture), and Sukagawa City (Fukushima Prefecture), with the goal of pioneering a new approach to filmmaking through close collaboration with local communities.
The story follows “high school girl “Tenma” and her bond with the Onsen Shark, “Colombre”, through her singing voice. That very song that ultimately becomes the key to saving the world in the epic final showdown!” The film’s cast includes Ruka Shibata, Hiroshi Katsuno, Kiyobumi Kaneko, Masaki Naito, Sumiya Shiina, Shohei Hashimoto, Takuya Fujimura, and Yu Nakanishi. Morihito Inoue (Fukushima Job Hunting Story and Awakening of The Dragon (2022), Onsen Shark (2024), and Bath-Diver The Onsen Guardian (2021)) returns as screenwriter and director, with PLAN A Inc. CEO Masayuki Nagata serving as producer. Additionally, Shogo Kiyosu (Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial (2010), Giant Unko Taroman (2012), Fest Godzilla 4: Operation Jet Jaguar (2023) behind the scenes) has been hired as the Tokusatsu Director.
Additionally, the filmmakers would like to express sincere themes about nature, regional revival, and importance of local tourism, adding:
Coexistence: A story about humans and nature — and science and legend — finding a way to live side by side.
Self-Sacrifice: The Hot Spring Sharks’ willingness to give everything paves the way for humanity’s future.
Regional Revival: Centered on the survival and growth of hot spring towns, highlighting the importance of tourism.
Screenwriter and Director Morihito Inoue commented on the sequel, stating “A shark movie that was supposed to quietly disappear within Japan has against all odds gone on to be released worldwide,
and now, we’re making a sequel! We’ve kept everything fans loved about the first film, but boosted it up even more, and we can’t wait to share this bigger, better experience with audiences around the world!”
Tokusatsu Director Shogo Kiyosu adds, “To all shark fans across the universe, thank you for your endless love and dedication to sharks! Thanks to all of you, Onsen Shark has made it this far! But our mission isn’t over yet, we want to capture an even bigger, stronger wave of shark love on screen and share it with as many people as we can around the world. To make that happen, we need your support
once again. Let’s keep swimming forward together!”
Hot Spring Shark Attack 2: Great Kyushu Showdown is now live on Kickstarter to secure additional funding. The film is expected to release sometime in 2026. For more information, follow the official Onsen Shark accounts on social media, including Facebook, X, as well as their official website and the official website for North American distributor Utopia.
