Gamera Rebirth

Gamera Rebirth (stylized as GAMERA -Rebirth-) is a Japanese original net animation (ONA) series directed and co-written by Hiroyuki Seshita. Produced by Kadokawa Corporation and animated by ENGI, it is a reboot of the Gamera franchise following Gamera the Brave (2006), and the first animated entry in the franchise.[1][2] The series was released worldwide on Netflix on September 7, 2023.[3]

Gamera Rebirth
Key visual poster
GenreKaiju, science fiction
Original net animation
Directed byHiroyuki Seshita
Produced byTetsu Iijima
Written by
Music byShūji Katayama
StudioENGI
Licensed byNetflix
ReleasedSeptember 7, 2023
Episodes6
Manga
Written byCambria Bakuhatsutarō
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineYoung Ace UP
DemographicSeinen
Original runSeptember 8, 2023 – present

Synopsis

During summer 1989, three elementary students witness Gamera in battle as monsters converge on Tokyo.[4]

Voice cast
Characters Japanese[5] English[5]
Boco Hisako Kanemoto Ryan Bartley
Junichi Aki Toyosaki Abby Trott
Joe Yoshitsugu Matsuoka Robbie Daymond
Brody Subaru Kimura Sean Chiplock
Gen. Raymond Osborn Kazuya Nakai Patrick Seitz
James Tazaki Mamoru Miyano Kaiji Tang
Emiko Melchiorri Saori Hayami Suzie Yeung
Nora Melchiorri Marie Ōi Karen Strassman
Winston Griffith Wataru Hatano Todd Haberkorn

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.[6]

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.[7] 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.[1] In March, Kadokawa released a new key visual poster, a synopsis, and a full trailer.[4][8]

A manga adaptation illustrated by Cambria Bakuhatsutarō will begin serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's Young Ace UP website on September 8, 2023.[9]

Episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"Over Tokyo"
Transcription: "Tōkyō jōkū" (Japanese: 東京上空)		Hiroyuki SeshitaNiisan TakahashiSeptember 7, 2023 (2023-09-07)
When best friends Boco, Joe and Junichi confront Brody, the bully who stole their money, a swarm of Gyaos attack Japan -- only to be repelled by the giant turtle Gamera.
22"Under Current"
Transcription: "Denryū fusoku" (Japanese: 電流不足)		Hiroyuki SeshitaNiisan TakahashiSeptember 7, 2023 (2023-09-07)
After Boco, Joe, Junichi, and Brody are picked up James and Emiko, on behalf of the mysterious Eustace Foundation, they set out to find the monster Jiger in the sewers.
33"Run Silent, Run Deep"
Transcription: "Shizuka ni hashiri, fukaku hashiri nasai" (Japanese: 静かに走り、深く走りなさい)		Hiroyuki SeshitaNiisan TakahashiSeptember 7, 2023 (2023-09-07)
Onboard a high-tech ship built by the Eustace Foundation, the kids and the crew attempt to evade the attacks of underwater monster Zigra, while Gamera attempts to intercept them. The incident leaves a profound effect on James. They learn that the monsters are powered by an element known as "Orylium."
44"KILL"
Transcription: "Korosu" (Japanese: 殺す)		Hiroyuki SeshitaNiisan TakahashiSeptember 7, 2023 (2023-09-07)
As Boco, Joe, Junichi, and Brody undergo tests on an island, James considers quitting after the Zigra incident leaves him shaken; however, the blade-faced monster Guiron emerges and amputates Gamera's arm.
55"The Moon is a Harsh Mistress"
Transcription: "Tsuki ha mujihi na yorunoonna ou" (Japanese: 月は無慈悲な夜の女王)		Hiroyuki SeshitaNiisan TakahashiSeptember 7, 2023 (2023-09-07)
When Boco touches the Orylium, the kids are revealed a dark vision of the past; an ancient civilization sacrificed children to the squid-like monster Viras in an attempt to control the population. After realizing Emiko's sinister plans for the Eustace Foundation, James and the kids attempt to escape.
66"Childhood’s end"
Transcription: "Yōshō-ki no owari" (Japanese: 幼少期の終わり)		Hiroyuki SeshitaNiisan TakahashiSeptember 7, 2023 (2023-09-07)
The military forms a line of defense against a new and bigger Gyaos to give Gamera time to heal from his battle with Viras. Boco sends out a message to Joe.

Critical response

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."[10] Writing for the 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+.[11]

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."[12]

References
  1. Havermale, Allison (January 31, 2023). "'Gamera-Rebirth!' Teaser Reveals New Anime Series Coming to Netflix". Collider. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  2. Whitbrook, James (November 17, 2022). "Gamera, Friend to All Children, Is Finally Back". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  3. Pineda, Rafael (July 23, 2023). "Gamera -Rebirth- Anime's Trailer Reveals 5th Kaiju, Theme Song Artist, September 7 Netflix Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  4. Añonuevo, Marla (March 23, 2023). "Gamera Rebirth Poster Previews Battle Against 5 Kaiju". Comingsoon.net. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  5. "Gamera -Rebirth- (ONA)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  6. Komatsu, Mikikazu (November 16, 2022). "Legendary Kaiju Gamera Gets New Work GAMERA -Rebirth- on Netflix". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  7. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 12, 2023). "Gamera -Rebirth- Anime Reveals Cast, Staff, Visual". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  8. Squires, John (March 25, 2023). "'Gamera: Rebirth' Trailer – Watch Gamera Destroy Everything in Upcoming Netflix Anime Series". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  9. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 5, 2023). "Gamera -Rebirth- Spinoff Manga Starts on September 8". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  10. Lê, Paul (September 7, 2023). ""Gamera Rebirth" Review – The Iconic Kaiju Returns in a Compelling Animated Series". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  11. Dray, Kayleigh (September 11, 2023). "Gamera Rebirth review: Netflix's anime series has heavy Stranger Things vibes". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  12. McCoy, Joshua Kristian (September 7, 2023). "Gamera Rebirth Review". GameRant. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
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