GAMERA: Renacimiento

This 6-part anime series finds the titanic tusked turtle battling most of its nemeses from the original Showa-era movies in an attempt to save us all from an existential threat. The animation is basic but serviceable and the characters serve to move the story along (although a lot of time is spent on child-hood issues and angst). The reimagined kaiju are OK although there is some inexplicable lengthening of tails, tongues, tentacles, etc and the monster-fights are as entertaining as always. There is some over-the-top 'America bashing' in the first episode and whatever point was being made would have benefitted from a bit more subtlety. An abrupt, and surprising, character shift in the 5th episode livens up a story that was falling into the repetitive 'monster-of-the-week' formula. Fans of Daiei Studio's answer to Toho's money-making 'Godzilla' franchise should get some eye-rolling pleasure out of watching the shelled saviour face off against old foes although, like me, they may miss the silly charm of the original series' bargain-basement suit-mation (and the memorably chipper theme music). Considering this is a show about a giant flying turtle repeatedly saving the lives of four children, there is a surprising amount of course language (possibly Netflix's attempt to make the series more 'edgy'). Much more entertaining than the pretentious anime Godzilla series that Netflix ran a few years back.

The series will focus on Gamera facing off against five different Kaiju.

I know the plots and other elements aren't deep compared to other genre.

Whatever they plotte was just great. We have three childhood friends who want to make sure that no matter how far apart they are , they're always gonna be together. The bond between Joe and Boko was the most intriguing one. We are told how Joe's little brother and mom died while he was in grade school and how his dad spiraled into depression forcing Joe to work as a paper boy to pay off their debts. Character development was also unique in the case of sea weed hair from Eustace.

Plus there is also for adults, especially to those who believe in conspiracy. Such as the Foundation organisation and how they could seen as modern day 1%. Who controls a lot of things like WEF. Wants to wipe humanity out of this planet and have a great RESTART. While they are completely in charge.

Lots of little cookies 🍪 in this one.

We truly live in a glorious age of titans. Godzilla, King Kong, and even Ultraman have been gracing us with their presence for a decade now, but, weirdly, someone was missing. Godzilla's old box office rival, the giant turtle Gamera, had been absent from cinema since 2006. In comes Netflix to the rescue as he's given a 6-part anime series to give him much-needed life: "Gamera Rebirth". Did it succeed?

Plot: In the year 1989, four children suddenly find themselves amidst numerous attacks by man-eating kaiju that are especially fixated on them. Lucky for them, one beast, Gamera, comes to defend them, though the military is very reluctant to trust him. Where did the kaiju come from? Why is Gamera different? What makes these children special? Grand battles and shocking revelations ensue.

The best way I can describe this series is "Stranger Things" with giant monsters. Though the protagonists are children, don't mistake this for silly kid stuff. They occasionally find themselves in violent situations and even swear from time to time; there's a shocking number of F-bombs thrown in. We get insight into what makes each of them tick and why they are so close, and the story and conflicts allow them to mature and contribute in individual ways. There are a few standout characters too like James, a jaded man with dreams and insecurities of his own forced to watch over the children, and an American army general struggling to deal with the crisis. There are also some sprinkles of social commentary like military relations between Japan and America to help spice things up a bit. Admittedly, the way the characters look and move in the animation are a little odd, but the writing behind them compensates for it.

Gamera has never looked better, ferociously taking action without hesitation and putting others before himself as is true to the spirit of the character. He also comes with a rockin' musical theme that gets you pumped for action. The turtle's enemies, most of which have been absent from film for half a century, are all given awesome updates and are treated as formidable foes for both Gamera and the humans, providing intense fight scenes that don't shy away from being bloody and violent as combatants throw each other around, trade blows, and show off cool abilities. The mystery surrounding the kaiju and their origins was engaging, leading to big reveals that I didn't see coming in a good way, especially with how the humans play into them. I do think the pacing of the episodes can be improved by speeding things up a little.

All in all, "Gamera Rebirth" is a smashing shell of a good time. Slight shortcomings aside, it is a much-needed refreshing take on a classic monster that provides both monster mayhem and a compelling human narrative interweaved into it. Hopefully, another season is made as well as a new movie.

If you're a kaiju enthusiast, the Gamera series on Netflix is a treat you shouldn't miss. Each episode brings a new kaiju to the forefront, delivering a fresh and exciting experience with every installment.

For fans who've been craving more kaiju action since Godzilla, the Gamera series fills that void admirably. The constant introduction of new kaiju keeps the series dynamic and engaging, providing viewers with an ever-expanding roster of monstrous adversaries.

However, while the Gamera series excels in many aspects, it's not without its drawbacks. One noticeable downside is the animation style. Some viewers might find it a bit lacking in quality, which can be distracting at times. The less polished animation can take away from the immersive experience that kaiju fans often seek.

Comparing it to the Godzilla animation, it's evident that there's room for improvement in terms of animation quality. Godzilla's animation set a high standard, and Gamera could benefit from a similar level of visual finesse.

In conclusion, the Gamera series on Netflix is a must-watch for kaiju enthusiasts, offering a continuous stream of epic monster battles. However, the animation style might leave some fans wishing for a more polished look. Despite this minor setback, the series is a thrilling addition to the world of kaiju entertainment.

With a straight forward, valanced plot overflown with jaw-dropping monster fights and a sympathetic cast of characters, Gamera: Rebirth is probably Netflix's best take on Kaiju Eiga to date, and a more than worthy return for the Guardian of the Universe himself.

While the human animation might look pretty awful at times, it doesn't take long to get used to it. The stars of the show --Gamera, Gyaos, Jiger, Zigra, and Viras-- on the other hand, look absolutely gorgeous, shining their brightest during the fights.

Scale is managed perfectly, making every step, punch, and bite feel as massive as they can. The human aspect, on its part, is pretty decent. The cast isn't exactly the best or the most outstanding for kaiju films, but the characters are easy to like and care for.

The only drawbacks I would take into consideration would be the animation and the feeling that Gamera's relationship with the main cast could have been done better.