Gamera : Régénération

Gamera is a friend to all children, and on the face of it, that's what we get here: three plucky Japanese boys thrown together with a cowardly, low-IQ, thuggish US antihero - careful now, there's a bit of politics creeping on the stage here.

The first three episodes follow the same basic kaiju trope of introducing a new villain-monster which eventually gets stomped or toasted by ol' rocket-shell. But before the showdown, you have to sit through half an hour or so of annoying kids doing annoying kid things, and getting into all sorts of avoidable scrapes.

And that's where it gets weird, as the pre-teen lads getting up to their boys-will-be-boys hijinks makes this seem as though its for children of that age. But this is intercut with graphic and bloody dismemberment and devouring, and some unnecessarily jarring adult language in the English dub, which makes it unsuitable for Gamera's younger chums.

The art and animation are also disjointed. There's a mix of hand drawn and CG backgrounds and buildings, basic low frame rate flat cell-shaded CG characters and vehicles, and spiky 3D kaiju that look very peculiar when they share the same scene. It's possible that this is a deliberate homage to the compositing in the original films, but it doesn't make it any less quirky.

All that said, if you stick with it, you'll find that the protagonists are well fleshed out with backstories, their interactions become increasingly character-based, and there's a commendable amount of development among the boys - with some very surprising twists and payoffs that I've carefully avoided spoiling - so full credit for that. The series gets a lot more mature and consequential as it progresses, and actually develops a solid plot, which is a surprise given its frivolous early feel.

This isn't the worst animation that Netflix has produced, not by a long way, and it improves as it goes on. It's just that I suspect some of its audience will tune out in the first two episodes as it doesn't settle on a consistent tone quickly enough.

This series has so much heart. The characters are so lovable and well-written. No one is annoying and everyone has their own unique qualities.

I love the non-linear story-telling. Especially in the starting 3 episodes.

It's starts off very strong and piques your interest for different types of Kaijus that might show up. Also it's good that we get 1 Kaiju per episode which keeps you watching.

The animation is also nostalgic and new-age at the same time. I don't care what nobody says, the mix of 3D and 2D animation was good. I liked it.

Hope there is a season 2 and we get to see these characters again.

I would love to dive deep in this world again. They are so lovable and fun.

Super-fun how to end the summer. Not too long, not too short. Solid 8/10.

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.

If there is something to applaud this series is how it was able to deliver an interesting plot along with combats at the height of this Kaiju.

Now yes, let's start well, this is the first time I see a Gamera product and I must say that I was very surprised, I knew it was the "rival" of Godzilla in Japan, while one was the terror, the other was the protector.

This series is the first time we see the Kaiju after many years and I must say that in the format he returned was very good since we come from very questionable animated products (Godzilla Singular Point, Ultraman, etc).

The only thing I must say I didn't like was the 3D style animation, as it felt very bad at times but contrasted with the phenomenal kaiju designs.

The plot is easy to understand and each chapter has its touch and at the same time the way they present Gamera's rivals is very interesting.

I'll just say that if you're looking for a kaiju series with a simple but complex plot, this series has it.

Also, the ending, tremendous ending, I just hope a second season is confirmed.

I also hope that the series does well and we have more of the protector of children and the universe, yes, it was the first time I saw Gamera in action and I liked it, I have no doubt that you will like it too.

And don't get carried away by the animation, because once you get caught up in the series you won't be able to put it down.

I'm have been a Gamera fan since I was a kid in 70s. I watched it with my son who is a huge Gamera and Godzilla fan. The story is almost astonishing where it goes and yes the animation isn top tier but when the battles with the legendary opponents it's epic. Imagine if this was live action with that script lol. Yes the adults are basically clueless and dumb and the kids save the day but this has been Gameras MO for decades. The Kaiju designs are a little risky but I appreciate there take on those legendary characters in the Gamera universe hell I have bought several of them for my collection.. recommend Stay with it the last episodes are worth it.