Description
Gamera (Japanese: ガメラ, Hepburn: Gamera ) is a fictional monster, or kaiju , originating from a series of Japanese films. Debuting in the 1965 film Gamera, the Giant Monster , the character and the first film were intended to compete with the success of Toho's Godzilla film series. Since then, Gamera has become a Japanese icon in his own right, appearing in a total of 12 films produced by Daiei Film and later by Tokuma Shoten and Kadokawa Daiei Studio respectively, and various media.
Gamera is depicted as a giant, flying, fire-breathing, prehistoric turtle. In the first film, Gamera is portrayed as aggressive and destructive, though he also saves a child. As the films progressed, Gamera took on a more benevolent role, becoming a protector of humanity especially children, nature, and the Earth from extraterrestrial races and other giant monsters.
To date, Gamera, the Giant Monster is the only film to be released theatrically in the United States; however, it was heavily localized and retitled Gammera the Invincible. In the United States, Gamera attained prominence during the 1970s due to the burgeoning popularity of UHF television stations featuring Saturday afternoon matinée showcases such as Creature Double Feature , and later in the 1990s when five Gamera films were featured on the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000.
The Daimajin , another iconic tokusatsu character by Daiei Film, was originally designed to be an antagonist for the second film, and its concept was feedbacked into both Daimajin and Barugon appeared in the 1966 film Gamera vs. Barugon.
As below mentioned, expansion of the franchise was severely hindered by financial obstacles.
