Welcome to the corner of my blog, A Look Beyond Godzilla and Into Indie Tokusatsu. Here, I explore the world of independent tokusatsu films, talking about stories and filmmakers in the genre. Links to the films will always be at the bottom of the page.

Tokusatsu, a genre known for its special effects that bring gigantic kaiju and heroes to life, has been thriving lately with big-budgeted, CGI-saturated movies like Godzilla X Kong.

However, the indie scene in Japan, which produces some of the most innovative work, is keeping the true art style of suitmation (スーツメーション), miniature models, and hand-crafted sets alive.

In this series, I’ll talk about various independent tokusatsu films and their creators. Looking at how the new generation of toku films maintains traditional effects techniques while telling new innovative stories.

I also believe many of these young filmmakers will be the directors of the Godzilla, Gamera, Ultraman, and Kamen Rider series of tomorrow.

*Disclaimer*

Remember, if you go watch one of these indie kaiju films I cover, most are made by non-English speakers, so if you do leave a comment for them, make sure you say something short and nice. Also, please don’t say anything like, “Show more kaiju” or “Need English subtitles.” Independent films are almost always shot on a tight budget, and they do their best, given time and budget constraints. That said, I hope you learn something new and enjoy the blog.

Day of the Kaiju

Today, I'm focusing on "Day of the Kaiju," a film directed by Kazuhiro Nakagawa. This short story inspired Shin Godzilla more than you would think. Oddly enough, I don’t hear many people discussing its connection to Godzilla.

However, many fans should recognize the director’s name, not for his role as the second assistant director in Shin Godzilla but for these very popular Godzilla short films shown these last few years at Godzilla Fest.

• Fest Godzilla 3: Gigan Attacks

• Fest Godzilla 4: Operation Jet Jaguar

• Godzilla vs. Hedorah

Day of the Kaiju’s Plot

Directed and written by Nakagawa in 2014, the film begins after a kaiju has already been killed, and its carcass washes ashore after floating at sea for a month. The main character, Dr. Nagamine, a marine biologist at the University of Marine Science and Technology, and his senior professor are tasked with examining the dead kaiju to determine if it is truly deceased. The film focuses on the moral decisions Dr. Nagamine faces between government demands and public safety.

Human Perspective

The film primarily explores Dr. Nagamine's moral choices and consequences, providing a narrative centered around human drama rather than monster action.

The Kiyotaka Taguchi Connection????

No, or at least I did not see his name in the credits. If you aren’t familiar with him, after he directed the Ultraman series Blazar, he has also directed individual episodes of other Ultraman series like Trigger, Z, Geed, Orb, and Neo Ultra Q.

I often find Taguchi’s name attached to various indie toku projects, so I have made a small game to see if I can find out if he was somehow involved in the film.

Additional Film Details

Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Reactor Disaster

The film makes several cultural references that might not be immediately apparent to non-Japanese viewers. It suggests parallels with real-world events, particularly with its setting in a fictional town that mirrors Namie in Fukushima, Japan. The narrative also touches on themes related to nuclear issues, reflected through the symbolism of the kaiju carcass.

Magonotejima Island

The island mentioned in the “Day of the Kaiju” is the same island Godzilla attacks in Godzilla Mothra King Ghidorah: All Out Attack.

Similarities to Shin Godzilla

• A lot of scenes are set in government offices.

• Wreckage looks very similar to 3/11 and Fukushima.

• Camera angles from the perspective of a computer screen.

• A focus on how governments react to a kaiju or natural disaster. Shin looks at the national level, while “Day of the Kaiju” looks at the local government level.

• Outdoor scenes from this movie are also very similar to scenes in Shin Godzilla.

Day of the Kaiju Trailer

Final Thoughts

"Day of the Kaiju" offers a unique take on kaiju films, emphasizing human elements over typical monster battles. This approach provides a refreshing variation within the genre. Although it doesn’t have the traditional elements, like practical effects, of tokusatsu, it was truly avant-garde for 2014, going on to stylistically influence future toku films and TV series.

This review is part of my ongoing series "A Look Beyond Godzilla and Into Indie Tokusatsu," where I talk about my favorite indie tokusatsu films.

Well, I hope you’ve learned something new, and until next time, later!