What’s your favorite kaiju era? Including Gamera, Godzilla, and anyone else.

Heisei Gamera is proof that anything can come back from obscurity.

Anyone who firmly believes in the stereotype of Kaiju films being “Japanese men in cheap rubber suits stomping around on crappy miniature sets” needs to be sat down and shown Gamera 3, particularly that Shibuya scene😉

It’s astonishing that these movies are so overlooked. They are downright some of the BEST examples of how to do a reboot, a kaiju movie, and a trilogy, and I am SO upset that they are rarely to never talked about outside of the kaiju fanbase. I really hope these movies get some form of theatrical rerun so the public can be more aware of these masterpieces.

We’ve reached the time when a turtle overthrew the king. And yet Gamera’s Heisei films are still the best of the genre.

Heisei Gamera didn't just redefine the title monster, it redefined the kaiju genre. Special effects were totally off the charts, at times even beating out TOHO during this period, IMO. I can't praise these Gamera films enough for the spectacle and the sheer magic they provided for viewers. I never get tired of rewatching them. My personal fave is Gamera vs. Legion. And you just can't beat a flying Gamera that resembles a giant hurling shuriken. Thank you for this retrospective.

One thing that I love about this particular era is how overwhelming are the forces that Gamera fights, he's constantly bleeding and at the edge of defeat, but rather than glorifying something like channeling the Mana around the world to stop the legion, it's rather ambiguous for that leaves him at the mercy of Gyaos and Iris, even the final shot of the trilogy finale is in the words of it's director "About faith, if you believe he defeats the horde of Gyaos, then he probably will, if not, then it's all lost"... While Godzilla is destruction incarnated and re-incarnated, Gamera is the equivalent in hope , something that leaves me thinking on how Gamera the Brave is sort of a spiritual sequel to the Heisei Trilogy, for it begins with a battle against a horde of Gyaos, yet Gamera sacrifices itself to destroy them and the whole movie is about him regaining it's very name. Such an incredible series, I hope that Rebirth anime is better than the Netflix Anime Godzilla ones...

I'm a simple guy. If my boy Matty Drapes makes a video on a Kaiju I'm all the way in.

I adore Gamera The Brave. It’s a kids movie but with heavy themes and the heisei trilogy’s production value. A perfect blend of Showa and Heisei Gamera.

It's about time we got a Heisei era Gamera retrospective. The 90s Gamera films are excellent masterpieces. They forever set a high standard for Kaiju films

Watched the Kaneko trilogy on Prime as big GMK fan, but I was not prepared for the destruction of Sendai in vs Legion!

Interesting fact the actor who plays Asagi is Steven Segal's daughter. This video was truly documentary level quality. It's an amazing job On a great hero of Kaiju's thank you.

While I hate executive meddling I think going for a lighter tone was a good choice for the first movie. Starting off from a simple, hopeful place before getting into the messed up stuff helps the movies have a sense of progression with the darkness slowly creeping in.

Gamera VS Legion is my favorite kaiju tokasatsu movie of all time. For me, it has all the elements I like in this kind of movie rolled into one.

Heisei Godzilla and Heisei Gamera are the greatest eras of Kaiju flicks.

When I first saw G3, it was at TIFF in 1999, and I hadn't watched a kaiju movie since the 80's. I left that movie theatre in shock, convinced that I had just seen the best kaiju movie ever made. Judging by the excited chatter around me, I wasn't alone in that opinion.

I remember watching James Rolfe’s reviews of the trilogy way back in the day and then suddenly finding the trilogy on Blu-Ray out of the blue at Target for $10. I’ve been a fan since. Absolutely LOVE Heisei Gamera and I frequently rewatch them constantly!

Something about Gamera letting out a loud shrill as the oncoming attack approches gives me goosebumps.

Just a perfect Kaiju trilogy, i hope we get too see Gamera on the big screen again soon

As much of a Godzilla nut I am, Gamera basically owner the Heisei era thanks to this amazing trilogy. They're not only great kaiju films, and just ovwrwll great movies in general.

When I heard about the Heisei Era of Gamera, I dismissed it as a laughable concept. You’ve sold me on the idea. I’ll go check them out.

I had just graduated from high school, and I got an apartment with my best friend. This was in 2000. I randomly discovered Gamera: Guardian of the Universe on DVD at Fry's, and that was it for me. I was instantly a fan. My roommate and I had been binging every Godzilla VHS or DVD we could find, and finding this movie was like finding the Holy fucking Grail of the genre. Great retrospective, Matt. I just bought the Blu-Ray set because of this video! Also, your theme song and title cards are so pitch-perfect for a Carpenter fan, my man. Really loving your channel, every video is better than the last.

Watching the exploration of these films fills me with awe, respect and an overwhelming frustration of having being unable till now to experience them for myself. These are true works of art that help prove that is never too late for redemption and give us strength. It help me realize my respect for Gamera, just as much as I admire Godzilla. Gamera Rebirth can't come soon enough. In the Guardian of the Universe we trust.

These movies are so great. I remember stumbling upon a box set of the trilogy films when I was younger and having no idea what Gamera was, but thinking it looked cool. One of the neatest spur of the moment purchases I made.

Gamera 3 is my favorite kaiju film ever. It contains what I think is the most accurate portrayal of what actual kaiju battles would play out like in the real world, and deals with the personal cost such tragedies would incur. It also blends fantasy and spiritual elements into the plot, questioning whether something as small as humanity is worth jeopardizing the fate of the planet over in the face of conflicting forces beyond our understanding. The effects are also (mostly) top notch to this day, and the monster designs are unbelievably creative. That said, while I like much of the films ambiguity, I feel like Iris does get a fairly concise explanation, thanks Kurata, and it ties perfectly with the theme in the movie: Iris was created specifically to kill Gamera if humanity ever became a threat to the planet's survival, in order to allow the gyaos to wipe us out.

I always loved the modern Gamera trilogy. There IS an audience out there, just as there is an audience for the modern Japanese Big-G movies.. Make more!

The three best daikaiju movies made, without a doubt. I liked your assessment of them. One thing I'd like to mention as well is how the female characters grow and progress throughout the trilogy, with Dr. Nagamine and Asagi both becoming stronger and more assertive by the third movie. Dr. Nagamine's outburst at the hospital when attempting to rescue Ayana is a good example of this, because most of the time in Japan people just don't do such things, never mind women. That and Honami in "Attack of Legion" being as spunky and outgoing and energetic as she is throughout. She's a great character, because she's not a wallflower. Also, the arc that Inspector Osako undergoes throughout the trilogy is one of the most notable character arcs in all the movies, I think. I remember goggling at the level of destruction in the first Gamera battle in "Revenge of Irys" the first time I saw it, because that is, as you mentioned, not something you saw in daikaiju movies at the time. I only own "Gamera the Brave" because I'm a completist, and I don't care for it near as much as the trilogy. But yes, I watch the trilogy frequently and absolutely love it.

Gotta return to this video to say that, in my opinion, GAMERA REBIRTH was a totally successful revival of the character. If Gamera The Brave was "E.T., but with Gamera", then Rebirth was "Stranger Things, but with Gamera". A fantastic blend of the Showa monster cast, the horror and mythological elements of the Kaneko trilogy, and the focus on a compelling core cast of child characters from The Brave. Only issue with it is the one thing that's always plagued Gamera, a low budget. Monster fights look great but the human scenes look pretty wonky. Hopefully that can be fixed in future seasons!

Heisei G and G are both the epitome of kaiju films to me. Also, love the Nakamura music in the background. 💯

Considering you've done Godzilla and Gamera, I'd love to see you do other Japanese franchises: like Ultraman, Kamen Rider and Super Sentai.

90's Gamera Films are the perfect blend of human story and monster mayhem! Mostly a hard balance to achieve in the Kaiju Genre

Gamera from Heisei era my favorite trilogy. 🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

Yo Matt, fantastic video!!! This is one of the those very rare occasions that Gamera has finally stepped out from Godzilla's shadow to become a well respected trilogy of films that is lauded by many to be simply one of the greatest kaiju trilogy. It was a perfect chance for the friend of all children to make a name for himself and with the talents behind it really helps make the giant turtle really respected. Hell, even Roger Ebert of all people enjoyed guardian of the universe!! Legion is my personal favorite but i will give gamera the brave much needed love. It's an exciting time for kaiju fans right now and it's awesome to see both Godzilla and Gamera to be in the spotlight!!!!

It’s always a pleasant surprise to open my KZfaq up to a new Matt Draper video. But covering my holy trilogy of kaiju flicks? What gods did I please?

The Godzilla Heisei Era films are my favorites so despite not having watched all of these I'm inclined to agree.

When I was a boy, I really loved the Showa Era Gamera films. I bought a DVD set of the Showa and Heisi films. The Showa films put me to sleep, but I really enjoyed the Heisi films!

I can't believe these films came from, like, 1995-2006 because the special effects are so good. At least, they look good to me.

SO DAMN TRUE!!!! As much as I love Godzilla and Toho stuff. Gamera Heisei era trilogy are kaiju movie perfection!

I always joked to my friend about how much Legendary ribbed on their interpretation of Godzilla by hawking this trilogy. The themes are mostly there save for the third (well technically). Just that these films did everything better. I enjoy the second i.e. Legion the most. There's just so much I enjoy about it. It's just G3 is like a fine wine. At first, I didn't like it (I kind of wanted more Gyaos stuff and the tonal whiplash of seeing it after Legion), but each time since on repeat watching it. I grow a fonder appreciation and love for it. It's just I enjoy the first more just in the way it introduces all the main players. The foundation it lays forth for in the first film. That's only why I put it slightly more than G3 still (but man every time I rewatch it G3 makes me rethink that assessment).

I love the Heisei series. The trilogy is so good I wish we got a Gamera 4 to see him battle the Gyaos swarm. The whole tone of was great and the ost is fantastic.

These three movies are better than almost any Goji movie. Revenge of Iris in particular is peak kaiju cinema.

Second wave of giant turtle Second wave of giant turtle Second wave of giant turtle Come on and fight Godzilla. Turtle power.

Fantastic video ✨

each time he says the cgi looks weird is when the coolest looking effects i've seen in a monster movie are on screen it just looks cool

Thank you SO much for doing this one. The Heisei Gamera trilogy is without a doubt, at the top of the kaiju films.

For a while is wanted to expand my Kaiju pallet and try out other monster movies besides Godzilla. I finally took the plunge last year and tried out the Gamera movies, specifically the Heisei trilogy. And I’m so glad I did. All 3 are fantastic movies, all 3 an absolute masterclass in that classic man-in-a-suit monster movie filmmaking. All 3 are standouts in the genre. If anyone is on the fence, I saw you should absolutely go for these 3. You won’t regret it.

I’m a simple man. I see a Matt Draper video, I drop everything I am doing and watch.

Gamera Guardian of the Universe is one of my all time favorite movies.

Excellent job. Gamera is the best 👌 ❤️ 💓 💕 💖 💗

Gamera: The Brave is one of the greatest Kaiju films ever made and is only overlooked because it was made for kids. The Brave still outclasses most Godzilla movies and definitely all but two of the Millennium era movies.

i actually have more gamera in my kaiju collection than i do any other... i loved the 3 films where the girl would link with gamera but it was because the girl looked alot like my gf back then and shared alot of her expressions such as a smile she had that always drew me to the films.... Gamera was always the best... and deserved more funding.... i sure hope he gets a chance to return to the big screen in an epic way now that the kaiju film genre is gaining alot more support from fans to convince producers and investors to give more... there are great stories out there.. just waiting.... also a live action Lion Voltron triple film saga and a Homeworld film from the PC game needs to be made..... as well as the Dragon Riders of Pern all need to be made.... all of which i know if done well will bring in millions upon millions. Get it done !!!!

Matt once again going all Kaiju on us

Just finished watching this trilogy and the practical effects are what put it over the top for me. They’re so well done, I do think Iris and Legion were over designed but still a fantastic trilogy

Thanks for putting out the best video essays on KZfaq, Matt! They're always a fun watch whether I'm winding down from work or need entertainment while I eat. Hope you're having a great day!

Netflix's anime Gamera Rebirth is out and it does Gamera proud. Godzilla continues to almost monopolize the international public's attention and interest (and will likely stay that way for a long time),, but there is plenty of room for other Kaiju whether legacy monsters like Gamera or the newer giant mecha/kaiju fusion or who knows what else. Kaiju is going to be around for a long long time.

Great video,one of the very best reinventions of a franchise ever not only this trilogy brought Gamera back far more awsome and taken more seriously but also managed to take the franchise out Godzilla's shadow and in a lot of ways able to surpass it(Saying this as an absolute Godzilla fan). Gamera the brave is a really underated film its not perfect but absolutely enjoyable. The trilogy films are masterclasses in the kaiju genre and the brave is an overlooked film that I highly recommend.

Ok, so Daiei looked at the guy who worked on a HORROR anthology and wanted him to make a KIDS film. That's like asking the guys who made Deception of a Generation to make the 2018 She-Ra.

Another Kaiju essay from you yessss. Been waiting for this one.

I've been waiting for this video! These three films made me a Gamera fan! Gamera the Brave is here too

Thanks for the amazing video Matt ❤. ❤ your content

Fantastic series reflection, Matt!

This was such a good retrospective.

Thanks, recommendations, this video rocked. Excellent analysis, quality explanation and (selfishly) super relatable opinions lol. Top marks

Idk if its just me but i feel like in Gamera Revenge of iris the reason Gamera was more scary is cause after the fight with Legion he became more and more desperate to stop the Gyaos to the point that he didn't care that humans we're harmed in the process and at the end after saving her he realized that his actions have consequences and that in his desperation to kill the Gyaos he lost something important, his kindness

God, this is what I've been waiting for!!

Wonderful to find this new video the minute I came home from work! I am a huge fan of Gamera the Brave, BTW though I will admit Gamera 2: Advent of Legion is the superior film. I've mentioned this before but it's worth sharing again: your videos, kaiju and otherwise, are amazing.

Thanks for this Matt, I'm surprised you got this out so quick. I thought we would wait until the end of the year or next year.

I do hope we eventually get videos on S.P. and Rebirth, but I understand that may be a long wait.

I love the early gamera films but love guardian of the universe, revenge of iris and the legion I have always been a gamera fan since I was 14 I'm now 60 still love gamera it's in my blood

I love the 90’s gamera trilogy!

Love the gunship music in the background bro

all i watch when i was a kid was godzilla so i dont know much about gamera, but seems pretty cool ,.

Would love to see a reboot, of Gamera, in a legendary, Monsterverse film. With the big G

Love hearing Kenny Omega's theme as a background to a Kaiju video. Magnificent touch!

Gamera is my bros favorite Kaiju monster. These films are straight classics. Good memories watching these gems

Thanks Matt!

I still wish that G4 was released, I find the pitched ideas and basic outline of the story to be very interesting.

I'd really love to see these in theaters

I'd love to see you do a video on the rebirth of mothra series keep up the great work like always

When I was binging kaiju movies at the peak of my kaiju hype, I found many of Heisei Godzilla movies boring for me, even though they have really cool kaiju designs. The stories just don't gel with me. But with Heisei Gamera, every single entry is a win. Gamera the Brave especially is so fresh. It has some Showa silliness but it's also so sincere. I think the Gamera movies just did the dreaded "human sections" way better than most.

I watched Guardian of the Universe today with my 4 year old daughter, which is crazy to me because I just realized I also watched that movie for the first time with MY dad when I was a little kid. Seeing it again made me appreciate it a lot more. I remember watching the third one all the time when I was a kid just for the Shibuya scene lol. I want to watch Legion & Iris with her but i'm worried they may be a bit too scary for her.

Great video!

Man, I would have loved a Heisei Damajin film! I'm glad we got the Gamera trilogy though

I love how you used Shinsuke Nakamura’s them song at 19:50 😂

Awesome video man! Gotta say Reiwa and Heisei are tied as Return Of and Shin Godzilla are my favorite Kailua movies of all time. Reiwa only out ranks because Shin Godzilla is point blank my favorite movie.

Camera Advent Of Legion is by far the best of the three....

Gamera versus Godzilla...the classic premise has been laid out - Good versus Evil...Give the people what they want! Clash of the Kaiju Titans 👍🏻💥👍🏻💥😃

are you gonna do a video on gamera rebirth? i really liked that series as it pays homages to both the heisei and showa movies. the ungraded monster designs and brutal fights resemble more heisei while the children in the series having a connection to gamera plays more into the showa era. i think this series is a really good restart for gamera.

Since you've covered most of the great toku media of the past, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Shin Ultraman and Kamen Rider. From what I understand they're meant to be modern updates of the classics that take them back to their roots.

I understand that this will probably never happen but I’ve got to ask: Does anyone else wanna see Matt cover Ultraman at all?

Yeah everyone loves the kaneko trilogy, but Gamera The brave is a great and very underrated kaiju movie, it has a lot of heart, and i still feel like a kid watching it

HOLY SHIT WHY IS THE MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO SO AWESOME?!

I got to check out this heishi era of gamera who would have thought a turtle would be the king of kaijus for a time

Heisei is definitely the best era for Kaiju films. Godzilla and Gamera had their best films during the heisei era.

I had to pause this and give you props for putting in Battle Cry. Kenny OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-MEGAAAAAAAA!

Matt, you need to do Gamera -REBIRTH- next.

a fellow kenny omega fan i respect it

Oh wait, we're including Gamera the Brave in the Heisei series? I always thought that was the only Millennium Gamera film.

Heisei Gamera really reminds me of monsterverse Godzilla in that he seems to keep earth in balance

Ah the Gamera series again. Honestly, he might be my all-time favorite Kaiju simply because he's been rather consistently portrayed as a character, with Godzilla being only slightly less so. What is that song playing around the 20:00 song? I know it, but I can't place it.