Shusuke Kaneko, the filmmaker responsible for Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995), Gamera 2: Attack of Legion (1996), and Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris (1999), is openly voicing his desire to bring the giant turtle back to the big screen in a new live-action installment.
During his appearance as a special guest at the Gamera Expo Event, a celebration marking the kaiju’s 60th anniversary complete with exhibits and exclusive merchandise, Kaneko told fans that the time has come for Gamera to soar again.
And he didn’t mince words: if a new film happens, he wants to be the one in the director’s chair.
‘Gamera, the Giant Monster’ was released 60 years ago today in Japan. pic.twitter.com/xuN1LAQobr
— Kaiju No. 14 (@14_kaiju) November 26, 2025
本日11月27日は「#ガメラの日」#ガメラ 60回目の誕生日！
応援してくださる皆さまのおかげで、この日を迎えることができました。
いつも本当にありがとうございます。
現在、60周年記念の特別企画を多数開催中です！
これからも「ガメラ」をよろしくお願いします！#2025ガメラ60th pic.twitter.com/4KVO5U3RsI
— 【公式】ガメラ生誕60周年プロジェクト (@gamera_info) November 27, 2025
Award-winning Japanese actress Shinobu Nakayama was the moderator during a special panel, and she stated, “I asked fans to submit questions in advance, and then I received a message from a fan saying, “I want Nagamine Mayumi to strongly convey this to the director and KADOKAWA.”
“Enough is enough! How long are we going to keep this up? How many years do you think it’s been since the Reiwa era began? Please make a new ‘Reiwa Gamera’ already!” The audience agreed with her passionate feelings and erupted in applause.”
Kaneko then replied, “The appeal of Gamera is that you never give up… so I’ll do my best.”
However, after walking around the exhibit and seeing his old Gamera costumes, Kaneko reportedly grew more inspired and declared his intentions to direct the next film.
“It didn’t feel like they were very old. They felt like they were alive again. It really gave me a sense of mission: I have to do the next one.”
Heisei Gamera trilogy director Shusuke Kaneko pledges to make a new Gamera movie.
“Gamera’s charm lies in never giving up… so I’ll do my best.”
(source: https://t.co/iB0a61f1hM) pic.twitter.com/NyHcyGXKmS
— Kaiju No. 14 (@14_kaiju) November 23, 2025
Although Gamera has enjoyed a small resurgence through several animated projects in recent years, it’s easy to forget that the last time the giant turtle appeared in a live-action film was all the way back in 2006 with Gamera the Brave. Nearly two decades have passed since then.
With the kaiju genre thriving once again, now might be the perfect moment for the fire-breathing, prehistoric guardian to get a full Reiwa-era overhaul.
Godzilla has already demonstrated how well a bold reimagining can work, first with the politically charged Shin Godzilla in 2016, and more recently with the critically acclaimed Godzilla Minus One in 2023.
It definitely feels like the right time for the giant turtle to rise from the ashes and reclaim a spot in the current kaiju renaissance.