Shin series

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Promotional art for the Shin Japan Heroes Universe by Mahiro Maeda, depicting Godzilla, Ultraman, Eva Unit-01 and Kamen Rider

The Shin series (「シン・」シリーズ,   "Shin" shirīzu),[1][2][3] as it has been labeled by some media outlets, is a franchise of unconnected Japanese film reboots of popular science fiction series that is primarily helmed by Hideaki Anno. It is currently composed of four entries: Shin Godzilla (2016), Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time (2021, called "Shin Evangelion the Movie" in Japan), Shin Ultraman (2022), and Shin Kamen Rider (2023). Besides Anno, recurring creative forces include Shinji Higuchi, Katsuro Onoue, Masayuki, Ikki Todoroki, Atsuki Sato, Shiro Sagisu, and more.

Though Shin Godzilla was the first to be released, Evangelion 3.0+1.0's Japanese title has borne the "Shin" prefix ever since it was unveiled in 2012. The "Shin" portion of the films' Japanese titles is written in katakana, similar to a loanword. This has the effect of obscuring its meaning,[4] as shin can be the pronunciation of various words including "new" (新), "true" (真), "god" (神), and "faith" (信). The marketing of the films do not contain much unifying imagery beyond their titles, with each movie's logo styling "シン" in the trademark fonts of their respective franchises.

Toho is a major player in the Shin series, with it and/or one of its subsidiaries (co-)funding three entries, co-producing two, and (co-)distributing three.

Films

Release date Title Directed by Effects director(s) Funded by Produced by Distributor(s)
July 29, 2016 Shin Godzilla Hideaki Anno
Shinji Higuchi (co-)
Shinji Higuchi (VFX)
Katsuro Onoue (SFX)
Toho Toho Pictures
Cine Bazar
Toho
March 8, 2021 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time Hideaki Anno
Kazuya Tsurumaki (co-)
Katsuichi Nakayama (co-)
Mahiro Maeda (co-)
Toyonori Yamada (animation)
Katsuro Onoue (live action)
khara Toho
Toei
khara
May 13, 2022 Shin Ultraman Shinji Higuchi Satoru Sasaki (VFX) Shin Ultraman Film Partners
(Tsuburaya Productions, Toho, khara)
TOHO Studios
Cine Bazar
Toho
March 18, 2023 Shin Kamen Rider Hideaki Anno Katsuro Onoue (SFX) Shin Kamen Rider Film Partners
(Toei, TV Asahi, ADK Emotions, khara,
Bandai, Dentsu, Horipro, Akatsuki, MBS,
The Mainichi Newspapers Co.,
Toho Entertainment, GYAO)
Cine Bazar Toei

Shin Godzilla (2016)

The theatrical release posters for Shin Godzilla (left) and Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time (right), the first two films of Hideaki Anno's Shin series
Main article: Shin Godzilla.

Shin Godzilla (シン・ゴジラ,   Shin Gojira) was funded by Toho, who released it on July 29, 2016. It was written and directed by Hideaki Anno, with genre veteran Shinji Higuchi serving as co-director and VFX director. Production of a new Japanese Godzilla film had been announced on December 8, 2014,[5] with its title revealed on September 23, 2015.[6] The first live-action Godzilla film to be produced in Japan since 2004's Godzilla Final Wars, it proved massively successful, emerging as the country's second-highest grossing domestic film and third-highest grossing overall film of 2016.[7] Shin Godzilla also topped franchise records, surpassing 1992's Godzilla vs. Mothra as the highest-grossing Japanese Godzilla film of all time[8] and cementing itself as the fifth-highest attended film of the series.[9] Moreover, Shin Godzilla enjoyed virtually unprecedented critical acclaim for a kaiju film, being nominated for and winning numerous prestigious awards, including Picture of the Year, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Lighting Direction, Best Sound Recording, and Best Film Editing at the 40th Japan Academy Film Prize.[10] The film can be said to have established much of the style of subsequent Shin films.

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time (2021)

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time, called Shin Evangelion the Movie (シン・エヴァンゲリオン劇場版𝄇,   Shin Evangerion Gekijōban) in Japan, was produced by khara, inc. and released to theaters by Toho, Toei, and khara on March 8, 2021. The fourth and final entry in the Rebuild of Evangelion series of films, which is itself based on the 1995 anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, Thrice Upon A Time was written, produced, and directed by series creator Hideaki Anno. Though the Rebuild series had been planned as a quadrilogy as early as 2006,[11] various delays postponed its finale to 2021, a little over eight years after the third film Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo. Thrice Upon A Time's Japanese title was announced in 2007 as Evangelion New Theatrical Edition: ? but had been changed to Shin Evangelion the Movie by 2012,[12] predating Shin Godzilla's use of the "Shin" prefix by close to three years. Because of this pattern in titles, Thrice Upon A Time is retroactively considered the second entry of the "Shin series," though it differs significantly from the rest; chiefly, it is not based on a tokusatsu franchise, nor does it feature live action characters. It is also the only of the films to not contain "Shin" in its English title.[note 1]

The posters for Shin Ultraman (left) and Shin Kamen Rider (right), the third and fourth Shin films

Shin Ultraman (2022)

Main article: Shin Ultraman.

Shin Ultraman (シン・ウルトラマン,   Shin Urutoraman) is the first Shin film to be funded by a committee of companies, which included Toho, Tsuburaya Productions, and khara. Also unlike prior entries, the film was not directed by Anno, but rather by Shin Godzilla co-director Shinji Higuchi, though Anno still retained the role of screenwriter. Shin Ultraman was distributed to Japanese theaters by Toho on May 13, 2022. Announced on August 1, 2019, the film was initially set for a summer 2021 release but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shin Kamen Rider (2023)

Shin Kamen Rider (シン・仮面ライダー,   Shin Kamen Raidā) was also funded by a committee, composed of Toei, TV Asahi, ADK Emotions, khara, Bandai, Dentsu, Horipro, Akatsuki, MBS, The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Toho Entertainment, and GYAO. Written and directed by Hideaki Anno, Toei released it on March 17, 2023. The film was announced as the 50th anniversary Kamen Rider film at a press conference on April 3, 2021.[13]

Future

On February 3, 2016 during post-production on Shin Godzilla, Anno published a proposal for a sequel entitled Shin Godzilla Raids Again (シン・ゴジラの逆襲,   Shin Gojira no Gyakushū, lit. "Shin Godzilla's Counterattack") which would be helmed by Higuchi. Intended as a low-cost production for a 2018 release date, the film would adapt and expand upon footage from Shin Godzilla in a manner similar to the films of the Toho Champion Festival. Anno submitted a treatment and concept art to Toho as a gift, but the project never materialized, with him later declaring the pitch "premature."[14] By mid-2018, Toho's Chief Godzilla Officer Keiji Ota seemed to deny the possibility of a so-called "Shin Godzilla 2" in an interview with Nikkei Style, stating that the company was looking to create a new shared universe for Godzilla not unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe rather than cashing in on existing projects.[15]

During a press conference on April 9, 2023, Anno revealed that he had intentionally left the door open for a Shin Kamen Rider sequel, and was prepared to make one should Toei request it of him. He continued that he had already been planning a sequel at the same time he wrote Shin Kamen Rider, dubbing it Shin Kamen Rider: Masker World (シン・仮面ライダー 仮面の世界 (マスカーワールド),   Shin Kamen Rider: Masukā Wārudo). The film would feature Rider continuing his fight against SHOCKER, which has begun colluding with politicians and bureaucrats, as well as the Japanese government developing artificial intelligence to rival SHOCKER's.[16]

Campaigns

Godzilla vs. Evangelion

Main article: Godzilla vs. Evangelion.

Toho announced the production of a movie entitled Godzilla vs. Evangelion (ゴジラ対エヴァンゲリオン,   Gojira tai Evangerion) on April Fool's Day of 2016.[17] In actuality, it was revealed to be a merchandising collaboration to promote the upcoming Shin Godzilla.[18] In the ensuing months, a wide range of memorabilia and promotions were launched, including figures, a symphonic album by Shin Godzilla composer Shiro Sagisu, collaborations with the mobile games Monster Strike and Super Robot Wars X-Ω, and more.

Shin Japan Heroes Universe

SJHU logo.png

The Shin Japan Heroes Universe (シン・ジャパン・ヒーローズ・ユニバース,   Shin Japan Hīrōzu Yunibāsu, abbr. S.J.H.U.) is a collaborative project launched by Toho, khara, Tsuburaya Productions, and Toei.[19] Announced on February 13, 2022,[20] a website was launched the same day[21] with key art illustrated by Shin Godzilla designer Mahiro Maeda and a brand emblem designed by Super Sentai and Shin Kamen Rider artist Yutaka Izubuchi.[19] Crossing over the starring characters from the four Shin films, various events and merchandise have been launched as part of the project.

Shin Japan Heroes Amusement World

On May 17, 2022, the first collaboration of the four universes was revealed, known as the Shin Japan Heroes Amusement World. Events were held across three Bandai Namco stores throughout Japan: Yokohama's Bandai Namco Cross Store in July, Osaka's Umeda HEP FIVE in September, and Fukuoka's Bandai Namco Cross Store Hakata in November.[22] In Operation Shin 765, players embodied a Global Unknown Event Keepers agent who must protect the planet from Godzilla, Ultra Series kaiju, Angels, and Shocker. Operation to Repel Kaiju No. 8 was Shin Ultraman-themed and had players formulating a plan to defeat a newly-emerged kaiju. Shin Ultra Roulette allowed players to win Shin Ultraman prizes. Two VR attractions were included as well, with players pursuing Godzilla in a helicopter in the first and piloting an Eva unit in the second.

Gallery

Merchandise

Other media

Shorts

Television/web series

Attractions

Books

Video games

Trivia

  • Another movie called "Shin Kamen Rider" in Japan was produced by Toei in 1992. However, the shin portion of its title was written with the kanji for "true" (真) and it is officially translated either True Masked Rider: Prologue[23] or Masked Rider Shin.[24]
  • When Hideaki Anno remastered his Complete Thunderbirds compilation film in HD in 2021, the project was marketed under the name Shin Complete Thunderbirds.[25]
  • In order to capitalize on the success of Shin Godzilla, Amazing D.C. released the 2016 American film Atomic Shark to Japanese home video as Sin Jaws (シン・ジョーズ,   Shin Jōzu) in 2017.
    • The 2020 Chinese film Land Shark also received a release in Japan under the name Shin Jaws: Birth of the Strongest Creature (シン・ジョーズ 最強生物の誕生,   Shin Jōzu Saikyō Seibutsu no Tanjō) in 2021.

Notes

  1. Shin Godzilla was initially marketed as Godzilla Resurgence internationally, but was released in North America by Funimation under a translation of its Japanese title. It has since come to be known as "Shin Godzilla" in virtually all English-speaking regions.

References

This is a list of references for Shin series. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]

  1. ""シン・ジャパン・ヒーローズ・ユニバース"が始動! 『ゴジラ』『エヴァ』など、庵野秀明氏が参加する『シン・』シリーズ4作品による夢のコラボプロジェクト". Famitsu. 14 February 2022.
  2. Okamoto, Gensuke (14 February 2022). "庵野監督の「シン」シリーズ4作がコラボする「シン・ジャパン・ヒーローズ・ユニバース」発表!". Gizmodo Japan.
  3. Sakai, Takafumi (14 February 2022). "庵野秀明"ユニバース"始動。「シン・」シリーズ4作がコラボ". AV Watch.
  4. Komatsu, Mikikazu (23 September 2015). "Toho Opens Official Website for 2016 "Shin Godzilla" Film". Crunchyroll.
  5. "元祖「ゴジラ」完全新作として製作決定!2016年に12年ぶり復活". Eiga.com. 8 December 2014.
  6. "ゴジラ新作に長谷川博己、竹野内豊、石原さとみ タイトルは「シン・ゴジラ」". Sponichi Annex. 23 September 2015.
  7. "2016年(平成28年) 興行収入10億円以上番組" (PDF). Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  8. Irukura, Koichi (7 September 2016). "『シン・ゴジラ』平成シリーズ以降ナンバーワン動員!420万人突破". Cinema Today.
  9. Romero, Anthony (5 October 2015). "Box Office Records". Toho Kingdom. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  10. "第40回 日本アカデミー賞 最優秀賞決定!". Japan Academy Film Prize. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  11. "Further Evangelion Shin Gekijou Ban Details". Anime News Service. 9 September 2006. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013.
  12. "シン・エヴァンゲリオン劇場版". ja.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  13. "「シン・仮面ライダー」2023年3月公開で発表!". Ishimori Productions. 9 April 2021.
  14. "Lost Project: Shin Godzilla Raids Again". Toho Kingdom. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  15. Tomari, Takahiro (12 May 2018). "東宝の命運握る「ゴジラ戦略会議」 映画以外にも展開". Nikkei Style.
  16. "庵野秀明監督、『シン・仮面ライダー』続編に含み 現在は白紙も「構想は残っている」". Oricon News. 9 April 2023.
  17. @godzilla_jp (31 March 2016). "本日、劇場版『ゴジラ対エヴァンゲリオン』の製作を発表いたします!http://shin-godzilla.jp 乞う、御期待。#ゴジエヴァ #シンゴジラ". Twitter.
  18. @godzilla_jp (1 April 2016). "@godzilla_jp 4月1日も終わり…。映画製作はエイプリルフールの嘘情報でしたが、「ゴジラ対エヴァンゲリオン」コラボレーションによる、グッズやイラスト展開は、これから本格始動致します!http://shin-godzilla.jp/gvse/ #ゴジエヴァ #シンゴジラ". Twitter.
  19. 19.0 19.1 "『シン・ジャパン・ヒーローズ・ユニバース』始動!". Shin Japan Heroes Universe. 14 February 2022.
  20. @toho_movie (13 February 2022). "◤2022年、シン・時代が動き出す。◣『シン・』が繋いだ奇跡のプロジェクト『#シン・ジャパン・ヒーローズ・ユニバース』始動!日本を代表する"ヒーロー"4作品が夢のコラボレーション!『#シン・ゴジラ』『#シン・エヴァンゲリオン劇場版』『#シン・ウルトラマン』『#シン・仮面ライダー』". Twitter.
  21. @toho_movie (13 February 2022). "今後の施策についてはイベント・商品化など多岐にわたる内容を計画中です。この度立ち上がった『#シン・ジャパン・ヒーローズ・ユニバース』公式サイトにて逐次、お知らせしていきます。 2022年、シン・時代にご注目ください! #sjhu ▽公式サイト https://t.co/NfL6N8z4u5". Twitter.
  22. "Shin Japan Heroes Amusement World Brings Together Evangelion, Godzilla, Ultraman, Kamen Rider for Real-Life 'Dream Collaboration'". Crunchyroll. 16 May 2022.
  23. "Toei Official English Title List". SciFi Japan. 27 December 2019.
  24. TOEI TOKUSATSU WORLD OFFICIAL (5 April 2020). "MASKED RIDER SHIN". YouTube.
  25. https://gizmodo.com/hideaki-annos-thunderbirds-compilation-movie-is-getting-1847910665

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