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m (clean up, replaced: ==See also== → ==See Also==, {{kaiju}} → kaiju (5), {{kaiju|s}} → kaiju, {{TohoCo}} → Toho, Atragon (1963 film) → Atragon (film), Rodan (1956 film) → Rodan (film), [[The Mysterians (1957 film)|The Mysterians]...)
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[[File:DAM.jpg|right|250px|Many of the Showa Godzilla monsters in ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'']]The '''Showa series''' {{Nihongo|昭和シリーズ|Shōwa shirīzu}}, also known as '''Showa era''' and '''Showa period''', is a term used to identify the years between 1926 and 1989 under the reign of Japanese Emperor Hirohito.
[[File:DAM.jpg|right|250px|Many of the Showa Godzilla monsters in ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'']]The '''Showa series''' {{Nihongo|昭和シリーズ|Shōwa shirīzu}}, also known as '''Showa era''' and '''Showa period''', is a term used to identify the years between 1926 and 1989 under the reign of Japanese Emperor Hirohito.


The [[Godzilla (1954 film)|first Godzilla film]] was to begin the Showa era of the {{kaiju}} industry, and Godzilla is the usual {{kaiju}} to be affiliated with this era. During the beginning of this era, Godzilla was mainly antagonistic in nature, taking on the likes of [[Anguirus]] and [[Mothra]]. By the time of ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'', Godzilla adopted what would soon become his most famous image: a heroic monster, battling terrible villains with other monsters by his side.
The [[Godzilla (1954 film)|first Godzilla film]] was to begin the Showa era of the [[kaiju]] industry, and Godzilla is the usual [[kaiju]] to be affiliated with this era. During the beginning of this era, Godzilla was mainly antagonistic in nature, taking on the likes of [[Anguirus]] and [[Mothra]]. By the time of ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'', Godzilla adopted what would soon become his most famous image: a heroic monster, battling terrible villains with other monsters by his side.


The Showa era saw many other film studios such as [[Kadokawa#Daiei Motion Picture Company, Ltd.|Daei]], [[:Category:Shochiku|Shochiku]] and [[Nikkatsu Corporation|Nikkatsu]] attempt to enter the new genres of [[Tokusatsu]] and {{kaiju}} films with their own creations, including [[Gamera]], [[Daimajin]], [[Guilala]] and [[Gappa]].
The Showa era saw many other film studios such as [[Kadokawa#Daiei Motion Picture Company, Ltd.|Daei]], [[:Category:Shochiku|Shochiku]] and [[Nikkatsu Corporation|Nikkatsu]] attempt to enter the new genres of [[Tokusatsu]] and [[kaiju]] films with their own creations, including [[Gamera]], [[Daimajin]], [[Guilala]] and [[Gappa]].


After the formation of [[Tsuburaya Productions]] and the creation of their most famous series, the ''Ultraman'' franchise, Toho produced a significant number of tokusatsu television programs in the Showa era, one of which, ''[[Zone Fighter (Series)|Zone Fighter]]'', even featured appearances by Godzilla and some of his other monster co-stars and is considered part of the official [[:Category:Showa Continuity|continuity]] of the Showa Godzilla films.
After the formation of [[Tsuburaya Productions]] and the creation of their most famous series, the ''Ultraman'' franchise, Toho produced a significant number of tokusatsu television programs in the Showa era, one of which, ''[[Zone Fighter (Series)|Zone Fighter]]'', even featured appearances by Godzilla and some of his other monster co-stars and is considered part of the official [[:Category:Showa Continuity|continuity]] of the Showa Godzilla films.
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==Films==<!-- King Kong vs. Godzilla is considered by some kaiju scholars to be a "soft-reboot" of the franchise (i.e., moving the series in a lighter fantasy-driven direction, all of Godzilla's designs lacking the prominent fangs and ears of the original two films, the removal of the fourth toe, etc). The seven theatrical films produced between 1962 and 1968 were shown with co-features in Toho owned theaters nationwide to a general audience. The Matsuri-era films have LONG been considered a separate series, even though they share the same continuity with their predecessors, taking place BEFORE the events shown in Destroy All Monsters, the original planned ending of the Godzilla series  -->
==Films==<!-- King Kong vs. Godzilla is considered by some kaiju scholars to be a "soft-reboot" of the franchise (i.e., moving the series in a lighter fantasy-driven direction, all of Godzilla's designs lacking the prominent fangs and ears of the original two films, the removal of the fourth toe, etc). The seven theatrical films produced between 1962 and 1968 were shown with co-features in Toho owned theaters nationwide to a general audience. The Matsuri-era films have LONG been considered a separate series, even though they share the same continuity with their predecessors, taking place BEFORE the events shown in Destroy All Monsters, the original planned ending of the Godzilla series  -->
===Godzilla Series===
===Godzilla Series===
While all the Showa Godzilla films (except ''[[All Monsters Attack]]'') share continuity with each other, the Showa Godzilla series can be divided into three subsections. The first two films in the Godzilla series were produced in 1954 and 1955, and were followed by a seven-year hiatus during which Toho produced several other {{kaiju}} films. The series was revived in 1962 with ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'', after which a new film was produced almost annually throughout the 1960's. 1968's ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'' was originally planned to be the final Godzilla film, but Toho went on to produce six more films afterward from 1969 to 1975, which are collectively referred to by some as the "''Matsuri''" sub-era. The ''Matsuri'' sub-era in particular cemented Godzilla's image as a heroic monster 'superhero,' and all of its films take place chronologically after ''[[Son of Godzilla]]'' but before ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'', with the exception of ''All Monsters Attack'', which is set in its own continuity. The series was placed on hiatus again after the box office failure of ''[[Terror of Mechagodzilla]]'' in 1975, and despite several attempts by Toho to continue the series another Godzilla film would not be produced until 1984, thus beginning the [[Heisei era|Heisei series]].
While all the Showa Godzilla films (except ''[[All Monsters Attack]]'') share continuity with each other, the Showa Godzilla series can be divided into three subsections. The first two films in the Godzilla series were produced in 1954 and 1955, and were followed by a seven-year hiatus during which Toho produced several other [[kaiju]] films. The series was revived in 1962 with ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'', after which a new film was produced almost annually throughout the 1960's. 1968's ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'' was originally planned to be the final Godzilla film, but Toho went on to produce six more films afterward from 1969 to 1975, which are collectively referred to by some as the "''Matsuri''" sub-era. The ''Matsuri'' sub-era in particular cemented Godzilla's image as a heroic monster 'superhero,' and all of its films take place chronologically after ''[[Son of Godzilla]]'' but before ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'', with the exception of ''All Monsters Attack'', which is set in its own continuity. The series was placed on hiatus again after the box office failure of ''[[Terror of Mechagodzilla]]'' in 1975, and despite several attempts by Toho to continue the series another Godzilla film would not be produced until 1984, thus beginning the [[Heisei era|Heisei series]].
====Original Duology (1954-1955)====
====Original Duology (1954-1955)====
*''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1954)
*''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1954)
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*''[[Gamera: Super Monster]]'' (1980)
*''[[Gamera: Super Monster]]'' (1980)
===Other Toho Films===
===Other Toho Films===
In addition to the Godzilla series, {{TohoCo}} produced numerous other {{kaiju}} and science-fiction films during the Showa era, some of which would introduce monsters that would go on to make appearances in the Godzilla series.
In addition to the Godzilla series, [[Toho]] produced numerous other [[kaiju]] and science-fiction films during the Showa era, some of which would introduce monsters that would go on to make appearances in the Godzilla series.
*''[[Invisible Man]]'' (1954)
*''[[Invisible Man]]'' (1954)
*''[[Half Human]]'' (1955)
*''[[Half Human]]'' (1955)
*''[[Rodan (1956 film)|Rodan]]'' (1956)
*''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'' (1956)
*''[[The Mysterians (1957 film)|The Mysterians]]'' (1957)
*''[[The Mysterians]]'' (1957)
*''[[Varan (1958 film)|Varan]]'' (1958)
*''[[Varan (film)|Varan]]'' (1958)
*''[[H-Man (1958 film)|H-Man]]'' (1958)
*''[[H-Man (film)|H-Man]]'' (1958)
*''[[The Birth of Japan]]'' (1959)
*''[[The Birth of Japan]]'' (1959)
*''[[Battle in Outer Space]]'' (1959)
*''[[Battle in Outer Space]]'' (1959)
*''[[The Secret of the Telegian]]'' (1960)
*''[[The Secret of the Telegian]]'' (1960)
*''[[The Human Vapor]]'' (1960)
*''[[The Human Vapor]]'' (1960)
*''[[Mothra (1961 film)|Mothra]]'' (1961)
*''[[Mothra (film)|Mothra]]'' (1961)
*''[[Gorath (1962 film)|Gorath]]'' (1962)
*''[[Gorath (film)|Gorath]]'' (1962)
*''[[Atragon (1963 film)|Atragon]]'' (1963)
*''[[Atragon (film)|Atragon]]'' (1963)
*''[[Matango (1963 film)|Matango]]'' (1963)
*''[[Matango (film)|Matango]]'' (1963)
*''[[Dogora (1964 film)|Dogora]]'' (1964)
*''[[Dogora (film)|Dogora]]'' (1964)
*''[[Frankenstein vs. Baragon]]'' (1965)
*''[[Frankenstein vs. Baragon]]'' (1965)
*''[[War of the Gargantuas]]'' (1966)
*''[[War of the Gargantuas]]'' (1966)
*''[[King Kong Escapes]]'' (1967)
*''[[King Kong Escapes]]'' (1967)
*''[[Latitude Zero]]'' (1969)
*''[[Latitude Zero]]'' (1969)
*''[[Space Amoeba (1970 film)|Space Amoeba]]'' (1970)
*''[[Space Amoeba]]'' (1970)
*''[[Daigoro vs. Goliath]]'' (1972)
*''[[Daigoro vs. Goliath]]'' (1972)
*''[[Submersion of Japan]]'' (1973)
*''[[Submersion of Japan]]'' (1973)
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===Other Films===
===Other Films===
*''[[The X from Outer Space]]'' (1967)
*''[[The X from Outer Space]]'' (1967)
*''[[Gappa (1967 film)|Gappa]]'' (1967)
*''[[Gappa (film)|Gappa]]'' (1967)
==Television==
==Television==
During the late 1960's, Toho began producing numerous [[tokusatsu]] television series, many featuring {{kaiju|s}}, in a similar vein to [[Tsuburaya Productions]]' popular [[w:c:ultra:Ultra Series|Ultra Series]]. Two of these series, ''[[Go! Godman]]'' and ''[[Go! Greenman]]'', often reused monsters from other Toho shows or even from some of Toho's films, including the Godzilla films. The series ''[[Zone Fighter (Series)|Zone Fighter]]'' is particularly notable for featuring guest appearances from [[Godzilla]] himself, along with his costars [[Gigan]] and [[King Ghidorah]]. ''Zone Fighter'' is considered to be part of the continuity of the Showa Godzilla films, set between the events of ''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'' and ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla]]''.
During the late 1960's, Toho began producing numerous [[tokusatsu]] television series, many featuring [[kaiju]], in a similar vein to [[Tsuburaya Productions]]' popular [[w:c:ultra:Ultra Series|Ultra Series]]. Two of these series, ''[[Go! Godman]]'' and ''[[Go! Greenman]]'', often reused monsters from other Toho shows or even from some of Toho's films, including the Godzilla films. The series ''[[Zone Fighter (Series)|Zone Fighter]]'' is particularly notable for featuring guest appearances from [[Godzilla]] himself, along with his costars [[Gigan]] and [[King Ghidorah]]. ''Zone Fighter'' is considered to be part of the continuity of the Showa Godzilla films, set between the events of ''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'' and ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla]]''.
*''[[He of the Sun]]'' (1967)
*''[[He of the Sun]]'' (1967)
*''[[Agon: Atomic Dragon]]'' (1968)
*''[[Agon: Atomic Dragon]]'' (1968)
Line 411: Line 411:
*[[Despair]]
*[[Despair]]
*[[Dagger]]
*[[Dagger]]
==See also==
==See Also==
*[[Heisei era]]
*[[Heisei era]]
*[[Millennium era]]
*[[Millennium era]]

Revision as of 06:12, 4 March 2017

Series
← None
Showa
Heisei →
Many of the Showa Godzilla monsters in Destroy All Monsters

The Showa series (昭和シリーズ,   Shōwa shirīzu), also known as Showa era and Showa period, is a term used to identify the years between 1926 and 1989 under the reign of Japanese Emperor Hirohito.

The first Godzilla film was to begin the Showa era of the kaiju industry, and Godzilla is the usual kaiju to be affiliated with this era. During the beginning of this era, Godzilla was mainly antagonistic in nature, taking on the likes of Anguirus and Mothra. By the time of Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, Godzilla adopted what would soon become his most famous image: a heroic monster, battling terrible villains with other monsters by his side.

The Showa era saw many other film studios such as Daei, Shochiku and Nikkatsu attempt to enter the new genres of Tokusatsu and kaiju films with their own creations, including Gamera, Daimajin, Guilala and Gappa.

After the formation of Tsuburaya Productions and the creation of their most famous series, the Ultraman franchise, Toho produced a significant number of tokusatsu television programs in the Showa era, one of which, Zone Fighter, even featured appearances by Godzilla and some of his other monster co-stars and is considered part of the official continuity of the Showa Godzilla films.

Films

Godzilla Series

While all the Showa Godzilla films (except All Monsters Attack) share continuity with each other, the Showa Godzilla series can be divided into three subsections. The first two films in the Godzilla series were produced in 1954 and 1955, and were followed by a seven-year hiatus during which Toho produced several other kaiju films. The series was revived in 1962 with King Kong vs. Godzilla, after which a new film was produced almost annually throughout the 1960's. 1968's Destroy All Monsters was originally planned to be the final Godzilla film, but Toho went on to produce six more films afterward from 1969 to 1975, which are collectively referred to by some as the "Matsuri" sub-era. The Matsuri sub-era in particular cemented Godzilla's image as a heroic monster 'superhero,' and all of its films take place chronologically after Son of Godzilla but before Destroy All Monsters, with the exception of All Monsters Attack, which is set in its own continuity. The series was placed on hiatus again after the box office failure of Terror of Mechagodzilla in 1975, and despite several attempts by Toho to continue the series another Godzilla film would not be produced until 1984, thus beginning the Heisei series.

Original Duology (1954-1955)

Revival (1962-1968)

Matsuri sub-era (1969-1975)

Gamera Series

The Showa Gamera series ran from 1965 to 1980, and consists of eight films. The final film in the Showa Gamera series, Gamera: Super Monster, was produced nine years after the previous film, Gamera vs. Zigra, due to Daiei going bankrupt. Super Monster's monster scenes consist almost entirely of stock footage from previous films, and its continuity with the rest of the Showa Gamera series is unclear.

Other Toho Films

In addition to the Godzilla series, Toho produced numerous other kaiju and science-fiction films during the Showa era, some of which would introduce monsters that would go on to make appearances in the Godzilla series.

Other Daiei Films

Other Films

Television

During the late 1960's, Toho began producing numerous tokusatsu television series, many featuring kaiju, in a similar vein to Tsuburaya Productions' popular Ultra Series. Two of these series, Go! Godman and Go! Greenman, often reused monsters from other Toho shows or even from some of Toho's films, including the Godzilla films. The series Zone Fighter is particularly notable for featuring guest appearances from Godzilla himself, along with his costars Gigan and King Ghidorah. Zone Fighter is considered to be part of the continuity of the Showa Godzilla films, set between the events of Godzilla vs. Megalon and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.

Monsters Introduced

Godzilla Series

Gamera Series

Other

Television

See Also

Trivia

  • The Showa series is the longest of the defined eras of Godzilla films, lasting for 21 years and 15 films.
  • Politically, The Return of Godzilla is a Showa film, as it was the last film to be made in the Showa era of Japan, with the Heisei era beginning on the 8th of January 1989.
  • Despite the fact that the Showa era of the Godzilla franchise concluded in 1975, several unmade films that were to be released during the latter years of the 1970's indicate that this hiatus may have been unintended, with each successive cancellation further increasing the length of the hiatus.
  • This era features the majority of appearances for several monsters. Rodan, for example, appears in four films (or around 10, including stock footage appearances) in the Showa era, whereas in the Heisei and Millennium eras, he only has one appearance in each.
  • With the exception of Mechagodzilla, none of the monsters and mechas introduced in the Godzilla series after Invasion of Astro-Monster made any appearances in the Heisei series. Ebirah, Minilla, Kamacuras, Kumonga, Hedorah, Gigan and King Caesar were all reintroduced in the final film of the Millennium series, Godzilla: Final Wars, leaving Gabara, Megalon, Jet Jaguar and Titanosaurus as the only characters to have not appeared in a film since their debut, with the exception of cameos, stock footage, and appearances in other media.
Era Icon - Showa.png


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