Gamera Day

What Is Gamera Day?

November 27th is "Gamera Day" in Japan. It marks the release of the monster movie "Gamera, the Giant Monster" (Daikaiju Gamera) by Daiei (now KADOKAWA) on November 27, 1965. Gamera, a giant turtle-like monster, first appeared on screen in this film.

Sixty Years of a Giant Turtle Monster

Gamera is a giant monster in the form of a turtle with a shell. Following the success of the first film, it became a series, with new works created for each era.

• Origin of the date: The film "Gamera, the Giant Monster" was released on November 27, 1965
• Produced by: Daiei (now KADOKAWA)
• The series: Eight films in the Showa era and four in the Heisei era, plus an anime adaptation in 2023
• 60th anniversary: The "Gamera 60th Anniversary Project" was held in 2025

The Heisei Trilogy Brought Gamera Back into the Spotlight

The so-called "Heisei Gamera Trilogy" of the 1990s won new fans with its emphasis on realistic depiction. Actor Ohashi Akira, who played Gamera in the trilogy, has said he drew on Bruce Lee for his performance, and has noted that Gamera Day falls on November 27th -- the same day as Bruce Lee's birthday.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Watch a Gamera film, such as the original or the Heisei trilogy
• Compare the Showa and Heisei versions of Gamera
• Chat about the monsters and heroes you loved as a child
• Read about the special-effects techniques used in tokusatsu films

A Japanese Monster Loved Across Generations

More than half a century after its debut, Gamera continues to win new fans. November 27th is a day to go meet this giant hero of the screen once again.