News NHK's Daikaiju Gehara (2009)

Enshohma · #1 February 17th, 2009, 07:52 PM

And once again, a new Japanese giant monster project passes with little notice of American fans because Godzilla is not in the title...sorry, too dark, but it's kind of true;

It seems that Japan's NHK network is doing either a TV movie or full-blown television series dubbed Daikaiju Gehara, and although details are unavailable, Gehara itself has a bipedal, long necked, dinosaurian design, but with long strands of black body hair that sheds off during his rampages.

Here are some images, from what few I could find:

Japanese site about a recent press conference (scroll down):

http://journal.mycom.co.jp/news/2009/02/15/001/

Full body design art can be found here:

http://www.nhk.or.jp/paphooo/project/gehara.html

UltramanLah's thread on the matter (need to be a member though, but then again, nothing new then what's been posted above):

http://ultramanlah.com/community/ind...?topic=18356.0

Now again, I'm in the dark as much as you guys will undoubtedly be, BUT if I find more information I'll share it all the same. And although the design is a little off-putting, it's just good to know there's more then just Deep Sea Monster Raiga and Ultra Galaxy NEO to look forward to.

UPDATE:

Here's what August Ragone over at Monster Zero had to say on this project:

Quote:

I read about this last month in "Uchusen" magazine... 「長髪大怪獣ゲハラ」 (Chohatsu Daikaiju Gehara) or LONG-HAIRED GIANT MONSTER: GEHARA* is the full title.

This made for TV movie is yet another parody of the genre (one of the JSDF plans to stop Gehara is called "Operation Perm"!?), and was conceived and written by cult entertainer Jun Miura, and production helmed and supervised by visual effects wizard and director Shinji Higuchi for the NHK network. GEHARA was directed by visual effects artist Kiyotaka Taguchi, who recently produced the indie kaiju movie G, and will air in Japan on February 24th.

Here's the cast for GEHARA: Ken Osawa (Samurai Fiction) as Hideo Akihara, San Diego-born Mina Fujii as Momoko Akihara, Mitsuko Oka (Virus) as Tsuruko Akihara, Shiro Sano (Godzilla 2000) as Professor Mikami, Tomorowo Taguchi (Bullet Ballet) as the Shrine Priest, Kanji Tsuda (Gamera the Brave) as Kubo the Fisherman, Hiroyuki Watanabe (Ultraman Gaia) as JSDF Commander, Pierre Taki (Always: Sunset on Third Street) as the Tank Commander and comedian Terry Ito.

*Ghosts and monsters (Obake, Yurei and Yokai) with long hair have traditionally been considered scary by Japanese standards, as seen in films like KWAIDAN (1964) and EXTE (2007).

August has even more Gehara information at his blog:

http://augustragone.blogspot.com/

G2KMaster · #2 February 17th, 2009, 08:33 PM

Gehara looks more like an overgrown yokai than a kaiju. Anyway, it looks cool. But one thing: why keep on going with kaiju? Gamera The Brave failed, Guilala's Countterattack failed, "G" was never heard of at the box office, and we have yet to see the Battleship Yamato vs. Daikaiju Ragio film shown. The only thing that seems good is Ultraman. I give my best wishes to this project...

Avery Guerra · #3 February 17th, 2009, 09:32 PM

WOW!! Awesome find 'Enshohma'!! Lovin' the crazy weird look of this kaiju. Hopefully we'll find out more soon.

Monsturra-Jake · #4 February 17th, 2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G2KMaster

Gehara looks more like an overgrown yokai than a kaiju. Anyway, it looks cool. But one thing: why keep on going with kaiju? Gamera The Brave failed, Guilala's Countterattack failed, "G" was never heard of at the box office, and we have yet to see the Battleship Yamato vs. Daikaiju Ragio film shown. The only thing that seems good is Ultraman. I give my best wishes to this project...

I find your lack of faith disturbing....

Ok, enough imitation, but what is it with the box office thing. It's like "boo-hoo, kaiju aren't popular in Japan anymore". I never care if they were popular, I always have liked them.

Sorry, guys, it just gets on my nerves when someone says stuff like this.

Back to the thread itself, that is one interesting looking monster. It feels like a Showa movie with a terrifying (albeit silly) looking creature. The poster art doesn't help thing.

Morgoth · #5 February 17th, 2009, 11:18 PM

Hope it comes stateside. Never enough kaiju films and with Godzilla out of the way, now is certainly teh time for other projects to make their appearance.

As for box office, stop thinking like one of the ******* studio suits!

August · #6 February 18th, 2009, 04:34 AM

Group,
Check out my blog for the straight poop on this made-for-television mini-movie supervised by Shinji Higuchi:
http://augustragone.blogspot.com/

Enshohma · #7 February 18th, 2009, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

Group,
Check out my blog for the straight poop on this made-for-television mini-movie supervised by Shinji Higuchi:
http://augustragone.blogspot.com/

Thanks for all your help man, it's always welcomed...guess we unleashed the flood waters by mentioning this project, huh?

August · #8 February 18th, 2009, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enshohma

Thanks for all your help man, it's always welcomed...guess we unleashed the flood waters by mentioning this project, huh?

Yeah, I was wondering what to write about it... I also waffled on posting a story on RAIGA, and then it was too late... Anyhow, your post on GEHARA got me off of my butt -- thanks!

Mecha74 · #9 February 18th, 2009, 05:09 AM

It looks good, but I'm really not fond of parodies myself, was hoping for something more serious.

But thanks for the heads up in any case guys.

G2KMaster · #10 February 18th, 2009, 11:55 AM

I feel confortable since this has been left to Higuchi... G Trilogy all the way along with GMK...

Tokyo VigilanteX · #11 February 18th, 2009, 02:00 PM

Another foray into Kaiju Comedy, eh?

Hopefully this fairs better then the last giant monster flick that tried to be funny (I'm looking at you, Guilala.)

G2KMaster · #12 February 18th, 2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tokyo VigilanteX

Another foray into Kaiju Comedy, eh?

Hopefully this fairs better then the last giant monster flick that tried to be funny (I'm looking at you, Guilala.)

Whoa, no Guilala hate! People in Japan hated Guilala because it was most made of Robot Chicken/Fam Guy/ATHF type of humor and not smart humor. I prefer toilet humor.

Avery Guerra · #13 February 18th, 2009, 05:28 PM

I think it looks like a blast. Yeah, I'm not so thrilled about every new kaiju film coming from Japan having to be a parody; "Big Man Japan", "The Monster X Strikes Back: Attack The G8 Summit", and now this one, but at least the concept actually sounds funny. Too bad it's only a 15 minute short but it does say that it's creators wish for sequels so hopefully that'll happen. Thought I'd get the flick a little publicity:
http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php...ara-the-hairy/
and:
http://robojapan.blogspot.com/2009/0...er-gehara.html
and:
http://godzillaaslum.webs.com/apps/b...est-kaiju-news
and:
http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/tire...-haired-kaiju/
It makes me now wonder if we might just get this one attached to the "G." dvd as an added bonus since both are shorts and could combine to make the disc the length of a feature?? Now if only we could get an exclusive from 'Sci-Fi Japan'? Also; hopefully you'll keep us informed August?

Monsturra-Jake · #14 February 19th, 2009, 11:02 PM

Too bad it's just another parody. I personally think it would've worked as a full out serious movie.

Avery Guerra · #15 March 1st, 2009, 10:04 PM

Just came across this piece of artwork but really couldn't tell you guys if it's actually a production sketch or just fan art??:
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/best-dreamer_n...f6139419eff313
Still looks nice either way.
Also just found this link posted on 'ClubTokyo/MonsterZero' forums of a vinyl of the kaiju:
http://www.marmit.co.jp/tuhan2/kt-222a.html

Avery Guerra · #16 March 2nd, 2009, 07:09 PM

Check out the latest news on this crazy looking flick at 'UnDead BackBrain' including a new batch of pics and materials from the film including a Brazilian video clip review of it I found on line:

http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php...y-kaijus-hair/

Avery Guerra · #17 March 3rd, 2009, 02:41 AM

WOW!! [Sorry about the triple posting but it's worth it:] I hit the jackpot and now we have a HUGE new scoop full of tons of pics, including a revised version of the poster and even making-of/behind-the-scenes pics!! Check it!!:

http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php...image-gallery/

G2KMaster · #18 March 3rd, 2009, 10:07 PM

Well, the first link by Avery is fan art... translated the page, it is a blog... As for the vinyl, holy crap. The other two links are just awesome. My excitement would peak if only this film had the remote chance of being released here in the states on tv or DVD...

Avery Guerra · #19 March 3rd, 2009, 10:34 PM

My excitement's stemming from that HUGE new batch of pics I found. Hopefully it will land on DVD here in the states and perhaps even get some festival screenings. I could definitely see it included on the "G." disc.

:

*SPOILER ALERT* HERE IT IS!!!!!! THE ENTIRE SHORT!!!!!!:

http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php...ehara-is-here/

Tars Tarkas · #20 March 5th, 2009, 12:13 AM

I downloaded the vids to watch later. We'll see how this one goes.

Enshohma · #21 March 5th, 2009, 05:00 AM

Although Gehara may be a short 15 minute TV movie, the good news is that it's quite impressive production wise, an uneven but surprisingly effective mix of serious and comical, an insane Monster Zero-inspired twist, and a cool preview for a spectacular sequel.

Even better...it's now online!

PART 1
http://video.nifty.com/cs/catalog/vi...25175280_1.htm

PART 2
http://video.nifty.com/cs/catalog/vi...25175310_1.htm

Despite early impressions of his design by fans ("ewww...too sentai"), Gehara is a pretty mean customer, and is an early candidate for Best Giant Monster Newcomer of 2009. I especially love the poisonous burning hair bit, and the destruction his extensions causes in the end teaser.

Plus if we get a sequel...looks like we might get an Ultraman-style giantess in the mix...just watch Part 2 and you'll see the Beta Capsule gag near the end.

********

Not Gehara related, but kind of in the same spirit; Polysic's music video for their take on [i]Domo Arigato Mr Robotto[i], with a giant robot on the rampage...and beyond the model set.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9-_Ss4X8Ec

********

Okay, just now as I'm about to post this, do I notice the Avery Guerra link...but hey, more sources the better, right?

G2KMaster · #22 March 5th, 2009, 04:32 PM

Nice! Thanks for the update...

It's online. I shall watch it and make a DVD, or am I?

August · #23 March 6th, 2009, 09:39 PM

Go to my blog (the link is in my signature) and you'll find the links to watch GEHARA right now! Go to the GEHARA story and go to the updated links!

Avery Guerra · #24 March 6th, 2009, 09:43 PM

^It's already been posted here for a 3 days guys as discovered by me on the "UnDead BackBrain". [Points again to about 5 posts before this one] Either way; much appreciated.

August · #25 March 7th, 2009, 03:46 AM

I'm sorry you discovered GEHARA first, Avery. As I stated in another forum, there's no competition here -- unless being the first somehow validates your existence? Wow. Cool your jets, dude. A friend of mine in Japan gave me the heads up to the clips, and I didn't get around to posting about it until today. I don't read every single post on every single board, because I have a life. Once I got the information together, I posted here. What's the big deal that I did it after you? I wasn't aware that you "discovered" the clips before anyone else on earth did. Sheesh.