#fear: reiwa ghost story

[spiraphobia]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story | Kawakami Juoku

[spiraphobia-scans]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story Vol. 1 | Chapter 4 - Face Correction

An omnibus of horror stories that explores relatable, everyday fears experienced in the contemporary Reiwa era. Each story in the series reflects modern anxieties, focusing on the fears lurking within daily life, which continue to escalate.

[frontproofmedia]

Dolo Flicks: Initial Reaction - Godzilla Minus One Rises Above the Current Era of Kaiju Films

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By Hector Franco

Follow @MrHector_Franco !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id))(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs'); Follow @Frontproofmedia!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id))(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');

Published: December 05, 2023

Godzilla Minus One’s smaller-scale story elevates it above its contemporaries.

In a movie landscape filled with multiple universes, keeping a story simple with a focus on characters can lead to a better overall experience. Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros studios have assembled their own cinematic universe aptly called the "Monsterverse" based on Godzilla and King Kong. At the same time, Japan's Toho Studios has started its own set of Godzilla-focused films with the 'Reiwa era.' The latest installment, Godzilla Minus One, is not only the best film of that franchise but is arguably the greatest Godzilla film ever made.

Godzilla Minus One was written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki. Amazingly, the director also did outstanding visual effects in the film. Even on a smaller budget than the vast majority of action blockbusters, Godzilla looks as menacing as ever in Godzilla Minus One.

The movie is set in Japan in the aftermath of World War II in the 1940s. The story follows kamikaze pilot Koichi Shikishima (Rynosuke Kamiki) and his encounters with the famous monster Godzilla. After Shikishima deserts his post and lands on Odo Island, claiming his plane had mechanical issues, Godzilla attacks the Japanese war garrison on the island, killing almost everyone. Shikishima is blamed by the head mechanic, Sosaku Tachibana, for the deaths on the island, as Shikishima is overcome with fear when he has the opportunity to fire on the monster.

One of the central themes explored throughout the film is one of survivor's guilt. Shikishima is ashamed of the circumstances that led to him surviving the war and can't move past it. The shame of not dying during the war as a kamikaze pilot and freezing in a moment of terror haunts him. Shikishima is given photos by Tachibana after the incident on Odo Island, serving as ghosts that won't allow him to move on with his life.

The exploration of Skikishima's mental state is delved deeper when he meets Noriko Oishi (Minami Hamabe). Shikishima allows Noriko and her pseudo-adopted baby Akiko to stay with him after an off-chance meeting. They essentially form a family. However, Shikishima never fully commits to Noriko and refuses to call her his wife, even after years of living in the same household.

Godzilla Minus One is not just a great Godzilla film but also one of the best movies of 2023.

Unlike its American counterparts, Godzilla Minus One has a smaller cast, allowing for a more intimate and focused story. There aren't secret government agencies or multiple monsters. The film is just as much a story of one man's struggle to move on with his life as it is a monster film. The tale of Shikishima, Noriko, and his partners on the Shinsei Maru minesweeper boat is relatable. It doesn't feel like the middling typical Hollywood stock that takes place between the monster battles; instead, it is genuine. The audience cares about these characters and what happens to them.

Although primarily holding a dramatic tone, Godzilla Minus One has some moments of levity. Shikishama's crewmembers consist of Kenji Noda (Hidetaka Yoshioka), Shiru Mizushima (Yuki Yamada), and Yoji Akitsu (Kuranosuke Sasaki), all bringing a comedic element to the movie. Akitsu, specifically at times, is reminiscent of an over-the-top anime character with some of his responses and loud communication.

The most significant difference between the Reiwa era and Monsterverse Godzilla films is the emphasis on how Godzilla is treated and portrayed. In Godzilla Minus One, the dinosaur-like creature isn't romanticized or garners any sympathy. There isn't some hackneyed connection between Godzilla and humans. He is a destructive force that brings about nothing but mayhem and terror anytime he is around humans. That added creative direction brings an element of suspense that other Godzilla films have been missing.

When Godzilla attacks the city of Ginza in Tokyo, people are running for their lives, showing the true nature and level of decimation that an attack by the famous creature can bring. These aren't empty cities used as a playground for a monster battle here. All of the action scenes featuring Godzilla are utilized to perfection. In the film's final act, citizens take it upon themselves to kill Godzilla without the government's help, which refuses to intervene. The ending action is arguably the most exciting since last year's Top Gun: Maverick.

From top to bottom, Godzilla Minus One succeeds on all levels. It provides a straightforward dramatic story about one man's inner grappling with guilt and shame in the backdrop of well-executed action pieces. Godzilla Minus One is not only the best Godzilla film but also one of the best of 2023.

(Featured Image: Toho Studios/Robot Communications)

[spiraphobia]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story | Kawakami Juoko

[spiraphobia]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story | Kawakami Juoku

[spiraphobia]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story | Kawakami Juoku

[spiraphobia-scans]

Project Announcement - Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story

Hey everyone, I have some news to share! Alongside Insomnia, I'm currently scanlating a newer horror manga series, Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story by Kawakami Juoku. I'll be alternating between Insomnia and this series depending on my mood! It's also a horror anthology, and I highly recommend it!

I'll be sharing the first chapter soon, and it's a long one - around 60 pages. I might have to break it into 2 parts here. I’ll also include a Mangadex link. Stay tuned!

[spiraphobia-scans]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story Vol. 1 | Chapter 2 - Dancing Shadow (2/2)

Click for Part 1 | Read it on Mangadex

[spiraphobia-scans]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story Vol. 2 | Chapter 11 - Image Generation AI

Another Fear release! I'm thinking that for anthologies, I should aim to release at least two in each update, since some of them are really short.

Read it on Mangadex.

Or read it below.

[spiraphobia-scans]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story Vol. 1 | Chapter 1 -Papa-katsu (2/2)

Click for Part 1 | Read it on Mangadex

[spiraphobia-scans]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story Vol. 1 | Chapter 2 - Dancing Shadow (1/2)

The manga explores relatable, everyday fears experienced in the contemporary Reiwa era, amplifying the horror by grounding it in ordinary experiences. Each story in the series reflects modern anxieties, focusing on the fears lurking within daily life, which continue to escalate.

To be continued in Part 2! Follow @spiraphobia-scans to be the first to read it.

[spiraphobia-scans]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story Vol. 2 | Chapter 7 - Retro

Finally, Volume 2! I love this cover. Most of you who follow me on my main blog know I'm really into supernatural and onryo themes in Japan, and I'm thrilled this anthology is full of them.

[spiraphobia-scans]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story Vol. 1 | Chapter 3 - Food Delivery

The manga explores relatable, everyday fears experienced in the contemporary Reiwa era, amplifying the horror by grounding it in ordinary experiences. Each story in the series reflects modern anxieties, focusing on the fears lurking within daily life, which continue to escalate.

[spiraphobia-scans]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story Vol. 2 | Chapter 9 - Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Ooh, I've always wanted to get one of these.

[spiraphobia-scans]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story Vol. 2 | Chapter 8 - Online Drinking Party

Well, this one really hits home for me - being a remote worker.

[spiraphobia-scans]

Fear: Reiwa Ghost Story Vol. 1 | Chapter 6 - Mask

Viva la end of Volume 1! The last chapter was a nightmare to edit and translate, which made this one feel so much easier. Anyway I hope you are enjoying the Reiwa Kaidan anthology so far.