Interview with Kofumi Shizuno and Hiroyuki Seshimo, directors of the animated film "GODZILLA: Cessation Mobile Multiplex City!

The second chapter of the "GODZILLA" animated film series, "GODZILLA: Crusade on Mobile Cities," will be released on May 18.

In the first chapter, Haruo and his friends seemed to have narrowly defeated Godzilla. However, a far more massive "Godzilla Earth" appeared. In the second chapter, Mechagodzilla and the Futua, a species similar to humans that survived on Earth 20,000 years later, make their appearance, and the drama reaches its climax.

We interviewed the two directors behind the film, Kobun Shizuno and Hiroyuki Seshimo, to learn more about how they created the film.

─ First of all, please tell us about your impressions of "GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters," the first film in the series.

Shizuno: We recently held a one-night re-screening of the film, and I was impressed by the number of young women who came, which made me happy. At the first stage greeting, there were quite a lot of older people and men, but after the screening at movie theaters and the Netflix distribution, I realized that there were a lot of women who came to see the film.

Seshita: Toho's original strategy for the animated version of "GODZILLA" was to introduce Godzilla to the younger generation, especially those who had never seen Godzilla before, so I am glad to hear that the film has been accepted by men and women of all ages, just as you said.

───As this is the first animated film in the "Godzilla" series, were you nervous?

Shizuno: To be honest, I wasn't very familiar with Godzilla, but the staff was very strong, so I relied on them all and focused on how much of my strengths I could put into the film.

Seshita: In my case, Toho told me early on that I did not need to be aware of the traditions of the live-action version of Godzilla, and that "Shin Godzilla" had taken over the royal road of Toho special effects, so I decided to be free to stretch out in the animation version. I made such a confirmation before entering this job, but there is still a bit of pressure (laughs).

──What is your impression of the title "Godzilla"?

Shizuno: I know the name Godzilla, and even if I have never seen the movie, I have the impression that the character is so famous that I somehow know what Godzilla looks like. However, he is so famous that even if I were to suddenly learn about his work and accumulate a lot of knowledge, I would be immediately recognized as a "mere nun," so I thought it would be better if I listened to the opinions of true Godzilla fans while creating this project. Mr. Seshita was very knowledgeable, so he taught me a lot of things while I was making the film.

Seshita: I am very sorry. Compared to the deep Godzilla fans out there, I am an extremely lightweight fan (laughs). (laugh). Therefore, rather than inheriting the bold worldview and style of the original "Godzilla," I approached this work with the mindset of "......," in which I would cite elements that could easily be utilized to advantage in an anime.

─ ─ So you are quoting rather than inheriting?

Seshita Yes. If I were to use a family tree analogy, I would say that the successor to the family is definitely "Shin Godzilla". We are like that. ...... cousins? (laugh) It's like the main family and the branch family, or like warlords in the Warring States period who were relatives but had different surnames. That's why the title of this film is in English. Incidentally, the alphabet was specified by Toho.

──Did you decide on this title with an eye toward overseas development?

Shizuno: Rather than going overseas out of the blue, I think it is more likely that we will first place importance on the Japanese market, and then go overseas. First of all, we were told that we wanted to win over Japanese fans.

I think we were able to include elements that Godzilla fans will enjoy more than in the first chapter.

─ What are the highlights of the second chapter, "GODZILLA: Crusade on Mobile Multiplex City"?

Shizuno: From the beginning, a strange beautiful girl suddenly appears (laughs), we go underground and fight an unknown creature, and Mechagodzilla appears (......). In the first chapter, we focused on the battle with Godzilla and attacked that, but in the second chapter, we are going to develop more and more elements that will make people enjoy "Planet of the Monsters". In that sense, I think we were able to include elements that Godzilla fans will enjoy more than in the first chapter.

Seshita: The rest of the film is a raging ensemble drama that depicts Haruo, the main character, in his further anguish, conflicts, and struggles. This is the part of the human drama that we hope you will look forward to the most.

─ ─ Personally, I was impressed by the scene in the middle of the film where the relationship between the three races of humans, Birsaldo, and Exif is in jeopardy. Did Mr. Kyubuchi, the series director, come up with the idea for such a tense development?

Shizuno: Yes, that's right. I think it is wonderful that there is a kind of mythological structure in Mr. Urobuchi's original idea. The gods and ideas of each humanoid race clash with each other. I think that is where the true charm of this story lies.

Seshita About three years ago, when this project first started, Director Shizuno said that he wanted the camera to follow the main character, in the sense that this would be an anime and "our own Godzilla film. Both Mr. Shizuno and Mr. Urobuchi were very much in favor of this idea, and we agreed that it should be a human drama. I think that became the pillar of this work.

─ ─ I am very curious about what the twins, Maina and Miana, who appear in the film, think about Haruo.

Shizuno: In the second chapter, they are mysterious characters of the Hutua tribe, but I would like you to look forward to the third chapter to see what kind of feelings they have for Haruo.

─ ─ From the second chapter, a robot called Vulture appears. As a fan of robot anime, I can't wait to see this machine.

Seshita I am glad to hear you say so.

Shizuno: In the first chapter, it was a rugged robot, but in the second chapter, it suddenly becomes a super robot.

Seshimo: In the first chapter, the robot is a heavy machine that was used to develop a new planet and is forced to fight in a battle. Some of you may have wondered why the movements were so sluggish, but this was foreshadowing for the difference between the second chapter and the first. By the way, those who like the powered suits of the first chapter can also enjoy the first half of the movie.