Godzilla Minus Zero, the hotly anticipated follow-up to 2023’s Godzilla Minus One, made a huge impact at the Tokyo International Festival on Sunday. The sequel, which is being seen as the “centerpiece film” of the festival, screened to sold-out crowds, with many audience members in costume or carrying figurines of the popular kaiju.
Both screenings were said to have an extremely energetic reaction from audiences, with audiences bursting into applause as the credits rolled and cheering and smiling throughout the moments of large-scale kaiju destruction. The reactions are especially ironic, given that the screenings took place at the Hulic Hall Tokyo in Ginza, the city where much of the Godzilla action occurs in the film.
Before both screenings, the film’s two leads, Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe, took the stage to introduce it. Kamiki, who plays the protagonist, Shikishima, stated that he was “excited” but “a bit scared,” as he could “feel people’s anticipation building as the film’s opening is now very close.”
Hanebe, who plays Shikishima’s wife, then added that the first film was “beloved by fans all over the world, and that “Now, for the sequel, well, we need it to be even bigger and better,” then adding that she was “just curious to see how people will receive it.”
After these comments, both actors brought child actress Sae Nagatani onstage, who plays their daughter, Akiko, in the film. Kamiki introduced Nagatani, saying, “Together, we play the Shikishima family, and that wouldn’t be complete without our Akiko.” Kamiki then goes on to give a brief plot preview and explain the prominent theme of family within Godzilla Minus Zero, saying:
“Having a family usually makes us stronger, but it can also make us vulnerable. [Our family] is trying to always think of family first. But when Godzilla appears, we have to try to protect the family, and that leads to some very hard decisions.”
Hamabe then ended the introduction by saying, “I’m very happy to have met you all here today, and I hope you will enjoy the story of what happens to the Shikishima family — and also, the Godzilla experience, of course!”
Takashi Yamazaki wrote, directed, and VFX-supervised Godzilla Minus Zero, returning to all three roles from Godzilla Minus One. GKids will be releasing the film in North American theaters on November 6, with Early access IMAX screenings being held on November 3.
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