Toho Animation has announced a brand new Godzilla anime series titled Godzilla Singular Point, which premiered globally on Netflix. The series introduces an original story and cast, diverging from previous animated Godzilla films.
A Fresh Take on the King of the Monsters
The new Godzilla Singular Point anime series offers a unique narrative within the expansive Godzilla franchise. It is not directly tied to the earlier animated films like Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters, Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle, or Godzilla: The Planet Eater, and features an entirely new storyline and characters. This approach allows for a fresh interpretation of the iconic kaiju and the world he inhabits.
Creative Team and Animation Style
The series boasts a seasoned creative team. Atsushi Takahashi, known for directing Doraemon the Movie 2017: Great Adventure in the Antarctic Kachi Kochi, helms the project. The scripts are penned by Japanese science-fiction novelist Toh EnJoe, marking his television debut as an editor and writer. Music for the series is composed by Kan Sawada, who has worked on numerous Doraemon films.
Animation duties are shared between two renowned studios: Bones (known for My Hero Academia) and Orange (recognized for Beastars). The collaboration blends traditional hand-drawn animation with CG animation styles, promising a visually dynamic experience for viewers. Kaiju designs are handled by Eiji Yamamori, a veteran animator from Studio Ghibli who worked on films like Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, while character designs are by Kazue Kato, creator of the Blue Exorcist manga.
Plot Details and Setting
The story of Godzilla Singular Point is set in the year 2030, in Nigashio City, Chiba Prefecture. The narrative follows engineer Yun Arikawa from the Otaki Factory and graduate student Mei Kamino, who investigates mysterious signals. These two strangers are drawn together by a common, enigmatic song, leading them into a battle against an “unprecedented threat to the universe.” The series incorporates monsters from the Godzilla franchise’s Showa era, including Rodan, Anguirus, and Jet Jaguar, alongside newly designed kaiju like Godzilla Aquatilis and Salunga.
Release and Availability
Godzilla Singular Point first premiered on Netflix in Japan on March 25, 2021, and then aired on Tokyo MX and other channels from April 1 to June 24, 2021. The 13-episode anime series subsequently made its global debut on Netflix on June 24, 2021. The series was also released on DVD/Blu-ray in Japan across three volumes in late 2021.
While no official announcement for a second season has been made, Toh EnJoe, the writer, hinted at the possibility in 2023. This new series represents Toho’s continued expansion of the Godzilla universe, following previous anime film trilogies and other projects.
