Takashi Yamazaki,the director behind the Oscar-winningGodzilla Minus One,has reportedly found his next project.Godzilla Minus Onewas a triumphant return to form for the iconic kaiju franchise, as the rampaging monster returned to its origins in post-WWII Japan. The film is considered the bestGodzillafilm in years, if not of all-time, and fans cannot wait to see what Takashi Yamazaki has in store.
The news comes from industry veteran Toshio Okada, an anime producer and film lecturer who posted a video on hisYouTubechannel believing he knows Yamazaki’s next movie. While discussing the impact and legacy ofGodzilla Minus One, the anime veteran and founder of Gainax Studios estimated that Yamazaki’s next film will be an adaptation of the harrowing manga seriesBarefoot Gen. Speaking toColliderearlier this year, Yamazki teased that his next film is currently in development, and that it won’t be a sequel toGodzilla Minus One, although he kept tight-lipped about what the project will be.
Thishasn’t been confirmed or denied by Takashi Yamazaki, who currently has no official directorial projects under his belt followingGodzilla Minus One. However, consideringMinus One’s captivating portrait of post-war Japan,Barefoot Genfeels like a natural fit for the VFX artist turned director. First published in 1973,Barefoot Gentells the story of Gen Nakoka, a young boy struggling to survive in post-war Japan after losing his family in the Hiroshima atomic bomb attack. The project shares obvious thematic, cultural, and historical parallels with Yamazaki’s past work onGodzilla- who representspost-nuclear fear in Japan during the 1950s. The official synopsis reads:
“This harrowing story of Hiroshima was one of the original Japanese manga series. New and unabridged, this is an all-new translation of the author’s first-person experiences of Hiroshima and its aftermath, is a reminder of the suffering war brings to innocent people. Its emotions and experiences speak to children and adults everywhere. Volume one of this ten-part series details the events leading up to and immediately following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.”
Will There Be A Godzilla Minus One 2 (Or Minus Two)?
Godzilla Minus One
Following the film’s debut in Western theaters in 2023, fans are desperate to see Yamazaki’s iteration of Godzilla return for a second outing. The end of the film, which saw the team, led by fighter pilot Koichi (Ryunosuke Kamiki) ‘defeat’ Godzilla, teased a second installment. However, no official confirmation has come from Yamazaki or Toho Studios.
Godzilla Minus One Makes History With New Streaming Record
Godzilla Minus One continues to break records, setting a new streaming milestone thanks to its surprise release earlier this month.
Although he hasn’t officially confirmed a second film, Takashi Yamazki has previously expressed a desire to return for a sequel. Speaking at a Q&A with Movie Walker in 2023 (via ComicBook.com), Yamazaki said he wants to see the film’s core characters' stories continued in a follow-up film. He also suggested that the sequel would look at theaftermath of their climactic final battle with Godzilla.During his conversation with Collider, Yamazki expressed that he would date the sequel’s story in real time against the first movie. He said:
“Hypothetically, if there is a Godzilla sequel, then I would like to date it with how long it’s been in our timeline as to what the characters have gone through. So, if we film it three years from now, I would set it three years from Godzilla Minus One.”
