NEZURA 1964 Update « SciFi Japan

NEZURA 1964 Update

Akira Kushida (front left) and Michiaki Watanabe (front center) have teamed up to create the theme song for the kaiju film NEZURA 1964.
Photo courtesy of 3Y Film. © 2020 3Y Film, KADOKAWA

Source: 3Y Film
Official Site: nezura1964.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to Avery Guerra

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Two music icons have teamed up for the theme song for NEZURA 1964 (ネズラ1964)! 95-year-old living legend Michiaki Watanabe (aka Chumei Watanabe), has created the theme song “Giant Horde Beast Nezura”. The prolific composer has credits on tokusatsu and anime titles dating back to the 1950s with Shintoho’s STARMAN serial films, GHOST STORY OF YOTSUYA (東海道四谷怪談, Tōkaidō Yotsuya Kaidan, 1959) and JIGOKU (地獄, 1960).At Toei, Watanabe composed music for the company’s key franchises, including KIKAIDA (人造人間キカイダー, Jinzoningen Kikaidā, 1972-73) and its sequels, MAZINGER Z (マジンガーＺ, Majingā Z, 1972-74) and other anime based on Go Nagai’s robot manga, the Super Sentai starting with GORENGER (秘密戦隊ゴレンジャー, Himitsu Sentai Gorenjā, 1975-77) and the Metal Heroes that began with SPACE SHERIFF GAVAN (宇宙刑事ギャバン, Uchū Keiji Gyaban, 1982-83). He occasionally returns to work on titles such as SPACE SHERIFF GAVAN: THE MOVIE (宇宙刑事ギャバン THE MOVIE, Uchū Keiji Gyaban THE MOVIE, 2012).

“Giant Horde Beast Nezura” will be sung by Akira Kushida. Kushida is no stranger to toku fans, having performed songs for several Super Sentai series starting with SUN VULCAN (太陽戦隊サンバルカン, Taiyō Aentai Sanbarukan, 1981-82), as well as SPACE SHERIFF GAVAN and the other Metal Heroes shows. He has also lent his voice to many of the recent Kamen Rider movies.

NEZURA 1964 actresses Mach Fumiake (GAMERA: SUPER MONSTER) and Mai Saito (Ultraman franchise) have also teamed up on a special song for the film’s soundtrack, composed by Takuyah Imahori. A short version of their “Nezura’s March” 「ネズラマーチ (Short Ver.) 」has been posted on YouTube.

In casting news, kaiju acting legends Shiro Sano (GODZILLA 2000, GMK) and Bin Furuya (ULTRAMAN, ULTRASEVEN) have joined NEZURA 1964, while Norman England and rapper/actor/comedian Yuma (Yuma Katsumata) have been added in supporting roles.

Produced by 3Y Film in association with Kadokawa, NEZURA 1964 is a drama about the infamous unmade kaiju movie from Daiei. The film is co-written, produced and directed by Hiroto Yokokawa (THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL) and stars Yukijiro Hotaru (Gamera Trilogy, GMK), Masanori Kikuzawa (THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL), Kazuma Yoneyama (THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL), Yoshiro Uchida (GAMERA), Ippei Osako (SHIN GODZILLA, DEATH NOTE: Light up the NEW World), Himawari Ono (GAMERA THE BRAVE) and Noboru Sato (CHANGEMAN KEN!, TAMPOPO). The staff includes supervisor Kensaku Sakai, creature designer Keisuke Yoneyama, production artists Takuma Asai, Karin Yamada and Hiroto Yokokawa, and consulting producer/publicist Avery Guerra.

NEZURA 1964 will screen at the Ikebukuro Humax Cinemas on December 19. Be sure to follow the film on Facebook for updates.

About 3Y Film

3Y Film is part of the video production company 3Y Co., Ltd. Founded in 2015 by Hiroto Yokokawa, 3Y has been involved with the production, filming, photography, editing and CG effects for commercials, movies, stage productions and corporate videos. The company has recently branched out into their original productions such as the feature film THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL.

About Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Kadokawa Pictures is part of Kadokawa Shoten, which forms the axis of the expansive KADOKAWA CORPORATION. Kadokawa Shoten has maintained the company’s traditions since its founding, while continuously seeking to innovate at the same time. With their core operations based in publishing and film, represented by the Kadokawa Paperback, Kadokawa Pictures, and Kadokawa Anime labels, they continually release a wide range of content targeted to all age groups.

For more information on NEZURA 1964 please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: