Heisei Gamera's Character Development

[Pkmatrix]

This is expanded upon a post I made back at the old forums in late May concerning Gamera's character development in G2. I now look back at G1 Gamera and extend into G3. Please expect SPOLIERS below, as Gamera's character development is closely tied to the events of the trilogy.

When he is introduced in G1, Gamera doesn't really have a very interesting personality, in my opinion. He's basically portrayed as your standard hero, coming in and saving the day from the evil villians. He has a die-hard attitude and refuses to back down for any reason. What makes him a bit more unique (although, not entirely) is his psychic link with Asagi. While Godzilla had a similar link with Miki Saeguesa in the 90s films, Godzilla and Miki never had a bond as close as Gamera and Asagi. Unlike Miki, who simply uses her natural-born abilities to warn others of Godzilla's approach, Asagi and Gamera use their link to forge a symbiotic relationship (Gamera using Asagi's strength and will to complement his own). They even form some kind of emotional relationship, and although this is only very briefly implied at the end of G1, it becomes an important plot point in the later films.

An important detail revealed in G2 (and further explained in G3) is that Gamera is an Earth Spirit. What does this mean? Well, although his body was created by the Atlateans, his soul was provided by the Earth itself. He was designed and created solely for the purpose of destroying the Gyaos, for this reason he awoke in G1. But, since his soul is derived from the power of the Earth itself (referred to as "Mana"), his instincts are to also protect the planet from any hostile force threatening it. This is why he attacks Legion in G2. In a sense, Legion was an invading virus and Gamera acted as the Earth's immune system.

The events at Sendai in G2 are very important to Gamera as a character and reveals some more of his personality. While watching G2, it may seem that Gamera simply arrives in the city in order to destroy the Legion flower. But, there is actually more to it. Gamera also goes to Sendai because he senses that Asagi is in danger. He has two reasons to protect Asagi. Not only for Self-Preservation (as he still relies on Asagi in order to battle extremely difficult opponents) but also for more personal reasons. As I mentioned earlier, it was very briefly implied in G1 that some kind of emotional relationship was formed between Gamera and Asagi. It is clearly stated that Asagi was able to read Gamera's mind, so it isn't such a stretch to believe that he could do the same. If Asagi was killed, he not only loses his source of reserve energy but also loses the person...possibly someone he considers a friend or at least a companion. So, Gamera fought unrelentingly to protect Asagi in his first battle with the queen Legion, despite the fact he needed to destroy the flower before it could launch. In the end, Gamera choosing his personal motivations over his duties to the planet result in the destruction of Sendai and him going into a coma.

The second major event at Sendai is the destruction of the amulets. Just as before, Gamera's reasons are a bit more complicated than they may at first seem. One way to look at their destruction is to say that Gamera finally turns his back on humanity, cutting himself off because he realizes that they are as destructive as the Legion. But, I believe that the amulets' destruction also has more personal motives, once again surrounding Asagi. In G1, Gamera and Asagi had a total telepathic/symbiotic link. That total link was mostly cut off at the end of G1 (Asagi says that she can no longer see into Gamera's heart, meaning that he has cut off the telepathic link). But, as Gamera waved between consciousness and unconsciousness, he had to have realized something: he needed that connection again. He once again needed Asagi's strength in order to defeat the Legion. But, he also recalled his previous battles with the Legion and realized that he may recieve very serious wounds in the next battle. Wounds so serious that the trauma may kill Asagi.

Thus, Gamera was forced into a decision he did not want to make: either go into battle with Asagi still connected and risk the chance of killing her from the trauma, or sever the connection completely and go fight Legion...with the chance that HE would die. It would've been a very difficult choice, as the only way to sever the connection completely would be to destroy ALL of the amulets, not just hers. In the end, his feelings for Asagi won out and he severed the connection.

Although Gamera is strong, and fought Legion with all of his might, he was not able to defeat it on his own. He STILL needed more power. So, with his primary reserve gone forever, he was forced to use the only thing left: the power of the Earth itself. He absorbed Mana and used it to kill Legion. The result, though, ends up being worse than if he had let Legion live. It damages the planet's ecosystem, speeding global warming and allowing more Gyaos to awaken. Gamera's actions end up causing everything that happens in G3.

By 1999, Gamera's personality has made a drastic change. Now a grizzled veteran of many battles, he has lost the kindness and compassion he developed through his relationship with Asagi. Without anyone else to communicate with (in other words, with out Asagi or another linked human), he has more or less devolved into an emotionless killing machine devoted to killing the Gyaos. He has all but forgotten Asagi. This begins to change when Ayana finds the second Amulet.

Now, I have a bit of a theory to try to explain the odd Gamera/Ayana/Iris relationship in G3. The amulets found in G1 and used by Asagi were created specifically to link with Gamera. The amulet found in G3 is a later design, created by the Atlanteans after they settled in Japan. This amulet is designed to not only interface with Iris, but also any and all previous linkable guardians, including Gamera. So, to explain it, both Iris and Gamera are linked to Ayana, but she only gives her energy to Iris for the sole purpose of killing Gamera.

Now, THAT is a tragic turn of events. Imagine being cut off from the rest of the world for three years and the first person you finally meet hates you. Not only that, but the one that she has chosen to link with is an advanced version of the very thing you were created to destroy. Gamera must have been VERY torn about killing Iris. If he killed him (yes, I consider Iris a "he"), then he would make Ayana hate him even MORE. If he didn't...well...the world didn't have very good chances of survival if he didn't kill him. This may account for Gamera's late appearance to face Iris. Maybe he didn't decide to go after Iris until he realized that Iris was only using Ayana for his own sinister purposes. For better or for worse, he had to kill Iris for Ayana and the world's own good.

At the end of G3, Gamera saves Ayana from being fused with Iris, despite that she had Iris nearly kill him and at the cost of his own arm. Why? Well, it wasn't for self-preservation, as the second amulet had been destroyed earlier. The reason: guilt. He KILLED her family. Accidentally, yes, but he still killed them. Knowing this, he understood why she wanted him dead. But, he would not let Iris have her and use her to make himself a God. He saved her not only to protect the planet from Iris' evil, but as an act of redemption...an attempt to make up for what he's done to her. In the end, though, his act only confuses Ayana, as she finds herself to blame for everything. They forgive each other what they've done.

And Asagi? At the end of G3, the two still seem to have an understanding of each other. Probably a by-product of the telepathic link, Asagi is still able to figure out what he's thinking (probably the same the other way around).

Heh, I don't really have an end to this, do I? Ah well. Please comment on my observations, I am open to constructive criticism.

[Rouge Message]

[bloodyarts]

Those are awesome observations towards Gamera's development, but I think you may be reading a little too much into it.

It's hard to say either way since the movies hint at things, but don't necessarily expound on anything other than Gamera is Earth's guardian.

Still, for what it is, I think your post shows that you clearly understand Gamera's strength and motivations better than most people, myself included.

On a personal note, I'm not completely sold on the idea that Gamera was linked to Ayana in any way or that he took responsibility for the death of her parents.

Gamera saving Ayana seemed more like an ironic coincidence. He had to remove/save Ayana from Irys as Gamera realized that Ayana was giving Irys strength. By removing Irys' strength, Gamera could finally defeat his opponent.

However, I'm not exactly shooting down your theory, as it is perfectly viable and falls within character. I'll admit you seem to have a deeper understanding of Gamera than myself, so I could be totally wrong here.

Just an observation.

Great post!

[SparkieGojira]

Wow! Great inisights and threories! Just now before I read this I posted some simular thoughts on Gamera's arc in the "Gamera SUITS" thread...but in my usual "Rock dumb! Hulk smash!" lack of intelect!

One of my theories that might not quite jibe with your theory about Ayana's amulet... well first of all I think it is an amulet made souly for a ink with Iris (And if it was a all purpose one, wouldn't Gamera have destroyed it inG2?)...and Gamera revives Ayana at the end by breaking her link with Iris. Basicaly she is dead because Iris is dead...and she is only revived when Gamera makes a simular expression/ roar as he did at the end of G:GOTU when he temporarily let Asagi go. Well maybe this fits into your theories just fine....

Anyway, yeah... Gamera was redeeming himself by saving Ayana... but not just for killing her family (And I am not sure he is even aware of it..as I I don't think he has a link with her the way you described.) but for killing all those people in Shibuya during his desperate, cold killing machine mode... and even that was motivated by his guilt over using to much mana and letting the Gyaos get out of hand. But I don't think he needs too much of a motivation for saving Ayana other than that "Gamera is friend to all children", even in the Heisei Trilogy.

One of my ex-GF's had an interesting theory as to why children revive him in G2... since Gamera is protector of the earth, he is more linked to children as they have not had the time to be corrupted...there in a more natural state

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