Toho Showcases New Talent With Limited Japanese Theatrical Release of GEMNIBUS vol., Featuring Godzilla, Zombies and More!

Source: Toho Co., Ltd.
Official Movie Site: https://gemstone.toho.co.jp/gemnibus/vol1/ (Japan)

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Toho Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and images for GEMNIBUS vol.1 (ジェムニバス vol. 1, Jemunibāsu Boryūmu Wan), an omnibus of short stories from Toho's digital production brand, GEMSTONE Creative Label.

GEMNIBUS vol.1 will receive a limited 2-week theatrical release in Japan starting May 28th.

INTRODUCTION

Toho's new project to discover fresh talent!
Don't miss the limited release of this new-age film by four up-and-coming creators!

GEMSTONE Creative Label is a content creation label launched by young employees of Toho Co. It is a talent support project that provides a place where creators can freely demonstrate their abilities regardless of their achievements, formats, media, and prior track records. The first theatrical release is GEMNIBUS vol.1, an omnibus film created by four up-and-coming directors.

The lineup includes the cinematic version of GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (2023) directed by Takuya Kaminishi, a top Japanese CG creator who has garnered worldwide attention; the psycho-thriller film knot by award-winning director Ryotaro Hirase, who enters the new realm of 'vertical horror' that is completed entirely on a smartphone; FIRSTLINE, a new type of animated film created by a miraculous collaboration between China, a rising star in the animation world, and musician Hayato Kadono; and FRAIL, a sci-fi school zombie film by Mabuta Motoki that won the Grand Prix at the 75th Cannes Film Festival #TikTokShortFilm Competition.

In addition, 24 year-old actress and singer Moka Kamishiraishi (MIRAI) has been appointed as the official ambassador, and "Always Hot" (常熱, Tsune Netsu) by 23 year-old musician Vaundy (CHAINSAW MAN) selected as the theme song for this omnibus, adding even more color to this new-age work by young creators of the same generation.

Be sure to catch on the big screen the challenge of a new era depicted by Toho and up-and-coming directors, and the moment when new talent takes off into the world!

1. GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (ゴジラVSメガロ, Gojira VS Megaro)

Writer/Director/VFX: Takuya Kaminishi　
Director of Photography: Akihiro Shibata
Music Arranger: Tsubasa Handa　　
Cast: Miho Okamoto, Yohei Azakami
Production: Shirogumi, Tokai Production

GODZILLA VS. MEGALON is the long-awaited sequel to the computer animated short film, GODZILLA VS. GIGAN REX (ゴジラ VS ガイガンレクス, Gojira VS Gaigan Rekusu), which premiered at "Godzilla Fest 2022," was shown in U.S. theaters as part of a Godzilla Night hosted by Fathom Events, and currently has over 10 million views worldwide on YouTube. GODZILLA VS. MEGALON. produced in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Megalon. debuted at "Godzilla Fest 2023" and was released on YouTube last November and has already been viewed 4.3 million times.

The guardian deity Megalon, brought back to life in the present day by top Japanese CG creator Takuya Kaminishi, appears on the big screen in a more detailed and realistic cinematic version! The battle between Megalon and Godzilla, with enhanced visuals and 5.1ch surround sound, brings disaster to Japan once again...!

2. knot (結び, Musubi)

Writer/Director: Ryotaro Hirase　
Music: Izumi Mori
Cast: Takahiro Miura, SUMIRE, Hinata Hiiragi, Eito Kawahara, Kazuto Mokudai, Kentaro Tamura, Minori Tokuhashi, Maho Nonami, Nobuaki Kaneko, Kenichi Takito
Production Company: AOI Pro.

Ryotaro Hirase, who won the Third Eye Award at the TikTok TOHO Film Festival 2022 for his vertical horror film ENTERTAINMENT (娯楽, Goraku), which was almost entirely filmed on a smartphone, presents a psychological thriller with stylish visuals that depicts the knot of blood ties between parents and children.

One day, the son of picture book author Nagakura Kazuya disappears. With the help of his assistant Kanami, Kazuya searches for his son, but in the process, he is forced to face his past with his own father. Will blood ties bring a curse or salvation?

3. FIRSTLINE (ファーストライン, Fāsutorain)

Writer/Director: China
Music: Hayato Sumino
Cast: Mutsumi Tamura, Shiro Saito
Production: TOHO animation STUDIO

This is a coming-of-age animator's story spun by up-and-coming director China, who was the youngest director to be selected for the "TOHO animation Music Films" program and also storyboarded and directed THE TALE OF THE HEIKE (平家物語, Hiraka Monogatari) and THE APOTHECARY DIARIES (薬屋のひとりごと, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto). The film boldly depicts the fun and cruelty of "animation = breathing life into something" as a play within a play.

The music was provided by a miraculous collaboration with the one and only pianist Hayato Sumino, who has been extremely successful in the field of animation. These two 28-year-old geniuses bring you a new type of animation that also lets you enjoy the sound.

4. FRAIL (フレイル, Fureiru)

Writer/Director: Mabuta Motoki
Music: Tatsuhiko Saiki
Cast: Daiken Okudaira, Shuto Imai, Goro Oishi
Production: Virgin Earth

Vertical film pioneer Mabuta Motoka, who won the Grand Prix at the 75th Cannes International Film Festival #TikTokShortFilm Competition and the Technical Award at the TikTok TOHO Film Festival 2022, takes on a sci-fi school zombie film set against the backdrop of an aging society and declining birthrate.

An elderly man named Akira relives his youth in a VR space. However, someone releases a zombie virus into the VR space, pushing him to the brink of death. After wandering between life and death, Akira discovers the essence of life...

DETAILS

Release Dates [Japan]: Friday, June 28 - Thursday, July 11, 2024
Venues: TOHO CINEMAS Hibiya and TOHO CINEMAS Umeda

Directors: Takuya Kaminishi, Ryotaro Hirase, China, Mabuta Motoki
Theme Song: "Always Hot" by Vaundy (SDR)

Production: GEMSTONE Creative Label
Distributor: TOHO NEXT

About Toho

Toho Company, Limited, is a Japanese entertainment studio focused on the development, production, exhibition, and distribution of powerful content for motion pictures, television and theater. Founded in 1932, it remains a prominent force in bringing brands and original storytelling with versatile talents to audiences worldwide. Its subsidiaries include Toho Cinemas, the highest grossing exhibition company in Japan. To learn more, visit toho.co.jp/en.