Editing Gamera (section)

==Overview==
===Conception===
{{see also|Nezura}}
The name {{nihongo|''Gamera''|ガメラ}} derives from the Japanese ''kame'' ("turtle"), and the suffix ''-ra'', a suffix shared by such other ''kaiju'' characters as [[Godzilla]] (''Gojira'') and [[Mothra]].{{sfn|Di Giorgio|Gigante|Gordiano|2012|p=64}} Gamera's name was spelled ''Gamela'' on a French newspaper in the 1965 film, and ''Gammera'' in the title of ''Gammera the Invincible'', the re-titled American release of the first film in the franchise, ''Gamera, the Giant Monster''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gammera_the_invincible_1966|title=Gammera The Invincible (1966)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref><ref name=dvdtalk>{{cite web|last=Galbraith IV|first=Stuart|author-link=Stuart Galbraith IV|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/42231/gamera-the-giant-monster/|title=Gamera - The Giant Monster|date=18 May 2010|website=DVD Talk|access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref> The character was named by [[Masaichi Nagata]], who pushed ahead the name to contend Godzilla, while other executives were against it for its resemblance to Godzilla, however others eventually didn't come up with any sufficient names for the turtle kaiju along with their reluctances to resist the president.<ref name=Treasured />

The original idea for Gamera was developed by Yonejiro Saito ([[:ja:斉藤米二郎|jp]]),{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=177}} [[Masaichi Nagata]], [[Hidemasa Nagata]], [[Niisan Takahashi]],<ref name=BraveGuide /> and [[Noriaki Yuasa]]. The character was created as a property of the production company [[Daiei Film]], and was intended to compete with the [[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'' film series]], owned by rival studio [[Toho]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Clarke|first=Frederick S.|date=1996|title=Cinefantastique| volume=28|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eyEnAQAAIAAJ|magazine=Cinefantastique|page=3|access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/287002/heres-why-we-probably-wont-see-gamera-in-godzilla-king-of-the-monsters/|title=Here's Why We Probably Won't See Gamera in GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS|date=22 December 2018|website=Dread Central|access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Raymond|first=Nicholas|url=https://screenrant.com/godzilla-king-monsters-atlantis-new-titans/|title=Godzilla: King Of The Monsters' Atlantis Sets Up Multiple New Titans|date=21 June 2019|website=ScreenRant|access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref> Prior to the idea of the flying turtle monster, there existed preceding concepts of an [[octopus]] kaiju called {{Nihongo|Dagora|ダゴラ|lead=yes}}{{refn|Zedus appeared in the 2006 film ''[[Gamera the Brave]]'' was originally designed to be a cephalopod monster where its title {{Nihongo|"''Sea Demon Beast''"|海魔獣|Kaimajū|lead=yes}} closely resembles Dagora's title {{Nihongo|"''Giant Sea Demon''"|大海魔|Daikaima|lead=yes}}.<ref name=BraveGuide />|group="note"}} and {{Nihongo|[[Nezura 1964|Nezura]]|ネズラ|lead=yes}} the rat monsters.<ref name=BraveGuide />{{refn|In 2020 and 2021, Hiroto Yokokawa ([[:ja:横川寛人|jp]]) directed ''[[Nezura 1964]]''<ref name=Nezura1964 /> and a short film based on "Dagora" titled {{Nihongo|''Yatsuashi''|ヤツアシ|lead=yes}}.<ref>Nezura 1964 Official X Account, 10 February 2021, [https://x.com/nezura1964/status/1359354012051533824 大映は『大群獣ネズラ』以前に本物のタコを用いた『大魔獣ダゴラ』という企画がありました。『ネズラ1964』では、この「ダゴラ」については割愛しましたが、代わりに同ミニチュアセットで横川監督による短編『ヤツアシ』を撮影しました。], X (Twitter)</ref>|group="note"}} These pre-Gamera projects resulted in failures by using live animals for filming, presumably due to the efforts to avoid the [[Toho]]-based tokusatsu techniques under the constraints from the [[Five-Company Agreement|Six-Company Agreement]] (Five-Company Agreement), which was led by Masaichi Nagata himself.<ref name=IGN2022 /><ref name=Karasawa />

There had been contradicting testimonies regarding the original conceptor and models of Gamera. [[Noriaki Yuasa]] believed it was [[Niisan Takahashi]]'s idea, while Takahashi noted that he heard [[Masaichi Nagata]] came up with the idea of a "giant, flying turtle".{{refn|Allegedly, Nagata witnessed either a turtle-shaped cloud on a small island, or a turtle-shaped small island, or he had a hallucination of a "flying turtle", during the flight to [[United States]].<ref name=Karasawa /> This is comparable to the anecdote of [[Tomoyuki Tanaka]] to come up with the idea of [[Godzilla]] by watching the Pacific ocean during the flight from [[Indonesia]] after the failure of a co-production movie, which was one of preceding projects of ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'', although Tanaka's episode was later confirmed as a fabrication added later.<ref name=Ono2018 />|group="note"}} There had also been rumors of "lewd turtles" as the model(s) of Gamera, either true stories or jokes, among Daiei staffs including Yonejiro Saito ([[:ja:斉藤米二郎|jp]]).{{refn|One inhabited a pond of a [[shinto shrine]] nearby a Daiei studio, and the other along the beach in [[Nagasaki Prefecture]]. These turtles often rotated on the water-surface, and were regarded "lewd" as they showed affinities to young women. According to the rumors, the turtle in the pond usually appeared when there were female visitors, while the one in Nagasaki approached female beachgoers when they were swimming. Some of Daiei staffs believed the former as the model of Gamera, while Yonejiro Saito ([[:ja:斉藤米二郎|jp]]) commented that a hostess from Nagasaki shared the story of the latter, possibly as a joke, and it became Gamera's model.<ref name=Treasured>[[Noriaki Yuasa]] (Superviser), 1 September 2001, ''Daikaiju Gamera Treasured Photo Book'', p,12, p.29, p.77, p.87, pp.97-98, pp.131-135, [[Tokuma Shoten]]</ref> Therefore, there had been another rumors among Daiei staffs that "Gamera was originally intended to be a protector of women rather than children".<ref name=Karasawa /><ref name=Ushio /> |group="note"}} Alternatively, Tomio Sagisu ([[:ja:うしおそうじ|jp]]) who was a student of [[Eiji Tsuburaya]] and had repeatedly associated with Daiei Film and crews of the ''Gamera'' and other Daiei tokusatsu productions, [[#P Productions|claimed that the concept of Gamera originates in his demo reel]], while [[Yonesaburo Tsukiji]], another student of Tsuburaya, declared it was [[Hidemasa Nagata]]'s idea.<ref name=Ushio>Tomio Sagisu ([[:ja:うしおそうじ|jp]]), 20 June 1999. ''[[Spectreman]] vs. [[Kaiketsu Lion-Maru|Lion-Maru]]: Souji Ushio and P Productions'', p.91, p.176, [[Ohta Publishing]]</ref>
[[File:Ddol-mangM.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Black Tortoise]], a possible source of inspiration for Gamera.]]

Gamera's turtle-like design may have been inspired by the [[Black Tortoise]], one of the [[Four Symbols]] of the [[Chinese constellations]] in [[East Asian mythology]].<ref name=kotz>{{cite web|last=Kotz|first=Sean|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2006/03/19/why-the-heck-is-gamera-a-turtle/|title=Why the Heck is Gamera a Turtle?|date=19 March 2006|website=[[SciFi Japan TV|SciFi Japan]] |access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref> The Black Tortoise is known as ''Genbu'' in [[Japanese language|Japanese]], and is usually depicted as a turtle entwined together with a [[Snake in Chinese mythology|snake]].<ref name=kotz /> Each of the Four Symbols are said to act as guardians over each of the four [[cardinal direction]]s: with the dragon ''[[Azure Dragon|Seiryu]]'' in the [[east]], the tiger ''[[White Tiger (China)|Byakko]]'' in the [[west]], the bird ''[[Vermilion Bird|Suzaku]]'' in the [[south]], and the tortoise ''Genbu'' in the [[north]].<ref name=kotz /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201903190076.html|title=Tomb murals of guardian spirits tapped for Japan treasure status|date=19 March 2019|work=The Asahi Shimbun|access-date=7 July 2019|archive-date=8 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708211533/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201903190076.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In ''Gamera, the Giant Monster'', the first film in the franchise, Gamera is depicted as awakening in the [[Arctic]], the northernmost region on Earth.<ref name=kotz /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scified.com/news/a-brief-history-of-gamera-celebrating-50-years-of-spinning-turtles|title=A Brief History of Gamera: Celebrating 50 Years of Spinning Turtles|date=29 November 2015|website=Scified.com|access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref> ''[[Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris]]'', the 11th film in the franchise, contains a scene featuring a book describing the Four Symbols, including ''Genbu''.<ref name=kotz /> Before the character was officially referenced to the Black Tortoise in the 1999 film, designs and background stories of Gamera and [[Gyaos]] ([[:ja:ギャオス|jp]]) were also inspired by ancient [[China|Chinese]] aspects during the production of ''[[Gamera: Guardian of the Universe]]'' while the original script of the film focused more on ancient [[India]].<ref name=Perfection />

[[Masaichi Nagata]] set the policy to make Gamera as the hero of children.<ref name=Ono2018 /> Gamera's characteristics as a hero who protects humanity and animals, his non-[[fauna]] diet, his emerging from the north,<ref name=Fantasy /> and his liking of light and nuclear explosions were also designed to differ from [[Godzilla]] having a hatred for humanity, man-made lights, and nuclear explosions. While Godzilla may represent a terror of nuclear war, Gamera was aimed to be a contrasting character,<ref name=Doland /> whom children can always believe in, as an [[antithesis]] to adults trying to manipulate children with [[nationalism]] and [[propaganda]],{{refn|The [[Cold War]], which affected film productions such as both of ''Gamera'' and ''[[Godzilla]]'' franchises, ''[[Dr. Strangelove]]'', and ''[[Fail Safe (1964 film)|Fail Safe]]'', utilized innocence of children as political tools.<ref name=Ono2018 /> |group="note"}} based on [[Noriaki Yuasa]]'s own traumatic experiences of pre and post-war situations as a child.<ref name=OFS1995 /><ref name=Karasawa /><ref name=YuasaInterview>{{cite web |author=David Milner, Yoshihiko Shibata |date=July 1996 |title= Noriaki Yuasa Interview |url= http://www.davmil.org/www.kaijuconversations.com/yuasa.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210302221436/http://www.davmil.org/www.kaijuconversations.com/yuasa.htm |archive-date=2021-03-02 |access-date=2025-01-01}}</ref> [[Hidemasa Nagata]]'s intention to make the franchise child-friendly was also due to his desire to create positive emotional influences on [[child development]]s.<ref name=Treasured /> In addition, while a nuclear explosion played roles in both ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' and ''Gamera, the Giant Monster'', the latter didn't symbolize it to illustrate negative aspects of the humanity unlike the Godzilla film.<ref name=YuasaInterview />

Under [[Masaichi Nagata]], Daiei Film distributed the re-released edition of ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' in 1952 and ''[[The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms]]'' in 1954. The former was the first [[post-war]] release of [[Monster movie|monster films]] in Japan, and these distributions might have influenced productions of ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' and the ''Gamera'' franchise.{{refn|''Gamera, the Giant Monster'' depicted the titular monster to being awoken with a nuclear explosion in the Arctic who later destroys a [[lighthouse]], akin to ''The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms''. There also exist minor references to the novelization of ''King Kong'', such as relationships between titular monsters and humans and [[pet]]s of the same or related motif with the titular monsters. Subsequent Gamera films in Showa and Heisei eras also bear remembrances in plot to ''King Kong''.<ref name=OFS1995 /><ref name=Ono2018 />|group="note"}}<ref name=Noma /><ref name=Ui />

Masaichi Nagata, who pushed ahead the production of ''Gamera, the Giant Monster'', solely supported the film while others (including Noriaki Yuasa himself) anticipated it to flop since the beginning but couldn't resist Masaichi's authority and unwillingly changed their reviews, and even Yuasa was baffled with its unexpected success.<ref name=Ono2018 /><ref name=YuasaInterview />

===Characteristics===
[[File:角川大映スタジオ ガメラ - Panoramio 64715589.jpg|thumb|Gamera's illustration and items on display at the [[Kadokawa Daiei Studio]] office in [[Chōfu]]; the city features Gamera and related characters{{refn|[[Daimajin]] and the Gamera-based character "Gachora".<ref name=Gachora />|group="note"}} and characters from (indirectly related) ''[[GeGeGe no Kitarō]]'' as [[mascot]]s.<ref name=AllAbout>{{cite news |author=Deyaburō |date=2024-12-06 |url=https://news.allabout.co.jp/articles/o/87243/ |title=「調布駅」は、特撮ファンにとってガチの「聖地」だった。『ゲゲゲ』と商業施設にあふれた住みよい街 |publisher= All About News ([[:ja:All About|jp]]) |access-date=2024-12-18}}</ref><ref name=HotCorner />]]
Gamera resembles an enormous prehistoric [[turtle]], and is capable of both [[bipedal]] movement and [[flight]]. He occasionally walks on all four legs in Showa films and ''[[Gamera the Brave]]'' in 2006. He has a pronounced [[Crest (anatomy)|crest]] on his head, his mouth contains rows of teeth, and two [[tusks]] protrude upward from each side of his lower jaw.<ref name=sequart>{{cite web|last=Edmundson-Cornell|first=Harry|url=http://sequart.org/magazine/54780/elbow-spikes-and-atlantis-gamera-guardian-of-the-universe/|title=Elbow Spikes and Atlantis: Gamera: Guardian of the Universe|date=6 February 2015|website=Sequart.org|publisher=Sequart Organization|access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>

He can fly by means of "jets" which can be ignited out of his limb holes when he retracts into his shell.<ref name=deusner /> The jets allow Gamera to rise into the air and spin, propelling him forward.{{sfn|Goldweber|2015|p=729}} In later films, he is shown to be able to fly with only his rear legs drawn inside his shell, allowing his front limbs more freedom.

Gamera's shell is presented as being incredibly resilient and strong (only ever being damaged by Guiron, [[Legion (kaiju)|Legion]] ([[:ja:レギオン (架空の怪獣)|jp]]), Iris, and Zedus), and can deflect projectiles such as missiles. His plastron (lower shell) is more vulnerable than his carapace (upper shell), however he has been wounded in his plastron to the point of bleeding.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

Gamera never feeds on any fauna or [[plant]] organisms, and exclusively relies on [[thermal energy]], [[electricity]], [[radiation]], and other energy sources.{{refn|In the official collaborated short [[anime]] between ''[[Gamera Rebirth]]'' and ''[[Odekake Kozame]]'', Gamera, Kozame-chan, the titular character of the manga series, and a [[pigeon]] enjoyed [[Onigiri|rice balls]].<ref>William Moo, 20 September 2023, [https://anitrendz.net/news/2023/09/20/odekake-kozame-releases-new-collaboration-visual-animated-short-with-gamera-rebirth/ Odekake Kozame Releases New Collaboration Visual & Animated Short with Gamera: Rebirth], Anime Trending</ref>|group="note"}}<ref name=OFS1995 /> Using [[conventional weapon]]s, even including [[nuclear weapon]]s, against Gamera may also power him instead.<ref name=OFS1995 />

All incarnations of the character have an affinity for humans (especially children) and nature, and protect them at all costs even by sacrificing themselves.<ref name=RebirthArtbook /><ref name=BraveGuide /> They may also save [[animal]]s, [[wildlife]], [[yokai]],<ref name=Minemori /> and innocent [[kaiju]] even if they are offspring of antagonists.{{refn|It was speculated that Gamera might have tried to save the baby Jiger within his body, and Gamera potentially didn't kill but sealed the adult Jiger and carried her back to her island to reseal. It was presumably an experimental attempt by film makers to highlight Gamera's benevolence, and the 1991 short film ''Gamera vs. Garasharp'' depicted Gamera to save two hatchlings of Garasharp.<ref name=OFS1995 />|group="note"}}<ref name=OFS1995 />

All incarnations of the character possess several [[supernatural]] abilities, most notably [[telepathy]], and others such as healing and reviving humans,<ref name=Vanishing /> understanding human speech, sensing antagonistic kaiju and [[Extraterrestrials in fiction|extraterrestrial races]] from afar, sharing ancient memories with humans, utilizing life forces ([[Mana (Oceanian cultures)|Mana]] in the Heisei trilogy) for offensive and supplemental usages, and potential [[reincarnation]].<ref name=OFS1995 /><ref name=Friend /><ref name=BravePamphlet /> There have been additional powers exclusively performed in literatures by respective incarnations being [[deities]] such as [[Materialization (paranormal)|materialization]] and [[time]] manipulation;<ref name=Minemori /><ref name=HolyBeast /> the lore of ''[[Gamera the Brave]]'' also loosely refers Gamera to a deity with supernatural depictions, but his exact origin remains unclear.<ref name=Friend /> 

In canonical productions, the character has never been depicted to die precisely unlike [[fan fiction]]s, ''[[GAMERA 4-TRUTH]]'' ([[:ja:ガメラ4 真実|jp]]) and ''Gamera: The Last Hope'';<ref name=Frank /> Gamera was artificially revived in the 1994 [[manga]] ''Giant Monster Gamera'' which serves as a substantial sequel to ''[[Gamera: Super Monster]]'',<ref name=MangaBoys /> the "Gamera Graveyard" represented in ''[[Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris]]'' was regarded as the disposal site for defective flops to create the living Gamera,<ref name=Noma /> and Toto is speculated to be the reincarnation of Avant Gamera in ''[[Gamera the Brave]]''.<ref name=Friend />

{{Nihongo|"Fake Gamera"|偽ガメラ|Nise Gamera|lead=yes}}, as transformations of other kaiju, had appeared in several medias as antagonists,<ref name=Perfection /> and the cancelled 2006 anime by [[Yoshitomo Yonetani]] intended to introduce a corps of {{Nihongo|"Mechanic Gamera"|メカニックガメラ|Mekanikku Gamera|lead=yes}}.<ref name=Yonetani />

====Showa====
[[File:Turtle meat.png|thumb|left|Gamera's inconsistent rampages in the first two films might have been due to 8,000 years of [[starvation]] and confusion caused by the Atlanteans, and he intentionally attacked humanity and lured [[military operation]]s to feed on their energies.<ref name=OFS1995 />]]
During the franchise's [[#Shōwa era (1965–1980)|Shōwa era]], Gamera was depicted as feeding on flammable substances, such as oil and fire.{{sfn|Bogue|2017|p=192}}{{sfn|Rhoads|McCorkle|2018|p=98}} According to notes by frequent series director [[Noriaki Yuasa]], Gamera's internal anatomy includes [[wikt:sac|sacs]] which allow him to store oil, lava, coal, and [[uranium]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Phipps|first=Keith|url=https://www.avclub.com/gamera-the-giant-monster-1798165079|title=Gamera: The Giant Monster|date=2 June 2010|work=The A. V. Club|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Newitz|first=Annalee|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/internal-organs-that-allow-giant-monsters-to-breathe-fi-5069058|title=Internal Organs that Allow Giant Monsters to Breathe Fire|date=27 October 2008|website=io9|publisher=Gawker Media|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref> In ''Gamera, the Giant Monster'' and ''[[Gamera vs. Barugon]]'', cold temperatures are shown to weaken Gamera, although he is capable of being in [[outer space]] and the deep ocean.{{sfn|Chung|Diffrient|2015|p=83}} Gamera is also capable of performing additional feats including [[supernatural]] ones such as emitting [[electricity]] and [[Electromagnetic radiation|electromagnetic waves]],<ref name=Noma /> [[telepathy]], and remote sensing. Additionally, he has a high intelligence to outsmart antagonists, to tactically utilize artificial objects, behave cautiously to mind humans, and to repair an alien spaceship. Gamera's intention behind bizarre displays including acrobatic and musical acts in later films{{refn|Performing a [[horizontal bar]] in ''[[Gamera vs. Guiron]]'' and playing ''[[Gamera March]]'' ([[:ja:ガメラマーチ|jp]]) in ''[[Gamera vs. Zigra]]''.|group="note"}} was presumably to calm and entertain onlooking children.<ref name=OFS1995 />

The original 1965 film, ''[[Gamera, the Giant Monster]]'', depicts Gamera's origins as being a result of [[United States Armed Forces|United States military]] fighters launching an attack on enemy [[bomber]]s (presumably belonging to the [[Soviet Union]]), which causes the detonation of an [[atomic bomb]] on board one of the aircraft. The nuclear blast releases Gamera from a state of [[suspended animation]] in the ice. Meanwhile, a Japanese research team stumbles upon an [[Inuit]] tribe in possession of an ancient stone etching that depicts a giant turtle, which the tribe refers to as "Gamera".{{sfn|Rhoads|McCorkle|2018|p=91}}

His exact origin was not verified aside from his association with the ancient civilization of the [[Atlantis]].<ref>Stephen Miller,
15 June 2023, ''[https://www.thekaijuologist.com/post/gamerathon-gamera-the-giant-monster Gamerathon: Gamera: The Giant Monster]'',</ref> [[Inuit]]'s fear of Gamera and his confinement in the [[Arctic]], contrary to his heroic personality and favor of thermal energy, was presumably due to his entrapment by the Atlanteans and inherited memories of their ancestors to mistake him as a threat, along with the loss of records by Atlanteans after the demise of the ancient civilization.<ref name=OFS1995 />

His incongruous ferocity in ''Gamera, the Giant Monster'' and the beginning of ''[[Gamera vs. Barugon]]''{{refn|''[[Gamera vs. Barugon]]'', which was the only Showa film being not directed by [[Noriaki Yuasa]] and did not involve children at all, depicted Gamera as an [[antihero]] in general, however it was originally planned to insert a scene for Gamera to save people from Barugon's freezing breath.|group="note"}} was presumably due to an uncontrollable starvation and confusion after 8,000 years of [[hibernation]] caused by the entrapment by the Atlanteans,{{refn|Humanity feared and mistook Gamera as a threat for several factors; his tremendous size and intimidating appearance and fighting capabilities, supernatural biology, his approach to humanity because of his affinity for children and his intention to save humans in dangers, and his appetite for thermal and electric energies which are also vital for humanity. At one point, Gamera visited the Arctic to save children in danger, and he tried to feed on energy sources of the Arctic section of the Atlantis because of his disfavor of coldness and lack of [[volcano]]es nearby, however the civilization took him as a threat for their energy sources, but failed to drive him away because of his abilities and his fondness of thermal energy of weapons. Therefore the civilization instead made him to forcefully [[hibernate]] by luring him to an [[ice field]] and entrapped him underneath an [[ice sheet]], and [[Global cooling|imminent cooling of the planet]] also functioned to confine him. [[Demonization]] of Gamera by the Inuit was escalated due to the loss of his information by Atlanteans after the demise of the Atlantis.<ref name=OFS1995 />|group="note"}} and Gamera's rampage against humanity was only to feed on thermal energy and electricity. He learned of modern human technology through the atomic bomb explosion, and his attacks on cities were also to lure [[military operation]]s so that he could feed more on thermal energy of weapons. The protagonist boy (Toshio) in the 1965 film kept claiming that Gamera was not villainous but had been misunderstood by humanity.{{refn|Gamera in the 1965 film was originally planned to "cry", to aim child audiences to feel pity, sorrow, and sympathy towards the kaiju.<ref name=Treasured />|group="note"}} Gamera's uncontrollable appetite was gradually satisfied, and he regained his natural calmness as the films progressed, beginning to save humanity voluntarily.<ref name="OFS1995">OMEGA Flying Squadron, [[Yasuyoshi Tokuma]] ([[:ja:徳間康快|jp]]) (issuer), [[Noriaki Yuasa]] (adviser), [[Niisan Takahashi]] (adviser), Masao Yagi ([[:ja:八木正夫|jp]]) (adviser), 1995, ''Gamera is Strong!'', pp.18-25, pp.32-35, pp.36-39, pp.82-87, pp.108-109, pp.132-133, pp.166-167, pp.186-187, pp.194-197, [[Tokuma Shoten]]</ref>

The incarnation of the character appeared in the 1980 film ''[[Gamera: Super Monster]]'' was depicted to be potentially a different individual from the previous films where a normal [[Pond slider]] was magically turned into a kaiju by the Spacewomen, a group of supernatural female aliens. At the end of the film, Gamera sacrificed himself to destroy the Zanon, the spaceship of the antagonists. While the 1994 [[manga]] ''Giant Monster Gamera'' depicted this as Gamera's fate, Gamera was resurrected by the descendants of Atlanteans with ancient technology of [[Atlantis]], gaining characteristics of the Heisei trilogy Gamera, and was sent back to the ancient period to change the history to prevent his own demise, as well as to save and monitor humanity.<ref name=MangaBoys>Kenichiro Terasawa ([[:ja:金田益実|jp]]), [[Hurricane Ryu]], 1994, ''Giant Monster Gamera'', Gekkan Manga Boys, November 1994 - February 1995, [[Tokuma Shoten]].</ref>

====Heisei Trilogy====
In the franchise's [[#Heisei era (1995–2015)|Heisei period]], which began with the 1995 [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]] film ''[[Gamera: Guardian of the Universe]]'', Gamera's in-universe origins were changed. In the Heisei films, Gamera is portrayed as an ancient, [[bio-engineered]] creature from [[Atlantis]], created for the purpose of defending the people of Atlantis from [[Gyaos]] ([[:ja:ギャオス|ギャオス]]), a bat-like creature which breathes a destructive supersonic beam to attack.<ref name=sequart />{{sfn|Rhoads|McCorkle|2018|p=175}} Human researchers find Gamera floating in the [[Pacific Ocean]], encased in rock, and mistaking him for an [[atoll]].<ref name=Ebert>{{cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|author-link=Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/gamera-guardian-of-the-universe-1997|title=Gamera: Guardian Of The Universe Movie Review (1997)|date=29 August 1997|website=[[RogerEbert.com]]|access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref> Within the rock, they discover a large [[monolith]] explaining Gamera's origins, along with dozens of [[magatama]] made from [[orichalcum]], which allow for a [[psychic]] link between Gamera and humans. In ''[[Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris]]'', an undersea graveyard containing numerous Gamera-like fossils is shown. While this may suggest that the Gamera was not the only one of his kind, one character in the film refers to these fossils as "beta versions" of Gamera, possible failures in Atlantis' attempts to create the final version.

This iteration of Gamera has retractable claws within his elbows,<ref name=sequart /> and is shown to be able to shoot [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]] fireballs from his mouth.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Clarke|first=Frederick S.|date=1995|title=Cinefantastique|volume=27|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6vQHAQAAMAAJ|magazine=Cinefantastique|page=39|access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kikuchi|first=Daisuke|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/02/national/science-health/mysterious-green-fireball-observed-skies-japan-halloween-likely-meteor/|title=Mysterious green fireball observed in skies above Japan on Halloween likely a meteor|date=2 November 2016|work=The Japan Times|access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref> Gamera has also been shown as being able to absorb [[Mana (Oceanian cultures)|mana]] from the Earth,{{sfn|McKee|2007|p=14}} to fire a plasma beam from his chest, and to manipulate energy to create a pseudo arm composed of fire to destroy a foe. Within the first and the third films of the trilogy, Gamera magically healed harmed humans including reviving temporarily deceased or near-death individuals, although he was unable to revive humans whose corpses were physically destroyed.<ref name=Vanishing /> In the 2003 comic, he was depicted to be supernaturally capable of triggering eruptions in [[volcano]]es.<ref name=Kondo>[[Kazuhisa Kondo]], 25 December 2003, ''Gamera vs. Barugon: Comic Version'' ([[:ja:大怪獣激闘 ガメラ対バルゴン COMIC VERSION|jp]]), p.55, p.232, pp.237-238, KADOKAWA</ref> Within the comic book adaptaion of the 1999 film by [[Kazunori Ito]] and [[:ja:Moo.念平|Moo. Nenpei]], who had also published another Gamera manga ''Gamera vs. Morphos'' in 1999, Gamera performed extreme regeneration to restore his head from mimicked plasma fireballs by Iris, and defeated the antagonist with either an empowered fire blast or fireball instead of the "vanishing fist".<ref>[[:ja:Moo.念平|Moo. Nenpei]], [[Kazunori Ito]] (story), 1999, ''Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris'', Vol. April 1999, p.301, [[Shogakukan]]</ref> In ''Gamera vs. Morphos'', Gamera performed additional abilities including [[telepathy]] without a [[magatama]], an [[earthquake]], and a powerful fireball with himself glowing red, akin to the "Toto Impact" in ''[[Gamera the Brave]]''.

====Gamera the Brave====
The franchise was rebooted a second time with the 2006 film ''[[Gamera the Brave]]'', the 12th entry in the film series. This incarnation was modeled after the [[African spurred tortoise]], and also possesses supernatural traits<ref name=BraveGuide /> such as instant growth, [[telepathy]], comprehending human speech, sensing and foreseeing emerging evil monsters from afar, and [[reincarnation]].<ref name=BravePamphlet /><ref name=Friend>Boogey Toumon ([[:ja:蕪木統文|jp]]), [[Ryuta Tasaki]] (supervisor), 8 May 2006, ''Friend: Gamera the Brave'', pp.209-215, pp.217-218, p.236, pp.289-298, pp.305-307, [[Enterbrain]]</ref> Gamera's origin is unclear, while a top scientist was utterly shocked with the virtual replica of Gamera's cells and consequently committed a suicide,<ref name=HardLink>Ark Performance ([[:ja:Ark Performance|jp]]), Jun Yanagisawa, Shinji Yamaguchi, [[Shinichiro Inoue]] ([[:ja:井上伸一郎|jp]]) (Issuer), 28 April 2006, ''Gamera 2006: Hard Link'', pp.132-135, Kadokawa Shoten</ref> and one of scientists described the kaiju as a [[deity]].<ref name=Friend /> Stranger children were driven by incomprehensible instincts to carry the red stone to Gamera; they somehow knew the term "Toto" and the importance of delivering it to Gamera. With the light from the stone, children also "recalled" and understood the ancient period before their births, and understood what Gamera is. Gamera (Toto) also somehow performed a [[Judo]] technique which was a specialty of one of the protagonist boys presumably through telepathy.<ref name=Friend /> Governmental officials and scientists try to use him as a weapon against villainous kaiju while protagonists try to save him.<ref name=BraveGuide /> Gamera and Gyaos were designed to be much smaller yet heavier than previous incarnations,<ref name=BraveGuide /> corresponding with the original scripts of ''[[Gamera: Guardian of the Universe]]'' which became the basis for the 2006 film.{{refn|Both Gamera and Gyaos in the 2006 film are 30 to 35 meters in body heights.<ref name=BraveGuide /> The original scripts for the 1995 film depicted that Gamera and Gyaos, who were respective guardians of ancient civilizations in hostility, hatched from artifact-like eggs discovered from ancient underwater ruins and instantly grow to 1 meters to 8 to 10 meters, and eventually become over 20 to 25 meters, akin to the size growth of Toto in the 2006 film.<ref name=Perfection /><ref name=BraveGuide />|group="note"}}<ref name=Perfection />

The opening scene of the film, set in 1973, depicts the original Gamera, called "Avant Gamera", sacrificing himself by means of self-destruction to save a coastal village from four Gyaos.<ref name=BraveGuide /><ref name=midnighteye>{{cite web|last=Mes|first=Tom|url=http://www.midnighteye.com/reviews/gamera-the-brave/|title=Midnight Eye review: Gamera the Brave (Chiisaki Yusha-tachi Gamera, 2005, Ryuta Tasaki)|date=29 September 2006|website=[[Midnight Eye]]|access-date=23 July 2019}}</ref> 33 years later, a young boy named Toru Aizawa finds a glowing heart-shaped rock near his home, with a small egg lying on top of it.<ref name=midnighteye /><ref name=Aiken>{{cite web|last=Aiken|first=Keith|url=https://www.scifijapan.com/kaiju-monsters/gamera-the-brave |title=Gamera the Brave|website=[[SciFi Japan TV|SciFi Japan]] |access-date=2024-12-23}}</ref> A baby turtle hatches from the egg, and begins to grow in size at an alarming rate. The turtle, dubbed "Toto" by Toru after his own nickname by his deceased mother,<ref name=BraveGuide /> quickly forms a bond with the boy and develops the ability to breathe fire and fly.<ref name=Aiken /> After consuming the glowing rock found with his egg, Toto fully transforms into the [[Reincarnation|next incarnation]] of Gamera,<ref name=Friend /> gaining the power to defeat a lizard-like monster known as Zedus. Zedus was once a normal reptile, but turned into a kaiju by feeding on Gyaos' corpse, and was presumably controlled by the vengeful [[Ghost|spirits]] of the villainous flying creatures.{{sfn|Barr|2016|p=173}}<ref name=BravePamphlet>Akihiko Kikawa, Junichi Nakamura, 2006, "これはびっくり!! 大怪獣ガメラ完全解剖図" and "やっぱりびっくり!! 海魔獣ジーダス完全解剖図", Official film pamphlet of ''Gamera the Brave'', Kadokawa</ref>

In one of novelizations, additional mutants spawned from Gyaos Cells made appearances, including Space Gyaos, Barugon,{{refn|Depictions of Toto and Barugon from one of comics for the Heisei trilogy ([[:ja:大怪獣激闘 ガメラ対バルゴン COMIC VERSION|jp]]) somewhat bear resemblances; both characters hatched from eggs and produced multiple jewel-like energy sources and grow rapidly by collecting them.<ref name=Kondo />|group="note"}} Viras, Guiron, Jiger and its offspring, and Zigra, and Toto fought against a legion of these kaiju.<ref name=Friend />

====Gamera Rebirth====
''[[Gamera Rebirth]]'', the first installation in the [[Reiwa era]] introduced monsters' characteristics to represent not only homages to previous films but also some of unused ideas of previous films and scrapped projects. All kaiju in this series are artificial life forms created by ancient civilizations for warfare and to control the [[overpopulation]] of humanity.<ref name=RebirthArtbook /> This incarnation of Gamera was also originally created for mass-massacres, however he was re-programmed by a rebellious figure to become the protector of civilians from other kaiju. During the downfalls of ancient civilizations, Gamera presumably stood against 24 different kaiju to protect the humanity.<ref name="RebirthNovel2">[[Hiroyuki Seshita]] ([[:ja:瀬下寛之|jp]]), Jin ([[:ja:じん|jp]]), 25 May 2024, ''Gamera Rebirth Official Novelization Part 2'', pp.27-28, p.311, p.318, Kadokawa</ref>

While previous incarnations of the character possessed affinities to elements most notably [[fire]], [[electricity]], [[Plasma (physics)|plasma energy]], [[electromagnetic pulse]], and [[Radio jamming|jamming]],<ref name=Noma /> Gamera in ''Gamera Rebirth'' further expanded combat attributes to include [[gravitation]], an [[Force field (technology)|energy shield]], and [[baryon]].{{refn|The Heisei trilogy originally planned to depict Gamera to perform an energy shield like ability.<ref name=Perfection />|group="note"}} This incarnation also possesses several supernatural traits such as [[telepathy]], a psychic link with humans, interfering mental contact by other kaiju on humans, bestowing a power to sense presence of other kaiju on children, and his name itself contains a power to somehow encourage specific children and makes humans to feel that the name "Gamera" is the correct one.<ref name=RebirthArtbook /><ref>[[Hiroyuki Seshita]] ([[:ja:瀬下寛之|jp]]), Jin ([[:ja:じん|jp]]), 2023, ''GAMERA -Rebirth- Official Novelization Part 1'', p.82, pp.99-102, p.107, p.141, p.182, pp.196-197, pp.251-252, pp.268, KADOKAWA</ref>

Gamera appeared to protect children from other monsters trying to feed on children and other humans. Through battle, Gamera was severely damaged and nearly died. During the battle against S-Gyaos, an enormous Gyaos mutant who fed on Viras' corpse, Gamera was injected with specific [[RNA virus]]es to reprogram him for the original usage. However, Gamera managed to regain his consciousness by willpower and a telepathic link with a boy. To prevent himself from being enslaved for carnage, Gamera sacrificed himself to destroy the [[Moonbase]] of the antagonists, the descendants of nobles of an ancient civilization who were using kaiju. Using all of his remaining power for the planet-penetrating Charged Baryon Cannon, the "Moon Buster", Gamera dissolved into ashes, leaving behind an egg for the new incarnation of Gamera who strongly resembles Toto from the 2006 film.<ref name=RebirthArtbook>GAMERA -Rebirth- Production committee, 29 January 2024, GAMERA -Rebirth- Official Artbook, pp.9-12, p.15, pp.17-25, p.35, pp.74-76, pp.94-95, pp.110-111, KADOKAWA, ISBN：9784041138410</ref><ref name=RebirthNovel2 />

====Others====
There have been multiple other incarnations of the character appeared in various other media from novelizations to [[manga]] and [[video game]]s.

The origin of the Gamera appeared in the 1995 novelization ''Gamera vs. Phoenix'' by [[Niisan Takahashi]], which was originally a script for a cancelled film in 1994,<ref name=DaieiScripts>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160327160653/https://www.cyberkids1954.com/daiei_script.html 1956-2006 『大映特撮の世界』篇]</ref> is unclear. Showa era Gamera defeated villainous kaiju like in previous films while the "new" Gamera who emerged from underneath the [[Nazca Lines]] possessed characteristics of the 1995 film ''[[Gamera: Guardian of the Universe]]''. This "new" Gamera initially attacked [[chemical plant]]s all over the world, resulting in hostility from humanity, though his intention was to prevent an oncoming catastrophe caused by [[environmental degradation]]s and to warn humanity. After sealing the Phoenix, an immortal but suicidal, fiery entity constantly suffering due to its immortality, the new Gamera sacrificed himself to save the Earth from further destruction caused by harmful [[sunlight]] triggered by [[air pollution]], following a similar fate as the Phoenix where both monsters cannot die for the sake of the planet which was damaged by humanity.<ref name=Perfection />

The incarnation of the character, the "[[Black Tortoise]]", appeared in {{Nihongo|''The Great Yokai War: Guardians Side Story: Heian Hundred Demon Tale''|妖怪大戦争ガーディアンズ外伝 平安百鬼譚|Yōkai Daisensō Gādianzu Gaiden Heian Hyakkitan|lead=yes}}, a spin-off novelization of the 2021 film ''[[The Great Yokai War: Guardians]]'', was uniquely portrayed to be an actual [[goddess]]. This incarnation was capable of various supernatural abilities such as [[Materialization (paranormal)|materialization]], human speech, and making [[yokai]] and humans they have known her since childhood even if it is their first encounter with her. In spirit-like form, she appeared from [[Ōeyama (mountain)|Mount Ooe]] and surrounding mountains north of [[Heian-kyō]] (Kyoto){{refn|A presumed reference to both the 1960 yokai film ''[[The Demon of Mount Oe]]'' by Daiei Film and ''[[GeGeGe no Kitarō]]'', and lyrics of Gamera songs, ''[[Gamera March]]'' ([[:ja:ガメラマーチ|ja]]), ''Gamera's Song'' ([[:ja:ガメラの歌|ja]]), and ''The Myth'' ([[:ja:神話 (爆風スランプの曲)|ja]]), and ''[[GeGeGe no Kitarō (Song)|GeGeGe no Kitarō's Song]]'' ([[:ja:ゲゲゲの鬼太郎 (曲)|ja]]) were used.|group="note"}} and manifested a physical form and battled [[Nue]], a gigantic yokai being empowered by vengeful [[Abe no Seimei]] to save the world from antagonistic humans and [[yokai]]. Gamera overwhelmed and severely weakened Nue with her fireballs and spinning jet, and left the rest to yokai and humans so they could fulfill their destiny, and secretly disappeared (dematerialized).<ref name=Minemori />

The presence of the "[[Black Tortoise]]" was also confirmed in the 2015 novel {{Nihongo|''Holy Beast War Chronicle: White Shadow''|聖獣戦記 白い影|Seijū Senki - Shiroi Kage}}. This was written by [[Shinichiro Inoue]] ([[:ja:井上伸一郎|jp]]), who was trying to reboot the franchise in early 2010s and also participated in ''[[Daimajin Kanon]]'' and ''[[Gamera Rebirth]]''.<ref name="CGWORLD" /><ref name="RebirthArtbook" /> The novel was a tribute to [[Masaichi Nagata]] and his films.{{refn|Masaichi Nagata was an enthusiastic and influential Buddhist of [[Nichiren-shū]], and became the representative of worshippers ([[:ja:総代|jp]]).<ref>Kaishuku Mochizuki ([[:ja:望月海淑|jp]]), 1967, 新校舎落成式挙行, pp.125-130, 学園だより, [[Minobusan University]]</ref> Masaichi was devoted to produced [[Nichiren]]-themed productions, and produced ''[[Nichiren to Mōko Daishūrai]]'' and ''[[Nichiren (film)|Nichiren]]'' by appointing a number of worshippers of Nichiren-shū as extras.<ref>Keibunsha ([[:ja:勁文社|jp]]) , 1997, ''日本特撮・幻想映画全集'' p.255</ref><ref>Yomiuri Shimbunsha ([[:ja:読売新聞社|jp]]), 1978, Yomiuri Weekly ([[:ja:読売ウイークリー|jp]]), Vol. 3 September 1978, p.15, [[The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings]]</ref>|group="note"}} In this novel, Barugon and Jiger directly appeared as the [[Azure Dragon]] and the [[White Tiger (mythology)|White Tiger]], respectively. Each monster is a spiritual and sacred entity, being regarded as [[deities]] with supernatural powers such as [[telepathy]], weaponizing the weather, energy beams, [[Levitation (paranormal)|levitation]], and time manipulation. These monsters choose specific humans as summoners and form supernatural links with them through [[magatama]]s, and bestow them superpowers. The chosen ones can summon [[Materialization (paranormal)|materialized]] monsters to perform tremendous feats, however, if summoners use monsters for destructive deeds, the world would be spiritually poisoned. This would only be cured by other chosen ones by the [[Four Symbols]]. [[Nichiren]], the current summoner of the Black Tortoise who was also bestowed abilities including time manipulation, tried to restore the world after the battle of Barugon and Jiger during the [[Mongol invasions of Japan]].<ref name="HolyBeast">[[Shinichiro Inoue]] ([[:ja:井上伸一郎|jp]]), 2015, ''聖獣戦記 白い影'', p.294-305, 怪獣文藝の逆襲, Kadokawa</ref>

Gamera made several appearances in the [[tokusatsu]] televisoon series ''Sailor Fight'' ([[:ja:セーラーファイト!|jp]]) in 1995 and 1996 as a "Capsule Monster", presumably based on similarly styled characters from ''[[Ultra Seven]]'', which later inspired ''[[Pokémon]]''.<ref>MAG MIX ([[:ja:メディア・ヴァーグ|jp]]), 19 September 2020, [https://magmix.jp/post/35908 『ウルトラセブン』で活躍の「カプセル怪獣」…その魅力はポケモンにも影響?]</ref><ref>MAG MIX ([[:ja:メディア・ヴァーグ|jp]]), 30 September 2023, [https://magmix.jp/post/186864 「ポケモン」を生んだ? 『ウルトラセブン』カプセル怪獣のたまらない可愛さ]</ref> [[Noriaki Yuasa]]{{refn|Yuasa participated in the production of ''[[Ultraman 80]]'' which later influenced the Heisei Gamera trilogy along with ''[[Ultraman Powered]]'' ([[:ja:ウルトラマンパワード|jp]]). Yuasa was originally appointed for ''[[Mirrorman]]'' before ''Ultraman 80'', and later participated in other related productions such as ''Anime-chan'' ([[:ja:アニメちゃん|jp]]) and ''[[Princess Comet]]''.<ref name=Perfection /><ref name=Karasawa />|group="note"}} directed a related 1996 video ''Cosplay Warrior Cutie Knight'' and appeared in it as the character "Dr. Yuasa". [[Hurricane Ryu]], who was also working for the 1994 manga ''Giant Monster Gamera'', played Gamera in the video.<ref name=HurricaneRyu>[[Hurricane Ryu]], 14 June 2020, [https://twitter.com/zkHc5amiVbaGWSY/status/1271992031460462592 本日は昭和ガメラでおなじみ湯浅憲明監督の御命日。], Twiiter (X)</ref>

In the 2015 short film to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the franchise,<ref name=WebNewType /> Gamera saved a boy from a swarm of Gyaos attacking [[Tokyo]] and incinerated them with a powerful fire blast. A decade later, another monster appeared in Tokyo to cause havoc, and the boy again witnessed Gamera return to fight it.

Within the ''USO Makoto Yōkai Hyaku Monogatari'' series by [[Natsuhiko Kyogoku]], in which multiple Kadokawa stakeholders, Daiei (Kadokawa)-related characters,{{refn|Gamera, [[Daimajin]], Daimon the [[vampire]], [[Sadako Yamamura]], [[Yasunori Katō]], [[Kayako Saeki]], [[Toshio Saeki]], and so on.|group="note"}} and characters from ''[[GeGeGe no Kitarō]]'' made cameo appearances as unsubstantial entities along with various other characters from multiple different franchises.{{refn|From ''[[Godzilla]]'' franchise, ''[[Ultraman]]'' franchise, ''[[Gappa: The Triphibian Monster]]'', ''[[Yo-kai Watch]]'' franchise, ''[[Inuyasha]]'' franchise, ''[[Ushio to Tora]]'', ''Beyond Twilight'' ([[:ja:百鬼夜行抄|jp]]), ''[[Natsume's Book of Friends]]'', ''[[Hozuki's Coolheadedness]]'', and so on.|group="note"}}{{refn|Multiple other characters from many other franchises were also directly mentioned and appeared indirectly.|group="note"}}<ref name=Kyogoku />