With the success of “Shin” movie reboots such as Shin Ultraman, Shin Kamen Rider and Shin Godzilla, what other shows could benefit from the Shin treatment? Let’s look at three options that have the necessary components to have successful reboots.
Hey all, Sean here again. Now, it’s no secret that I love the “Shin” series by Hideaki Anno but with all the ideas for movies he’s revealed, such as two Shin Ultraman sequels and a Shin Kamen Rider sequel, I thought I’d take you through the three shows I think deserve the Shin treatment and why. Spoilers ahead.
1: Ultraseven (1967)
Starting off with the one I want the most (and the only one on the list that is being planned). I would love for Ultraseven, one of my personal favourite Ultra shows, to get the Shin treatment for the following reasons:
1: With the fact that aliens played a huge part in the plot of both Ultraseven and Shin Ultraman, it would be interesting to see more aliens arrive on earth to attempt to either use it for profit or to conquer it.
2: Dan/Ultraseven, like Kaminaga/Ultraman, was a fish out of water when he first came to Earth, but slowly, he adapted to life on the planet, became fond of humans and both had a female ally; Dan had Anne Yuri while Kaminaga had Hiroko Asami.
3: The ending of Shin Ultraman leaves a lot to the imagination. Ultraman leaves his body behind and Kaminaga comes back to life. While many view this as Ultraman dying, I do not. I like to think Ultraman and Kaminaga fused completely, becoming a singular being. If the cast from Shin Ultraman were to return in Shin Ultraseven, it would be interesting to have the dynamic with a new member who is capable of fighting for earth in Ultraman’s place.
But that’s what I hope to see. If this movie does happen, I’d bet Anno does something different and it would be true to the mysterious spirit of the show.
2: Android Kikaider (1972)
Next up, is Kikaider. Now, I know there was the 2014 film, Kikaider: REBOOT, but I personally did not enjoy that film (full review coming soon). I think that a Shin Kikaider could properly do some cinematic justice for the character, and here’s why I want Shin Kikaider:
1: As Shin Kamen Rider was based more on the Kamen Rider manga than the TV show, I have a feeling that the same may be said for Kikaider. I enjoyed the Kikaider anime a lot and that’s based directly on the manga. I have a feeling it could work out in the movie’s favour.
2: Jiro in the REBOOT movie didn’t feel like a machine with an internal struggle like in the TV show and anime, he just felt like a run of the mill sci-fi android and not in a good way. I’ve noticed Anno focuses a lot on one thing in the Shin movies, character development. Jiro, despite having an incomplete conscience circuit, he felt it made him more human, as stated in an episode of the show if memory serves me right.
3: The designs of the Shin heroes (Ultraman, Kamen Rider) have been extremely faithful to the original designs, so if they were to make a new design for Kikaider in this film, it would be faithful to the classic design we all know and love.
3: Akumaizer 3 (1976)
Lastly, we have the demon heroes, the Akumaizer 3! This is a very unique show where the heroes don’t have civilian forms and the fact that the main villains are the clan the heroes originate from, it provides a story of heroes defying their fate to rise and protect the Earth. Here’s what I’d want to see from a “Shin Akumaizer 3”:
1: The Akumaizer’s don’t have human/civilian forms, well, except Xavitan (pictured in the middle) and don’t gain them until the indirect sequel, Choujin Bibyun. I would want to see Anno make the Akumaizer’s find ways to get around the cities and other places without drawing out any attention.
2: The fact that the heroes are rebels, who fight the society they originate from, the Akuma clan was an interesting one to me during my watch of the series. Anno has used themes akin to this before, like in Shin Ultraman, when Lipiah defied Zoffy.
3: The music. The soundtrack of this show is amazing, especially the opening theme, Shouri Da! Akumaizer 3!, as well as the theme of the Akumaizer’s ship, the Zaiderbeck. Knowing how Anno used classic tracks in the prior three films, he would definitely use some in the movie.
But what do you all think? Do you believe these shows deserve modern adaptations by Anno? Let us know in the comments, as always, I’m Sean, the resident “Shin” series enthusiast, signing off for now.
