Shin Japan Heroes Universe

The Shin Japan Heroes Universe (シン・ジャパン・ヒーローズ・ユニバース, Shin Japan Hirōzu Yunibāsu, abbreviated as SJHU) is an ongoing Japanese collaborative project between Toho, Khara, Tsuburaya Productions, and Toei. Developed by Hideaki Anno, it unites four of his critically-acclaimed films that were reimaginings of renowned science fiction franchises, all bearing the katakana title "Shin" (シン).[lower-alpha 1]

Shin Japan Heroes Universe
Official logo by Yutaka Izubuchi
Created byHideaki Anno
Owner
Years2022–present
Films and television
Film(s)
Games
Video game(s)P Godzilla vs. Evangelion: G Cell Awakening (2022)
Official website
Official website Edit this at Wikidata (in Japanese)

Hideaki Anno began the Shin series[2][3] with the kaiju film Shin Godzilla (2016), which he co-directed with Shinji Higuchi. Serving as a reboot of the Godzilla franchise, it offered a contemporary and politically charged take on the iconic monster by emphasizing the social and bureaucratic response to the creature's rampage. Next, Anno moved on to co-direct, write and produce Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021), the final Rebuild of Evangelion installment. Like Shin Godzilla, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time would become the second-highest-grossing Japanese film of the year and the highest-grossing film in its franchise. That same year, all four companies agreed to form a joint venture for the Shin Japan Heroes Universe, with Anno's assistance.

In February 2022, the Shin Japan Heroes Universe was officially announced, with Anno reported as its creator. Later that year, the third film, Higuchi's superhero film Shin Ultraman, became a box office hit in Japan and received several festival screenings overseas. Similar to Shin Godzilla, it reimagines the Ultraman series, which features a giant alien superhero who defends Earth from giant monsters and other aliens. The fourth Shin film, Shin Kamen Rider (2023), was a reimagining of the 1971 television series Kamen Rider.

History

Development
Hideaki Anno conceived the Shin Japan Heroes Universe, with the unanimous approval of all four companies involved in his Shin films.

"No, we don't have any plans for it. It's all we can do to make one movie for one character right now."

– Shinji Higuchi (co-director/effects director of Shin Godzilla and director of Shin Ultraman) after being asked if there are plans to expand SJHU into crossover films.[4]

In 2021, Toho, Khara, Tsuburaya Productions, and Toei held a meeting and unanimously agreed to create the Shin Japan Heroes Universe, with the assistance of Hideaki Anno.[5] Regarding the fruition of the project, Anno stated that it "was conceived in the discussions of the related companies, from the idea of combining characters that are proud of Japanese culture, in a collaborative way, to further expand them around the world and stimulate fun. [...] Originally, projects with a wide range of copyright sources are difficult to adjust, and the commercial benefits are not significant. So it's a plan that can only be made by content holders who prioritize fan service over business cooperation itself."[6] Back in 2016, Khara and Toho had previously collaborated on similar cross-over projects uniting Rebuild of Evangelion and Shin Godzilla such as Godzilla vs. Evangelion and Godzilla vs. Evangelion: The Real 4D.[7][8]

On February 14, 2022, all four companies jointly announced that the collaborative project unites properties that Anno had worked on bearing the title "Shin", such as Shin Godzilla, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time,[lower-alpha 2] Shin Ultraman and Shin Kamen Rider.[9][10] That same day, the official logo by Yutaka Izubuchi and the promotional visual teaser image by Mahiro Maeda were revealed.[9] The ensuing day, Anno announced that "it is a project that uses a common item called Shin as an expedient. In the future, the word Shin will be removed...we hope that the development of SJHU will please our fans as a new pleasure that transcends the boundaries of the character(s) worlds."[6][11]

In July 2022, Shinji Higuchi stated that the project is intended only for merchandise, special events, and tie-in events and that the films are meant to be individually separate rather than replicating the Marvel Cinematic Universe formula.[4]

Projects

In May 2022, Bandai Namco Holdings announced the first SJHU project titled Shin Japan Heroes Amusement World, an amusement park set to debut for opening between July and November 2022 in the Bandai Namco Cross Stores located in Yokohama, Osaka, Umeda and Hakata.[12] In July of the same year, GungHo Online Entertainment added the Shin Godzilla incarnation of Godzilla and the Shin Ultraman incarnations of Ultraman, Neronga, Gabora, Zarab, Mefilas, and Zetton to their mobile puzzle video game Puzzle & Dragons.[13] In October, a pachinko game titled Godzilla vs. Evangelion: G Cells Awakening was announced, which features an Evangelion mutating into Godzilla.[14][15] That following month, a Shin Japan Heroes Amusement World commemorative wristwatch was announced and became available for pre-order from Premium Bandai on November 25 for ¥33,000.[16] That same month, Tamashii Nations announced a new line of figures based on the designs of Eva-01, Godzilla, Kamen Rider and Ultraman.[17]

In January 2023, two SHHU products were announced: snack food company Befco announced a special campaign promoting an SJHU-themed bakauke pack[18] and Uniqlo announced a new line of T-shirts for March 2023.[19] In March, an izakaya inspired by Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time and Shin Kamen Rider opened in Tokyo's Kabukicho district from March 10 to May 28.[20] The ensuing month, the video game SD Shin Kamen Rider Rumble, featuring a season pass with three DLC packs was revealed.[21] In May, Bandai Toy Division released "S.J.H.U.PROJECT Shin Universe Robo," a toy consisting of the title characters from each film at the price of ¥23.100.[22][23] Hiroshi Butsuda directed a promotional video featuring the "Shin Universe Robo", released the same month, which a mecha formed by the combination of Godzilla, Ultraman, Evangelion Unit-01 and Kamen Rider No. 1's motorcycle, the Cyclone.[22]

Films
Film Release date Director(s) Produced by Distributed by
Shin Godzilla July 29, 2016 Hideaki Anno[24]
Shinji Higuchi[24]		 Toho Pictures, Cine Bazar Toho
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time March 8, 2021 Hideaki Anno[24]
Kazuya Tsurumaki
Katsuichi Nakayama
Mahiro Maeda		 Studio Khara[24] Toho, Toei[24]
Shin Ultraman May 13, 2022 Shinji Higuchi[24] Toho Studios, Cine Bazar Toho[24]
Shin Kamen Rider March 17, 2023 Hideaki Anno[24] Toei, Cine Bazar Toei[24]

Recurring cast and characters
Actor Film
Shin Godzilla Evangelion: 3.0+1.0
Thrice Upon a Time		 Shin Ultraman Shin Kamen Rider
Hideaki Anno FirefighterVUltraman
Mikako Ichikawa Hiromi OgashiraShoko Midorikawa
Suzuki Matsuo Tatsuya HayafuneDaizo Ishigami
Masami Nagasawa Hiroko AsamiScorpion-Aug
Takumi Saitoh IkedaShinji Kaminaga/UltramanGovernment agent
Kyusaku Shimada Minister of Foreign AffairsPrime Minister of Japan
Issey Takahashi Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology		UltramanV
Yutaka Takenouchi Hideki Akasaka, Prime Minister's aide Government official
Shinya Tsukamoto Kunio HazamaDr. Hiroshi Midorikawa
Koichi Yamadera Ryoji KajiVZōffyV
  • ^ Voice acting role.

Box office performance
Box office performance of Shin Japan Heroes Universe films
Film Box office gross All-time ranking Ref(s)
Japan Other territories Worldwide Japan U.S.
Shin Godzilla $75,403,349 $2,486,278 $78,053,145 66 7,443 [25]
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time $92,246,218 $1,516,794 $93,763,012 [26]
Shin Ultraman $33,500,000 $934,150 $34,434,150 [27][28][29]
Shin Kamen Rider $15,655,858 $15,655,858 [30]
Total $216,805,425 $5,519,866 $221,897,086

Critical response
Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
Shin Godzilla (2016) 86% (73 reviews)[31] 67 (14 reviews)[32]
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021) 100% (25 reviews)[33] 84 (7 reviews)[34]
Shin Ultraman (2022) 93% (30 reviews)[35] 84 (8 reviews)[36]
Shin Kamen Rider (2023) 89% (18 reviews)[37]

Potential further films
Further information: Shin Godzilla § Further films, Shin Ultraman § Potential sequels, and Shin Kamen Rider (film) § Potential sequel

Hideaki Anno has proposed sequels to all three of his live-action Shin Japan Heroes Universe installments. Near the completion of Shin Godzilla (2016), Anno proposed a sequel to that film titled Shin Godzilla's Counterattack, which would be directed by Shinji Higuchi.[38] In 2018, however, Toho's "Chief Godzilla Officer" Keiji Ōta told The Nikkei that there is no possibility of a sequel to Shin Godzilla and Toho instead desired to produce a shared universe akin to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite Godzilla already appearing in the MonsterVerse.[39] In Shin Ultraman Design Works, Anno stated that he initially wrote a proposal for a trilogy of films in January 2018, beginning with Shin Ultraman (2022) and continuing with an untitled sequel and a remake of the 1967 television series Ultraseven, titled Shin Ultraseven.[38] Anno revealed on April 9, 2023, that he had deliberately left the possibility of a Shin Kamen Rider sequel open. He stated that he is prepared to make one if Toei requested it, and had begun planning such a film while writing Shin Kamen Rider, which he titled Masker World.[40]

See also

Notes
  1. The katakana for "Shin" was chosen by Hideaki Anno as it can either stand for "new" (新), "true" (真), or "God" (神).[1]
  2. Known in Japan as Shin Evangelion Theatrical Edition (シン・エヴァンゲリオン劇場版𝄇, Shin Evangerion Gekijōban 𝄇). It is the only film in the Rebuild of Evangelion series to use the same katakana for "Shin" (シン・) also used in Shin Godzilla, Shin Ultraman, and Shin Kamen Rider.

References
  1. Komatsu, Mikikazu (September 23, 2015). "Toho Opens Official Website for 2016 "Shin Godzilla" Film". Crunchyroll. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  2. Okamoto, Gensuke (February 14, 2022). "庵野監督の｢シン｣シリーズ4作がコラボする｢シン・ジャパン・ヒーローズ・ユニバース｣発表！". Gizmodo (in Japanese). Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  3. Sakai, Takafumi (February 14, 2023). "庵野秀明"ユニバース"始動。「シン・」シリーズ4作がコラボ". AV Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  4. Baron, Reuben (July 28, 2022). "Shin Ultraman And Shin Godzilla's Shinji Higuchi Won't Be Doing Any Film Crossovers - Exclusive". Looper.com. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  5. "『シン・ジャパン・ヒーローズ・ユニバース』公式サイト" ["Shin Japan Heroes Universe" Official Site]. Shin Japan Heroes Universe (in Japanese). Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  6. "庵野秀明氏 コメント" [Comment from Hideaki Anno]. Shin Japan Heroes Universe (in Japanese). February 15, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  7. Medina, Nd (April 1, 2016). "Godzilla vs Evangelion Merch Isn't An April Fools' Joke, Just The Answer To Our Prayers". Player One. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  8. Squires, John (May 15, 2019). ""Godzilla vs. Evangelion: The Real 4D" Experience Coming to Universal Studios Japan This Month!". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  9. Komatsu, Mikikazu (February 13, 2022). "Godzilla, Evangelion, Ultraman, and Kamen Rider to Collaborate in Shin Japan Heroes Universe Project". Crunchyroll. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  10. Li, Nicolaus (February 16, 2022). "Hideaki Anno Launches "Shin Japan Heroes Universe" Project". Yahoo!Life. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  11. Dutta, Debopriyaa (February 16, 2022). "Shin Godzilla Director Hideaki Anno Is Creating His Own Shin Movie Universe With Kaiju And Robots". SlashFilm.com. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  12. Morrissy, Kim (May 18, 2022). "'Shin Japan Heroes Universe' Project Unveils Amusement Attractions in Bandai Namco Stores". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  13. "映画『シン・ウルトラマン』や新番組『ウルトラマンデッカー』のキャラクターがスマートフォンゲーム「パズドラ」に登場！限定グッズのプレゼントキャンペーンも実施！". Tsuburaya Station (in Japanese). Tsuburaya Productions. July 18, 2022. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  14. Suzuki, Miki (2022-10-17). "Godzilla vs Evangelion Ad Showcases Epic Eva Transformation for Pachinko Collab". CBR. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  15. "Evangelion And Godzilla Fuse in New Crossover Trailer". ComicBook.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  16. Mike (November 5, 2022). "Latest Shin Japan Heroes Amusement World Merchandise Is Wristwatch". Mike Shouts. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  17. "Shin Universe Introduces New Figures, Hints at Crossover". ComicBook.com. November 20, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  18. "シンばかうけキャンペーン | 株式会社栗山米菓｜Befco（ベフコ）". 株式会社栗山米菓｜Befco（ベフコ） | (in Japanese). 2023-01-13. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  19. Harding, Daryl (January 16, 2023). "Hideaki Anno's Shin Japan Heroes Universe Comes to Uniqlo's UT Line in March". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  20. "Evangelion, Shin Kamen Rider Izakaya Opens in Tokyo on Friday". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  21. Bashir, Dale (2023-04-07). "Kamen Rider, Godzilla, Evangelion and Ultraman Will Officially Crossover in an Upcoming Video Game". IGN Southeast Asia. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  22. Komatsu, Mikikazu (May 18, 2023). "Godzilla, Evangelion, Ultraman, and Kamen Rider Combine into Shin Universe Robo". Crunchyroll. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  23. "Godzilla, Evangelion, Ultraman, Kamen Rider Crossover, Combine in 'Shin Universe Robo' CG/Tokusatsu Short". Anime News Network. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  24. Schilling, Mark (February 15, 2022). "Godzilla, Ultraman and Kamen Rider Join Forces in Shin Japan Heroes Universe From Rival Studios and Anno Hideaki". Variety. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  25. "Shin Godzilla". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  26. "Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  27. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 30, 2022). "One Piece Film Red, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Films Top Japan's Box Office in 2022". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 31, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  28. "Shin Ultraman". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  29. "Shin Urotoraman (シン・ウルトラマン) (2022)". The Numbers. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  30. "Shin Kamen Rider". The Numbers. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  31. "Shin Godzilla". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  32. "Shin Godzilla (Godzilla Resurgence)". Metacritic. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  33. "EVANGELION:3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  34. "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time". Metacritic. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  35. "Shin Ultraman". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  36. "Shin Ultraman". Metacritic. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  37. "Shin Kamen Rider". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  38. Anno, Hideaki (May 13, 2022). "Shin Ultraman's memoir Hideaki Anno". Shin Ultraman Design Works (in Japanese). Khara, Inc. p. 73. ISBN 978-4-905033-28-8.
  39. "東宝の命運握る「ゴジラ戦略会議」 映画以外にも展開". 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). May 12, 2018. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  40. "庵野秀明監督、『シン・仮面ライダー』続編に含み 現在は白紙も「構想は残っている」". Oricon. April 9, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
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