Netflix captures original Godzilla toon film

Streaming giant Netflix has grabbed rights to an original Japanese-animated toon movie based on the monster Godzilla.

Netflix is billing Godzilla as “the first-ever high-quality animation of the iconic global monster franchise”, noting it is a reimaging as in the future.

Following a Japanese cinema release, Netflix will make it available to its subscribers in 190 territories to complete existing anime exclusives such as AJIN: Demi-Human, Blame!, Gantz: O, Cyborg 009 Call of Justice and Perfect Bones.

Japanese entertainment conglom Toho, which produces Godzilla feature films, is working with digital anime studio Polygon Pictures (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Knights of Sidonia) on the movie.

Anime writer Gen Urobuchi (Psycho-Pass) wrote the script, with direction coming from Kobun Shizuno (Knights of Sidonia), and Hiroyuki Seshita (AJIN: Demi-Human). Voice cast includes Yuki Kaji, Takahiro Sakurai and Junichi Suwabe.

“We are truly delighted to unveil Godzilla, which is the latest addition to our growing catalogue of Netflix original anime content,’ said Greg Peters, president, Netflix Japan. “Working with the best creators such as Toho in bringing Godzilla to Netflix users in over 190 countries marks a major milestone for us.”

Godzilla co-director Seshita said the film would be “a unique vision of a universal human drama set in an epic world”.

In related news, Netflix has commissioned a second season of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.