Godzilla is back in its home country of Japan and better than ever. From the mind of the creator of popular, gory anime Neon Genesis Evangelion; Hideaki Anno comes the first in Japan’s new Godzilla film franchise, Shin Godzilla. While the movie at times felt like a found footage film, viewers are shown that this is very much a Godzilla movie. Anno’s signature use of gore is present throughout parts of the film, so viewers should be wary if they can’t handle it.

Shin Godzilla is an 2015 Japanese Kaiju film, it is directed and written by Hideaki Anno, produced by Toho Pictures, and distributed by Funimation Films in the US & Canada. It will have a limited theatrical run in North America & Canada on October 11-18.

Godzilla as he appears in Shin Godzilla.

Of the Kaiju genre, Godzilla soundly rests on the top of the mountain as fan favorite king not only in Japan, but overseas in America and then some. Having had a twelve year long slumber in it’s home country of Japan, the lizard kaiju reawakens for a new franchise envisioned by Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno for another run.

The human characters take most of the spotlight in Shin Godzilla.

THE GOOD: After twelves years of resting at the Japanese sea, Godzilla has awoken once more for another franchise looking to please both long time fans and newcomers. Admittedly a genuine Godzilla film with modern tech looks a little weird, and takes some getting used to if you’ve been watching the Japanese film for as long as someone like myself has, but you get over it quickly. Anno was very clear with his vision and what he had in mind for Godzilla, and it was a very enjoyable hour plus. Wary fans have no reason to worry about the latest entry.

Godzilla using his infamous atomic breath in Shin Godzilla.

THE BAD: The kaijus don’t get much love here in terms of screen time, granted this is the start of a new series of films in the Japanese films, but it felt like there was a tad too much focus on the humans.

Japan in shambles.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Godzilla is back and better than ever from the beautifully sick mind of Hideaki Anno, comes a reboot that while focusing on humans more than it should, really gives the Kaijus the ball, and they definitely run with it. The more modernized take on the lizard monster will take time to get used to throughout the next several films, but eventually it will become a non issue. Otaku Dome gives Shin Godzilla an 85 out of 100.