Nezura 1964

Nezura 1964

Year: 2020

Runtime: 55 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Hiroto Yokokawa

DramaComedyHistory

Persistence. Determination. Tenacity. This film. A biopic based on the production of Daiei’s Giant Horde Beast Nezura, the scrapped precursor to Gamera.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Nezura 1964 yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Nezura 1964 (2020)

Trace every key event in Nezura 1964 (2020) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Kickoff: documentary and project pitch

Assistant director Kazuaki Yukawa introduces a documentary about an upcoming Daiei film. The executives seek a fresh concept to complement existing franchises, setting a high-stakes tone for the project. This kickoff frames Giant Horde Beast Nezura as an ambitious, idea-driven venture.

July 25, 1963 Daiei Studios
2

Initial ideas form; approval and pressure

Special effects director Yonejiro Tsukaji pitches a lavish kaiju movie. CEO Yuichi Nagano is impressed and approves the idea with enthusiasm. Director Mitsuo Muraoka warns that a competitor has already released a kaiju film, adding competitive pressure.

July 25, 1963 Daiei Studios – meeting room
3

Zoo visit to scout monster inspiration

Tsukaji and Yukawa visit a Tokyo zoo to find a creature to base the monster on. None of the animals resonate with their concept, leaving them without a clear creature to feature. The search for a different, mundane basis for the monster continues.

Tokyo Zoo
4

Rats chosen as the basis for the monster

After Yuichi watches a film featuring birds, he suggests using a mundane animal for the monster. He and Tsukaji settle on rats and announce the decision at the August 5 meeting.

August 5 Daiei Studios – meeting room
5

Start of test footage; domesticated rats prove troublesome

Daiei begins filming test footage on October 10 using domesticated rats, but the animals prove hard to control. The team decides to switch to wild rats and Tsukaji travels to downtown Tokyo to capture footage. The initial tests validate the viability of the concept.

October 10 Daiei Studio
6

Wild rats succeed; project proceeds

Tsukaji captures wild rats in downtown Tokyo, and the footage proves successful. Yuichi is delighted with the results and approves the project to proceed. The team advances to further production steps.

Downtown Tokyo; Daiei Studio
7

Roles assigned; new Nezura prop commissioned

Muraoka is assigned as director, with Tsukaji handling special effects. Tsukaji then meets sculptor Takiyama to commission a life-sized Nezura prop. Daiei staff also constructs a Mammoth Nezura puppet for on-screen action.

Late October 1963 Daiei Studio
8

Public announcement and January release plan

Yuichi records a public announcement of the film, signaling a January release. The studio outlines the production timeline and builds anticipation for Giant Horde Beast Nezura. This public messaging cements the project within Daiei's lineup.

January (year not specified) Daiei Studio
9

Rat collection push and warehouse growth

To keep up with production demands, Daiei offers the public ¥50 for every rat they bring in. Cages begin filling a small warehouse as the supply of rats grows, reshaping the on-set environment.

October 1963 Daiei warehouse
10

Prop and puppet progress

Takiyama completes the human-sized Nezura prop, and the Mammoth Nezura puppet is built by Daiei staff. The team prepares the puppets for upcoming filming sequences and visual effects work.

October 1963 Studio workshop
11

Table read and space-themed script elements

Actors Utsumi, Michiko Ogata, Junko Kamei, and Schmidt join a table read. Screenwriter Hasebe's story includes a joint US-Soviet lunar expedition, aligning space exploration thematically with the film’s premise.

October 1963 Daiei Studio
12

Space-lab experiments spawn ravenous monsters

Mikami Space Laboratory's experiments on rats intended to create a space food organism instead yield ravenous monsters. The Nezura creatures escape the lab and rampage through Tokyo, escalating the production's stakes.

October–November 1963 Mikami Space Laboratory; Tokyo
13

On-set chaos and public health concerns

A Mammoth Nezura battles the smaller rats while the JSDF moves to contain the threat. Fleas and disease infect the rats, forcing many crew members to wear masks during filming. The escalating chaos creates mounting production challenges.

October–November 1963 Tokyo sets
14

Protests and termination letter

Citizens living near the studio protest on October 25, worried about disease spread. On November 3, Daiei receives a stern letter from the Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health recommending the film's termination.

October 25; November 3, 1963 Near the studio; Daiei
15

Destruction and spark of a new monster

Tsukaji immolates the rats the following day and stands amid the set, then crushes a building in a fit of rage. Yukawa later reflects that Giant Horde Beast Nezura was a failure, but valuable for teaching him about filmmaking. On January 3, Yukawa visits Yuichi at his home, where a spinning firework inspires a new monster idea they rush to Daiei to develop.

November 4, 1963; January 3 Daiei Studio; Yuichi's home

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 04:07

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Nezura 1964

Don't stop at just watching — explore Nezura 1964 in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Nezura 1964 is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Nezura 1964 Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Nezura 1964, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Nezura 1964 Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Nezura 1964

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Nezura 1964. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Nezura 1964

Nezura 1964 Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Nezura 1964 that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Nezura 1964 Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Nezura 1964

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Nezura 1964: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Nezura 1964