Does Gamera have a following in Japan?

[ghed]

I love Gamera just as much as I love Godzilla, but it feels like he has practically unheard of in America. Everytime I mention him to my friends or other Godzilla fans I get blank stares. The closest Ive ever come to a fellow Gamera fan is "oh yea, wasnt he like a turtle or something?" I can never find any of the 70s Gamera movies in stores either. I feel bad for the big guy even if he is a Godzilla knock-off he I think he deserves more regcognition in the US.

Does Gamera atleast have a decent following in Japan? I realize its probably nothing compared to Godzilla's following but there must be some since he had 3 recent movies.

[333jeffery]

I always liked Gamera the best, myself. A flame-throwing, flying turtle is just so darn cool.....

[ghed]

Yea I love how he when he tucks in his arms and legs he turns into a jet powered turtle :D Godzilla cant beat that.

[tenshi_a]

Gamera is so much fun!! ^_^

I've seen parodies of Gamera in various anime; Dr. Slump, Yakitate! Japan... even Bowser in Super Mario Bros has copied Gamera's moves!

If they're parodying, I guess that means they must be referring to something that's just in the knowledge of everyone in Japan, or no-one would get the joke.

So I think Gamera must be quite popular, and over a long period of time.

[Daishikaze]

I love Gamera and Godzilla pretty equally, but I will say the 90s Gamera films were abit better than the Godzilla ones.

[Prons]

There was a recent one in Japan called "Gamera: Little Braves," but I remember hearing that it failed to capture the imagination of Japan.

Of course, it does have a slight following in America.