Powered Gyaos

is a giant monster, or kaiju, that debuted in the 1965 film Gamera, the Giant Monster by Daiei Film. The character and the first film were intended to follow the success of Toho's Godzilla film series, while various staffs have participated in both and related franchises, and the two franchises have influenced each other. The Daiei franchise has become a Japanese icon in its own right and one of the many representatives of Japanese cinema, appearing in a total of 12 films produced by Daiei Film and later by Tokuma Shoten and Kadokawa Daiei Studio (Kadokawa Corporation) respectively, and various other media such as novel, anime, video, manga and cartoons, magazine, video game, television programs, shows, other merchandises, and so on.

Gamera is depicted as a giant, flying, fire-breathing, prehistoric turtle. In the series' first film, Gamera is portrayed as an aggressive and destructive monster, though he also saved a child's life. As the films progressed, Gamera took on a more benevolent role, becoming a protector of humanity, especially children, nature, and the Earth from extraterrestrial races and other giant monsters.

The Gamera franchise has been (both directly and indirectly) very influential in Japan and internationally. and many others. 27 November is publicly referred to as the in Japan, and Gamera and related characters are used as mascots by the city of Chōfu.

Despite its popularity and influence, expansion of the franchise and public recognition of the character were severely hindered by Daiei Film and its successors' (Tokuma Shoten and Kadokawa Corporation) precarious financial conditions and distribution weaknesses, On the other hand, both franchises bear , and there have been failed attempts to .