Godzilla Cast Returns to Tokyo After Hollywood Ovation

The cast of 'Godzilla Minus Zero' returned to Japan on Friday, carrying memories of a standing ovation from the Los Angeles premiere.

The film opens in Japan on Tuesday, two days after the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival began on Sunday.

Kamiki Ryunosuke, who plays Shikishima Koichi, and Hamabe Minami, who plays his wife Noriko, flew back from the TCL Chinese Theatre event on Friday.

Kamiki described the energy in the 900-seat theater as extraordinary. He said the raw enthusiasm reminded him of the global love for the Godzilla franchise.

The applause reportedly continued without a break. Hamabe noted that many attendees wore Godzilla-themed clothing or badges at the after-party.

The red carpet allowed passersby to join the event. Fans held up posters and chanted the director's name with intense volume.

Kamiki recalled the chants as a roar. He said the crowd erupted when Yamazaki Takashi signed autographs. He called the director amazing based on that reaction.

Child actor Nagatani Sae made her first stage appearance at the Tokyo event. Kamiki walked her on stage. She returns as Shikishima Akiko.

In the previous film, Akiko had minimal dialogue. In the new version, she has full lines. Kamiki said he was surprised by her ability to memorize and deliver them perfectly.

Hamabe said Nagatani was a toddler during the first shoot and frightened by the large crew. She said the girl has grown into a dependable young actress who chats with the cast.

Nagatani said she was not nervous during filming. She remembered Kamiki rubbing her back after a crying scene. She asked how to become a good actor while in elementary school.

Kamiki told her she already outshone the adult cast. He said appearing in both films at her age is an amazing achievement in itself. He noted that the new story takes place two years after the first film. Hamabe estimated the gap at two to three years. The family has settled into everyday life before the monster returns. The previous film earned more than 7.65 billion yen at the box office. It won the visual effects Oscar and over 50 other awards. The new film is the first Japanese production certified for Imax.