Gamera vs. Jiger, when compared to the other films after Gamera vs. Gyaos, is actually one of the more mature films in the Showa Gamera series. Its child protagonists are almost teenagers, and thus older than every other child seen in a Showa Gamera movie, and they aren't annoying either...well, they're nowhere near as life-threateningly stupid as the boys from Gamera vs. Viras and Gamera vs. Guiron, or as annoying as the children from Gamera vs. Zigra, and they prove to actually be helpful, for a change. Overall, Gamera vs. Jiger is an underrated entry in the series that deserves more attention.
The film escaped being featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000 in its initial run alongside several others in the franchise despite the crew trying long and hard to get the rights, but they finally succeeded with the show's second relaunch in 2021. For tropes about the MST3K episode click here.
This film contains examples of the following:
- As Long as It Sounds Foreign: The native ambassador is clearly speaking gibberish when he goes on his Foreign-Language Tirade protesting the removal of the idol.
- Beware My Stinger Tail: Jiger's needle-tipped tail puts Gamera into a coma-like state and implants a baby Jiger inside him.
- Brown Note: The statue, or Devil's Whistle, makes a lot of people sick, and it harms Jiger.
- Darker and Edgier: Not to the extent of Gamera vs. Barugon, but definitely when compared to the two previous films and the two succeeding ones.
- Evil Genius: Jiger is quite genry savy and seems to have more creative ways of trying to finish Gamera instead of simply 'more sonic beam/more ice/more knife-head!'
- Family-Unfriendly Violence: Let's see...Gamera is stabbed in the limbs by Jiger's spear...things, Gamera is impregnated after being stabbed by Jiger's tail, an act of Giant Monster Abortion (which should totally be the name of a rock band) is shown onscreen, and Gamera stabs Jiger in the head with the idol.
- "Fantastic Voyage" Plot: The two boys pilot a small submersible inside of Gamera in order to kill the baby Jiger.
- Friend to All Children: Unless they happen to be parasitic monsters injected into you by your opponent, however, in what may be one of only two aversions in the Showa Gamera films.
- Giant Flyer: Gamera and Jiger, who seems to use some sort of steam propulsion.
- Monster Is a Mommy: Jiger, who also tries to turn Gamera into an extremely goofy and somewhat nonsensical example of M-Preg. Fortunately, this plan is thwarted.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: By removing the idol from the island, the Expo workers accidentally unleash Jiger, which ties into...
- Sealed Evil in a Can: Jiger, after the idol has been removed from its spot on the island.
- Shooting Superman: Subverted. The military takes some shots at Gamera with rifles...and it works!
- Stock Footage: At the beginning of the film, we are treated to a montage of footage from the previous Gamera movies, with the exception of the first film. Also, during Jiger's attack on Osaka, footage of people in shelters is taken from Gamera vs. Barugon.
- Underdogs Never Lose: Gamera is defeated by Jiger twice before he finally wins.
- Villains Out Shopping: An interesting case with Jiger. What’s her very first action after waking up from a century long sleep? Drink some water from a nearby lake.
