Released in 1975, the legendary disaster movie “Shinkansen Daibakuha (1975)” starring Ken Takakura left its mark on Japanese film history. Now, this famous title has been revived in 2025 with Netflix, director Shinji Higuchi, and lead actor Tsuyoshi Kusanagi.

This film is a non-stop suspense thriller depicting people desperately searching for a solution in an extreme situation where a bomb has been planted on the latest Shinkansen train and its speed cannot be slowed down.

The first thing I felt after watching it was, “Ah, this is a film by Director Higuchi!” The detailed depictions of not only the Shinkansen but also the control room were still intact. In particular, I was impressed by the realistic portrayal of the Tohoku Shinkansen! The fact that the “Hayabusa 60” is recreated not only with CG but also with special effects shows the director’s attention to detail. It was made possible thanks to the full cooperation of JR East.

The story parallels the explosive scenes inside the Shinkansen with the tense exchanges between the control room staff and government officials trying to stop it. The inclusion of characters like government lawmakers and modern-day YouTubers, alongside ordinary people, gives it a unique flavor of the Reiwa era. The addition of modern elements adds depth to the work.

However, there were a few points that could have been explored in more detail. First, if the characters had been fleshed out more, I would have been able to empathize with them more. There were also parts of some characters’ actions that made me wonder, “Was that necessary?” which was a bit disappointing.

What bothered me the most was the motive of the culprit. The 1975 version was quite advanced for its time, but in this 2025 version, I didn’t understand it very well. I wondered if it was an arrangement of a crime with an unclear motive, reflecting the current state of society. Still, more specific descriptions would have made the work more engaging.

Overall, it was fascinating to see how the original work was reimagined for the modern era. There are plenty of elements that both old and new fans will enjoy!

Why “Shinkansen Daibakuha” now? – Passing on the legend and modern realism

Why did they revive the legendary “Shinkansen Daibakuha” in modern times? The original version was such a masterpiece that it influenced the subsequent Hollywood movie “Speed.” Remaking it must have been a tremendous challenge.

Like “Shinkansen Daibakuha,” the non-stop movie “Speed (1994),” in which a bus that stops will explode, can be viewed here on VOD.

Watch Speed | Prime Video

Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and Dennis Hopper star in this pulse-pounding thriller filled with breathtaking stunts and unexpected romance. Jack Traven (Reeves) is an L.A. cop sent to diffuse a bomb planted on a bus by a vengeful extortionist (Dennis Hopper). Not only that, but Jack and a passenger (Bullock) must blast the bus through city streets at more than 5 MPH or the bomb will explode!

The person who took on this critical role was director Shinji Higuchi, who shook Japan with his film, Shin Godzilla. While the original version pursued “realism” with the raw power of real vehicles and sets in an era without CG, I feel that Director Higuchi is challenging the “realism” of the modern age from a different angle. His approach involves meticulously depicting how people and organizations respond in times of crisis, the obstacles they encounter, and the thorough consideration that goes into translating those ideas into visuals. The way he meticulously details each step and process is reminiscent of the scenes we witnessed in “Shin Godzilla.”

A social panic thriller that follows in the footsteps of Shin Godzilla.

The point is that this film is not just a panic thriller, but also has a “social commentary” aspect that sharply exposes the distortions of modern society.

A multi-layered plot reminiscent of Shin Godzilla.

This film features a multi-layered narrative that simultaneously depicts the actions of air traffic controllers and government officials working behind the scenes. This narrative structure is reminiscent of director Hideaki Anno’s Shin Godzilla. The tense efforts to prevent an explosion inside the Shinkansen, the control room officials’ attempts to stop it, and the interactions between government officials working behind the scenes to resolve the situation are skillfully linked together.

The control room officials tasked with managing Shinkansen operations are forced to make swift decisions under intense pressure after receiving a bomb threat. As the deadline looms, they rely on information from monitors showing the train’s location and speed, as well as updates from the scene, to issue calm yet precise instructions. Their tense expressions and the seamless teamwork required in such a high-stakes situation left me on the edge of my seat.

Also, two contrasting characters, a “government legislator” and a “modern YouTuber,” are riding on the bullet train. These two characters depicted the complex relationship between “information” and “power” in modern society.

• Conflict between information control and free flow of information: While the government attempts to control information, individuals such as YouTubers freely disseminate information, which may lead to unexpected situations and panic.
• Truth and fake news: It can be challenging to distinguish between official announcements and “information from the scene” shared on social media, as fake news can also be confusing.

By depicting how people in various positions, from large organizations such as the government to individuals like YouTubers, respond to a single crisis based on their intentions and principles of action, this highlights the complex and multi-layered aspects of modern society.

Unclear profile of the perpetrator

In the original 1975 version, the perpetrator had a sympathetic motive stemming from being oppressed by society. Still, the perpetrator in this film reveals very little. Their motives and background are intentionally left ambiguous.

It may suggest that the nature of “malice” has changed in modern times. It is an irrational existence that cannot be understood or empathized with, suddenly disrupting daily life like online harassment on social media. Kusanagi masterfully portrays this unknown terror through his calm demeanor and the gleam in his eyes, leaving me breathless.

What this film honestly asks is not so much about the individual perpetrator, but rather how to confront a threat whose reasons are unknown. It is a deeply thought-provoking work that not only keeps the audience on the edge of their seats but also prompts reflection on the fragility of modern society and the potential for malice lurking right beside.

The appeal of art design draws you into the world of the story.

The appeal of this film lies in its overwhelming art design. The incredible sense of immersion in this film is created not only by the story and VFX, but also by the meticulous attention to detail in the art design.

In particular, the sets depicting the railway company’s control room and the government’s crisis management headquarters are so realistic that they feel like watching a real documentary, instantly drawing viewers into the world of the story. The vast amount of data displayed on the massive monitors covering an entire wall, the constant ringing of phones, and the flying shouts. The information-overloaded space made viewers feel the overwhelming pressure of “an unprecedented crisis unfolding at the heart of Japan” as if it were their own.

The driver’s seat of the latest Shinkansen bullet train was also perfectly reproduced. The rows of instruments and switches lend credibility to the driver’s professional operations, giving viewers the feeling that they are sitting right next to him. It is this thorough attention to authenticity that lends the seemingly absurd story a sense of reality, making us feel like we are part of it.

And this is where director Higuchi’s true talent shines through, as he takes on the reboot with the utmost respect. The memorable, effects-driven filming scenes were created on set using a 1/6-scale miniature Shinkansen, blending the latest technology with analog techniques to produce visually stunning imagery. In the 2000s, with the advancement of CG, special effects were often perceived as “traditional visual techniques” or “technologies now replaced by CG.” However, it is clear that special effects still hold significant value as a means of creating immersive, sensory-rich experiences.

This approach is reminiscent of the dedication to stunts and realism seen in the Mission: Impossible series, where Tom Cruise and his team strive for authenticity.

Summary: Is this a return of Shin Godzilla? A fusion of action and social drama.

Hideaki Anno’s “Shinkansen Daibakuha” was more than just a remake of the 1975 masterpiece; it was a work that brought it back to life in the modern era. Its most notable feature was its thorough realism, reminiscent of “Shin Godzilla,” and its skillful depiction of how Japanese organizations respond to crises, giving viewers an overwhelming sense of immersion and tension. Additionally, the meticulous art design further solidifies the film’s sense of reality, making it a significant draw.

Certain aspects, such as the perpetrator’s intentionally ambiguous motives, may divide opinions among viewers. However, this film seamlessly balances thrilling entertainment with a sharp critique of modern society, making it an undeniable masterpiece that opens up new horizons for Japanese cinema.