Godzilla is a Godzillasaurus. He was born 50m tall, and grew to 100m. His birth weight was 20,000 tons, and he later grew to 60,000 tons.
He was born in different places, according to the movies. Originally, he was said to be from Lagos Island, but in the new series, he was said to be from the Bering Sea.
He was created by radioactive testing, and was given radioactive breath. He was created by Toho Studios as a symbol of the evils of nuclear weapons
Godzilla (Gojira) is a fictional kaiju featured in Japanese films. He was first seen in the 1954 film Gojira, produced by Toho Film Company Ltd. To date, Toho has produced 28 Godzilla films.
In 1998, TriStar Pictures produced a modern film, set in contemporary New York City.
Godzilla is one of the defining aspects of Japanese popular culture for many Americans. Though his popularity has waned slightly over the years, he is still one of the most popular kaiju in the world. To this day, Godzilla remains an important facet of Japanese films, embodying the "giant monster" subset of the tokusatsu genre.
In the Japanese films, Godzilla is depicted as a gigantic, charcoal-colored reptile whose iconic design includes small pointed ears, rough bumpy scales, a powerful tail, and bony colored dorsal fins shaped like maple leaves.
His origins vary somewhat from film to film, but he is almost always described as prehistoric, and his first attacks on Japan are linked to atomic testing in the Pacific Ocean. In particular, nuclear mutation is presented as being an explanation for his great size and strange powers.
Over the years Godzilla has possessed many powers and abilities to use against his foes. Godzilla is generally considered to be one of the most powerful kaiju in the series, although others have also had this claim made about them as well.
Atomic breath:
Godzilla is able to emit powerful atomic rays from his mouth apparently at will. He has also been able to control the power and the size of the rays. It can be "weak" enough to merely shake a building and strong enough to propel an enemy or an object into space. In Godzilla vs. Megaguirus the beam was shown to have incredible incendiary properties, while in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack the beam detonated with the power of an atom bomb.
In early films Godzilla has used the rays in various creative ways such as using it to lift himself off to ground in Godzilla vs. Hedorah. A variation on this in the Heisei series was that Godzilla gained a terrifying red spiral beam as a result of absorbing the essence of Rodan.
This beam was so powerful that only one blast of it was sufficient to completely destroy Mechagodzilla II and SpaceGodzilla.
Radioactivity manipulation:
In addition to his deadly atomic breath, Godzilla can also manipulate his radioactive properties in a variety of ways, often as a result of his need to adapt to new conditions and foes. In Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, the mutant dinosaur warped his radioactive energy into a magnetic power to overcome his metallic foe.
In 1989's Godzilla vs. Biollante, the leviathan was attacked by the plant-monster's constricting tentacles. In order to free himself, Godzilla concentrated his energy to disperse itself across his body, burning the tendrils off of himself. This ability was later developed into the "Nuclear Pulse", which is he used whenever a foe had him trapped or grappled him with extreme severity. Godzilla has used his radioactive manipulation in a number of ways throughout the years.
Durability:
Godzilla has displayed an almost immortal ability to absorb punishment over the years. The only times he has visibly bled was when Gigan's alien-made hammer claws cut open his skin, when Biollante's tendrils pierced his shoulder and hand and from Mechagodzilla's alien-made weapons in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.
One common explanation for this is that Godzilla possesses a efficient regenerative ability that enables him to heal wounds almost as soon as they are inflicted (this ability was a crucial plot point of Godzilla 2000: Millennium and Godzilla vs Biollante).
Combined with his incredibly tough hide and ultra-tough scales, this makes Godzilla practically indestructible.
Physical abilities:
Godzilla has displayed varied levels of strength such as being able to toss opponents high into the air as in the Shwa Series. In the versus and millennium series he has also been able to leap high into the air in Godzilla vs. Megaguirus or moving very quickly in spite of his size. His tail is also a formidable weapon, having been shown as being able to move very quickly to hit even airborne objects, and even to be prehensile. In all his incarnations he has been shown to have powerful jaws and claws, although these are more prominent in some incarnations than in others. However, many of the films show Godzilla preferring to battle his opponents with his atomic breath rather than up-close.
Roar:
Godzilla's trademark roar originally began as a low, groaning bellow, created when the series' famous composer rubbed a resin coated glove on a contrabass and resonated the sound, but has since developed into a highpitched shriek.
Monsters:Friend and Foe
Anguillus
Angilas was the first monster that Godzilla ever fought, making his debut in Godzilla Raids Again. Afterwards, Angilas became one of Godzilla's most loyal allies. Angilas has no special weapons, but is very strong and has spiked armor, tusks, and a fighting spirit which make enemies think twice about charging him.
Baby Godzilla
Baby Godzilla first appeared in 1993 in the film Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla. He also appeared, somewhat changed (see above photos), in the 1994 film Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla. His special power is a small radioactive ray much like Godzilla's.
Baragon
Baragon only made one Godzilla movie appearance, and a short one at that. He appeared as a monster on Ogasawara Island and also was a spectator to the final fight against Ghidrah in the film, Destroy All Monsters. His special powers include a fire ray from the mouth, his underground burrowing ability, and the ability to jump almost 100 meters at a time. Baragon also starred in a Japanese film called "Frankenstein Conquers the World," in which he was defeated by the Frankenstein monster.
Battra
Battra, or the Black Mothra, represents evil, while Mothra represents good. He first appeared in Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth when a meteor awoke him, Godzilla, and Mothra. An interesting note is how close in design is the adult Battra's face to that of old series monster Megalon's. He first attacked Mothra and Godzilla at sea as a larval form, and then he and Godzilla were swallowed up by a volcano. He then reappeared later on from the sea, as an adult moth. He headed for the volcano from which Godzilla had just emerged. He and Godzilla fought, and Mothra joined in and became friends with Battra. The two moths defeated Godzilla, and flew him out to sea. On the way, Godzilla bit into Battra's neck, killing the already injured monster. Battra died and fell into the sea, still attached to Godzilla.
Biollante
Biollante was the product of a scientist's experiment which combined the cells of a plant with that of Godzilla to create a race of super-plant. In a lab explosion, the scientist's daughter is killed, and he tries to combine her cells with the plant's. Of course, as any sane scientist would know, this creates a huge rosebush with antisocial tendencies. It calls to Godzilla, who comes and fries Biollante, who now looks like a huge rose. It dissolves into a whole mess of spores which fly into the sky. Godzilla continues to rampage Japan. Later, while the humans are trying to stop Godzilla, the spores come pouring back down and form a huge mutated creature with a reptilian head and many predatory vines with biting pods on the ends, showing the genetic drift from the rose cells to the G-cells. Godzilla and Biollante fight to a standstill, and Godzilla falls into the ocean as Biollante dissolves again into a swirl of spores, and we catch a glimpse of her in rose form orbiting the earth. Biollante's special powers include acidic sap spray from her mouth, gigantic size and predatory vines.
Destroyer (aka Destroyah)
The Destroyer was a monster created when the Oxygen Destroyer, used to kill Godzilla in 1956 caused mutations in the marine life of that area. He was then released by a mining accident. The original monster was rather small, being about the size of a man. It then continued to mutate and grow. Finally, it reached full size, and apparently killed Godzilla Jr. Godzilla, melting down due to the nuclear energy inside his body, attacks Destroyer and defeats him. In the process, however, Godzilla is overheated and dies as his body goes through nuclear meltdown. Japan is worried about all the radiation entering the atmosphere and land, but the radiation is all absorbed by Godzilla Jr., who grows to a regular-sized Godzilla and heads out to sea, apparently to carry on his father's legacy.
Dorats*
The Dorats are cute, bat-like pets created by 23rd century bio-genetics. They are very friendly, and the time-travelers take the Dorats with them on the way to Lagos Island during WWII. One of the Futurians leaves the three Dorats on the island, and they are later exposed to the same radiation that created Godzilla. The three Dorats fuse together and form King Ghidora, who attacks Japan back in the 21st century.
Ebirah*(aka The Sea Monster)
Ebirah is a gigantic lobster created by the pollution from the Red Bamboo nuclear weapons base on Letchi Island. The huge crustacean keeps ships from coming and going to the island. However, Ebirah can be repelled by a certain yellow liquid manufactured by slave labor at the Red Bamboo plant. Ebirah was killed in a battle with Godzilla.
The Fire Dragon*
The Fire Dragon (a supposed monster) was the Kilaak's last resort against earth, and succeeded in doing quite a bit of damage before being destroyed by the Moonlight XY3 space rocket. As it turned out, the "Fire Dragon" was just a blazing Kilaak flying saucer, which exploded when it hit the ground.
Fire Rodan
Fire Rodan is a mutated form of Rodan, who was seriously injure by Godzilla's atomic breath. Fire Rodan believes the Godzillasaurus egg left in his nest on Adonoa Island to be his own, and fights Godzilla over it. Later on, Fire Rodan and Godzilla fight against Mechagodzilla. Godzilla is critically injured, and left to die. Fire Rodan, however, is killed by Mechagodzilla, and his body falls on top of Godzilla's. Fire Rodan dissolves into a radioactive mist which revives Godzilla. Fire Rodan's special powers were to fly at super-sonic speed and also a heat ray much like Godzilla's.
Gabara
Gabara is the creation of a young boy's dreams, and definetely one of the weirdest looking monsters. The boy is tormented by a bully named Gabara in real life. Echiro (that's the boy's name) dreams that he visits Monster Island, and becomes friends with Minya. Minya has problems with a bully monster named Gabara (what a coincidence!) and Echiro helps Minya stand up to him. Echiro then wakes up and faces the real bully, and kicks butt! Gabara's only special power is the ability to shock enemies with an electric charge. It is not certain that he exists, since he only appears in the boy's dreams.
Giant Condor
The Giant Condor had a brief role in Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, and fought the same battle over again during a stock footage scene in Godzilla's Revenge. He was not long for this world. He attacked Godzilla by pecking him on the head, then was blasted with atomic fire and fell into the sea.
Gigan
Gigan is a cyborg monster from outer space. The aliens from Space Hunter Nebula M brought him to earth along with Ghidora to try and conquer the world (so what else is new?). He gave Godzilla and Angilas a run for their money, and is one of the best monsters from that time period in my opinion. Gigan returned to fight alongside Megalon in the disaster titled Godzilla vs. Megalon. His powers include a buzz-saw chest, hooked claws, and a laser fired from just above his eye (though it is never used in the movie, it is used in some of the books, and is also shown on the StarMaker video cover for Godzilla vs. Gigan).
Godzilla, Jr.
Godzilla, Jr. is the "teenage" form of Baby and Little Godzilla. Junior is apparently killed by Destroyer. However, when Godzilla melts down after defeating Destroyer, his radioactive energy is absorbed by and revives Godzilla Junior, who grows to Big Godzilla's size. Junior will probably take over Big G's place in a new series of Toho films.
Godzillasaurus
The Godzillasaurus was the dinosaur that was originally mutated into Godzilla by the Lagos Island H-Bomb test. However, Futurians, in an attempt to avoid Godzilla's birth, traveled back in time and moved the Godzillasaurus into the ocean in the present, making it miss the H-Bomb test all together. However, a nuclear sub wreck in that area mutated the Godzillasaurus into a bigger, meaner Godzilla.
Gorosaurus
Gorosaurus is a native of Faro Island, from which King Kong came. He was defeated by Kong in the film, "King Kong Escapes." Gorosaurus generally has just bit parts in the G-Films, his best role being one of the monsters who fought Ghidora in "Destroy All Monsters." His special powers include brute strength, strong hind legs allowing him to make a jumping kick attack, and the ability to tunnel underground.
Hedorah (aka The Smog Monster)
Hedorah is one of my personal favorite monsters. He was formed when an organism attached to a meteorite combined with pollution in Sugura Bay off of Japan. Taking form first as a giant tadpole, which turns into an amphibious walking monster which attacks Japan. Later, Hedorah mutates into a flying form which flies over Japan, killing anything in it's wake with sulfuric gas fumes. Finally, Hedorah mutates into a huge two-legged monster which terrorizes Japan, until Godzilla attacks it. Hedorah has several special weapons: laser beams fired from his eyes, and acidic muckballs which it throws at enemies. Finally, with the help of human-built maser cannon walls, Godzilla manages to fry Hedorah into a heap of dry muck. He reaches into the heap and brings out two spheres (supposedly eggs), which he crushes.
Jet Jaguar
Jet Jaguar is a robot created by a Japanese scientist. Jet Jaguar is stolen by Seatopians for use as a guide for their weapon of destruction, Megalon. Eventually, Jet Jaguar is reprogrammed by the scientist to fetch Godzilla, who comes to Japan to fight Megalon, who has been joined by the cyborg Gigan. Jet Jaguar then overrides the scientist's programming and reprograms himself to grow to a giant size and help Godzilla. The robot and Godzilla defeat the alien creatures, and everything is back to normal. Jet Jaguar returns to the scientist, along with a terrible "Jet Jaguar Theme Song" (it's one of those you hate, but it will NOT get out of your head) which makes me wonder if Toho was planning on releasing a series starring the Ultraman-like robot.
Kamacuras (aka Gimantis)
Kamacuras (more commonly known as Gimantis) is a large praying mantis native to Sollgel Island. Cosmic rays resulting from a failed weather experiment on the island mutate the mantises, making them giant. The insects pose no real threat to Godzilla, but are particularly harmful to Minya. The mantises usually meet their demise either from Godzilla's heat ray or by being ripped apart by him.
King Ghidora (aka Monster Zero)
King Ghidora is probably the best-known Godzilla enemy. The three-headed dragon has starred in more films than any other enemy. He is also one of the strongest and hardest to defeat. King Ghidora first appeared in Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster. It took three monsters just to defeat him. Or, take his role in Destroy All Monsters: it took seven or more monsters just to defeat him. His most recent appearance was in Godzilla vs. King Ghidora (1991). Ghidora was killed, and his middle head severed from the body, but one of the Futurians used 23rd century cybernetics to revive him into Mecha-King Ghidora, who flys back to save Japan from Godzilla's attack. He carries Godzilla to sea, and falls in with him. Mecha-King Ghidora never again is seen, though Godzilla awakens. With his three heads, brute strength, and magnetic force beams fired from his mouths, Ghidora is definetely Godzilla's deadliest enemy.
King Kong
Kong, while starring in numerous other movies, only appears in one G-Film. His physical strength is greater than any other monster's, but some representatives from a pharmeceutical company in Japan are able to bring the monster from Faro Island to the mainland while Kong is under the influence of a special berry juice made by Faro's natives. He breaks free, and wreaks havoc on Japan, until meeting Godzilla. Godzilla sends Kong running, and the two part ways again. The Japanese manage to bring the two monsters together at Mt. Fuji, hoping that they will kill eachother, thus killing two birds with one stone. Godzilla thrashes Kong, but Kong is revived by a lightning storm. Kong can channel electricity through his hands, and uses this ability to fight Godzilla to a draw. They fall into the sea, and Kong is seen swimming off. He is the supposed victor, until the very end of the movie (this is in the Japanese version only), when we hear Godzilla's roar, assuring us that he is still alive.
King Seesar
King Seesar is, in my opinion, one of the worse-looking monsters; he reminds me of Gremlins. Seesar is summoned by an ancient tribe to help Godzilla defeat Mechagodzilla. He does not offer much help, but is able to absorb the energy from Mechagodzilla's eye rays and use them against the robot. Mostly, Seesar spends his time unconscious or hiding behind rocks.
Kumonga (aka Spiega)
Kumonga is a spider native to Sollgel Island, and his origin is unclear. He apparently has been on the island for many years, because Rico's father's journal warns about the monster (Son of Godzilla). Kumonga can easily camoflauge himself, making him a deadly threat to Minya. Kumonga spits a super-strong webbing from his mouth, which can only be broken by heat.
Manda*
Manda is a snake-like creature worshipped by the Mu Empire. He was let loose from Ogasawara Island by the Kilaaks in 1999 and joined the attack of the Kilaaks on Tokyo. After control of the monsters was returned to the earth people, Manda was a spectator of the final fight against Ghidrah.
Mecha-King Ghidora
King Ghidora is mortally wounded by Godzilla in 1992, but time-traveling Futurian Emi Kano (from the 23rd century) travels to her time and uses 23rd century cybernetics to create a cyborg Ghidora replacing the middle head and the wings with robotic ones. She then returns to 1992, and fights Godzilla with Mecha-King Ghidora. She uses Mecha-King Ghidora's "Godzilla Capture System" to pick Godzilla up and drop him into the sea. However, Mecha-KG is destroyed just before falling into the ocean.
Mechagodzilla
First Series: Mechagodzilla is a robotic Godzilla created by aliens so they can conquer the earth. At first, he is disguised as the real Godzilla, but then the real Godzilla appears and attacks Mechagodzilla. Mechagodzilla melts off the fake disguise, revealing his true cyborg self. He defeats Godzilla with his laser eye beams, laser cannon chest beam, and missiles from his fingers, toes, and knees. King Seesar shows up to challenge Mechagodzilla, while Godzilla is recharged by a lightning storm. Godzilla reappears, and he and Seesar defeat the cyborg.
Second Series: Mechagodzilla is a monster robot created by the United Nations Godzilla Countermeasures Center using 23rd century cybernetics learned from studying the leftovers of Mecha-King Ghidora. His new weapons include plasma grenades and diamond-coated armor. He defeats Godzilla, who is left to die. Rodan then attacks, and is killed by Mechagodzilla. Rodan's body falls on top of Godzilla, who absorbs the radiation given off by Rodan. Godzilla then defeats Mechagodzilla.
Megalon
While Megalon's origin is unknown, he is worshipped by the citizens of Seatopia, a city beneath the sea. The Seatopians, disturbed by the nuclear tests of humans on the surface, decide to send Megalon and Gigan up to destroy the surface civilizations. Megalon is guided by the stolen robot Jet Jaguar, and wreaks havoc with a laser ray fired from his horn and geothermal bombs spewed from it's mouth. Meanwhile, Jet Jaguar's rightful owner reprograms him to fetch Godzilla, and Megalon, losing his guide, goes crazy. Godzilla shows up, and Jet Jaguar programs himself to grow gigantic so he can help Godzilla. Together, they are able to defeat Megalon and Gigan.
Minya (aka Minilla)
Minya hatched from a giant egg on Sollgel Island. He is immediately attacked by Kamacuras, the giant mantises mutated in a radioactive storm. Minya cries out to Godzilla, who saves him. Minya can only form small radioactive rings, but can breath radioactive rays just like the Big G when scared. Minya serves little purpose in the series other than to get into trouble so Big G can bail him out. Later on, Minya befriends a young Japanese boy named Echiro. Both Minya and Echiro are aggravated by bullies, Minya by a monster named Gabara, Echiro by a "big boy" named Gabara (some coincidence, huh?). By helping Minya defeat Gabara, Echiro finds the courage first to escape from his kidnappers, then to confront the real-life bully Gabara.
M.O.G.E.R.A.
M.O.G.E.R.A. stands for Mobile G-Force Expert Robot Arial-type. He was created by the UNGCC after the defeat of Mechagodzilla. Mogera's special weapons include Spiral Grenade missiles fired from the hands, a Plasma Mazer cannon, laser beams fired from eyes, and the Drill Crusher. Mogera can also split into two different vehicles: the Land Mole (a burrowing tank that can use subterranian radar) and the Star Falcon (a star ship capable of jet-powered space flight). Mogera was destroyed when he and Godzilla fought SpaceGodzilla.
Mothra
Mothra is, contrary to most people's opinions, one of the worst designed monsters in the Godzilla series, until his reappearance in 1992, which is a much better looking Mothra. Mothra was originally created by the Cosmos to defeat Battra. Mothra is telepathically linked to the Cosmos twins, who sing a terrible song whenever they need his help. Mothra has fought Godzilla on numerous occasions, and teamed up with him several times against Ghidrah. Mothra and Battra, both awakened by a meteor that hit earth (also awakening Godzilla) eventually team up and attack Godzilla, who is dropped into the ocean, but not before killing Battra. Mothra then flew off to stop another huge meteor from hitting the earth. As he flew through the earth's orbit, he picked up some of Biollante's spores, which had been orbiting earth since Biollante fought Godzilla. As Mothra flew through a black hole, these spores mutated into SpaceGodzilla.
Oodaku (aka Giant Octopus)
Oodaku only appeared in one G-Film: King Kong vs. Godzilla. He is a member of a species of giant octopi that live in the ocean near Faro Island. Oodaku came ashore on Faro Island in search of the Faro natives' berry juice. King Kong attacked the creature, and defeated Oodaku with little trouble.
Rodan
Rodan is a species of Pteranodon that lives on Adonoa Island and is mutated by nuclear waste sites there. Rodan often teamed up with Godzilla against Ghidora. However, Rodan sometimes fought with him. Rodan was injured by Godzilla's radioactive ray, and further mutated into Fire Rodan. He was then killed by Mechagodzilla.
Shockiras
Shockiras is a type of mutated water beetle. He eats human flesh. Shockiras also has the ability to fly, and has a hard protective shell.
Space Godzilla
SpaceGodzilla was formed when some of Biollante's cells (which were orbiting earth after her last battle with Godzilla) were carried through a black hole by Mothra, who was on her way to stop a giant meteor from crashing into the earth. SpaceGodzilla has many powers: a radioactive beam like Godzilla's, a Corona Beam, control of magnetic energy, the ability to fire energy crystals, a "gravity tornado" which allows him to levitate objects and enemies and hurl them, and the ability to create magnetic shockwaves when flying. SpaceGodzilla was defeated by the combined efforts of Godzilla and M.O.G.E.R.A.
Titanosaurus
Titanosaurus is a dinosaur that somehow survived until the present-day. His only weapons are his brute strength and the ability to create huge winds with his tail. He teamed up with Mechagodzilla to fight Godzilla. Godzilla managed to defeat them both. Godzilla held Titanosaurus as humans fire super-sonic rays (which are very damaging to the creature) into him. Titanosaurus then fell into the sea.
Varan
Varan had a very short career in Godzilla films: about 3.2 seconds. Varan's only special ability is that of flight, though he is very strong. He served as a spectator to the final fight against Ghidora in Destroy All Monsters.
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