Godzilla has been a major pop culture icon ever since he debuted in Ishirō Honda’s 1954 film. Like Batman, the monster is mostly reserved for the big screen and has appeared in 38 movies so far (five American productions and 33 Japanese ones). However, there have been a few kaiju shows featuring Godzilla, or set in his universe, and if you intend to watch them, this list will guide you on the ones you ought to prioritize.
In most iterations, Godzilla tends to be a colossal prehistoric reptilian monster with dinosaur-like features. He is amphibious (primarily residing in the ocean) and is often awakened after many years of hibernation, due to nuclear radiation from war or experimentation. Some stories portray the creature as a threat to humanity, while others have him as a protector, eager to battle other monsters that are seeking to destroy the world. Whatever the characterization, it’s always a blast watching him in action.
‘Godzilla: The Series’ (1998 – 2000)
Despite being panned by critics, Roland Emmerich’s 1998 Godzilla film was widely watched, managing a $128 million box office gross. It was also adored by younger audiences, warranting a sequel. The animated series, Godzilla: The Series, was thus created, picking up where the movie left off. This time, researchers from H.E.A.T. (Humanitarian Environmental Analysis Team) discover an iguana kaiju that’s the only surviving offspring of the first Godzilla that attacked New York City. It demonstrates heroic tendencies, unlike its predecessor, so the team uses it as a weapon to battle nefarious creatures across the globe.
The Adventures of Godzilla Junior
Like most Godzilla productions, the series brilliantly fuses action with environmental themes. This version of the creature is also more likable since it behaves like a pet, seeing Dr. Niko “Nick” Tatopoulos (voiced by Ian Ziering) as a father figure. But this characterization also makes the show unappealing to adults. Here, Godzilla feels more like Scooby-Doo than a fierce monster.
Still, the show glows in many other areas. The monster-of-the-week format works well, as we get to see formidable villainous creatures such as a hideous mutant crustacean that loves sipping wall paint and “El Gusano Gigante”, a mutant worm that is devouring untold amounts of crops.
‘Zone Fighter’ (1973)
Zone Fighter, a Japanese tokusatsu show from the legendary Toho Studios, is a superhero-kaiju hybrid centering on the Sakimori family. After surviving Armageddon in their home planet of Peaceland, they migrate to Earth to defend it against the malicious Garoga aliens. They become even more formidable when the eldest son becomes Zone Fighter, a gigantic warrior capable of slaying warriors. His siblings assist using high-tech weapons.
A Variety of Monsters in a Predictable Story
Godzilla is only a supporting character here, appearing alongside other popular Toho kaiju like King Ghidorah and Gigan. Such an approach works well for the show, since the themes of family and teamwork get explored more. The pyrotechnics and scale-filled monster suits might look odd now, but a lot of work was put into them in the 1970s, considering the show is packed with many different types of monsters. Fans of kaiju moves and shows must have gone wild at the time.
However, there’s no denying that Zone Fighter hasn’t aged well. The special and practical effects are all laughable, and the plots are hardly impressive. Most episodes also rely on the same storyline format, so things get boring with time. It all starts with a Garoga scheme, followed by the release of a monster, and then Zone Fighter defeats it. The predictability will definitely leave you yawning.
‘Godzilla: The Original Animated Series’ (1978 – 1980)
Produced by Hanna-Barbera, Godzilla: The Original Animated Series keeps us up to date with the activities of the Calico research vessel’s crew. They consist of Captain Carl Majors (Jeff David), industrious scientist Dr. Quinn Darien (Brenda Thompson), her enthusiastic nephew Pete (Al Eisenmann), and the ever-curious first mate Brock (Hilly Hicks). The group moves around the globe investigating disasters, mysteries, and monster mayhem. They can also summon Godzilla whenever they are in danger.
A Change in Tone
Animated quickly and urgently on a shoestring budget, this Saturday Morning Cartoon is an essential and enduring show that convincingly blends comicality with endless adventure. Up until the point of its release, Godzilla had been thought of as a dark and scary character (Toho’s films are all to blame). The kid-friendly tone of Godzilla: The Original Animated Series thus helped expand the franchise’s fanbase further to incorporate younger viewers.
However, the show’s major stain is hard to miss. The animators just can’t decide what size they want Godzilla to be. Creature length and width shifts radically from episode to episode, and sometimes within a single saga. For example, the creature’s claws are shown to be large enough to hold a large ship, yet in other scenes, the palm is tiny, allowing the small team of scientists to fit neatly whenever he carries them. What’s with that?
‘Godzilla Island’ (1997 – 1998)
Godzilla Island, another tokusatsu series, transports us to “Godzilla Island,” a picturesque remote sanctuary where most of Earth’s kaiju, including Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, and Anguirus, reside under the watchful eye of G-Guard, a well-equipped defense force led by Commander Jinguji (played by Jirō Dan). All seems perfect until the villous Xilien race invades Earth, seeking to conquer the island and Earth at large for their own infernal reasons. Left with no option, the G-Guard is forced to use Godzilla and his fellow creatures as weapons.
A Different Look
At first glance, the show’s visuals seem strange. That’s because the show’s creators used action figures and miniatures rather than traditional suitmation. However, you’ll get comfortable with it the more you watch the dashing archaeologists, hideous monsters, and adventurers racing from one exotic, hazardous locale to another, aiming for survival.
With its huge monster roster, Godzilla Island has a Jurassic World feel to it. Almost every Toho kaiju is present, including little-known ones like Gorosaurus, Baragon, and Megalon, making this an unforgettable extravaganza for fans. Besides that, the show adopts a serialized format, unique for kid-friendly shows at the time.
‘Godzilla: Singular Point’ (2021)
Godzilla: Singular Point jumps to 2030 where graduate student Mei Kamino (Yume Miyamoto) is researching creatures, and engineer Yun Arikawa (Shōya Ishige) is investigating paranormal phenomena at a haunted house. Both arrive at the same discovery: there is a monster somewhere. Assisted by an AI system named Pelops II, Mei and Yun combine spirituality and theoretical physics to prevent an attack that just might be apocalyptic.
Clever Than Most
Winner of two VFX-Japan Awards, Godzilla: Singular Point covers the necessary environmental and societal unity themes while riding on endless tension. There is indeed something very pitiable about Mei and Yun: they often seem like two frustrated people who, by arbitrary whims and the unpredictable nature of fate, have been forced to take on heavier-than-usual tasks. Even worse, the characters surrounding them aren’t too sympathetic either, whether it’s a gruff lawman or a lascivious constructor.
For franchise loyalists, the Japanese animated series feels more special because it takes them back, featuring only kaiju from the Shōwa Era (1954 to 1975). Above all, everyone should appreciate how deeply it dives into physics and mathematics concepts while maintaining a sprinkle of religion. No Godzilla story has done that before.
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ (2023 – Present)
Legacy of Monsters is the second show in Legendary’s Monsterverse (after Skull Island). The events hop between two timelines. One is the 1950s, where Army officer Lee Shaw (Wyatt Russell) is working with Monarch scientists Bill Randa (Anders Holm) and Keiko Miura (Mari Yamamoto) to strange creatures. In the 2010s, siblings Cate Randa (Anna Sawai) and Kentaro Randa (Ren Watabe) make shocking discoveries about their late father’s secret ties to Monarch, forcing them to team up with an older Lee Shaw (Kurt Russell). In the process, they stumble into even bigger conspiracies.
Filling Up All the Continuity Gaps
It’s always great seeing a real-world father and son on the same project. Wyatt and Kurt Russell are both part of the cast, playing younger and older versions of serviceman Lee Shaw. Russell won a Critics Choice Award for his acting, but he wouldn’t have pulled it off without the able support from the rest of the actors. Thanks to a dual timeline, viewers also get to enjoy contrasting cultural experiences and attitudes toward science. In the ‘50s, there is plenty of skepticism, and in the 2010s, there is plenty of support for the protagonists.
Legacy of Monsters deserves extra praise for its focus on human drama rather than monster mayhem. Many MonsterVerse films have been guilty of sacrificing plot for spectacle. Such mistakes are avoided this time. And for those who value continuity, this show serves as a robust cannon bridge.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
3.5
/5
- Release Date
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November 16, 2023
- Network
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Apple TV+
- Showrunner
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Chris Black, Matt Fraction
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