GODZILLA is a film franchised owned by Toho Co. Ltd. It is currently the longest running film franchise with 38 films. The first film, Gojira, was released on November 3rd, 1954 and was directed by Ishiro Honda. Honda would later go on to direct several other kaiju and Godzilla films.
The original film was a quiet and somber movie on post-war Japan and the effects of the atomic bomb. Later films would be more lighthearted but would touch on issues such aas pollution and capitalism. There are currently 4 eras of Japanese Godzilla films: the Showa era (1954-1975), Heisei era (1984-1995), Millenium era(1999-2004) and Reiwa (2016-present). There is also the Tristar Godzilla film and the Monsterverse, both made by American studios.
My History With Godzilla
Technically, my first experience with Godzilla was when I watched King Kong vs Godzilla on the tv as a kid. I was hyperfixated on dinosaurs at the time so seeing a giant dinosaur on screen immediately caught my attention. However it wasn't until 2019, when I saw Godzilla King of the Monsters in theaters, that I fell down the rabbit hole. I thought the movie was so cool (my mom didn't agree) and wanted to see more of the big lizard and the other kaiju.
Luckily, TCM was showing all the Showa Godzilla movies. I have found memories of staying up late watching Godzilla movies. Around that time I realized I wanted to get into visual effects because of these movies. A lot of people make fun of Godzilla for its cheap effects but I was enamored with them. I was especially in love with the suits. I loved learning about the suit actors and how they would prepare/act in the roles. I didn't know if I wanted to be the guy in the suit or the guy making the suit.
As of writing this, it's been 5 years since I first watched KOTM. On 04/20/24 I finally finished watching all live action Godzilla movies (that have been released up to that point). I plan to watch the anime trilogy, the tv shows and the other Toho kaiju films with some of my friends at a later date.
My Collection
Favourite Kaiju
