Editing Godzilla (section)

{{Short description|Fictional monster}}
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{{Use American English|date=July 2024}}
{{Redirect-multi|2|ゴジラ|Godzillasaurus|the dinosaur|Gojirasaurus|the film franchise|Godzilla (franchise){{!}}''Godzilla'' (franchise)|other uses|Godzilla (disambiguation)|and|Gojira (disambiguation)}}
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<!-- This article was pared-down and heavily rewritten because it was bloated with unsourced information and written in an inappropriate in-universe tone. Brevity is the soul of wit, please do not copy/paste information from Wikizilla or remove citations. -->
{{Infobox character
| name = Godzilla
| series = [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla]]
| image = Godzilla (1954).jpg
| image_size = 
| alt = 
| caption = Publicity still of Godzilla as portrayed via [[suitmation]] in ''Godzilla'' (1954)<ref name="Hokkaido">{{cite web|url=http://event.hokkaido-np.co.jp/godzilla/works/index.html|title=作品紹介|trans-title=Work Introduction|work=Godzilla Exhibition at Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art|publisher=[[Hokkaido Shimbun]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831102736/http://event.hokkaido-np.co.jp/godzilla/works/index.html|archive-date=August 31, 2021|quote=ひな形をもとに、撮影用のスーツが制作された。スーツに入って演じたのは、東宝所属の俳優・手塚勝巳と中島春雄だが、広報用に特別に撮影されたこの写真では、スーツの制作スタッフの一人で長身であった開米栄三が、スーツに入っている。|trans-quote=Based on the model, a suit was created for the shoot. The actors in the suit were Katsumi Tezuka and Haruo Nakajima, both Toho actors, but in photos taken specifically for publicity purposes, Eizo Kaimai, a tall man who was one of the suit's creators, is in the suit.|language=ja|access-date=April 21, 2025}}</ref>
| first = ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1954)<ref name="Empire guide">{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/godzilla-movie-guide/|title=An Essential Guide To All The Godzilla Movies|first=Owen|last=Williams|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=March 3, 2021|access-date=August 6, 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=August 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806233530/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/godzilla-movie-guide/}}</ref>
| last = 
| creator = {{Plainlist|
* [[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]{{sfn|Ragone|2007|p=34}}<ref name="Livedoor">{{Cite web |title=「ゴジラは誰の物か」泥沼裁判に 本多監督の遺族、東宝を訴える |trans-title="Who owns Godzilla?" - Director Honda's family sues Toho in a quagmire of a lawsuit |date=March 30, 2022 |url=https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/22254043/ |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=[[Livedoor]] |language=ja |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625231832/https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/22254043/ |archive-date=June 25, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Eiji Tsuburaya]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Doug|first=Bolton|date=July 7, 2015|title=Godzilla creator Eiji Tsuburaya celebrated in Google Doodle|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/eiji-tsuburaya-s-114th-birthday-monster-movie-pioneer-honoured-interactive-google-doodle-10370174.html|access-date=July 25, 2021|website=[[The Independent]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727015614/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/eiji-tsuburaya-s-114th-birthday-monster-movie-pioneer-honoured-in-interactive-google-doodle-10370174.html}}</ref>{{efn|name=Toho|During a 2010 dispute with Honda's family over Godzilla's copyright ownership, Toho credited Tanaka and Kayama alone as the character's "authors".<ref name="Livedoor"/>}}
* [[Ishirō Honda]]{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=24}}{{efn|name=Toho}}
* {{Ill|Shigeru Kayama|ja|香山滋}}<ref name="Livedoor"/>
}}
| designer = [[Akira Watanabe (art director)|Akira Watanabe]]{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=27}}<br>Teizō Toshimitsu{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=27}}
| portrayer = {{show|Various|
{{Plainlist|
* '''Shōwa era''':
* [[Haruo Nakajima]]<ref name="Hokkaido"/>{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=178}}
* [[Katsumi Tezuka]]<ref name="Hokkaido"/>{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=27}}
* Hiroshi Sekida{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=142}}
* Seiji Onaka{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=142}}
* Shinji Takagi{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=360}}
* Isao Zushi{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=361}}
* [[Toru Kawai]]{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=361}}
* '''Heisei era''':
* [[Kenpachiro Satsuma]]{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=263}}
* [[Hurricane Ryu]] (''[[Godzilland|Adventure! Godzilland]]'')<ref>{{cite book|title=ゴジラ大百科・メカゴジラ編|trans-title=Encyclopedia of Godzilla (Mechagodzilla Edition)|date=December 10, 1993|publisher=[[Gakken]]|page=170|isbn=978-4056001747|language=ja}}</ref>
* [[Naoki Bandō]] (''Get Going! Godzilland'')<ref name="ANN">{{cite web|title=''Susume! Godzilland'' (OAV) |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=29059 |access-date=September 22, 2024 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922220137/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=29059 |archive-date=September 22, 2024 }}</ref>
* '''TriStar Pictures''':
* Kurt Carley<ref name="kc">{{cite web|url=http://www.tohokingdom.com/articles/2014-11-07_nakajima_carley_godzilla_1954_1998.html|title=Nakajima and Carley: Godzilla's 1954 and 1998|last=Mirjahangir|first=Chris|work=Toho Kingdom|date=November 7, 2014|access-date=April 5, 2015|url-status=live|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727015038/https://www.tohokingdom.com/blog/haruo-nakajima-and-kurt-carley-godzilla-1954-and-godzilla-1998/}}</ref>
* '''Millennium era''':
* [[Tsutomu Kitagawa]]{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=232}}
* [[Mizuho Yoshida]]{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=241}}
}}}}
| voice = {{show|Various|
{{Plainlist|
* '''Shōwa era''':
* Ted Thomas<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2014 |title=Ted Thomas on his time in the spotlight |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1599506/my-life-ted-thomas |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126135706/http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1599506/my-life-ted-thomas |url-status=live |archive-date=November 26, 2016 |access-date=September 22, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>{{efn|Thomas voiced Godzilla in the English dub of ''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]'' (1972).}}
* '''Hanna-Barbera''':
* [[Ted Cassidy]] (vocal effects)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/entertainment/events/1970/01/01/critter-chronology-history-godzilla/37335572007/|title=Critter chronology: the history of Godzilla|first=Jonathan|last=Comey|work=[[Cape Cod Times]]|date=January 1, 1970|access-date=December 31, 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=December 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231165801/https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/entertainment/events/1970/01/01/critter-chronology-history-godzilla/37335572007/}}</ref>
* '''Heisei era''':
* [[Yūko Mita]] (''Get Going! Godzilland'')<ref name="ANN"/>
* '''TriStar Pictures''':
* [[Frank Welker]] (vocal effects)<ref name="Frank">{{cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/frank-welker-master-many-voices|title=Frank Welker: Master of Many Voices|last=Miller|first=Bob|work=Animation World Network|date=April 1, 2000|access-date=March 24, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727014901/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/frank-welker-master-many-voices}}</ref>
}}
}}
| motion_actor = {{Plainlist|
* '''Legendary Pictures''':
* [[T. J. Storm]]<ref name="tj">{{cite web|url=https://archivo.crhoy.com/conozca-al-actor-que-da-vida-a-godzilla-quien-hablo-con-crhoy-com-v2k0k2x/entretenimiento/|title=Conozca al actor que da vida a Godzilla, quien habló con crhoy.com|last=Arce|first=Sergio|work=crhoy.com|date=May 29, 2014|access-date=March 26, 2015|url-status=live|archive-date=May 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524013337/https://www.crhoy.com/archivo/conozca-al-actor-que-da-vida-a-godzilla-quien-hablo-con-crhoy-com-v2k0k2x/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/genre-mvp-the-motion-capture-actor-whos-played-groot-godzilla-and-iron-man|title=Genre MVP: The Motion Capture Actor Who's Played Groot, Godzilla, and Iron Man|first=Adam|last=Pockross|work=Syfy Wire|date=February 28, 2019|access-date=March 16, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301025357/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/genre-mvp-the-motion-capture-actor-whos-played-groot-godzilla-and-iron-man}}</ref><ref name="GKOTM Credits">{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2019/05/23/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters-final-credits/|title=Godzilla: King of the Monsters Final Credits|work=SciFi Japan|date=May 23, 2019|access-date=May 23, 2019|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524013046/http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2019/05/23/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters-final-credits/}}</ref>
* '''Reiwa era''':
* [[Mansai Nomura]]<ref name="shinmc">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/meet-godzilla-resurgences-motion-capture-actor-1784640157|title=Meet Godzilla Resurgence's Motion Capture Actor|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|work=[[Kotaku]]|date=August 1, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=live|archive-date=June 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605032421/https://kotaku.com/meet-godzilla-resurgences-motion-capture-actor-1784640157}}</ref>
}}
| alias = {{Plainlist|
* Gigantis{{sfn|Solomon|2017|p=32}}
* Monster Zero-One{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=121}}
* Titanus Gojira<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/godzilla-king-monsters-every-titan-creature/|title=Every Titan In Godzilla: King Of The Monsters|author=Sarah Moran|work=Screen Rant|date=May 31, 2019|access-date=October 25, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025070535/https://screenrant.com/godzilla-king-monsters-every-titan-creature/}}</ref>
}}
| species = Prehistoric monster{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=19}}
| family = [[Minilla]] and [[Godzilla Junior]] (adopted sons)
}}
	
{{Nihongo foot|'''Godzilla''' ({{IPAc-en|ɡ|ɒ|d|ˈ|z|ɪ|l|ə}} {{respell|ɡod|ZIL|ə}})|ゴジラ|Gojira|lead=yes|{{IPA|ja|ɡoꜜʑiɾa|IPA|Ja-Godzilla.oga|small=no}}|group=lower-alpha}} is a fictional monster, or ''[[kaiju]]'', that debuted in the [[Godzilla (1954 film)|eponymous 1954 film]], directed and co-written by [[Ishirō Honda]].<ref name="Empire guide"/> The character has since become an international [[Godzilla in popular culture|pop culture icon]], appearing in [[Godzilla (franchise)|various media]]: 33 Japanese films produced by [[Toho|Toho Co., Ltd.]], [[Godzilla (franchise)#American films|five American films]], and numerous [[List of Godzilla games|video games]], novels, [[Godzilla (comics)|comic books]], and [[Godzilla (franchise)#Television|television shows]]. Godzilla has been dubbed the '''King of the Monsters''', an epithet first used in ''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters!]]'' (1956), the American localization of the 1954 film.

Originally and in most iterations of the creature, Godzilla is a colossal [[Mesozoic|prehistoric]] [[reptilia]]n or [[dinosaurian]] monster that is [[Semiaquatic|amphibious]] or resides partially in the ocean, awakened and empowered after many years by exposure to [[Radioactive decay|nuclear radiation]] and [[nuclear testing]]. With the [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] and the ''[[Daigo Fukuryū Maru|Lucky Dragon 5]]'' incident still fresh in the Japanese consciousness,<ref name ='Souder_2012'>Souder, William (2012); On a Farther Shore - The Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson. Broadway Books, New York, 496 pp.  ISBN 978-0-307-46221-3</ref> Godzilla was conceived as a metaphor for [[nuclear weapon]]s.<ref name="Brian">{{cite web |last=Merchant |first=Brian |date=August 25, 2013 |title=A Brief History of Godzilla, Our Never-Ending Nuclear Nightmare |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-brief-history-of-godzilla-our-never-ending-nuclear-nightmare/ |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |access-date=February 23, 2022 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143920/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/8gd4e3/a-brief-history-of-godzilla-our-never-ending-nuclear-nightmare |url-status=live }}</ref> Others have suggested that Godzilla is a metaphor for the United States, a "giant beast" woken from its "slumber" that then takes terrible vengeance on Japan.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/entertainment/godzilla-films-japanese-metaphor| author=Eric Milzarski| title=How Godzilla films were actually a metaphor for how postwar Japan saw the world | publisher=We Are the Mighty| date=December 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://video.foxnews.com/v/5166986165001#sp=show-clips| title=Is Godzilla a metaphor for the United States?| publisher=Fox News| date=October 13, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.usc.edu/32825/trojans-explore-the-fantastic-aspects-of-reality/| author=Ambrosia Viramontes Brody| title=Trojans explore the fantastic aspects of reality| publisher=USC News| date=January 23, 2012| access-date=August 8, 2020| archive-date=November 12, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112195639/https://news.usc.edu/32825/trojans-explore-the-fantastic-aspects-of-reality/| url-status=dead}}</ref> As the film series expanded, some storylines took on less serious undertones, portraying Godzilla as an [[antihero]] or lesser threat who defends humanity. Later films address disparate themes and commentary, including Japan's apathy, neglect, and ignorance of its [[Empire of Japan|imperial past]],{{sfn|Barr|2016|p=83}} [[natural disaster]]s, and the [[human condition]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Robbie Collin |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10820543/Gareth-Edwards-interview-I-wanted-Godzilla-to-reflect-the-questions-raised-by-Fukushima.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10820543/Gareth-Edwards-interview-I-wanted-Godzilla-to-reflect-the-questions-raised-by-Fukushima.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Gareth Edwards interview: 'I wanted Godzilla to reflect the questions raised by Fukushima' |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=May 19, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Godzilla has been featured alongside many supporting characters and, over the decades, has faced off against various human opponents, such as the [[Japan Self-Defense Forces]] (JSDF), in addition to other gargantuan monsters, including [[Gigan]], [[King Ghidorah]], and [[Mechagodzilla]]. Godzilla has fought alongside allies such as [[Anguirus]], [[Mothra]], and [[Rodan]] and has had offspring, including [[Godzilla Junior]] and [[Minilla]]. Godzilla has also battled characters and creatures from other franchises in [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] media—such as [[King Kong]]—as well as various [[Marvel Comics]] characters, like [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]],<ref>''Godzilla, King of the Monsters'' (vol. 1) #1 (Marvel Comics, 1977)</ref> the [[Fantastic Four]],<ref>''Godzilla, King of the Monsters'' (vol. 1) #20 (Marvel Comics, 1979)</ref> and the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]],<ref>''Godzilla, King of the Monsters'' (vol. 1) #23 (Marvel Comics, 1979)</ref> as well as [[DC Comics]] characters such as the [[Justice League]],<ref name="JL">''Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong''(vol. 1) #1 (DC Comics and Legendary Comics, 2023)</ref> the [[Legion of Doom]]<ref name="JL" /> and the [[Green Lantern Corps]].<ref>''Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong''(vol. 1) #5 (DC Comics and Legendary Comics, 2024)</ref>
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