Editing Godzilla (section)

==Cultural impact==
{{Main|Godzilla in popular culture}}
[[Image:Godzillastar.jpg|left|thumb|Godzilla's star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]]]
Godzilla is one of the most recognizable symbols of [[Japanese popular culture]] worldwide<ref>{{cite book |last=Sharp |first=Jasper |title=Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema |publisher=Scarecrow Press |page=67 |year=2011 |isbn=9780810857957}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=West |first=Mark |title=The Japanification of Children's Popular Culture: From Godzilla to Miyazaki |publisher=Scarecrow Press |page=vii |year=2008 |isbn=9780810851214}}</ref> and remains an important facet of Japanese films, embodying the ''[[kaiju]]'' subset of the ''[[tokusatsu]]'' genre. Godzilla's vaguely humanoid appearance and strained, lumbering movements endeared it to Japanese audiences, who could relate to Godzilla as a sympathetic character, despite its wrathful nature.<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Interview with Tadao Sato |work=Godzilla – Criterion Collection 2012 Blu-ray/DVD Release }}</ref> Audiences respond positively to the character because it acts out of rage and self-preservation and shows where science and technology can go wrong.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Psychological Appeal of Movie Monsters |website=Calstatela.edu |url=http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/sfischo/psychological_appeal_of_movie_monsters1.pdf |access-date=September 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819142841/http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/sfischo/psychological_appeal_of_movie_monsters1.pdf |archive-date=August 19, 2007}}</ref>

In 1967, the Keukdong Entertainment Company of South Korea, with production assistance from [[Toei Company]], produced ''[[Yongary, Monster from the Deep]]'', a reptilian monster who invades South Korea to consume oil. The film and character has often been branded as an imitation of Godzilla.{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=92}}<ref name="yongary">{{cite web|url=http://aytiws.com/2010/06/yongary-monster-from-the-deep-1967/|title=Yongary, Monster from the Deep |last=Demoss |first=David |work=And You Thought It Was...Safe(?)|date=June 18, 2010|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref>

Godzilla has been considered a filmographic [[metaphor]] for the United States, as well as an allegory of [[Nuclear power|nuclear]] weapons in general. The earlier ''Godzilla'' films, especially the original, portrayed Godzilla as a frightening nuclear-spawned monster. Godzilla represented the fears that many Japanese held about the [[atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] and the possibility of recurrence.<ref>Rafferty, T., [http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/popcult/handouts/metaphor/godzilla/godzilla.html The Monster That Morphed Into a Metaphor], ''New York Times'' (May 2, 2004)</ref>

As the series progressed, so did Godzilla, changing into a less destructive and more heroic character.<ref name="Huffington">{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/kevin-lankes/godzillas-secret-history_b_5192284.html|title=Godzilla's Secret History|last=Lankes|first=Kevin|work=[[Huffington Post]]|date=June 22, 2014|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/a-comprehensive-history-of-tohos-original-kaiju-and-atomic-allegory-godzilla|title=A Comprehensive History of Toho's Original Kaiju (and Atomic Allegory) Godzilla|last=Goldstein|first=Rich|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=May 18, 2014|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref> ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster|Ghidorah]]'' (1964) was the turning point in Godzilla's transformation from villain to hero, by pitting him against a greater threat to humanity, [[King Ghidorah]].<ref name="Syfy">{{cite web |last1=Grebey |first1=James |title=The history of Ghidorah, Godzilla's rival for the title of King of the Monsters |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-history-of-ghidorah-godzillas-rival-for-the-title-of-king-of-the-monsters |website=[[Syfy Wire]] |publisher=[[NBCUniversal]] |access-date=May 27, 2020 |date=May 28, 2019}}</ref> Godzilla has since been viewed as an [[anti-hero]].<ref name="Huffington"/> [[Roger Ebert]] cited Godzilla as a notable example of a villain-turned-hero, along with King Kong, [[Jaws (James Bond)|Jaws (''James Bond'')]], the [[Terminator (character)|Terminator]] and [[John Rambo]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ebert |first1=Roger |author1-link=Roger Ebert |title=Ebert's Bigger Little Movie Glossary |date=2013 |publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing]] |isbn=978-0-7407-9246-5 |page=22 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q-U8ZWC-Ip0C&pg=PT22}}</ref>

Godzilla is considered "the original radioactive [[superhero]]" due to his accidental radioactive [[origin story]] predating [[Spider-Man]] (1962 debut),<ref name="Huffington"/> though Godzilla did not become a hero until ''Ghidorah'' in 1964.<ref name="Syfy"/> By the 1970s, Godzilla came to be viewed as a superhero, with the magazine ''King of the Monsters'' in 1977 describing Godzilla as "Superhero of the '70s." Godzilla had surpassed [[Superman]] and [[Batman]] to become "the most universally popular superhero of 1977" according to Donald F. Glut.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Glut |first1=Donald F. |chapter=Godzilla, Saurian Superhero |title=Jurassic Classics: A Collection of Saurian Essays and Mesozoic Musings |date=2001 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-0-7864-6246-9 |pages=225-229 (225-6) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O5znudeYRzEC&pg=PA225}}</ref> Godzilla was also voted the most popular [[movie monster]] in ''[[The Monster Times]]'' poll in 1973, beating [[Count Dracula]], [[King Kong]], the [[Werewolf fiction|Wolf Man]], the [[The Mummy (Universal film franchise)|Mummy]], the [[Creature from the Black Lagoon]] and the [[Frankenstein's monster|Frankenstein Monster]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kogan |first1=Rick |title='It Was A Long Time Coming, But Godzilla, ''This Is Your Life'' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-09-15-8503020410-story.html |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=September 15, 1985}}</ref>

[[File:Zilla Compare.jpg|thumb|right|Paleontologist [[Kenneth Carpenter]]'s skeletal diagram of Godzilla in a modern dinosaur posture]] 
In 1996, Godzilla received the [[MTV Movie Awards#MTV Lifetime Achievement Award|MTV Lifetime Achievement Award]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fanpop.com/spots/godzilla/videos/7584880/title/godzilla-wins-mtv-lifetime-achievement-award-1996 |title=Godzilla Wins The MTV Lifetime Achievement Award In 1996 – Godzilla video |publisher=Fanpop |date=November 3, 1954 |access-date=April 13, 2010}}</ref> as well as being given a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] in 2004 to celebrate the premiere of the character's 50th anniversary film, ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-11-30-godzilla_x.htm |title=USATODAY.com – Godzilla gets Hollywood Walk of Fame star |publisher=Usatoday30.usatoday.com |date=November 30, 2004 |access-date=September 25, 2013}}</ref> Godzilla's pop-cultural impact has led to the creation of numerous parodies and tributes, as seen in media such as ''[[Bambi Meets Godzilla]]'', which was ranked as one of the "50 greatest cartoons",<ref>Beck, Jerry (ed.) (1994). ''The 50 Greatest Cartoons: As Selected by 1,000 Animation Professionals''. Atlanta: Turner Publishing. {{ISBN|1-878685-49-X}}.</ref> two episodes of ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''<ref>"Godzilla Genealogy Bop" – MST3K season 2, episode 13, aired February 2, 1991</ref> and the song "[[Godzilla (Blue Öyster Cult song)|Godzilla]]" by [[Blue Öyster Cult]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Song Review by Donald A. Guarisco |url=http://www.allmusic.com/song/godzilla-mt0004247257 |title=Godzilla – Blue Öyster Cult &#124; Listen, Appearances, Song Review |website=AllMusic |access-date=September 25, 2013}}</ref> Godzilla has also been used in advertisements, such as in a commercial for [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], where Godzilla lost an oversized one-on-one game of basketball to a giant version of NBA player [[Charles Barkley]].<ref>Martha T. Moore. "Godzilla Meets Barkley on MTV". USA Today. September 9, 1992. 1.B.</ref> The commercial was subsequently adapted into a [[Godzilla vs. Charles Barkley|comic book]] illustrated by [[Jeff Butler]].<ref>Paul Gravett and Peter Stanbury. ''Holy Sh*t! The World's Weirdest Comic Books''. St. Martin's Press, 2008. 104.</ref> Godzilla has also appeared in a commercial for [[Snickers|Snickers candy bars]], which served as an indirect promo for the 2014 film. Godzilla's success inspired the creation of numerous other monster characters, such as [[Gamera]],{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=23}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/gamera-the-giant-monster-1798165079|title=Gamera: The Giant Monster|last=Phipps|first=Keith|work=AV Club|date=June 2, 2010|access-date=March 19, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230133059/https://film.avclub.com/gamera-the-giant-monster-1798165079|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Reptilicus]] of Denmark,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schlockmania.com/reptilicus/|title=Reptilicus: Godzilla Goes To Denmark|last=Don|work=Schlockmania|date=June 16, 2015|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref> [[Yonggary (character)|Yonggary]] of South Korea,{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=92}} [[Pulgasari]] of North Korea,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/04/pulgasari-north-korea-cult-hit|title=How Kim Jong Il Kidnapped a Director, Made a Godzilla Knockoff, and Created a Cult Hit|last=Romano|first=Nick|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=April 6, 2015|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref> [[Gorgo (film)|Gorgo]] of the United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thedissolve.com/features/movie-of-the-week/550-meet-gorgo-the-british-godzilla/|title=Meet Gorgo, the "British Godzilla"|last=Murray|first=Noel|work=The Dissolve|date=May 8, 2014|access-date=March 19, 2018|archive-date=March 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320043737/https://thedissolve.com/features/movie-of-the-week/550-meet-gorgo-the-british-godzilla/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[Clover (creature)|''Cloverfield'' monster]] of the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/31340/Cloverfield-Making-of-a-monster|title=Cloverfield: Making of a monster|last=Monetti|first=Sandro|work=Express|date=January 13, 2008|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref>
''[[Dakosaurus]]'' is an extinct [[Thalattosuchia|sea crocodile]] of the [[Jurassic|Jurassic Period]], which researchers informally nicknamed "Godzilla".<ref name="Gasparini''et al.'', 2006">Gasparini Z, Pol D, Spalletti LA. 2006. An unusual marine crocodyliform from the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary of Patagonia. ''Science'' '''311''': 70–73.</ref> Paleontologists have written tongue-in-cheek speculative articles about Godzilla's biology, with [[Kenneth Carpenter]] tentatively classifying it as a [[Ceratosauria|ceratosaur]] based on its skull shape, four-fingered hands, and dorsal scutes and paleontologist [[Darren Naish]] expressing skepticism, while commenting on Godzilla's unusual morphology.<ref>{{cite web|last=Naish |first=Darren |url=http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2010/11/01/science-of-godzilla-2010/ |title=The science of Godzilla, 2010 – Tetrapod Zoology |publisher=Scienceblogs.com |date=November 1, 2010 |access-date=September 25, 2013}}</ref>

Godzilla's ubiquity in pop culture has led to the mistaken assumption that the character is in the [[public domain]], resulting in litigation by Toho to protect their corporate asset from becoming a [[generic trademark]]. In April 2008, [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]] depicted a giant monster in a commercial for their Five Dollar Footlongs sandwich promotion. Toho filed a lawsuit against Subway for using the character without permission, demanding $150,000 in compensation.<ref>[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/04/18/news/toho-sues-subway-over-unauthorized-godzilla-ads/ Toho sues Subway over unauthorized Godzilla ads], ''The Japan Times'' (April 18, 2008)</ref> In February 2011, Toho sued [[Honda]] for depicting a fire-breathing monster in a commercial for the [[Honda Odyssey]]. The monster was never mentioned by name, being seen briefly on a video screen inside the minivan.<ref>[http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2011/02/toho-suing-honda-over-godzilla/ Toho suing Honda over Godzilla], ''TokyoHive'' (February 12, 2011)</ref> The [[Sea Shepherd Conservation Society]] christened a vessel the ''MV Gojira''. Its purpose is to target and harass Japanese whalers in defense of whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. The ''MV Gojira'' was renamed the {{MV|Brigitte Bardot}} in May 2011, due to legal pressure from [[Toho]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2011/05/25/the-beast-transforms-into-a-beauty-as-godzilla-becomes-the-brigitte-bardot-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403063406/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2011/05/25/the-beast-transforms-into-a-beauty-as-godzilla-becomes-the-brigitte-bardot-13 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 3, 2012 |title=Sea Shepherd Conservation Society :: The Beast Transforms into a Beauty as Godzilla Becomes the Brigitte Bardot |publisher=Seashepherd.org |date=May 25, 2011 |access-date=September 25, 2013 }}</ref> [[Gojira (band)|Gojira]] is the name of a French [[Technical Death Metal|death metal]] band, formerly known as Godzilla; legal problems forced the band to change their name.<ref>[http://www.thegauntlet.com/bio/1611/Gojira.html Gojira htm Biography and Band at the Gauntlet], ''The Gauntlet''</ref> In May 2015, Toho launched a lawsuit against [[Voltage Pictures]] over [[Colossal (film)|a planned picture]] starring [[Anne Hathaway]]. Promotional material released at the Cannes Film Festival used images of Godzilla.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=torrentfreak.com |url=https://torrentfreak.com/voltage-pictures-sued-for-copyright-infringement-150520/ |title=Voltage Pictures Sued For Copyright Infringement |access-date=July 9, 2015}}</ref>

[[Steven Spielberg]] cited ''Godzilla'' as an inspiration for ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]'' (1993), specifically ''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters!]]'' (1956), which he grew up watching.{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=15}} Spielberg described ''Godzilla'' as "the most masterful of all the dinosaur movies because it made you believe it was really happening."{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=17}} ''Godzilla'' also influenced the Spielberg film ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'' (1975).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Freer |first1=Ian |title=The Complete Spielberg |date=2001 |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |isbn=9780753505564 |page=[https://archive.org/details/completespielber0000free/page/48 48] |url=https://archive.org/details/completespielber0000free|url-access=registration }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Derry |first1=Charles |title=Dark Dreams: A Psychological History of the Modern Horror Film |date=1977 |publisher=A. S. Barnes |isbn=9780498019159 |page=[https://archive.org/details/darkdreamspsycho0000derr/page/82 82] |url=https://archive.org/details/darkdreamspsycho0000derr|url-access=registration }}</ref> ''Godzilla'' has also been cited as an inspiration by filmmakers [[Martin Scorsese]] and [[Tim Burton]].{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=318}}

A  carnivorous dinosaur from the [[Triassic]] period was named ''[[Gojirasaurus]]'' in 1997''.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gojirasaurus |url=https://arctos.database.museum/guid/NMMNH:Paleo:4666 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=[[Arctos]]}}</ref> The main-belt asteroid [[101781 Gojira]], discovered by American astronomer [[Roy Tucker]] at the [[Goodricke-Pigott Observatory]] in 1999, was named in honor of the creature.<ref name="Asteroid-Gojira" /> The official naming citation was published by the [[Minor Planet Center]] on July 11, 2018 ({{small|[[Minor Planet Circulars|M.P.C.]] 110635}}).<ref name="MPC-Circulars-Archive" /> The largest [[megamullion]], located 600 kilometers to the south-east of [[Okinotorishima]], the southernmost Japanese island, is named the [[Godzilla Megamullion]]. The [[Japan Coast Guard]] played a role in name, reaching an agreement with Toho. Toho's Chief Godzilla officer Keiji Ota stated that "I am truly honored that (the megamullion) bears Godzilla's name, the Earth's most powerful monster."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pacific undersea province given name 'Godzilla Megamullion' |url=https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14521947 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=The Asahi Shimbun |language=en}}</ref>

In a 2007 interview, Japanese defense minister Shigeru Ishiba said that he would mobilize the [[Japan Self-Defense Forces]] in response to an appearance by Godzilla.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2007/12/22/Japan-ready-to-tackle-Godzilla/22641198366042/ |title=Japan ready to tackle Godzilla |work=UPI |date=22 December 2007}}</ref>

===Cultural ambassador===
In April 2015, the [[Shinjuku]] ward of Tokyo named Godzilla a special resident and official tourism ambassador to encourage tourism.<ref name="ny-post"/><ref name="guardian"/> During an unveiling of a giant Godzilla bust at Toho headquarters, Shinjuku mayor [[Kenichi Yoshizumi]] stated, "Godzilla is a character that is the pride of Japan." The mayor extended a residency certificate to an actor in a rubber suit representing Godzilla, but as the suit's hands were not designed for grasping, it was accepted on Godzilla's behalf by a Toho executive. Reporters noted that Shinjuku's ward has been flattened by Godzilla in three Toho movies.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Godzilla recruited as tourism ambassador for Tokyo|date=April 9, 2015|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/09/godzilla-recruited-as-tourism-ambassador-for-tokyo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108112826/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/09/godzilla-recruited-as-tourism-ambassador-for-tokyo |archive-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref><ref name="ny-post">{{cite news|newspaper=New York Post|title=Godzilla is Tokyo's newest resident and ambassador|url=https://nypost.com/2015/04/09/godzilla-is-tokyos-newest-resident-and-ambassador/|date=April 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108132217/https://nypost.com/2015/04/09/godzilla-is-tokyos-newest-resident-and-ambassador/ |archive-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref>