1. Just who is this Godzilla guy?   It's quite simple, really. Godzilla is a Japanese pop-icon risen out of the mushroom  clouds of atomic tests and those who protested against them.   2. Well, what is it? Is he a male or a female. Well, the way I see things, there are two possible answers to this: The first being,  Godzilla is a rubber suit! Rubber suits have no gender. They are not capable of copulation  or procreation. All they can do after the movie is made is sit in Toho's warehouse and rot  and fall apart. Therefore, Godzilla has no gender. The second, of course, is that we are not  meant to know these things since not even Evel Knievel would have the balls to try to climb  up a 100 meter radioactive monster's leg to determine its gender. And anyway, who cares  about the gender of Godzilla when we are all too busy running for our lives!   3. How many movies are there in all? The answer to this is 22 coming out of Toho. Of course, there is a new one being made by TriStar,  which I knew about long before Men in Black came out, and I already saw the trailer on the web,  so all I have to say to the naysayers is this: You deserve to have Devlin put on "Godzilla's Revenge" and say it's the new movie.   4. A new movie that's AMERICAN? C'MON! Of course! go find out more at http://www.godzilla.com, silly!   5. But this isn't the REAL Godzilla FAQ! Of course not! Who the hell did you think I was, Chia Ning Kao? =P       The REAL Godzilla F.A.Q. [Frequently Asked Questions]  This Godzilla FAQ was originally created by Chia-Ning Kao on May 7, 1996 and is used here without permission. For years I have resisted the urge to make any changes to the FAQ, but have recently decided to update it a bit. Specifically, I have added extra information about the U.S. release of the later Godzilla films [which, at the time this FAQ was originally written, were not available in the U.S.]. Also, due to the ever changing nature of the Internet, many [if not most] of the "on-line Godzilla resources" originally included in the FAQ have gone the way of the world and, rather than try and update the information on a regular basis, I have simply deleted that entire section. Finally, I have updated some of the "rumors" mentioned in the FAQ to reflect later developments.      OVERVIEW I.     INTRODUCTION        Why is there a FAQ? II.    GENERAL QUESTIONS        Commonly asked questions and answers. III.   MOVIE LIST/INFO        All Godzilla movies listed with Japanese and English        titles, release dates, running times and a brief synopsis. IV.    KAIJU LIST/INFO        List of all kaiju (monsters) that appear in Godzilla        movies with list of appearances and origins (if known). V.     RUMORS        Various unsubstantiated bits of info.  Take 'em with a        grain of salt. VI.    DID YOU KNOW...        Godzilla trivia!! VII.   ACKNOWLEDGMENTS/CREDITS        Thank yous, credits, etc.                 I. INTRODUCTION Why is there a FAQ? Because there's a need. Godzilla has been around for over 40 years and is still one of the best-known movie icons. With the recent publicity surrounding the "last Godzilla film ever", GODZILLA VS DESTROYER as well as recent developments regarding the long-promised U.S. Godzilla movie, posts and inquiries about Godzilla on the internet have become more and frequent. Many are surprised that the most recent Godzilla movie is not GODZILLA 1985. Whatever the reason, the popularity of Godzilla is on the rise.  This FAQ attempts to answer many questions commonly asked about Godzilla as well as provide a pointer on how to get Godzilla toys, information, movies, etc. This FAQ is not to be taken as "the final word" or a definitive guide. This FAQ is always a work in progress and suggestions, comments, corrections, monetary donations, criticisms, etc. are all welcome. E-mail 'em all to ckao@uceng.uc.edu. And now, on with the FAQ!        II. GENERAL INFORMATION Q: Who or what is Godzilla?  A: Godzilla is a HUGE, nearly invincible dinosaur-like creature with incredible strength and a destructive fire/atomic blast who visits Japan on a regular basis to destroy everything in it's sight. Godzilla has starred in 22 movies produced by Toho Co., Ltd. (a major Japanese movie studio) from 1954 to the present.      Q: To the present?? The last Godzilla movie I remember is GODZILLA 1985!  A: GODZILLA 1985 was the last film released in the theaters in the U.S. Toho has released a new Godzilla movie every year from 1989 to 1995 (except 1990) in Japan. GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE (1989) is the most recent movie available in the U.S. and was only released on video. Movies after GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE were not OFFICIALLY released in the U.S. but note the emphasis on "officially". (Update by Conster)  All of the Heisei era films with the exception of Godzilla Vs. Megagiras and GMK have been officially released in the States. THey are:  Godzilla Vs. Biollante Godzilla Vs. King Ghidora "" Mothra "" Mechagodzilla "" Space Godzilla "" Destroyah Godzilla 2000 (Godzilla Millenium)       Q: So what movies were made after GODZILLA 1985??  A: See Section III, "Movie List/Info".      Q: Where'd Godzilla come from???  A: Take your pick from the following:  a) Godzilla is a cross between a stegosaurus and tyrannosaurus rex that was frozen for millions of years until awakened by atomic testing  OR  b) Godzilla is a survivor of a race of ancient creature who existed at a time when hot volcanic activity was prevalent  OR  c) Godzilla is a "godzillasaurus" (a type of dinosaur) that survived into modern times and was mutated by atomic radiation  OR  d) Godzilla is a radioactive mutated dinosaur who rises from the Pacific and has a supernatural element to him; namely, the souls of the war dead who were killed in WWII and now their anger drives Godzilla to attack Japan The current Godzilla movie goes with "d" but with the lack of continuity in the Godzilla universe, you can make a strong argument for any of the possibilities.      Q: Aren't Godzilla movies kind of childish and dumb? I see them on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" all the time!  A: Actually, the first Godzilla movie, GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS, was very serious in tone. As time went on, the movies got sillier and sillier as Toho tried to target a younger audience and production, SPFX, etc. got cheaper and cheesier. The new movies have much more serious storylines and feature greatly improved SPFX. However, I've personally noticed a disturbing trend toward kiddiness in recent Godzilla films, namely with GODZILLA VS MOTHRA and GODZILLA VS MECHA-GODZILLA. The recently released GODZILLA VS DESTROYER seems to reverse this trend but I haven't seen the movie so I can't really say.      Q: In the recent films, Godzilla isn't a nice monster like he was in the 60s and 70s! Did he get mean or what?  A: Ummm, well.....y'see the new films have kinda rewritten history. The new movies, beginning with GODZILLA 1985 and on, treats all movies between GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS and GODZILLA 1985 as if they never existed. Sorry.      Q: What do you mean "never existed"!!!  A: Toho has apparently created two timelines. The only common thread is the first movie. The original timeline picks up right after GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS and goes from GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN to TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA and stops. The revised timeline skips to GODZILLA 1985 and goes from there, i.e.:                              /--->  GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN to                         |        TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA     GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS--      |                         \--->  GODZILLA 1985 to                              GODZILLA VS DESTROYER       |                         \--->  GODZILLA 2000  \--->  GODZILLA VS MEGAGIRAS  \--->  GODZILLA MOTHRA KING GHIDORA         Q: Why did Toho create all these timelines?  A: After the release of TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA in 1975, Toho realized that dismal audience numbers for recent Godzilla films and poor economic times made it impossible to continue releasing make Godzilla films year after year. Nine years after TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA, a decision was made to make a new Godzilla movie to coincide with the up-coming 40th anniversary of the movie that started it all, GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS. It was decided that the new movie would return to Godzilla's roots as a destructive force instead of the friendly monster in recent movies so all movies after GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS would be ignored. The new movie would be a direct sequel to the first. So in 1984, the movie that was retitled GODZILLA 1985 in the U.S. was released, heralding a new era for Godzilla.      Q: What's all the hoopla about Godzilla Mothra King Ghidora All Attack?  A: It's the latest Godzilla movie. 'Nuff said.      Q: Yeah but there wasn't this much buzz about the last couple of Godzilla films.  A: For starters, the producer, screenplay writer and special effects supervisor from the most successful Godzilla movie to date, GODZILLA VS MOTHRA, teamed up for GODZILLA VS DESTROYER. Akira Ifukube, considered the finest Godzilla music composer, came out of retirement to score GODZILLA VS DESTROYER. Plus this is the last Godzilla film "ever" and Godzilla dies.  (Editor's note: But Toho isn't going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Godzilla just keeps coming back!)     Q: What happens in GMK?? I wanna know!!  A: The plot for GMK can be found at Conster's Museum of Godzilla or you can pick up G-Fan  for complete details.      Q: Does Godzilla really explode?  A: Yes. Q: I saw [insert movie name #1] and [insert movie name #2]! They're both the same!!  A: The title of Godzilla films often varies from theater release to video release and sometimes, video to video. For a list of movie titles, see Section III, "Movie List/Info".      Q: Why does Godzilla always look different each movie?  A: The suits used for each movie varied. Sometimes, an older suit would be used for fight scenes and water scenes. G-Fan #16 has an excellent feature on this subject.      Q: What are the best/worst Godzilla movies?  A: That's a question of personal choice. GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS, DESTROY ALL MONSTERS, GODZILLA VS THE THING and GODZILLA VS MECHA-GODZILLA are often cited as the best Godzilla movies. On the other hand, GODZILLA'S REVENGE, GODZILLA VS MEGALON and GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND are often singled out as the worst. However, it all comes down to individual preferences.      Q: What does the word "kaiju" mean?  A: Kaiju is translated literally to "mysterious beast/animal". This is somewhat like monster but with a supernatural overtone. Japanese monster movies are often called "kaiju eiga". This is used for ALL Japanese monsters (even Gamera).      Q: Which is correct: Ghidrah or Ghidorah? Angurus or Angilas?  A: Well...both. There are several correct spellings but I would venture to say "Ghidorah" and "Angilas" to be the most popular.      Q: Aren't there two endings to KING KONG VS GODZILLA? I heard that King Kong wins in the U.S. version and Godzilla wins in the Japanese version.  A: The only difference in the endings is that after King Kong swims out to sea, you hear Godzilla's roar, then Kong's roar. The screen goes black and then "The End" appears in Japanese.      Q: What color is Godzilla?  A: Color varies depending on the movie but it's generally acknowledged that Godzilla is a greyish-brown hue.      Q: I think I saw a Godzilla figure at a toy store!  A: You did! You did! An American company, Trendmasters, produced a line of Godzilla toys from action figures to playsets to sponges. The line-up originally included Godzilla, Rodan, MechaGodzilla, King Ghidorah, Mecha-King Ghidorah and Mothra. Sales for the Godzilla line have far surpassed Trendmasters' expectations and many other monsters have been added such as MOGERA, Gigan, Biollante, a charcoal-grey Godzilla and more items were being added all the time.    Q: So how can I find the non-U.S. released movies?  A: English dubbed or subtitled videos can be found from various video sources. [UPDATE: All of the newer Godzilla movies have now been commercially released on video in the U.S..]        III. MOVIES LIST/INFO GOJIRA (GODZILLA).................................................1954, 97m GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS....................................1956, 80m     Nuclear testing awakens Godzilla whose rampage through Japan     can only be stopped by one scientist. GOJIRA NO GYAKUSHU (COUNTERATTACK OF GODZILLA)....................1955, 82m GIGANTIS, THE FIRE MONSTER aka GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN aka GODZILLA'S COUNTERATTACK..........................................1959, 78m      Another Godzilla, named Gigantis, and an "Anguilasaurus" are      freed from suspended animation and battle to the death in Osaka. KINGU KONGU TAI GOJIRA (KING KONG VS GODZILLA)....................1962, 98m KING KONG VS GODZILLA.............................................1963, 90m      Godzilla is freed from his imprisonment in an iceberg and       encounters a recently escaped King Kong.  The two monsters      battle in Tokyo. MOSURA TAI GOJIRA (MOTHRA VS GODZILLA)............................1964, 89m GODZILLA VS THE THING aka GODZILLA VS MOTHRA......................1964, 90m      Godzilla awakens from his subterranean slumber and must be      subdued by Mothra. SANDAIKAIJU CHIKYU SAIDAI NO KESSEN (THREE GIANT STRANGE CREATURES GREATEST DECISIVE BATTLE ON EARTH)......................1964, 93m GHIDRAH, THE THREE HEADED MONSTER.................................1965, 85m      The powerful space monster Ghidrah attacks the earth and the       earth's only defense is the combined might of Godzilla,      Rodan and Mothra. KAIJU DAISENSO (STRANGE CREATURE GIANT WAR).......................1965, 94m MONSTER ZERO aka GODZILLA VS MONSTER ZERO aka INVASION OF THE ASTRO-MONSTER.................................................1969, 94m      Aliens from Planet X attempt to conquer the earth by      controlling King Ghidorah, Godzilla and Rodan. NANKAI NO DAIKETTO (SOUTH SEAS' GIANT DUEL).......................1966, 87m GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER.......................................1966, 85m      Shipwrecked sailors discover a secret nuclear weapons plant      and it's defender Ebirah.  They also find and awaken a sleeping       Godzilla. GOJIRA NO MUSUKO (GODZILLA'S SON).................................1967, 86m SON OF GODZILLA...................................................1967, 86m      An egg is found on tiny Sogel island which hatches a baby      Godzilla, Minya.  Godzilla arrives to protect his offspring from      mutated insects. KAIJU SOSHINGEKI (STRANGE CREATURE ALL ATTACK)....................1968, 89m DESTROY ALL MONSTERS..............................................1968, 89m      In the year 1999, monsters have all been confined on Monster      Island until one day, eleven monster simultaneously attack the      major cities of the world. ORU KAIJU DAISHINGEKI (ALL STRANGE CREATURES GIANT ATTACK)........1969, 70m GODZILLA'S REVENGE aka GODZILLA'S LEVERAGE........................1971, 70m      A young boy on the run from criminals learns about courage      from Godzilla and Minya in series of dreams. GOJIRA TAI HEDORA (GODZILLA VS HEDORAH)...........................1971, 85m GODZILLA VS THE SMOG MONSTER......................................1972, 85m      Godzilla must defend Japan from a monster created by rampant      pollution. CHIKYU KOGEKI MEIREI GOJIRA TAI GAIGAN (EARTH DESTRUCTION DIRECTIVE GODZILLA VS GIGAN)......................................1972, 89m GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND aka GODZILLA VS GIGAN..................1978, 89m      Godzilla and Angilas must stop an alien invasion led by King       Ghidorah and a new adversary, Gigan. GOJIRA TAI MEGARO (GODZILLA VS MEGALON)...........................1973, 82m GODZILLA VS MEGALON...............................................1976, 82m      The undersea city of Seatopia sends their monster god,      Megalon, and Gigan to conquer the surface.  Godzilla       must end their attack with the help of the robot Jet Jaguar. GOJIRA TAI MEKAGOJIRA (GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA).................1974, 84m GODZILLA VS THE COSMIC MONSTER aka GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA aka GODZILLA VS THE BIONIC MONSTER....................................1977, 84m      A mechanical Godzilla is constructed by aliens to destroy      the real Godzilla and his ally, King Seesar. MEKAGOJIRA NO GYAKUSHU (COUNTERATTACK OF MECHAGODZILLA)...........1975, 83m TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA aka THE TERROR OF GODZILLA................1979, 83m      Invaders from the Third Planet of the Black Hole rebuild       MechaGodzilla and enlist the aid of a scientist to send      Mecha-Godzilla and the newly discovered Titanosaurus against      Godzilla. GOJIRA (GODZILLA).................................................1984, 103m GODZILLA 1985.....................................................1985, 90m      30 years after GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS, Godzilla      reappears, more powerful and deadlier than before. GOJIRA TAI BIORANTE (GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE)......................1989, 104m GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE............................................1989, 104m      Godzilla is freed from his volcanic imprisonment and only a      strange product of rose, human and Godzilla DNA can stop Godzilla. GOJIRA TAI KINGU GIDORA (GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH)..............1991, 103m GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH........................................1998, 89m      Time travelers tamper with Godzilla's past and create King       Ghidorah to decimate Japan.  Japan's only hope is Godzilla. GOJIRA TAI MOSURA (GODZILLA VS MOTHRA)...........................1992, 103m GODZILLA VS MOTHRA: THE BATTLE FOR EARTH.........................1998, 102m      Two monsters, Mothra and Battra, resume their centuries-old      battle while Godzilla rampages through Japan. GOJIRA TAI MEKAGOJIRA (GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA)................1993, 108m ***   no U.S. release at this time   ***      The United Nation Godzilla CounterMeasures Center (UNGCC)      creates an awesome robot to end the threat of Godzilla and the newly       discovered Rodan. GOJIRA TAI SUPESU GOJIRA (GODZILLA VS SPACE GODZILLA)............1994, 105m GODZILLA VS SPACE GODZILLA.......................................1999, 108m      A sample of Godzilla cells are sucked into a black hole and      the result, a hideous monster, attacks Godzilla and the newest      UNGCC anti-Godzilla robot, MOGERA. GOJIRA TAI DESUTOROIA (GODZILLA VS DESTROYER)....................1995, 103m GODZILLA VS DESTROYER............................................1999, 90m      A monster born of the Oxygen Destroyer, a weapon used to      defeat Godzilla decades ago, battles a Godzilla on the verge of a      nuclear detonation. GOJIRA MIRENIUM...................1999 Godzilla 2000    Godzilla battles a super alien and its spaceship to protect the Earth. GOJIRA TAI MEGAGIRAS.............2000  Godzilla tangles with a bloodthirsty prehistoric insect. GOJIRA MOSURA KINGU GIDORA SOUSOGEKI (sic?)...........2001  Godzilla comes back as an evil vicious monster with no heroism at all. It's up to Baragon, Mothra and King Ghidora to stop him. Can they do it in time?         IV. MONSTER LIST/INFO "O" - original timeline (pre-80s)  "st" - stock footage appearance  "R" - revised timeline (post-80s)  "ca" - cameo appearance  Godzilla movie abbreviations  ----------------------------  GKOM - GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS  GFM - GIGANTIS, THE FIRE MONSTER  GvsKK - KING KONG VS GODZILLA  GvsThi - GODZILLA VS THE THING  Ghi - GHIDRAH, THE 3 HEADED MONSTER  Gvs0 - GODZILLA VS MONSTER ZERO  GvsE - GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER  SOG - SON OF GODZILLA  DAM - DESTROY ALL MONSTERS  GsR - GODZILLA'S REVENGE  GvsH - GODZILLA VS THE SMOG MONSTER  GvGi - GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND  GvsMeg - GODZILLA VS MEGALON  GvsCM - GODZILLA VS THE COSMIC MONSTER  TOM - TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA  G85 - GODZILLA 1985  GvsB - GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE  GvsKG - GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH  GvsM - GODZILLA VS MOTHRA  GvsMG - GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA  GvsSG - GODZILLA VS SPACE GODZILLA  GvsD - GODZILLA VS DESTROYER  G2K -Godzilla 2000 GXM - Godzilla Vs. Megagiras GMK - Godzilla Mothra King Gidora all Attack   ANGILAS (GFM, DAM, GsR st, GvsGi, GvsMeg, GvsCM)  * (O) a species of ankylosaurus mutated by radiation  BARAGON (DAM ca GMK)  * (O) a triceratops-like monster of unknown origin  * (R) a primal beast who is God of the Earth, protecting it from Godzilla BATTRA (GvsM)  * (R) a "black Mothra" created by the Zen of the Earth Lifeforce in response to the balance of nature being upset  BIOLLANTE (GvsB)  * (R) a strange plant/animal creature created by combining human, rose and Godzilla DNA  DESTROYER (GvsD)  * (R) a creature created by the mutative effect of the Oxygen Destroyer on sea life  EBIRAH (GvsE, GsR st)  * (O) a huge lobster of unknown origin  GABORAH (GsR)  * (O) either an imaginary creation of a young Japanese boy or a ogre-like monster of unknown origin  GIGAN (GvsGi, GvsMeg)  * (O) a cyborg from the Hunter Nebula in Universe M  GIMANTIS (SOG, GsR)  * (O) a preying mantis mutated by a radiation storm  GODZILLA (all)  * (O) varies  * (R) a godzillasaurus, a type of dinosaur, mutated by atomic testing , in GMK an angry spirit incarnate hell bent on the destruction of man GOROSAURUS (DAM, GsR st)  * (O) a dinosaur of unknown origin  HEDORAH (GvsH)  * (O) a monster born of man's pollution of the environment  KING GHIDORAH (Ghi, Gvs0, DAM, GvsGi, TOM st, GvsKG)  * (O) a space monster that arrives on earth via meteor  * (R) the result of three genetically engineered pets brought from the future exposed to the radiation that originally created Godzilla  * (GMK) God of the sky, whose mission it is to stop the God of destruction KING KONG (GvsKK)  * (O) origin unknown  KING SEESAR (GvsCM)  * (O) an ancient lion god who appears to protect the people of Japan  JET JAGUAR (GvsMeg)  * (O) a humanoid robot built by a Japanese scientist  MANDA (DAM, GsR st, TOM st)  * (O) the god of the ancient civilization of Mu  MECHAGODZILLA (GvsCM, TOM, GvsMG)  * (O) a robot created by alien invaders to conquer Earth  * (R) a robot created by the United Nations Godzilla CounterMeasures Center (UNGCC) to combat Godzilla  MECHA-KING GHIDORAH (GvsKG)  * (R) the remains of King Ghidorah outfitted with 23rd century cybernetics  MEGAGIRAS (GXM) * (R) A bloodthirsty predatory giant insect which is capable of supersonic flight MEGALON (GvsMeg)  * (O) the monster god of the underwater city of Seatopia  MINYA (SOG, DAM, GsR)  * (O) a baby Godzilla of unknown origin  MOGERA (GvsSG)  * (R) a new robot built by the UNGCC to replace the destroyed Mecha-Godzilla  MOTHRA (GvsThi, Ghi, GvsE, DAM, GvsM, GvsSG ca)  * (O) the protector and goddess for the island-dwelling Shobijin  * (R) the defender of an ancient alien race called the Cosmos           The defender of an ancient race called the Alias          God of water; whose mission it is to stop Godzilla ORGA (G2K) * (R) An alien whose unsuccessful attempt to morph into Godzilla results in its demise. RODAN (Ghi, Gvs0, DAM, TOM st, GvsMG)  * (O/R) a species of pteranodon mutated by radiation  SPACEGODZILLA (GvsSG)  * (R) a strange Godzilla-like creature created when Godzilla cells were sucked into a black hole  SPIEGA (SOG, DAM, GsR st)  * (O) a giant spider mutated by radiation  TITANOSAURUS (TOM)  * (O) a dinosaur that survived from the past that falls under the control of a mad scientist  VARAN (DAM)  * (O) a monster of unknown origin      Bits N Pieces A large pool on the Toho lot that has been used for many of the water scenes you see in Toho films has been turned into a parking lot!  Apparently, Toho will now use computer graphics to do water scenes in future movies.    A translated interview with former suitimation actors from an old issue of XENORAMA talks about a live show the actors did where Godzilla fought and defeated Gamera. Ha, no surprise!! More info to come...    It appears that Toho has merged with Daiei, the studio that makes Gamera movies. Godzilla vs Gamera? [UPDATE: Actually, Toho is simply the distributor for Daiei's films. Still, it would be nice, wouldn't it?]      VI. DID YOU KNOW... ...how Gojira (Godzilla in Japanese) was named? According to Eiji Tsuburaya, the creator of Godzilla: "At the time, there was a tough-looking guy working on the Toho lot. His nickname was 'Gojira'. We just adopted it for our monster. It caught on and certainly has immortalized him!"  ...that Gojira is a combination of "gorilla" and "kujira" (Japanese for whale)?  ...that when GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS was filmed, it cost 62,893,455 yen (about the equivalent of $900,000) and was the most expensive movie ever made in Japan at that time? This would equal about $65 million today. For comparative purposes, GODZILLA VS SPACE GODZILLA cost $12 million to make.  ...that many of the script elements in Godzilla vs Mothra were from the unfilmed movie "Mothra vs Bagan", with Battra replacing Bagan?  ...that Japanese actor Kenji Sahara has appeared in 11 Godzilla films? See if you can spot his appearances in KING KONG VS GODZILLA, GHIDRAH THE THREE HEADED MONSTER, GODZILLA VS THE THING, SON OF GODZILLA, DESTROY ALL MONSTERS, GODZILLA'S REVENGE, GODZILLA VS THE COSMIC MONSTER, TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA, GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH, GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA and GODZILLA VS SPACE GODZILLA. Whew!  ...that a damage tally for GODZILLA 1985 was estimated at 6 trillion yen? That's for all the military equipment used including the Super-X and maser tanks plus damaged and destroyed buildings in Shinjuku, equipment used to lure Godzilla to Mt. Mihara and rebuilding the Iihama Nuclear Plant.  ...how Godzilla's roar was created? Akira Ifukube, the composer responsible for the music in several Godzilla movies, ran a glove over a contrabass string!  ...that Godzilla films released in Germany before GODZILLA 1985 had their storylines altered so that many of Godzilla's opponents were either sent or created by Dr. Frankenstein? Apparently this was an attempt to add marquee value to Godzilla films.  ...that GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER was originally written for King Kong instead of Godzilla?  ...that Godzilla appeared in disguise on an episode of "Ultra Q" and an episode of "Ultraman"? He was "Gomes" in the Ultra Q episode "Gomes vs Litra" and "Kira" in the Ultraman episode "Ultraman vs Kira".  ...that Godzilla appeared in the Japanese show "Zone Fighter" five times? Godzilla was seen on "Invasion! The Attack of Garoga's Army", "In the Twinkling of an Eye", "Submersion", "Invincible! Godzilla Enraged!" and "Gruesome! Zone Fighter and Godzilla vs the Horrible Allies".  ...King Ghidorah also appeared twice on "Zone Fighter"? King Ghidorah appeared on "The Arrival of King Ghidorah" and "The Revenge of King Ghidorah". ...even Gigan made an appearance once on "Zone Fighter"? He was seen in the episode "In the Twinkling of an Eye" along with Godzilla.  ...that GIGANTIS, THE FIRE MONSTER was originally to be called "The Volcano Monsters"? This was supposed to be an Americanized version that would have new footage of the monsters in the U.S. and English-speaking actors but the project was abandoned in favor of GIGANTIS, THE FIRE MONSTER.  ...that Marvel's Godzilla comic was not canceled by Marvel but by Toho?  ...that the end of the Marvel Godzilla series was not the end of Godzilla in Marvel Comics? One of Godzilla's opponents, an evil scientist named Dr. Demonicus, captured him and mutated him to the point where he no longer resembles his Toho self (how convenient!). Dr. Demonicus has Godzilla attack Iron Man in Iron Man #192 and #193 and never refers to Godzilla as "Godzilla" but as "my old enemy".  ...that Tri-Star originally wanted to pit Godzilla against King Ghidorah in the upcoming U.S. Godzilla movie? Tri-Star's agreement with Toho allowed them to use any monster except Mothra and King Ghidorah. Toho wanted the same amount Tri-Star paid for the rights to Godzilla, rumored to be $10 million!!  ...that there was an attempt in 1983 to make a U.S. Godzilla movie? Steve Miner, director of FOREVER YOUNG, FRIDAY THE 13TH PART III, MY FATHER THE HERO acquired the rights to Godzilla and commissioned Fred Dekker (who later directed ROBOCOP 3) write a script. The script called for Godzilla to be a "protosaurus", a kind of nuclear-powered dinosaur awakened by an accidental nuclear missile launch by an orbiting satellite into the sea. Godzilla attacked San Francisco looking for it's baby who was found dead after battling a Soviet sub. The carcass of the baby was being studied in a military lab in the Presidio. Miner tried to obtain financing for the movie for over 2 years but unfortunately, his rights to Godzilla expired.        VII. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS/CREDITS This FAQ wouldn't be here if I hadn't gotten all the help I did from other Godzilla fans all around. Special thanks in no particular order:  Mark Meloon, David Milner, Dana Foreman, Guy McLimore, Barry S. Goldberg, Connie Goodnow, Bob Loftin, Ralf Lorenz, Craig Mitchell, Jim Walsh, Steve Ryfle, John ???, Gman, Sean Linkenback, G-FAN magazine, J.D. Lee [G-FAN editor], G-FAN writers and contributors, Ed Godziszewski  And of course, Toho Co., Ltd. for making all the great (and not-so-great) films starring the No. 1 monster of all time! If I forgot anyone, I deeply apologize! Send me an e-mail if I forgot someone!      ** Standard disclaimer time **  This FAQ is not associated in any way with Toho Co., Ltd. Godzilla and other monsters, films, etc. are registered trademarks of Toho Co., Ltd or someone else. This FAQ is not intended to violate any legal rights to the names or ideas.  This accuracy of this FAQ cannot be guaranteed and the author is not responsible for any accidents, natural disasters, alien invasions or 100-meter tall radioactive monsters resulting from use of this FAQ. However, if any such incidents occur, please let me know!  This FAQ may be freely distributed provided no changes are made in content or authorship. If you wish to give this FAQ an electronic home, go right ahead. Just send me an e-mail (ckao@uceng.uc.edu) to let me know! (Well I took the liberty of updating it. The thing was starting to smell like old cheese!)

-Godzilla Care- (Author Unknown) Congratulations! You detonated a nuclear weapon at the wrong time, in the wrong place, in the wrong way, and now you are the proud owner/feeder/panic-stricken victim of over two hundred and fifty feet of radioactive reptilian flesh! First of all, as a new Godzilla owner, there is one thing you should say to yourself:  STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!     That said, as it had to be, let's see what we can do about prolonging your pet's lifespan, most of which will involve prolonging yours.     Part 1: Your Pet's Habitat     Until recently, Godzillae have been found exclusively on Monster  Island and the main islands of Japan. Of late, however, there have  been accounts of the hulking behemoths in the United States, chiefly in the area of movie theaters and a number of back alleys in Philadelphia. What's important to you is to duplicate your pet's  natural surroundings as closely as possible.     In the United States, of late, this has become easier due to huge  numbers of Japanese imports into the bloated U.S. Consumer market.  your pet should feel right at home, and any large, coastal city with large ships and elevated trains near the ocean will be suitable for your pet's rest and recreation. You should be aware that your pet will go through 2-3 tankers in the course of each month, and as many  elevated trains as he encounters. Arrangements with the Liberian  government and your local transportation authority may be advisable.   You should always provide a hide box in your pet's habitat. This will be for you. We recommend a converted, hardened Titan missile silo or a mine shaft not less than 350' from the surface in rock no softer than igneous basalt. Don't forget to install a filtering system to remove the lethal Strontium 90 deposited by your pet's breath. You will spend a lot of time in your hide box. This is normal and very, very,  healthy.     Part 2: Who to Feed Your Pet. In their natural habitat, Godzillae eat tankers, the Tokyo Tower,  Honda Civics, and Koreans. All bu the tankers are more availible than ever before in the United States. Your pet will most naturally take his food if you can arrange for large numbers of persons of Asian  descent to proceed in an orderly fasion towards subway tunnels and  Civil Defense shelters wearing silly little gauze masks over their  faces. Fortunately for you and the cause of universal brotherhood,  your pet will also eat people of other ethnic origins. We recommend the following: Bill and Hillary Clinton, Al and Tipper Gore, the Cleveland and  Philadelphia City councils, Senators Biden, Kennedy, De Concini, and Metzenbaum, the U.S. House of Representatives, Sarah Brady, Pete  Shields, Ted Turner, Jane Fonda, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Saddam Hussein, Gen. Mohammed Farah Adid, NOW, Cleveland Amory, Barbara Streisand,  Ross Perot, Pee Wee Herman, Gov. Tom Florio... (additional volumes of suggestions may be ftp'ed in archival form from gotta.little.list,  mikado.edu)     YSite owner's note: Not to mention Rush Limbaugh, Ollie North, the  PMRC, the Bible Belt, etc. etc. in the interests of fairness, of  course. :)     Part 3: Mothras In the course of your involuntary association with your pet, you may find an infestation of Mothras in your pet's substrate (we recommend Uranium tailings or coal slag for the latter, although he will spend most of his time in the sea). The following are signs of Mothra  infestation:     1. A huge glowing egg somewhere in the immediate vicinity--be very  careful not to mistale such for one of those vinyl-roofed tennis  rinks, or very much vice-versa. 2. Two huge giant caterpillers roaming through the subway tunnels.  Once again, proper identification of exactly what just pulled up  at the transit stop may be in order. 3. A sonic boom followed by the stuff of Lepidoterists' nightmares, the huge winged insect's presence usally predicted/followed by  the presence of identical singing twins of 7-8" in height and the  typical cynical, relentless, Hollywood/Ginza promoter. 4. Finding your pet wrapped in miles and miles of sticky, dental-floss-like material, so that he is unable to move. In case  of the last, pop the champagne and leave the country.     What to do about Mothras: Do you really want to do anything about  Mothras? Oh, very well. See if you can convince your pet to sleep on top of the Dow Chemical plant in Passaic New Jersey, or the nearest nuclear power facility or the new Federal high-level nuclear waste  sight in New Mexico. If that doesn't work, try a prayer to St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, or a sacrifice of several dozen  cattle or virgins (either sex) to Hastur, Cthulhu, Ithaqua, and  Shub-Internet. None of these will harm your pet. Very little will harm your pet (See Oxygen Destroyers, below)     Part 4: Godzilla Do's and Don'ts     DON'T trust the Japanese Defense Forces to keep your pet under  control. The Navy and the USAF continue to react badly to the appearance of Mitsubishi Zero-Sen aircraft over American sites, and there's no point instarting up all that again, is there? Moreover,  spectacular as those weird-looking satellite dish-things are on film, it is difficult to dub in the animated laser beams they shoot in real life. A final note: Japanese Defense Force acticity in other parts of the world may cause all of Asia to panic. U.S. military activity in any part of the world may cause the entire world to panic, particulalry in parts of Washington, D.C., Europe, and the Middle East.     DON'T attempt to help your pet when shedding. The remocal of even one fleck of skin from his cast outer hide will undoubtedly expose you to over eighteen times the NRC maximum annual roetgen level for high-level atomic plant workers. Mist him down (using either slurry planes or a convenient fireboat) from a distance. If you think your pet is grouchy enough most of the time, his first shed will be a major learning experience for you.  DON'T operate a computer anywhere in the vicinity of your pet's  habitat (current Godzilla owners reading this are already in big  trouble). Like many members of his family, your pet will immediately appropriate your video display for basking sessions (see FAQ on  Monitor Lizards, and, in Georgia, Savannah Monitor Lizards).   DON'T attempt to control your pet's behavior with the use of tactical or strategic nuclear weapons. Despite the first rate- opportunites for urban redevelopment and national guilt they offer, exposure to even the tiniest amounts of U-238 and Tritium are likely to make your pet return to a feral state. They sure as blazes won't hurt him.     DO take your pet to a showing of Jurassic Park, since he will get few enough chances to laugh out loud as it is, and since he will undoubtedly put the audience on their best behavior. A white-hot jet of glowing radioactive plasma is the cure for even the most determined cinema talker.     DO allow your pet to mix wiht the rest of your pet collection. Dogs and inquisitive cats will develop an entirely new attitude toward your herptiles as a consequence, and even the most crotchety of iguanas or burmese pythons will develop an entirely revised sense of self- esteem if they survive the aftermath.     DON'T attempt to control your pet's behavior with an oxygen destroyer. Although initially effective, your pet will have an annoying tendency to reappear even after being entirely skeletonized by such an agent, and, obliging Japanese chemists of late have become increasingly unwilling to immolate themselves because of your careless use of  nuclear weaponry. You will not only have your pet back again, you will have him back with an ATTITUDE.     Part 5: Breeding Your Pet     You will have very little to say about when, where, how, or with whom your pet breeds--recall the saying about thte sleeping habits of a 500 pound gorilla. You will be able to determine whether or not your  Godzilla has bred by a certain smug and relazed expression on his  usually-dour features, and perhaps the presence of one or more  cigarette butts among his substrate. In japan, immatyre Godzillae are called Meen-Yas, in the United States, Barneys (see the PURPLE.DEATH FAQ). both types are noted for theur inability to blow forth clouds of white hot plasma, and a certain perverse desire to spend a great deal of time with small children. It is best to discourage this tendency on both sides as your newest problem matures.     Part 6: General Behavior and Tips     Generals in the presence of a Godzilla tend to scream wildly for the heaviest availible firepower--but not for long. You can prevent  avitamintosis in your pet by exploding several low-level dirty nuclear airbursts in his immeduate vicinity, but in fact, the general behavior noted above should provide that for you. your pet is apt to be on his worst behavior in the presence of a Japanese fishing vessel, but the perennial bad luck of Japanese fishing vessels in the presence of  atmospheric radioactivity means that there is really very little you can do about it. Besides, if you objest to current Japanese whale and dolphin slaughters, it is possible to take a certain kind of unholy joy in exactly what is going to happen.     As your pet ages, you may notice changes in behavior. At his youngest, he is at his most irritable and grouchy, and even as a mature leviathan he may fly into an extremely destructive rage at the sight of a Perry Mason re-run or move on television. As he mellows, you may find him wrestling playfully with King Kongs, Ghidrah the three headed monster (See MONSTER-0 FAQ ), Rodans (See MACH-3 FAQ ), Mecha-Godzillae, cockroach-aliens, or other sea monsters (see alt.sci.worldconquest, talk.aliens.icch, and 20,000 LUS FAQ). He may even begin marginally socially-acceptable behavior, such as saving the world from the clutches of the Smog Monster (see alt.environment.worstcase) or Megalon. Recent studies, however, show a return toward grouchy behavior as time progresses--much as appears to be the case with the japanese.     Based upon materials compiled by Monster Control, Toho University, Nagasaki Japan. "You killed my daddy, yankee, now YOU die!"