G Perfect?

7.17.14

Today was a box day. I opened my X-Plus Godzilla 1968 Ric Toy. As I untied my latest Goji and looked at its design I said to myself, “This might be the perfect Godzilla design from the Showa era.” For me this thought would typically be heresy. I idolized the Godzilla suit from 1973-75. It has held a special place as my favorite because it represents the most mature suit design among all the Showa Gojis. But as I contemplate and compare all the others with the Godzilla 1968 suit I’m beginning to reconsider. saw most.

In reality, the Godzilla 1968 suit is what I remember most because those were the movies I saw most. The movies that aired most during my childhood were the 60s films from Godzilla vs. The Things to Godzilla’s Revenge (1969). Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster was also among them. I can only recall two weekends when Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla aired. And I only saw Godzilla vs. Megalon once on television. Perhaps, I would have seen it twice but there was a misprint in the TV Guide and as a result I wasted a Saturday afternoon sitting through a long horror movie about gargoyles thinking it was Godzilla vs. Megalon. That was a disappointing weekend. The truth is Godzilla 1968 made the most impression.

X-Plus Godzilla 1971 in comparison with Godzilla 1971 and 1975 is revealing. Godzilla’s form is refined and contour. His demeanor and expression are fitting for a protagonist, friend and ally rather than that of an adversary and antagonist.

Photo: John Stanowski / Kaiju Addicts

Godzilla ’68 was the model for most of my Godzilla drawings growing up. It is a very distinctive design with exacting lines, crisp dorsal fins, well defined tree bark markings, strong brows and eyes, well-shaped mouth and teeth, balanced hips with slender well-defined legs. Godzilla never looks any better. Godzilla designs from 1964-1967 appear to be searching for solutions that were never found. His body was bagged and his head a bit too small with bulging and unbalanced eyes. The Godzilla of the Son of Godzilla completely loss his way.

Godzilla 1964-67

Although the Godzilla suits from 68-71 are very similar there are distinguishing features. First, there is a marked shift in the design with the Godzilla suit design of Destroy All Monsters and Godzilla’s Revenge.Godzilla as friend and ally is marked by the ’68 suit design. Godzilla 1968 marks a center point in Godzilla’s design. In Destroy All Monsters his look is that of a leader. His friendly and approachable more suitable for children viewers and the subject of parenthood. Godzilla in Hedora and Gigan is losing clarity. His body is slender with stressed and worn skin. His brow is thick and heavy. His is a brawler and street fighter. His body evidences the intense battles in which he would engage. In Megalon, Godzilla is like designed like a typical TV series kaiju. His big buggy bulging eyes, slender body and tail, and rounded edges and features soften his demeanor and convey his friendly ally status. It is in ’74 and ’75 Godzilla is clearly defined and designed as a fierce fighter and defender of the earth. His brow is slanted downward giving the expression of anger and focus. In Terror of MechaGodzilla Godzilla’s appearance is fitting for a loner.

Godzilla 1968-75

Godzilla 74 is still my overwhelming favorite and sits at the height of the Showa era. But it’s not alone. I’ve always held a special place for Godzilla 1968. Perhaps this is the perfect and ideal G.