Evolution of Godzilla Through Cinema

Introduction

• Godzilla's appearance has changed significantly over time.
• Initially awoken by atomic bombs.
• Each film iteration brings new looks and characteristics.

Original Godzilla (1954)

• Small arms, thick legs, dorsal plates down spine.
• Tiny pupils, fangs, pointy ears.
• Attacks Japan and gets disintegrated to bone.

Godzilla Raids Again

• Thinner, longer arms, smaller head, larger pupils.
• Teeth jutting out.

King Kong vs. Godzilla

• In color, more plump, lizard-like head with yellow eyes.
• No ears, no fangs.
• Fights King Kong and tumbles into the ocean.

Mothra vs. Godzilla

• Slimmer, wider head, wide eyes, smooth shiny brows.
• Covered in silk and drops into the sea.

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster

• Slimmer face, longer tongue.
• Godzilla starts defending humanity.

Invasion of Astro-Monster

• Thinner, more defined dorsal plates, dull claws, rounder head.
• Shows dance moves and briefly mind-controlled.

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep

• Less angry brows.
• Battles a giant lobster and escapes exploding island.

Destroy All Monsters

• Slimmer.
• Under alien mind control but breaks free.

Godzilla vs. Hedorah (The Smog Monster)

• Opposes a pollution monster.
• Flies backward curled up like a shrimp.

Godzilla vs. Gigan

• Gained ability to speak.
• Suit/skin starts ripping, appears slimmer.

Godzilla vs. Megalon

• Shorter neck, bright dorsal fins, round pig-nosed face.
• Performs long-distance dropkick.

1970s Series Continuation

• Angrier expression, more detailed muzzle.
• Magnetic abilities to fight Mechagodzilla.

Return of Godzilla (1984)

• Taller, larger dorsal fins, fourth toe.
• Reincorporates fangs and ears.
• Trips into a volcano.

Godzilla vs. Biollante

• Smaller head, muscular build, cat-like face.
• Takes out a plant monster turned to glitter.

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

• Original form: Godzillasaurus.
• Exposed to radiation, turning muscular and angrier.

Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)

• Thinner, rearranged dorsal plates, ribbed neck.
• Golden eyes.

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

• Slimmed shoulders and legs.
• Raising a blue-toned Baby Godzilla.
• Defeated but revitalized quickly.

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

• Bulkier, less neck detailing, larger eyes.
• Godzilla Jr. is greener and chubbier.
• SpaceGodzilla with crystallized back.

Godzilla 1998 (American)

• Mutated iguana with blue dorsal spikes.
• Hanging dewlap, raptor-looking offspring.

Godzilla 2000

• Shorter, green jagged skin, sharp purple spines.
• Nearly swallowed whole but survives.

Godzilla vs. Megaguirus

• Lighter, longer neck, smaller mouth.
• Defeats giant insect and sentenced to black hole.

Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001)

• Formed by WWII victims' ghosts.
• Smooth charcoal skin, white dorsal fins, hunched neck.
• Pure white eyes, no ears, mutilated by drill missile.

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla

• Jagged design, wolf-like face.
• Visible chest scar.

Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

• Covered in silk, floated to bottom of the sea.

Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

• Taller, slender, longer ears, red eyes.
• Fights many creatures, including 1998 Zilla.

Shin Godzilla (2016)

• Starts as armless creature, evolves to bloody-red form.
• Jaw unhinges and splits apart.
• Can reproduce human hybrids from tail but frozen with agent.

Anime Trilogy

• Muscular, rounded, tree bark-like texture.
• Grows to largest on-screen size.
• Becomes ruler of Earth.

Godzilla (2014 American)

• Plump, jagged dorsal plates, elephant-like feet.
• Wide gills.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

• Taller, beefier, less stubby lower half.
• Blunt tail tip, glowing dorsal fins.
• Gains fiery look and power upgrade.