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{{Mtab
{{Tab
|soundtrack ={{Soundtracktab}}
|soundtrack=Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla/Soundtrack
|credits=Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla/Credits
}}
}}
{{Nav
{{Nav
|type1      =Flying
|type1      =Flying
|type2      =Steel
|type2      =Steel
|type        =[[Godzilla (Franchise)|Godzilla]] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|Films]]
|type        =[[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'']] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|films]]
|name        =Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
|name        =''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla''
|prev        =Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack
|prev        =Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack
|prevname    ={{tt|GMK|Abbreviation for 'Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack'}}
|prevname    ={{tt|''GMK''|Abbreviation for 'Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack'}}
|next        =Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
|next        =Godzilla: Tokyo SOS
|nextname    =Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
|nextname    =''Godzilla: Tokyo SOS''
}}
}}
{{Infopelicula
{{Infobox Film|ratings=yes
|type1      =Steel
|type1      =Steel
|type2      =Flying
|type2      =Flying
|header      ={{Toho}} {{Kaijup}} {{Film}}
|image      =Godzilla X MechaGodzilla Poster.jpg
|image      =Ef_gxmg.jpg
|caption    =The Japanese poster for Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
|caption    =The Japanese poster for Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
|nameoffilm  =''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla''
|dt          =''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' (2002)
|dt          =''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' (2002)
|producer    =[[Shogo Tomiyama]]
|name        =''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla''|alt-titles=yes
|producer    =[[Shogo Tomiyama]], [[Takahide Morichi]]
|director    =[[Masaaki Tezuka]]
|director    =[[Masaaki Tezuka]]
|writer      =[[Wataru Mimura]]
|writer      =[[Wataru Mimura]]
|composer    =[[Michiru Oshima]]
|composer    =[[Michiru Oshima]]
|distributor =[[Toho]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br>[[TriStar Pictures]]{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|sfx        =[[Yuichi Kikuchi]]
|rating      =Not Rated
|produced    =[[TOHO Studios|Toho Pictures]]
|distributor =[[Toho]]{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}, [[TriStar Pictures]]{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}
|rating      =Not Rated,{{sup|[[United States|US]], 2004}} PG{{sup|[[United States|US]], 2022}}
|budget      =¥1,000,000,000
|budget      =¥1,000,000,000
|gross      =¥1,910,000,000
|gross      =¥1,910,000,000{{sup|[[Japan|JP]]}}<br>$335,000{{sup|[[United States|US]]}}<ref name="Numbers/>
|runtime    =88 minutes<br>{{Small|(1 hour, 28 minutes)}}
|runtime    =88 minutes<br>{{Small|(1 hour, 28 minutes)}}
|designs    =[[KiryuGoji]], [[MireMekagoji]], [[ShodaiGoji]]
|aspectratio =2.35:1
}}
}}
----
{{Quote|Startup - Resonance - Smashed Ice|parenthetical=起動・共鳴・氷砕|Japanese tagline}}
{{Quote|Startup - Resonance - Smashed Ice (起動・共鳴・氷砕)|Tagline}}
{{Quote|Fight 'til crumbled!|International tagline}}
'''''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla''''' {{Nihongo|ゴジラ{{tt|×|たい}}メカゴジラ|Gojira ekkusu Mekagojira|lit. ''Godzilla {{tt|X|Against}} Mechagodzilla''}} is a [[2002]] [[tokusatsu]] [[:Category:Kaiju Films|kaiju film]] produced by [[Toho]], and the twenty-sixth installment in the [[Godzilla (Franchise)|Godzilla series]], as well as the fourth in the [[Millennium era|Millennium series]]. The film was released to [[Japan]]ese theaters on December 14, [[2002]].
'''''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla''''' {{Nihongo|ゴジラ{{ruby|×|たい}}メカゴジラ|Gojira tai Mekagojira}} is a [[2002]] [[tokusatsu]] [[:Category:Kaiju Films|kaiju film]] directed by [[Masaaki Tezuka]] and written by [[Wataru Mimura]], with special effects by [[Yuichi Kikuchi]]. Produced by [[TOHO Studios|Toho Pictures]], it is the 26th mainline installment in the [[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'' series]] and the 27th ''Godzilla'' film overall, as well as the fourth in the franchise's [[Millennium era]]. It stars [[Yumiko Shaku]], [[Shin Takuma]], Kana Onodera, Koh Takasugi, Yusuke Tomoi, [[Koichi Ueda]], [[Kumi Mizuno]], and [[Akira Nakao]]. The film premiered at the 15th Tokyo International Film Festival on November 2, [[2002]], before being released to [[Japan]]ese theaters by [[Toho]] that December 14.<ref name="TIFF">{{cite web|url=http://topics.cinematopics.com/archives/15824|title=TIFF特別招待作品『ゴジラ×メカゴジラ』舞台挨拶|date=26 November 2002|work=CINEMATOPICS|accessdate=28 December 2023}}</ref> [[TriStar Pictures|Columbia TriStar Home Video]] released it on DVD in the [[United States]] in [[2004]].
 
Yet another reboot to the ''Godzilla'' continuity, ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' reintroduces Godzilla's popular foe [[Mechagodzilla]] for the Millennium series. When a second [[Godzilla (Kiryu series)|Godzilla]] attacks [[Japan]] in [[1999]], the Japanese government dredges up the bones of the [[Godzilla (First Generation)|first Godzilla]] from [[1954]] and uses them to construct an anti-Godzilla weapon codenamed [[Kiryu]]. Kiryu is completed in [[2003]], when Godzilla returns to menace [[Yokohama]]. Kiryu is sent to combat Godzilla, but the monster's roar awakens the first Godzilla's soul within the cyborg, causing Kiryu to go berserk. Kiryu's lead scientist [[Tokumitsu Yuhara]] races to rectify this error in the cyborg before Godzilla makes landfall again. But even if Kiryu is fixed, the question remains if the government would willingly launch it again.
 
''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' was followed by a direct sequel, ''[[Godzilla: Tokyo SOS]]'', in [[2003]].
{{TOC}}
{{TOC}}
==Plot==
==Plot==
When the mutant dinosaur Godzilla attacks [[Tateyama]] in the year [[1999]], the Diet decide to commission a robot constructed from the original Godzilla's bones, with help from Japan's top scientists. Four years later, the cyborg, called [[Kiryu]], is finished and inducted into the Japan Self-Defense Forces along with its human pilots as the Kiryu Squadron. At the same time, Godzilla shows up once again, even though the JSDF seemed to finally defeat him. In the midst of the first battle, the original Godzilla's soul inside Kiryu is awoken by Godzilla's roar, and brings with it the memories of his death years ago. This action makes Kiryu extremely angry and he proceeds to destroy the city around him. Horrified, the Kiryu Squadron can only watch in terror and alarm as the rampaging cyborg destroys more city property than Godzilla did.  
In [[1999]], a typhoon strikes [[Tateyama]] in Chiba Prefecture. Residents are shocked to see that it is no ordinary storm when a second [[Godzilla (Kiryu series)|Godzilla]] appears from the raging sea and comes ashore. The [[Anti-Megalosaurus Force]] (AMF) scrambles tanks and [[Type 90 Maser Cannon]]s to intercept the beast. Godzilla is unharmed by the AMF's assault and annihilates the attacking forces with his atomic breath. Maser operator [[Akane Yashiro]] attempts to evade Godzilla's advance but accidentally backs into another vehicle, sending her commanding officer and its other occupants straight into Godzilla's path. Akane watches in horror as Godzilla steps on the vehicle, killing its occupants, before striking her Maser vehicle with his tail. She watches helplessly as Godzilla roars into the sky, lightning striking his dorsal fins. In the aftermath of the disaster, [[Japan]]'s Prime Minister Machiko Tsuge meets with Minister of Science and Technology [[Hayato Igarashi]] to discuss countermeasures. They recall how the country was helpless in the wake of the [[Godzilla (First Generation)|first Godzilla]]'s attack on [[Tokyo]] in [[1954]] before Dr. [[Daisuke Serizawa]] used his invention, the [[Oxygen Destroyer]], to kill the monster along with himself to ensure that it could never be used again. Godzilla would prove to be the first of many monsters to raid Japan in the ensuing years, with [[Mothra (First Generation)|Mothra]] attacking Tokyo seven years later in [[1961]]. The [[JSDF]] used experimental [[Atomic Heat Ray Gun]]s loaned by the [[Rolisica]]n military to combat her, and by [[1966]] adapted this technology into the [[Type 66 Maser Cannon]] which it used in its battle with [[Gaira]]. With the appearance of a new Godzilla, and the more advanced Type 90 Maser Cannon ineffective against him, Tsuge and Igarashi both realize the necessity of developing a new weapon to defend the people of Japan.
 
Igarashi gathers the most brilliant scientific minds in Japan to help develop a new anti-Godzilla weapon. Among them is Professor [[Tokumitsu Yuhara]], who has successfully recreated the extinct [[Trilobite]] using a combination of robotics and living components controlled by DNA computers. Igarashi shows them the skeletal remains of the first Godzilla, which were discovered off the Boso Peninsula. He asks Yuhara if he can extract a spinal cell from the skeleton, with Yuhara wondering if Igarashi intends to create a Godzilla clone. Igarashi explains that they are going to develop a bio-robot, a mechanical Godzilla created using the skeleton and DNA of the first Godzilla. Yuhara initially refuses to join the project out of a desire to spend more time with his daughter [[Sara Yuhara|Sara]], but changes his mind when the government allows her to stay with him at the development facility. Following an investigation into the accident that claimed the lives of her comrades, the AMF demotes Akane to a desk job. During this time, Akane continues to train rigorously, intent on working her way back into active duty.


Kiryu is brought back to headquarters for further work. Meanwhile, Kiryu's main pilot, Lieutenant Akane Yashiro, tries to settle matters involving second lieutenant Susumu Hayama, scientist Tokumitsu Yuhara and his distressed daughter, Sara, who thinks that using Kiryu to fight is wrong and that it should be friends with Godzilla. Kiryu was put out of commission, until Godzilla once again attacked. The prime minister of Japan realized how dire the situation was, and he sent Kiryu into battle. Missiles and lasers were fired.  
By [[2003]], development on the AMF's anti-Godzilla cyborg, designated [[Kiryu]], is complete. Lieutenant Togashi is assigned to lead the Kiryu Squad operating the machine, and he selects Akane to serve as its primary pilot. Kiryu is operated remotely from an accompanying fleet of [[AC-3 White Heron]]s which transport him and can supply him with more energy using a large microwave dish. One member of the Kiryu Squad, Lieutenant Susumu Hayama, is distrustful and hostile toward Akane, blaming her for his brother's death in 1999. Dr. Yuhara is attracted to Akane and clumsily attempts to hit on her, but notices how distant she seems from her comrades. Akane begins to form a friendship with Sara, sharing her feelings of loneliness and isolation. Yuhara says he will buy Akane dinner if Kiryu beats Godzilla, but also says he will buy her dinner if Kiryu loses as consolation. The AMF soon formally reveals Kiryu to the world at large, demonstrating his capabilities and weapons. His most powerful weapon, the Absolute Zero Cannon, emits light at a temperature of 0 kelvin, instantly freezing and smashing the atoms of its target. During the presentation, the AMF detects Godzilla approaching [[Tokyo Bay]]. Kiryu is scrambled and intercepts Godzilla near [[Yokohama]], bombarding him with volleys of rockets and missiles and the Maser beam fired from his mouth. As Godzilla is pushed back by Kiryu's onslaught, he lets out a roar that awakens the first Godzilla's consciousness which is still attached to the skeletal remains within Kiryu. Akane attempts to activate the Absolute Zero Cannon, but finds that she can no longer control Kiryu. Godzilla uses the opportunity to escape back into Tokyo Bay. As the White Herons close in to transport Kiryu, he opens fire at Hayama's aircraft with his wrist-mounted railgun. Kiryu begins destroying the surrounding area with his weapons, acting as if he was Godzilla. Hayama tries to draw Kiryu away from the city, but he shoots down his White Heron. Akane rushes into the downed White Heron and rescues Hayama before it explodes, prompting him to ask why she bothered to save him. The AMF's operators are unable to remotely shut down Kiryu, making their only option to wait until he runs out of energy in about an hour. After walking through a building, Kiryu finally shuts down as his energy reserves are completely depleted.


The two creatures clashed, slowly knocking into each other. Missiles, masers, the wrist blade, and all of Kiryu's lesser weapons were used to contend with Godzilla at a close range. Kiryu sent Godzilla into a centrifugal throw as it began to charge its ultimate weapon: the Absolute Zero Cannon. Unfortunately, Kiryu was downed before it could be used. Its pilot, Akane Yashiro, managed to take manual control of the robot as the machine was recharged. Kiryu was sent back into battle, disabling Godzilla's heat ray and unleashing its Absolute Zero Cannon. Godzilla managed to survive the brutal attack, although gained a massive chest injury, but Kiryu's power supply was exhausted. Godzilla returned to the sea, as Japan could only watch on in a bittersweet stalemate.
In the aftermath, Igarashi accepts public responsibility for Kiryu running wild and says he rushed the project. The AMF rushes to find the cause of Kiryu going berserk, with Yuhara eventually realizing that Godzilla's roar activated the original Godzilla's consciousness and allowed it to possess the machine. He implements preventative countermeasures to prevent it from happening again, but Igarashi is hesitant to allow Kiryu to be launched again. Sara feels pity for Kiryu, believing he is a living being with his own dignity who is being forced to fight Godzilla against his will. She tells her father and Akane that humans were responsible for awakening the first Godzilla in 1954 with the H-bomb, and their tampering with his remains have drawn the wrath of the current Godzilla. Akane feels sorry for Kiryu as well, saying his life is worthless like hers. This attitude upsets Sara and she storms off. Yuhara explains to Akane that when Sara was four, her mother became ill while pregnant with his child. The doctor said he could only save her or their child, with Yuhara asking to save his wife. His wife wanted the baby saved instead, and Sara wanted them both to live. Ultimately, both passed away, and ever since Sara has been sensitive about life and death. Akane finds Sara sitting on the roof and tries to talk to her, and again mentions how worthless she feels. Sara says that no life is worthless, even Akane's. Hayama later confronts Akane, angry that she saved his life. However, Akane's squadmates come to her defense, and she begins to realize that she isn't as isolated and alone as she previously thought.
 
Godzilla is detected by a submarine's sonar, and begins approaching Tokyo. Conventional forces and Maser Cannons are deployed to intercept him, but just as before their weapons are useless against him. With evacuations in Shinagawa still underway, Togashi goes to the Prime Minister's office to ask Igarashi to give the order to deploy Kiryu. Igarashi is still hesitant despite Togashi's insistence that Kiryu will not run wild again, but ultimately gives the order. As Akane and the rest of the Kiryu Squad prepare to go into battle, Sara holds her hand out to Akane in support. Kiryu is launched and flown over Tokyo, but with Godzilla closing in on evacuating civilians, Akane releases him from the White Heron's cables. Kiryu uses his boosters to fly toward the ground and ram into Godzilla before he can fire his atomic breath at the evacuees and the soldiers escorting them. Kiryu engages Godzilla once again, blasting him with his weapons from a distance before getting in close and fighting him hand-to-hand. Godzilla damages Kiryu's back unit and railguns, forcing him to jettison them. The battle rages on, with Kiryu finally gaining the upper hand and throwing Godzilla by the tail. Weakened by Kiryu's onslaught, Godzilla collapses to the ground. With Kiryu's energy reserves waning, the AMF order Akane to finish Godzilla with the Absolute Zero Cannon. Just as the weapon charges, Godzilla uses his atomic breath to knock Kiryu backward, causing the weapon to misfire and vaporize several buildings. Kiryu's control system is damaged by Godzilla's atomic breath, rendering him inoperable from the White Heron. Akane volunteers to board Kiryu and pilot him manually. The AMF uses its ground units to distract Godzilla long enough for Akane to enter the cockpit inside of Kiryu. The local power companies compile their power and allow the AMF to transmit it into Kiryu, rendering him operational once more.
 
Akane speaks to Kiryu, saying they understand each other, and uses the manual controls to make him stand back up. Godzilla blasts Kiryu in the back with his atomic breath, knocking him to the ground once again. Akane briefly loses consciousness, but is inspired by the support of her squadmates, Sara, and Yuhara, and quickly recovers. Seeing Godzilla about to fire his atomic breath again, Hayama forces his copilot to eject and flies his White Heron into the path of the blast. The blast destroys the White Heron's wing and it crashes into Godzilla's mouth. Hayama tells Akane to fire the Absolute Zero while Godzilla cannot fire his beam and to ignore him. Instead, Akane flies Kiryu into Godzilla while the Absolute Zero Cannon charges, tears the White Heron out of his mouth so that Hayama can safely eject, and carries Godzilla over Tokyo Bay. Kiryu and Godzilla crash into the bay, and Akane activates the Absolute Zero Cannon underwater. A huge blast of water erupts from the bay and promptly freezes solid before finally shattering. After a few moments, Godzilla rises from the water, with a bloody gaping wound in his chest. He weakly turns around and begins making his way out to sea as the damaged Kiryu rises from the water behind him. With Kiryu missing an arm, out of power, and his Absolute Zero Cannon destroyed, Akane reports that she is unable to pursue Godzilla. Yuhara reassures Akane that she did a great job, and Togashi tells her that a White Heron is coming to rescue her. Igarashi remarks that although Kiryu did not kill Godzilla, he managed to drive him away. Japan finally has a weapon more powerful than Godzilla, which he says represents a great victory. Akane stands atop Kiryu's shoulder and watches Godzilla disappear into the horizon.
 
Following the battle, Akane observes Kiryu as he undergoes repairs in an AMF hangar. Yuhara and Sara come to greet her, with Akane thanking Sara for teaching her the value of her own life. Yuhara says he will take Akane to dinner since Kiryu won, but she tells him that it was a draw. In that case, she says, she will treat him to dinner instead. Just before exiting the hangar, Akane turns and salutes Kiryu.
==Staff==
==Staff==
{{Main|Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla/Credits}}
{{Staffs
{{Staffs
|Directed by=[[Masaaki Tezuka]]
|Directed by=[[Masaaki Tezuka]]
|Written by=[[Wataru Mimura]]
|Written by=[[Wataru Mimura]]
|Produced by=[[Shogo Tomiyama]]
|Executive producer=[[Shogo Tomiyama]]
|Music by=[[Michiru Oshima]]
|Co-executive producer|[[Takahide Morichi]]
|Cinematography by=Masahiro Kishimoto
|Associate producer|[[Ritsuko Suzuki]]
|Edited by=Shinichi Natori, Shinichi Fushima
|Music by|[[Michiru Oshima]]
|Production Design by=Shinji Nishikawa
|Cinematography by|Masahiro Kishimoto
|Special Effects by=[[Yuichi Kikuchi]]
|Edited by|Shinichi Fushima
|Production design by|Yukiharu Seshimo
|First assistant director|Atsushi Kaneshige
|Director of special effects|[[Yuichi Kikuchi]]
|First assistant director of special effects|Shorei Noma
|Visual effects supervisors|[[Fumio Araki]], [[Osamu Izumiya]], [[Nobutaka Doki]], [[Yuji Matsuoka]], [[Shibefumi Takayama]], [[Tomokazu Enya]], [[Hajime Matsumoto]]
}}
}}
==Cast==
==Cast==
{{Col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{Cast
{{Cast
|[[Yumiko Shaku]]|[[Akane Yashiro]]
|[[Yumiko Shaku]]|Lieutenant [[Akane Yashiro]], Kiryu Squad Operator / Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise evacuee holding dog<ref name="Pickwick">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZtBvE1zVqA|title=Yumiko Shaku Introduction Speech Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla G-Fest|author=Madu|date=16 July 2023|work=YouTube}}</ref>
|Shin Takuma|[[Tokumitsu Yuhara]]
|[[Shin Takuma]]|Professor [[Tokumitsu Yuhara]]
|Kana Onodera|[[Sara Yuhara]]
|Kana Onodera|[[Sara Yuhara]]
|Koh Takasugi|[[Togashi]]
|Koh Takasugi|Lieutenant Togashi, Kiryu Squad Commander
|Akira Nakao|[[Hayato Igarashi]]
|Yusuke Tomoi|Lieutenant Susumu Hayama, Kiryu Squad [[AC-3 White Heron]] Units 3 and 6 Pilot
|Yusuke Tomoi|Hayama
|Shinji Morisue|Hayama's older brother
|Jun'ichi Mizuno|Sekine
|Junichi Mizuno|Lieutenant Kenji Sekine, Kiryu Squad AC-3 White Heron Units 3 and 6 Pilot
|[[Kumi Mizuno]]|Machiko Tsuge
|Eiji Oki|Television host
|Takeo Nakahara|Hitoyanagi
|Tomohiko Ebihara|AC-3 White Heron pilot
|[[Koichi Ueda]]|Dobashi
|Jun Aoki|White Heron pilot
|Midori Hagio|Kaori Yamada
|Masahiko Sakata|Analysis department worker
|Akira Shirai|Shinji Akamatsu
|Hiroaki Iyama|Air [[JSDF|Self-Defense Forces]] executive
|Naomasa Rokudaira|Goro Kanno
|Midori Hagio|Professor Kaoru Yamada, microwave scientist
|Shinji Morisue|Hayama
|Akira Shirai|Professor Shinji Akamatsu, robotics engineer
|Misato Tanaka|Tsujimori
|Naomasa Musaka|Professor Goro Kanno, low temperature physicist
|Hideki Matsui|Hideki Matsui
|Yukikazu Kano|Hishinuma
|Takehiro Murata|Pedestrian
|Takeo Nakahara|Staff Sergeant Ichiyanagi
|Kenji Suzuki|Type 90 Maser Cannon Pilot
|[[Koichi Ueda]]|Dobashi, Director General of the Defense Agency
|[[Tsutomu Kitagawa]]|[[Godzilla]], Type 90 Maser Cannon Pilot
|[[Kumi Mizuno]]|Prime Minister Machiko Tsuge
|Hirofumi Ishigaki|[[Kiryu]], Type 90 Maser Cannon Pilot
|[[Akira Nakao]]|Prime Minister [[Hayato Igarashi]], formerly Minister of Science and Technology
|[[Akihiko Hirata]]|[[Daisuke Serizawa]] (Stock footage)
|Musashi Miura|JSDF personnel
|Yoko Sato|Iyama disaster site announcer
|Katsumi Ide|NWK Announcer
|Ken Yamamoto|[[Type 90 Maser Cannon]] gunner
|Hiroshi Nishioka|Hishinuma's subordinate
|Anzu Nagai|Sara's friend
|Hitomi Tomashino|Sara's friend
|Yuki Takahashi|Sara's friend
|Nobuhiro Nishihara|Sara's friend
{{col-2}}
|Paul Kaminski|Foreign journalist
|Maria Theresa Gow|Foreign journalist
|[[wikipedia:Hideki Matsui|Hideki Matsui]]|Himself
|[[Takehiro Murata]]|Tateyama convenience store clerk
|Taro J. Sugisaka|Man evacuating by car
|Shingo Yanagisawa|Man crushed by Godzilla in Tateyama
|Katsuo Nakamura|Yasushi Torisawa
|Misato Tanaka|Tsujimori, nurse at Shinagawa East Hospital
|Toshiyuki Nagashima|Lieutenant Miyagawa
|Shosuke Tanihara|Trooper Kudo
|Naomi Fujiyama|Evacuating patient in Shinagawa
|Minoru Tanaka|Defense Agency Technical Institute security guard
|Tetsu Watanabe|Special executive B
|Jun Eto|Special executive
|Mitsuru Fukikoshi|Announcer in Tateyama
|Sawako Kitahara|Yuhara's wife
|Yasuo Kurashiki|Ground SDF trooper
|[[Tsutomu Kitagawa]]|[[Godzilla (Kiryu series)|Godzilla]] / [[Godzilla (First Generation)|First Generation Godzilla]] / Maser Cannon crew
|[[Hirofumi Ishigaki]]|[[Kiryu]] / Maser Cannon crew
|[[Masaaki Tezuka]]|AMF officer
|[[Wataru Mimura]]|Refugee
|[[Hiroshi Kashiwabara]]|Refugee
|[[Masahiro Yokotani]]|Refugee
|[[Makoto Kamiya]]|Refugee
|[[Shinji Nishikawa]]|Kiryu mechanic
|Yasushi Torisawa|Kiryu mechanic
|Hiroshi Maruyama|Kiryu mechanic
|[[Kenji Suzuki]]|Maser Cannon crew
|[[Akihiko Hirata]]|Dr. [[Daisuke Serizawa]] (stock footage)
}}
}}
{{col-end}}
==Appearances==
==Appearances==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Monsters===
===Monsters===
*[[Godzilla]] ([[KiryuGoji]])
*[[Godzilla (Kiryu series)|Godzilla]] ([[KiryuGoji]])
**[[Godzilla/1954|Original Godzilla]] ([[ShodaiGoji]])
**[[Godzilla (First Generation)|First Generation Godzilla]] ([[ShodaiGoji]])
*[[Kiryu]] ([[MireMekagoji]])
*[[Kiryu]]
*[[Trilobite#Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla|Mecha-Trilobite]]
*[[Trilobite#Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla|Mecha-Trilobite]]
*[[Mothra/First Generation|Mothra]] ([[ShodaiMosuLarva|Stock]] [[ShodaiMosuImago|Footage]])
*[[Mothra (First Generation)|Mothra]] (stock footage)
*[[Gaira]] (Stock Footage)
*[[Gaira]] (stock footage)
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Weapons, Vehicles, and Races===
===Weapons, vehicles, and races===
*[[Maser Cannon#Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla|Type 90 Maser Cannon]]
*[[Type 90 Maser Cannon]]
*[[AC-3 White Heron|Shirasagi]]
*[[AC-3 White Heron]]
*[[Type 90 Tank]]s
*[[Type 90 Tank]]
*[[AH-1 Cobra]]
*[[AH-1 Cobra]]
*[[Type 82 Command Vehicle]]
*Type 82 Command Vehicle
*[[Type 96 APC]]
*[[wikipedia:Type 96 Armored Personnel Carrier|Type 96 Armored Personnel Carrier]]
*[[Oxygen Destroyer]] (Stock Footage)
*[[Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile]]
*[[Atomic Heat Ray Gun]] (Stock Footage)
*[[Hatsuyuki-class destroyer|''Hatsuyuki''-class destroyer]] (DD-122 ''Hatsuyuki'')
*[[Maser Cannon#Showa Series|Type 66 Maser Cannon]] (Stock Footage)
*[[wikipedia:Asagiri-class destroyer|''Asagiri''-class destroyer]] (DD-158 ''Umigiri'')
*[[Type 88 SSM]]
*[[Hatakaze-class destroyer|''Hatakaze''-class destroyer]] (DDG-171 ''Hatakaze'')
*[[Hatsuyuki|IJN Destroyer Hatsuyuki]]
*[[wikipedia:Shirane-class destroyer|Shirane-class destroyer]] (DD-143 ''Shirane'')
*[[Oxygen Destroyer]] (stock footage)
*[[Atomic Heat Ray Gun]] (stock footage)
*[[Type 66 Maser Cannon]] (stock footage)
*[[Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV]]
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Main|Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla/Gallery}}
{{Main|Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla/Gallery}}
==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
{{Main|Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (Soundtrack)}}
{{Main|Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla/Soundtrack}}
==Alternate Titles==
==Alternate titles==
*'''''Godzilla X Mechagodzilla''''' (Literal Japanese Title)
[[File:Screenshot_20210507-021919~2.png|thumb|right|200px|''Godzilla x Mechagodzilla'' logo]]
*'''''GXMG''''' (Abbreviated Title)
*'''''Godzilla × Mechagodzilla''''' (literal Japanese title)
==Theatrical Releases==
**'''''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla''''' (alternate translation)
*'''''GXMG''''' (abbreviated title)
*'''''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (III)''''' (Australia / New Zealand DVD title)<ref name="Madman">[https://web.archive.org/web/20190311213029/https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/19719/godzilla-millennium-series-boxset  Godzilla - Millennium Series Boxset - DVD - Madman Entertainment]</ref>
*'''''The Return of Mechagodzilla''''' (''Powrót Mechagodzilli''; Poland)
==Theatrical releases==
{{All Posters}}
{{All Posters}}
*[[Japan]] - December 13, 2002 {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla_Against_MechaGodzilla_Japanese_poster.jpg|caption=Japanese poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*[[Japan]] - November 2, 2002 (Tokyo International Film Festival);{{R|TIFF}} December 13, 2002 {{Popup-poster|file=Godzilla X MechaGodzilla Poster.jpg|caption=Japanese poster|link={{PAGENAME}}}}
*South Korea - January 2003
*[[United States]] - November 3, 2022 ([[Fathom Events]])
==[[United States|U.S.]] release==
[[File:GXM DVD.jpg|thumb|right|200px|U.S. ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' DVD cover]]
[[TriStar Pictures|Columbia TriStar Home Video]] released ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' to DVD in the [[United States]] on March 24, [[2004]]. TriStar used Toho's uncut international print of the film, including both the English dub and the original Japanese audio. Its U.S. theatrical premiere took place on June 24 the same year at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, as part of a series commemorating Godzilla's 50th birthday.<ref name="50th">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060512100510/http://egyptiantheatre.com/archive1999/2004/godzilla50.htm|title=KING OF MONSTERS -- A 50th BIRTHDAY SALUTE TO GODZILLA!|work=Egyptian Theatre|accessdate=5 October 2022|archivedate=12 May 2006}}</ref>


==[[United States|U.S.]] Release==
[[Sony|Sony Pictures Home Entertainment]] brought ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' to Blu-ray in 2014, paired with ''[[Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]''. The film played in select U.S. theaters for one day only on November 3, 2022, in celebration of [[Godzilla]]'s birthday, through Fathom Events.<ref name="Fathom">{{cite web|url=https://www.fathomevents.com/events/Godzilla-Against-Mechagodzilla|title=Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla|date=4 October 2022|work=Fathom Events}}</ref> It was shown in Japanese with English subtitles and prefaced by the [[2021]] ''[[Godzilla vs. Hedorah (short film)|Godzilla vs. Hedorah]]'' short film, a behind-the-scenes featurette for that short,<ref name="Hedorah">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DriveInMob/status/1588346050661814272|title=It was fun! They showed the Godzilla vs. Hedorah anniversary short with a BTS beforehand. #driveinmob|author=Kirby, Brian|date=3 November 2022|work=Twitter}}</ref> and a special message from [[Toho]]'s Chief Godzilla Officer, [[Keiji Ota]]. While the movie did not receive a rating from the [[wikipedia:Motion Picture Association|MPA]] for its previous home video releases, it was given a PG rating for this screening.
[[File:GXM DVD.jpg|thumb|right|200px|American ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' DVD cover]]
''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' was released on DVD in the [[United States]] by [[TriStar Pictures]] in [[2004]]. TriStar used Toho's uncut international print of the film, including both [[Omni Productions]]' English dub and the original Japanese audio.
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}
==Box Office==
==Box office==
Budgeted at roughly $8,500,000, ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' opened in Japan on December 13, 2002, and earned $2,253,231 in its opening weekend. It went on to gross approximately $16,000,000 in Japan, making it the second biggest of the Millennium Godzilla films at the box office. It sold approximately 1,700,000 admissions.
Budgeted at roughly $8,500,000, ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' opened in Japan on December 13, 2002, and earned $2,253,231 in its opening weekend. It went on to gross approximately $16,000,000 in Japan, making it the second biggest of the Millennium Godzilla films at the box office. It sold approximately 1,700,000 admissions.
The U.S. Fathom Events screenings of the film on November 3, 2022 grossed $335,000, placing fifth among films that Thursday.<ref name="Numbers">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/live_new/box-office-chart/daily/2022/11/03|title=Daily Domestic Chart for Thursday November 3, 2022|work=The Numbers|accessdate=6 November 2022}}</ref>
==Reception==
==Reception==
''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' is generally liked by Godzilla fans for introducing what some consider the best incarnation of [[Mechagodzilla]].
''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' is generally liked by Godzilla fans for introducing what some consider the best incarnation of [[Mechagodzilla]].


Mike Pinsky of ''DVD Talk'' gave the film three stars out of five, saying: "While I did have some minor complaints, [this is] a fine entry in the series." Pinsky said "the plot is more interesting than most giant monster movies," and "the battle scenes, which are the main reason anyone watches these films to begin with, were great." Matt Paprocki of Blog Critics said the film is "pretty flawed, [but] those of us who still love seeing Japan get trampled are in for a treat." Stomp Tokyo praised the "great monster fight action" but criticized the "uncompelling non-monster scenes." Giving the film a "B+" score, Mark Zimmer of Digitally Obsessed said that it's "a good deal of fun and one of the better entries in the series." Digital Monster Island gave the film a "B" rating, calling it "a fun and exciting film that should please most [[kaiju]] fans."
Mike Pinsky of ''DVD Talk'' gave the film three stars out of five, saying: "While I did have some minor complaints, [this is] a fine entry in the series." Pinsky said "the plot is more interesting than most giant monster movies," and "the battle scenes, which are the main reason anyone watches these films to begin with, were great." Matt Paprocki of Blog Critics said the film is "pretty flawed, [but] those of us who still love seeing Japan get trampled are in for a treat." Stomp Tokyo praised the "great monster fight action" but criticized the "uncompelling non-monster scenes." Giving the film a "B+" score, Mark Zimmer of Digitally Obsessed said that it was "a good deal of fun and one of the better entries in the series." Digital Monster Island gave the film a "B" rating, calling it "a fun and exciting film that should please most [[kaiju]] fans."
==Video Releases==
==Video releases==
'''[[Toho]]''' DVD (2003)
'''[[Toho]]''' DVD (2003)
*Region: 2
*'''Region:''' 2
*Audio: Japanese
*'''Audio:''' Japanese
'''Universal Laser & Video''' DVD (2003)
'''Universal Laser & Video''' DVD (2003)
*Region: 3
*'''Region:''' 3
*Discs: 1
*'''Discs:''' 1
*Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono), Cantonese (2.0 Surround and DTS)
*'''Audio:''' Japanese (2.0 Mono), Cantonese (2.0 Surround and DTS)
*Special Features: Japanese trailers for ''[[Godzilla 2000]]'' and ''[[Godzilla vs. Megaguirus]]''
*'''Special features:''' Japanese trailers for ''[[Godzilla 2000: Millennium|Godzilla 2000]]'' and ''[[Godzilla vs. Megaguirus]]''
*Notes: Includes traditional and simplified Chinese subtitles. Out of print.
*'''Notes:''' Includes traditional and simplified Chinese subtitles. Out of print.
 
'''[[TriStar Pictures|TriStar]]''' DVD (2004)<ref name="Tristar">[http://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Against-Mechagodzilla-Midori-Hagio/dp/B0001AVZ9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400539741&sr=8-1&keywords=godzilla+against+mechagodzilla Amazon.com: Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2004)]</ref>
'''[[TriStar Pictures|TriStar]]''' DVD (2004)<ref name="Tristar">[http://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Against-Mechagodzilla-Midori-Hagio/dp/B0001AVZ9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400539741&sr=8-1&keywords=godzilla+against+mechagodzilla Amazon.com: Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2004)]</ref>
*Region: 1
*'''Region:''' 1
*Discs: 1
*'''Discs:''' 1
*Audio: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1)
*'''Audio:''' English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1)
*Special Features: Trailers
*'''Special features:''' Trailers
'''Madman''' DVD (2004)
'''Madman''' DVD (2004)
*Region: 4
*'''Region:''' 4
 
'''[[Sony]]''' Blu-ray (2014)
'''[[Sony]]''' Blu-ray (2014)
*Region: A/1
*'''Region:''' A/1
*Discs: 2
*'''Discs:''' 2
*Audio: Japanese (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1), English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1)
*'''Audio:''' Japanese (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1), English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1)
*Special Features: Teaser for ''[[Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]'' and trailer for ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla''
*'''Special features:''' Teaser for ''[[Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]'' and trailer for ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla''
*Notes: Packaged with ''Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack''.
*'''Notes:''' Packaged with ''Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack''.
==Videos==
==Videos==
===Trailers===
===Trailers===
{{videos|
{{videos|
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">1sZvvvWdUu0</youtube>|''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' Japanese trailer}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">CkJ_n9ygZRw</youtube>|Japanese trailer #1}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">LZKZ4QJAjIM</youtube>|Japanese trailer #2}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">KdSL_fPdf-E</youtube>|U.S. [[Fathom Events]] trailer #1}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">zlNaeBPFxXU</youtube>|U.S. Fathom Events trailer #2}}
}}
}}
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*The continuity of what has been dubbed the "Kiryu Saga" by fans reaches beyond the continuity of the Godzilla series; the film makes reference to the events of such classic Toho [[tokusatsu]] [[:Category:Kaiju Films|kaiju film]] as ''[[Mothra (film)|Mothra]]'' and ''[[War of the Gargantuas]]''. The sequel to ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'', ''[[Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.]]'', also makes reference to ''[[Space Amoeba]]'', and even includes the monster [[Kamoebas]] in the monster cast. A book, released in Japan on the heels of the film's release, lays out a timeline of monster attacks included in the "Kiryu Saga." Included in the timeline are the monsters [[Rodan]], [[Meganulon]], [[Varan]], [[Moguera]], [[Maguma]], [[Dogora]], [[Baragon]], [[King Kong]], [[Gorosaurus]], the [[Giant Sea Serpent]], and the remaining monsters from ''Space Amoeba''; [[Gezora]] and [[Ganimes]].
*The continuity of what has been dubbed the "[[List of Godzilla film continuities#Kiryu series continuity|Kiryu series]]" reaches beyond the continuity of the [[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'' series]]; ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' makes reference to the events of such classic Toho [[tokusatsu]] [[:Category:Kaiju Films|kaiju films]] as ''[[Mothra (film)|Mothra]]'' and ''[[The War of the Gargantuas]]'', with the film's [[theater program]] even alluding to the events of ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'' and ''[[Varan (film)|Varan]]''. The sequel to ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'', ''[[Godzilla: Tokyo SOS]]'', also makes reference to ''[[Space Amoeba]]'', and even includes [[Kamoebas]] in the monster cast. The tie-in book ''[[Fantastic Collection - Godzilla: Tokyo SOS]]'' lays out a timeline of monster attacks which occurred in the Kiryu series' continuity. Included in the timeline are the monsters [[Rodan (Showa)|Rodan]], [[Meganulon]], [[Varan]], [[Mothra (First Generation)|Mothra]], [[Maguma]], [[Manda]], [[Dogora]], [[Frankenstein]], [[Baragon]], the [[Giant Octopus]], [[Sanda]], [[Gaira]], [[King Kong (King Kong Escapes)|King Kong]], [[Gorosaurus]], the [[Giant Sea Serpent]], and the other two monsters from ''Space Amoeba'', [[Gezora]] and [[Ganimes]]. Despite appearing alongside King Kong, Gorosaurus, and the Giant Sea Serpent in ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'', [[Mechani-Kong]] is omitted from the timeline.
*[[Titanosaurus]] was originally supposed to appear as a hero, for the first time, once again helping Mechagodzilla, though he was removed. However, his name is imprinted on a fish tank, during Godzilla's appearance at a festival.{{sup|[citation needed]}}
*Japanese baseball player [[wikipedia:Hideki Matsui|Hideki Matsui]], whose nickname is "Godzilla," makes a cameo in this film. 2002 was Matsui's last year playing in [[wikipedia:Nippon Professional Baseball|Nippon Professional Baseball]]; he signed with the [[wikipedia:New York Yankees|New York Yankees]] six days after ''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' was released.
*Japanese baseball player Hideki Matsui, whose nickname is "Godzilla," makes a cameo in this film.
*Hamtaro, Godzilla's theatrical partner at the time, is referenced in the film with one of Sara's classmates being dressed as Hamtaro's owner Laura Haruna and carrying a hamster resembling Hamtaro.
*A partial replica of the [[ShodaiGoji]] suit was constructed for this film to portray the [[Godzilla/1954|original Godzilla]] during flashback scenes.
*Misato Tanaka, Toshiyuki Nagashima, and Shosuke Tanihara, all of whom starred in [[Masaaki Tezuka]]'s previous Godzilla film ''[[Godzilla vs. Megaguirus]]'', make cameo appearances in this film. Each of their characters, [[Kiriko Tsujimori|Tsujimori]], Miyagawa, and [[Hajime Kudo|Kudo]] respectively, share their names with the characters they played in the aforementioned film.
*In the film's screenplay, the initial Prime Minister of Japan was a man, but was changed to a woman when [[Kumi Mizuno]] was cast for the role.<ref>''[[Toho Special Effects Movie Complete Works]]''. Village Books, 2012. Pages 276-279. ISBN 9784864910132.</ref>
*[[Takehiro Murata]], known for his roles in the ''Godzilla'' series such as [[Kenji Ando]] in ''[[Godzilla vs. Mothra]]'' and [[Yuji Shinoda]] in ''[[Godzilla 2000: Millennium]]'', makes a cameo in this film as the convenience store clerk picking up cans in Tateyama who witnesses several [[Type 90 Maser Cannon]]s drive past.
*According to the book ''Godzilla X Mechagodzilla 2003 (Toho SF Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION)'', [[Anguirus]] was originally planned to appear in this film and battle [[Kiryu]], but was scrapped.<ref>''Godzilla X Mechagodzilla 2003 (Toho SF Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION)''. Toho Publishing, 2003. ISBN 4924609838.</ref> Anguirus was also considered to appear as a corpse in the film's sequel, ''[[Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.]]'', before being replaced by [[Kamoebas]].
*Director Masaaki Tezuka cameos in the film's post-credits scene as an AMF officer. Several other staff members who worked on the film or other prior entries in the franchise, including concept artist [[Shinji Nishikawa]], special effects director [[Kenji Suzuki]], writer [[Wataru Mimura]], and many others also make cameo appearances.
==External Links==
*Suit actors [[Tsutomu Kitagawa]] ([[Godzilla (Kiryu series)|Godzilla]]) and [[Hirofumi Ishigaki]] ([[Kiryu]]) both cameo as Maser Cannon crew members in the film, along with Kenji Suzuki.
*A partial replica of the [[ShodaiGoji]] suit was constructed for this film to portray the [[Godzilla (First Generation)|original Godzilla]] during flashback scenes. It was worn by Tsutomu Kitagawa.
*In the film's screenplay, the initial Prime Minister of Japan was a man, but was changed to a woman when [[Kumi Mizuno]] was cast for the role.<ref>''[[Toho Special Effects Movie Complete Works]]''. [[villagebooks]], 2012. Pages 276-279. ISBN 9784864910132.</ref>
*According to the book ''Godzilla X Mechagodzilla 2003 (Toho SF Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION)'', [[Anguirus]] was originally planned to appear in this film and battle [[Kiryu]], but was scrapped.<ref>''Godzilla X Mechagodzilla 2003 (Toho SF Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION)''. Toho Publishing, 2003. ISBN 4924609838.</ref> Anguirus was also considered to appear as a carcass in the film's sequel, ''[[Godzilla: Tokyo SOS]]'', before being replaced by Kamoebas.
*[[Akane Yashiro]], [[Tokumitsu Yuhara]], and his daughter [[Sara Yuhara|Sara]] appear in the reference-filled end credits of ''[[Godzilla Singular Point]]''.
*''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' is one of three ''Godzilla'' films to reuse a shot from the 1975 Toho film ''Conflagration'' of an oil refinery explosion, along with ''[[Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah]]'' and ''[[Godzilla Final Wars]]''. In this instance, Kiryu's missiles were added to the shot.
==External links==
*[http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Godzilla_Against_Mechagodzilla List of firearms used in the movie]
*[http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Godzilla_Against_Mechagodzilla List of firearms used in the movie]
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Kaiju Movies}}
{{Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla}}
{{Era|TOH|MIL|FIL|GOD|KIR}}
{{Kaiju Movies|tab=Godzilla}}
{{Comments}}
{{Era|TOH|MIL|FIL|GOD|MG}}
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Latest revision as of 14:54, 18 January 2024

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Image gallery for Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
Credits for Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla soundtrack


Godzilla films
GMK
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
Godzilla: Tokyo SOS
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
See alternate titles
The Japanese poster for Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
Directed by Masaaki Tezuka
Producer Shogo Tomiyama, Takahide Morichi
Written by Wataru Mimura
Music by Michiru Oshima
Special
effects by
Yuichi Kikuchi
Production company Toho Pictures
Distributor TohoJP, TriStar PicturesUS
Rating Not Rated,US, 2004 PGUS, 2022
Budget ¥1,000,000,000
Box office ¥1,910,000,000JP
$335,000US[1]
Running time 88 minutes
(1 hour, 28 minutes)
Aspect ratio 2.35:1
Rate this film!
4.42
(88 votes)

Startup - Resonance - Smashed Ice (起動・共鳴・氷砕)
„ 

— Japanese tagline

Fight 'til crumbled!
„ 

— International tagline

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (ゴジラ× (たい)メカゴジラ,   Gojira tai Mekagojira) is a 2002 tokusatsu kaiju film directed by Masaaki Tezuka and written by Wataru Mimura, with special effects by Yuichi Kikuchi. Produced by Toho Pictures, it is the 26th mainline installment in the Godzilla series and the 27th Godzilla film overall, as well as the fourth in the franchise's Millennium era. It stars Yumiko Shaku, Shin Takuma, Kana Onodera, Koh Takasugi, Yusuke Tomoi, Koichi Ueda, Kumi Mizuno, and Akira Nakao. The film premiered at the 15th Tokyo International Film Festival on November 2, 2002, before being released to Japanese theaters by Toho that December 14.[2] Columbia TriStar Home Video released it on DVD in the United States in 2004.

Yet another reboot to the Godzilla continuity, Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla reintroduces Godzilla's popular foe Mechagodzilla for the Millennium series. When a second Godzilla attacks Japan in 1999, the Japanese government dredges up the bones of the first Godzilla from 1954 and uses them to construct an anti-Godzilla weapon codenamed Kiryu. Kiryu is completed in 2003, when Godzilla returns to menace Yokohama. Kiryu is sent to combat Godzilla, but the monster's roar awakens the first Godzilla's soul within the cyborg, causing Kiryu to go berserk. Kiryu's lead scientist Tokumitsu Yuhara races to rectify this error in the cyborg before Godzilla makes landfall again. But even if Kiryu is fixed, the question remains if the government would willingly launch it again.

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla was followed by a direct sequel, Godzilla: Tokyo SOS, in 2003.

Plot

In 1999, a typhoon strikes Tateyama in Chiba Prefecture. Residents are shocked to see that it is no ordinary storm when a second Godzilla appears from the raging sea and comes ashore. The Anti-Megalosaurus Force (AMF) scrambles tanks and Type 90 Maser Cannons to intercept the beast. Godzilla is unharmed by the AMF's assault and annihilates the attacking forces with his atomic breath. Maser operator Akane Yashiro attempts to evade Godzilla's advance but accidentally backs into another vehicle, sending her commanding officer and its other occupants straight into Godzilla's path. Akane watches in horror as Godzilla steps on the vehicle, killing its occupants, before striking her Maser vehicle with his tail. She watches helplessly as Godzilla roars into the sky, lightning striking his dorsal fins. In the aftermath of the disaster, Japan's Prime Minister Machiko Tsuge meets with Minister of Science and Technology Hayato Igarashi to discuss countermeasures. They recall how the country was helpless in the wake of the first Godzilla's attack on Tokyo in 1954 before Dr. Daisuke Serizawa used his invention, the Oxygen Destroyer, to kill the monster along with himself to ensure that it could never be used again. Godzilla would prove to be the first of many monsters to raid Japan in the ensuing years, with Mothra attacking Tokyo seven years later in 1961. The JSDF used experimental Atomic Heat Ray Guns loaned by the Rolisican military to combat her, and by 1966 adapted this technology into the Type 66 Maser Cannon which it used in its battle with Gaira. With the appearance of a new Godzilla, and the more advanced Type 90 Maser Cannon ineffective against him, Tsuge and Igarashi both realize the necessity of developing a new weapon to defend the people of Japan.

Igarashi gathers the most brilliant scientific minds in Japan to help develop a new anti-Godzilla weapon. Among them is Professor Tokumitsu Yuhara, who has successfully recreated the extinct Trilobite using a combination of robotics and living components controlled by DNA computers. Igarashi shows them the skeletal remains of the first Godzilla, which were discovered off the Boso Peninsula. He asks Yuhara if he can extract a spinal cell from the skeleton, with Yuhara wondering if Igarashi intends to create a Godzilla clone. Igarashi explains that they are going to develop a bio-robot, a mechanical Godzilla created using the skeleton and DNA of the first Godzilla. Yuhara initially refuses to join the project out of a desire to spend more time with his daughter Sara, but changes his mind when the government allows her to stay with him at the development facility. Following an investigation into the accident that claimed the lives of her comrades, the AMF demotes Akane to a desk job. During this time, Akane continues to train rigorously, intent on working her way back into active duty.

By 2003, development on the AMF's anti-Godzilla cyborg, designated Kiryu, is complete. Lieutenant Togashi is assigned to lead the Kiryu Squad operating the machine, and he selects Akane to serve as its primary pilot. Kiryu is operated remotely from an accompanying fleet of AC-3 White Herons which transport him and can supply him with more energy using a large microwave dish. One member of the Kiryu Squad, Lieutenant Susumu Hayama, is distrustful and hostile toward Akane, blaming her for his brother's death in 1999. Dr. Yuhara is attracted to Akane and clumsily attempts to hit on her, but notices how distant she seems from her comrades. Akane begins to form a friendship with Sara, sharing her feelings of loneliness and isolation. Yuhara says he will buy Akane dinner if Kiryu beats Godzilla, but also says he will buy her dinner if Kiryu loses as consolation. The AMF soon formally reveals Kiryu to the world at large, demonstrating his capabilities and weapons. His most powerful weapon, the Absolute Zero Cannon, emits light at a temperature of 0 kelvin, instantly freezing and smashing the atoms of its target. During the presentation, the AMF detects Godzilla approaching Tokyo Bay. Kiryu is scrambled and intercepts Godzilla near Yokohama, bombarding him with volleys of rockets and missiles and the Maser beam fired from his mouth. As Godzilla is pushed back by Kiryu's onslaught, he lets out a roar that awakens the first Godzilla's consciousness which is still attached to the skeletal remains within Kiryu. Akane attempts to activate the Absolute Zero Cannon, but finds that she can no longer control Kiryu. Godzilla uses the opportunity to escape back into Tokyo Bay. As the White Herons close in to transport Kiryu, he opens fire at Hayama's aircraft with his wrist-mounted railgun. Kiryu begins destroying the surrounding area with his weapons, acting as if he was Godzilla. Hayama tries to draw Kiryu away from the city, but he shoots down his White Heron. Akane rushes into the downed White Heron and rescues Hayama before it explodes, prompting him to ask why she bothered to save him. The AMF's operators are unable to remotely shut down Kiryu, making their only option to wait until he runs out of energy in about an hour. After walking through a building, Kiryu finally shuts down as his energy reserves are completely depleted.

In the aftermath, Igarashi accepts public responsibility for Kiryu running wild and says he rushed the project. The AMF rushes to find the cause of Kiryu going berserk, with Yuhara eventually realizing that Godzilla's roar activated the original Godzilla's consciousness and allowed it to possess the machine. He implements preventative countermeasures to prevent it from happening again, but Igarashi is hesitant to allow Kiryu to be launched again. Sara feels pity for Kiryu, believing he is a living being with his own dignity who is being forced to fight Godzilla against his will. She tells her father and Akane that humans were responsible for awakening the first Godzilla in 1954 with the H-bomb, and their tampering with his remains have drawn the wrath of the current Godzilla. Akane feels sorry for Kiryu as well, saying his life is worthless like hers. This attitude upsets Sara and she storms off. Yuhara explains to Akane that when Sara was four, her mother became ill while pregnant with his child. The doctor said he could only save her or their child, with Yuhara asking to save his wife. His wife wanted the baby saved instead, and Sara wanted them both to live. Ultimately, both passed away, and ever since Sara has been sensitive about life and death. Akane finds Sara sitting on the roof and tries to talk to her, and again mentions how worthless she feels. Sara says that no life is worthless, even Akane's. Hayama later confronts Akane, angry that she saved his life. However, Akane's squadmates come to her defense, and she begins to realize that she isn't as isolated and alone as she previously thought.

Godzilla is detected by a submarine's sonar, and begins approaching Tokyo. Conventional forces and Maser Cannons are deployed to intercept him, but just as before their weapons are useless against him. With evacuations in Shinagawa still underway, Togashi goes to the Prime Minister's office to ask Igarashi to give the order to deploy Kiryu. Igarashi is still hesitant despite Togashi's insistence that Kiryu will not run wild again, but ultimately gives the order. As Akane and the rest of the Kiryu Squad prepare to go into battle, Sara holds her hand out to Akane in support. Kiryu is launched and flown over Tokyo, but with Godzilla closing in on evacuating civilians, Akane releases him from the White Heron's cables. Kiryu uses his boosters to fly toward the ground and ram into Godzilla before he can fire his atomic breath at the evacuees and the soldiers escorting them. Kiryu engages Godzilla once again, blasting him with his weapons from a distance before getting in close and fighting him hand-to-hand. Godzilla damages Kiryu's back unit and railguns, forcing him to jettison them. The battle rages on, with Kiryu finally gaining the upper hand and throwing Godzilla by the tail. Weakened by Kiryu's onslaught, Godzilla collapses to the ground. With Kiryu's energy reserves waning, the AMF order Akane to finish Godzilla with the Absolute Zero Cannon. Just as the weapon charges, Godzilla uses his atomic breath to knock Kiryu backward, causing the weapon to misfire and vaporize several buildings. Kiryu's control system is damaged by Godzilla's atomic breath, rendering him inoperable from the White Heron. Akane volunteers to board Kiryu and pilot him manually. The AMF uses its ground units to distract Godzilla long enough for Akane to enter the cockpit inside of Kiryu. The local power companies compile their power and allow the AMF to transmit it into Kiryu, rendering him operational once more.

Akane speaks to Kiryu, saying they understand each other, and uses the manual controls to make him stand back up. Godzilla blasts Kiryu in the back with his atomic breath, knocking him to the ground once again. Akane briefly loses consciousness, but is inspired by the support of her squadmates, Sara, and Yuhara, and quickly recovers. Seeing Godzilla about to fire his atomic breath again, Hayama forces his copilot to eject and flies his White Heron into the path of the blast. The blast destroys the White Heron's wing and it crashes into Godzilla's mouth. Hayama tells Akane to fire the Absolute Zero while Godzilla cannot fire his beam and to ignore him. Instead, Akane flies Kiryu into Godzilla while the Absolute Zero Cannon charges, tears the White Heron out of his mouth so that Hayama can safely eject, and carries Godzilla over Tokyo Bay. Kiryu and Godzilla crash into the bay, and Akane activates the Absolute Zero Cannon underwater. A huge blast of water erupts from the bay and promptly freezes solid before finally shattering. After a few moments, Godzilla rises from the water, with a bloody gaping wound in his chest. He weakly turns around and begins making his way out to sea as the damaged Kiryu rises from the water behind him. With Kiryu missing an arm, out of power, and his Absolute Zero Cannon destroyed, Akane reports that she is unable to pursue Godzilla. Yuhara reassures Akane that she did a great job, and Togashi tells her that a White Heron is coming to rescue her. Igarashi remarks that although Kiryu did not kill Godzilla, he managed to drive him away. Japan finally has a weapon more powerful than Godzilla, which he says represents a great victory. Akane stands atop Kiryu's shoulder and watches Godzilla disappear into the horizon.

Following the battle, Akane observes Kiryu as he undergoes repairs in an AMF hangar. Yuhara and Sara come to greet her, with Akane thanking Sara for teaching her the value of her own life. Yuhara says he will take Akane to dinner since Kiryu won, but she tells him that it was a draw. In that case, she says, she will treat him to dinner instead. Just before exiting the hangar, Akane turns and salutes Kiryu.

Staff

Main article: Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla/Credits.

Staff role on the left, staff member's name on the right.

Cast

Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.

  • Yumiko Shaku   as   Lieutenant Akane Yashiro, Kiryu Squad Operator / Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise evacuee holding dog[3]
  • Shin Takuma   as   Professor Tokumitsu Yuhara
  • Kana Onodera   as   Sara Yuhara
  • Koh Takasugi   as   Lieutenant Togashi, Kiryu Squad Commander
  • Yusuke Tomoi   as   Lieutenant Susumu Hayama, Kiryu Squad AC-3 White Heron Units 3 and 6 Pilot
  • Shinji Morisue   as   Hayama's older brother
  • Junichi Mizuno   as   Lieutenant Kenji Sekine, Kiryu Squad AC-3 White Heron Units 3 and 6 Pilot
  • Eiji Oki   as   Television host
  • Tomohiko Ebihara   as   AC-3 White Heron pilot
  • Jun Aoki   as   White Heron pilot
  • Masahiko Sakata   as   Analysis department worker
  • Hiroaki Iyama   as   Air Self-Defense Forces executive
  • Midori Hagio   as   Professor Kaoru Yamada, microwave scientist
  • Akira Shirai   as   Professor Shinji Akamatsu, robotics engineer
  • Naomasa Musaka   as   Professor Goro Kanno, low temperature physicist
  • Yukikazu Kano   as   Hishinuma
  • Takeo Nakahara   as   Staff Sergeant Ichiyanagi
  • Koichi Ueda   as   Dobashi, Director General of the Defense Agency
  • Kumi Mizuno   as   Prime Minister Machiko Tsuge
  • Akira Nakao   as   Prime Minister Hayato Igarashi, formerly Minister of Science and Technology
  • Musashi Miura   as   JSDF personnel
  • Yoko Sato   as   Iyama disaster site announcer
  • Katsumi Ide   as   NWK Announcer
  • Ken Yamamoto   as   Type 90 Maser Cannon gunner
  • Hiroshi Nishioka   as   Hishinuma's subordinate
  • Anzu Nagai   as   Sara's friend
  • Hitomi Tomashino   as   Sara's friend
  • Yuki Takahashi   as   Sara's friend
  • Nobuhiro Nishihara   as   Sara's friend
  • Paul Kaminski   as   Foreign journalist
  • Maria Theresa Gow   as   Foreign journalist
  • Hideki Matsui   as   Himself
  • Takehiro Murata   as   Tateyama convenience store clerk
  • Taro J. Sugisaka   as   Man evacuating by car
  • Shingo Yanagisawa   as   Man crushed by Godzilla in Tateyama
  • Katsuo Nakamura   as   Yasushi Torisawa
  • Misato Tanaka   as   Tsujimori, nurse at Shinagawa East Hospital
  • Toshiyuki Nagashima   as   Lieutenant Miyagawa
  • Shosuke Tanihara   as   Trooper Kudo
  • Naomi Fujiyama   as   Evacuating patient in Shinagawa
  • Minoru Tanaka   as   Defense Agency Technical Institute security guard
  • Tetsu Watanabe   as   Special executive B
  • Jun Eto   as   Special executive
  • Mitsuru Fukikoshi   as   Announcer in Tateyama
  • Sawako Kitahara   as   Yuhara's wife
  • Yasuo Kurashiki   as   Ground SDF trooper
  • Tsutomu Kitagawa   as   Godzilla / First Generation Godzilla / Maser Cannon crew
  • Hirofumi Ishigaki   as   Kiryu / Maser Cannon crew
  • Masaaki Tezuka   as   AMF officer
  • Wataru Mimura   as   Refugee
  • Hiroshi Kashiwabara   as   Refugee
  • Masahiro Yokotani   as   Refugee
  • Makoto Kamiya   as   Refugee
  • Shinji Nishikawa   as   Kiryu mechanic
  • Yasushi Torisawa   as   Kiryu mechanic
  • Hiroshi Maruyama   as   Kiryu mechanic
  • Kenji Suzuki   as   Maser Cannon crew
  • Akihiko Hirata   as   Dr. Daisuke Serizawa (stock footage)

Appearances

Monsters

Weapons, vehicles, and races

Gallery

Main article: Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla/Gallery.

Soundtrack

Main article: Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla/Soundtrack.

Alternate titles

Godzilla x Mechagodzilla logo
  • Godzilla × Mechagodzilla (literal Japanese title)
    • Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (alternate translation)
  • GXMG (abbreviated title)
  • Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (III) (Australia / New Zealand DVD title)[4]
  • The Return of Mechagodzilla (Powrót Mechagodzilli; Poland)

Theatrical releases

View all posters for the film here.

  • Japan - November 2, 2002 (Tokyo International Film Festival);[2] December 13, 2002   [view poster]Japanese poster
  • South Korea - January 2003
  • United States - November 3, 2022 (Fathom Events)

U.S. release

U.S. Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla DVD cover

Columbia TriStar Home Video released Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla to DVD in the United States on March 24, 2004. TriStar used Toho's uncut international print of the film, including both the English dub and the original Japanese audio. Its U.S. theatrical premiere took place on June 24 the same year at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, as part of a series commemorating Godzilla's 50th birthday.[5]

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brought Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla to Blu-ray in 2014, paired with Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. The film played in select U.S. theaters for one day only on November 3, 2022, in celebration of Godzilla's birthday, through Fathom Events.[6] It was shown in Japanese with English subtitles and prefaced by the 2021 Godzilla vs. Hedorah short film, a behind-the-scenes featurette for that short,[7] and a special message from Toho's Chief Godzilla Officer, Keiji Ota. While the movie did not receive a rating from the MPA for its previous home video releases, it was given a PG rating for this screening.

Box office

Budgeted at roughly $8,500,000, Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla opened in Japan on December 13, 2002, and earned $2,253,231 in its opening weekend. It went on to gross approximately $16,000,000 in Japan, making it the second biggest of the Millennium Godzilla films at the box office. It sold approximately 1,700,000 admissions.

The U.S. Fathom Events screenings of the film on November 3, 2022 grossed $335,000, placing fifth among films that Thursday.[1]

Reception

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla is generally liked by Godzilla fans for introducing what some consider the best incarnation of Mechagodzilla.

Mike Pinsky of DVD Talk gave the film three stars out of five, saying: "While I did have some minor complaints, [this is] a fine entry in the series." Pinsky said "the plot is more interesting than most giant monster movies," and "the battle scenes, which are the main reason anyone watches these films to begin with, were great." Matt Paprocki of Blog Critics said the film is "pretty flawed, [but] those of us who still love seeing Japan get trampled are in for a treat." Stomp Tokyo praised the "great monster fight action" but criticized the "uncompelling non-monster scenes." Giving the film a "B+" score, Mark Zimmer of Digitally Obsessed said that it was "a good deal of fun and one of the better entries in the series." Digital Monster Island gave the film a "B" rating, calling it "a fun and exciting film that should please most kaiju fans."

Video releases

Toho DVD (2003)

  • Region: 2
  • Audio: Japanese

Universal Laser & Video DVD (2003)

  • Region: 3
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: Japanese (2.0 Mono), Cantonese (2.0 Surround and DTS)
  • Special features: Japanese trailers for Godzilla 2000 and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus
  • Notes: Includes traditional and simplified Chinese subtitles. Out of print.

TriStar DVD (2004)[8]

  • Region: 1
  • Discs: 1
  • Audio: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1)
  • Special features: Trailers

Madman DVD (2004)

  • Region: 4

Sony Blu-ray (2014)

  • Region: A/1
  • Discs: 2
  • Audio: Japanese (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1), English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1)
  • Special features: Teaser for Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack and trailer for Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
  • Notes: Packaged with Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack.

Videos

Trailers

Japanese trailer #1
Japanese trailer #2
U.S. Fathom Events trailer #1
U.S. Fathom Events trailer #2

Trivia

External links

References

This is a list of references for Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Daily Domestic Chart for Thursday November 3, 2022". The Numbers. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "TIFF特別招待作品『ゴジラ×メカゴジラ』舞台挨拶". CINEMATOPICS. 26 November 2002. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  3. Madu (16 July 2023). "Yumiko Shaku Introduction Speech Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla G-Fest". YouTube.
  4. Godzilla - Millennium Series Boxset - DVD - Madman Entertainment
  5. "KING OF MONSTERS -- A 50th BIRTHDAY SALUTE TO GODZILLA!". Egyptian Theatre. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  6. "Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla". Fathom Events. 4 October 2022.
  7. Kirby, Brian (3 November 2022). "It was fun! They showed the Godzilla vs. Hedorah anniversary short with a BTS beforehand. #driveinmob". Twitter.
  8. Amazon.com: Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2004)
  9. Toho Special Effects Movie Complete Works. villagebooks, 2012. Pages 276-279. ISBN 9784864910132.
  10. Godzilla X Mechagodzilla 2003 (Toho SF Special Effects Film Series SPECIAL EDITION). Toho Publishing, 2003. ISBN 4924609838.

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