Godzilla (Godzilla: The Series)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Godzilla (ゴジラ Gojira) from Godzilla: The Series is an incarnation of Godzilla featured in the 1998 TriStar animated series Godzilla: The Series, and first introduced in the final scene of the 1998 film GODZILLA. It is the second incarnation of Godzilla to star in an American animated series, after the Hanna-Barbera Godzilla.
The only one of the original Godzilla's offspring to survive the destruction of Madison Square Garden, this Godzilla imprinted upon scientist Niko "Nick" Tatopoulos after his egg hatched in close proximity to Nick inside the building's ruins. Godzilla quickly matured into an adult and assumed the title of "King of the Monsters," becoming an ally to mankind and assisting Nick and his research team H.E.A.T. in dealing with other mutations around the world before they could threaten innocent people. Unlike his father, this Godzilla is portrayed more akin to the traditional interpretation of the character from Toho's film series, possessing an impressive resistance to conventional weaponry and preferring to fight attackers head-on, as well as utilizing the character's trademark atomic breath.
Name
This incarnation of the monster is simply referred to as "Godzilla" throughout Godzilla: The Series. In the Godzilla: The Series episode "Competition," the Japanese characters always refer to him as "Gojira," even when speaking English. Fans frequently refer to this version of Godzilla as Godzilla Junior or Zilla Junior in order to distinguish him from other incarnations of the character, although neither name is official. The Japanese publication Godzilla Dictionary [New Edition] refers to this Godzilla as the Second Generation American Version Godzilla (２代目アメリカ版ゴジラ Nidaime Amerika-ban Gojira).[3]
There is a popular rumor claiming that Toho honored this version of Godzilla by officially dubbing him "Godzilla Junior," seeing that he was supposedly worthy of the "Godzilla" name. However, this rumor was later clarified to be false, with the monster still legally trademarked as "Godzilla" by Toho, who has added no comment to the matter.
Personality
This Godzilla is very different from his late father. Unlike his late father, who reproduced asexually, this Godzilla is sterile (or possibly can only reproduce sexually and a mate simply doesn't exist, since Nick only stated that there was "no risk of him reproducing"). In the episode End of the Line, however, he falls in love with a mutant Komodo dragon, named Komodithrax, and becomes surrogate father to her unborn offspring. Unfortunately for Godzilla, Komodithrax and the giant egg she laid fell down a crack in the ice and apparently perished at the end of the episode.
Godzilla is also much more aggressive than his parent; rather than fleeing from an attack, he will usually, like the Japanese Godzilla, fight or destroy his attackers. For a mutation, he is very intelligent and shows the ability to make moral decisions. For example, in the episode DeadLoch, where he fights against the Loch Ness Monster, he then later aids Nessie in recovering her stolen baby (this is when Godzilla makes a "moral decision", although H.E.A.T. member Monique Dupre says that it's just instinctual for creatures to work together). In Monster Wars: Part 3, he chooses his adoptive father Niko Tatapoulos over his biological father, Cyber Godzilla, and attacks it.
Godzilla also shows some planning and strategy in his fighting style, though it is shown that he can resort to brute force if he is angered enough. He has even shown a sense of humor, (much like Godzilla in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster) as in the climax of one episode, he splashes members of the H.E.A.T. team with water in a playful fashion.
His most prominent trait, though, is his protectiveness and loyalty towards Dr. Nick Tatopoulos. When Nick is journeying around the world, Godzilla is never far behind. The proof of this is that Godzilla has often saved Nick and other members of the H.E.A.T team from dangerous situations. In one situation in particular, Godzilla managed to catch Nick (who was falling) on top of his head before letting him down gently. The only time Godzilla's loyalty faltered was when he met his biological father, resurrected as Cyber Godzilla, for the first time. He could be seen cowering in fear not unlike a little boy being scolded severely by his father when Cyber Godzilla roared at him. He was unwilling to attack his own father despite being told by Nick to do so. Nick then sadly said that Godzilla "dumped" him for his birth parent. Thankfully, Godzilla later broke free of Cyber Godzilla and the Leviathan Aliens' influence and chose Nick over his birth parent.
Origins
This Godzilla was the last surviving offspring of the first Godzilla that attacked New York in 1998. He, as well as all of his siblings, were eggs laid inside Madison Square Garden by Godzilla. Unlike his siblings, this single baby Godzilla survived the bombing of Madison Square Garden and was later found by Dr. Niko Tatopoulos, who kept him safe from the military. According to Nick, this Godzilla is sterile, unlike his father, who was capable of asexual reproduction.
History
GODZILLA (1998)
In 1998, a giant monster given the classification of "Godzilla" by the U.S. military made his nest in the Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. There the creature laid about two hundred eggs which hatched into baby Godzillas. The military carried out a plan to bomb Madison Square Garden and kill all the baby Zillas, which was successful, for the most part. Godzilla, angry at the death of his offspring, terrorized the city until he was shot down by several missiles from F-18 Hornets. Unknown to everyone, an egg survived among the fires of Madison Square Garden.
Godzilla: The Series
- Main article: Godzilla: The Series.
"New Family: Part 1"
After surviving the explosion in Madison Square Garden, Godzilla hatched in front of Dr. Niko Tatopoulos, who was covered in amniotic fluid from the other eggs after slipping into a pool of it while searching the ruins for more eggs. Because Nick was covered with the scent of his kind, Godzilla mistook Nick for his parent.
"New Family: Part 2"
TBA
"Monster Wars: Part 1"
Despite the ample supply of fish given to him by H.E.A.T., Godzilla began to forage the oceans, and nearly killed several fisherman when he attacked their boat, but H.E.A.T. was able to prevent disaster by using a recording of Nick's voice emitted from N.I.G.E.L.. Due to Leviathan Alien interference, H.E.A.T. disbanded, and Godzilla followed Nick to Lagos, Nigeria to confront a Giant Bat that had been terrorizing the area. After the Bat attacked Nick in a mangrove swamp, Godzilla chased it into the city where he tackled it into the water. It released a Sonic Screech at Godzilla, causing him to give up his hold and let the Bat escape. the Bat then lured him into getting his head stuck in some steel bridge framing, and attempted to suck his blood before flying away on Leviathan Alien command. Nick then freed Godzilla, and he swam away.
"Monster Wars: Part 2"
After arriving to save Nick at Sandy Point Military Base, Godzilla discovered that his adoptive father's attacker was his biological father resurrected as a cyborg: Cyber Godzilla. Being incredibly conflicted about having to choose between parents, Godzilla did not attack, and in his moment of hesitance, he fell under Leviathan Alien mind control and helped Cyber Godzilla attack Nick. After chasing them, the N.I.G.E.L. probe was used to distract the Godzillas as the humans made their escape. Godzilla and Cyber Godzilla followed them to Site Omega, where he was met with hostility from his many former enemies gathered there, including King Cobra, Queen Bee, El Gusano Gigante, and a Mutant Rat. The Leviathan Aliens halted the imminent conflict, and all Monsters on the island were then sent into the world's major cities to cause destruction. Godzilla was sent to Washington D.C..
"Monster Wars: Part 3"
Godzilla continued to terrorize Washington until H.E.A.T. destroyed the mind control transmitter. He then made his way back to Site Omega, where Nick and Cyber Godzilla were preparing for a battle. After thorough consideration, Godzilla chose Nick, and destroyed some Leviathan Alien ships that were accompanying his biological father. More ships then blasted Godzilla and left him unconscious on the beach. Nick roused him with smoke, and he quickly employed cunning strategy to defeat his father, by burrowing underground, waiting for Cyber Godzilla to peer into the hole, and blasting him with his Atomic Ray. While Cyber Godzilla was still on the ground, Godzilla pinned him down and blasted him yet again. Their fight continued until Godzilla tackled his predecessor into the water and tore out his inner mechanisms with his mouth. This defeat caused the Leviathan Alien Core Collective to call for a retreat.
Abilities
This Godzilla shows a variety of powers and skills that set him apart from his monster enemies. He is generally regarded as the strongest mutation on Earth with the show's continuity.
Physical Capabilities and Agility
Godzilla has demonstrated great physical strength. He often overpowers other mutations with sheer brute strength, being able to lift other mutations into the air. His claws are extremely sharp and are capable of shredding steel. Godzilla's tail is an incredibly powerful weapon as well that can be used to crush and strike his opponents.
Moreover, Godzilla is incredibly fast and nimble, and can run at speeds up to 300 miles per hour. He is also able to quickly scale and perch himself atop buildings despite his massive size and weight. In addition, Godzilla is shown to have quick reflexes. He is able to travel thousands of miles in the ocean without displaying any signs of fatigue, and is said to swim faster than a submarine's torpedoes.[1]
Godzilla climbs over an unfinished building
Godzilla easily keeps up with a speeding train
Durability
Another ability that sets this Godzilla apart from his parent is his ability to withstand high levels of damage. Whereas his father was killed by a relatively small amount of missiles, and indeed this Godzilla bled when hit by missiles as a juvenile in "New Family: Part 1," as an adult he is often shown taking large amounts of heavy artillery with no harm, much like the original Japanese Godzilla, and is stated to be immune to conventional weaponry in "An Early Frost."
In relation to his durability is his enhanced regeneration, which allows Godzilla to recover from injuries and regain his strength quickly.
Atomic Breath
This Godzilla's signature weapon is his green atomic breath, something his father lacked. The atomic breath has a long range and is extremely hot, capable of melting steel and turning sand into glass. In the Godzilla: The Series Game Boy Color game, Godzilla instead possesses an attack called Fire Ball, which takes the shape of a sphere rather than a ray.
The juvenile Godzilla fires his atomic breath
Godzilla fires his atomic breath after dodging a Lizard Slayer's attack
Burrowing
Like his father, Godzilla is an extraordinary burrower, as moments after hatching he could quickly burrow through many yards of concrete to escape the ruins of Madison Square Garden. Once fully grown, Godzilla could tunnel incredibly large distances in extremely short periods of time, sometimes appearing on the battlefield from underground.
Amphibiousness
Godzilla spends most of his time in the water, as he is a natural swimmer and is able to breathe underwater. Godzilla once rested unconscious underwater for an extended period of time while sick.
Whales disperse as Godzilla swims by
Intelligence and Communication Skills
Godzilla is shown to be very intelligent. He has demonstrated planning and tactics in battle and the ability to make moral decisions. He is also shown to have a large brain for his body size, a trait very unique among reptiles in general. As the series progressed, Nick noted that Godzilla seemed to get more intelligent.
Weaknesses
Godzilla is generally considered to be the most powerful mutation in Godzilla: The Series, though he still has a number of exploitable weaknesses.
Godzilla seems to have an aversion to bright lights - a weakness which was exploited by both Cameron Winter (who used powerful searchlights while attacking Godzilla with the Cyber Flies) and Maximillian Spiel (who used high-intensity quartz beams during Godzilla's battle with Rhinosaurus).
Poison has be been shown to damage Godzilla more than most types of attacks. He is also vulnerable to dehydration, having almost died due to it when fighting the monster Medusa.
Electricity has done some damage to Godzilla, although he is mostly able to resist it - such as in his battles with the Crackler and the Lizard Slayers.
In the episode "Future Shock," it is revealed that Godzilla was killed by genetically engineered creatures called the D.R.A.G.M.A.s in an alternate future, as his attacks and the combined might of all the planet's mutations were ineffective against the creatures. Thankfully, H.E.A.T. was able to avert this future by having Godzilla kill the weaker juvenile D.R.A.G.M.A.s in the present.
The juvenile Godzilla is hurt by missiles
Filmography
- GODZILLA (1998)
- Godzilla: The Series (TV 1998-2000)
Video Games
- Godzilla: The Series (1999) - Nintendo Game Boy Color
- Godzilla: The Series - Monster Wars (2000) - Nintendo Game Boy Color
Godzilla in Godzilla: The Series
Comics
Godzilla: The Series
Monster Wars
In a teaser for the then upcoming Monster Wars trilogy, While H.E.A.T. was held hostage by mutant Leviathan Aliens, Godzilla rose from the Potomac river to combat the rising threat of Monsters attacking the world.
Ice Cold Winter
After being lured to waters off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, Godzilla was frozen in ice by Cameron Winter. Luckily, Mendel Craven was studying Godzilla's seasonal feeding patterns, and sent N.I.G.E.L. along with him, and the change in temperature around N.I.G.E.L. alerted Craven, and the H.E.A.T. team came to Godzilla's aid, just as Winter was towing the iceberg away. Randy Hernandez then programmed N.I.G.E.L. to overheat, which melted enough of the ice for Godzilla to awaken and fire his Atomic Ray, freeing him, destroying N.I.G.E.L., and destroying Winter's forces.
Roar
This Godzilla's roars were mostly recycled Godzilla 1998 and Japanese Godzilla roars.
Trivia
- This incarnation of Godzilla hasn't made any official appearances since his animated series was cancelled back in 2000 due to Sony and TriStar losing the rights to the Godzilla franchise in 2003.
- Interestingly, while his father is stated to only weigh 500 tons in the novelization of the 1998 film, this Godzilla is said to weigh 60,000 metric tons as revealed in the episode Cash of the Titans,[5] making him officially heavier than all incarnations of Godzilla except his incarnation from Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah through Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, which also weighs 60,000 metric tons, and his incarnations from Legendary Pictures' Godzilla, Shin Godzilla, and the GODZILLA anime trilogy, which are all heavier.
- A second Godzilla was meant to star in GODZILLA 2 and GODZILLA 3, both of which were scrapped after Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin dropped out during pre-production on the second film. He would have lived in the Australian outback and battled a giant insect monster called the "Queen Bitch" and her giant termite-like subjects, first in Sydney and then on Monster Island. In this film, the second Godzilla would have retained his father's ability to reproduce asexually, giving birth to an entire brood of offspring that mature into "Teen 'Zillas." Like in the animated series, this second Godzilla would possess an atomic fire breath, rather than the flammable power breath possessed by his father.
See Also
References
This is a list of references for Godzilla (Godzilla: The Series). 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]
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
