Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Godzilla films
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Godzilla vs. Biollante See alternate titles Directed by Kazuki Omori Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka Written by Kazuki Omori, Shinichiro Kobayashi (story) Music by Koichi Sugiyama, Yuki Saito Special effects by Koichi Kawakita Production companies Toho Pictures, Toho Eizo Bijutsu Distributor TohoJP, MiramaxUS Rating PGUS Budget ¥700 million Distributor rentals ¥1.04 billion Running time 104 minutes (1 hour, 44 minutes) Aspect ratio 1.85:1 Rate this film! 4.39 (80 votes)

“	A super Godzilla, (超ゴジラ) it was born from Godzilla cells! (それはゴジラ細胞から生まれた！)	„
	— Japanese tagline

“	The winner of this battle would be the most enormous enemy against human beings. (勝った方が人類最大の敵になる)	„
	— English tagline

“	Take shelter! Or die! Supermonsters about to destroy mankind!	„
	— International taglines

“	The most terrifying monster of all time is back in his greatest movie ever! The ultimate battle has only just begun!	„
	— North American VHS taglines

Godzilla vs. Biollante (ゴジラVSビオランテ,   Gojira tai Biorante) is a 1989 tokusatsu kaiju film directed and written by Kazuki Omori based on a story by Shinichiro Kobayashi, with special effects by Koichi Kawakita. Produced by Toho Pictures with effects produced by Toho Eizo Bijutsu, it is the 17th installment in the Godzilla series as well as the second in its Heisei era. It stars Kunihiko Mitamura, Yoshiko Tanaka, Masanobu Takashima, Megumi Odaka, Toru Minegishi, Ryunosuke Kaneda, and Koji Takahashi. The film was released to Japanese theaters by Toho on December 16, 1989. Miramax released an English-dubbed version of the film to VHS through HBO Video in the United States on November 25, 1992.

The first Godzilla film to be released during the actual political Heisei period of Japan, Godzilla vs. Biollante picks up directly where The Return of Godzilla left off. In the wake of Godzilla's attack on Tokyo, his cells have become a coveted scientific resource, with governments and the terrorist organization Bio-Major fighting over them. Five years later, Dr. Genichiro Shiragami uses a sample of G-Cells to try and preserve his deceased daughter's cells within a rose, unintentionally creating the hybrid kaiju Biollante. In addition, a botched terrorist ransoming by Bio-Major results in Godzilla being released from his prison within Mount Mihara. As the JSDF prepares to fight back against Godzilla with its new array of weaponry, Godzilla converges on Biollante's location at Lake Ashi, setting up a battle in which the winner will be humanity's biggest enemy. Godzilla vs. Biollante was followed by Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah in 1991.

Plot

In 1984, a scientific team picks through the ruins of Tokyo, searching for tissue samples left behind by the monster Godzilla following his rampage there only a few hours earlier. The creature had returned after 30 years, and had reduced Tokyo to rubble. After destroying the JSDF's Super X, the monster had been lured to Mount Mihara, where an eruption had been triggered that sealed the titan within the volcano. The scientific team soon find what they are looking for, but as they continue to search, a team of American paramilitary soldiers working for a United States-based genetics research company called Bio-Major ambushes them and steals the cell samples. As they flee with their prize, they are ambushed themselves by a lone mercenary, who kills the commandos and steals the cells back. The mysterious man, a killer known only as SSS9, then takes the cells to the Republic of Saradia, an OPEC nation in the Middle East, where Japanese geneticist Genichiro Shiragami and his daughter Erika take charge of them. Shiragami is working with the Saradian government on a project to genetically breed a new species of plant capable of living in the arid Saradian deserts. This, the government hopes, will gradually take the country away from relying only on oil exports for profit, and will hopefully make them the world's largest grain exporter. However, before this can become a reality, the lab where the Godzilla cells are being stored is bombed by Bio-Major agents, and the cells are destroyed. Erika is killed in the blast, and the distraught scientist returns to Japan, unwilling to continue his research.

Five years later, in 1989, Japan has, for the most part, recovered from Godzilla's attack. Shiragami lives in solitude in a laboratory on the shores of Lake Ashi, and has kept Erika's keep-sake roses alive for all this time, and has even spliced her genes into the plants in hopes that she might continue to live within them. After five years of wondering if this is even possible, he calls the Japanese Psyonics Research Center, who sends Miki Saegusa to test the roses for psychic energy. Miki, only 17 years old, is an incredibly gifted psychic, and as she analyzes the roses, she can hear the voice of a girl calling the name of Asuka Okouchi, a former friend of Erika who accompanied Miki to Shiragami's lab. As the two women leave, they do not know that they are being watched. In the trees rests a truck, and from the window two Bio-Major agents, John Lee and Michel Low, look on. As it turns out, they have been watching Shiragami for several years. Little do they know that they too are under surveillance. Behind them, the Saradian agent that stole the Godzilla cells in 1984 watches in silence.

Asuka Okouchi is the daughter of Seido Okochi, founder and head of the Okochi Foundation, a genetic research institute. Her boyfriend, Kazuto Kirishima, is a geneticist as well, but has recently become very concerned with the ethics of his work. He believes that if the scientists are not careful, they may create something terrible, something never intended to exist on the planet Earth. He fears that Okouchi's view of science, that being a way to gain power and money, goes against what science is really all about. However, as he is dating Okouchi's daughter and his lab is funded by the Okouchi Foundation, there is little he can do to voice his opinions.

Meanwhile, a small eruption at Mt. Mihara begins to worry the Japanese government. Godzilla has remained interred within the mountain for the last five years, and it is now becoming clear that the creature is stirring within. The Japanese begin their planning for the monster's return, and prepare several defenses. Lt. Sho Kuroki of the JSDF, along with Goro Gondo of the National Land Bureau's Godzilla Unit, begin to organize and prepare. The JSDF has constructed the Super X2, a vastly improved version of the machine that fought Godzilla in 1984. The machine is now semi-aquatic, capable of functioning under water, and now features a vast array of weapons. The new mech also possesses a "Fire Mirror," a gigantic lens composed of synthetic diamond capable of deflecting Godzilla's atomic breath back at him at over 1,000 times the force. The government also has another trick up their sleeves: they are planning to develop a biological weapon called the Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria (ANEB). The bacteria, designed to break down nuclear energy, was originally intended to clean up atomic waste. However, as the bacteria eats nuclear material, it could, theoretically, be used against Godzilla, who feeds off nuclear energy. However, the ANEB cannot be created without Godzilla cells. As it turns out, the cells of the King of the Monsters contain a special set of nuclear-eating genes that are used to allow the creature to derive energy from nuclear materials. These genes are needed to make the ANEB, and much like snake venom can be used to create an antidote for snake poisoning, it is believed that the G-cells can be used to create a bacteria that can poison and kill Godzilla himself. A group of cells recovered in 1984 are now stored at the Okouchi Foundation, safe from terrorists such as the Bio-Major agents. Kirishima and Kuroki attempt to lobby Dr. Shiragami to join the project, but he flatly refuses. He blames the G-cells for his daughter's death five years earlier, and has no intention of getting involved with them again.

Several days later, Mt. Mihara erupts, spewing lava all across Izu Oshima. The resulting earthquakes are felt as far away as Shiragami's lab. The earthquake damages the terrarium containing Erika's roses. Fearing that Erika may die if the roses perish, he formulates a plan. He joins the ANEB project, but only on one condition: he is to keep the Godzilla cells for the one week until the project begins. On a dark and stormy night, Shiragami sits alone in his lab. Before him lie several rose petals and the Godzilla cells. Under his microscope, he carefully isolates one G-cell and one cell from the rose, and then, ever so carefully, combines the two together. Now, he hopes, his daughter will live forever in a plant given the regenerative properties of Godzilla himself.

Several days later, Bio-Major's agents break into Shiragami's lab. Unbeknownst to them, SSS9 also breaks in. When the thieves and the assassin catch each other, a gunfight ensues. It is interrupted by an attack of a giant, mobile plant that kills Low and attacks SSS9. Lee flees, while the assassin barely escapes from the plant's grasp. They do not realize that they have just encountered the result of Dr. Shiragami's secret experiments. The next morning a giant flower is seen in Lake Ashi, and Dr. Shiragami confesses that he combined the DNA of roses with Godzilla cells, believing he had created an immortal plant species. Furthermore, he confesses to Asuka, Miki and Kirishima that in a fit of desperate grief, he added Erika's DNA to the mutated genetic structure, so that some of the creature is composed of Erika as well. He names his creation Biollante, after a plant spirit from Norse mythology. Miki remarks that she can hear Erika's spirit inside Biollante, crying out in fear.

Meanwhile, Bio-Major anonymously sends a letter to the Diet of Japan, informing them that they have planted several bombs inside Mt. Mihara. If the Anti-Nuclear Bacteria is not handed over, the company threatens to detonate the bombs and release Godzilla. With the country held hostage, the Diet is forced to comply, sending Colonel Gondo and Dr. Kirishima to hand over the ANEB to Bio-Major's agent John Lee. However, the exchange is interrupted when SSS9 opens fire on them before the explosives can be disarmed. Lee tries to drive away in his truck, but is killed by a sniper bullet to the head, causing the truck to be overturned. SSS9 retrieves the ANEB and escapes, while Gondo and Kirishima are unable to disarm the explosives. Godzilla is released as Mt. Mihara erupts. Upon hearing Godzilla's roar, Biollante's blossom opens, and the monstrous plant begins calling out to Godzilla. Miki remarks that Erika's spirit is seemingly no longer in control of Biollante, leaving the creature a violent monster that is part Godzilla and part rose. With Godzilla's destination made clear, the JSDF, under the leadership of Sho Kuroki, prepare their strategies for dealing with the King of the Monsters. The Super X2 is deployed against Godzilla in the ocean, and though it at first seems effective in combating Godzilla, it is eventually overwhelmed by Godzilla's atomic breath, and is forced to retreat. After the battle, Godzilla comes ashore in Japan and approaches Lake Ashi, where Biollante is rooted. Shiragami wonders if Godzilla came all this way to see Biollante because he knew they were made from the same cells. As Godzilla stares at the monstrous plant, Biollante panics and attacks him, and a huge battle ensues, and briefly it appears that there is a stalemate. However, Godzilla seemingly defeats Biollante by burning her alive with his atomic breath, only for it to be revealed that Biollante is immortal as she escapes by dissolving into spores that float into outer space. Victorious for now and running low on nuclear energy following his last two battles, Godzilla heads towards the nearest operational nuclear reactor, which is located in Tsuruga, on the other side of the country. The military is sent out to meet Godzilla at Ise Bay. However, Godzilla unexpectedly surfaces in Osaka Bay, avoiding a confrontation with the JSDF. Miki tries to help, attempting to make Godzilla turn away from Osaka using her psychic abilities. Her efforts distract Godzilla momentarily, but the force of Godzilla's will and his psychic brainpower overwhelms her, causing her to faint. A plan is put into action, involving infecting Godzilla with the ANEB, which was retrieved by Gondo and Kirishima from the Saradia Oil Corporation's Osaka office. Kuroki sends the still-damaged Super X2 to distract Godzilla while Gondo and his team prepare rockets loaded with ANEB. Godzilla destroys the craft with a blast of atomic breath, but Gondo and his team manage to get in position. Godzilla is infected with three rockets, including one fired directly into his mouth, but he kills Gondo and continues on, seemingly unaffected by the ANEB.

The failure of the bacteria to work is attributed to Godzilla's low body temperature, which keeps the bacteria in a near-dormant state. If Godzilla can be heated, Shiragami theorizes, then the ANEB should work. The JSDF develops another plan: force Godzilla onto a field of microwave-emitting plates during an artificial thunderstorm, where he will be heated by the microwaves and a unit of MBT-MB92 Maser Cannons. The operation begins, and while Godzilla does briefly seem to weaken, he easily destroys the JSDF's forces. Just as everything seems lost, a low rumble is heard and Biollante's spores rain down from the sky. Suddenly, Biollante's gigantic evolved form emerges from the ground, obliterating the JSDF's remaining forces. Biollante attacks Godzilla and this time has the advantage. She stabs Godzilla with her spear-tipped tendrils and spits corrosive sap onto him. When Biollante attempts to bite down on Godzilla's head, he fires his atomic breath directly into her mouth, causing it to explode out the back of her head. Godzilla then begins to be affected by the ANEB, due to Biollante's corrosive sap raising his temperature. Godzilla tries to walk away but collapses headfirst into the ocean. With Godzilla temporarily knocked out, Biollante dissolves into spores and escapes into space again. As the monster's essence floats upwards, Dr. Shiragami sees the image of his daughter among the spores. Miki says that Biollante had told them "Thank you" as she floated into the atmosphere. Calling out to his daughter, Shiragami walks forward and is fatally shot by SSS9, who was ordered by his government to kill Shiragami now that the cells were lost. Dr. Kirishima chases the agent and fights him. The agent is at a disadvantage until he is able to grab his weapon again. The Saradian agent attempts to kill Kirishima, but Major Kuroki activates an artificial lightning generator that SSS9 is standing on, disintegrating him. Kirishima and Asuka celebrate their victory when Godzilla suddenly rises, his body temperature lowered by the water. However, Godzilla simply swims away, leaving Japan safe for the time being. Kirishima and Asuka leave together in Kirishima's car. The body of Dr. Shiragami is placed inside a tent, Dr. Okouchi briefly mourning him before leaving. Erika is heard to briefly comment on the recent events. Godzilla is seen swimming away, while Biollante is visible as a giant rose floating near the Earth in outer space.

Staff

Main article: Godzilla vs. Biollante/Credits.

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

• Directed by   Kazuki Omori
• Written by   Kazuki Omori
• Based on a story by   Shinichiro Kobayashi
• Executive producer   Tomoyuki Tanaka
• Produced by   Shogo Tomiyama
• Music by   Koichi Sugiyama, Yuki Saito
• Stock music by   Akira Ifukube
• Cinematography by   Yudai Kato
• Edited by   Michiko Ikeda
• Production design by   Shigekazu Ikuno
• First assistant director   Hideyuki Inoue
• Director of special effects   Koichi Kawakita
• First assistant director of special effects   Kiyotaka Matsumoto

Cast

Main article: Godzilla vs. Biollante/Credits.

Actor's name on the left, character played on the right. Kunihiko Mitamura   as   Dr. Kazuto Kirishima Yoshiko Tanaka   as   Asuka Okouchi Masanobu Takashima   as   Major Sho Kuroki Megumi Odaka   as   Miki Saegusa Toru Minegishi   as   Colonel Goro Gondo Ryunosuke Kaneda   as   Seigo Okouchi, Head of the Okouchi Foundation Koji Takahashi   as   Dr. Genichiro Shiragami Manjot Bedi   as   SSS9 Koichi Ueda   as   Ground SDF Chief of Staff Kosuke Toyohara   as   Osamu Amezawa Kyoko Suzuki   as   Hiromi Kawai Takashi Hunt   as   Bio-Major Agent John Lee Derrick Holmes   as   Bio-Major Agent Michel Low Kazuma Matsubara   as   JSDF Soldier Hiroshi Inoue   as   JSDF Soldier Hiroto Yoshimitsu   as   JSDF Soldier Yoshiharu Yamada   as   JSDF Soldier Tetsu Kawai   as   JSDF Soldier Yasunori Yumeiie   as   JSDF Soldier Shin Tatsuma   as   Director General Akiyama Shu Minagawa   as   Strategy Team Member Masahiko Sakata   as   Strategy Team Member Kazuma Matsuoka   as   Strategy Team Member

Soleiman Mehdizadeh   as   Sirhan, Saradia Oil Corporation Japan Branch Manager Abdallah Helal   as   Researcher Kurt Cramer   as   Commando Brien Uhl   as   Commando Robert Corner   as   Commando Koumi Kuroiwa   as   Nurse at Osaka Chisato Central Hospital Beth Blatt   as   CCN Reporter Susan Horn Yasuko Sawaguchi   as   Erika Shiragami Toshiyuki Nagashima   as   Seiichi Yamamoto Yoshiko Kuga   as   Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiko Owada Hirohisa Nakata   as   Defense Minister Minoru Oyama Katsuhiko Sasaki   as   Director of Science and Technology Research Takeda Kenzo Hagiwara   as   Takeo Shimura Kazuyuki Senba   as   Maritime SDF Chief of Staff Koji Yamanaka   as   Air SDF Chief of Staff Aijdin Yamanlar   as   Abdul Zalman, Director of the Saradia Biotechnology Institute Kenpachiro Satsuma   as   Godzilla Takegami Akio   as   Biollante (1st form) Shigeru Shibasaki, Yoshitaka Kimura   as   Biollante (2nd form) Haruko Sagara   as   TNN TV Reporter Hiromi Matsukana   as   Breaking Newscaster Isao Takeno   as   Super X2 Maintenance Chief Demon Kogure   as   Himself Kazuki Omori   as   Doctor at Osaka Chisato Central Hospital (uncredited)

International English dub

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

• Chris Hilton   as   Dr. Kazuto Kirishima
• Suzanne Vale   as   Asuka Okouchi / Breaking Newscaster
• Rik Thomas   as   Colonel Goro Gondo / Dr. Genichiro Shiragami (trailer)
• Warren Rooke   as   Dr. Genichiro Shiragami / narrator (trailer)
• Simon Broad   as   Seigo Okouchi / Abdul Zalman / Osamu Amezawa / Demon Kogure
• John San Miguel   as   Hirohisa Nakata

Italian dub

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

• Marco Balzarotti   as   Dr. Kazuto Kirishima
• Roberta Gallina   as   Asuka Okouchi
• Luca Semeraro   as   Major Sho Kuroki
• Grazia Migneco   as   Miki Saegusa
• Massimiliano Lotti   as   Colonel Goro Gondo
• Maurizio Scattorin   as   Seigo Okouchi
• Sergio Masieri   as   Dr. Genichiro Shiragami
• Pietro Ubaldi   as   Ground SDF Chief of Staff
• Luca Catanzaro   as   Seiichi Yamamoto

Appearances

Monsters Godzilla (BioGoji) Biollante

Weapons, vehicles, races, and organizations Bio-Major Super X2 Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria Oxygen Destroyer (cameo) MBT-MB92 UH-1B Huey Type 74 Tank Type 90 Tank Super X (stock footage) Hyper Laser Cannon (stock footage) Haruna-class destroyer (DDH-142 Hiei) Hatsuyuki-class destroyer Mitsubishi F-15J Eagle AH-1 Cobra Hughes 500C M6000 T.C. System KV-107 II Helicopter Type 73 Armored Personnel Carrier Type 75 130 mm Multiple Rocket Launcher Type 82 Command Vehicle Mitsubishi HSS-2B Sea King M110A2 Self-Propelled Howitzer

Production

Godzilla vs. Biollante began as a winner of a contest by Toho. The concept was created by Shinichiro Kobayashi, a dentist, though his script was widely different from the final film. The few parts that remained were Erika's death, Biollante's creation, a psychic girl, and for the most part, the ending. This first draft also had Dr. Shiragami create a rat-fish hybrid monster named Deuterious who was quickly killed by Godzilla. This was cut and replaced by Godzilla's battles with Biollante's rose stage and the Super X2. In another ending, Biollante begins to lose and makes a final attempt to kill Godzilla by turning into a wave of pure energy which Godzilla would absorb.

Gallery

Main article: Godzilla vs. Biollante/Gallery.

Soundtrack

Main article: Godzilla vs. Biollante/Soundtrack.

Alternate titles

• Big Dinosaurs (大恐龍; Taiwan)
• Godzilla, the Ancient Giant (Godzilla, Der Urgigant; Germany)
• Godzilla 1990 (1990ก็อตซิลลา; Thailand)
• Godzilla 2 (Mexico)
• Godzilla Counterattacks (Godzilla Contra-Ataca; Portugal)
• Godzilla Versus Biollante (Brazil)
• Godzilla Against Biollante (Godzilla contre Biollante; France; Godzilla contra Biollante; Spain; Godzilla contro Biollante; Italy; Godzilla kontra Biollante; Poland)
• Godzilla 2000 (Γκοτζίλα 2000; Greece)

Theatrical releases

View all posters for the film here.

• Japan - December 16, 1989   [view poster]
• Taiwan - January 26, 1990   [view poster]
• Thailand - 1990  [view poster]
• Egypt   [view poster]
• Iran   [view poster]

Foreign releases

U.S. release

	[citation(s) needed] — This article is missing references. Please improve this article by including relevant citations. As a reader, exercise caution when encountering unsourced statements.

U.S. Godzilla vs. Biollante VHS cover

After Godzilla vs. Biollante was released in Japan, Toho commissioned an unknown Hong Kong-based company to dub the film into English for their international version, with a cast featuring a pool of voice talent formerly employed by voice actor Ted Thomas's defunct dubbing company Axis International. In early 1990, Toho entered discussions with Miramax to distribute the film. When talks broke off, Toho filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Federal Court, accusing Miramax of entering an oral agreement in June to pay Toho $500,000 to distribute the film. This lawsuit delayed the film's release for two years. An out of court settlement was reached with Miramax buying the rights to the film for an unreported figure. While Miramax had entertained thoughts of releasing the film in theaters, in the end it was decided to release the film directly to home video instead. The film was released on video in the United States by HBO Video in association with Miramax via Dimension Studios on November 25, 1992. The film was also released on LaserDisc the following year, and aired several times on the Cinemax network. Miramax utilized the uncut English international version of the film for these releases. Godzilla vs. Biollante was released on DVD and Blu-ray in North America by Echo Bridge Entertainment through Miramax on December 4, 2012.

Godzilla vs. Biollante was the last new Godzilla film to receive a release in the United States until TriStar Pictures released Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah and Godzilla vs. Mothra on VHS in 1998. Counting those two titles, TriStar would bring the next 10 Toho Godzilla films to the U.S., a streak that was finally broken by Godzilla Final Wars, released by Sony. Godzilla vs. Biollante was also the last Toho Godzilla film to receive its own international English-language title card. For every film since, Toho has elected to simply optically superimpose the international title over the Japanese title card (except in the case of Godzilla Final Wars, whose original title card was already in English).

German release

German Godzilla, the Ancient Giant VHS cover

Godzilla vs. Biollante was released direct-to-video in Germany on VHS by Empire on February 1, 1991, under the title Godzilla, der Urgigant (lit. "Godzilla, the Ancient Giant"). The German version uses a totally textless version of the film, with the only onscreen graphic being the film's video generated title card, which replaces the Toho production credit. Although the ending credits sequence of Biollante as a rose in space cuts to black in Toho's international export version, the German version holds on a video freeze frame of the shot, much like in the original Japanese version, and the remainder of the film's audio plays. In the German dubbing, Erika was renamed Michiko, and the Super X2's Fire Mirror is referred to as the "Hitzereflektor" (lit. "Heat Reflector"). The film was later issued on LaserDisc by Astro/Empire in 1996, with The Return of Godzilla, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, and Godzilla vs. Mothra in a boxed set limited to 250 copies. Astro/Best Entertainment released the German version on DVD in 2001, with the video transfer being a direct port of the 1996 LaserDisc, though the film now ends on the freeze frame of Biollante's rose with a digitally generated "ENDE" (lit. "THE END") and cuts the remainder of the film's audio short. Marketing Film re-released the film on DVD on July 29, 2004, with the German dub synchronized to the Japanese video transfer of Toho's DVD release, though the DVD uses a poor quality NTSC-to-PAL standards conversion with image ghosting. Although Marketing Film would re-release their DVD two separate times in boxed sets with some of their other Godzilla titles, the film has yet to be re-released on DVD or Blu-ray and remains out of print in Germany.

Box office

Godzilla vs. Biollante had a budget of ¥700 million.^{[citation needed]} When the film opened in Japan on December 16, 1989, it sold between 2 and 2.5 million tickets and grossed ¥1.04 billion, the eighth highest grossing Japanese film of 1990. Though the film was not a financial failure, it did not perform to Toho's expectations, causing them to place the series on a brief two-year hiatus and bring back an established enemy monster, King Ghidorah, for the next film.

Awards

Actor Masanobu Takashima won a Newcomer of the Year Award from the Japan Academy Awards for his portrayal of both Sho Kuroki in Godzilla vs. Biollante and Masato Togura in Yamada Babaa ni Hanataba O.

Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result
14th Japan Academy Awards	Newcomer of the Year	Masanobu Takashima	Won

Video releases

Toho Video LaserDisc (1991)

• Region: NTSC
• Discs: 1 (CLV, 2 sides)
• Audio: Japanese (Stereo)
• Subtitles: None
• Special features: None

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  Front cover

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  Back cover

HBO Video VHS (1992, 1998)

• Region: NTSC
• Tapes: 1
• Audio: English (Mono, hi-fi)
• Notes: Presents an unaltered transfer of the film's international version.

• 

  Front cover

• 

  Back cover

Toho Video LaserDisc (1993) [Special Edition]

• Region: NTSC
• Discs: 3 (CAV, 6 sides)
• Audio: Japanese (Stereo)
• Subtitles: None
• Special features: "The Making of Godzilla vs. Biollante" featurette (50 minutes), two teasers and two theatrical trailers

• 

  Front cover

HBO Video LaserDisc (1993)

• Region: NTSC
• Discs: 1 (CLV, 2 sides)
• Audio: English (Mono)
• Subtitles: None
• Special features: None
• Notes: Presents an unaltered transfer of the film's international version.

• 

  Front cover

• 

  Back cover

Astro/Empire LaserDisc (1996) [Godzilla Box]

• Region: PAL
• Discs: 4 (CLV, 8 sides)
• Audio: German (Dolby Surround)
• Subtitles: None
• Special features: German video trailers for The Return of Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Biollante and Godzilla vs. Mothra, German theatrical trailer for Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah.
• Notes: Packaged with The Return of Godzilla, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah and Godzilla vs. Mothra. Limited to 250 copies.

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  Front cover

• 

  Back cover

Mei Ah VCD (1998)

• Region: PAL
• Discs: 2
• Audio: English (Mono)
• Subtitles: Chinese (traditional)
• Special features: None
• Notes: Presents a transfer transfer of the film's international version cropped to 1.33:1. Assembly differs from the version used on the HBO VHS and LaserDisc in that it is missing the onscreen text past the film's first reel and the timing of the ending credits roll differs.

Mei Ah LaserDisc (1998)

• Region: NTSC
• Discs: 1 (CLV, 2 sides)
• Audio: English (Mono)
• Subtitles: Chinese (traditional)
• Special features: None
• Notes: Presents a transfer of the film's international version cropped to 1.33:1. Assembly differs from the version used on the HBO VHS and LaserDisc in that it is missing the onscreen text past the film's first reel and the timing of the ending credits roll differs. Although the disc is NTSC, the master is a PAL transfer.

• 

  Front cover

DVD Toho/TOHO Visual Entertainment DVD (2002/2016)

• Region: 2
• Discs: 1
• Audio: Japanese (Dolby Surround and 2002 Remix 5.1)
• Subtitles: Japanese
• Special features: Audio commentary by writer/director Kazuki Omori and special effects director Koichi Kawakita, "The Making of Godzilla vs. Biollante" featurette (50 minutes), four video commentaries on Biollante and the Super X-2, two teasers and two theatrical trailers, photo galleries

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  2016 cover

Universe DVD (2006)

• Region: 3
• Discs: 1
• Audio: Japanese (2.0 Stereo) and Cantonese (2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: English, Chinese (simplified and traditional)
• Special features: None
• Notes: Out of print.

TOHO Visual Entertainment Blu-ray (2009/2014/2019)

• Region: A
• Discs: 1
• Audio: Japanese (2.0 Surround Dolby TrueHD and 2002 Remix 5.1 Dolby TrueHD)
• Subtitles: Japanese
• Special features: Trailer (HD), special announcement trailer (HD blow-up), "The Making of Godzilla vs. Biollante" (50 minutes, SD), Models & sculptures (SD), audio commentary by writer/director Kazuki Omori and special effects director Koichi Kawakita

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  2009 cover

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  2019 cover

Echo Bridge DVD/Blu-ray (2012)

• Region: 1 (DVD) or A (Blu-ray)
• Discs: 1
• Audio: Japanese (5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo) and English (1.0 mono)
• Special features: "The Making of Godzilla vs. Biollante" featurette (50 minutes, SD), Behind the Design featurette (3 minutes)
• Notes: Both versions of the film use the same Japanese video track. Reissued by Lionsgate in 2014. Both the Echo Bridge and Lionsgate releases are out of print.

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  2012 Blu-ray cover

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  2014 Blu-ray cover

TOHO Visual Entertainment 4K Ultra HD / Blu-ray (December 20, 2023)

• Region: N/A (4K Ultra HD) or A (Blu-ray)
• Discs: 1
• Audio: Japanese (1.0 Mono and 5.1 Surround)
• Subtitles: Japanese
• Special features: Audio commentary by writer/director Kazuki Omori and special effects director Koichi Kawakita; Behind the Designs featurette (3 minutes); making-of featurette (40 minutes); unused footage (6 minutes); newsreels (Godzilla Returns after 5 Years and Godzilla Appears in Osaka!!); trailers (4 teasers, theatrical trailer, textless trailer, international trailer, "Godzilla's Trajectory" Trailer, and 5 TV spots); still gallery
• Notes: Both formats of this release use a 4K restoration of the film which first aired on Japanese satellite TV in 2021.

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  4K Ultra HD cover

Novelizations

Main article: Godzilla vs. Biollante (novelization).

A novelization of Shinichiro Kobayashi's original story for Godzilla vs. Biollante is included in the 1993 publication Great Monster War (Monster Novel Complete Works II) from the Publishing Arts Company. In Kobayashi's initial story, key elements from the final film such as the Super X2, Miki Saegusa, and the Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria are not present. Dr. Shiragami creates a synthetic rat-fish hybrid called Deuterious while in the process of creating Biollante. Deuterious escapes Shiragami's lab and grows to gigantic size, then proceeds to attack nearby ships out at sea. While battling the JSDF, Deuterious is confronted by Godzilla. The hybrid kaiju tries to escape onto land, but becomes weakened when out of water. Godzilla pursues Deuterious and finally kills it, then eats its corpse. A rough sketch of Deuterious by Kobayashi is included in the novelization.

A novelization of the story of the completed film was also published by Kadokawa. While it was developed alongside the film, it itself contains many original elements. The Super X2 is codenamed the "Angler", and is equipped with a laser cannon instead of the Fire Mirror. Biollante possesses a heat ray in this novelization. Finally, neither Shiragami nor Goro Gondo are killed in the novelization.

Manga adaptations

Main articles: Godzilla vs. Biollante (manga), Godzilla 1990.

Godzilla vs. Biollante received two different manga adaptations. The first, illustrated by Tatsuyoshi Kobayashi and published by Shogakukan, is a mostly faithful adaptation of the film. The battle between Godzilla and Biollante at Lake Ashi plays out somewhat differently, while earlier Biollante's Flower Beast Form kills a human on a boat by crushing him in one of her mouthed vines. The most radical departure is the manga's ending, which utilizes a scrapped sequence considered for the film itself where Biollante finishes off Godzilla after he collapses from the Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria. Once the ANEB finally takes effect, Godzilla attempts to fire his atomic breath at Biollante, only for it to fail. He tries to retreat before finally collapsing to the ground. Rather than retreat, Biollante approaches Godzilla before breaking apart into energy spores and flowing into his body, taking the form of a gigantic rose bud surrounding him. As Biollante's essence flows away from Godzilla's lifeless body, Erika's face becomes visible in the sky, with Miki Saegusa reporting that Biollante says, "Thank you." Despite seemingly perishing, Godzilla revives shortly afterward and wades out to sea, just as he does in the film itself.

A different manga adaptation titled Godzilla 1990 was illustrated by Toshihiro Hirano and published by Kadokawa. In this adaptation, the Super X2's design is drastically different, while Godzilla and Biollante's final battle takes place in Osaka rather than Wakasa Bay.

Videos

Trailers

Japanese trailer Export trailer Textless trailer Japanese "Godzilla 2" teaser Japanese teaser #1 Japanese teaser #2 Japanese teaser #3 Japanese TV spot #1 Japanese TV spot #2 German video trailer Hong Kong DVD trailer

Miscellaneous

English export opening credits English export ending credits Textless opening Textless ending English visuals from the export version Unused stop motion footage Godzilla vs. Monster Army promotional tape

Trivia

• While it is the second entry in the Heisei series of Godzilla films, Godzilla vs. Biollante was the first Godzilla film to actually be released during Japan's political Heisei period.
• The Oxygen Destroyer makes a cameo in this film in Colonel Gondo's office, resting against the wall. A statue of the 1962 Godzilla also sits on his desk, and photographs of Godzilla from The Return of Godzilla are visible on the wall nearby.
• Special effects director Koichi Kawakita experimented with cel animation and stop-motion for the final fight between Godzilla and Biollante, but neither technique was used in the finished film.

The stolen BioGoji suit found on a cart

• On March 17, 1992, as pre-production work was underway on Godzilla vs. Mothra, someone sneaked into Toho's special effects department and stole one of the two BioGoji Godzilla suits that was used in both Godzilla vs. Biollante and Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, and which was slated to be used in the new film as well. A "Godzilla hunt" was launched for the stolen costume, valued at about $371,000, and it ended when an elderly woman found it in a bamboo patch in the suburbs about a week later (reported in The Hollywood Reporter, March 26, 1992). While the costume was missing, Koichi Kawakita's staff began work on a new one, BatoGoji.
• This is the first Godzilla film for actor Koichi Ueda, who would play a role in every Godzilla film afterward until Godzilla Final Wars.
• Godzilla vs. Biollante received a PG rating from the MPAA for "traditional Godzilla violence." Ironically, it is one of the most violent films in the series.
• While several of the JSDF soldiers used M20 Super Bazookas to fire ANEB into Godzilla, Goro Gondo used a Howa 84RR, the Japanese variant of the Carl Gustaf, a recoilless rifle that looks similar to a rocket launcher but fires large 84mm explosive shells or bullets rather than rockets or missiles and acts as a portable artillery for infantry. Howas also appear in the opening of Godzilla vs. Megaguirus, albeit as props mocked up to be rocket launchers.

External links

• Scified interview with Ed Godziszewski about the making of the film
• List of firearms used in the movie

References

This is a list of references for Godzilla vs. Biollante. 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]

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