Shinseimaru
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The Shinseimaru (新生丸 Shinseimaru, lit. "Rebirth") is a fictional wooden-hull minesweeper that appeared in the 2023 film Godzilla Minus One, captained by Seiji Akitsu and crewed by Koichi Shikishima, Kenji Noda, and Shiro Mizushima. After World War II, the Shinseimaru was deployed alongside the Kaishinmaru to search for and destroy sea mines in Japanese waters.
History
- Godzilla Minus One (2023)
Reiwa era
Godzilla Minus One
In March 1946, Koichi Shikishima secured a government-approved job detonating sea mines in the Pacific. At the dock, Shikishima was startled to see that the "special boat made to evade mines" was a small wooden boat. Captain Seiji Akitsu came out of the ship's cabin and greeted Shikishima. Kenji Noda, a former naval weapons engineer, explained to Shikishima that the U.S. and Imperial navies laid 60,000 mines around Japan, with the worst being the American magnetic mines. Any boat made of metal would set those mines off, hence the Shinseimaru's wooden hull. Akitsu explained that the Shinseimaru, paired with minesweeper Kaishinmaru, clips mine wires with a cable cutter suspended between the two boats. The mines rise from the seabed "like balloons on strings" and then are detonated with the ship's machine gun. Akitsu attempted to demonstrate the detonation of a mine, but failed to hit it. Shikishima gave the gun a try, explaining that it was best to estimate the mine's position accounting for movement. After a few seconds, Shikishima successfully shot and destroyed the mine. Over the next year, the crew of the Shinseimaru and Kaishinmaru continued disposing of sea mines.
In May 1947, the Shinseimaru and Kaishinmaru were deployed near the Ogasawara Islands, where they found a capsized American Liberty ship. The two boats were tasked with delaying Godzilla's advance towards Japan until the cruiser Takao could arrive from Singapore, having been returned to Japan to respond to the crisis. Their orders suggested they use the mines that they recovered as weapons and forbade them from telling anyone else about the mission.
Later, dozens of deep-sea fish floated to the surface next to the Shinseimaru. Shikishima rang the bell of the minesweeper, warning of Godzilla's imminent approach. Shikishima and Noda urged Akitsu to flee, but he was determined to face the monster, not wanting to see Tokyo destroyed again. Suddenly, Godzilla grabbed Kaishinmaru from below and dragged it beneath the waves, shocking the crew of the Shinseimaru. Akitsu changed his decision immediately and pushed the engine throttle forward, but the engine gave out. Noda started repairing it as Godzilla swam towards them. Noda ordered them to full throttle, and the minesweeper began moving at last. Godzilla swam dangerously close and began following the minesweeper. Akitsu ordered them to drop their mines; the first lodged between Godzilla's spines and was detonated, but only provoked and angered the monster as it raised its head above the surface. Shikishima manned the machine gun and fired at Godzilla's head, but to no effect. While Godzilla continued chasing the boat, Noda decided to try detonating a mine inside his mouth, and together he and Mizushima dropped the second mine into the water. The mine floated into Godzilla's mouth, but when Mizushima tried activating the switch, it didn't go off. Shikishima yelled at his crew members to get down as he fired the gun into Godzilla's mouth. After a few seconds, the mine exploded tremendously, destroying the stern of the Shinseimaru. Godzilla regenerated his injury quickly and rose up. Before Godzilla could destroy the boat, the guns of the Takao fired on him and momentarily incapacitated him. Godzilla turned his attention toward the Takao, destroying the heavy cruiser with his atomic breath as the Shinseimaru's crew watched helplessly. Shikishima, who had injured his head during the second mine detonation, lost consciousness soon after, and did not revive until after the crew was airlifted back to the mainland.
Capabilities
Machine gun
The Shinseimaru is armed with a single Type 93 13mm heavy machine gun for detonating surfaced mines, with Koichi Shikishima proving himself especially effective in hitting the bobbing targets. Its bullets had no effect on Godzilla, but detonating a mine inside of his jaw succeeded in momentarily incapacitating him.
Wooden hull
The Shinseimaru's hull is made out of wood to render it immune to American magnetic mines.
Speed
The Shinseimaru's top speed is unknown, but it was able to keep ahead of Godzilla during an extended chase.
Video games
- Godzilla Battle Line (2021; added in 2024) - Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows [environmental asset]
Books
Gallery
Production
Shinseimaru prop being used
Prop for the Shinseimaru
Screenshots
Shinseimaru and Kaishinmaru in front of a Liberty ship
Godzilla chasing the boat
Shikishima opening fire on Godzilla
Godzilla rising behind the boat after regenerating
Comments
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