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Godzilla represents the horrors of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. Who benefits – US or Japanese film studios?
The latest Godzilla film has been in Swiss cinemas since the beginning of April and is now a box office hit. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire brought $200 million into box office worldwide on its opening weekend alone.
The film’s budget of 135 million dollars was paid off after two days, and the new Godzilla film is already considered one of the most successful films of 2024. What are Japanese film studios doing to ensure that the horror of the atomic bomb is not forgotten?
Godzilla as a symbol of the Hiroshima atomic bomb
Godzilla comes from Japan and originally symbolized the US atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. Japanese director Honda Ishiro made the first Godzilla film in 1954 and experienced the effects of the Hiroshima atomic bomb firsthand.
Legend: The latest Godzilla film has been in Swiss cinemas since the beginning of April and is already considered one of the most successful films of 2024. IMAGO / SOPA Images
In the very first Godzilla film, the giant lizard is created because of US atomic bomb tests in Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. The film thus refers to real events: the USA tested numerous atomic bombs in the Pacific Ocean in the 1940s and 1950s.
Japanese film studios also benefit from US commerce
The US film studio Legendary Pictures is behind the latest film Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire. Behind the brand Godzilla but the Japanese film studio Toho stands. The US-American Legendary Pictures has a licensing agreement with the Japanese Toho. But this also deserves direct credit for the Godzilla: The Film brand Godzilla Minus One comes from Toho, was shown in cinemas last year and was also a huge international success.
The name Godzilla – created from bullying?
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At the Japanese film studio Toho, which is behind Godzilla, there is said to have been a large, powerful employee. His nickname: Gorilla Whale. Godzilla fans still argue about who the employee was and whether he really existed. It is also conceivable that the Toho film studio is monstrously good at marketing.
The fact is that Godzilla is called Gojira in Japanese, a combination of the two Japanese words “gorira” (gorilla) and “kujira” (whale).
A superhero in the USA – still a symbol against the war in Japan
Hollywood has increasingly pushed the fear of nuclear catastrophe into the background. In the latest film, Godzilla even becomes a superhero who protects humanity. The power of the atomic bomb helps him: Godzilla uses nuclear energy to defeat his enemies.
In contrast, the Japanese variants of Godzilla remain true to his origins: in film Godzilla Minus One from the Japanese film studio Toho, Godzilla is still a monster. Godzilla represents the cruelties and absurdities of war. Godzilla is created by US atomic bomb testing and destroys the city of Tokyo.
Godzilla turns 70 – and is in the Guinness Book of Records
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Godzilla will be exactly 70 years old in November. There are now almost 40 films starring the radioactive giant lizard. Godzilla made it into the Guinness Book of Records for the longest-running film series in the world.
The film also addresses Japan’s own role and the question of guilt during the Second World War. Director Takashi Yamazaki emphasizes in an interview that he did not only see Godzilla as a symbol for the atomic bomb, but also for all new global conflicts, especially in Ukraine and Palestine.