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0.) Foreword: Godzilla 2002 Early-Stage Plot
1.) G2002 Base Plot Proposal
2.) Godzilla 2002 Proposal A
3.) Godzilla 2002 Proposal B
4.) Varan x Baragon x Anguirus Giant Monsters All-Out Attack: Godzilla 2002
5.) Varan X Baragon X Anguirus Giant Monsters All-Out Attack: Godzilla 2002 PROT2ND
6.) Godzilla 2002 ver.3

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Godzilla 2002
Early-Stage Plot
【Shusuke Kaneko】
Day created unknown

At the same time as he was requested to serve as director for this project, Mr. Shusuke Kaneko was undertaking the solo writing of its plot. We received this plot summary, still held on to by Mr. Kaneko, which we have published here. In particular, we’d like to call your attention to the fact that this will be the first time “Godzilla 2002 Proposal B” is published. Unfortunately, the synopsis for the first plot in which Kamacuras appears could not be unearthed.

The “G2002 Basic Plot Proposal”, drafted as the components of the TriStar version were assembled, was crafted in such a way as to have the world view of this script reflect the 50th anniversary of the first series entry, “Godzilla” (1954).

Parts A/B of the “Godzilla 2002 Proposal” feature an astronaut being transformed into a monster and proceeding to fight Godzilla, and in “Giant Monsters All-Out-Attack: Godzilla 2002,” the opposing kaiju were to be the three monsters Varan, Baragon, and Anguirus, with the initial battle taking place in Tokyo. Next, “PROT2ND” and “Godzilla 2002 Ver.3” both serve to introduce the undersea warship Goten and the Submersible Battleship (provisional name), respectively.

However, when the setting was changed to become the “Japanese Democratic Republic,” director Kaneko gave the comments recorded below. We have been allowed to present these comments in their entirety.

“Regarding the declaration at the start of “GMK”, I happen to feel that ‘Japanese scholars won’t accept these plot elements,’ and this makes one feel that TriStar’s reconsideration would be a form of ‘dissing’ us. Even at the time, it seems to have been taken as a joke. In reality, though, we got major laughs during the screening at the Tokyo International Film Festival, to the degree that we couldn’t hear the next bit of dialogue over the noise. However, the dialogue in question was not written with the intent of being a gag, but rather as something that would guarantee a universe in which it seemed that there were more monsters out there than just Godzilla. The setting of the Republic of Japan also shows that, beyond the damage caused by Godzilla, the Korean War never took place, with all of this being a sort of hidden backstory to help the Godzilla disaster stand out more. For that reason, we needed to move away from the contact point of reality and towards fiction. I also think that the appearance of multiple monsters from a different story standpoint was a conception similar to the MCU of today. Although the MCU has a more direct link to commerce.”

 

G2002 Base Plot Proposal

〇 In 1954, Godzilla, the giant monster of legend as passed down on the island of Oshima, actually appears, and is defeated during an attack on the Japanese mainland, although he leaves great damage in his wake, with Tokyo and other locations left in a state of destruction. Godzilla meets his end at the hands of a chemical called the “Oxygen Destroyer” (the specifics of which are unknown) as developed by a certain researcher, perishing alongside said researcher in Tokyo Bay.
〇 While academic society puts forth that a surviving dinosaur from the Mesozoic era had its DNA altered, becoming giant as a result of exposure to radiation from nuclear testing, the lack of any remains means that an established theory can not be arrived upon. Essentially, up until this point, people have not truly understood just what “that creature” was.
〇 All that remains is photography and film footage, but as these were taken at nighttime, the details are murky. For a complete picture of the beast, the public can only rely on artist’s impressions.
……Now, it’s been nearly 50 years since those dark days, and the Japanese people are beginning to forget about the disaster caused by Godzilla.
〇 In 1998, a monster resembling Godzilla assaults New York. The American government calls this creature “Godzilla.” The monster is eliminated by the US military.
〇 To this day, a debate continues to rage over whether this creature is the same as Godzilla. Firstly, its physical form was different, and its behavior was also strikingly unlike that from records of the Japanese Godzilla.
〇 The American “Godzilla” had a tremendously strong reproductive ability, with many hundreds of offspring hatching within only a short amount of time, although all are wiped out, leaving not a single egg behind.
….And yet, this does serve as a wake-up call.
In other words, it wouldn’t be surprising for any type of monster to appear at any time, at any place, and remains a creature for whom the attempt to define under modern taxonomy only results in contradictions.

 

Godzilla 2002 Proposal A

Takeue, a Japanese astronaut, experiences a crisis while in the orbit of a satellite.
Takeue is saved, hurriedly repatriated to Earth, and is hospitalized, but there’s something strange happening to his body.
〇 The Ujima Deep Sea Research Vessel is transversing the ocean floor when it discovers something massive, reporting this to the government.
Takeue speaks to his daughter, Yumi, of the need for to prepare for an oncoming threat – and then he disappears.
〇 An argument breaks out as to whether this colossal form could have been Godzilla.
In the Sea of Trees [translator’s note: Aokigahara] near Mt. Fuji, tourists catch sight of the mysterious monster, “M.”
〇 The Maritime Self Defense Forces is mobilized to research and mop up after Godzilla.
A scientific group investigates Monster M in the Sea of Trees.
〇 The Maritime Self Defense Forces engages in battle with Godzilla…… They attack Godzilla by sea and by air. However, the monster soon counterattacks, and then flees. Godzilla possesses a high level of intelligence.
Monster M attacks a farm, devouring cows.
〇 Godzilla comes on shore……The Self Defense Force uses Cobra attack helicopters to launch wave after wave of attack. Godzilla dives into the depths of the earth, fleeing. Yumi is convinced that Monster M is her father. She goes to make contact with Monster M in the Sea of Trees.
〇 The search for Godzilla proceeds with difficulty. None can know where he will next appear.
Yumi encounters Monster M. Although she cannot communicate with him via speech, M and Yumi are able to express themselves via their emotions.
〇 Godzilla suddenly appears in the subways…… The great metropolis is destroyed.
Monster M heads out with the intent of defeating Godzilla.
The Self Defense Force attacks Monster M. Yumi attempts to stop them.
The battle between Godzilla and M unfolds. M is wounded.
M returns to the Sea of Trees, communicating telepathically to Yumi’s heart.
〇 Godzilla’s reign of destruction continues unabated. Attacked and injured, he dives into the depths of the earth, fleeing.
〇 The search for Godzilla proves successful, and the final assault on the monster begins. Godzilla counterattacks.
M finds Godzilla and fights him, but Godzilla is victorious, and M perishes.
Yumi sacrifices her own life for that of M’s.
M is resurrected. He defeats Godzilla.
The Self Defense Force halts their attack on M. M disappears into the sea alongside Godzilla.

 

Godzilla 2002 Proposal B

Calamity strikes while Republic of Japan Air Force astronaut, Major Takeue, is in orbit above the planet Venus.
While Takeue is saved and hospitalized, something strange is happening to his body.
Numerous debates erupt over whether the existence of the Japanese space program, undertaken by the military, should be reconsidered.
〇 The naval deep sea exploration vessel is moving along the sea floor when it discovers a giant life form. The military reports this discovery to the government – despite the fact that the military lacks the legal right to make dictates to the government.
Major Takeue speaks to his daughter, Yumi, of a need to ready himself for a coming disaster, and then disappears.
〇 There is a theory that the giant life form is, in fact, Godzilla, but the bureaucrats in the government refuse to consider any information coming from those in the military. “They probably just want to avoid having their budget cut.”
In the Sea of Trees at Mt. Fuji, tourists catch sight of the mysterious monster “M.”
〇 The Navy independently mobilizes in order to research and mop up after Godzilla, while a scientific group investigates Monster M in the Sea of Trees.
〇 The battle between the Navy and Godzilla…… Godzilla is attacked at sea and from the air.
The government and the military engage in debate. The government asks why the military mobilized without receiving marching orders. Monster M attacks a farm, devouring cows.
〇 Godzilla comes ashore…The Self Defense Force uses attack helicopters to launch waves of attacks. Godzilla burrows into the earth, fleeing.
Yumi is convinced that Monster M is her father. She goes to make contact with Monster M in the Sea of Trees.
〇 The search for Godzilla proceeds with difficulty. None know where he will next appear.
Yumi encounters Monster M. Although she cannot communicate with him via speech, M and Yumi are able to express themselves via their emotions.
〇 Godzilla suddenly appears in the subways…… The great metropolis is destroyed. Monster M heads out to defeat Godzilla.
〇 The army attacks Monster M. Yuki attempts to stop them. Then the battle between Godzilla and M commences. M is brought down.
M returns to the Sea of Trees, reaching out to Yumi via its emotions.
〇 Godzilla’s destruction continues unabated. Attacked and hurt, he dives into the depths of the earth, fleeing.
〇 The search for Godzilla is successful, and the government orders the military to carry out a general assault. M finds Godzilla, in the midst of a counterattack, and battles him. Godzilla kills M.
Yumi sacrifices her own life for M.
M is resurrected. He defeats Godzilla.
The military stops their attacks on M. M disappears into the sea alongside Godzilla.

〇 The setting of the Democratic Republic of Japan (Japanese Republic for short)
In 1945, the Imperial Japanese Army was dissolved by the Allies, and the imperial system was abolished under the Occupation.
At current, the imperial family continues to exist as Shinto priests carrying out rituals in Zushi. They are greatly respected by the citizenry.
In 1950, the Democratic Republic of Japan is born alongside its new constitution. Simultaneously, the national military of Japan, under the supervision of the Allies, is born via the expulsion of those involved with the old imperial military. Following the Tokyo trials, in 1953, the allied nations completely withdraw from Japan. The Korean War does not occur, and the Korean peninsula remains united as a single peaceful nation.
Article 9, section 1 of the New Constitution extolls a total and unending renunciation of war as a result of international dispute, but in paragraph 2 it specifies maintenance of a minimum amount of military power in terms of land, sea, and air forces. The third paragraph declares neutrality and non-alignment, stating that Japan shall not become part of any alliance with other nations, leading Japan to attain the trust of the other world nations as early as 1954. So, it’s quite natural that there would be those who would say that Godzilla is the only reason the military budget isn’t being downsized.

 

Varan x Baragon x Anguirus
Giant Monsters All-Out-Attack: Godzilla 2002

〇 Internal briefing with the Self Defense Forces. Colonel Tachibana, of the General Staff for the Combined Land, Sea, and Air Forces, is speaking with over a hundred new graduates. The new recruits stand nervously at attention.
Colonel Tachibana: “In the 29th year of the Showa era, our country was attacked by Godzilla, and we were engaged in a terrible, injurious battle, the only true battle in which the Self Defense Force has used firearms since its establishment. In the fifty years since then, our country has gained great respect as a peaceful nation, and the threat of war from other places in the world has also grown more distant. It happens that at the end of the last century, beginning with the damage done on the American mainland by a giant life form bearing a striking resemblance to Godzilla, mysterious disasters have befallen a number of locations all over the world. According to experts, it is becoming all the more likely that he, Godzilla, shall again to attack our country, and we have now arrived at a time in which vigilant predictions will no longer be considered as enough.”
A nervous new navy recruit, Sugimura, is amongst the lineup listening to Tachibana.
〇 In the mountains of Yamaguchi Prefecture, a house collapses as a result of an earthquake. However, when the family runs out of the house, they see that it’s only their own home that his been damaged. Smoke is billowing up from the mountain opposite.
〇 The Coordinating Committee for Earthquake Prediction. Reports of localized earthquakes come in. The epicenters are shallow, and altogether unnatural. Scientist and journalist Yuri Arakawa pursues the story. The epicenters almost seem to be… moving.
〇 A navy deep sea research vessel discovers a giant life form moving across the seabed, and Sugimura says that this is probably the sort of thing they should tell the government about. However, the military lacks the rights to speak directly to the government, so his superior officers tell him that they must simply observe the situation for the time being.
〇 There is debate within the Naval General Staff over whether the giant life form could be Godzilla, but the state bureaucrats refuse to engage. “They probably just don’t want the military budget cut.” Colonel Tachibana angrily says that this is mere buffoonery. His aide, Takeda, hears this.
〇 Sugimura, in his uniform, attends an elementary school class reunion, grumbling to Yuri about how the higher ups just don’t understand. When they were young, the two were a recognized couple. Takeda arrives late, wearing civilian clothes. Sugimura reproaches him, asking “why didn’t you come in uniform?” Takeda response simply, “You ask questions like that to your own superiors?” Takeda joined the military when he graduated high school. Sugimura salutes; both laugh. The two have always liked military affairs, ever since they were children, leading them to be teased by their classmates. In reality, Takeda, Sugimura, and Yuri all stood out from amongst their classmates.
〇 A giant monster (Baragon) appears in a tunnel in Yamaguchi Prefecture, The Shinkansen bullet train is destroyed, and a great disaster unfurls. Multiple train cars collide, the screams of agony from the great disaster like something out of a painting of hell.
As the passengers look on, they see a giant, shining eye in the darkness.
〇 General staff headquarters. There is shock at the monster-caused disasters having originated not from the sea, but from deep in the mountains. Debate ensues as to whether or not Godzilla may already have come ashore.
〇 A part of Baragon is visible on a photograph captured by an amateur on a digital camera.
〇 An on-site inspection of the disaster area…… Yuri deduces that the attacking monster had not been Godzilla.
〇 A crazed old man speaks of his recollections…… He says that Godzilla is a vengeful ghost of the combined souls of those foreign soldiers killed by the Japanese in the Pacific War and the souls of those Japanese who died on the battlefield. At the same time, there is an ancient, vengeful spirit that has long slumbered within the earth of Yamato, and it too has awoken alongside the return of Godzilla. Yuri has a very hard time believing all this.
〇 An Air Force Phantom successfully photographs the monster from the skies.
〇 General Staff HQ analyzes the photographs….. “This is not Godzilla,” says Colonel Tachibana. A message comes in from abroad…… Godzilla has been spotted.
〇 An emergency cabinet meeting…… The navy is called upon to mobilize. The cabinet ministers are incredulous.
〇 A newspaper company……A great chaotic clamor pervades the halls of the company. Yuri is assigned to information collection, and heads out to the naval port.
〇 Sugimura, unsure of how to act, hugs Yuri tightly. Yuri is bewildered.
〇 The battle between the Navy and Godzilla…… They attack Godzilla from the seafloor and above the ocean waves, and yet Godzilla counterattacks, sending the Navy fleeing. It would appear that Godzilla has a high level of intelligence. Sugimura is injured.
〇 Elsewhere, Baragon attacks a provincial city, with the Army’s Cobras fighting back.
〇 Godzilla comes ashore at Ise Bay.
〇 The citizens take refuge…… Those who had once experienced disaster at the hands of Godzilla react. Young people react as well.
〇 Godzilla moves forward, heading in the direction of Baragon…… Does he intend to do battle?
〇 Yuri visits Sugimura in the hospital, then visits Takeda. “Sugimura said that I should go fight if I have time to come to a place like this.” In the hallway, Yuri also admits that it had always been Takeda that she had pined for. Takeda hardly takes notice, asking why she’s speaking of such foolish things.
〇 Combined Naval General Staff…… Strategy meeting. A plan is devised in which both monsters will be dealt with at the same time. However, the military must not destroy the city in the process. The staff officers are becoming irritated.
〇 Takeda offers to participate in the battle.
〇 In the urban area of Nagoya. Baragon moves subterraneanly at incredible speed, emerging to attack Godzilla. Thus, the military’s movements are delayed. For a single moment, Godzilla hesitates – but then he strikes the leaping Baragon with his tail, defeating him all too quickly. He crushes the monster underneath his massive feet.
The sounds of breaking bones and Baragon’s death knell reverberate throughout Japan.
〇 Earthquakes strike throughout the mountains…… A report comes in during the liaison committee.
〇 A lake in Fukushima Prefecture…… Waves rise up, and passengers on a fishing boat fall into the waters.
〇 Deep in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture…… The mountains crumble.
〇 An old man expresses his deepest thoughts…… That the guardian god of Yamato is heading towards Godzilla.
〇 A battalion of army tanks attempt to hinder Godzilla’s progress…… The tank corps suffers a crushing defeat, bathed in Godzilla’s atomic breath.
〇 Varan soars out of the lake. The tents of fishing tourists are swallowed up by the waves.
〇 Anguirus appears from the crumbling mountains, and Varan flies in the skies above the mountain.
〇 Varan attacks Godzilla at the foot of Mount Fuji, but faced with the monster’s power, makes a momentary retreat.
〇 An evacuation advisory goes out for the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan area.
〇 Anguirus and Godzilla smash into Tokyo. Varan arrives to assist, and a battle between three opponents begins.
〇 At a cabinet meeting, the option of calling upon the assistance of the American military is discussed, but the Prime Minister decided to fight using Japan’s own power.
〇 Takeda desperately strives to save Yuri, caught up in the battle between monsters.
〇 An insurmountably powerful Godzilla defeats Varan and Anguirus, but his wounds are deep, and he returns to the sea.

 

Varan X Baragon X Anguirus
Giant Monster All-Out-Attack: Godzilla 2002
PROT2ND

〇 Instructions are being given internally for the defense forces. General Staff for the Combined Land, Sea, and Air Forces Colonel Tachibana is speaking with over a hundred new graduates. The new recruits stand nervously at attention.
Colonel Tachibana: “In the 29th year of the Showa era, our country was attacked by Godzilla, and we were engaged in a terrible, injurious battle, the only true battle in which the Self Defense Force used firearms since its establishment. In the fifty years since then, our country has gained great respect as a peaceful nation, and the threat of war from other places in the world has also grown more distant. It happens that at the end of the last century, beginning with the damage done on the American mainland by a giant life form bearing a striking resemblance to Godzilla, mysterious disasters have befallen a number of locations all over the world. According to experts, it is becoming all the more likely that he, Godzilla, shall again attack our country, and we have now arrived at a time in which vigilant predictions will no longer be considered as enough.”
A nervous new navy man, Sugimura, is amongst the line.
〇 The new servicemen are deployed to the naval port at Yokosuka. Sugimura is amongst them. The new recruits board their long-admired undersea battleship, the Goten. The main title appears as the Goten leaves port in fine weather.
〇 In the mountains of Yamaguchi Prefecture, a house collapses as a result of an earthquake. However, when the family runs out of the house, they see that it’s only their own home that his been damaged. Smoke is billowing up from the mountain opposite.
〇 The Coordinating Committee for Earthquake Prediction. Reports of localized earthquakes come in. The epicenters are shallow, and altogether unnatural. Yuri Arakawa of the CS TV news crew pursues the story. The epicenter also seems to be moving.
〇 A lake in Fukushima Prefecture… Waves rise up, and passengers on a fishing boat fall into the waters.
〇 Upon the Pacific Ocean, the Goten spots a giant life form moving along the seabed. Sugimura, believing this is something worthy of reporting to the government, begins to write up such a report. However, because the military does not have the right to report to the government of its own volition, his superiors instruct him that the military will have to observe how the situation develops internally.
〇 Naval General Staff receives the report……. There is the possibility that the giant is Godzilla.
An argument over the potency of this creature takes place.
〇 The governmental bureaucrats refuse to play ball. “They probably just don’t want the military budget cut.” Colonel Tachibana angrily says that this is mere buffoonery. His aide, Takeda, hears this.
〇 Sugimura appears in his uniform to attend an elementary school reunion, complaining to Yuri about how the upper brass just doesn’t understand. The two were an officially recognized couple when they were kids. Takeda finally arrives, late and wearing civilian clothing. Sugimura reproaches him, asking “why didn’t you come in uniform?” Takeda response simply, “You ask questions like that of your own superiors?” Takeda joined the military when he graduated high school. Sugimura salutes; both laugh. The two have always liked military affairs, ever since they were children, leading them to be teased by their classmates. In reality, Takeda, Sugimura, and Yuri stood out from amongst their classmates.
〇 A monster (Baragon) appears in a tunnel in Hiroshima Prefecture, destroying the Shinkansen bullet train and causing massive damage. The bullet train is destroyed, and a great disaster unfurls. Multiple train cars collide, the screams of agony and the scene of the great disaster like something out of a painting of hell.
As the passengers look on, they see a giant, shining eye in the darkness.
〇 Naval General Staff. All present are shocked that the monster disasters have not originated from the sea, but from deep in the mountains. Debate ensues as to whether or not Godzilla may already have come ashore.
〇 A part of Baragon is visible on an image captured by an amateur using a digital camera.
〇 An on-site inspection of the disaster area…… Yuri deduces that the attacking monster was not, in fact, Godzilla.
〇 Yuri collects material for her reportage…… A crazed old man tells of his recollections…… He says that Godzilla is the vengeful ghost of enemies killed by Japan in the Pacific War, as well as the Japanese themselves who had been killed in the atomic bombings. At the same time, there is an ancient vengeful spirit that has long slumbered within the earth of Yamato, and it too has awoken alongside the return of Godzilla. Yuri has a very hard time believing all this – this won’t make for good TV.
〇 A military jet helicopter manages to successfully photograph the monster from the skies.
〇 General Staff HQ analyzes the photographs….. “This is not Godzilla,” says Colonel Tachibana. A message comes in from abroad…… Godzilla has been spotted.
〇 An emergency cabinet meeting…… The navy is called upon to mobilize. The cabinet ministers are incredulous.
〇 CS Station… Chaos, as up seems down and down seems up. Yuri is assigned to gather reportage materials that will ensure they reach international viewership greater even than CNN, and heads out to the navy port. Her chief editor is a woman who believes that ratings come before all else.
〇 Yokosuka…… Yuri has arrived to collect footage. Sugimura, unsure of how to act, hugs Yuri tightly. Yuri is bewildered.
〇 The Goten acts as the flagship of the pacific combined fleet naval task force. It comes into contact with the enemy, Godzilla, in the waters off of Minami-tori Island, and battle commences…… They attack Godzilla from the seafloor and above the ocean waves, and yet Godzilla counterattacks, sending the Navy fleeing. It would appear that Godzilla has a high level of intelligence. Sugimura is badly injured.
〇 Elsewhere, Baragon shows his full form, attacking a provincial city, with jet helicopters rushing to answer.
〇 Godzilla comes ashore at Ise Bay, raining down his atomic breath.
〇 The citizens take refuge…… Those who had once experienced disaster at the hands of Godzilla respond. Young people respond as well.
〇 Naval General Staff…… Godzilla moves forward, in the direction of Baragon…… Does he mean to do battle? It can’t be, thinks Yuri.
〇 Yuri visits Sugimura in the hospital, then visits Takeda. “Sugimura said that I should go fight if I have time to come to a place like this.” In the hallway, Yuri also admits that it had always been Takeda whom she had pined for. Takeda hardly takes notice, asking why she’s speaking of such foolish things.
〇 Combined Naval General Staff…… Strategy meeting. A plan is devised in which both monsters will be dealt with at the same time. However, the Defense Force must not destroy the city in the process. The staff officers are becoming irritated.
〇 Takeda offers to participate in the battle.
〇 The urban area of Nagoya. Baragon moves at incredible speed subterraneously, emerging to attack Godzilla. Thus, the military’s movements are delayed. For a single moment, Godzilla hesitates – but then he strikes the leaping Baragon with his tail, defeating him almost too quickly. He crushes the monster underneath his massive feet.
The sounds of breaking bones and Baragon’s death knell reverberate throughout Japan.
〇 Earthquakes strike throughout the mountains…… A report comes in during the meeting of the liaison committee.
〇 Deep in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture… the mountains crumble.
〇 Within a lake in Fukushima Prefecture…… waves begin to slosh about.
〇 An old man expresses his deepest thoughts…… that the guardian deity of Yamato is makings its way towards Godzilla.
〇 A battalion of army tanks attempt to hinder Godzilla’s progress, with its Maser cannons blasting forth…… The tank corps suffers a crushing defeat, bathed in Godzilla’s atomic breath.
〇 Varan soars out of the lake. The tents of fishing tourists are swallowed up by the waves.
〇 Anguirus appears from the crumbling mountains, and Varan flies in the skies above the peaks.
〇 Varan attacks Godzilla at the foot of Mount Fuji, but faced with the larger monster’s power, makes a momentary retreat.
〇 An evacuation advisory goes out for the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan area.
〇 Anguirus and Godzilla smash into Tokyo. Varan arrives to assist, and a battle between three opponents begins.
〇 At a cabinet meeting, the option of calling upon the assistance of the American military is discussed, but the Prime Minister decides that Japan will fight using its own power.
〇 Takeda desperately strives to save Yuri, caught up in this titanic battle between monsters.
〇 Insurmountably powerful, Godzilla defeats Varan and Anguirus, but his wounds are deep, and he returns to the sea.

Hirose and Yuri are brought to a research facility under military jurisdiction. There, researchers had been refining detailed plans for dealing with Godzilla. Yuri’s feelings begin to shift. The military is serious about dealing with Godzilla.

 

Godzilla 2002 ver.3

In the mountains of Yamaguchi Prefecture, an earthquake destroys a house. When the family runs out, they see that the only house that’s been damaged is their own. On the other side of the mountain, they can see billowing smoke.

Colonel Tachibana, the Head of Combined Land, Sea, and Air Forces General Staff, is giving a speech.
Boarding the Submersible Battleship (temporary name), outfitted with the newest technology, Sugimura heads out of port at Yokosuka Naval Station.

Yuri, a magazine editor at a sensationalist occult rag, is sent on a fact-finding mission regarding the strange incident in Yamaguchi Prefecture. A tourist bus with some dozens of passengers was involved in a landslide caused by the earthquake. A rescue team hurried to the site and began to dig up the debris, but not a single soul was found onboard the uncovered bus. Even the bodies were missing. The dozens of passengers had simply, abruptly, disappeared.
Standing in front of her editor-in-chief, who is quite excited over the idea that these passengers may have disappeared into another dimension, Yuri can’t help but feel depressed. Yuri does not believe even slightly in any variety of supernatural phenomena. She wants to figure out a way to transfer to the editing department of a normal magazine. It’s all she thinks of these days.

Elsewhere, the southwest Chugoku Region is experiencing frequent localized earthquakes. Yuri, having flown out to the area with a cameraman, speaks with police officers, rescue works, and villagers regarding the issue. At the scene of the accident, amidst the debris of the landslide, Yuri notices a large boulder with a strange form. The cameraman starts taking pictures.

Around the same time, at the bottom of the Pacific seafloor, a salvage operation is underway with the assistance of the Navy to raise a sunken seabed exploration vessel. Sugimura is taking part in the mission aboard a small detached operations vessel from the submersible battleship. There are huge claw marks on the hull of the sunken ship. Just as the operation is proceeding, the equipment on the support ship on the surface perceives a massive shadow moving across the ocean floor. Some giant thing swims past Sugimura, who is walking on the seabed, right in front of him. Sugimura’s eyes open wide.

Elsewhere, Yuri, having returned to the editing department, is told by her editor-in-chief to ask Takeda about his opinion regarding a strange boulder found in the landslide. Takeda is a researcher of ancient history and folklore who has provided numerous manuscripts for the magazine.

Yuri visits Takeda at his personal home. Takeda seems very happy to see Yuri. Takeda secretly has feelings for Yuri. However, Yuri, rather obtuse when it comes to matters of the heart, doesn’t notice Takeda’s feelings at all. Takeda, looking at the large boulder in the photograph, feels as though he’s seen this somewhere before, and tells Yuri that he’ll spend a little time looking into it.

Elsewhere, at Military General Headquarters, there ensues a debate over the high possibility that the giant life form that Sugimura had chanced to encounter is, in fact, Godzilla. The government bureaucrats treat this as nonsense being peddled by the Defense Force, whom they assume is simply avoiding having their military budget cut; they’e not willing to play ball. Colonel Tachibana flies into a rage. Alas, there’s nothing he can do.

That night, Sugimura takes advantage of a rare break from work to visit Yuri at her apartment.
The two are siblings. Sugimura gripes to Yuri about the top brass’s lack of understanding. He speaks of the high likelihood of Godzilla again attacking Japan. However, Yuri doesn’t believe in any of this. At Yuri’s magazine, whenever summer approaches, they put together a special feature on “Godzilla Returns to Attack Tokyo.” However, his actual arrival would be worthless to them.
During this discussion, Yuri receives a call from Takeda. He says he knows the true nature of the great boulder in the photograph. Yuri prepares to head out to hear Takeda’s story. Sugimura isn’t a fan of this. Even if it’s for work, going out at this time of night to meet a man all alone… More than anything, however, Sugimura just can’t stand Takeda. He doesn’t have a steady job, despite the two of them being the same age, and he spends all his time doing research on what others might consider a mere hobby. As a man, could anything be worse?

Yuri speaks to Takeda, with whom she’s met up. The giant boulder belongs to a certain shrine in Kumamoto, on the island of Kyushu. It is a local god worshipped by the local villagers, who call the god by the name “Baradagi.” When he looked into it, Takeda found that the great boulder was said to have disappeared during a landslide in an earthquake some weeks earlier. However, could it really be that the boulder, encountered deep within the mountains of Kumamoto, had been discovered across the Shimonoseki Straits in Yamaguchi?
Just then, a message comes in that Takeda’s mentor, Professor Isayama, has been arrested by the police. A few years previous, Professor Isayama had suddenly quit his job at a university and gone missing. He knew more about ancient history than Takeda himself. Takeda and Yuri head towards the police station, believing Isayama might know something about the great boulder.

Takeda and Isayama reunite at the police station.
Isayama looks nothing like he once did, now appearing like some drifter. His eyes are hollow, and he’s muttering, as if incanting some spell. In his hands he delicately clasps a stone flute, an ancient holy treasure. According to the police’s explanation, Isayama had snuck into a shrine, and had been in the act of what looked like prayer when he was arrested for breaking and entering. Just what had Isayama been attempting to do?

Isayama, released, tells them.
Godzilla is a vengeful ghost composed of those enemy soldiers killed by Japan during the Pacific War, and of the Japanese victims of the atomic bombs. Against the monster stands the vengeful local spirits that have slumbered in Yamato since ancient time. Isayama was trying to awaken those gods in anticipation of Godzilla’s return. In order to protect Japan, and to defeat Godzilla, the guardian deities of Yamato must be awakened.
Takeda wonders if perhaps Isayama had been carrying out a ceremony calling forth the gods to return to this mortal plain, forbidden within the Shinto faith. Yuri just wants him to give this foolishness a rest.

Just then, far away, a tunnel collapse occurs in Hiroshima Prefecture. A giant life form had suddenly appeared in the tunnel. The motorcycles and hots rods of a biker gang are caught up in the disaster. Dozens of cars crash into each other, and the agonizing cries of the passengers are like something out of an ancient painting of Hell. A single surviving youth witnesses a giant eye shining in the darkness.

Military General Staff, shocked that the monster-caused disaster had come not from the sea but from the mountains, is in a state of chaos. Could it be that Godzilla had already come ashore…?

Around that time, an Air Force jet helicopter in the skies above the Chugoku Region succeeds in photographing the giant life form. General Staff HQ analyzes the photographs. Colonel Tachibana concludes this is not Godzilla.

Elsewhere, Takeda is engaging in his own deductions. On a map, he connects the lines between the epicenters of the various swarms of earthquakes in the Chugoku Region. After beginning with Kumamoto in Kyushu, they shift eastward. Then, suddenly, in the case of the tour bus that disappeared in Yamaguchi, there’s the scene of the tunnel collapse disaster in Hiroshima. Could it be that the guardian deity of Yamato, Baradagi, had been revived, just as Isayama said? Yuri finds this story exceedingly hard to believe. Sugimura laughs, as though he’s been made to feel like an idiot. He says that the only people who can defend this country are they, themselves – there is no one else to rely on.

Sugimura has been called up, and is heading towards the naval port at Yokosuka.
Yuri gives him a concerned look.
At that very moment, a typhoon is approaching…

The strategy is to defeat Godzilla at sea. He can’t use his atomic breath while underwater. A specially armored torpedo with a pointed drill design (or, perhaps, something of an even more superior military aspect) will be launched at Godzilla. Once the torpedo has twisted itself deeply into Godzilla’s body, it can be detonated remotely, causing the beast to be ripped apart from the inside.

The naval task force of the Pacific Combined Fleet approaches the enemy, Godzilla, in the waters off of the island of Minamitori Island; their attack begins. However, Godzilla’s skin proves to be tougher than envisioned, and the specialized torpedo proves useless. Godzilla appears from amidst the rough seas, beset by the typhoon, beginning his counterattack. Battered by wave and wind, the battleship is at a disadvantage while at sea. Attempting to fight from an advantageous position, Godzilla fights from the ocean surface, avoiding diving into the depths. The submersible battleship surfaces, forced to engage, and suffers a crushing defeat. Sugimura is also gravely injured. Godzilla disappears into the depths, diving towards the ocean floor. Godzilla, we see, is highly intelligent.

At that same time, Baragon shows himself in his totality, attacking a provincial city. A jet helicopter unit engages in an energetic response attack, but against the berserk fighting instinct showcased by Baragon, they stand no chance. Seemingly planning to head towards Baragon, Godzilla comes ashore at Ise Bay, moving forward while spraying his atomic breath all about. Does Godzilla intend to do battle with Baragon?

A strategy meeting of the Combined Military General Staff. The plan is to take out both creatures in one fell swoop. And yet, they cannot allow any urban spaces to be destroyed in the process. The staff officers begin to feel frustrated.

Yuri hears the news of the appearance of Baragon. She’s unsure if this could be the creature called forth by Isayama, but at the very least she is now forced to confront the reality of the creature’s existence.
Yuri and Takeda visit Isayama’s apartment. However, Isayama is nowhere to be seen.
The two, having entered the room, find a photograph of a family amidst the grand collection of documents related to ancient history. Isayama had lost his wife and child during the Godzilla disaster of 1954.

Godzilla has cut across Nara, and is now within the urban area of Osaka. Baragon travels through the depths of the Earth at incredible speed, attacking Godzilla. The two monsters engage in titanic battle on either side of Osaka Castle. Godzilla, overwhelmingly strong, rips off one of Baragon’s ears. He drags Baragon from the earth as the other monster attempts to escape into the depths, and kills the creature in a rain of blows. In the last moments of its life, Baragon lets out its death knell. Godzilla then heads out to Osaka Bay, disappearing into the waves.

Just around that time, in Tokyo:
Hearing that Sugimura has been gravely injured, Yuri and Takeda go to visit him at the hospital.
Yuri discusses the story of the guardian deity of Yamato, but Sugimura, of course, does not believe in any of it.
Takeda expresses his doubts over fighting. He says that fighting never solves anything.

The naval radar catches the shadow of Godzilla as he moves across the surface of the Pacific in the direction of Tokyo.
An evacuation order goes out for the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan area.

While the people begin their evacuation, Yuri and Takeda search for Isayama. He hasn’t returned to his apartment. Had he already fled? The two of them discover three small stone statues left at the inner shrine at where Isayama had first been arrested. One statue was said to be an object possessed by the god of the shrine, carved by Isayama himself, allowing the god to move about.
Could this mean that Baragon is not the sole guardian beast?
Could Isayama have called forth three separate guardian deities?
Takeda mutters, looking at the statue. Baradagi, Angira…
Just then, an earthquake hits.

Deep in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, horrible shaking occurs; mountains crumble, revealing Anguirus.

At a lake in Fukushima Prefecture, the surface of the lake roils as Varan flies upwards from the depths.

Yuri and Takeda, trying to find Isayama, finally catch sight of him; he’s standing motionless, looking out towards Tokyo Bay.
He believes that Varan and Anguirus will meet their enemy, Godzilla, together.
They can see, far off in the distance, Godzilla making his threatening approach.
Takeda and Yuri attempt to flee, bringing Isayama with them.
Just then, a storehouse collapses behind them. Anguirus has arrived. Already, above them flies Varan. Takeda’s hands won’t stop shaking, and Isayama runs away as soon as he catches sight of these two beasts. Pinned under debris from a falling building, he meets his end.
Godzilla comes ashore.
The oceanfront area is destroyed. The industrial complexes burn. Anguirus and Varan begin their heroic battle.

At a cabinet meeting, the option of requesting assistance from the American military is weighed, but the Prime Minister chooses to fight under Japan’s own power.
Takeda, out of his element, flees with Yuri by car. However, on the landward side of the bay they encounter the skyward-twisting flames of the burning industrial complexes. All of their methods of egress have been blocked off.
The Self Defense Force attack commences.
Yuri calls Sugimura’s cell phone. She says they’ve missed their chance to flee.

Just then, Sugimura, having slipped out of the hospital, is on his way to Yokosuka naval port.
He wants to save Yuri. However, he has his own duties.
Sugimura entrusts Yuri’s safety to Takeda. “Please, protect Yuri. I’m counting on you…”
Takeda grips the steering wheel, fleeing into the closed Aqua-Line.

Godzilla fights Anguirus and Varan in the coastal area of Kawasaki. It’s a massive, three-way battle.
The entrance to the Aqua-Line collapses.
Interior of the car in which Takeda and Yuri are fleeing via the tunnel. A surge of seawater is pursuing them from behind. Takeda pushes down on the axel like a madman, and yet they’re still swallowed up by the water. The two break through their car doors, escaping. While being swept away by the current, the two somehow manage to cling onto an exhaust tower.

At the Self Defense Force Yokosuka Naval Port, Colonel Tachibana is boarding the submersible battleship, whose exterior is still in a state of repair. Sugimura, having slipped out of the hospital, comes running up, and also boards the vessel. The submersible battleship launches from the dock.

Anguirus drags Godzilla, who has defeated Varan, into the sea. Their battle continues under the waves.
The submersible battleship rushes forward. Anguirus bites onto Godzilla’s neck as the monster is trying to surface; Godzilla tries to pull him off. However, Anguirus stubbornly refuses to let go. Besides the two beasts, locked in a grapple, stands the exhaust tower, which protrudes from the seafloor to above the waters. Inside of it, Takeda and Yuri are trying desperately to escape.

The submersible battleship also goes on the attack. They aim for Godzilla’s head using specially armored torpedos. Since attacking his tough skin will do no good, they instead aim for his mouth. However, the last shot is fired without ever quite hitting the mark. Godzilla finally defeats Anguirus. Anguirus, sent flying, smashes into the Aqua-Line exhaust tower. Takeda and Yuri are expelled into the ocean.

On the battleship’s bridge, Sugimura sights Takeda and Yuri in the ocean.
Takeda and Yuri grasp onto the submersible battleship.
The submersible battleship immediately surfaces.
The submersible battleship floats on the surface of Tokyo Bay.
Yuri and Takeda are holding tight to the ship’s hull. They’ve somehow been saved.
Sugimura confirms that they’re none the worse for wear.
However, the ship is now out of weaponry. At this rate, will the SDF be forced to admit defeat…?
Sugimura disobeys Colonel Tachibana, exiting the ship’s bridge in haste.
Sugimura boards a small operations craft, blasting off into the sea.

Alone, Sugimura heads for Godzilla. He uses the craft’s manufacturing manipulators to retrieve the launched special torpedoes sticking out of the seabed. The craft grasps on to one of the torpedoes. Then, he requests a remote detonation from Colonel Tachibana. The countdown begins. Sugimura throws the munitions towards the opening of the wound Anguirus left on Godzilla’s neck. He manages to get out just in time. The torpedo flies into the open wound. Then, an explosion-!

On the surface, we see the oscillation from the explosion and hear the roaring of Godzilla’s final moments.
And what happened to Sugimura?
Sugimura surfaces in front of Takeda, Yuri, and Colonel Tachibana, all standing on the ship’s deck, anxiously awaiting his return.