Biollante ビオランテ

With Godzilla cast into Mt. Mihara, sealed away within the molten chamber of the mountain, Japan could breathe a sigh of relief. While civilians dealt with the emotional and physical trauma inflicted upon them by the radioactive leviathan, the government swiftly raced to assess the aftermath.

Delving into the radiation-laced ruins of the city, hazmat workers and cleanup crews went to work, managing to recover a skin sample of Godzilla in the process. However, the Japanese government wasn't the only ones interested in the aftermath of the tragedy. Hired mercenaries working for the corporation Bio-Major scoured the city in search of the leviathan’s tissue samples, eventually finding a skin sample of their own. After a chase and gun-fight with Japanese workers, the agents found themselves on the other end of a gun belonging to the Saradian Agent SSS9. 

The G-Cells were soon in possession of the Saradian government, who intended on using them to make their nation the world’s leader in exporting grain. Enlisting the brilliant professor Shiragami to make crops that could endure the harsh deserts of Saradia, the middle-eastern nation was poised to enter the world center stage.

Unfortunately, Saradia hadn't anticipated retaliation for seizing Godzilla's genetic material. Shortly after setting up a facility to work on the G-Cells, the area was decimated from the explosion of a bomb. This not only destroyed the G-Cells, but also took the life of Professor Shiragami’s daughter, Erika. Saradia’s dreams of becoming a superpower were dashed, and Shiragami was left utterly crushed.

Five years passed, the heartbroken father desperately trying to keep his daughter alive after implanting her DNA into those of the roses she cared for and cherished so much. It seemed to have been a fruitless effort, the psychic Miki Saegusa detecting nothing from them, until she left and heard a voice calling out.

When an earthquake struck and threatened to destroy the roses containing the last remnants of his daughter, Shiragami decided to accept the request from the Japanese government he had denied previously. That request was to help them use Godzilla’s cells to create an Anti Nuclear Energy Bacteria, a creation that could cleanse nuclear disaster sites and counter Godzilla should he ever return. Shiragami only gave one condition in return for his services: to let him keep the G-Cells in his lab for one week.

With his request granted, Shiragami spliced Godzilla's genetic material into those of the roses bearing his daughter’s genes. That night, Bio-Major agents broke into his lab, determined to take the G-Cells. They found more than they anticipated as they came across the documents for the ANEB (Anti-nuclear Energy Bacteria). As it turned out, though, the Saradian Agent had also been tasked with this same assignment of recovering the genetic material. Discovering the Bio-Major agents already at the lab, both parties get into a gunfight.

The battle was interrupted when flailing tendrils of plant matter emerged from the lab, ensnaring one of the Bio-Major men and dragging him to his doom. SSS9 was also grabbed, but managed to cut himself free, leaving him unscathed. Following the conflict, the shambling hybrid smashed through the wall of the lab as it made its way towards nearby Lake Ashi.

The next morning, investigation of the ransacked lab revealed the severed tendril, prompting Shiragami to confess his actions.

Soon, all eyes fell upon Lake Ashi, the area covered in a light fog due to a rising temperature in the air from the unfathomable growth that was occurring in the water. That growth took the shape of a towering plant, shifting with conscious movement, topped with a colossal rosebud. The soul of a human rested inside the behemoth. As the chimera cried out, her creator stepped forward and named his daughter’s new form: Biollante.

Meanwhile, Bio-Major soon released Godzilla from Mt. Mihara, following a failed attempt to attain the ANEB in return for not releasing the nuclear menace. Free once more, the leviathan set a course towards Japan to resume his rampage. Despite all the time the JSDF had spent preparing itself for this day, without the ANEB that had been recently stolen by SSS9, they remained as powerless against Godzilla as they did five years ago.

In a surprise turn of events, Biollante soon began calling out to Godzilla, his presence irritating her as she damaged a dock while spreading her tendrils all throughout the lake. Miki, using her psychic abilities, could also no longer detect Erika as she had earlier, with Biollante's more beast-like nature taking control. Shiragami speculated that due to being made from the same DNA, this new genetic creation was naturally drawn to Godzilla.

It wasn't long before the two colossi met, the JSDF content to watch the battle unfold as they recovered and strategized. Biollante made the first move, sending her tendrils forth and ensnaring Godzilla by the throat and arms. More of her limbs rushed out and wrapped around the leviathan, dragging him towards her. Not even the raw strength of the ebony reptilian could break him free.

Despite a strong initial offensive, though, the tide of battle changed in an instant. Godzilla’s spines flashed blue, an Atomic Ray racing from his mouth and lancing into Biollante’s stem. The chimera seized as her body began to wither, petals the size of houses falling from the rosebud and into the water. Her cell division was damaged and warped by the energy of her originator’s attack, leaving her rapidly deteriorating.

Vines now tipped with snarling jaws raced forth, biting down on Godzilla’s hide and spraying acidic sap upon his form. They were swiftly destroyed by his beam as well, one being crushed between his teeth. Another blast of his fury swept over the gathering of Biollante’s vines, shredding them and filling Lake Ashi with scattered fluids and burnt debris.

Feebly, the colossal rose put up a wall of tendrils to shield her body, but this too was destroyed as another Atomic Ray pierced her. Throbbing core bursting in a spray of ichor as fire consumed her, Biollante wailed in anguish as she dissolved into a cloud of glowing spores. The golden lights trailed up into the dark sky, disappearing from sight.

Shiragami remarked that his creation was truly immortal, as Godzilla continued on, seeking a source of radiation to plunder to resupply his drained body. Meanwhile, in the atmosphere away from prying eyes, a metamorphosis began within the hybrid.

• Portrayed by Masao Takegami, who sat within the trunk area on a platform. The actor would enter through a slit in the back.
• In Japanese generally Biollante's first form is referred to as "花獣" (Hana Kemono), which is how it appears in the Toho Special Effects: All Kaiju Illustrated Encyclopedia (ISBN: 9784096820902). This translates as "Flower Beast". In English, the name is more diverse in how it appears. "Flower Beast" is used in Godzilla Battle Line, but it's called a "Rose (Larval Stage)" in The Official Godzilla Compendium (ISBN: 0679888225), her "Plant Form" in Godzilla Defense Force and just her "Flower Form" for the Movie Monster Series toy release.
• In the film, upon seeing the creature in Lake Ashi, Doctor Shiragami names it Biollante. He cites this as being based on Norse mythology. However, there is no similarly named figure in the Norse pantheon. For the international dubbing, the exact line is: "Biollante. A spirit of the plant in Norse mythology. Only this plant has a human spirit."
• In this stage, Biollante is primarily composed of plant cells. She does, however, have animal-like muscle tissue that is located in appendages, including the giant leafs situated below her flower head. This is shown in the 1992 publication The Ultimate Godzilla Monster Illustration Super Encyclopedia (ISBN: 4063042790).
• Biollante's mass in her Flower Beast form varies dramatically as she continues to grow. This is often, but not always, shown as a range from 60,000 to 100,000 tons, with an example of it appearing in the Picturebook of Godzilla & All Monsters (ISBN: 9784065234914).
• The Giant Picture Encyclopedia of Godzilla: Toho Special Effects Movie World (ISBN: 4873765587) lists the powers for Biollante's flower form as: vines, trunk, roots, tentacle attack and strong acidic solution. The listing of trunk and roots here is odd, as neither seemed to be an offensive weapon or power other than how they grew rapidly.
• It's mentioned that the fog that developed around Lake Ashi was due to the rapid growth of Biollante that actually caused the nearby temperature to rise. Noted in Heisei Godzilla Chronicle (ISBN: 4873763193).
• Godzilla Movie Studio Tour notes, in English, that Biollante had an unstable cellular structure. While this was a weakness in its flower form, the computer game credits the exposure to Godzilla's ray as triggering a mutation which would result in it becoming its final form.
• In the movie, Biollante takes residence in a real world lake located in the Hakone area of the Kanagawa Prefecture in Honshu, Japan. Called "芦ノ湖" (Ashinoko), this body of water is often translated as Hakone Lake, Lake Ashi and Lake Ashinoko. Toho, though, seems to translate it as "Lake Ashi", which is what they used in English for the Godzilla 1989 bio found in Godzilla Battle Line.
• At the end of the battle in Lake Ashi, the Biollante Flower Beast prop was actually set on fire. Meant to give a realistic portrayal of this form's defeat by Godzilla, this also meant that the prop was destroyed for this scene. Referenced in Heisei Godzilla Chronicle (ISBN: 4873763193).
• A scene was filmed but unused following Biollante ascent into the sky as spores. The scene shows fields of flowers suddenly blooming around Lake Ashi as Biollante leaves the area.
• A vastly different version of Biollante was pitched in an earlier draft. This Biollante was focused on assimilation of its victims, transforming them into plants. Concept art shows this being done to humans, changing them into zombie-like plant people. Concept work was also done showing Biollante attempting to transform Godzilla into a plant. Discussed in Heisei Godzilla Chronicle (ISBN: 4873763193).
  
  

As the JSDF hurried to deal with the now unopposed Godzilla and prevent a nuclear disaster, Biollante began to change form in the atmosphere above. Following exposure to Godzilla's atomic ray, the creature was going through a sudden transformation, one which saw its animal qualities start to become dominate instead of its plant genetics. No one knew what was occurring, except for the psychic Miki who drew an image of a massive rosebud floating through space.

Back on Earth, Godzilla tore through tanks firing upon him as the ANEB (Anti-nuclear Energy Bacteria) injected inside his body was slowly taking effect. Despite this and the full might of the JSDF against him, Godzilla advanced onward. As the nuclear menace continued toward a nuclear power plant, dark clouds above began to flash.

A cascade of glowing spores fell like snow, disrupting the electrical signals of the military operation occurring at that moment. Godzilla watched on in confusion, as the light show then subsided and all was silent for a moment. The ground then shuddered with movement beneath, splitting open to birth Biollante’s new form, to the horror of all watching.

A colossus of plant matter, making even the mighty Godzilla look diminutive before her. Instead of the beautiful head of a rose, she now bore snarling jaws laced with teeth and tusks, piercing eyes staring at her genetic progenitor.

Immediately, dozens of tendrils raced forth, but Godzilla unleashed his nuclear might to decimate them. His Atomic Ray crashed against Biollante’s body, but instead of the adverse reaction like before, the Plant Beast form was equipped to withstand such an assault.

The bionic super beast suddenly surged forwards, the ground being torn asunder as her root-like legs pulled her forth, a sea of vines flailing towards their target. Godzilla’s hand and shoulder were run through by these vines, flesh and bone being pierced by the new form of the chimera. He pulled the spear-like tendrils from his hand, now coated with acid from the organic weapon. A fanged vine then began to constrict Godzilla, only to be erased by the leviathan’s nuclear pulse that it unleashed.

Biollante’s assault was relentless however, and she retaliated with her own ranged weapon. Her orange core flashed with energy as emerald light coursed over her form. Godzilla roared in agony as a tide of acidic sap was vomited upon him, blanketing his upper body in it. As Godzilla stumbled, Biollante's colossal jaws came down, crunching onto her foe’s skull. However, Godzilla was able to loosen her grip by firing his atomic ray. Once free, Godzilla reared up and discharged a stream of nuclear energy down her throat. The back of Biollante’s head burst open, sending scattered fragments of bone and plant-matter soaring.

Despite the damage inflicted upon both, they seemed equally ready to continue the battle as their respective regenerative powers kept working, only for Godzilla to suddenly turn away. He staggered towards the ocean, falling face-first into the waves and lying unconscious. The ANEB had done its job, the atomic menace was neutralized.

With Godzilla’s defeat, Biollante began to dissolve, returning to space in the form of countless spores. As she ascended once more, the face of Erika Shiragami manifested in the lights, giving her father and her close friend Asuka one last warm smile before disappearing from the Earth for good.

• Portrayed by Shigeru Shibasaki and Yoshitaka Kimura. The actors would have to crawl inside through a very small opening found on the back at the base. In addition, a crew of 20 used 32 piano wires to help animate Biollante. Mentioned in Godzilla 1954-1999 Super Complete Works (ISBN: 4091014704).
• In Japanese frequently Biollante's final form is referenced as "植獣" (Shoku Kemono), which is how it appears in the Toho Special Effects: All Kaiju Illustrated Encyclopedia (ISBN: 9784096820902). This translates as "Plant Beast". In English, it appears with this name in both Godzilla Battle Line and on her Magic the Gathering card from Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths. Different English names include "Plant Monster", used for Godzilla for the Playstation 3 and Playstation 4, and "Bio Biollante", seen on the 1992 Bandai figure.
• The creation of this form is triggered by absorbing Godzilla's nuclear energy that was given off by his atomic ray, following exposure in its Flower Beast form. Noted in Special Graphix Godzilla vs. Biollante (No ISBN).
• At this stage, Biollante is primarily composed of animal cells. It does still contain plant cellular material, though, in its root system. This is showcased in the 1992 publication The Ultimate Godzilla Monster Illustration Super Encyclopedia (ISBN: 4063042790).
• The chosen design for Biollante's final form was created with the idea that the climax would take place in the water, with its root system going directly into the water. Noted in Shinji Nishikawa: Drawing Book of Godzilla (ISBN: 480030959X).
• Biollante's Plant Beast form was planned to be stationary right up until filming had started. It was special effects director Koichi Kawakita who during production decided it would be more impressive if Biollante charged at Godzilla. This was achieved through creating a rail system that allowed the suit/prop to move on camera. Discussed in Godzilla Movie Chronicle 1954-1998: Godzilla Days (ISBN: 4087488152).
• The Giant Picture Encyclopedia of Godzilla: Toho Special Effects Movie World (ISBN: 4873765587) lists the powers for Biollante's Plant Beast form as: biting with its mouth and strong acidic solution.
• The Official Godzilla Compendium (ISBN: 0679888225) cites Biollante's final form's powers as: spines, radioactive acidic sap spray, choking vines. The "spines" power seems a little odd, but could be in reference to its spear-like tendrils.
• Biollante's acidic sap spray was said to be strong enough to dissolve diamonds. This is an incredible feat as normally a diamond's carbon atoms are too densely packed together for the Hydrogen ions to be able to dissolve it through contact with acid. This is referenced in The Ultimate Godzilla Monster Illustration Super Encyclopedia (ISBN: 4063042790) and should be noted that it's specific to the sap spray released from Biollante's main mouth rather than its vines.
• Wanting to follow Eiji Tsuburaya's example of not featuring blood from the monsters in his films, special effects director Koichi Kawakita elected not to depict Godzilla bleeding in the 1989 film. Instead he decided to have Biollante's spear-like tendrils be able to secrete acid sap as they pierce Godzilla, which visually would still look painful on screen. Brought up in All Toho Monsters Pictorial Book (ISBN: 4800303621). Worth noting that Kawakita would later abandoned this notion, as Battra would bleed in Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992) and Godzilla would be seen bleeding in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993). Also worth bringing up that there are exceptions to Tsuburaya's "no blood" philosophy in movies he is credited for, such as King Ghidorah bleeding in Destroy All Monsters (1968).
• Originally at the very end of the battle, it was planned that Biollante would swallow Godzilla, transforming into a giant rose afterwards. She would then have changed into spores that would travel upward into the sky, leaving behind an incapacitated Godzilla. This was achieved through mixing hand drawn animation with live action footage. The resulting look for this scene was deemed inadequate and as a result was cut. In the final film, Godzilla instead stumbles off, succumbing to the ANEB, while Biollante dissipates into spores far away from the King of the Monsters. Discussed in Heisei Godzilla Encyclopedia 1984-1995 (ISBN: 4575295051).
• During Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) the characters present a theory that either Biollante or Mothra led to the creation of SpaceGodzilla through bringing G-Cells into outer space. However, the English codex entry in Godzilla Defense Force mentions that the source was actually Mothra.
• The suit/prop for Biollante's final form was three meters in height. Documented in Godzilla 1954-1999 Super Complete Works (ISBN: 4091014704).