Godzilla ゴジラ [Reiwa Era]

Known as "Godzilla" by Goro Maki, the biology professor who first discovered the creature. This name was derived from the term "Gojira" from Odo Island, meaning "God Incarnate". 60 years ago unregulated dumping of radioactive materials was occurring off the coast of Japan. An ancient marine mammal suddenly found itself surrounded by radioactive material. The creature proceeded to rapidly mutate into an organism that could withstand.

In present day Tokyo Bay, offshore of Haneda, a pleasure boat called the Glory-maru was found adrift. The coast guard vessel PC16 Hamanami was sent to investigate, with three members of the guard going aboard. However, the ship appeared to be deserted, with signs of someone's personal effects but no one currently onboard. Shortly afterwards, the ship became quickly covered in a burning steam before a giant eruption emanated from below the water's surface, destroying the boat and the PC16 Hamanami.

Far below the surface, an incident occurred at the Tokyo Aqua-line Tunnel. Reported as a leak, a mysterious, red fluid collided with traffic there. The government responded by shutting down the tunnel and beginning to evacuate those stuck inside. Meanwhile above the surface, a large pillar of steam bellowed into the sky while the nearby water boiled and turned red.

The Japanese government heightened the situation, blocking air and sea travel in the area. Reports start to pour in of anomalies. First, those in the Aqua-line Tunnel begin to hear footsteps of a giant being on the seafloor above the tunnel. Second, footage captured from cell phones start to surface of some sort of creature moving in the waters, obscured by the immense volume of steam. The government scoffs at the reports, believing it to be either a large thermal vent or a previously undiscovered volcano, while noting that no toxic gases are present in the area. However, as the volume of steam decreases, a giant tail emerges from the water, forcing the realization of a mammoth creature in Tokyo Bay.

Called a "giant unidentified life form" by the government, the vapor cloud, signaling the beast's movement, travels toward the Tama River. The creature causes flooding on the Bayshore Expressway, before venturing into populated areas. This includes pushing a wave of boats and water through the Nomi River in the Ota Ward. This causes the destruction of the Asahi Bridge and untold damage to the area around it. During this process, the creature has developed a series of a large, sharp dorsal fins that stick above the surface as the large body moves through the more shallow waters. The monster continues to move further down the river, destroying the New Nomi Bridge while pushing more water to the nearby neighborhoods.

The government sees it as impossible for the beast to come ashore, going as far as to project its fin-like feet would be crushed under its own weight. As a result, they hold a press conference to calm the public. The prime minister uses the opportunity to assure the nation that the beast can't come on land... only for the monster to mutate and venture on land at Kamata in the Ota Ward.

• During Comic Con 2019 in San Diego, Toho crafted a display that broke down the various Godzilla eras by names. This included:
  - Showa Era
  - Heisei Era
  - Millennium Era
  - Reiwa Era
  - Hollywood Productions
  For the "Reiwa Era", Shin Godzilla was counted along with the Anime Godzilla series that started with Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017).
• Noted as the first form of "Godzilla 2016", literally ゴジラ2016 (第一形態) (Gojira 2016 Dai Ichi Keitai). The card series Battle Spirits Trading Card Game refers to the beast's water form instead as シン・ゴジラ(第1形態) (Shin Gojira Dai 1 Keitai).
• The first form of Godzilla makes no audible roars during the movie. However, it does utilize the original foot stomping sound effects from Godzilla (1954) while the creature is above the Tokyo Aqua-line Tunnel.
  
  

Chaos ensued at Kamata.

The unidentified creature had evolved to a state where it could travel on land. Hundreds stood in its way, as the citizens of Japan abandoned their vehicles to escape on foot to avoid being trampled by the lumbering beast. Moving hunched over and close to the ground, Godzilla lumbered through the streets toward Shinagawa. Its advancement was slow, at a speed of 13 kilometers per hour. Waving unsightly, bony growths that existed behind its head, the mutated beast used its legs to slowly propel it forward. Still adapting to its surroundings, the creature's gills produced a red fluid that dumped onto the streets, revealing the source of the red water in its first form. Unknown to the public, the beast was also leaving behind radioactive contaminant where it traveled.

Projected to reach Tokyo in three hours, the government debated on a course of action to address the creature. The MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) and MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) set up evacuation zones and civilian transport as part of their first response. This deteriorated into a self-evacuation program as congested traffic in Shinagawa shut down most other efforts.

As civilians evacuated on foot, Godzilla breached Shinagawa. Snaking its body back and forth, the monster pushed and knocked away the abandoned vehicles that littered the street. As it continued its advance, the creature became more aggressive in its new form. Climbing and, consequently, collapsing an apartment building in its path, the creature's devastating impact expanded as casualties mounted.

Bringing in the Public Safety Commission, the debate started about deploying the self defense force to combat the monster. A reluctant prime minster agreed and the Nerima First Division was dispatched. Their first plan of action was sending a squad of four AH-1S attack helicopters. However, before the squad could arrive, Godzilla momentarily collapsed on the ground. The creature's body began to shake as its skin turned a ghastly red, signaling a disturbed transformation into its third form.

• Is the only form of the 2016 Godzilla to have mostly new sound effects, both for the odd noise that occurs when the fluids leave its neck area and its footsteps.
• Called the second form of "Godzilla 2016", literally ゴジラ2016 (第二形態) (Gojira 2016 Dai Ni Keitai), on merchandise such as the Bandai figure of the character. For the S.H. MonsterArts release, this form is noted as "Godzilla (2016) The Second Form". A slight variant to these is found on the card series Battle Spirits Trading Card Game refers which uses シン・ゴジラ(第2形態) (Shin Gojira Dai 2 Keitai).
• The initial forms of Godzilla were kept a secret during production and initial release. As a result, most publications released around the film's debut either skip the early forms or don't include stats for them. However, during the movie a document of specs is handed to the Unidentified Creature Response Special Task Force. This document cites the second form as 120 meters long and lists unknown for the first form. The Art of Shin Godzilla (ISBN: 490503308X), however, clarifies that the length was 122 meters long. In addition, the model is placed inside a grid for size comparison. Using this, the second form is about 28 meters tall from the ground to the tallest dorsal fin and 18 meters from the ground to the top of his head.
• The monster's distinctive red gills are reminiscent of the deep sea frilled shark. This marine animal was first found in Tokyo Bay by German ichthyologist Ludwig Doderlein.
  
  

As Godzilla's body shivered, the monster went through a frightening metamorphosis. Its sandy, beige appearance turned to a burnt red, while its skin stretched, revealing bloody tissue below the surface.

Increasing its size by over 40%, the monster bellowed a roar, pushing air through its lungs. With depreciated gills, the monster stood upright and practiced used its back legs for movement. Coming across the Kita-Shinagawa station, the creature used its tail to fling a train down an empty roadway.

Standing 60 meters in height, the AH-1S attack helicopters approached their target. Surprised at the sudden changes, the helicopters confirmed an order to lay siege to the beast. However, despite initial approval, the prime minister aborted the attack after civilians were discovered in the vicinity.

As Godzilla stood relatively motionless while the helicopters eventually retreated, the area behind his dorsal began to glow bright red. Steam was released into the air, as the creature's body heated up. The nuclear menace had evolved too quickly and its body was no longer able to regulate its temperature, even with the dorsal fins acting as heat vents. Roaring, the monster fell onto a nearby apartment before moving its body in a snake-like manner, as it did in its second form. The creature quickly retreated, breaking through the expressway toward Tokyo Bay.

Hidden in the waters off Japan, the creature was able to cool its body in the sea. Meanwhile, the self defense force deployed Takanami Class Destroyers and SH-60K patrol helicopters offshore of Sagami Bay. Using dipping sonar, the government believed the monster submerged down to the sea floor near Kanaya.

Despite their efforts, though, the self defense force was unable to locate Godzilla. Meanwhile, the creature prepared to transform into its fourth, larger form...

• The creature's roar is a stock sound effect from Godzilla (1954).
• Often cited as "Godzilla 2016 (Third form)", literally ゴジラ2016 (第三形態) (Gojira 2016 Dai San Keitai). This name is used on the Bandai figure of this stage of Godzilla. S.H. MonsterArts has spelled out the form's name in English, though, as "Godzilla (2016) Third Form". The Battle Spirits Trading Card Game uses a minor variant of this called シン・ゴジラ(第3形態) (Shin Gojira Dai 3 Keitai).
• Due to secrecy around the earlier forms of Godzilla, most publications skip over stats for them. During the course of the movie, though, a document is seen during the formation of the Unidentified Creature Response Special Task Force. This document lists the third form as 60 meters in height and 170 meters long, the second form as 120 meters long and lists unknown for the first form.
• In the special features on the Japanese home video release, a 20 second deleted scene features Godzilla (Third Form) spewing a burning hot red fluid from its mouth and gills over the streets, melting train lines and popping the tires of parked cars. This red fluid is the same liquid its Second Form periodically projected from its gills when walking the streets of Kamata.
  
  

A towering monster, the fourth form of Godzilla greatly increased the power of the creature. Through a combination of nuclear fission and oxygen conversion, the beast was now fully able to travel on land.

In its fourth form, the beast first appeared in Sagami Bay. Japanese citizens from Cape Inamura in Kanagawa watched as the enormous creature traveled to the shore. The Kamakura disaster prevention alarms kicked in, warning of the evacuation of the surrounding area. The notification came too late, though, as Godzilla arrived on land and trampled through towns still populated by fleeing citizens.

Moving toward Kamariya, the creature advanced on Kanagawa before its true destination was apparent: Tokyo. Willing to run the risk of spilling radioactive material, the government granted the self defense force unrestricted weapon use in handling Godzilla. The military elected for Kawasaki as the primary battleground. Deploying ASDF F-2 fighters, AH-64D Apaches and AH-1S attack helicopters, a large scale aerial war was planned. In addition, the Tama River bank in Tokyo was lined with GSDF Type 10 Tanks.

The AH-1S helicopters were the first to strike, flying over Musashi-Kosugi Station as they engaged Godzilla. Their assault involved shelling the nuclear menace with auto cannon fire, although the ammunition bounced harmlessly off of Godzilla's thick hide. The Apache 30mm guns were utilized next, but were similarly ineffective. 16,000 rounds of machine gun fire were unloaded in all, but none had any effect. Furthermore, the creature was shrinking the 12,000 meter gap that separated it from the helicopters from when the attack started. Moving to a distance of 700 meters from their target, the AH-1S fleet unleashed their missile payloads at Godzilla's face. All of the missiles hit their target, but left no visible damage.

With the helicopters ineffective, phase two began as the tanks near Tama River aimed at Godzilla. The attack plan was changed, though, moving from assaulting the nuclear menace's face to focusing on his legs. Shelled with tank fire, Godzilla started to slow his advance. Type 99 155mm Howitzers then proceeded to rain artillery fire on the monster's face again. The Type 96 Multi-Purpose Missile System joined in the siege, as Godzilla was shelled from multiple directions. Turning toward the Tama River, Godzilla approached the shore as the M270 MLRS fired long range weaponry at the monster. As Godzilla stopped his advance, phase three began, involving missiles dropped from the F-2 fighters. Despite the immense explosion, though, the mutated beast began to move again, destroying the Tama River bridge.

Sending the SDF into disarray, as they called off their attack, Godzilla breached Tokyo, venturing into the Meguro Ward. The offensive was not over though. Through the night, the United States deployed three B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers to the area. Releasing their Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), the bombers breached Godzilla's thick hide before detonating. The attack sent a massive geyser of blood into the air, wounding the nuclear menace.

Godzilla was far from defeated, though. Quickly adapting, the creature separated its bottom jaw as its dorsal fins began to glow purple. The being first released an immense blast of fire, destroying much of the city, before the breath weapon became concentrated into a thin, powerful ultra atomic ray. This beam was used to down one of the bombers, scoring a direct hit. The remaining bombers attempted to retaliate, only for Godzilla to change his attack, unleashing a torrent of beams from his dorsal fins. The rays not only destroyed the bombs, but also the bombers. With his immediate attackers destroyed, Godzilla turned his weapon on the city, firing his atomic ray from his mouth, igniting most of Tokyo.

As the city burned and high levels of radiation plagued the region, Godzilla walked briefly before becoming motionless near Tokyo Station. The creature had expended too much energy, causing its body to overheat.

With much of the former government killed in the attack on Tokyo, an interim cabinet was appointed and countermeasures against Godzilla prepared. This included a freezing attack plan involving 24 blood coagulants. Countries around the world became cautious, though, as China and Russia moved toward taking over the offensive against Godzilla. The United States hoped to continue to ally with Japan alone, though, in handling the monster. This resulted in the forming a US Godzilla Joint Research Team within Japan to study the beast. The group both discovered the monster's radar power and also its ability to adapt, including a way to produce asexually. Realizing the creature could even evolve wings and fly to other nations, the research team was dissolved as the US prepared a nuclear strike with a B83 bomb to completely remove the threat. Through the backing of the United Nations, an evacuation window was planned as the strike was readied. Using the evacuation window as their deadline, the freezing plan was accelerated. However, Godzilla's body started to slowly glow, as it was projected that 360 hours remained before the creature would be back to previous power levels.

Meanwhile, what's left of the research team discovers that, beyond containing new radioactive isotopes in its body, Godzilla is able to convert oxygen and nitrogen into the necessary molecules needed by its body. A mixotroph that converted decaying heat. This meant, coupled with an internal nuclear fission to drive it, the creature could thrive in any environment that contains oxygen or water. This meant possible complications for the freezing plan, now called Operation "Yashiori", although regardless the interim prime minister gave approval.

Focusing on the coagulants that proved most successful against samples of Godzilla, the projected completion was 3 days... 1 day longer than the team had. Seeking to delay the countdown, the Japanese petitioned to the French, who in turn petitioned to the UN against the wishes of China and Russia. Eventually, the United States got behind Japan, offering up forces to aid in Operation "Yashiori".

With the necessary manpower and materials secured, the operation commenced against the still overheated Godzilla. The first strike took the shape of unmanned N700 Series Bullet Trains. Lined with explosives, the vehicles drove directly into Tokyo Station, detonating on top of Godzilla's feet. The mutated beast immediately awoke, bellowing a challenge at the assault.

This kicked phase two into action, as the US Air Force launched their attack. This involved a squadron of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles. Dropping their bombs, Godzilla's phased-array radar and dorsal fin atomic fire rays engaged their targets, destroying both the bombs and the air vehicles as the rays lit up the sky. Hoping to force Godzilla to expend too much energy, a second squadron of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles joined the attack. Like the first squadron, their weapons and the crafts were destroyed by atomic fire rays. This was followed by another squadron and yet another squadron, who both met the same fate. As the fifth squadron was launched, Godzilla's energy was generating too much heat, no longer able to use the atomic fire rays from his back. As their missiles collided with the target, causing a conflagration around the mutated monster, Godzilla's tail began to glow. Launching an ultra atomic fire ray from his mouth and tail, Godzilla used his radar to destroy the fifth squadron. Against mounting radiation pollution to the city, a sixth squadron of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles was sent into action. Godzilla expelled more energy to destroy the crafts, now stuck in a state where he was no longer able to use his atomic fire ray for fear of overheating.

This commenced phase three of Operation "Yashiori", as local office buildings were detonated, burying Godzilla under tons of rumble. Phase four started immediately afterwards, as the US Navy used the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer's Aegis Combat System to fire guided missiles. These cruise missiles detonated on nearby buildings, burying Godzilla under even more rumble.

With Godzilla down, the final phase went into effect as special cranes arrived on the scene. Using bulldozers to clear the path, the cranes approached Godzilla and began injecting the coagulate through the monster's mouth. With 30% administered, Godzilla's dorsal fins began to glow, as the creature risked overheating and fired its atomic fire ray, destroying the nearby cranes.

As Godzilla started to walk away, his movement started to slow from the coagulate. More trains, from the E233 and E231 series, were sent in, detonating their payloads against Godzilla. The explosion was enough to send the nuclear monster crashing to the ground. The second and third special crane platoons then approached their target. They also began to administer their coagulate, orally, to Godzilla. With 100% of the coagulate injected, the monster's skin began to harden. However, the beast closed down on its mouth as it stood, dropping the cranes to the ground below. As the creature's fins started to glow, it released a roar as the monster's body froze. The beast's temperature had dropped to -196 degrees. The threat to Japan had been stopped, while it was discovered that the half-life of Godzilla's radioactive isotope was a mere 20 days. This meant the radioactivity stricken areas would be halved in less than a month and totally gone within 2-3 years, taking with it the last of Godzilla's reign of terror.

• Motion capture for the performance of the fourth form of Godzilla was done by Mansai Nomura, best known for his work as "Abe no Seimei" in Onmyoji (2001) and its sequel.
• A finalized script of Shin Godzilla (2016) was included as a bonus with The Art of Shin Godzilla (ISBN: 490503308X). The script goes into greater detail on the capabilities of Godzilla. The includes mention of his "Heat Flame Atomic Stream" (熱焔放射線流 - Netsu Honoo Hoshasen Ryu) with the momentum of the fire described as being similar to the launch of a rocket ship, spreading explosively everywhere. It also references the monster producing a large mass of high-temperature, high-density smoke before releasing the flame attack.
  
  The monster's signature, purple ray is called an "Ultra Atomic Fire Ray" (超高熱放射性粒子帯焔 - Cho Konetsu Hoshasei Ryushi-tai Homura) in the script. It cites the reason Godzilla uses the beam for so long as equated to the output of a kettle, where if you open the lid, it can no longer be controlled, and the kettle continues to "vomit" energy until it's emptied. This ray is also abbreviated as a "Thermal Flame" (熱焔 - Netsu Homura) or a "Heat Ray" (熱線 - Nessen), the latter in the context of its use from the tail or fins. Speaking of the tail, that is referred to in the script as a "spare head" (予備頭部 - Yobi Tobu).
  
  There is no additional mention for Godzilla's radar ability in the script. The quote that appears in the movie from Ritcher, the US GODZILLA Joint Research Team Leader, is the same in that: "Godzilla has something like a built in phased-array radar".
  
  The script also references the nuclear menace's "Flash Protection Membrane" (対閃光防御膜 - Tai Senko Bogyo Maku), which shielded his eyes. It also describes Godzilla's "back heat radiation organ" (背部放熱器官 - Haibu Honetsu Kikan), which is what releases light from inside Godzilla's body as he builds up energy, causing his spines and back to glow.
• This form uses a variety of stock roars from the Showa Godzilla series, including from King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962). Its final roar, though, is from The Return of Godzilla (1984).
• According to The Art of Shin Godzilla (ISBN: 490503308X), the fourth form of Godzilla was originally going to be 112.7 meters tall. Its height was increased by almost 6 meters, though, for the final film.
• In the special features on the Japanese home video release of the film, the scene where Godzilla (Fourth Form) roars after being assaulted by the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers was originally going to feature Godzilla having glowing white eyes. However, this feature was not included in the final cut.
• In the early stages of the movie's development, Godzilla having the ability to self-proliferate larger copies of itself was pitched to Toho. Concept artwork by Mahiro Maeda can be found in The Art of Shin Godzilla (ISBN: 490503308X) showcasing this ability, where Godzilla can be seen sprouting excess limbs and even extra heads from its own body. Maeda's art depicting this idea would be rejected by Toho, however, eventually leading to a tamer version of this concept being introduced in the movie, where one of Godzilla's spines is blown off and studied, revealing its capacity for regeneration and potential self-propagation.
  
  The scene where Godzilla's severed spine is discovered was also meant to be handled differently. Concept art depicts a large chunk of Godzilla's flesh splattered on the ground, which had begun growing numerous eyeballs, teeth, and having molded itself into the miniature shape of Godzilla's head. The damaged spine is also not present, instead replaced by strands of bloody tissue clinging to exposed rafters, which are also littered with tiny teeth and eyes.
  
  

While recovering from overheating, Godzilla's tail began to slowly change.

Although the exact threat was unknown to humanity, the nuclear menace started to prepare his next stage. The beast's tail became the key to this next step in its evolution. Rather than changing to another, larger form, though, the creature prepared to go in a different direction.

This time, Godzilla would reproduce asexually to develop a host of creatures. These beasts, four times the size of a human at around 6-7 meters in height, began to germinate inside the tail.

These new beings featured skeletal tails and gaunt bodies. A skull-like head, with a single hole on the forehead, gifted them a demonic appearance. On their back, the monsters sported an exposed spinal column and had dorsal fin-like protrusions coming from their shoulders.

While developing, though, Godzilla himself was engaged in a fierce battle with the Japanese self-defense forces, the US Navy and the US Air Forces. The combined strike aimed to weaken the nuclear menace enough to halt his beam weapons, which required tremendous energy. Eventually successful, the attacks were enough to topple the monster king. With Godzilla subdued, cranes injected him with a coagulant.

Although not without setbacks, the operation succeeded in pumping Godzilla with the coagulant. This lowered the beast's temperature to -196 degrees, freezing him. This also resulted in the freezing of the swarm of creatures that had been developing from Godzilla's tail. The coagulate interrupted their development process, leaving the forming monsters frozen and stillborn, their last moments filled with pain as they attempted to escape before their fate was sealed.

• The fifth form of Godzilla made no roar or other sound effect during the movie, as it was already in a frozen state when visible to the viewer.
• According to The Art of Shin Godzilla (ISBN: 490503308X), in the early stages of Shin Godzilla (2016), Godzilla's dorsal plates would have appeared like ice crystals under an electron microscope and countless humanoids could also be seen. Many concepts depicting Godzilla's 5th form were initially planned to be "feminine and beautiful things" or appear like "angels", some even having crystal-like "wings" and abstract faces.
  
  As time went on, the bodies of the 5th forms went from having only some human-like parts to becoming almost completely human in appearance while having both male and female features, with some taking inspiration from the archaic smiles of Greek sculptures to having poses similar to Buddha. After four and a half months, Godzilla's 5th form would be drawn appearing in droves from the tip of 4th form Godzilla's tail, an idea conceived by director Hideaki Anno. Though Mahiro Maeda was responsible for nearly all rough designs of Godzilla's 5th form up to this point, sculptor Takayuki Takeya would end up creating a revised version of Maeda's near-final concepts, a more Godzilla-influenced humanoid look which would end up being carried over into the movie. Still shooting of Takeya's finished sculpt was done on the Toho Studios rooftop and within a staff room.