Godzilla Junior ゴジラジュニア

On June 16th, 1994, an expedition to the radiation-infested Adonoa Island uncovered a massive egg, nearly as tall as a fully grown human. As night fell, the team transported the egg back to their camp, planning to study it before bringing it to Japan. They noticed that the egg, dormant since the Mesozoic era, was covered in unusual vegetation. Before the scientists could examine it further, a giant pteranodon named Rodan swooped down to protect it. Fortunately, Rodan became distracted by the sudden arrival of Godzilla. Their resulting battle allowed the scientists to escape with the egg to Japan in a transport helicopter.

The egg, believed to be that of a pteranodon, was moved to the National Institute of Life Sciences in Kyoto. Once there it was assigned for study to biologist Azusa Gojo. The plants growing on the egg were removed and placed in plastic bags for future analysis. However, G-Force engineer and pteranodon enthusiast Kazuma Aoki barged into Azusa's lab. Although Azusa caught him, he managed to steal one of the samples in hopes of creating an excuse to return. His plan was stopped, though, by psychic Miki Saegusa. She sensed a psychic signal from the vegetation, which was actually a prehistoric lotus japonicus plant.

Studying it further, Miki and her students at the psychic school soon harmonized with the ancient plant. Not only that but they were able, through chorus, to reproduce the same signal. However, when a recording of this signal was played, the egg began to glow. As the melody continued, the shell started to tremble before the glass enclosure shattered. Azusa screamed in fear as the egg cracked open. To her shock, instead of a pteranodon, a baby theropod emerged from the egg. While indeed the nest it came from was that of a pteranodon, its egg had been parasitically placed there by a Godzillasaurus.

The newly hatched dinosaur, exposed to mild radiation on Adonoa Island, approached Azusa. Although the biologist was initially fearful, the young Godzillasaurus imprinted on her. Azusa carefully fed the newborn some roses from a tipped-over vase. The baby devoured the plants without hesitation, reassuring the scientists that he wouldn't try to harm them.

However, their peace was short-lived when Godzilla was detected approaching their location. Realizing that Godzilla was attracted to the child, they quickly moved to a secure bunker beneath the facility. They hoped by doing this it would sever their connection and stop Godzilla from tracking the young Godzillasaurus. As the King of the Monsters arrived, clawing at the building above as he roared, BabyGodzilla's eyes glowed red in fear. Azusa stayed close to him, comforting the frightened creature. Fortunately, their theory proved correct: the nuclear menace could no longer sense the baby. Frustrated, Godzilla let loose a heat ray into the air before turning away, returning to the ocean.

Following this incident, BabyGodzilla was moved to a G-Force facility. Once there he was placed in an enclosure designed to mimic a jungle environment. Azusa became his caretaker, treating the ancient creature like a beloved pet. He was tolerant of humans, showing no aggression toward Kazuma Aoki. In fact, he barely reacted when Aoki's personal flying vehicle crashed into the trees of his pen. However, when Miki and the psychic children arrived and sang the chorus that mimicked the one emitted by the plants on BabyGodzilla's egg, the young saurian became overwhelmed. His eyes flashed red, and electronic interference filled the room. Meanwhile, far away, Rodan stirred from his slumber. The winged monster evolved into a more powerful form. Sensing BabyGodzilla, he took flight, on a mission to rescue his adopted brother.

Meanwhile, further research revealed that BabyGodzilla possessed a secondary brain in his hip, which controlled his lower body's movement. G-Force hypothesized that Godzilla also had this organ and that destroying it could cripple the giant. They devised a plan using Mechagodzilla's shock anchors to target and destroy this secondary brain. The plan also called for using BabyGodzilla to lure the King of the Monsters away from populated areas.

As G-Force began to put the plan into action, they ran into trouble when BabyGodzilla refused to board the transport container. The act was causing stress on the young creature, its eyes glowing red. As a result, Azusa volunteered to accompany him, calming the young creature's fear. Satisfied, the container became airborne as a helicopter started to head to an isolated area.

The plan, however, faltered when Fire Rodan intervened. While over the Pacific Ocean, the flying creature quickly destroyed the helicopter transporting BabyGodzilla. The pteranodon then grabbed the container midair. Firmly in his grasp, Rodan traveled next to Tokyo before landing in the city of Makuhari. Once on the ground, the winged monster attempted to open the container with his beak. This was interrupted, though, by the arrival of Mechagodzilla and Garuda. Aiming to get the container out of harms way, the pair engaged Fire Rodan in battle. Although the winged monster was ultimately defeated, peace was short lived as Godzilla arrived on the scene. The King of the Monsters then quickly engaged with its robotic doppelganger, turning the area into a battlefield again.

Inside the container, Azusa and BabyGodzilla could only listen as the epic battle raged outside. BabyGodzilla sensed that the two titanic beings fighting for him were being overwhelmed. As Mechagodzilla's assault tore apart Godzilla, rescuers arrived and began to open the container's doors with a blow torch. Once the doors were loosened, BabyGodzilla burst out, witnessing Godzilla's unconscious body being ravaged by Super Mechagodzilla's attack. Driven by instinct, BabyGodzilla roared for help. Answering the call, a weakened Rodan flew toward Godzilla. Still looking to end the battle, the robotic monster unleashed a Mega-Buster ray. Roaring in pain, the blast sent the giant pteranodon to lightly crash on top of Godzilla. Looking down at his once rival, the winged monster began to transfer his lifeforce. This final act empowered and revived Godzilla. With newfound strength, the King of the Monsters unleashed a devastating attack. Although the robotic monster tried to counterattack, ultimately Super Mechagodzilla was obliterated in a blast of crimson energy.

Azusa, heartbroken, realized there was no other choice now. If BabyGodzilla remained in human care, the nuclear menace would continue his rampage to secure him. She tearfully said goodbye to her adopted "Baby" as she left in a helicopter, urging him to join his own kind. BabyGodzilla hesitated, retreating in fear from the towering Godzilla. Azusa, pleading with her friend Miki Saegusa, asked her to telepathically reassure the child that Godzilla meant no harm. Miki's calming words convinced BabyGodzilla to approach the massive creature. The two then swam off into the horizon together, the King of the Monsters gaining a new companion.

• Portrayed by Hurricane Ryu.
• As discussed in Heisei Godzilla Encyclopedia 1984-1995 (ISBN: 4575295051), director Takao Okawara was surprised to learn that he was going to direct the scenes with BabyGodzilla, as he assumed that Koichi Kawakita and his team would be in charge.
• While directing suit actor Hurricane Ryu, Takao Okawara struggled to achieve what he felt was a realistic performance for the young Godzillasaurus. Ryu recalled that, at times, he was instructed not to move at all in certain scenes. Looking back, Ryu acknowledged that he had difficulty breaking the habit of making exaggerated movements, a skill honed from portraying giant monsters, where such motions were necessary to convey their scale. This was due to the higher camera speeds used in filming, which created the illusion of mass for the giant monsters. This is noted in Encyclopedia of Godzilla: New Mechagodzilla Edition (ISBN: T1062538812202).
• While a lot of concepts were submitted, the final design was by Shinji Nishikawa.
• Similar to SpaceGodzilla, the name "BabyGodzilla" is written as a conjoined word in English. This is seen in The Official Godzilla Compendium (ISBN: 0679888225) as well as on the back of North America home video releases in the copyright section. While the name still appears as a conjoined word in modern examples, such as in Godzilla Battle Line, it is also frequently spelled as two separate words. Examples of this include Godzilla: The Official Guide to the King of the Monsters (ISBN: 1787398994), Godzilla Defense Force, and Japanese publications like the Picturebook of Godzilla & All Monsters (ISBN: 9784065234914).
• The expedition team first discovers the egg on June 16th, 1994. Noted in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla: Super Complete Works (ISBN: T1061015391100).
• BabyGodzilla's egg is noted as coming from the Mesozoic era, in particular the Cretaceous Period which was the final period of that era. Noted in Monster Super Power Illustrated Encyclopedia (ISBN: T1001844121004)
• Monster Super Power Illustrated Encyclopedia (ISBN: T1001844121004) not only mentions that a Godzillasaurus parasitically left its egg in a pteranodon nest, but also suggests that this behavior was not unusual for the theropod species.
• Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla: Super Complete Works (ISBN: T1061015391100) features a cutaway view of BabyGodzilla. Despite being exposed to radiation on Adonoa Island, the creature's internal organs at this stage are similar to those of a typical Godzillasaurus.
• While watching the film, one might speculate that Godzilla ceased his attack on the National Institute of Life Sciences in Kyoto due to sensing BabyGodzilla's distress. However, Godzilla & Toho Tokusatsu Official Mook Vol. 15: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (ISBN: 9784065314968) clarifies that the true reason was that Godzilla could no longer sense the young Godzillasaurus at all, as the infant had been moved to a secure location beneath the facility.
• In Toho SF Special Effects Movie Series Vol.8 (ISBN: 4924609455), director Takao Okawara cites that the introduction of BabyGodzilla was the strong wish of producer Shogo Tomiyama. Writer Wataru Mimura not only backs up this claim, but also says that Tomiyama was the one that wanted the character to feel new and not be a simple updating of Minilla. Latter noted in Encyclopedia of Godzilla: New Mechagodzilla Edition (ISBN: T1062538812202).
• BabyGodzilla's roar was created by Hideyo Sasaki, who used samples of his own voice and significantly altered them to produce the sound effect. Brought up in Toho SF Special Effects Movie Series Vol.8 (ISBN: 4924609455).
• In addition to the suit, a one foot tall puppet was also created which was used for the final scene as BabyGodzilla swims off. Mentioned in Godzilla Character Encyclopedia: Toho Special Effects Movie Complete History (ISBN 9784062190046).
  
  

A year after being adopted by Godzilla, the young Godzillasaurus was thriving on Birth Island. Following additional exposure to radiation from the King of the Monsters, the infant evolved. He shed most of its resemblance to a regular Godzillasaurus and had developed a more upright state. Having grown to 30 meters, more than twice as tall as an adult Godzillasaurus, the creature was now known as LittleGodzilla.

Thankfully, he spent most of his time wandering the lush island in relative peace, despite not being entirely alone. G-Force Major Akira Yuki had also taken residence on the island, with a mission to kill Godzilla in revenge for the death of his friend. However, despite his intentions, Yuki held no animosity toward LittleGodzilla. In fact, a small bond seemed to have formed between them, as the creature would often check in on the G-Force Major.

One day, in an attempt to weaken Godzilla for his plan, Yuki, along with two other G-Force members stationed on the island, set up tear gas mines along the shore. However, their plans were quickly thwarted when LittleGodzilla accidentally triggered the mines. The gas sent the infant fleeing in panic, retreating deeper into the island.

Later, as he wandered, the young creature stumbled upon a strange field of crystals, his curiosity piqued. Suddenly, something descended from the sky. The creature resembled his adoptive father, but with crystals protruding from its body. The being let out a fearsome screech as it landed. LittleGodzilla's eyes glowed red, broadcasting his fear telepathically to Godzilla. Stepping forward, he tried to communicate with the mysterious arrival. However, the creature, SpaceGodzilla, responded by tormenting him. The space creature narrowly missed the infant with blasts of its Corona Beam, intentionally striking the ground nearby to cause fear in the child. LittleGodzilla screeched as SpaceGodzilla laughed cruelly.

The plea for help, though, was answered. Godzilla soon arrived, but he was quickly overpowered by SpaceGodzilla's overwhelming might. Having momentarily beat Godzilla, the cosmic creature seized LittleGodzilla in a telekinetic grip. Elevating him through the air, the extraterrestrial imprisoned him in a cage made of crystals. Unable to break free, and with his father powerless to help, LittleGodzilla was left behind as Godzilla pursued his adversary.

Much later, after SpaceGodzilla was defeated, LittleGodzilla was freed from his crystal prision. Roaming the isle once more, the infant celebrated by attempting to unleash his own atomic ray, which came out as small bursts of radioactive energy. Soon after, Godzilla returned, and peace reigned for the two of them for another year, until everything changed in the blink of an eye...

• Portrayed by Little Frankie.
• The name "LittleGodzilla" is written as a conjoined word in English. The Official Godzilla Compendium (ISBN: 0679888225) and copyright on North America home video releases spell the name this way. Like BabyGodzilla, though, there are numerous examples of it being spelled as two words, such as the Godzilla: The Official Guide to the King of the Monsters (ISBN: 1787398994) and Godzilla Defense Force.
• The selected concept for LittleGodzilla was actually a rejected design by Shinji Nishikawa for BabyGodzilla. Brought up in Shinji Nishikawa: Drawing Book of Godzilla (ISBN: 9784800309594).
• In the original script, LittleGodzilla wasn't featured in the 1994 film very much at all. In fact, it was at special effects director Koichi Kawakita's request that he have a larger role in the movie, adding in the sequence where he confronts and is attacked by SpaceGodzilla. Noted in Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla: Super Complete Works (ISBN: 9784091014443).
• LittleGodzilla's body was initially planned to be blue, similar to BabyGodzilla's coloring, but it was ultimately determined to be bright green. Special effects director Koichi Kawakita mused that this coloration change might have been an adaptation to his environment, serving as minor camouflage with the green landscape of Birth Island. Discussed in Toho SF Special Effects Movie Series VOL. 9: Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (ISBN: 4924609528).
• Following continued exposure to radiation from Godzilla, the infant's internal organs have rapidly changed. In fact, its internal structure has become similar to Godzilla's. However, the two differ in that it hasn't completely evolved to use nuclear material as its sole energy source, as the King of the Monsters' traditional digestive system has largely degenerated. In contrast, LittleGodzilla still maintains an omnivorous diet as his digestive system still functions normally. Noted in Special Graphix Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla (ISBN: T1075429651805).
• The production team filmed scenes in the jungle of Birth Island with LittleGodzilla and Godzilla. These were created specifically for trailers and adverts, they weren't intended to ever feature in the main film. Brought up in TV Magazine Visual Complete Works: Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (ISBN: T1061145462008).
• Back in 1994, special effects director Koichi Kawakita had ambitious plans for LittleGodzilla. He saw the character as a means to eventually bring Godzilla back to a 50 meter height, as he was dissatisfied with the challenges of depicting surrounding elements at the 100 meter size. Though he didn't provide specific details, Kawakita envisioned the infant Godzilla as a way to "start anew," suggesting that he saw the character as a potential replacement for Godzilla in the Heisei series, possibly carrying the franchise forward in future films. Cited in Special Graphix Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla (ISBN: T1075429651805).
  
  

After the death of the crystal demon, SpaceGodzilla, Godzilla returned to Birth Island. However, something was seriously wrong. Either from the overwhelming power of Rodan's life-force or a natural occurring reaction, Godzilla was sent into a nuclear meltdown. His swarming radiation ignited the few uranium deposits on the island, decimating the tropical island. However, LittleGodzilla fed off the extreme levels of radiation and grew to a new form, becoming Godzilla Junior.

The animal, though, still possessed its telepathic link with Miki, which was used to lure the germinating monster to Japan. With Godzilla calculated to be in tow, it was hoped that by bringing his offspring to Japan the King of the Monsters would follow. Japan hoped Godzilla would do battle with a new creature, a monster dubbed Destoroyah whose origin lies in the Oxygen Destroyer that killed the original Godzilla more than forty years prior. The nation hopes that the monsters might decimate each other, avoiding the risk of Godzilla going into meltdown and killing Destoroyah. Before Godzilla can arrive, though, Junior is forced to do battle with Destoroyah on his own. Fighting off the ancient evil, Junior suffers a severe blow to his chest before he blasts the creature with his ray at close range. This sends the monster plummeting into a nearby factory where it is engulfed in flames.

The victory, however, was short-lived. Rising from the ashes of its hellish womb, Destoroyah, in his final form, lashed back. The creature descended into the sky and grabbed Godzilla's son by the neck, after toppling the King of the Monsters with his ray. In an act of pure evil, Destoroyah dropped the infant Godzilla, sending the young monster plummeting to the ground, several thousand feet below. The sudden attack managed to, sadly, kill the child monster. Although the creature would not stay dead for long...

After Godzilla reached meltdown, his energy was expelled from his body. As Rodan had done for him two years ago, Godzilla sent what energy he had left to revive his deceased son. The energy coursed through the small monster, breathing life back into it as Junior mutated into a full-grown Godzilla. The rebirth of Godzilla was ensured for a future generation.