GODZILLA: The Heisei Era Retrospective - A King Reborn & Transformed 

What's your favorite Heisei Godzilla movie?

The Heisei was the best era of Godzilla. The dark tone, complex themes and the feeling of finality in the final battle against Destroyah.

I feel like calling Godzilla vs Ghidorah nationalistic is silly when the movie itself refuted the idea. For the whole movie, the veteran insists he understands Godzilla and that Godzilla is ultimately on his side because it saved his life in WW2. But Godzilla didn’t save them out of some sense of loyalty, he was fending off intruders in his territory. The veteran getting blasted in the end by Godzilla is showing that it’s useless to prescribe will or agenda onto Godzilla. Cause at the end of the day, he’s just a force of nature. It’s like trying to say a natural disaster is “on your side”.

My favorite era of Godzilla, with my favorite design of the King. I like the continuity and feel Godzilla's story in this era is tragic and deserves a bit more recognition.

By far the best Godzilla suit designs of the franchise.

12:28 Simple answer to that question. There's two Godzillas in the Heisei era. The first (being the original incarnation) was irradiated by the H-bomb and proceeded to attack Tokyo in 1954 before ultimately being killed. The second (being the Heisei incarnation) was a dinosaur living on the Pacific Island. The Futurians, thinking that this would be the same monster that attacked in 1954, teleported it into the Bering Sea, thinking it would die. It instead was irradiated by a nuclear submarine in the 1970s and mutated into the Godzilla seen from The Return of Godzilla to Godzilla vs. Destoroyah. It's explained in vs. Biollante that Godzilla has a habit of evading the JSDF's tracking, as shown when he was expected to show up in Iso Bay, but instead appeared in Osaka Bay. So in vs. King Ghidorah when the characters come back and see he's gone, that didn't mean he was erased from history, he just simply moved without anyone noticing. Plus when a nuclear sub is sent to irradiate him, we see not the dinosaur the characters thought was there, but instead Godzilla as we know him, which resulted in him getting a power and size upgrade for the rest of the Heisei Era. In short, the Futurians were idiots for believing the 1954 and Heisei Gojis were the same monster since they got their info from an unreliable book, and neither Godzilla were erased from history.

The Heisei era will always be my favorite series, and the most memorable.

Rest in peace, Satsuma. You did an amazing job with this era, and you won’t be forgotten.

This was my favorite version of Godzilla before the Monsterverse. Heisei’s design is iconic and some of my favorite kaiju were introduced here with Biollante and especially Destroyah.

I wish they'd put out a box set of this series.

RIP Kenpachiro Satsuma. Godzilla of my childhood.

Rest in peace, Satsuma-sensei.

My absolute favorite take on the character. A tragic but intelligent animal facing forces old and new in a world he does not belong in but is more than willing to carve his place into. Whether it be striking down humanity's arrogance or challenging the gods themselves, Godzilla never falters. He seeks compassion but is more than willing to fight with all that anger and hatred his nuclear origin brings. Even in his final moments, Godzilla fights to avenge the death of his son, the one being who not only understood him but gave him a chance for happiness. Beautiful storytelling.

Nakamura’s theme got a big pop from me lmao

Kazuki Omori (the director of vs Biollante and vs King Ghidorah, the screenwriter of vs Mothra) passed away on November 12th 2022, at the age of 70. Thank you for giving us those masterpieces, the good childhood memories. Rest in peace.

The Heisei Godzilla has also become the default design Toho uses for media-related promotions from video games to store merchandising.

My first true Godzilla movie was Godzilla 2000. So, I'm excited to see you cover the Millennium era.

Not expecting to hear Nakamura's theme in this. Almost destroyed my room in a fit of hype.

This guy always makes great videos. He brings so much legitimacy and genuine thought provoking ideas to these topics. I wish more people would look at Godzilla films as art

The Heisei Godzilla movies hold A TON of nostalgic value for me and forever cemented my fascination with the franchise. "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah", "Godzilla vs. Mothra: The Battle for Earth", "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II" and "Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla" were among some of the first Godzilla movies I ever saw. I distinctly remember watching those movies when they aired on the Sci-fi Channel when I was a kid (Back when Sci-fi used to air the English dubs of Godzilla movies in the early 2000's). When I was a kid, I didn't know anyone who was a fan of Godzilla, letalone seen any of the Heisei movies. I'm very thankful to live in an age of Godzilla where people in America are making in-depth analysis videos about the various films and era's of Godzilla like this. As an American G-fan who grew up with a nostalgic fondness for the Heisei series, these kind of videos really mean a lot to me. While the Heisei Godzilla movies are incredibly flawed (For some G-fans, that's putting it lightly), I still think they have a better understanding of Godzilla, both as a character and as an overall franchise, than the MonsterVerse Godzilla movies think they do.

I'm 53 and have been a fan of the big guy since I was a little boy, I happen to enjoy all the films in some way as some bring back fond childhood memories. I was fortunate to visit Japan two years ago and my wife surprised me with a three night stay at the Hotel Gracery in the ShinJuku district of Tokyo. This is the GodZilla hotel as a lifesize head of the big guy and a "paw" tower over the hotel and acknowledge the passing of each hour (10am - 8pm) with GodZilla's call and smoke from his mouth, it is so freakin cool. He really is beloved in Japan, the lobby of the hotel has every movie poster framed and nearby is a GodZilla store where I bought some merchandise. The new Shin GodZilla is another fantastic rebirth and reinterpretation of the monster and personally I liked the film a lot. Hard to say what is my favorite, thats hitting a moving target for me, some of the films are pretty terrible of course but are fun anyway. I'm just glad they made (are making) the films, movies are entertainment and these and many other monster movies have entertained me over the years and I'm happy to have seen them. Thanks to you Matt for keeping the big guy around and turning on more people to GodZilla on youtube.

Pro-Japanese empire era Godzilla becoming a manmade-altered natural disaster after the bomb, as the bomb, is some metacommentary if ever I've heard of such.

This is awesome I always loved the Heisei era with its continuity and designs. They did an amazing job.

Love the movies, but the best thing about this era are the Noriyoshi Ohrai movie posters.

Really good analysis on the Heisei era of Godzilla. The fact that the films are connected is one of the reasons why I love the Heisei era. Love to see your videos for the Millennium and the current Reiwa era.

I love the heisei series, the continuity, creature design, sound track, and special effects were great. I’m only complaint are that there too many wide shots and not enough melee fights. Other then that I loved watching these films.

As a casual fan growing up watching old dub vhs' of the big G and his fights against Biolante and mechaG your video essays are absolutely wonderful. I got super back into Godzilla with my Girlfriend who had never seen one and ever since I have just devoured as many bts, docs, and video essays I can. So thank you for this and I truly can't wait for more.

A new Matt Draper vid and being about the best era of godzilla, holy crap is it my birthday!

Akira Ifukube’s music for Godzilla vs King Ghidorah is some of my favorite of the franchise. The Godzilla series consistently has great music.

Biolante is such a tragic kaiju and one of my favorites in the franchise.

Godzilla vs King Ghidorah was my first Godzilla movie, so it'll always hold a special place in my heart.

Godzilla is brought back to his roots in this era. A real threat!

“Unproblematic queen, Mothra” is my favorite sentence 😂

Aaah yes the Heisei era. I was collecting Godzilla toys and movies at the time in the 90's before 98 came out.

Satsuma-San just passed away. Such a shame. He brought my favorite era of Godzilla movies to life.

Such a fantastic era. By far my favorite because of the consistency in the continuity and in Godzilla’s design. Seriously, this has got to be THE iconic design for the character. The action is always so entertaining too, and the score by Ifukube is so impactful, especially in that final film. It also has some of the coolest monsters in Godzilla history. Biollante, Battra, Spacegodzilla, and Destroyah are so well done, and the other redesigns for the classic monsters are stellar. Can’t wait to see you cover the next era, which is also full of great entries in the series, including my first ever Godzilla movie.

Absolutely love the Heisei series! Wish I had gotten them all on DVD before losing all my VHS copies! haha Godzilla's design(especially Burning G) & Akira Ifukube's score sold it all for me!!

Something I've been thinking of. In comparing certain movies of the Heisei era to certain DC Comics stories from around that same time period, I'd say Return of Godzilla is the 'Dark Knight Returns' of the franchise, while Godzilla vs. Destoroyah is the 'Death of Superman' equivalent.

Godzilla: you won't destroy humans, *THAT'S MY JOB!*

The Return of Godzilla is my favorite Godzilla film. It is dark, moody, and frightening. The robot that was we used to depict him moving is something out of a horror movie.

This video explains why the Heisei era is the best era of Godzilla. It goes in depth, especially with the messages behind Godzilla vs Destroyah. This era gets a lot of hate and I'm not sure why. It's amazing

So im gonna need that Millennium video asap that'd be great 🤣. Good work, man. The Heisei is actually my favorite era. The stories and Kaiju are among my favorites. I wore my Godzilla vs Space Godzilla tape out as a kid.

Fantastic video and interesting insight on the movies. Kinda wish more people saw kaiju films critically instead of "big monster fight"

Heisei Goji will forever be an amazing experience in my life. With Return of Godzilla being my introduction to Godzilla when I was a wee lad. ❤️Heisei Godzilla❤️

Y’all, I think with these Godzilla videos, Matt could defeat Kong easily without even lifting a finger.

I’m hoping one day they will release a complete box set of the hesiei era like Criterion did with the Showa era

the most interesting thing to me is how the heisei and showa era's blended together in my mind. not having watched the movies in any sort of order or sequence but catching one or two over years meant I couldn't properly form a timeline and these periods really blended together for me. I'm going to watch them all back with a clearer distinction and see how my thoughts form.

I gotta tell you… you’re my favorite channel on RU-vid right now. Your retrospectives and essays on all things comics/Godzilla/movies are incredible and I just needed to express my gratitude! Keep up the great work man!!

My favorite Godzilla era

This is the best version of Godzilla as a protector. He’s not a hero or a savior, he simply is protecting his territory and we’d rather him than other evils. A necessary evil that is seen with both awe and fear

Honestly love the Godzilla movies that have world-building between each other. Like the various iterations of the Super X and the upgrades from MKG to Mechagodzilla to Moguera. It's a nice thru-line I appreciate.

This is peak Goji for me. Love every era for different reasons, but the Heisei era brought about a nice storyline that had all the action I love. A little serious, a little fun, a lot of great fights!

Loved this video. Thanks. My viewing of Godzilla movies has been sporadic, so this video really makes me want to watch them all.

My absolute favorite era. While certainly not perfect, this series started the trend followed by Legendary of having Godzilla gradually grow as a character through a closely-knit narrative that sees the King of the Monsters transform from an embittered victim to a father with new-found purpose in life. The first hints of his transformation can be seen with his interaction with Shindo in GvKG, the first indication in the series that he is an emotional creature, and culminated in GvMGII. A deleted scene in Godzilla vs. Biollante would have referenced Godzilla's "humanity" much earlier, showing Godzilla seemingly showing remorse at having killed Biollante in their first round.

Heisei is my favorite era, with Return of Godzilla being my favorite. Looking forward to Millennium.

My introduction to Godzilla is Emmerich 1998 "Godzilla," so yeah even if it is not a Godzilla movie that we all hope for, I cannot hate it since it is the one that introduce me to this legendary kaiju. I ended up loving Big G with the heisei and millenium series, so yeah that is why heisei is my favorite Godzilla era (with some millenium era films too).

The Heisei series is my favorite. These seven films definitely feel like a progression. Plus, GvD is my favorite. That movie feels like a proper conclusion, a proper send off.

I actually like how they kept the "Godzilla was a monster known to a remote island" arc in Godzilla Minus 1!!!

One of the best Godzilla content on RU-vid. I love Heisei Era, thank you.

Thanks Matt for this Godzilla videos from an massive fan . Much ❤ as always 😊

The King of Monsters and the King of Strong Style is the tag team I didn't know I needed! Great video! Looking forward to the others in the series!

My personal ranking: Godzilla vs destoroyah Godzilla vs biollante Godzilla vs king ghidorah Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla Godzilla Returns Godzilla vs mothra Godzilla vs spacegodzilla

Looking forward to your next Godzilla videos. I have to said Godzilla 85 is my favorite being that it was one of the first Godzilla films I remember watching as a kid.

When I'm running down my top 5 Godzilla films, 1984 and Destroyah often make the list (I say "often" because the list changes when I revisit films I haven't seen in a while).

I'm so ready for the next era! I love this series. I'm eager to watch these original films, and this series gives me a good intro and understanding of how to interprete these films with relevant insight into the climate of the times

RIP our Heisei king

The Godzilla vs Biollonte poster (27:56) is one of the coolest Godzilla posters if not coolest movie posters ever made. Beautifully made.

I didn't think my Friday the 13th fandom and Godzilla fandom would intersect but here we are. I didn't know they were tied together in such a way. I have a Jason Voorhees tattoo with a Godzilla tattoo drawn up ready to go. This is rad. Thanks for teaching me something I didn't know about the series

im sure Satsuma is happy smiling in what heavens he is now w/ how the franchise has gone 😢👏

I love the music from this series so much I bought the soundtrack. Outstanding!

Ask and thou shall receive! Thank you so much, dude! I LOVE the Heisei Era!!!

good work as always matt, keep it up, heisei era was a cool era, more down to earth and with a godzilla with a lion face

GREAT Video! I LOVE The Heisei Era. my fav Heisei Era movie is Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

Man I love these movies probably some of the best movies in the genre.

Thank you so much for giving me a better understanding of the difference in eras.

Yessirrr i been waiting on this!

Excellent job on this retrospective Matt!

RIP Satsuma 😔

I love Godzilla 1984 for its more serious tone, ( I was so happy when it finally came out on Blu-ray in the US in its original Japanese cut a few years ago) but I think Godzilla vs King Ghidorah is my favorite in the Heisei series. Im always happy to watch that one, but I enjoy and own them all

Godzilla's Heisei Era is an important era for Godzilla movies in that the Heisei Era brought Godzilla back to the big screen with a new take on our favorite giant reptile.

The end Godzilla vs Destroyah, the peering through the fog only to see the silhouette of Godzilla Jr. with the echo of his roar. Seeing that gives me goosebumps everytime. It really was a perfect ending.

Great video! Havent watched these movies and now i want to. Well…most of them.😊

I just finished watching this Era and it's easily my favorite. Just such a consistent set of movies with a great tone for the series 1. Godzilla Vs Destroyah A+ 2. The Return Of Godzilla A 3. Godzilla Vs King Ghidorah A 4. Godzilla Vs Mothra: Battle For Earth A 5. Godzilla Vs Mechagodzilla II A- 6. Godzilla Vs Biollante A- 7. Godzilla Vs Space Godzilla C+

Thanks for this, great retrospec.

This sounds so good, I'd love to try and watch these films at some point.

You clearly have excellent taste in Music & Film. Subbed.

Finally been waiting for this

"Unproblematic Queen Mothra" lol I think this version of Godzilla was the best, he looked cool not silly, he looked real not cg. He looked badass.

Just watched this and the Showa Era video back to back. Awesome work. Definitely looking forward to the one for the Millennium series. Personally my rankings for Heisei are: 7. Space Godzilla 6. Ghidorah 5. Mothra 4. Mechagodzilla II 3. Biollante 2. Return 1. Destroyah

When Godzilla is mentioned just in general, my brain goes to this Godzilla. This is the bar for me. I absolutely love this design.

Excellent documentary!!!! Thanks! Subbed!

As a long time Godzilla fan I love your videos!👍

Awesome. Bring on the Millennium Era retrospective!

Love this video keep on making more Godzilla please 🙏🙏

My favorite Godzilla Era.

First video I have seen of yours amd I love it! Millennium next (and soon) please!

Loving this series!!

The funny thing about Heisei era is it is chaotic, and all over the place (G vs KG). It is also the most coherent at the same time. But man is it fun! Some of the best rubber suit monster battles ever. I only wish I was able to watch them when they came out. Little kid me would have loved it. We did get the trendmasters toys, but I had no idea what a Space Godzilla, Mecha Ghidorah, or Battra was. I also played the hell out of Super Godzilla. 1985 was the first Godzilla movie I ever saw, and I was hooked immediately. My ranking would be Godzilla vs King Ghidorah, G vs Space Godzilla, G vs Mechagodzilla, G vs Mothra, G vs Bollantae, 1985/Return, G vs Destroyah. The send off in 1995 was perfect and still brings a tear to my eye. Excellent video!

Nice theme song in the background king of strong style

More Godzilla videos please, love your analysis. Do all the Godzilla series reviews.