'Godzilla World' Is Japan's Version of Hollywood's 'MonsterVerse' — and It Sounds Like Godzilla Minus One Is Just the Start
· IGN
Godzilla is set to burst back on to theater screens in Godzilla Minus Zero in November this year. However, Toho has recently hinted that new plans are afoot for its legendary King of the Monsters. The giant kaiju will be getting “Godzilla World,” a plan to expand and interconnect the Japanese Godzilla’s universe in a similar way to what Hollywood's MonsterVerse franchise has done with its modern reboots of the American Godzilla and King Kong IPs.
Speaking to Japan’s News Picks, Chief Godzilla Officer Keiji Ota (yes, that’s a real job title) hinted at what’s in store for the King of the Monsters over the coming years.
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“In addition to the Godzilla films created by Hideaki Anno (2016’s Shin Godzilla) and Takashi Yamazaki (Godzilla Minus One and the upcoming Godzilla Minus Zero), if Toho itself creates original concepts for Godzilla, we will be able to strategically produce spin-offs as well,” Ota noted.
“Just as Legendary has its MonsterVerse, we are currently progressing with plans to call ours Godzilla World,” Ota added, before explaining: “If we focus on creating original concepts (for Godzilla), we might be able to keep the franchise going for another 50 years.” In practice, this could mean more forays into video games, streaming series, anime and other formats, spreading the 72-year-old kaiju’s appeal to different age groups and audiences.
Toho owns 100% of the Godzilla IP, which not only gives it the lion’s share of the profits but also a lot of creative freedom. Ota explained that it's fine to have different versions of Godzilla, and for various creators to get involved. This flexibility can be seen in recent efforts like kids’ anime series Chibi Godzilla Raids Again (2023-), and seems likely to continue. Ota emphasized that this kind of diverse approach is vital to transform Godzilla from a movie-profit centric franchise into a multimedia IP appealing to varied audiences.
Godzilla first stomped his way on to Japanese cinema screens in 1954, launching a successful movie series. However, Ota noted “Godzilla used to be a ‘movie star,’ he only appeared on the silver screen. Although he would draw crowds with each new release, this enthusiasm was limited to each individual movie and did not translate into sustainable revenue.”
After 2004’s 50th anniversary movie Godzilla: Final Wars, his star was in danger of waning, with the monster going on cinematic hiatus until Hollywood's Godzilla’s reboot in 2014. The global success of this hit inspired Toho to set in motion the plan to bring its monster out of retirement for 2016’s Hideaki Anno-helmed Shin Godzilla. “I’m extremely grateful to (Godzilla 2014’s) director Gareth Edwards for making me realize just how deeply loved Godzilla is all over the world,” said Ota.
The Chief Godzilla Officer added that Toho has also learned from Legendary’s MonsterVerse concept, saying: “They are linking the Godzilla movies together, rather than just viewing them as standalones. They are creating these movies with the concept of building a franchise within a vast universe. As with Marvel’s shared universe, I was impressed by their ability to design such a world.”
2023’s Godzilla Minus One was a worldwide hit, becoming the highest grossing Japanese live-action movie of all time in North America. However, Toho’s Godzilla brand is currently still reliant on movie profits. In addition to plans to open further Godzilla Stores, Ota revealed that Toho aims to introduce Godzilla ride attractions internationally, as well as console games and streaming series to attract younger audiences. To this end, Toho will invest over 15 billion yen (approx. $94 million) into its giant kaiju over the next three years, with a 10-year roadmap for his multimedia IP success.
Ota believes that one of the reasons Godzilla continues to resonate with people throughout the world is because the movies have continuously held up a mirror to society, reflecting contemporary issues. “I’d like to make it into an IP that continues for another 50 or 100 years,” Oda concluded.
Toho as a whole achieved record high profits last year, thanks in part to mega box office hits Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Kokuho. However, rather than relying on such big movie hits, it plans to pivot towards a continuous growth model that focuses on bolstering its IPs, maintaining strong connections to fans through a combination of movies, games, merchandise, streaming and events. This new ‘Godzilla World’ concept seems to be in-line with this vision.
The MonsterVerse, meanwhile, is in full swing, with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters amid its second season, and Godzilla x Kong: Supernova due out March 26, 2027.
Verity Townsend is a Japan-based freelance writer who previously served as editor, contributor and translator for the game news site Automaton West. She has also written about Japanese culture and movies for various publications.