Who Killed Godzilla?
In the beloved Godzilla franchise, the question of who killed Godzilla is a crucial one. After all, Godzilla’s massive size and terrifying roar have made him the undisputed king of monsters. Over the years, several contenders have risen to the challenge, but which one finally took down the giant monster? In this article, we’ll dive into the answer.
First Defeat: The Oxygen Destroyer
In the 1954 original, Godzilla () was killed by Daisuke Serizawa using his invention, the Oxygen Destroyer. This remarkable machine was capable of dissolving Godzilla’s flesh and turning it to bones, making him utterly defeated. The destroyer’s success came after a battle-raged Tokyo, with Godzilla facing off against Japan’s armed forces. While this fight was intense, Godzilla ultimately succumbed to Serizawa’s machine, becoming the first major antagonist in the franchise to be killed.
Multiple Victims and Survivors
But did Godzilla’s reign come to an end? Oh, no! He came back, stronger than ever! Over the years, we’ve seen many creatures that have faced Godzilla in battles, with only a select few emerging victorious. Among these, a few have managed to deal mortal wounds to the king of monsters.
Key Conquests and Defeats
Here’s a quick glance at some notable creatures who have faced Godzilla and how they fared:
| Creature | Status | Fight Details |
|---|---|---|
| Rodan | Beaten | Faced Godzilla in King of the Monsters (1956). |
| Anguirus | Defeated | Faced Godzilla in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964). |
| Mothra | Survivor | Faced Godzilla in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) and several other films. |
| Mechagodzilla | Survivor | Faced Godzilla in Destroy All Monsters (1968) and Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975). |
Key Victories
A closer look at Godzilla’s major defeats reveals the following notable creatures:
- Ghidorah (), the three-headed alien-like monster, took Godzilla down in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) and later, King Ghidorah (2001).
- King Cthulhu, an ancient, squid-like entity, was capable of inflicting massive damage on Godzilla in Godzilla: City of the Dead (1973).
- Monster X, a monstrous energy creature, was also responsible for Godzilla’s defeat in Final Wars (2004).
- King of the Monsters, Mothra’s twin egg’s monstrous offspring, nearly destroyed Godzilla in Mothra’s Revenge (1991).
- King Kong (), the famous ape-like monster, finally beat Godzilla in the Americanization, Godzilla vs. King Kong (2002), despite being smaller than the radioactive beast.
Current Streak
Currently, there are several notable survivors that have managed to stand tall against Godzilla:
- Rodan and Mothra (both of which have taken on Godzilla on several occasions)
- Kingu (), an intelligent energy-based monster with various manifestations
- Doggoh (), an immense, lumbering dinosaur with incredible strength
- King Ghidorah, who has emerged as one of Godzilla’s primary enemies in the Showa series.
Conclusion
From its first appearance to present, Godzilla has had to confront numerous formidable opponents in an effort to preserve his position as the apex monster of the franchise. Whether using the Oxygen Destroyer or relying on his size, strength, and fiery powers, Godzilla has repeatedly found ways to counter each foe. In light of the various creatures listed, there is no one specific being that can definitively say they killed Godzilla; after all, his monstrous exploits continue to be woven into the fabric of cinematic legend.