Godzilla Raids Again (1955-Film)

***Godzilla Raids Again*** (ゴジラの逆襲, *Gojira no gyakushū lit. "Godzilla's Counterattack"*) is a 1955 Japanese *kaiju* film directed by Motoyoshi Oda, with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya. Produced and distributed by Toho Studios, it is the second film in the *Godzilla* franchise. The film stars Hiroshi Koizumi, Setsuko Wakayama, Minoru Chiaki, and Takashi Shimura, with Haruo Nakajima as Godzilla and Katsumi Tezuka as Anguirus. In the film, Japan struggles to survive Godzilla's return, as well as its destructive battle against its ancient foe Anguirus.

Executive producer Iawo Mori instructed producer Tomoyuki Tanaka to immediately commence production on a second *Godzilla* film, fearing to lose the momentum of the first film's success. Oda was chosen to direct the film as Ishirō Honda was busy directing *Love Makeup*.

*Godzilla Raids Again* was released theatrically in Japan on April 24, 1955. A heavily edited version was released theatrically in the United States on June 2, 1959 by Warner Bros. Pictures Inc., under the title *Gigantis, the Fire Monster*. The film was followed by *King Kong vs. Godzilla*, released on August 11, 1962.

## Plot

Two pilots named Shoichi Tsukioka and Koji Kobayashi are hunting for schools of fish for a tuna cannery company in Osaka. Kobayashi's plane malfunctions and is forced to land near Iwato Island. Tsukioka lands to pickup Kobayashi and the two encounter Godzilla and a quadruped monster, who fall off a cliff into the ocean. Tsukioka and Kobayashi report to the authorities in Osaka, and find out that the quadruped is an ankylosaurus called Anguirus, whose species had an ancient rivalry with Godzilla's species. Dr. Kyohei Yamane, who experienced Godzilla's attack in 1954, confirms that this Godzilla is a second member of the same species, and that both monsters were likely reanimated by hydrogen bomb tests. With conventional weapons unable to kill Godzilla, Dr. Yamane suggests using flares to lure Godzilla away.

Godzilla arrives on the shore of Osaka. While a blackout of all city lights is enforced, JASDF jets use flares to lead Godzilla away from the shore. Godzilla pursues the flares, leaving the shore. Meanwhile, a prison truck transports criminals to another part of the country. The convicts hijack the truck and after a lengthy chase with the police, the truck crashes into an industrial building and starts a massive fire. The fire attracts Godzilla back to the shore. Moments later, Anguirus emerges and attacks Godzilla. As the monsters battle, the convicts attempt to escape but drown when the subway is flooded. Godzilla kills Anguirus and returns to the ocean.

Kobayashi is transferred to a Hokkaido plant. During a company party, Tsukioka and Hidemi, who came to visit, and Kobayashi are notified that Godzilla destroyed one of the company fishing boats. The military and Tsukioka begin a massive search for Godzilla. Tsukioka spots Godzilla swimming to the shore of a small, icy island. He notifies the cannery, and Kobayashi takes off in his plane to switch shifts with Tsukioka. Tsukioka, who has transferred to the air force, travels on a jet with an old friend. They drop bombs on Godzilla but are unsuccessful. Godzilla then wades towards shore. Kobayashi is killed while trying to distract Godzilla from returning to the ocean. Tsukioka is devastated but realizes that the military can shoot missiles at the mountain, and bury Godzilla in an avalanche. The jets fire missiles, and bury Godzilla in snow and ice.