
Get excited with us with these real-time thoughts about Shin Godzilla as viewers celebrate its debut on Japanese television.
Finally…at long last! On November 12, Shin Godzilla made its long-awaited debut on Japanese TV. This big hit movie has become a social phenomenon since its release into Japanese theaters on July 29, 2016.
Even among the legendary Godzilla films released in the last half-century, this one has something special that makes it stand out from the crowd. Here are 40 real-time reactions from Japanese viewers that will get you hyped to re-watch it, too.
If you haven’t watched it though, beware….minor spoilers may be ahead!
Ready? Go!
40 Japanese reactions to Shin Godzilla
1. The first Japanese Godzilla film in 12 years!!
2. Can you believe that Hideaki Anno, legendary director of Neon Genesis Evangelion, directed and wrote the screenplay?!
3. The worldview in this movie is weird….
4. Is this going to be okay????
5. (After seeing the movie) It definitely was okay!!!!
6. It’s a masterpiece. A major success!
7. I’d expect no less from Anno-san!
8. I’ve got to re-watch Evangelion now.
9. Aaand now I can’t stop thinking about how maybe Godzilla was some kind of an apostle in this movie.
10. Who the heck came up with a Godzilla like this??
11. It’s the biggest Godzilla ever! It’s 118.5 meters (almost 390 feet) tall!!!
12. Is he EVOLVING?!
13. The audience is going nuts for the visuals of this second form!
14. Actually it was kind of gross…
15. The dripping body fluids kinda turned me off.
16. Somehow I love the nickname “Kamata-kun”.
17. Kamata-kun got so excited for the second production!
18. No matter how many times I hear Godzilla’s theme song, I get chills…
19. Godzilla’s fourth form is so cool!!
20. Radioactive waves are not so cool, though.
21. The dialogue is so fast!
22. I think I need subtitles for this…
23. I’m going to start saying “Gajira” like Kayako Anne Patterson (played by Satomi Ishihara) instead of the original Japanese “Gojira”.
24. I totally understand how useless it is to consult experts in emergency situations now…
25. The council scenes are so real.
26. It was so smart to call Yaguchi’s plan to defeat Godzilla the Yashiori Plan. (Yashiori is a legendary sake from Japanese mythology that was used to defeat an eight-headed, eight-tailed Japanese serpent.)
27. Check out that unmanned train bomb blowing up Godzilla!
28. Trains were always Godzilla’s victims in the old movies, but not this time, buddy!
29. The song “Uchuu Daisensou March (Battle in Outer Space)” is so awesome!
30. Even though he wasn’t on screen for long, Shouichi Izumi (Satoru Matsuo) from the Conservative Party had a strangely impressive presence.
31. So many personal connections…
32. I think shadows are the real main characters in this movie.
33. “First, you’ve got to calm down!” must be the catchphrase of Shin Godzilla.
34. “This is no time for manners. This is work,” is now my favorite motto (as said by Japan Self-Defense Forces Chief of Staff Masao Zaizen, of course).
35. These characters are totally different from the ones in Godzilla: Final Wars.
36. Even though she loses to Kayoko in the movie, we can’t deny the heroism of Hiromi Ogarashi (played by Mikiko Ichikawa). She doesn’t lose to Kayoko in my book.
37. It’s beautiful how little makeup they use.
38. All of the characters are so human, I feel like I know them!
39. Shin Godzilla: A movie that brings to light a lot of problems in our modern age!
40. I loved it. You better love it too.
Are you planning your re-watch party now? It’s even better the second time around! Plus, if you watch closely you might find some of these freeze-frame sight gags that some fans found while watching the movie…or maybe you can even find more! Happy watching!
Top image ©SoraNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]

Evangelion and pizza: The weird freeze-frame sight gags of Shin Godzilla
‘Shin Godzilla’ movie listed on sign at Tokyo filming locale
Shin Godzilla could be the biggest Japanese live-action movie hit of the year!
Shin Godzilla trailer released, hits very close to home【Video】
Screaming crowds stampede through Tokyo as new Godzilla movie starts filming 【Video】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks Japan unveils new S’mores Frappuccino and latte for Christmas 2025
One Piece devil fruit ice cream coming back to Baskin-Robbins Japan
New chain of Kirby takeout dessert shops opening in two Japanese cities for hungry Nintendo fans
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
We visit the 24-hour male-only sauna just outside of Hakata Station and ponder a strange sight
“Denki Anma”: The Japanese traditional torment that you’ll be glad stays in Japan
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
The new Shin Ultraman movie is out, and here’s what both an Ultraman fan and nonfan think of it
Teaser gives us our first peek at Japan’s upcoming Godzilla movie—and he’s gonna be BIG!【Video】
Rocky Horror Kaiju Show? Video of Japan’s amped-up Shin Godzilla audience participation screening
Japanese-produced CG Godzilla movie coming soon from anime’s hottest scriptwriter
Godzilla figure based on Shin Godzilla CG model is stunningly detailed, shockingly expensive
Here it is: the first look at the new Ultraman movie from Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno【Video】
Japan’s Godzilla movie looks darker than ever in director Hideaki Anno’s new trailer【Video】
Hideaki Anno’s Shin Ultraman gets May 2022 release date, new preview video
Evangelion and Attack on Titan directors team up to create 2016 Godzilla movie
Godzilla/Evangelion crossover figure: Two giants of Japanese storytelling in one awesome package
Evangelion fans brace for another release delay as creator is rumored to be making Ultraman movie
Behind-the-scenes video shows the CG process used to create Japan’s new Godzilla 【Video】
Godzilla, Evangelion, Ultraman, and Kamen Rider have formed a giant robot in tokusatsu clip【Vid】
Crazy movie coincidence reveals Godzilla’s true weakness: Films called Your Name
Shin Godzilla to Play in Over 440 N. American Theaters after L.A. & N.Y. Premieres
Leave a Reply