Japanese Monster Movies

Japanese Monster Movies are a genre of films in Japan that has become well known for large, destructive beasts. Earmarked by the creation of Gojira in the 1950s as a reaction to the 1945 Atomic Bombing of Japan, the Kaiji Eiga genre developed later to include the likes of Mothra, Rodan, Gamera, King Ghidorah, and Anguirus among others.

Kaiju Concept

The majority of Kaiju in Japanese film are modeled after more conventional or mythological animals in Japanese lore and tradition. In addition, Japanese films have integrated the likes of Western monsters in to their own monster movie tradition, including vampires, mummies, zombies, and werewolves. However, by far the best recognized and most popular monsters in Japanese films are the giant Kaiju, often times alien in nature or the result of nuclear experimentation. Many Kaiju serve a greater villain character in the film while some are neutral or oppressed by mankind as a whole and are striking back on behalf of nature.

Popular Films

The most popular Japanese Monster Movies have made their way out of Japan and into western cinema in the form of many iconic images, including:

• Godzilla
• Rodan
• Mothra
• Aguirus
• Zilla
• King Ghidorah
• Battra
• Gigan
• Manda
• Gemera
• Gorgo
• Clover

External Links

• Japanese Movie Database (Japanese)