Chibi Godzilla Raids Again (Japanese: ちびゴジラの逆襲, Hepburn: Chibi Gojira no Gyakushū, lit. Dwarf Godzilla's counterattack) is a Japanese short anime television series in Toho's Godzilla franchise. Produced by Pie in the Sky and Toho, the first season aired on TV Tokyo and on YouTube as a web series from April to June 2023. The second season premiered on April 3, 2024. The show takes place on Monster Island, which is inhabited by small chibi-style kaiju from the franchise.
Characters
Per Comic Natalie (2023) and Hodgkins (2023),[1] except where noted:
He is a dinosaur and the son of a colossal Godzilla who hopes to grow up to be recognized by him. A dweller of Monster Island who is acquainted with its inhabitants, he and the newcomer Chibi Mechagodzilla make a duo exploring the area's quirks.
He is a mecha who gets stranded on Monster Island, where he traverses through the landscape with Chibi Godzilla to learn about its inhabitants. His serious nature characterizes his personality, exemplified by his often verbally questioning the meaning behind illogical or extraordinary behavior from Chibi Godzilla or his friends.
She is a chibi moth who is shy and becomes lethal when crying. She can communicate telepathically with the Shobijin. It is revealed that she is secretly an otaku in season 2.
He is a robot monster sent to retrieve Chibi Mechagodzilla and destroy Monster Island. However he is always easily refuted and persuaded so he never achieves his goal.
Production
The Chibi Godzilla character—who was created to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Toho's Godzilla franchise—first appeared in the 2018 picture book Ganbare Chibi Gojira[a] by Chiharu Sakazaki. In March 2023, the character's first anime television series—Chibi Godzilla Raids Again, a title that purportedly references the second Godzilla film—was announced by Toho.[7][8]
The series comprises thirteen 2 min 40 s episodes featuring chibi-style kaiju characters,[9]
and is a manzai comedy that is targeted more at an adult audience.[10][11]
In an interview with io9, producer Go Miyazaki said that the show still appeals to children, but "we have noticed that they tend to prefer more sophisticated humor".[11]
The series is produced by animation studio Pie in the Sky and Toho. Taketo Shinkai, who is also writing the script, is directing. Character design is provided by Sakazaki and animation production is done by Junichi Endo and Yuji Nikaido. The show stars Jun Fukuyama as Chibi Godzilla and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Chibi Mechagodzilla, with Sumi Shimamoto doing the narration.[9]
The anime premiered on April 1, 2023, on TV Tokyo's programming block Iniminimanimo and began streaming internationally as a web series on the official GodzillaYouTube channel with English subtitles on April 11.[12][11]
The first season ended on its original network on June 24.[13] On March 8, 2024, it was announced that a second season would premiere on April 3, 2024 as a segment on TV Tokyo's children's television series Oha Suta and would be released on YouTube immediately after. The second season will also stream on the official Godzilla YouTube channel with English subtitles from April 10 and will run for a year.[14][15]
"Chibi Godzilla of Monster Island" Transliteration: "Kaijūtō no Chibi Gojira" (Japanese: 怪獣島のちびゴジラ)
April 1, 2023 (2023-04-01)
Chibi Mechagodzilla washes up on the beach of Monster Island, which is inhabited by kaiju, and is woken up forcefully by Chibi Godzilla. Chibi Mechagodzilla befriends him when told about Chibi Godzilla's dream of growing up so he can be hugged by his colossal father, Godzilla.
2
2
"The Three-Headed Scary God, Chibi Ghidorah" Transliteration: "Mittsu-Kubi no Jashin (Chibi Gidora)" (Japanese: 三つ首の邪神 ちびギドラ)
April 8, 2023 (2023-04-08)
Chibi Godzilla introduces him to his three-headed friend, Chibi Ghidorah, who responds to his friendship request with: acceptance, strong refusal, and acceptance to exploit him of his money. One of his heads recommends matsutake for the newcomer; as one appears, the heads bite each other as to who eats it first.
3
3
"The Resplendent Maiden, Chibi Mothra" Transliteration: "Gokusaishiki no Otome (Chibi Mosura)" (Japanese: 極彩色の乙女 ちびモスラ)
April 15, 2023 (2023-04-15)
Chibi Godzilla tries to introduce Chibi Mechagodzilla to Chibi Mothra, but the Shobijin sisters speak for her instead, convinced that they can better express her feelings. Instead, they misinterpret her, and she gets so embarrassed that she cries, releasing poisonous scales.
4
4
"The Ruler of the Skies, Chibi Rodan" Transliteration: "Sora o Suberu Kai Tori (Chibi Radon)" (Japanese: 空を統べる怪鳥 ちびラドン)
April 22, 2023 (2023-04-22)
On their way up a mountain to speak with Godzilla, the duo alongside Chibi Mothra encounter the flying Chibi Rodan. Tired of his bragging, Chibi Mechagodzilla criticizes Chibi Rodan's narcissistic behavior, to which he takes great offense and faints. Chibi Mothra revives him with kind words.
5
5
"Monster Study Session" Transliteration: "Kaijū Dai Benkyō" (Japanese: 怪獣大勉強)
April 29, 2023 (2023-04-29)
All aforementioned chibikaiju gather up for a study session about Godzilla and other kaiju, with Chibi Godzilla serving as the educator. While Chibi Mechagodzilla answers the questions rather seriously, his peers give comedic answers, which are closer to the actual solution.
6
6
"The Roaring Dragon, Chibi Anguirus" Transliteration: "Gōon no Bōryū (Chibi Angirasu)" (Japanese: 轟音の暴竜 ちびアンギラス)
May 6, 2023 (2023-05-06)
Chibi Mechagodzilla gets caught in a trap by Chibi Godzilla. Suddenly, they hear a series of roars and Chibi Godzilla escapes. It becomes apparent those came from Chibi Anguirus, who has experienced a voice change, prompting Chibi Godzilla's return. Despite the Shobijin being called over, they all misunderstand Chibi Anguirus.
Chibi Godzilla, Chibi Ghidorah, and Chibi Anguirus destroy a model city built by Chibi Mechagodzilla, citing their destructive insticts. An apology and a promise to clean up are accepted by him until they secretly resume disruption: Chibi Mechagodzilla returns and fires his laser eyes at them.
8
8
"The Sage of Grudges, Chibi Hedorah" Transliteration: "Onnen no Kenja (Chibi Hedora)" (Japanese: 怨念の賢者 ちびヘドラ)
May 20, 2023 (2023-05-20)
For a special study session, the sludge monster Chibi Hedorah arrives to teach the duo and Chibi Rodan—who faints when denied recognition—about humans whose pathetic behavior he cannot tolerate. He passionately slanders humans but reveals he has never met one.
9
9
"The Bewitching Rose, Chibi Biollante" Transliteration: "Yōenna Bara (Chibi Biorante)" (Japanese: 妖艶な薔薇 ちびビオランテ)
May 27, 2023 (2023-05-27)
In a bar, the pair and Chibi Mothra become acquainted with its owner, Chibi Biollante, who recommends unusual advice. For relaxation, she suggests a metaphor for putting the one's mind at rest; to treat dry skin, apply hyaluronic acid; and for Chibi Mechagodzilla's frustration, to drink water, which is not sold inside.
Chibi Godzilla wakes up with a slug-like and discolored body caused by a neck sprain and insists it is beneficial. He stretches back to his normal form thanks to Chibi Mothra's suggestion. In a different segment, he turns purple from bumping his knee.
Chibi Biollante hosts a karaoke party in her bar. Chibi Mechagodzilla halts Chibi Godzilla's singing of "Godzilla's Theme" when he deduces it contains only vocables. The Shobijin insist Chibi Mothra do the next song but proceed to sing without her. Chibi Anguirus roars a different title. As a finale, the party sing "Godzilla's Theme" again, leaving Chibi Mechagodzilla questioning.
12
12
"The War at Low Tide" Transliteration: "Kanchō no Dai Kettō" (Japanese: 干潮の大決闘)
June 17, 2023 (2023-06-17)
Chibi Hedorah interrupts the duo and friends who are about to dig clams. A beach cleaner, he tells them a misleading story about the types of waste he calls "weapons" that humans would dispose of. Denouncing Chibi Rodan until his fall, he tells Chibi Mechagodzilla to collect him like waste.
13
13
"A Mighty Monster's Instinct" Transliteration: "Dai Kaijū no Honnō" (Japanese: 大怪獣の本能)
June 24, 2023 (2023-06-24)
When Chibi Godzilla begins sneezing Heat Rays at Chibi Mechagodzilla—much to his anger—and roaring mightily, his friends convince him he is entering puberty. Afraid of potentially harming his friends, he announces his departure by mail. However, he returns, confirming the syndrome to be that of a cold, and, overhearing Chibi Mechagodzilla's remorse, exhibits joy in continuing to fire at him.
Chibi Godzilla and friends introduce themselves to newcomers to the series. As for Chibi Mechagodzilla, he lost all recollection on how he came to Monster Island. They set the goal for this season to cure his memory loss, which is labeled as chūnibyō (grandiose delusions).
15
2
"Chibi Minilla is a Big Girl" Transliteration: "Chibi Minira wa Shikkarisha" (Japanese: ちびミニラはしっかり者)
April 10, 2024 (2024-04-10)
Chibi Godzilla teaches his younger sister, Chibi Minilla, stranger danger and, to demonstrate, fires his Heat Ray at Chibi Mechagodzilla as soon as he arrives. They set up a mock situation for her, where Chibi Mechagodzilla plays the stranger.
16
3
"Smartphones Are Handy" Transliteration: "Sumaho wa Benri" (Japanese: スマホはべんり)
April 17, 2024 (2024-04-17)
Because Chibi Godzilla arrives late to a gathering, Chibi Mechagodzilla introduces his friends to the smartphone for better communication. However, no one except him shows up on next day's gathering.
17
4
"The Monster Island Godzillars" Transliteration: "Kaijūtō Gojirāzu" (Japanese: 怪獣島ゴジラーズ)
April 24, 2024 (2024-04-24)
Chibi Mechagodzilla teaches his friends who are all ignorant of baseball to play the sport. Chibi Godzilla hits a home run.
18
5
"Chibi Ghidorah Can't Get Along" Transliteration: "Chibi Gidora wa Naka ga Warui" (Japanese: ちびギドラは仲が悪い)
May 1, 2024 (2024-05-01)
The chibi kaiju hosts a party but Chibi Ghidorah's three heads get into a fight due to a disagreement on their movie choice and middle head playing video games at night. They briefly make up but fight again over sushi.
Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Minilla finds a hand-drawn comic book. When they try to take a peek, Chibi Mothra arrives and panics due to not wanting them to find out about her secret hobby. Chibi Godzilla reveals he is an otaku because he is a Godzilla movie fan.
20
7
"Chibi Monsters of the Sky" Transliteration: "Sora no Chibi Kaijūtachi" (Japanese: 空のちび怪獣たち)
May 15, 2024 (2024-05-15)
Chibi Rodan boasts to Chibi Mothra on the advantages on being a flying kaiju until Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Mechagodzilla shows up flying as well.
21
8
"Chibi Godzilla Has the May Blues?" Transliteration: "Chibi Gojira wa Gogatsubyō?" (Japanese: ちびゴジラは五月病?)
May 22, 2024 (2024-05-22)
Chibi Godzilla transforms into his second form again but insists it is not his bad sleep but May blues as its cause. Chibi Rodan arrives and has the May blues as well.
22
9
"Manager Chibi Gabara" Transliteration: "Ten'in wa Chibi Gabara" (Japanese: 店員はちびガバラ)
May 29, 2024 (2024-05-29)
Chibi Godzilla, Chibi Mechagodzilla, and Chibi Ghidorah visits the island's new family restaurant which is managed by Chibi Gabara, who is not good at his job.
23
10
"Shobijin Slump" Transliteration: "Shōbijin no Suranpu" (Japanese: 小美人のスランプ)
June 5, 2024 (2024-06-05)
The Shobijin get into an argument because they are out-of-sync. Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Minilla arrives and asks questions to help the sisters match again.
Chibi Godzilla writes a letter to his father for Father's Day but is not sure if it expressed his feelings well so he reads it out to his friends. His father gives a fish to Chibi Godzilla after hearing the letter.
25
12
"Chibi Minilla's First Errand" Transliteration: "Chibi Minira, Hajimete no Otsukai" (Japanese: ちびミニラ、はじめてのおつかい)
June 19, 2024 (2024-06-19)
In a parody of the Japanese television series Old Enough!, Chibi Minilla goes on her first errand to get potatoes but is distracted by Chibi Godzilla's narration. Chibi Minilla then asks Chibi Ghidorah for directions, only for him to respond with a Knights and Knaves puzzle. She arrives at the food stand, which is run by Chibi Gabara, but gets frustrated at the end when she is offered only bananas.
26
13
"Don't Underestimate Monster Hooligans" Transliteration: "Yankī Kaijū Namen na yo" (Japanese: ヤンキー怪獣ナメんなよ)
June 26, 2024 (2024-06-26)
Chibi Rodan brags to Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Mechagodzilla that he fought a kaiju hooligan and won. Chibi Titano arrives and introduces himself as the island's number one hooligan, which Chibi Rodan immediately submits to. Chibi Mechagodzilla is not convinced Chibi Titano is an actual hooligan due to his kind-heartedness towards the group.
27
14
"Pepper Farm Up In Smoke" Transliteration: "Moeagare Pīman Hatake" (Japanese: 燃え上がれピーマン畑)
July 3, 2024 (2024-07-03)
Chibi Godzilla and friends shows Chibi Mechagodzilla their vegetable farm, which can only grow peppers. They then help prepare next year's crop.
The chibi kaiju discuss if Chibi Mechagodzilla has hidden features. They discover an electric kettle and microwave feature after Chibi Godzilla begins pressing Chibi Mechagodzilla's dorsal fins. Chibi Mechagodzilla questions his existence due to his lost memories until Chibi Godzilla presses another fin which reveals Chibi Mechagodzilla's Absolute Zero Cannon, affirming that he is a robot kaiju. Chibi Godzilla then presses Chibi Mechagodzilla's chest button which activates a rice cooker, making him think he is a home appliance after all.
29
16
"Madam Bio's New Menu" Transliteration: "Bio Nēsan no Shin Menyū" (Japanese: ビオ姉さんの新メニュー)
July 17, 2024 (2024-07-17)
Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Minilla visits Chibi Biollante's bar which is struggling due to price inflation. Chibi Minilla suggests adding a new menu item to attract customers. Chibi Titano arrives and tries their new soy biscuit snack which makes him thirsty.
Chibi Mechagodzilla creates a new video game. Chibi Godzilla tries the game first before letting Chibi Hedorah play after claiming that he is good at retro games. However the game proves difficult for Hedorah and passes the controller back to Chibi Godzilla. During the boss battle, Hedorah wanted to join but ends up crashing the game after pressing the console's button.
35
22
"We Wanna Be Idols" Transliteration: "Aidoru ni Naritai no" (Japanese: アイドルになりたいの)
August 28, 2024 (2024-08-28)
The Shobijin aspire to become idols and form their own act called the Cosmos.
36
23
"Counting Godzillas" Transliteration: "Gojira ga Ippiki" (Japanese: ゴジラが一匹)
September 4, 2024 (2024-09-04)
Chibi Godzilla has trouble sleeping so he begins counting Godzillas to help fall asleep.
Chibi Minilla wants to learn how to ride a bicycle. As Chibi Godzilla tries to teach, Chibi Rodan and Chibi Titano arrives and the latter, inspired by Chibi Minilla's determination, wants her to join his biker gang.
As Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Mothra discuss about Chibi Mechagodzilla's memory loss, Chibi Gigan appears and reveals that Chibi Mechagodzilla was originally sent to destroy Monster Island and wants to retrieve him to complete the goal together.
Chibi Godzilla and his friends come across Chibi Gigan while patrolling the island and discover his love for nature.
42
29
"Monster Party Games" Transliteration: "Kaijū-ō Gēmu" (Japanese: 怪獣王ゲーム)
October 16, 2024 (2024-10-16)
The chibi kaiju play the "King of the Monsters" game in which whoever draws the king stick, everybody must obey the king.
43
30
"Fortune-Telling" Transliteration: "Anata no Unsei Uranau Yan" (Japanese: あなたの運勢占うやん)
October 23, 2024 (2024-10-23)
Chibi Godzilla and his friends visit Chibi Biollante's bar after hearing it was renovated. They learn she has open a fortune telling and secondhand shop to attract more business.
44
31
"I Am You and You Are Who?" Transliteration: "Ore ga Omae de Omae ga Dare ka de" (Japanese: 俺がお前でお前が誰かで)
October 30, 2024 (2024-10-30)
Chibi Ghidorah's heads get into a fight. When the heads start headbutting each other, their souls get swapped.
45
32
"Godzilla King Showdown" Transliteration: "Gojiraō Ketteisen" (Japanese: ゴジラ王決定戦)
November 6, 2024 (2024-11-06)
To celebrate Godzilla Day, Chibi Godzilla holds a Godzilla-related quiz competition.
46
33
"Chibi Gigan's Perfect Home" Transliteration: "Chibi Gaigan no Heya Sagashi" (Japanese: ちびガイガンの部屋探し)
November 13, 2024 (2024-11-13)
Chibi Gigan visits the island's real estate agency to find his perfect home.
Chibi Mechagodzilla invents a water filitration machine. When Chibi Hedorah arrives and begins his usual lectures, the chibi kaiju decide to put him through the machine to purify his polluted thoughts, with unexpected results.
Japanese name – ちびゴジラが初のTVアニメ化!キャストに福山潤、松岡禎丞、江口拓也、高橋李依ら [Chibi Godzilla gets made into its first TV anime! Cast includes Fukuyama, Jun; Matsuoka, Yoshitsugu; Eguchi, Takuya; Takahashi, Rie; and others]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha. March 2, 2023. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
^ abcdeちびゴジラの逆襲 [Chibi Godzilla Raids Again]. Godzilla Store (in Japanese). Toho. n.d. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.