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Minilla
Minilla
Godzilla film series character
	Minilla as seen in Son of Godzilla (1967)
First appearance	Son of Godzilla (1967)
Last appearance	Chibi Godzilla Raids Again (2024)
Created by	Jun Fukuda; Tomoyuki Tanaka;
Portrayed by	Shōwa series; Masao Fukazawa; Millennium series; Naoko Kamio
Voiced by	Midori Uchiyama (All Monsters Attack); Maaya Uchida (Chibi Godzilla Raids Again);
In-universe information
Alias	Minya
Species	Prehistoric monster
Family	Godzilla (adoptive father)

Minilla (Japanese: ミニラ, Hepburn: Minira) is a fictional monster, or kaiju who first appeared in Toho's 1967 film Son of Godzilla. He is the adopted son of Godzilla, and is sometimes referenced as Minya, Godzilla Jr., and Baby Godzilla in the American dubbed versions.

Overview

Development

According to director Jun Fukuda, Minilla's creation was not an attempt at appealing to child audiences, but was merely a new approach for the series.^[1] After filming Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, Godzilla creator Tomoyuki Tanaka reportedly approached screenwriter Shinichi Sekizawa and suggested the idea of giving Godzilla a son to commemorate the New Year.^[2] According to Godzilla historian Steve Ryfle, the character's creation was likely a response to the contemporary light-hearted Gamera films.^[3]

Shōwa era (1967–1969)

In his debut film, Son of Godzilla, Minilla was born on Sollgel Island, when his egg was prematurely cracked open by a group of mutant giant mantises called Kamacuras. Godzilla soon arrived, killed two of the Kamacuras, and rescued Minilla. Godzilla proceeded to train Minilla and defended him against further attacks from the final Kamacuras and the giant spider Kumonga. Godzilla and Minilla were placed in hibernation when a group of scientists completed a weather experiment, resulting in the freezing of their island. The monsters were revived when the snow melted, and eventually relocated to Monster Island, as seen via stock footage in Godzilla vs. Gigan.

In Destroy All Monsters, Minilla, Godzilla, and many other Earth monsters live on a new island called Monsterland. Together, they battle King Ghidorah summoned by Kilaaks at Mount Fuji. They kill Ghidorah and save planet Earth from Kilaaks. After, Minilla and the other monsters return to Monsterland.

Millennium era (2004)

In Godzilla: Final Wars, Minilla accompanies Kenta and Samon Taguchi on an adventure around Japan after he was found by them in Aokigahara during Xillien invasion. During Godzilla battles Xillien-controlled Rodan, Anguirus and King Caesar, he grows about half size of his father. Minilla arrives at ruined Tokyo after Godzilla defeated Keizer Ghidorah and convinced his father to forgive mankind for their sins. In the end, Minilla bids farewell to Kenta, Samon and Gotengo's crew and leaves with Godzilla into the ocean.

Other

The children's web-series Godziban has Minilla and Little Godzilla (who now goes by simply 'Little') co-existing as Godzilla's kid brothers, embarking on many misadventures while Godzilla tries to teach them important monster skills.

In Chibi Godzilla Raids Again, a genderbend version of Minilla is depicted as Chibi Godzilla's younger sister.

Appearances

Films

Son of Godzilla (1967)
Destroy All Monsters (1968)
All Monsters Attack (1969)
Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972, stock footage cameo)
Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

Television

Ike! Greenman (1973–1974)
Godziban (2019-present)
Chibi Godzilla Raids Again (2024)

Video games

Godzilla / Godzilla-Kun: Kaijuu Daikessen (Game Boy – 1990) – In the game, Minilla is trapped in a large maze. He awaits rescue by Godzilla, the player's character. The only point in which Minilla appears is during the ending sequence.
Godzilla Trading Battle (PlayStation – 1998)
Godzilla Generations (Dreamcast – 1998) – A secret character that is unlocked after completing the game with Godzilla-USA, Minilla is the shortest of the playable characters and also the weakest in terms of defense. His speed is average, and his breath weapon, atomic smoke rings, is not very powerful, as several uses are required to defeat even the Super X.
Godzilla Battle Line (2021)

Other juvenile Godzillas

Godzooky, Godzilla's nephew from the 1978-81 animated television series Godzilla.
Godzilla Junior (also referred to as Little Godzilla and Baby Godzilla), Godzilla's son from Heisei era, introduced in the 1993 film Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II.
Zilla Junior, from the 1998 film Godzilla and the 1998–2000 animated television series Godzilla: The Series.

References

^ David Milner, "Jun Fukuda Interview" Archived 2020-02-24 at the Wayback Machine, Kaiju Conversations (July 1994)
^ Kalat, David (2010). A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. pp. 98–102. ISBN 978-0-7864-47-49-7.
^ Ryfle, S. (1998). Japan's Favorite Mon-Star: The Unauthorized Biography of the Big G. Toronto: ECW Press. pp. 139–43. ISBN 1550223488.