Shin Godzilla - Figures
Shin Godzilla (sometimes called Godzilla Resurgence) is a 2016 film that was produced by Toho Company, Ltd. and acts as a reboot to the Godzilla series. The film was directed by both Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi while the screenplay was written solely by Anno. Although there are many similarities between this new version of Godzilla and its predecessors, the origin of the Kaiju monster is entirely original to this particular film. As an entry to the world-renowned Godzilla series, fans and avid collectors around the world were quick to voice their desires for merchandise. Figures of the monster itself are notably popular among fans, as they were eager to see how this unique, modern take on Godzilla would turn out. Out of the few figures of this new Godzilla, some of the most popular include the “Hype Solid Series Godzilla (2016) Second Form”, the “S.H.MonsterArts Shin Godzilla Godzilla the Fourth Frozen Ver.”, and the “Shin Godzilla Head-to-Tail Atomic Blast Action Figure”.
Hyper Solid Series Godzilla (2016) Second Form Figure
This figure from Art Spirits’ Hyper Solid series features the second form of Godzilla, which is the first full appearance of the Kaiju in the film. This form of Godzilla is possibly the most sickly and deformed, as it is still in the process of evolving into stronger, more complete forms. The figure replicates this strange, grotesque form by displaying Godzilla’s stubby, underdeveloped limbs bending under its own weight, as it is unable to support itself. Other details also add an unsettling appearance to this incomplete form of Godzilla, like its exposed muscle and yellow skin. That said, the needle-like teeth and sharp, jagged spikes lining Godzilla’s mouth and back make this version of Godzilla quite intimidating.
- Product Name: Hyper Solid Series Godzilla (2016) Second Form
- Manufacturer: Art Spirits
- Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale figure
S.H.MonsterArts Shin Godzilla Godzilla the Fourth Frozen Ver. Figure
This figure of Godzilla was inspired by the scene in the film where a freezing-cold blood coagulant is injected into the deadly monster, temporarily mobilizing it. An impressive amount of detail is crafted into this figure, which can be seen particularly in the reptilian-like skin of Godzilla. Many folds, creases, scales, and spikes are carefully sculpted into the figure to make it appear as realistic as possible. It also appears to have frost coating its entire body, emphasizing its frozen state. Despite being frozen solid, Godzilla has its mouth wide open as if it were right in the middle of a screeching roar. Several tail parts are also included for an extra bit of variety.
- Product Name: S.H.MonsterArts Shin Godzilla Godzilla the Fourth Frozen Ver.
- Series: Shin Godzilla
- Product Line: S.H.MonsterArts
- Manufacturer: Bandai
- Sculptors: Takashi Yamaguchi, Takayuki Takeya, Genzou Ihara, Masaaki Ozeki, and Atsushi Hagiwara
- Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale ABS figure with extra tail parts
- Height (Approx.): 180 mm
Shin Godzilla Head-to-Tail Atomic Blast Action Figure
This figure showcases the fourth form of Godzilla as it launches a lethal Atomic Blast from both its mouth and tail. Godzilla’s normally dark, scaly skin is shown radiating an eerie shade of red that turns to bright purple toward the spikes on its back, which then shifts to a bright white light that is fired from focused points in the Kaiju’s mouth and tail. The mouth of the figure is also stretched out in a rather unsettling way, further adding to Godzilla’s terrifying appearance. This particular figure also includes over 30 points of articulation throughout the figure, adding an incredible amount of potential poses for the user to choose.
- Product Name: Shin Godzilla Head-to-Tail Atomic Blast Action Figure
- Series: Shin Godzilla
- Manufacturer: WAVE (Dream Tech)
- Sculptors: NECA, Inc.
- Specifications: Painted, articulated, non-scale figure
- Height (Approx.): 304.8 mm
The Shin Godzilla Series Story
As a reboot of the Godzilla series, the plot of Shin Godzilla entails a brand new retelling of Godzilla’s origin and its first attack on Japan. Although Godzilla was originally a prehistoric reptile exposed to nuclear radiation, this version of Godzilla is an entirely new organism that was mutated by nuclear waste, which caused it to rapidly mutate and become immune to the ill effects of the radiation. The resulting creature gained the incredible ability to rapidly evolve and mutate its body to travel on land and eventually use the radiation it had absorbed to attack those that opposed it. As Godzilla wreaks havoc on Japan, the Japanese government scrambles to evacuate its citizens as scientists attempt to find a way to put an end to Godzilla’s destruction. Time continues to pass and the Kaiju continues evolving and becoming even stronger. Although Godzilla becomes nigh unstoppable, it is hypothesized that the creature can be immobilized by supercooling it with a blood coagulant. Through many struggles and lost lives, the strategy proves to be successful for the time being.
The Shin Godzilla Series Development
Production of Shin Godzilla was handled by Toho Company, Ltd and was directed by Hideaki Anno, who is most renowned for the creation of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The film was first teased on the official Godzilla website and began production sometime between summer and fall of 2015. Although Godzilla was initially planned to be portrayed with a bodysuit like many other incarnations, the final version of the film primarily uses CGI throughout Godzilla’s various forms. That said, a motion-capturing body suit was used at times for Godzilla’s fourth form. This suit was worn by Mansai Nomura and included the main Godzilla body, a mask, and a set of dorsal plates. The first showing of the film occurred in Japan on July 29th, 2016, and was later brought to the United States on October 11th, 2016. The film also performed incredibly well in Japan, earning over 5.3 billion yen within a month of its theatrical release, which out-performed Anno’s previous film, Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo).
Links
Hyper Solid Series Godzilla (2016) Second Form
S.H.MonsterArts Shin Godzilla Godzilla the Fourth Frozen Ver.
Shin Godzilla Head-to-Tail Atomic Blast Action Figure
Godzilla Figures
Godzilla Label