| Minilla | |
|---|---|
| Godzilla film series character | |
 Minilla as portrayed by Masao Fukazawa via suitmation inSon of Godzilla | |
| First appearance | Son of Godzilla (1967) |
| Last appearance | Chibi Godzilla Raids Again (2024) |
| Created by | |
| Portrayed by | Shōwa era: Masao Fukazawa Millennium era: Naoko Kamio |
| Voiced by |
|
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | Minya |
| Species | Prehistoric amphibious reptile |
| Family | Godzilla (adoptive father) |
Minilla (Japanese:ミニラ,Hepburn:Minira) is a monster, orkaiju, who first appeared inToho's 1967 filmSon of Godzilla. He is the adopted son ofGodzilla, and is sometimes referenced asMinya in the American dubbed versions.
According to directorJun Fukuda, Minilla's creation was not an attempt at appealing to child audiences, but was merely a new approach for the series.[1] After filmingEbirah, Horror of the Deep, Godzilla creatorTomoyuki Tanaka reportedly approached screenwriterShinichi Sekizawa and suggested the idea of giving Godzilla a son to commemorate theNew Year.[2] According to Godzilla historian Steve Ryfle, the character's creation was likely a response to the contemporary light-heartedGamera films.[3]
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 giantmantises calledKamacuras.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 spiderKumonga. Godzilla and Minilla were placed inhibernation 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 inGodzilla vs. Gigan.
InDestroy All Monsters, Minilla, Godzilla, and many other Earth monsters live on a new island called Monsterland. Together, they battleKing Ghidorah summoned by Kilaaks atMount Fuji. They kill Ghidorah and save planet Earth from Kilaaks. After, Minilla and the other monsters return to Monsterland.
InAll Monsters Attack, Minilla is bullied by a mutant amphibian monster named Gabara, but Minilla defeats Gabara in teamwork with Godzilla.[4] Minilla appears in Ichiro's dream.
InGodzilla vs. Gigan, Minilla only shows up in the film via stock footage.
After a 34-year absence, Minilla returns inGodzilla: Final Wars. In the film, Minilla accompanies Kenta and Samon Taguchi on an adventure around Japan after he was found by them inAokigahara during Xillien invasion. During Godzilla battles Xillien-controlledRodan,Anguirus and King Caesar, he grows about half size of his father. Minilla arrives at ruinedTokyo 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 theGotengo's crew and leaves with Godzilla into the ocean.
The children's web-seriesGodziban has Minilla andLittle Godzilla (who, in this series, goes by simply 'Little') co-existing as Godzilla's kid brothers, embarking on many misadventures while Godzilla tries to teach them important monster skills.
InChibi Godzilla Raids Again, a genderbend version of Minilla is depicted as Chibi Godzilla's younger sister and the colossal Godzilla's second child.
Minilla is often regarded as one of the most hatedGodzilla monsters by most of theGodzilla fandom, with some people depicting him as being "ugly", "annoying" and "useless".[5]
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