Godzilla Minus One gained worldwide attention because of its incredible visual effects despite its small production budget, but mostly after it earned an Oscar this year for Best Visual Effects.
The story is quite simple: Japan has barely recuperated from the Second World War when a giant monster emerges off the coast of Tokyo. However, the implications are quite complicated because of its historical allusions, and this is probably the reason why the film only had a limited release.
Godzilla Minus One Faces Major Criticism From South Korean Audience
In an article from The Chosun Daily, Godzilla Minus One gets slammed by South Korean viewers because of the scenes featured in the movie. While it is considered a blockbuster in other countries, it is under scrutiny in South Korea for allegedly “glorifying Kamikaze pilots”. The post stated:
Some criticize the film for depicting Japan, which suffered atomic bombings and lost the war, as defeating an atomic bomb-wielding Godzilla, interpreting it as a “mental victory” without reflection.
It was said that Godzilla’s radiation heat rays that looked like atomic bomb explosions and Japan being in a state of devastation after the war ignited the controversy. The article continued, “Some also view the scene where protagonist Koichi Shikishima, a war survivor, crashes a bomb-laden plane into Godzilla as glorifying Kamikaze pilots.”
Kamikaze pilots are flyers who deliberately crash custom-made planes directly into enemy warships which can also be seen as an act of s—cide. People who enlist as Kamikaze pilots see the act as the fulfillment of their duty to their Emperor.
Ryunosuke Kamiki, the actor who portrayed Koichi Shikishima, told Vulture that he does not agree with the concept of sacrificing one’s own life. “The mentality of that time of these kamikaze pilots was that it was a celebration.” For them, it was an honor to be able to save their family and the people of their country.
On the other hand, some argue that Godzilla Minus One conveys an “anti-war message.” For them, it’s a criticism of the Japanese government’s neglect of soldiers’ lives during the war.
Godzilla was created around the 1950s, so it’s understandable that the team wanted to helm a movie around that period, although from a historical point of view, it will always have several different interpretations.
On the international level, the monster flick has received mostly positive reactions. At the 2024 Academy Awards, it received the Best in Visual Effects prize, beating other large-budget Hollywood films.
Fans Join In Debate Over Godzilla Minus One Controversy
Netizens are also sharing their opinions on the criticism of the Godzilla Minus One. Some of them think the creators of the film aren’t specifically “glorifying Kamikaze pilots” but are very against the idea. Some are saying that South Korean viewers have completely missed the point of the movie. Check out their tweets below:
I’m not gonna tell nations who suffered under Japan in WWII how to feel about things but the movie is very explicitly anti-kamikaze – to me, the fact that he ejected last minute is a rejection of that idea, not a celebration
— MovieKaiser 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🎬 (@MKaiser117) June 14, 2024
I guess that's to be expected. The article goes on the point out that South Korea looks at it through a historical lens and seeing as how Japan has never apologized for the atrocities inflicted on South Korea for decades, I can see why they're reacting that way.
— Robert McQueen 🇵🇸 🇿🇦 (@mcqueen_robert) June 12, 2024
Did they watch a different movie or something, wasn't the whole idea he was supposed to die but the mechanic installed an ejector seat so he could live??? Like it's the complete opposite of glorifying kamikaze pilots.
— bleeps (@b133ps) June 12, 2024
As a Godzilla fan living in Korea, I can understand both perspectives. However, Western viewers don't quite understand why this topic keeps being brought up in South Korea.
— @PARKJA_ (@PARKJAv1) June 13, 2024
This is extra hilarious because these people watched the movie and somehow didn’t notice it very much condemns pointless self sacrifice. Was everyone stoned?
— Rick. Eternal. Shiny and Chrome. (@Trick_Question7) June 14, 2024
Respectfully, I think they are wrong. If anything, the film was actually a criticism of the kamikaze as well as imperial Japan’s treatment of human life during the war. One of the big themes of the movie is the value of human life.
— King (@StrongestKing7) June 14, 2024
Godzilla Minus One is currently streaming worldwide on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
