| Chibi Godzilla Raids Again | |
 | |
| ちびゴジラの逆襲 (Chibi Gojira no Gyakushū) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Kaiju, manzai |
| Created by |
|
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Taketo Shinkai |
| Produced by | Go Miyazaki |
| Written by | Taketo Shinkai |
| Studio | Pie in the Sky |
| Original network | TV Tokyo |
| Original run | April 1, 2023 – present |
| Episodes | 15 |
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:
- Chibi Godzilla (ちびゴジラ, Chibi Gojira, voiced by Jun Fukuyama)
- He is 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 quirks of the area.
- Chibi Mechagodzilla (ちびメカゴジラ, Chibi Meka Gojira, voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka)
- 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 personality is characterized by his serious nature, exemplified by him often verbally questioning the meaning behind illogical or extraordinary behavior from Chibi Godzilla or his friends.
- Chibi Ghidorah (ちびギドラ, Chibi Gidora, voiced by Takuya Eguchi)
- He is a dragon with three heads, each of which has its own personality that often contradicts the other.
- Chibi Mothra (ちびモスラ, Chibi Mosura, voiced by Rie Takahashi)
- She is shy and becomes lethal when crying. She can communicate telepathically with the Shobijin.
- Chibi Rodan (ちびラドン, Chibi Radon, voiced by Hiro Shimono)
- He is a self-centered flying dragon who is also insecure and faints every time he is ridiculed.
- Chibi Anguirus (ちびアンギラス, Chibi Angirasu, voiced by N/A) [2]
- He is a chibi dragon whose voice has broken and developed into unintelligible roars.
- Chibi Biollante (ちびビオランテ, Chibi Biorante, voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro)
- She is the owner of a bar. She often speaks in literary words.
- Chibi Hedorah (ちびヘドラ, Chibi Hedora, voiced by Fumihiko Tachiki)
- He is a sludge monster who passionately slanders humans.
- Shobijin sisters (小美人, Shōbijin, voiced by Reina Ueda (older) & Akari Kitō (younger))
- They are a pair of twin sisters who can serve as telepathic interpreters for their friend, Chibi Mothra.
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. [3] [4] The series comprises thirteen 2 min 40 s episodes featuring chibi-style kaiju characters, [5] and is a manzai comedy that is targeted more at an adult audience. [6] [7] 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". [7]
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. [5] 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 Godzilla YouTube channel with English subtitles on April 11. [8] [7] The first season ended on its original network on June 24. [9] 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. [10] [11]
Episodes
Season 1 (2023)
|
No. overall |
No. in season | Title [2] | Original air date [9] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Chibi Godzilla of Monster Island" Transliteration: "Kaijūtō no Chibi Gojira" ( Japanese: 怪獣島のちびゴジラ) | April 1, 2023 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| All aforementioned chibi kaiju 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 | |
| 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. | ||||
| 7 | 7 | "All Chibi Monsters Attack" Transliteration: "Chibi Kaijū Sō Shingeki" ( Japanese: ちび怪獣総進撃) | May 13, 2023 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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. | ||||
| 10 | 10 | "Chibi Godzilla's Second Form" Transliteration: "Chibi Gojira Daini Deitai" ( Japanese: ちびゴジラ第2形態) | June 3, 2023 | |
| 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. | ||||
| 11 | 11 | "An All-Chibi Monster Chorus" Transliteration: "Ōru-Chibi Kaijū Dai Gasshō" ( Japanese: オールちび怪獣大合唱) | June 10, 2023 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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. | ||||
Season 2 (2024)
|
No. overall |
No. in season | Title [2] | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | "Shin Chibi Godzilla" Transliteration: "Shin Chibi Gojira" ( Japanese: シン・ちびゴジラ) | April 3, 2024 | |
| 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 | Transliteration: "Chibi Minira wa Shikkarisha" ( Japanese: ちびミニラはしっかり者) | April 10, 2024 | |
| 16 | 3 | Transliteration: "Suma ho Haben ri" ( Japanese: スマホはべんり) | April 17, 2024 | |
References
-
^
- 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.
- Voice – Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 17, 2023). "Chibi Godzilla no Gyakushū Anime's Trailer Streamed". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ Luster, Joseph (March 3, 2023). "Chibi Godzilla Anime Roars to Life This April". Otaku USA. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ Cayanan, Joanna (March 2, 2023). "Chibi Godzilla Character Gets Its 1st TV Anime on April 1". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ a b Milligan, Mercedes (April 11, 2023). "Mini-Monster Mayhem Returns in 'Chibi Godzilla Raids Again'!". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ Chapman, Paul (April 11, 2023). "Chibi Godzilla Raids Again Stomps YouTube with New English Subtitles". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ a b c Whitbrook, James (April 11, 2023). "Why Godzilla Has Returned, Cuter Than Ever". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ Mateo, Alex (April 11, 2023). "Chibi Godzilla Raids Again Anime Streams on YouTube with English Subtitles". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ a b News. Godzilla Store (in Japanese). Toho. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
- ^ "'Chibi Godzilla Raids Again' S2 Coming to the Godzilla YouTube Channel April 10". Godzilla Official. March 27, 2024. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "福山潤「帰ってきました！」松岡禎丞ら豪華声優陣続投「ちびゴジラの逆襲」放送決定". Cinemacafe.net (in Japanese). March 8, 2024. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
Sources
- ^ Sakazaki, Chiharu (2018). がんばれちびゴジラ [Do Your Best, Chibi Godzilla!] (in Japanese). Kodansha. ISBN 978-4-06-513066-7. OCLC 1063696103.
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)
- Chibi Godzilla Raids Again playlist on YouTube
- Chibi Godzilla Raids Again (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
