Summary
The King of the Monsters has had quite a few redesigns over the years, from the dummy thick thighs of the Singular Point design to the modern-day classic that is the big G’s appearance in Godzilla: Minus One, nearly every film and TV appearance of cinema’s most recognizable kaiju looks a little different, which begs the question, whichGodzilladesign is best?
While what makes a great design is inherently subjective, it’s also the case that some designs have stood the test of time more than others, and fan favorite designs are fan favorites for a reason. With that in mind, these are (probably) the best looks Godzilla has sported over the years.
81954 Godzilla
The Original Suit Looks Great… By 1954 Standards
The original Godzilla isone of the greatest films of all time, and one of the most important, to boot. As far as movie monsters go, you have to appreciate the fact that this general design has managed to carry Godzilla as a brand for over 70 years.
The spikes down his back, the mighty tail, and the overall silhouette are as good as it gets, but the suit itself is definitely a product of its time. Don’t get us wrong, 1954 Godzilla looks amazing for 1954, but its doubtful the 1954 suit would hold up if it was brought back today.
7Goshira
Also Known As Koshira And Gojira
Godzilla Singular Point took a science and history-based approach to kaiju, and, for as off-putting as that makes Godzilla’s SP design look at first (known as Koshira or Goshira in the anime), the attention to detail and the realism of the approach really do a lot to make Singular Point’s rendition of the character stand out from the crowd.
Each aspect of the classic monster’s design has been re-imagined and meticulously thought out, from the enormous legs which are muscular enough to hold Goji’s weight to the length of the tail for balance, this design is one of Godzilla’s most unique and creative.
6Shin Gojira
Godzilla At His Most Frightful
Shin Godzilla completely changed the design of Godzilla yet again, straying far away from all previous incarnations and cranking out a design which may very well be the character’s most haunting appearance to date.
Terrifyingly sharp teeth jut out from the creature’s charred head, and the lifeless eyes of Shin Gojira as it rampages through Tokyo are not easily forgotten. While the design strays a little too far from its roots for some fans, it’s doubtful the middling Shin Godzilla would be remembered today without this chilling monster design.
5GMK Godzilla
A Little Goofy, But A Good Design, Nonetheless
GMK, or Godzilla, Mothra, And King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack!, is a fan-favorite Godzilla film which chose to largely redesign the entire cast of iconic kaiju, to results which you’ll either love or very adamantly dislike.
GMK Godzilla, for the most part, looks fantastic, with a tough and muscular appearance that really sells his size and power. While unfortunately, the spines on Goji’s back do look a bit like plastic in some shots and those toes are a bit goofy, the rest of the design more than makes up for it.
4KiryuGoji
The Kiryu Mechagodzilla Design Was Pretty Great, Too
Personal bias alert here, but the Kiryu designs tend to be my favorites, especially in the case of Godzilla himself.The cold, monstrous faceof the Kiryu design works really well here, and the overall design has a great sense of balance, with no one section feeling too big or too small.
That said, the balanced approach does come across to some as unrealistic, given that Godzilla’s legs should naturally be a lot larger to carry his weight, but we’re talking about a giant gorilla-whale here; there’s going to have to be at least a little suspension of disbelief regardless.
3KoTM Godzilla
Also Known As Titanus Gojira
It’s subtle, but there is a difference between the 2014 Godzilla design and the one that’s been used ever since King Of The Monsters released in 2019. Of the two, the better version of the Legendary design is the latter, which is probably why it’s stuck around ever since.
Godzilla’s facial features have been completely reimagined to fit the gritty CGI style of the movies, but the design remains expressive and lively, without sacrificing the sheer scale and power of what is intended to be a terrifying monster. It’s a solid rendition, through and through.
2BatoGoji
The Little Ears Are A Fantastic Touch
Godzilla’s baseline appearance was more or less set in stone from the very get go, but the BatoGoji design, first used in 1992’s Godzilla vs. Mothra, really feels like it strikes the perfect balance between lovable character and intimidating monster.
For many fans, the BatoGoji design isthe first thing they think of when they think ‘Godzilla’, and a lot of that has to do with the balanced sizes of the spikes, muscular legs, and of course, the rounded out and expressive facial features. Especially those cute little ears.
1Minus One Godzilla
The Ultimate Monster’s Ultimate Design
Godzilla: Minus One has breathed a completely new life into Godzilla’s cinematic career, and that comes complete with what is without a doubt the best design the King of the Monsters has ever sported, from the rigid facial features to the way the spines jut out when Goji is prepping his atomic breath.
Incorporating a mixture of the beast’s best features from previous designs, this design feels like Godzilla has finally been perfected in a way that no previous design ever truly has. If this look is anything to go by, we can’t wait to see what future films will do for the rest of Godzilla’s iconic cast.
