Ranking Every Godzilla Animated Series and Film

Overview

Animated portrayals offer creative liberty for Godzilla’s character.
Godzilla has appeared in various animated series and films, showcasing a range of artistic styles.
The anime film Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters is often hailed as the premier anime representation of the Kaiju.

While Godzilla stands as a cultural icon across multiple mediums, animated adaptations provide unprecedented creative flexibility. This artistic freedom permits exploration of character dimensions and narratives that live-action films often struggle to achieve.

The animated interpretations of Godzilla showcase a remarkable diversity in visual styles. Ranging from Chibi and anime to more family-friendly Western adaptations, numerous animated series and films have introduced the King of Monsters in innovative ways that may surprise even the most ardent fans.

8 Godzilland

A Surreal Japanese Kids Show

IMDb Score: 6.5
Release Period: 1992-1993
Produced By: Toho Animation

Godzilland refers to a combination of television series that aired over two years, merging live-action with Chibi animation, catchy songs, and even goofy workout segments. Aimed primarily at children, this series captures the essence of its time despite not fully resonating with modern audiences.

Originally conceived to promote Godzilla vs Mothra, Godzilland also taught kids foundational concepts like the alphabet and numbers while placing the iconic Kaiju in a whimsical, family-friendly context. This unique approach contributed to a generation of children becoming familiar with the legendary monster.

7 Chibi Godzilla Raids Again

A Quirky Toho Creation

IMDb Score: 7.4
Release: 2023-Present
Created By: Pie In The Sky

Chibi Godzilla presents one of the most peculiar takes on Godzilla, featuring the antics of his diminutive son exploring Monster Island alongside Chibi versions of other famous Kaiju, including Mechagodzilla and Ghidorah. The series delivers a light-hearted and entertaining view of these giant creatures.

By incorporating humor through characters such as an embarrassed Mothra and a flamboyant Rodan, this animated show provides a fresh and enjoyable perspective, distinguishing itself from more traditional Godzilla narratives.

6 Godzilla: The Planet Eater

The Climax of the Anime Trilogy

IMDb Score: 5.1
Release: 2018
Produced By: Toho Animation

Toho’s venture into animated cinema gave rise to a trilogy exploring a futuristic Godzilla. In The Planet Eater, humanity’s remnants unite to confront Ghidorah—a formidable entity from another dimension threatening both Godzilla and Earth.

This installment presented unexpected twists, diverging from typical narratives familiar to fans. Although some viewers were left dissatisfied with the film’s conclusion, it marked an intriguing chapter in the Godzilla saga.

5 Godzilla: City On The Edge Of Battle

A Unique Take on MechaGodzilla

IMDb Score: 5.8
Release: 2018
Produced By: Toho Animation

In this second installment of the anime trilogy, survivors from the initial showdown with Godzilla Earth discover a city built from Mechagodzilla’s remains. Unlike typical monster battles, this narrative delves into themes of nanotechnology and its implications for Mechagodzilla’s future potential.

The film focuses more on tensions among humans and their alien allies than on high-octane monster brawls, which detracted from the excitement that fans had anticipated. The absence of Mechagodzilla in a physical confrontation with Godzilla was surprising, leading to a narrative that though compelling, lacked action.

4 Godzilla: Singular Point

An Authentic Anime Exploration of Godzilla

IMDb Score: 6.5
Release: 2021
Produced By: Bones & Orange

Surprisingly, there had not been a standard anime series about Godzilla in its over sixty-five-year history until Godzilla: Singular Point. This series introduces characters piloting a Jet Jaguar robot as they combat emerging Kaiju—including Rodan and Anguirus—unraveling deeper mysteries linked to a powerful creature.

This show skillfully integrates Godzilla’s mythology into a consumable anime format, providing an opportunity for rich storytelling. Its lack of a second season remains puzzling, yet the show’s potential for expansion is tantalizing in the vibrant landscape of anime.

3 Godzilla (1978)

A Hanna-Barbera Interpretation of Kaiju

IMDb Score: 6.1
Release Period: 1978-1981
Produced By: Hanna-Barbera Productions

Although there have been few Western adaptations of Godzilla in animated form, each has left its mark. Created by Hanna-Barbera—the team behind classics like Scooby-Doo and Tom & Jerry—this late 70s series features Godzilla teaming up with humans to combat monstrous threats, alongside his comedic nephew, Godzooky.

This whimsical and cartoonish portrayal is fondly remembered, educating a generation of Western audiences about the Kaiju legend. Despite its exaggerated style, it played a vital role in introducing Godzilla to a broader audience and contributed significantly to the franchise’s enduring legacy.

2 Godzilla: Planet Of The Monsters

The Pinnacle of Anime Interpretations

This first installment of the anime trilogy released on Netflix captured the hearts of franchise fans, featuring a story where humanity returns to Earth after 20,000 years, only to confront the persistent threat of Godzilla. The film expertly combines breathtaking animation with a compelling narrative that explores humanity’s struggle for survival against the massive Kaiju.

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters effectively showcases the advantages of anime in creating exhilarating action scenes, surpassing earlier attempts to depict Godzilla in animated form. This film represents a high-water mark for the franchise, preceding Toho’s return to live-action with Godzilla Minus One.

1 Godzilla: The Series

The Ultimate Animated Interpretation of Godzilla

IMDb Score: 6.8
Release Period: 1998-2001
Produced By: Fox Kids

Despite the mixed reception of the 1998 American film, its animated sequel, Godzilla: The Series, is praised for its refreshing take on the character’s lore. It successfully bridged various fandoms of the franchise in unexpected ways.

The series follows a specialized group known as HEAT, utilizing a surviving Godzilla egg to create their own weaponized version of the Kaiju. This iteration assists them in battling other mutated threats unleashed following the film’s events. Though different from more established interpretations, this animated series deserves recognition as a notable contribution to the Godzilla legacy.

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