Chibi Godzilla Raids Again
Chibi Godzilla Raids Again | |
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ちびゴジラの逆襲 (Chibi Gojira no Gyakushū) | |
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Genre | Kaiju, manzai |
Created by |
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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 | 33 |
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
[edit]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 a dinosaur and 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 area's quirks.
- 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 serious nature characterizes his personality, exemplified by his 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 a chibi moth who is shy and becomes lethal when crying. She can communicate telepathically with the Shobijin. It is revealed that she is secretly an otaku in season 2.
- Chibi Rodan (ちびラドン, Chibi Radon)
- Voiced by: Hiro Shimono
- He is a self-centered pterosaur who is also insecure and faints every time he is ridiculed.
- Chibi Anguirus (ちびアンギラス, Chibi Angirasu)
- He is a chibi dinosaur whose voice has broken and developed into unintelligible roars.
- Shobijin sisters (小美人, Shōbijin)
- Voiced by: Reina Ueda (older) (Japanese); Akari Kitō (younger) (English)
- They are a pair of human twin sisters who can serve as telepathic interpreters for their friend, Chibi Mothra.
- Chibi Biollante (ちびビオランテ, Chibi Biorante)
- Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro
- She is a plant monster and 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.
- Chibi Minilla (ちびミニラ, Chibi Minira)
- Voiced by: Maaya Uchida[2]
- She is Chibi Godzilla's younger sister.
- Chibi Gabara (ちびガバラ)[3]
- Voiced by: Ryōhei Kimura[4]
- He is a mutant amphibian monster who works multiple part-time jobs.
- Chibi Titano (ちびチタノ)[3]
- Voiced by: Subaru Kimura[4]
- He is an aquatic dinosaur and Monster Island's self-proclaimed delinquent. However, no one has ever seen him fight.
- Chibi Gigan (ちびガイガン, Chibi Gaigan)[3]
Production
[edit]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.[5][6] The series comprises thirteen 2 min 40 s episodes featuring chibi-style kaiju characters,[7] and is a manzai comedy that is targeted more at an adult audience.[8][9] 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".[9]
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.[7] 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.[10][9] The first season ended on its original network on June 24.[11] 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.[12][13]
Episodes
[edit]Season 1 (2023)
[edit]No. overall | No. in season | Title [3] | Original air date [11] | |
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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)
[edit]No. overall | No. in season | Title [3] | 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 | "Chibi Minilla is a Big Girl" Transliteration: "Chibi Minira wa Shikkarisha" (Japanese: ちびミニラはしっかり者) | April 10, 2024 | |
Chibi Godzilla teaches his younger sister, Chibi Minilla, stranger danger and, to demonstrate, fires his Heat Ray at Chibi Mechagodzilla as soon as he arrives. They set up a mock situation for her, where Chibi Mechagodzilla plays the stranger. | ||||
16 | 3 | "Smartphones Are Handy" Transliteration: "Sumaho wa Benri" (Japanese: スマホはべんり) | April 17, 2024 | |
Because Chibi Godzilla arrives late to a gathering, Chibi Mechagodzilla introduces his friends to the smartphone for better communication. However, no one except him shows up on next day's gathering. | ||||
17 | 4 | "The Monster Island Godzillars" Transliteration: "Kaijūtō Gojirāzu" (Japanese: 怪獣島ゴジラーズ) | April 24, 2024 | |
Chibi Mechagodzilla teaches his friends who are all ignorant of baseball to play the sport. Chibi Godzilla hits a home run. | ||||
18 | 5 | "Chibi Ghidorah Can't Get Along" Transliteration: "Chibi Gidora wa Naka ga Warui" (Japanese: ちびギドラは仲が悪い) | May 1, 2024 | |
The chibi kaiju hosts a party but Chibi Ghidorah's three heads get into a fight due to a disagreement on their movie choice and middle head playing video games at night. They briefly make up but fight again over sushi. | ||||
19 | 6 | "Chibi Mothra's Secret Hobby" Transliteration: "Chibi Mosura no Kakureta Shumi" (Japanese: ちびモスラの隠れた趣味) | May 8, 2024 | |
Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Minilla finds a hand-drawn comic book. When they try to take a peek, Chibi Mothra arrives and panics due to not wanting them to find out about her secret hobby. Chibi Godzilla reveals he is an otaku because he is a Godzilla movie fan. | ||||
20 | 7 | "Chibi Monsters of the Sky" Transliteration: "Sora no Chibi Kaijūtachi" (Japanese: 空のちび怪獣たち) | May 15, 2024 | |
Chibi Rodan boasts to Chibi Mothra on the advantages on being a flying kaiju until Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Mechagodzilla shows up flying as well. | ||||
21 | 8 | "Chibi Godzilla Has the May Blues?" Transliteration: "Chibi Gojira wa Gogatsubyō?" (Japanese: ちびゴジラは五月病?) | May 22, 2024 | |
Chibi Godzilla transforms into his second form again but insists it is not his bad sleep but May blues as its cause. Chibi Rodan arrives and has the May blues as well. | ||||
22 | 9 | "Manager Chibi Gabara" Transliteration: "Ten'in wa Chibi Gabara" (Japanese: 店員はちびガバラ) | May 29, 2024 | |
Chibi Godzilla, Chibi Mechagodzilla, and Chibi Ghidorah visits the island's new family restaurant which is managed by Chibi Gabara, who is not good at his job. | ||||
23 | 10 | "Shobijin Slump" Transliteration: "Shōbijin no Suranpu" (Japanese: 小美人のスランプ) | June 5, 2024 | |
The Shobijin get into an argument because they are out-of-sync. Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Minilla arrives and asks questions to help the sisters match again. | ||||
24 | 11 | "Dear Dad" Transliteration: "Haikei, Otōsan" (Japanese: 拝啓、お父さん) | June 12, 2024 | |
Chibi Godzilla writes a letter to his father for Father's Day but is not sure if it expressed his feelings well so he reads it out to his friends. His father gives a fish to Chibi Godzilla after hearing the letter. | ||||
25 | 12 | "Chibi Minilla's First Errand" Transliteration: "Chibi Minira, Hajimete no Otsukai" (Japanese: ちびミニラ、はじめてのおつかい) | June 19, 2024 | |
In a parody of the Japanese television series Old Enough!, Chibi Minilla goes on her first errand to get potatoes but is distracted by Chibi Godzilla's narration. Chibi Minilla then asks Chibi Ghidorah for directions, only for him to respond with a Knights and Knaves puzzle. She arrives at the food stand, which is run by Chibi Gabara, but gets frustrated at the end when she is offered only bananas. | ||||
26 | 13 | "Don't Underestimate Monster Hooligans" Transliteration: "Yankī Kaijū Namen na yo" (Japanese: ヤンキー怪獣ナメんなよ) | June 26, 2024 | |
Chibi Rodan brags to Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Mechagodzilla that he fought a kaiju hooligan and won. Chibi Titano arrives and introduces himself as the island's number one hooligan, which Chibi Rodan immediately submits to. Chibi Mechagodzilla is not convinced Chibi Titano is an actual hooligan due to his kind-heartedness towards the group. | ||||
27 | 14 | "Pepper Farm Up In Smoke" Transliteration: "Moeagare Pīman Hatake" (Japanese: 燃え上がれピーマン畑) | July 3, 2024 | |
Chibi Godzilla and friends shows Chibi Mechagodzilla their vegetable farm, which can only grow peppers. They then help prepare next year's crop. | ||||
28 | 15 | "Chibi Mechagodzilla's Hidden Features" Transliteration: "Chibi Meka Gojira no Shin Kinō" (Japanese: ちびメカゴジラの新機能) | July 10, 2024 | |
The chibi kaiju discuss if Chibi Mechagodzilla has hidden features. They discover an electric kettle and microwave feature after Chibi Godzilla begins pressing Chibi Mechagodzilla's dorsal fins. Chibi Mechagodzilla questions his existence due to his lost memories until Chibi Godzilla presses another fin which reveals Chibi Mechagodzilla's Absolute Zero Cannon, affirming that he is a robot kaiju. Chibi Godzilla then presses Chibi Mechagodzilla's chest button which activates a rice cooker, making him think he is a home appliance after all. | ||||
29 | 16 | "Madam Bio's New Menu" Transliteration: "Bio Nēsan no Shin Menyū" (Japanese: ビオ姉さんの新メニュー) | July 17, 2024 | |
Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Minilla visits Chibi Biollante's bar which is struggling due to price inflation. Chibi Minilla suggests adding a new menu item to attract customers. Chibi Titano arrives and tries their new soy biscuit snack which makes him thirsty. | ||||
30 | 17 | "Chibi Ghidorah's Part-Time Job" Transliteration: "Chibi Gidora Baito Hajimemashita" (Japanese: ちびギドラバイトはじめました) | July 24, 2024 | |
Chibi Ghidorah interviews for a job at Chibi Gabara's restaurant. Chibi Godzilla arrives and gets irritated when no one is taking his order. | ||||
31 | 18 | "Mr. Hedo's Lecture" Transliteration: "Hedo-san no Nagabanashi" (Japanese: ヘドさんの長話) | July 31, 2024 | |
The chibi kaiju gather for a study session on how to be big monsters. However their mood plummets when they learn Chibi Hedorah is their teacher. | ||||
32 | 19 | "Genius? Hard Worker? He is...Chibi Rodan" Transliteration: "Tensai? Doryokuka? Chibi Radon" (Japanese: 天才?努力家?ちびラドン) | August 7, 2024 | |
Chibi Godzilla and his friends witnesses Chibi Rodan working out but the latter refuses to admit it. | ||||
33 | 20 | "Scary Stories of Monster Island" Transliteration: "Kaijūtō no Kowai Hanashi" (Japanese: 怪獣島のこわい話) | August 14, 2024 | |
The chibi kaiju gather to tell ghost stories. However Chibi Mechagodzilla thinks the stories are not that scary. | ||||
34 | 21 | Transliteration: "Meka Gojira Shūtingu" (Japanese: メカゴジラシューティング) | August 21, 2024 |
References
[edit]- ^
- 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.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 18, 2024). Chibi Godzilla Raids Again Anime Sequel's Trailer Reveals Maaya Uchida as Chibi Minilla. Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e 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.
- ^ a b Cayanan, Joanna (June 19, 2024). "Chibi Godzilla Raids Again Anime Casts Subaru Kimura". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ 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
[edit]- ^ 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
[edit]- Official website (in Japanese)
- Chibi Godzilla Raids Again playlist on YouTube
- Chibi Godzilla Raids Again (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia