Godzilla: The Encyclopedia

by Nishikawa Shinji

Celebrate Godzilla's 70th anniversary with this illustrated encyclopedia from kaiju designer Shinji Nishikawa. Revisit the most monstrous Godzilla incarnations of the past 70 years in this comprehensive guide.

This illustrated book features the many versions of Godzilla and its monstrous foes, from the original 1954 movie to SHIN GODZILLA in 2016, and even the 2021 animation. With in-depth explanations accompanied by illustrations from renowned manga artist and monster designer Shinji Nishikawa, this 216-page book explores the powers and anatomy of over 100 kaiju, including Mechagodzilla, SHIN GODZILLA and Mothra! Nishikawa worked on the monster designs for many Godzilla movies from 1989 to 2004, and here he unravels the live-action special effects and theatrical CG animations of the Godzilla franchise in this essential enyclopedia. This comprehensive guide covers the Godzilla Showa Era (1954-1975), Godzilla Heisei Era (1984-1995), Godzilla Millennium (1999-2004), SHIN GODZILLA (2016), Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters Toho's animated Trilogy (2017-2018), and Godzilla: Singular Point animated series (2021).

Genres: Reference

216 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhat recently I tried to draw every Godzilla monster, and I got pretty far honestly, but boy, this book would have helped a lot with that. There is so much information on the characters designs, from just a monster design point to how the actual props worked on screen and even the rewrites they went through. The author/illustrator worked on set for a few movies too, and his insights on how he envisioned the monsters powers to work honestly cleared up a few questions I had with some movies.

I was so into the detailed drawings and cute characters that I was stunned when suddenly there are just a pair of cartoon boobies on the page, so beware of that. Though there is some justification, I was as surprised as the blurb about them says audiences were in the movie.

But overall, if you're a Godzilla fan and want to know about more of the inner workings, I highly recommend this book. Almost for all ages. Haha

[Brendan McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visual encyclopedia covering every Godzilla monster (and every iteration of Godzilla) since the original film. The art is great, and the book does a good job at not being too wordy and leaving lots of room for the art. It is also very comprehensive, containing every Japanese Godzilla film in here (though not the American ones). It is sadly out of date now (Godzilla Minus One isn’t here) but I can hardly fault it for that, and even then it means it is only missing one Godzilla. A great book for anyone who is a fan, and I would also imagine a great book for anyone who is interested in art and looking to learn how to draw these monsters!

[Brett Marcus Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new Bible. Shinji Nishikawa is a kaiju art legend, having designed several kaiju for the Heisei and Millennium Godzilla films, and this book contains illustrations of every Japanese iteration of Godzilla from 1954 up to 2021, along with every kaiju that appeared in a Godzilla film. Some of the translation here and there is rough, but it's still an incredible resource I'll be returning to repeatedly, especially since I plan on trying to draw every single Godzilla design myself soon.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Singular Point show was hard to digest, but I really enjoyed this book and reading about the monsters after each movie/show. As someone who was introduced to Godzilla with the 2014 Legendary movie, I can officially say I've seen every Godzilla movie (yes even 98). I absolutely love the old school movies, and I love the newer ones too. I need to rewatch the Legendary movies and Minus 1 now that I can pick up any easter eggs that might be in those movies. If you're a Godzilla fan, you need this in your collection. Highly recommend.

[Max Freese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. The author worked on the Godzilla movies in the 90s and 00s as a monster designer. He goes through every single Godzilla and other Godzilla-related monster suit to the finest detail: from the broad thematic ideas to the type of foam was used. Even as a lifelong fan, I still learned a ton from this.

I'm really annoyed at the publisher. This is such a bland title with a terrible cover. And the fact the author worked on the actual movies is hidden in a tiny paragraph at the very end is criminal.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! The breakdowns of every Japanese era of Godzilla and his allies/foes are in such great detail from a man that worked on a handful of Godzilla sets making these iconic suits. If you’re a Godzilla fan and always wanted to compare the changes of these characters throughout their appearance history as well as ensign into how why were made/function than this is the book for you!

[John Schorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too obsessive in outlining the differences between the various versions of Godzilla and other monsters through the years, but the real problem here is a failure to answer the most critical question of all: Isn't Varan The Unbelievable just a giant flying squirrel?

[Josh Buyarski · Rating 5 out of 5]

It shows all the versions of Godzilla and the kaijus in the movies!
The illustrations are well done and even talks a bit about the making of the movies!
What! Is! Not! To! Love!