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Godzilla Minus Onegained worldwide attention because of its incredible visual effects despite its small production budget, but mostly after it earned an Oscar this year for Best Visual Effects.
The story is quite simple: Japan has barely recuperated from the Second World War when a giant monster emerges off the coast of Tokyo. However, the implications are quite complicated because of its historical allusions, and this is probably the reason why the film only had a limited release.
Godzilla Minus OneFaces Major Criticism From South Korean Audience
In an article fromThe Chosun Daily,Godzilla Minus Onegets slammed by South Korean viewers because of the scenes featured in the movie. While it is considered a blockbuster in other countries, it is under scrutiny in South Korea for allegedly “glorifying Kamikaze pilots”. The post stated:
Some criticize the film for depicting Japan, which suffered atomic bombings and lost the war, as defeating an atomic bomb-wielding Godzilla, interpreting it as a “mental victory” without reflection.
It was said that Godzilla’s radiation heat rays that looked like atomic bomb explosions and Japan being in a state of devastation after the war ignited the controversy. The article continued, “Some also view the scene where protagonist Koichi Shikishima, a war survivor, crashes a bomb-laden plane into Godzilla as glorifying Kamikaze pilots.”
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Kamikaze pilots are flyers who deliberately crash custom-made planes directly into enemy warships which can also be seen as an act of s—cide. People who enlist as Kamikaze pilots see the act as the fulfillment of their duty to their Emperor.
Ryunosuke Kamiki, the actor who portrayed Koichi Shikishima, toldVulturethat he does not agree with the concept of sacrificing one’s own life. “The mentality of that time of these kamikaze pilots was that it was a celebration.” For them, it was an honor to be able to save their family and the people of their country.
On the other hand, some argue thatGodzilla Minus Oneconveys an “anti-war message.” For them, it’s a criticism of the Japanese government’s neglect of soldiers’ lives during the war.
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Godzilla was created around the 1950s, so it’s understandable that the team wanted to helm a movie around that period, although from a historical point of view, it will always have several different interpretations.
On the international level, the monster flick has received mostly positive reactions. At the 2024 Academy Awards, it received theBest in Visual Effectsprize, beating other large-budget Hollywood films.
Fans Join In Debate OverGodzilla Minus OneControversy
Netizens are also sharing their opinions on the criticism of theGodzilla Minus One. Some of them think the creators of the film aren’t specifically “glorifying Kamikaze pilots” but are very against the idea. Some are saying that South Korean viewers have completely missed the point of the movie. Check out their tweets below:
I’m not gonna tell nations who suffered under Japan in WWII how to feel about things but the movie is very explicitly anti-kamikaze – to me, the fact that he ejected last minute is a rejection of that idea, not a celebration
— MovieKaiser 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🎬 (@MKaiser117)July 30, 2025
I guess that’s to be expected. The article goes on the point out that South Korea looks at it through a historical lens and seeing as how Japan has never apologized for the atrocities inflicted on South Korea for decades, I can see why they’re reacting that way.
— Robert McQueen 🇵🇸 🇿🇦☭ (@mcqueen_robert)July 03, 2025
Did they watch a different movie or something, wasn’t the whole idea he was supposed to die but the mechanic installed an ejector seat so he could live??? Like it’s the complete opposite of glorifying kamikaze pilots.
— bleeps (@b133ps)June 21, 2025
As a Godzilla fan living in Korea, I can understand both perspectives. However, Western viewers don’t quite understand why this topic keeps being brought up in South Korea.
— @PARKJA_ (@PARKJAv1)July 03, 2025
This is extra hilarious because these people watched the movie and somehow didn’t notice it very much condemns pointless self sacrifice. Was everyone stoned?
— Call in the spiricks, wherever theyre at (@Trick_Question7)June 27, 2025
Respectfully, I think they are wrong. If anything, the film was actually a criticism of the kamikaze as well as imperial Japan’s treatment of human life during the war. One of the big themes of the movie is the value of human life.
— King (@StrongestKing7)July 25, 2025
Godzilla Minus Oneis currently streaming worldwide on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Ariane Cruz
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3531
Ariane Cruz is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 3,000 articles published. Her love for pop culture and the creative arts fuels her passion to deliver engaging and informative stories. Her daily consumption of films, shows, and books keeps her energized for the day, along with her mission to serve as the bridge between fans and their favorite franchises.
