Godzilla Raids Again (1955) Review | Maser Squad & Godzilla Island Archive Versions

Note: The written portion of this review is of English Dub version from when Frank (Godzilla Island) wrote it for GodzillaIsland.com in 2013. this updated review also includes our more current video review from our Youtube Channel that covers the original subtitled Japanese language version be sure to check out that updated review as well.

The Plot:

Two pilots, Tsukioka and Kobayashi, work spotting schools of tuna for their fishing company. During a scouting mission, Kobayashi’s plane malfunctions near Iwato Island—a small island formed from volcanic eruptions. Tsukioka lands to help, relieved that his friend is unharmed. Suddenly, the ground shakes and they hear monstrous roars. Two giant creatures appear, locked in battle. The pilots recognize one of them as Godzilla and quickly flee for their lives.

Back at base, they report what they saw to the authorities. Scientists identify the second monster as Anguirus, a prehistoric creature that once rivaled Godzilla’s species millions of years ago. Dr. Yamane (returning from the first film) somberly reminds them that there’s no way to stop Godzilla—the only weapon capable of killing him, the Oxygen Destroyer, died with Dr. Serizawa.

Godzilla soon attacks Osaka, and the military attempts to lure him away from the city using flares. Their plan almost works until a fire—accidentally caused by escaped convicts crashing a gas truck into an oil refinery—draws Godzilla back. Amid the flames, Anguirus appears again, and the two kaiju clash in a fierce, evenly matched fight. Ultimately, Godzilla overpowers and kills Anguirus, burning his corpse before returning to the sea.

Days later, reports emerge of Godzilla attacking fishing boats. Tsukioka and Kobayashi are sent to locate the monster. When they find him on a frozen island, Tsukioka radios for reinforcements. During the ensuing battle, Kobayashi sacrifices himself by crashing his plane into the mountainside, triggering an avalanche that traps Godzilla in ice. Determined to honor his friend, Tsukioka returns with the air force to finish the job. Together, they bombard the island, burying Godzilla beneath layers of ice—avenging Kobayashi’s death and ending the rampage, at least for now.

My Thoughts:

Godzilla Raids Again is a strong follow-up to the original and an important milestone—it’s the first film in the franchise to feature a monster battle. The dynamic between Godzilla and Anguirus set the tone for future kaiju rivalries.

However, a few things bugged me. The American release renamed Godzilla to “Gigantis, The Fire Monster”, supposedly to make audiences think this was a different creature. That was unnecessary—the story speaks for itself. Even worse, the U.S. version gave Godzilla Anguirus’s roar, completely breaking his iconic sound.

Aside from these issues, the movie is a must-watch for Godzilla fans. It’s darker than some later entries and captures the post-war tone beautifully. It’s also a reminder of what could have been—thankfully, this film evolved from The Volcano Monsters concept into something far better.

Video Review: