entertainment

Japanese fans say new American Godzilla is too fat

69 Comments
By Jessica Kozuka

Fans of monster movies or big Hollywood blockbusters are no doubt aware that a reboot of the famous Godzilla franchise is due to hit theaters this summer. As you might imagine for a movie featuring one of their most beloved pop culture icons, the Japanese are deeply interested in how America is going to bring their national monster to the screen.

When clear pictures of the creature hit the Internet this week, the response was probably not what studio execs were hoping for. Some Japanese fans are apparently calling this incarnation of Godzilla “fat”.

The pictures, released by Warner Legendary through the Los Angeles Times, were immediately picked up by fan sites here in Japan. While some commenters said this Godzilla looked stronger than his ancestor, others were not as impressed.

“He’s so fat, I laughed.”

“Where’s his neck?”

“He’s gone and supersized himself!”

“I’m not surprised. A spare tire is expected in middle age.”

“Gee, even Godzilla has metabolic syndrome these days…”

Source and image: Itai News

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69 Comments
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Hey, it's from the US, it is only reflecting the country it came from! Just kidding my US friends!

36 ( +41 / -5 )

Some people are never satisfied. Give the movie a chance for Christ's sake. So far, many of the critics review was quite positive and promising for the most part. I mean, first of all it is a movie, second, it's just for the pure pleasure of entertainment, don't take too seriously, no one is forcing anyone to see it. Maybe they had their reasons, I have no idea, but if it's a good flick, why not? As for me, I'm going to give it a chance.

-8 ( +9 / -17 )

But is it anatomicaly correct for an aging Gozilla?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It's also almost twice the height of the original, I think the girth is proportionate to the height. regardless it'll be MUCH better than the 1999 Sony produced one. Man that one was terrible.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Man, Godzilla needs to lay off the McDonalds

15 ( +18 / -3 )

Guess again. Big G is snacking on KFC. The new trailer features Rodan.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

HAHA yea that photo does make him look pretty fat.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Hey, it's from the US, it is only reflecting the country it came from! Just kidding my US friends!

Exactly what popped into my mind when I saw the article's title. :-)

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Fans...

0 ( +3 / -3 )

When you have a "weapon" like Godzillas', you need a shed over it... Amirite?!? ;)

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Japanese fans say new American Godzilla is too fat

I see an opportunity for a corporate tie-in for the next movie in the Godzilla franchise. Slim-fast perhaps.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The title "American Godzilla" says it all. Obviously there are going to be some cultural differences.

"Japanese Godzilla" probably has a shorter intestine.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I already knew the U.S. weight bashing crowd would have a field day with this one, but in all honesty, how can you resist? No offense taken MarkX, I had a chuckle myself this morning. I'm sure though his side profile will show a slimmer side. Lol

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

He is half "gorilla" and "whale". It's his whale side that's beginning to show.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Hahahahahaha OMG. This made my morning for today haha.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Very funny! But true reflection. We never see what Godzilla eats. possibly he's been clearing out the $1 menu's at the chains.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

They say the camera adds ten pounds. So how many camera's are on Godzilla? He looks insanely overweight in that photo. Don't worry about fighting him. Ten minutes and he'll have to stop to catch his breath and devour the supersize menu.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Godzilla in the land of the fat, I mean free. He is free to eat all he/she wants.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Some of the comments in the article made me laugh!

A spare tire is expected in middle age.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The comments by 'critics' seem pretty light-hearted.

Why are Japanese so obsessed with how others see them and their creations? Who cares if the monster's a little 'fat' -- he's a MONSTER.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

Well, if the Big G is going to be devouring Yanks in this movie then the calories are really going to pile up!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Godzilla spent all his downtime @ McDonald's. lol

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Injapan, who cares? It says "fans".! What if Superman turned into a skinny asian guy? What would the "fans" feel? And why the Japanese again? I mean there are Korean fans complaining too.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

haters gonna hate, what can you do?

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

haters gonna hate, what can you do?

It's called Jealousy. 'Zilla is da, man.....or monster and this time in San Fran!

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Why are Japanese so obsessed with how others see them and their creations?

Thank you for your grand extrapolation.

Who cares if the monster's a little 'fat' -- he's a MONSTER.

Who happens to be fatter than the original.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Japanese people can't relate to muscled people or animals I guess.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Not to worry-He'll shed a few tons battling with the Mutos & Trash- Breathing Tokyo!! -Whup em,Godzilla!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Looks like he's got some turtle and some Tonka Truck in 'im...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Uhm, ok. He looks exceptionally rotund. That's not fat... that's muscle... or so I'd like to say. I'm kinda glad they leaned more towards the original, but it's physiology needs more of a logically muscled build to carry around that girth. Tyrannosaurus Rex had a much better physique too.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Not sure if I want to see this CGI fest.

Trailers make movie seem way too pretentious for its own good.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

I didn't think "fat" but I was stunned to see the ridiculous shape of it. It looks like a giant hedgehog.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I had to laugh at the headline. Well, this Godzilla is American.... what do you expect! They just supersized him.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

In the USA we have a Godzilla on steroids in Japan you have a Godzilla on a diet. In the US we have big cars big roads, in Japan you have small cars and narrow roads, in the US we have big homes with yards to play in in Japan you dont have a yard because your neigbors home is in your front and back yard no privacy i can make comparisons all day! In other words get real!

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

I think Toei or some other film producer in Japan should do a King Kong movie... and maybe put a little extra meat on him...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

i can make comparisons all day! In other words get real!

No in other words you're taking issue with comments about a fat monster and taking them personally.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

American Godzilla looks like real American fat belly dude. More BIG MAC, large fries, and large soda please.....

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I think Toei or some other film producer in Japan should do a King Kong movie...

Already been done. See Toho Studios 1962 King Kong vs. Godzilla. And it was a relative hit in both markets, despite King Kong looking decidedly un-Kong-like. It's hard to describe how weird he looked. But it was a fun film regardless.

Don't care too much about the newest Godzilla being overly fat. Looking at some of the stills and merchandise photos around the Web though, he does indeed look like he's had one Big Mac too many. Particularly in the legs. Seriously, those things look more like tree trunks and less like legs every time I look at the photos.

But I don't care. This most recent incarnation of Godzilla is infinitely more faithful to the original than that 1998 Roland Emmerich abomination, so I'm more than willing to allow a degree of latitude to Warner Bros. for the 2014 version.

Can't wait to see it!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

i dont know id say he looks badass, what better than a sumo sized Godzilla crushing a few trains with a few steps. looks like it would kick the but of the earlier Godzillas

1 ( +1 / -0 )

He's just big-boned.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The Godzilla suit used in the 90s wasn't exactly slim... the arms were muscled, but he had a gut on him. Likewise the Millennium series film where he fights Ghidorah, Mothra and Baragon... white eyes as well as a tum. This new one... the only issue I have is that from what I've seen he has elephant feet. I think the best looking CGI Goji was at the start of "Always Sunset on Third Street 2"... THAT captured the look perfectly.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing this.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

American Gozilla is neither male or female and neck is incredibly large. Foot is so disgusting. Due to obesity, it will not survive for a long time.

Back in1960s, Japanese Gozilla had larger eyes, Dragon nose, model like body, reversible slim neck and killer smile. It can produce the ray from mouth for finishing the opponent. That Gozilla character was similar with actor Ken Takakura or Toshiro Mifune which was so manly and fearless.

Although I missed Japanese One, I will not watch that ugly and fat Godzilla from Warner Bros.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

So will the next movie in the series be called Godzilla vs Diabetes?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

CokeBill at May. 01, 2014 - 09:27AM JST The title "American Godzilla" says it all. Obviously there are going to be some cultural differences.

"Japanese Godzilla" probably has a shorter intestine.

:) Now THAT made me laugh!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

American Godzilla looks like real American fat belly dude.

Nah, follow rules of political correctness, please ! Not 'fat' but slightly oversized dude. Thank you.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

21st century metabo Gojira to match the audience.

He always had thunder thighs but the new small head is wrong.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

He's Not Fat. He's Sumo-Sized :D

3 ( +3 / -0 )

If they made Godzilla same as the original Godzilla, I guess it would not be original. Movie makers got to put their mark on everything, like a male dog. So we got a skinny Godzilla in 1998 and now a fat one.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Give the pudgy monster a break, he's been sculling too many beers compared to his Japanese counterpart powder poofing his face..

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Daijoboots: "No in other words you're taking issue with comments about a fat monster and taking them personally."

Actually, it's the Japanese commenters taking issue with how Godzilla looks in the reboot (and you taking personally people who point that out, just to add).

"Thank you for your grand extrapolation."

You're welcome.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Overeating is often a sign of depression and a cry for help. Perhaps he's depressed at being typecast and playing the same role in another shite remake.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The Intestine comment was hysterical and the HedgeHog one was excellent as well.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The next big thing for movies will be adjusting CGI effects for regional tastes. Paraphrasing famous billionaire "This Godzilla looks a bit too urban, if you know what I mean.... you can buy and enjoy the movie and merchandise, privately"

0 ( +0 / -0 )

calling this incarnation of Godzilla “fat”.

Given the problems with obesity in America are we surprised?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Sure he's a bit fatter, but do you know the real difference between the Asian Godzilla and the Caucasian Godzilla? Huh do ya?

Wait for it...

It's the cauc!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

He does seem larger than necessary. I wonder if they had to do that in order to avoid some inane copyright (separate from the license of the franchise) on the original monster's shape?

In the meantime:

Ohhh no! There goes Tokyo! Oh no PLODZILLA!
-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Guys, Godzilla hasn't eaten American diet yet before the start of the movie. Where has he been before then? He's been chomping on Japanese diet for decades. Think about it, hahaha.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Maybe he is just bulking up to become the next Yokouzuna

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Glandular problem.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Who cares if the monster's a little 'fat' -- he's a MONSTER.

Well, monsters are more intimidating when they're not a big tub of lard. Do you think Alien would have been as scary if the Xenemorph had six chins and man-boobs bigger than Sigourney Weaver's? Would Super 8's monster make people jump if it had a big old Buddha belly? Do you think the getaway scene in Jurassic Park would have been such a close call if the T-Rex was having to hulk around a ghetto booty and bingo wings? No. In any movie, a monster/alien/dinosaur loses it's fright factor if puts on a few tonnes. This new Godzilla is no exception. It needs less flab and more muscle. It doesn't look all that intimidating. It's big, but it looks like it would struggle to outrun a granny on a mobility scooter. Not what you want from a monster as iconic as Godzilla.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Godzilla the Monster, doesn't do salads, won't be hang out in trainers, shorts or running leggings doing a sweaty belly work out, we are talking aquatic monster fed on radiation from birth, it's disaster death and destruction, that the work out bit.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

what can we say...maybe godzilla learn to hang out with Homer and Dice-K Funny looking monster, are they making a comedy?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Imho it's only because Americans are bigger than Japanese (umm, generally... lol)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Effect of Mc Donald's................

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I'm not Japanese nor from the U.S. and I think that there is merit in say that Godzilla is a bit fat around the legs and belly, but that's not what bothers me, what bothers me is with that bulk of body, no neck and very small eyes, it makes me think that this godzilla is "dumb" (a small brain), I mean is it godzilla just a mass a pure brute force? I don't know the real story

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's not a "spare tire," it's a baby bump! Godzilla is female! Didn't you know?!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Michael

It's complicated... Godzilla has no gender in Japanese, but the English versions of the films definitely refer to the beast as "He".

But then "he" is depicted laying eggs... So you're very likely right.

I suspect Godzilla doesn't actually exist....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Lmaoooo so you guys want a skinny ass Godzilla who can't do anything? He's a monster but sure make him look like a pansy. The movie was really cool.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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