Toho releases Godzilla Minus One in Japan, directed by Takashi Yamazaki

Godzilla Minus One opened in Japan on 3 November 2023. It was produced by Toho, the studio that created the monster in 1954, and marked the franchise's 70th anniversary. Takashi Yamazaki, a director known for his visual effects work, wrote and directed it.

The film is set in Japan just after the Second World War, with the country already devastated when Godzilla appears. It follows a former kamikaze pilot haunted by guilt, played by Ryunosuke Kamiki, who joins efforts to confront the creature. The story focuses on ordinary people and survival rather than on military spectacle.

It was made on a much smaller budget than typical Hollywood monster films, which drew attention to its effects. After its Japanese release it opened in North America in December 2023 and became one of the highest-grossing Japanese live-action films there. It also won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 2024, a first for a Godzilla film. Its success paved the way for renewed interest in the franchise, including the later release of a black-and-white edition, Godzilla Minus Zero.