Godzilla and Heroine (2020) [Documentary Review]

Godzilla and Heroine; or, Tokusatsu Mon Amour
     My work with Godzilla has reached an end.
As soon as I heard that NHK television released a new Godzilla documentary in late December, 2020, I knew I had to check it out. This new look at behind the scenes focuses on the theme of female thespians who had the honour of gracing the screen alongside the legendary King of the Monsters.

Release Info

Directed by: Takeshi Yagi Starring: Kumi MIzuno, Yumiko Shaku, Keiko Mari, Megumi Odaka

Language: Japanese Original Title: ゴジラとヒロイン Runtime: 90 min

In spite of my less-than-rudimentary knowledge of Japanese, I was able to grasp the gist of the documentary. The whole thing plays like a variety show, hosted by three people: Shiro Sano (who appeared as a scientist in Godzilla 2000), comedian Tsukaji Muha pretending to be a lab doctor, and actress Megumi Han playing an android. The three hosts begin the show by explaining the concepts of “Tokusatsu” and “Kaiju” and establishing different kinds of heroines.

At this point, the documentary slightly diverges from its title because it covers a wide range of actresses who appeared not only in Godzilla movies but also in other Tokusatsu productions of the Showa era (for example, the hosts show snippets from such films as The Mysterians (1957), The Three Treasures (1959), Matango (1963), Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965), and many more). As a result, the documentary transforms into a love letter to all the actresses who played in Japanese monster movies before these pictures became too-cool-for-school across the globe.

Apart from extensive retrospectives, the documentary also provides a look at previously unknown footage from the making of Tokusatsu films. In addition, the figure of Godzilla producer Tomoyuki Tanaka is outlined in detail.

With regard to special guests, the NHK studio is visited by Kumi Mizuno who reminiscences about her time on Godzilla films, and Yumiko Shaku who shows up in her full Kiryu Squadron uniform from Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002) movie. Interestingly, she is very lively and energetic while interacting with the hosts (but her character in the movies was very serious and pessimistic). In addition, former Godzilla producer/Toho president Shogo Tomiyama also appears and has a conversation with the hosts and other guests.

The documentary also features pre-recorded interviews with two other actresses, Keiko Mari and Megumi Odaka. The first actress discusses her role in Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971), whereas Megumi Odaka goes over the story arc of her character, as presented in Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) and Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995).

Apart from these treats, Shino Sano provides a lecture-like talk about the development of Tokusatsu heroines over the years. To be honest, I would have appreciated these interjections more had it not been for the fact that Godzilla and Heroine does not treat itself seriously, constantly falling into the convention of a variety shows, because the viewers need to be entertained. As a result, we see Shiro Sano is some kind of a bar with loud music (as if he is about to promote Suntory whisky like Bill Murray) and Tsukaji Muha trying to re-enact the famous heroine screams.

I think that the documentary would have worked better if it had been a straightforward retrospective on all of the Godzilla heroines, something similar to Maryam d’Abo’s Bond Girls Are Forever (2002). In this documentary, a former Bond girl tracks down and interviews fellow beauties who appeared alongside Agent 007.

Recommendations
If you are an incurable Godzilla fan, then the documentary is definitely for you. However, you may not get any new information out of this viewing experience. All in all, it’s great that Godzilla’s heroines are still being remembered in the world of today. My respect goes to all the actresses, especially Momoko Kochi (picture above) who had the privilege of playing the first female character in a Godzilla movie.

Overall score: 7/10

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