“Godzilla vs. Hedorah” with a strong appeal [Mizumaru Kawahara’s CINEMONOLOGUE Vol.27]

It's strange, but it's a fear similar to the original Godzilla.

The method used to exterminate Hedorah was to sandwich Hedorah between two giant electrode plates and apply an electric current to it. The idea was to use 3 million volts of electricity to dry out his sludge-like body. However, although they were able to lure Hedorah between the electrode plates, it was difficult to do so due to a malfunction in the electric wires. At last, Godzilla, unable to see it anymore, sprays the electrode plate with radiant heat rays, causing an electric shock, and finally succeeds in damaging Hedorah (why does Godzilla understand the mechanism and strategy of the device installed by the Self-Defense Forces? Don't worry about it).

Although the surface of Hedorah's body became dry and crumbly, Hedorah managed to break through and escape in flight form. There, Godzilla spews heat rays toward the ground, and the blast causes it to fly backwards. The shocking sight of Godzilla flying through the sky makes you want to say, ``That's stupid,'' but before he has time to attack Hedorah, Godzilla catches up to Hedorah, captures him, and takes him back to the electrode plate. Hedorah is once again showered with electric current. This time, Godzilla carefully plunges his arm into the dried Hedorah and pulls out its contents. Anyway, I carefully and obsessively tear it apart and stomp on it with my feet, destroying it. It may seem redundant, but I feel that Godzilla's anger and hatred towards pollution can be felt.

As a finishing touch, another electric shock is generated, and the remains of Hedorah are completely dried and crumbled. I don't really understand why Godzilla is safe between the electrode plates, but in any case, Hedorah is buried and the King of Monsters leaves the place. Of course, don't forget to glance at the humans who were watching the battle. To Godzilla, Hedorah and humanity shouldn't be much different. Although he flew through the air in interesting poses, his eyes were sharp and piercing. Godzilla himself was originally awakened by humankind's nuclear tests. It's true that the whole work has a strange (or slightly out of place) atmosphere, but as a monster that expresses anger towards humanity, I think it's firmly connected to the first generation, and a monster that embodies the fear of each era. it makes sense. There is a strong evidence that the fear of Hedorah is by no means a thing of the past. Just like Godzilla's glaring face, Hedorah's suspiciously glowing red eyes give the impression that it's staring at something.

Illustrations and text: Mizumaru Kawahara

Born in 1991. Illustrator. In addition to illustrations and covers for magazines and books, there are also illustration columns for movies and books. New movie reviews are currently being serialized in "SPUR" (Shueisha).

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