Godzilla: The Encyclopedia: Shinji Nishikawa Unravels the Depths of Godzilla

This softcover book basically follows the many incarnations of Godzilla and his friends and foes from the first movie back in 1954 to the animated Netflix shows of the past few years. This release is translated to English from the original Japanese language book from last year. It's very well researched and illustrated in color by Shinji Nishikawa who goes through every suit/appearance variation through the entire series except the latest movie, Godzilla Minus One. Each illustration points out specific details and factoids about every version of Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, etc with a welcome dash of humor and whimsey. The art is accurate to the monsters and each versions' peculiar variations. There's even a couple pages in the back to show how to draw the various versions of Godzilla. An interesting omission, Nishikawa doesn't include any Toho movie that doesn't have a direct connection to the Godzilla series, so no pages on the Gargantuas, the original Mothra and Rodan films, and so on. There are no photos or stills from the movies, it's all pen and ink color illustrations. A fun book to browse through, recommended for both the hardcore Toho Kaiju fan as well as any kid looking for an easy to digest, well illustrated compendium of the Godzilla movies.

This book is amazing. As a lifelong Godzilla fan, I can honestly say I learned a few things I hadn't been aware of. For instance, I wasn't aware that on the original suit, the left arm connected to the body at the elbow while the right arm was attached at the armpit. The book is like a timeline throughout the Godzilla franchise. Starting in 1954 each rendition of Godzilla is illustrated along with some of his cohorts. Details and differences between suits are noted on each page. The book includes all versions of Godzilla up through Singular Point. The art is exceptional and includes some more cartoonish illustrations as well. One thing to note: There is an illustration of bare breasts on one page, which in my opinion isn't necessary, however it refers to the cyborg Katsura from Terror of Mechagodzilla. In that film Katsura's breasts (fake) are shown in one scene while being she's being operated on. Aside from one picture on one page, this book should be enjoyed by any age fan. A wealth of information!

I've been watching Godzilla ever since I was a kid. I love watching giant monster fights, topple buildings, while getting attacked by aliens and the human military. There's something about seeing a giant being, animal or monster in the movies. Whether it's a giant human, robot, alien, reptile, insect, shark, snake or spider, giant monsters are cool. I was about to buy the book until I saw the price on Amazon. I decided to buy it from here. The book has over 200 pages of great information about the giant monsters & movies. You many find it a little difficult to read. There are sample pages you should look at before you buy. The encyclopedia was made in Japan and translated in America, though people have reported that some words are misspelled. The pages are colorful. It tells just about everything Godzilla or Japan giant monster related. Abilities, powers, strengths and weaknesses. The book only deals with the Japanese Godzilla films and monsters. From Godzilla 1954 to Shin Godzilla to the Netflix anime films. This book has you covered. However, it doesn't cover the non-Godzilla movies and monsters. I bought the book for twenty dollars. At the book stores, this retails for thirty-five dollars. If you love the Godzilla from Japan, you'll love this book. It's a must-buy.

A wonderful gift! Great artwork and very detailed writing!

This book has everything you want to know about Godzilla. My brother is a big fan of God zillion, he loves it. And he shares it with friends. They love it too.

The Encyclopedia is a very well-produced reference book that offers an in-depth look at the long history of the Godzilla franchise. The book is packed with detailed descriptions, timelines, and high-quality illustrations that cover multiple eras, films, and interpretations of Godzilla. The visuals alone make it enjoyable to flip through, even without reading every entry in detail. The organization is generally clear, making it easy to look up specific versions, characters, or concepts. Longtime fans will especially appreciate the level of detail and the amount of background information included. It feels like a book made by people who genuinely care about the franchise. That said, the encyclopedia-style format can feel a bit dense at times. This is more of a reference book than a casual read, so it’s best suited for dedicated fans rather than newcomers looking for a simple introduction. Some readers may also find themselves wishing for even more expanded explanations in certain sections. Overall, this is a strong addition to any Godzilla fan’s collection—informative, visually engaging, and thoughtfully put together. A solid reference book with only minor limitations in readability for casual audiences.

Beautiful art. Great gift! If Godzilla is your thing you need this!

My son loves Godzilla. This kept him busy for hours. Great gift but now I hear way more about Godzilla than I need to. Haha. Like… do you know what size shoe Godzilla wears? Or… how many teeth Godzilla has?

Bellissima enciclopedia su Godzilla

El libro es excelente y con grandes ilustraciones y explicaciones de cada etapa pero eviten comprar por Amazon México llegó con las páginas 16 y 14 rotas de las esquinas , además de que el libro está doblado del lado derecho superior y la parte trasera está dañada y rota

Ótimo livro. Imagens excelentes.

Cool book, just packaged a bit poorly.

It's rad