We are currently experiencing a true Godzilla renaissance, highlighted by the expanding Monsterverse and the success of visionary director Takashi Yamazaki’s Academy Award-winning Godzilla Minus One. Although a new Monsterverse film won’t be released until 2027, the sequel Godzilla Minus Zero is expected to potentially debut in late 2026.
As speculation arises regarding the meaning of the title Godzilla Minus Zero, numerous theories have emerged about its potential plot. Based on hints from Yamazaki and his previous works, along with Godzilla’s cinematic legacy, it appears highly likely that Godzilla Minus Zero will introduce another monster for Godzilla to confront.
Since the immediate sequel to his debut film (1955’s Godzilla Raids Again), Godzilla has often been portrayed as either a destructive force wreaking havoc on Earth or a protector defending the planet against extraterrestrial or terrestrial monstrous threats. If Godzilla Minus Zero involves Godzilla in battle, there are several classic monsters I would love to see reimagined by Takashi Yamazaki.
10
Baragon
This is certainly an underdog candidate, but Baragon has gained a dedicated cult following since his debut in Toho’s 1965 classic Frankenstein vs. Baragon. Initially depicted as a predatory villain, Baragon later evolved into one of Earth’s guardian monsters tasked with stopping an evil Godzilla in Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack.
Baragon would serve as a more realistic adversary for Godzilla without resorting to Toho’s more extravagant plot devices like aliens or robots. He employs an orange heat ray, which could provide an interesting counterattack against Godzilla. While Yamazaki’s Godzilla requires time to charge and unleash his primary atomic heat ray, Baragon’s agility and quick-strike capability could create an engaging dynamic and be executed within a more manageable budget.
9
Megalon
Megalon’s first appearance in Godzilla vs. Megalon during the Showa Era was almost cartoonish, and although he possesses an impressive array of weaponry, he was historically regarded as a minor threat to Big G. Takuya Uenishi’s 2023 short film Godzilla vs. Megalon significantly altered this perception, presenting his version (often referred to as Reiwa Megalon) as a fast-moving aerial menace.
A flying monster could serve as the ideal villain for Godzilla in Minus Zero, especially after witnessing Shikishima frustrate him with his specially-designed Shinden fighter. Yamazaki could have immense fun exploring Megalon’s abilities in response to Godzilla’s nuclear blast atomic breath, and as an Earth-based monster, he wouldn’t have to compromise on an excellent script by introducing aliens or robots.
8
King Caesar
Final Wars
King Caesar has always been one of my favorites, even though he famously didn’t achieve much in either his debut (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla) or his second appearance (Godzilla: Final Wars). His design, inspired by the mythological Japanese shisa guardians, is intriguing, and his agility and speed are uncommon among the kaiju that Godzilla has faced.
King Caesar is portrayed as the guardian monster of Okinawa, making it easy to integrate him into the existing universe of Godzilla Minus Zero. There would be no need for extravagant story elements—just a resurgence of Godzilla and a plot device to awaken King Caesar. I believe Yamazaki could craft a compelling narrative involving King Caesar and his connection to Japan, as well as with Godzilla.
7
Anguirus
The very first opponent of Godzilla later became a loyal ally of the King of the Monsters, although he did become somewhat of a punching bag for stronger monsters over time. Yamazaki adhered closely to many themes from the original Godzilla for Godzilla Minus One, so it would be quite natural to continue that trajectory while replacing the hurried and inaccessible story from Godzilla Raids Again with something more substantial.
With a history as both an adversary and ally to Godzilla, Anguirus serves as an excellent entry point for shifting Godzilla’s allegiances. He may not suddenly become “good” in Minus Zero, but by stopping a rampaging Anguirus, he could move closer to neutrality. Some speculate that the numerical aspect of the movie titles may hint at this direction: while Minus One portrayed Godzilla as a destroyer, Minus Zero might depict him as a neutral entity.
6
Rodan
The character Rodan has a rich history in Japanese cinema, having received his own solo film just two years after Godzilla did. He predates Mothra, Ghidorah, and Mechagodzilla in Toho’s extensive timeline, yet it feels like we haven’t seen enough of him recently. I appreciated how the Monsterverse portrayed Rodan as a force of nature with magma for blood whose allegiance was determined by the strongest monster present.
A flying monster would pose an excellent challenge for the lumbering Godzilla featured in Minus One, and Rodan’s destructive winds during flight could create spectacular visuals under Yamazaki’s direction. His ability to devastate large areas would certainly require intervention from Godzilla should he target Japan.
5
Hedorah
The character Hedorah seems like a strong candidate for another monster in
Godzilla Minus Zero
, for several reasons. Firstly, director Takashi Yamazaki has openly expressed interest in remaking
Godzilla vs.
Hedorah
, indicating he likely had some treatment prepared well before
Minus Zero
‘s approval.
The abstract design and ever-changing forms of Hedorah would provide ample creative opportunities for visual effects artist Yamazaki—this is part of what excites him about remaking a Hedorah film. There has been some discussion online suggesting that the “-0.0” element of the
Minus Zero
logo resembles Hedorah’s enormous and distinctive eyes, but that remains speculative at this point.
The lethality and metaphorical weight associated with Hedorah also offer Yamazaki plenty of human drama to explore. While he tackled heavy post-war Japanese themes in
Minus One
, he could shift focus towards contemporary issues surrounding humanity’s relationship with nature using Hedorah in
Minus Zero
.
4
Gigan
The justification for including Gigan in Minus Zero is limited primarily to my personal desire to see Yamazaki reinterpret Gigan’s design. He is arguably one of the coolest-looking monsters that Godzilla has ever faced—especially the Millennium version from
Godzilla: Final Wars
.
As a cyborg character, Gigan’s presence would necessitate introducing aliens into the world of
Minus Zero
, which may not align with Yamazaki’s vision after receiving acclaim for focusing on human narratives and grounded world-building in
Godzilla Minus One
. For now, consider this idea filed under “probably not,” but it’s certainly intriguing.
3
King Ghidorah
The audience has already glimpsed what Takashi Yamazaki’s King Ghidorah might look like—or at least one version of it. Yamazaki wrote, directed, and designed King Ghidorah as the primary antagonist for the theater simulator ride
Godzilla the Ride: Giant Monsters Ultimate Battle
, located at Seibuen Amusement Park in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture.
A version already exists alongside King Ghidorah’s extensive history within the franchise—this makes it logical that Yamazaki would want to incorporate him into this sequel. However, it’s possible that King Ghidorah has become somewhat overexposed across various iterations and may not provide as many narrative opportunities compared to other monsters.
Nevertheless,
Yamazaki’s design is impressive,
and given Ghidorah’s status as Godzilla’s arch-nemesis,
his inclusion makes sense.
2
Mechagodzilla
Eagerly anticipated is Yamazaki’s second version of the theater simulator ride opening early in 2019,
which features Godzilla battling against his vision for Mechagodzilla.
There are similarities with Monsterverse’s Mechagodzilla,
but noticeable differences exist regarding body structure.
The survivors from Godzilla’s initial major attack banded together in
Godzilla Minus One
,
utilizing ingenuity and bravery to defeat him once and for all.
A revived and rejuvenated Godzilla might prompt humanity to resort to more drastic measures,
leading potentially to Mechagodzilla’s creation.
I have cherished Mechagodzilla since his inception in 1974,
and I am eager to see how Yamazaki interprets him on screen.
However,
given the technology depicted during events in
Minus One,
there would need to be extraterrestrial involvement or significant time jumps necessary for bringing Mechagodzilla into existence.
1
Biollante
Biollante
One of my favorite monsters from Godzillla’s history is Biollante,
who remains criminally underused—a massive plant beast resulting from gene splicing.
Biollante was created when a scientist fused cells from Godzillla with genetic material from his deceased daughter and a rose.
After exploring themes related to war (especially nuclear conflict) in
Godzillla Minus One,
Godzillla Minus Zero could delve into more contemporary discussions surrounding genetic power.
Some speculate that Noriko’s shifting black bruising along her neck after surviving an attack by Godzillla might suggest she possesses some psychic connection with him—a common trope within Godzillla cinema.
However,
if that black spot signifies G-cells,
it could link her back to Biollante if he were created.
I want to see how Yamazaki handles Biollante’s immense size and twisting vines;
given that Biollante has only appeared once before,
he could truly make this monster’s design unique withinGodzillla Minus Zero,
which I find far more intriguing than witnessing yet another iteration of Mothra.
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