9 Epic Anime for Fans of Godzilla

In 2023, Godzilla Minus One has dominated theaters in the US and around the world, claiming the top spot as the most popular movie of the year. It has outshined hits like Oppenheimer and Barbie in terms of audience praise and opening weekend ticket sales.

The newest installment in the iconic kaiju franchise marked the 70th anniversary of Godzilla in 2023 and has sparked numerous comparisons to other Japanese media and entertainment, including various anime. From Attack on Titan to Barefoot Gen, several anime share similar themes and atmosphere with Godzilla Minus One.

10 anime just as hard-hitting as Godzilla Minus One

1) Barefoot Gen

Barefoot Gen (Image via Our Website)

The anime depicting the aftermath of the atomic bomb's impact is just as emotionally powerful as Godzilla Minus One on the same topic, if not more so. Godzilla has symbolized the destructive force of atomic bombs and the threat of nuclear war, while Barefoot Gen provides a more explicit portrayal of the consequences of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

There are numerous reasons why Barefoot Gen pairs well with Godzilla Minus One, including its strong criticism of the postwar Japanese government and US imperialism. The series boldly confronts the horrifying and excruciating effects of radiation, radiation poisoning, and the resulting devastation.

2) Grave of the Fireflies

Grave of the Fireflies (Image via Our Website)

Grave of the Fireflies is a poignant anime film that perfectly complements Godzilla Minus One by exploring the immediate aftermath of the firebombing of Kobe. In Godzilla Minus One, the bombing of Tokyo devastates Japan and puts the main characters Kōichi Shikishima, Noriko Ōishi, and Akiko in grave danger. In Grave of the Fireflies, the struggle to find food and avoid malnutrition is vividly depicted, showing two children fighting to survive in the aftermath of tragedy.

3) Pacific Rim: The Black

Pacific Rim: The Black (Image via Our Website)

Pacific Rim: The Black pays homage to Godzilla and other giant monster and robot movies and shows while putting its own unique spin on the kaiju formula. The series also delves into the theme of found family, much like the focus of Godzilla Minus One. In Pacific Rim: The Black, the found family includes twin siblings Tyler and Hailey Travis, as well as the diverse group of people they pick up on their journey, ultimately considering them as part of their family. The story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic Australia, where the siblings embark on a quest to find their parents inside a training Jaeger called Atlas Destroyer after their home is destroyed by a kaiju. Along the way, they encounter a kid who appears more kaiju-like than human, adding an intriguing new dynamic to their makeshift family.

4) Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Image via Our Website)

Neon Genesis Evangelion is well-known for its portrayal of PTSD and depression resulting from repeated combat, particularly in the characters Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, and Asuka Langley Soryu. Similarly, Godzilla Minus One focuses on Shikishima's experiences with PTSD and survivor's guilt, depicted through nightmares and fever dreams similar to those seen in Neon Genesis Evangelion.

5) Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan (Image via Our Website)

The theme of man versus monster is a significant aspect of Attack on Titan, with the Titans shown consuming people in the first episode. The series also incorporates symbolism related to nuclear warfare, such as the atomic bomb and mushroom cloud, particularly whenever the Colossal Titan makes an appearance. Additionally, Godzilla Minus One features the atomic breath and Godzilla's presence in Tokyo's Ginza district.

The critique of government is prominent in Godzilla Minus One, as the Japanese government is portrayed as ineffective in handling and warning people about Godzilla, or as having disregarded people's lives during World War II. Similarly, Attack on Titan offers scathing criticism of the Paradis and Marley governments, with the military overthrowing the former and the latter engaged in active genocidal actions.

6) The Godzilla Earth Trilogy

Godzilla Earth (Image via Our Website)

The Godzilla: Earth trilogy, consisting of three anime films released from 2017 to 2019, offers a futuristic perspective on the iconic King of the Monsters. In the first film, Earth falls under the control of Godzilla and other monsters, prompting a group of soldiers to seek vengeance. The second installment features a showdown between Godzilla and a new Mechagodzilla, while the third film depicts Godzilla battling Ghidorah to save the planet from destruction.

Throughout the trilogy, a central theme emerges: the futility of seeking solace in hatred and revenge, ultimately leading to self-destruction. This lesson is learned by the character Shikishima in one film, while the protagonist, Haruo Sakai, takes a longer journey to grasp it across all three films.

7) Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War In the Pocket

Mobile Suit Gundam (Image via Our Website)

War, whether on Earth or in space with giant robots and human pilots, is far from glorious. The conflict in the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise is depicted without glorification, with moments like colony drops and the suffering of civilians highlighting its true brutality. The inclusion of young children in the fighting only adds to the horror. In Godzilla Minus One, the devastating impact of returning home to nothing after war is central, similar to the themes explored in 0080: War In the Pocket with its young protagonist.

8) Akira

Akira (Image via Our Website)

Weapons of Mass Destruction are largely characterized by their loud, large, and devastatingly explosive nature. Both Akira and Godzilla Minus One critique the use of WMDs in similar ways, delving into the existential and humanity-altering implications.

In Akira, the orbital lasers SOL and FLOYD are deployed when Japan's psychic children project becomes chaotic. However, they prove ineffective in stopping the threat of Tetsuo and instead worsen the devastation. Similarly, the tanks and the heavy cruiser Takao are incapable of killing Godzilla.

9) Blue Gender

Godzilla succumbs to a collective effort, proving that overwhelming military hardware and weapons are no match for smaller solutions. Similarly, Tetsuo is guided into a new plane of existence with the help of Akira and the espers.

The image from Our Website shows Blue Gender.

The harsh realities of war can dehumanize those involved, pushing them to survive against inhumanly monstrous threats. In Godzilla Minus One, Shikishima undergoes a transformation from a numb husk of a human to a caring father, especially after the apparent death of Noriko, with the help of those around him.

10) Violet Evergarden

Marlene Angel and Yuji Kaido both experience similar hardships in the world of Blue Gender, although Marlene's struggle is particularly intense. Unlike Yuji, who only had to face The Blue for a short time, Marlene had to fight for survival against them for years, transforming into a seemingly cold and unemotional person in order to endure. As the series progresses, she begins to develop feelings for Yuji and starts to rediscover her own humanity.

Violet Evergarden (Image via Our Website)

The struggle to find purpose in life, particularly in the aftermath of war, is a daunting challenge for those who have experienced it firsthand. This is the central theme of Godzilla Minus One with Shikishima, a former kamikaze pilot, and Noriko who must unite, along with other characters such as Sumiko, who lost her family in the Tokyo firebombing, and Tachibana who held Shikishima responsible for the lost mechanics on Odo Island for years.

Violet Evergarden is set in the aftermath of a devastating war that ravaged the continent of Telsis. The main character, former special operations operative Violet Evergarden, finds a new purpose in her life by joining a group of typists known as Auto Memory Dolls. Throughout the series, she helps many others do the same.

Godzilla Minus One explores various themes, motifs, and symbolism as a more serious addition to the Godzilla film franchise. The ten anime listed here share commonalities that echo and enhance these themes and motifs. Godzilla's truly terrifying nature reinforces the threat of nuclear weapons and war, which is also portrayed in some of these anime.

Simply put, Godzilla Minus One deserves the praise it has received, and the following ten anime series will further illustrate why. Each of these series is worth watching for their own unique reasons. If there are any other anime series like Gamera -Rebirth- that should have been included in the list, we encourage readers to share their thoughts in the comments.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to see the resurgence of interest in Godzilla and the kaiju genre. Godzilla Minus One has been a massive hit, and it's exciting to see other anime that explore similar themes and ideas.

I particularly enjoyed the comparison between Godzilla Minus One and Barefoot Gen. Both works offer powerful and emotional portrayals of the devastating effects of nuclear war. Barefoot Gen is especially poignant as it depicts the experiences of civilians caught in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The anime does not shy away from the horrors of radiation and its aftermath, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of nuclear weapons.