A review of the Showa Era Godzilla movies (1954 - 1975): Second film: Gojira no gyakushû / Godzilla Raids Again (1955) - Making the impossible possible - 9/10

After the unexpected success of Godzilla, Toho Studios wanted to produce and release a quick sequel to cash in on the groundbreaking predecessor's excellent reputation. Director Honda Ishiro wasn't available, so Oda Motoyoshi was hired. Despite the limited time and the directorial change, Godzilla Raids Again is much better than its reputation and actually one of the series' greatest movies in its original Japanese version.

Godzilla looks more flexible in this movie than in the predecessor which amplifies the film's astonishing action scenes. In addition to this, a new monster in form of an ankylosaurus named Anguirus makes its appearance and battles Godzilla on two separate occasions. Their second battle in the port of Osaka is one of the series' most spectacular fighting scenes.

The characters in this movie are unique, sympathetic and profound. Tsukioka Shoichi is a dynamic, helpful and quick-witted pilot working for a tuna cannery company who saves his brave, creative and funny colleague Kobayashi Koji after his engine malfunctioned and he stranded on an isolated island inhabitated by Anguirus and Godzilla. Numerous buildings of their company get destroyed when the giant monsters destroy parts of Osaka later on. The two men are heartbroken when they get transferred to the company plant in Sapporo. Just as Tsukioka Shoichi is joined by his charming girlfriend and Kobayashi Koji develops a serious love interest as well, tragedy strikes again as Godzilla destroys one of the company's fishing boats. The two skilled pilots support the military in locating Godzilla and are thus heroically risking their lives.

Beside the main plot, Godzilla Raids Again features numerous excellent little ideas. Charismatic Doctor Yamane Kyohei from the first movie makes a short appearance explaining the origins of the monsters and adding a scientific dimension to the movie. There is a breathtaking scene when a groupe of criminals try to escape from a prison truck as Anguirus and Godzilla fight at the port. The chasing sequences are wonderfully shot and even add a tragic dimension to the story. The military is quite inventive regarding strategies to fight the monsters by enforcing a blackout, using flares to lure the monsters away and provoking an avalanche to bury Godzilla.

In just a few months' time, Oda Motoyoshi managed a seemingly impossible task by directing a sequel that lives up to its legendary predecessor. The only reason why this movie is just slightly less impressive than the original film is because it's missing the first film's gloomily philosophical depth. Still, Godzilla Raids Again is an overlooked masterpiece with action, creativity and depth all at once. It deserves more attention and credit than it has gotten and is one of the series' greatest highlights that has stood the test of time.