Shin Gojira: What's Next!?

Since it's release in Japan back in July, Toho's new Godzilla film, SHIN GOJIRA, has gone on to become the highest grossing film in Japan in 2016. In a rather unusual occurrence in film releases, after being #1 in the Japanese Box Office for 2 weeks, it dropped to 2nd place after the release of SECRET LIFE OF PETS, only two climb back to First place shortly after. Even currently, as of this writing, SHIN GOJIRA continues to reign through the Top Five in the Japanese Box Office. It's been given, for the most part, positive reviews by critics and has shown that, even after 62 years, the King of the Monsters STILL has a massive appeal to the masses. Funimation, the company behind the American release of the legendary anime, Dragon Ball Z, and the folks behind the localization of the live-action ATTACK ON TITAN films, is releasing SHIN GODZILLA (after ditching the initial American title, GODZILLA: RESURGENCE, at Toho's request) here in the states in select theaters across the country starting on October, 11th. (I just found out that a theater in MY town is showing it just the other day. YAAAAY!) Now, after the success of Legendary's GODZILLA back in 2014, America is about to be witness to Japan's response to Gareth Edwards' domestic interpretation of the classic kaiju.

Now that Godzilla has proven to still be a hot commodity, not only here in the US, but also in his home country of Japan, the one question to ask now is this... What's next?

While I have not yet seen SHIN GODZILLA, I do know a few things about it. The film simultaneously harkens back to the 1954 classic, while presenting new concepts and ideas for the series. It has the potential to change the status quo for all things Godzilla. Though, will this be the genesis of a new Godzilla series? And if so, will the next film be in continuity with its predecessor? Will Godzilla continue to appear as the grotesque God of Destruction he's presented as in SHIN, or will they take a more traditional approach to any subsequent films? Will Godzilla be the lone creature of mass destruction, or will he return to his kaiju battling ways? And... I suppose I have to ask... CAN Toho top this film? While I'm not yet certain if there will be a follow up to SHIN, I can at least continue to eagerly anticipate more Godzilla here in the states. Legendary's GODZILLA 2, KONG: SKULL ISLAND, and the eventual GODZILLA VS. KONG, are all on their way, along with the PACIFIC RIM sequel and COLOSSAL (despite Toho's legal dispute with the film.) Even if Toho decides that SHIN GOJIRA is a "One and Done" scenario, we won't be bereft of giant monster movies. But I know that I am not the only person who is happy to see Godzilla back in the country where he belongs. Now that Toho has given us a taste of what they're capable of with THEIR kaiju king in the modern era, we are all here craving more! But if Toho does gift us with more Godzilla, after 29 films (and 2 American ones. YES I said TWO!) what will they do to keep the series fresh and engaging? That's what we all want to know.