“Godzilla Minus One” follows Kōichi Shikishima, a former kamikaze pilot who returns to Tokyo after World War II. He starts a new life with Noriko and an orphaned baby, Akiko. The film’s climax, which has received widespread acclaim, focuses on Godzilla’s destructive impact on mainland Japan.
**The Attack and Plan:** As Tokyo rebuilds after the Bikini Atoll nuclear tests, Godzilla attacks, gaining size and power. Noriko is killed by Godzilla’s new powers, mimicking an atomic bomb. Shikishima, devastated and enraged, devises a citizen-driven plan to defeat Godzilla.
**Godzilla’s Defeat:** Kenji Noda, a former minesweeper, plans to lure Godzilla into a bay, surround him with Freon tanks, and rupture them, causing Godzilla to sink to a trench 1500 meters deep. If this fails, balloons will lift Godzilla back to the surface, where explosive decompression will kill him.
Shikishima lures Godzilla with a specialized plane, allowing destroyers to wrap him with Freon tanks. Godzilla tears through the balloons, but the plan continues using destroyers and tugboats. Godzilla is injured but not dead, and as he charges his heat ray, Shikishima flies his plane loaded with explosives into Godzilla’s mouth, destroying his head and body.
**Aftermath:** Shikishima survives and reunites with Akiko, finding an injured but alive Noriko in a hospital. However, Noriko shows signs of radiation sickness from Godzilla’s heat ray blast.
**Godzilla’s Potential Return:** In the final scene, a piece of Godzilla’s disintegrated flesh sinks into the sea and begins to bubble, hinting at Godzilla’s regenerative abilities. This suggests that Godzilla could potentially return.
**Noriko’s Survival:** Initially believed dead, Noriko survives Godzilla’s blast with major injuries. The blast is kinetic, similar to a building collapse, making survival unlikely but possible. However, Noriko may not survive long due to radiation sickness.
**Sequel Setup:** The sinking flesh of Godzilla suggests a potential sequel. Writer-director Takashi Yamazaki has expressed interest in a sequel, though its timing is uncertain due to Toho’s agreement with Legendary Pictures.
**Conclusion for Shikishima:** Shikishima finds reconciliation with his past trauma and guilt by defeating Godzilla. The film concludes with Shikishima, Noriko, and Akiko reuniting, suggesting a happy ending, though a sequel could involve Shikishima in future battles against Godzilla.
