Godzilla (animated series)

Godzilla
Original title card for Godzilla
Based on	Godzilla by Toho Ltd.
Developed by	Dick Robbins Duane Poole
Directed by	Ray Patterson Carl Urbano
Voices of	Ted Cassidy Don Messick
Composer(s)	Hoyt Curtin
Country of origin	United States Japan
No. of episodes	26
Production
Executive producer(s)	William Hanna Joseph Barbera
Producer(s)	Doug Wildey
Running time	30 minutes
Production company(s)	Hanna-Barbera Productions Toho Ltd.
Distributor	Warner Bros. Television Distribution (1996–2003) Classic Media (2003–2012) DreamWorks Classics (2012–present) NBCUniversal Television Distribution (2016–present)
Release
Original network	NBC (United States) Tokyo Channel 12 (Japan)
Original release	September 9, 1978 – December 8, 1979

Godzilla is a 30-minute animated series co-produced between Hanna-Barbera Productions and Toho Ltd. in 1978 and aired on NBC in the United States and TV Tokyo in Japan. The series is an animated adaptation of the Japanese Godzilla movies produced by Toho. The series continued to air until 1981, for a time airing in its own half-hour timeslot until its cancellation.

The series follows the adventures of a team of scientists on the Calico, a hydrofoil research vessel, headed by Captain Carl Majors. The rest of the crew include scientist Dr. Quinn Darien, her nephew Pete, and her research assistant Brock. Also along for the ride is Godzooky, the "cowardly nephew" of Godzilla and Pete's best friend, who has a lighthearted role in the show. Godzooky can attempt to fly using the small wings under his arms. Whenever Godzooky tries to breathe fire, he usually just coughs up smoke rings.

The group often call upon Godzilla by using a special signaller when in peril, such as attacks by other giant monsters. Godzooky is also able to howl to summon Godzilla. Godzilla's size in the animated series shifts radically, sometimes within a single episode or even one scene. For instance, Godzilla's claw can wrap around a large ship, and only minutes later the team of scientists fit rather neatly on Godzilla's palm. In addition, Godzilla's trademark atomic breath is altered so he breathes simple fire. He can also shoot laser beams from his eyes much like Superman's heat vision.

Hanna-Barbera was unable to use Godzilla's trademark roar, so they cast Ted Cassidy to voice the character, similar to his role in the live-action series The Incredible Hulk. The basic formula of a scientific team and research vessel in league with Godzilla investigating strange phenomena was revived in another cartoon, Godzilla: The Series, which served as an animated continuation of the 1998 Godzilla film. Each episode would include a brief exposition on a scientific instrument or phenomenon, thus providing an educational segment for the show.