Minilla
| Minilla | |
|---|---|
| Godzilla film series character | |
 |
|
| First appearance | Son of Godzilla |
| Last appearance | Godzilla: Final Wars |
| Created by | Jun Fukuda |
| Portrayed by |
Shōwa series Masao Fukazawa Millennium series Naoko Kamio |
| Aliases | Minya |
| Species | Dinosaur-like creature |
| Family | Godzilla (adoptive father) |
Minilla (Japanese: ミニラ Hepburn: Minira?) is a kaiju who first appeared in Toho's 1967 film Son of Godzilla. He is the son of Godzilla, and is sometimes referenced as Minya in the American dubbed versions.
According to director Jun Fukuda, Minilla's creation was not an attempt at appealing to child audiences, but was merely a new approach for the series. After filming Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, Godzilla creator Tomoyuki Tanaka reportedly approached screenwriter Shinichi Sekizawa and suggested the idea of giving Godzilla a son to commemorate the New Year. According to Godzilla historian Steve Ryfle, the character's creation was likely a response to the then contemporary light-hearted Gamera films.
Introduced in Son of Godzilla, Minilla was born on Sogell Island, when its egg was prematurely cracked open by a group of mutant giant praying mantis' called Kamacuras. Godzilla soon arrived, killed two of the Kamacuras, and rescued Minilla. Godzilla proceeded to train Minilla and defended it against further attacks from the final Kamacuras and the giant spider Kumonga. Godzilla and Minilla were placed in hibernation when a group of scientists completed a weather experiment, resulting in the freezing of their island. The mutant dinosaurs revived when the snow melted, and eventually relocated to Monster Island, as seen via stock footage in Godzilla vs. Gigan.
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Wikipedia