Godzilla: Ranking Akira Takarada Godzilla Films According To Letterboxd

The Kaiju world has lost a legend. Akira Takarada was the last surviving member of the original Godzilla cast from 1954. He passed away in March at the age of 87. Takarada was a beloved figure in the Kaiju community and by all accounts was a warm-hearted individual who embraced the love that fans held for him.

Not only did he have a starring role in the film that started it all, but he was also a star in multiple Godzilla films throughout the years. Unlike American films, Japanese films would often have returning actors play different characters. So while Akira Takarada was in many of the early Godzilla films, he never played the same character twice.

7 Ebirah, Horror Of The Deep (1966) – 2.9/5

Often referred to as Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, saw the big radioactive lizard go up against a giant crustacean named Ebirah. Akira Takarada plays Yoshimura, a criminal who steals a ship that takes Ryota and the other characters to Infant Island to find Ryota’s brother. After fighting off the paramilitary group that controls Ebirah and surviving two Godzilla attacks, Yoshimura decides to turn his life around and not be a criminal anymore.

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, is a more lighthearted Godzilla film than some of the others that preceded it. The design of Ebirah is often criticized by fans for being less than inspired. However, there is still plenty to enjoy here, its goofiness is seen as a positive as time goes on and Akira Takarada’s character is remembered as one of his best.

6 Godzilla (2014) – 3.0/5

The 2014 reboot of the franchise ushered in the Legendary Pictures MonsterVerse, which recently saw the release of Godzilla vs. Kong. Godzilla follows Ford Brady as he looks for a way to fight Godzilla to avenge his fathers death. Luckily he realizes that Godzilla isn’t the enemy. Unfortunately, Akira Takarada’s cameo in the film was cut in the final theatrical release. In the filmed scene he played an immigration officer in Hawaii, but sadly the scene was never released in any format.

There is currently a lot of talk from fans to see this scene released since it was the last time Takarada would be seen in a Godzilla film. It’s unlikely the scene would have helped Letterboxd users like the movie though. Ford’s character isn’t as interesting as his father, who dies early in the movie, and according to users, the film spends too long not showing Godzilla. But there’s good action and the mythology built-in is some of the best. While not the best in Godzilla’s long filmography, it’s considered an easy entry point into the Godzilla franchise.

5 Invasion Of The Astro-Monster (1965) – 3.2/5

Invasion of the Astro-Monster follows two astronauts Glenn and Fuji, Akira Takarada plays Fuji, as they found themselves on the mysterious Planet X. The aliens there, known as the Xillians, ask them if they could borrow Godzilla and Rodan from Earth so they can stop Ghidora from terrorizing the planet. This was all part of the Xillians’ plan, though, as they really control Ghidora and want to control Godzilla and Rodan to take over the Earth.

Ghidorah has always been a fan favorite monster, which is why he’s often depicted as Godzilla’s main antagonist, especially in the Showa era. The silliness of the 60s Godzilla films is on full display in this Godzilla film, most will remember it as the one where Godzilla dances. Outside of that, this is one of the films Takarada is most known for since he plays a central role in the plot of the film.

4 Godzilla Vs. Mothra (1992) – 3.2/5

The fourth film in the second Godzilla era was Godzilla vs. Mothra. This time, Godzilla has to fight against both Mothra and Battra. Having grown a little older Akira Takarada doesn’t have a lead role in the film, instead, he plays Environmental Planning Bureau Chief Joji Minamino. He’s worried that the environmental disasters and the awakening of three monsters are a sign that the world is coming to an end.

The film takes a lot from the original 1964 film that introduced audiences to Mothra. Even though it introduces a new Kaiju in the form of Battra, many felt like this was a lot of the same. While the Heisei era had been driven by more science fiction and darker stories, this film took the franchise back towards the fantastical light-heartedness of the original era. It did so with mixed results, however.

3 Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) – 3.3/5

Made for Godzilla’s 50th anniversary, Godzilla: Final Wars pulls no punches and sees the titular monster go up against every one of his legendary foes. The film is also notable for being the only time the Japanese version of the monster went up against the American version. The Xiliens return to the franchise to pretend to save humanity from the evil monsters that are threatening their lives. The aliens replace Akira Takarada’s character, UN Secretary-General Naotarô Daigo, to infiltrate the governments of the world. But there are two things they didn’t count on, the mustachioed Captain Gordon and Godzilla.

Over the years, it’s become a fan favorite because of all the monsters who show up in the film. The short flight between the American Godzilla and the Japanese Godzilla is a standout moment for fans of the franchise. Unfortunately, there’s not much more this film has to offer. However, the characters in the film are fun to watch, including Takarada’s character.

2 Mothra Vs. Godzilla (1964) – 3.5/5

When a giant egg is uncovered, greedy entrepreneurs assume control of it. This is the setup for Mothra vs. Godzilla. Mothra’s fairies team up with journalist Ichiro Sakai, who is played by Akira Takarada, to find a way to free the egg from the greedy people’s control. When Godzilla awakens, the people of Infant Island, the original home of the egg, pray to wake up the sleeping Mothra inside, so she may save the people of Japan from Godzilla’s destruction.

Not only does this showcase one of Toho’s best Godzilla suits, but Ishirō Honda brings some of the best miniature filmmaking to this film, which is something that Letterboxd users pointed out many times. Honda brought a lot of commentary to his Godzilla films and this was no exception. Mothra vs. Godzilla is considered one of the best films in the franchise.

1 Godzilla/Gojira (1954) – 4.0/5

Godzilla, or Gojira as it is known in Japan, was a very important sci-fi film in 1954. Akira Takarada plays Hideto Ogata, who’s madly in love with a woman, Emiko Yamane, but finds himself in a love triangle with a brilliant scientist, Dr. Daisuke Serizawa. When Godzilla attacks, everything is thrown into chaos. Serizawa has developed an Oxygen Destroyer which he believes will kill the giant monster who is rampaging through Japan. Since Serizawa was so terrified of his own creation, he deployed the weapon himself, killing him and Godzilla, saving the country from the monster and the world from himself.

It’s a very profound film, the likes of which the franchise seems to try and emulate to various degrees every decade or so. Many users find this film to be perfect, and believe it to still be the gold standard by which the franchise should strive for. The three leads play off each other well but Serizawa gets the most to do emotionally, while the others struggle with the horrors of Godzilla.

About The Author