After reading “Oh No, There goes Tokyo”, I would like to respond to the change of the image of giant creatures.
I agree with the point mentioned in the reading: the historical factor highly affects the image of giant monsters/ creatures in movies or TV series. During the WWII, Japan received two nuclear booms from the United States. I regard the original Gojira (monster) and the Ultraman (Alien) as two different perspectives towards unknown threats. They both represent the unhandled power in the Japanese perspective. Gojira, as a monster which has brought destruction towards Japan, was defeated by Japanese technology. This has sent a message that, the unknown power (nuclear energy) will bring misfortune and demolition. However, as stated in the reading, in the Gojira series, Japan would eventually win. In contrast, the Ultraman series had sent a contrasting view that the unknown power outside Japan and the world, would protect and save the world. Humans could cooperate with Ultraman and defeat challenges towards the harmony of the world.
Back to now, the Ultraman series continues its significant view, that humans could partner with Ultraman. However, the recent Godzilla series has shown a message that monsters like Godzilla, and King Kong are the maintainer of the world, and become heroic characters. Though the movie still emphasises their destruction during fighting senses, these are described as some necessary sacrifices. No demand, no supply. This fundamental change may represent that, from the Japanese perspective, the unknown power is not a threat anymore, and they are willing to accept it.