Godzilla minus one is the most financially and critically successful Godzilla comes out in the 70th anniversary of Toho’s franchise, and it should be the start of a whole new universe fit for the current Reiwa era. Godzilla minus one was a rather unique entry in Toho’s Kaiju history as not only was it the very first Godzilla film for the new Reiwa era, but it is also the only film in the franchise to win an Oscar. This is a big deal in many ways, so it’s not surprising to discover that Toho is working again with writer and director Takashi Yamazaki for a new Godzilla movie.

While fans’ first inclination to make such an announcement is a direct sequel to Godzilla minus oneit’s going to be impossible to follow the story of this film with the same kind of impact that the first film had. This is the burden of success that Yamazaki will now face, and the best thing to do is not get a new sequel at all. Instead, Godzilla minus one should be the first step in a broader process Godzilla universe designed for the new Reiwa cinematic era.

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Godzilla Minus One should take inspiration from the MonsterVerse

Kind of like how Legendary’s Monsterverse took ideas from Toho alumni. Godzilla Showa, Heisei and Millennium to form a new universe, Toho should do the same with its next one Godzilla entrance. Godzilla minus one was such a success that it’s likely we’ll see a similar version of Godzilla in the next film. But rather than being a direct sequel featuring characters from the first film, the next installment is set to start from the beginning with a new set of characters with their own intriguing story. However, there is no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

This version of Godzilla could lead the wave of new versions of Toho’s other monsters. Godzilla’s activity in Japan after World War II could very well activate some of the region’s other dormant monsters. This type of interconnectivity has been used in the franchise’s past, but with its global reach, Toho is the perfect place to start its own Godzilla universe. It’s also not like it will conflict with Legendary’s Monsterverse, as they increasingly focus on Kong and their own original Titans. That leaves Toho’s trademark monsters getting reboots that fans were excited to see with Hedorah, Gigan, Megalon and others are yet to appear in the modern era.

This would open the way for more creators

Godzilla minus one was such a success that it wouldn’t be a good idea to give it a sequel. Instead, this should start to open the floor for even more creators to take on Godzilla next. One of the ways in which the Godzilla How the franchise has managed to stay fresh after all these decades is the fact that it’s taken on by different creative teams with their own take on Godzilla. With a new universe formed around Godzilla minus oneit’s always possible to allow other creators to take on their visions of the giant icon. It is why Yamazaki’s version is such a success because it’s a unique vision.

Creating a universe around it seems like the complete opposite of allowing other unique visions into it, but it’s definitely possible because there are tons of other giant monsters that fans want to see. These other creators can come in and create new versions of their WWII favorites and possibly tie them together to the point where we can one day have full-on clashes between them all. But if that’s not the route they want to take, Yamazaki could instead take that vision forward and simply expand its scope in future films.

Godzilla Minus One could continue outward rather than forward

In a statement shared with fans following confirmation of his return for the next Godzilla film, Takashi Yamazaki admitted that he finds himself in a precarious position following up such a successful entry. “Godzilla minus one went a little too well and many obstacles arose. Thinking about it, I feel like this might be the worst draw,” Yamazaki noted. With this in mind, Yamazaki should try something new. Expanding the story to other characters across Japan would introduce all kinds of potential new stories into the mix.

One of the reasons Godzilla minus one One such success was its focus on the very human story between Shikishima and Noriko as they found themselves amid all the terror and pain of war. Their story has been told before, but expanding the films to new characters across Japan would then expand this version of Godzilla. If we care more about humanity, we will feel more of the terror posed by Godzilla himself. Those sequences of kaiju-caused destruction were impactful because we cared, and a follow-up only has more to gain in that same universe.

Rather than starting from scratch, Godzilla minus one could be the start of a whole new universe for Toho. This would allow the Reiwa era to feel different from what came before it and would hopefully lead to a better chance of success with later films.