Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
"I don't think that Kiryu wants to fight anymore."—Akane Yashiro
"Sayonara, Yoshido."—text message from Kiryu
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. is the first, and only, Godzilla film in the Millennium series to be a sequel to another film in the Millennium series, namely, the previous film, Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla.
After Godzilla's defeat in the previous film, Japan is warned by Mothra's twin fairies, the Shobijin, to put Kiryu to rest in the sea, as the bones of the dead should not be disturbed. The JSDF is reluctant to give up the only effective defense that they have against Godzilla, even after the Shobijin promise to have Mothra defend against Godzilla in Kiryu's stead. Not too keen on having another giant monster around, even if it's trying to help them, the JSDF refuse to retire Kiryu.
Unfortunately, Godzilla has recovered from his last battle and has claimed more victims, including a giant Kamoebas and an American submarine, and he is now heading straight for Tokyo again. When the JSDF is once again unable to stop the monster, Mothra is summoned to fight Godzilla by the grandson of an aged Professor Chujo, who's nephew works as one of Kiryu's mechanics. When it becomes apparent that Mothra cannot hold her own against Godzilla, the JSDF launch Kiryu to support her. Back on Infant Island, Mothra's egg hatches, revealing twin larva who make their way to Japan to help their mother. Will the combined might of all four monsters be enough to stop Godzilla?
The answer is... maybe.
- A.I. Is a Crapshoot: Once again, Kiryu goes rogue, but only at the end of the movie, and he is far more benevolent when he does so this time.
- Big Damn Heroes: First by Mothra, and when Mothra's in trouble, it's Kiryu's turn again.
- Executive Meddling: See below, where Kamoebas was originally going to be Anguirus.
- Haunted Technology: Again, Kiryu. This may also tie into the Shobijin's reason for not disturbing the bones of the dead, although this point is never explicitly stated.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Mothra puts herself directly in the path of Godzilla's atomic ray to protect her larvae.
- Intercontinuity Crossover: Let's see...Kamoebas from Space Amoeba? Check. Professor Chujo (played by his original actor, Hiroshi Koizumi) and Mothra herself from Mothra (1961)? Check.
- Red Eyes, Take Warning: After seeing Godzilla kill their mother, the Mothra larvae's eyes change from blue to purple, and finally to red.
- Shout-Out: Both of Godzilla's battles with Mothra and her larva are shout outs to Mothra vs. Godzilla.
- The Tokyo Fireball: Godzilla and Mothra both end up creating one when Godzilla uses his atomic ray while surrounded by Mothra's scales.
- What Could Have Been: The role played by Kamoebas was originally going to be Anguirus, but Toho decided against it, feeling that fans may not be too keen on seeing such a fan-favorite being killed like that.