Oda’s narrative offers the Japanese spectator a message of hope, yet not without underlining that what is repressed today will resurface another day – i.e. the truth of the pacific war cannot be effaced.

With an even more explosive climax involving air raids and avalanches, Godzilla Raids Again may not be as emotionally satisfying as the original film, but it does provide other pleasures and it is just as inspirational of what is to come.

Godzilla Raids Again doesn't know the rules of being a Godzilla movie because many had not yet been invented. It creates a big one (the fights), but often goes off on its own, merry way, making it something of a charming gem.

Still, it's good fun, if you like watching a couple of guys in monster suits trashing model cities that is.