Godzilla Minus One ending explained

I could not have been the only one to stream Godzilla Minus One over three times immediately following the announcement that it had been released for streaming on Netflix, right? Right?

Godzilla Minus One has been my personal favorite movie of 2023 ever since my first watch upon its theatrical release last year. This movie has it all: epic battles, heart-wrenching moments, and, of course, a massive, nuclear-powered lizard wreaking havoc on Tokyo. Let’s break down what happened at the end, what those mysterious G-cells are, and whether we can expect to see Godzilla roaring back to life in a sequel.

SPOILER WARNING: read at your own risk.

The Epic Finale: A Battle for the Ages

The climax of Godzilla Minus One is nothing short of spectacular. Our hero, former kamikaze pilot Kōichi Shikishima, teams up with a former naval scientist, Kenji Noda, to take down the mighty Godzilla once and for all. The plan? Lure Godzilla into Tokyo Bay and use a fleet of ships to trap him.

Easy peasy.

Here’s where it gets intense. They release gas from Freon tanks to decrease the water density, hoping to sink Godzilla deep into the ocean. But this is Godzilla we're talking about (namely, Toho Studios' Godzilla) - nothing’s ever that simple. Godzilla starts to break free, and in a last-ditch effort, Shikishima pilots a plane filled with explosives right into Godzilla’s mouth. Boom! A massive explosion follows, and our hero has saved the day.

Or has he?

Is Godzilla really dead at the end of Godzilla Minus One?

The movie throws us a curveball in the final moments. Just when we think Godzilla is toast, the camera zooms in on the ocean where we see Godzilla's flesh bubbling and regenerating. So, is Godzilla really dead? The short answer: probably not.

This regenerating flesh hints at Godzilla’s incredible ability to come back from the brink of death. It’s a nod to the classic trope that you can’t keep a good kaiju down. The bubbling flesh sets the stage for a potential sequel, leaving fans on the edge of their seats wondering if Godzilla will rise again.

What happened to Noriko?

During Godzilla's initial rampage, we all thought Noriko was a goner. But, surprise! She survived. The reunion between Shikishima and Noriko is bittersweet, though, because of those mysterious G-cells. While it’s a relief to see her alive, the implications of the G-cells leave us with more questions than answers.

The mystery of the G-Cells

Now, let’s talk about those G-cells. After the dust settles, we discover that Shikishima’s love interest and tiny Akiko's mama, Noriko, is alive. Yay! But there's a catch. Noriko has a strange black mark on her neck, which the director, Takashi Yamazaki, confirms are G-cells - Godzilla cells.

These G-cells are a game-changer. In the Godzilla universe, G-cells have been used to create some of the franchise's most iconic villains, like Biollante and SpaceGodzilla. The presence of these cells in Noriko hints at some intriguing possibilities. Could Noriko develop some kind of superpowers? Will she become part of a new Godzilla-related storyline? The theories are endless and tantalizing.

Is there going to be a sequel to Godzilla Minus One?

Given the movie’s massive success and the exciting hints at the end, a sequel seems almost inevitable. According to Dexerto, director Takashi Yamazaki has openly said there are no official plans for another movie just yet, but he’s expressed interest in continuing the story. He’s even hinted that if a sequel does happen, it might feature a new villain monster.

With the film’s ambiguous ending and the presence of G-cells, the door is wide open for more Godzilla mayhem. Whether it’s Godzilla regenerating from his bubbling flesh or a new monster rising from the depths, fans have plenty to look forward to.

Godzilla Minus One delivers a rollercoaster of emotions, stunning visuals, and a story that keeps you hooked until the very end. The ending leaves us with just enough closure to be satisfying but opens up a world of possibilities for the future. So, is Godzilla truly defeated? Only time will tell.

One thing’s for sure: the King of the Monsters always finds a way to roar back to life.