With Godzilla Minus One now roaring its way onto Netflix almost everywhere, fans—both the seasoned Kaiju aficionados and the newly initiated—might still be scratching their heads over what exactly “Minus One” signifies.
Godzilla Minus One stomped into theaters in late 2023, first captivating audiences in Japan before going global. The film quickly became a critical darling and a box office beast, even snagging the Best Visual Effects Oscar at the 2024 ceremony.
After making its streaming debut on Amazon Prime Video in Japan last month, the monster hit is now available on Netflix in several other countries, including the United States. So, whether you’re a long-time Godzilla devotee or a newcomer, you can now dive into the monstrous mayhem from the comfort of your couch.
Why is Godzilla Minus One titled ‘Minus One’?
The title Godzilla Minus One isn’t exactly an open book, but once fans grasp its meaning, it clicks into place perfectly.
Historically and within the fictional universe of Godzilla Minus One, World War II left Japan at rock bottom. As Toho International President Koji Ueda explained to Forbes, the “Minus One” signifies how Godzilla’s rampage would plunge Japan even further, “into the ‘minus.'”
“Set in a post-war Japan, Godzilla Minus One will once again show us a Godzilla that is a terrifying and overwhelming force… The concept is that Japan, which had already been devastated by the war, faces a new threat with Godzilla, bringing the country into the ‘minus.'”
In essence, if WWII left Japan at ground zero, Godzilla’s onslaught drags the nation into the negatives—hence the “Minus One,” referring to -1, the first integer below zero.
What About the Damage from Previous Godzilla Movies?
Given this explanation, fans might still wonder why the 37th movie (out of 38 total) in the Godzilla franchise is the first to knock Japan below zero. The answer lies in the fact that Godzilla Minus One exists in its own continuity. Not all Godzilla movies share the same timeline, and Godzilla Minus One is unique to its specific narrative.
Therefore, the catastrophic events from the other 37 Godzilla films didn’t happen in the Godzilla Minus One universe. The only devastation that drives Japan into the negatives is what occurs in the 2023 film.
With this context, the title makes perfect sense. This is the first time in this particular storyline that Godzilla attacks Japan, already at its lowest point, pushing the nation into negative territory.