‘Godzilla Minus One’ Ending Explained: What Are G-Cells? Is Godzilla Really Dead?

2 min readJun 3, 2024

Godzilla Minus One made its surprise debut on Netflix this weekend. If you finally watched the Oscar-winning film from home, you might have questions about Godzilla Minus One’s shocking ending, such as what happened to Noriko, whether Godzilla is truly dead, and the possibility of a sequel.

Written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, Godzilla Minus One debuted in theaters on December 1, 2023, and became the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film in the U.S. The blockbuster also won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was the first movie in Godzilla’s seven-decade history to be nominated for an Oscar.

The movie explores the catastrophic aftermath of World War II on Japan, which worsens when Godzilla emerges off the coast of Tokyo. Former kamikaze pilot Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), haunted by the guilt of failing his mission, starts a new life in Tokyo with Noriko (Minami Hamabe), a woman raising an orphan named Akiko (Sae Nagatani).

Godzilla attacks the vulnerable city as Tokyo begins to rebuild from the war’s devastation. Originating from Odo Island, the monster was exposed to the Bikini Atoll nuclear tests, causing him to grow significantly and gain the ability to unleash an atomic heat ray from his mouth, similar to an atomic blast. Before heading towards Japan, the beast had been sinking American vessels in the South Pacific.

Godzilla Minus One Ending Explained

During Godzilla’s initial attack, Noriko is presumed dead, leaving Shikishima devastated. Grieving her loss, he becomes determined to devise and execute a citizen-driven plan to stop Godzilla once and for all. So, what happens at the end of Godzilla Minus One, and how does it set up an exciting sequel in the franchise?

How Does Godzilla Get Defeated In Godzilla Minus One?

At the end of Godzilla Minus One, a plan is set devised by former military naval scientist Kenji Noda. They lure the monster into the bay and surround Godzilla with a fleet of ships. Gas is then released from Freon tanks, rapidly decreasing the water density and causing the monster to sink 1500 meters below sea level. Pressurized balloons are also prepared in case Godzilla survives the descent, which would launch him to the surface at high speed, resulting in explosive decompression that would essentially tear the beast apart.

Although the plan nearly succeeds, Godzilla manages to break through the balloons meant to resurface him. Despite being injured — Godzilla is not dead — so Shikishima performs a sacrificial act by piloting his plane filled with explosives directly into Godzilla’s mouth. This action overrides Godzilla’s atomic breath, causing a massive explosion that annihilates the monster. Fortunately, Shikishima ejects from the plane before it collides with Godzilla.

‘Godzilla Minus One’ Ending Explained: What Are G-Cells? Is Godzilla Really Dead?

How Does Godzilla Get Defeated In Godzilla Minus One?

Written by HdmovieFlix