October 25, 2013 - /r/Godzilla: Watch out, Tokyo!

#/r/Godzilla

3,317 readers for 3 years!

Back when I was a kid and before I became a Super Professional Expert Writer™ for SROTD, I’d sit down and watch old Godzilla movies with my dad every Friday night. It became sort of a ritual for us - a bowl of shitty microwaved popcorn, some Mexican Cokes (because real sugar) and a grainy Godzilla film on our 20 inch tube tv. We’d pretty much seen all of them dozens of times over, but my favourite was always Mothra vs. Godzilla. Something about the absurdity of a gigantic Japanese lizard monster battling it out with an equally gigantic Japanese moth monster over the streets of Tokyo captivated me.

As it turns out, there’s an entire subreddit dedicated to giant Japanese lizard monsters! r/Godzilla, a niche subreddit for the cultural icon that is the Godzilla franchise. They have everything Godzilla related - vintage action figures, Godzilla gear, community “movie of the week” viewing parties, and a pretty awesome reddit alien. Yes, it is truly the dream of every classic nerd to have a place like this to talk about their favourite movie monster franchise. In fact, I’m browsing it right now.

The mods were kind enough to let me drag them away from their daily routines, doubtlessly filled with enormous lizards smashing through their roof, to ask them some questions.

##1. Tell us a bit about yourselves.

Benjammin1391 Well there aint much to say about me. Im a fairly stereotypical redditor with a liking for cheesy giant monster movies.

CHEEZYSPAM I'm Cheezyspam, I collect DVD's (I have a little over 1300), I have a miniature Dachshund I named Michonne from the Walking Dead, Danny Elfman is my god.... and I collect unopened cans of Spam (the bottom center in the plastic box is 20 years old). For some reason friends consider my Godzilla obsession the least of my problems.

##2. What sets r/Godzilla apart from all the other giant monster movie subreddits out there?

Benjammin1391 Well for one thing its the biggest, and the most successful so far. I moderate a lot of different monster subreddits, and only r/godzilla has passed 3000 readers. It also just has a lot more to talk about than most other subreddits. Godzilla has appeared in 30 movies so far. Most other monsters can't even claim half of that.

CHEEZYSPAM Godzilla has been around for nearly 60 years! When you say "giant monster" who doesn't automatically think of Godzilla, the King of the Monsters?! A while back u/benjammin1391 had the great insight to go around and snatch up all these abandoned subreddits including r/gamera, r/kingkong, r/kaiju, r/pacificrim and of course r/godzilla, with the intention to bring them all under "one roof". Godzilla being the most recognizable, was naturally the one to have more fans and subscribers.... so while it might be the most successful of the bunch, we have nothing but love for our sister subs.

##3. What’s your favourite aspect of the subreddit?

Benjammin1391 Gotta be the community. We've got people of all ages, nationalities, etc. Its incredibly an diverse group of both old fans and new. Plus everyone is rather civil, and very kind to any newcomers who want information.

CHEEZYSPAM Hands down the community, it's rare you find such a large and diverse group of people who all not only share a common love and passion for something, but who are all respectful and kind to others. Yes people have differing opinions, but never have I seen any disagreement turn ugly or insulting. We have a great group of Godzilla fans and I'm happy to be one of them!

##4. What is your favourite Godzilla movie?

Benjammin1391 Tough question... Probably the original film from 1954, though I also have soft spots for Godzilla vs Biollante and Godzilla vs King Ghidorah.

CHEEZYSPAM It seems a bit of a cliche, but i think most all the fans agree that the Japanese 1954 "Gojira" (or the American edit "King of the Monsters" staring Raymond Burr) is easily considered the best. I have many favorites, but nothing beats the the original!

##5. What would be your dream Godzilla vs. ___ matchup?

Benjammin1391 Probably Godzilla vs himself. Take the version from the 90's and pit it against the version from the early 2000's or something.

CHEEZYSPAM William Shatn- oh, sorry I was having Fight Club flash backs again... I'd like to see a Godzilla vs. Miley Cyrus. "I came in like a wrecking ball" STOMP

##6. Anything else to add?

Benjammin1391 I mainly want to encourage anyone who hasnt seen a Godzilla film to watch at least one. The franchise has been around for 60 years now, it has a lot to offer (Provided you enjoy cheesy, over the top monster flicks.)

CHEEZYSPAM I'm just so happy and thrilled to be part of this incredible sub. It's a small, but growing community. Godzilla is such a niche interest group it's really hard to find other people who are as passionate about the character as much as you are and yet here we are. A new Godzilla movie will be coming out on May 16th, 2014! Next year will also mark Godzilla's 60th anniversary... it's an exciting time to be a fan! We hope with the new movie we'll have the opportunity to meet new fans who are brand new to the franchise or possibly old fans who are just now rediscovering their long forgotten childhood love for the big guy! And to everyone we say, welcome!

If this feature made you crave some classic monster movie, Viooz has a good selection of free-to-watch Godzilla films. Or you could hang out and watch a movie with the r/Godzilla community at their Movie of the Week.

- BipolarBear0