Godzilla’s Next Series Sparks Backlash Over Copycat Accus...

Godzilla’s Next Series Sparks Backlash Over Copycat Accusations

Gojira smiles in front of Kong's face at night in Godzilla vs Kong The New Empire poster

By Hannah Diffey Published 37 minutes ago Hannah is a senior writer and self-publisher for the anime section at ScreenRant. There, she focuses on writing news, features, and list-style articles about all things anime and manga. She works as a freelance writer in the entertainment industry, focusing on video games, anime, and literature. Her published works can be found on ScreenRant, FinanceBuzz, She Reads, and She Writes. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

A brand-new Godzilla anime is generating major buzz, but not for reasons the studio expected. Early previews reveal a series centered on a young boy who carries Godzilla’s destructive power inside his own body. While the premise initially sounded like a bold expansion of the franchise, online reactions quickly shifted toward skepticism and debate.

Fans across social platforms and X threads like @DiscussingFilm argue that the upcoming series feels uncomfortably familiar. Some draw parallels to My Hero Academia, pointing to similarities between the protagonist’s design and Deku’s transformation-based abilities. Others claim the story mirrors Kaiju No. 8, where a human hero becomes a kaiju hybrid. The overlap has ignited widespread discussion about originality in modern anime.

Fans Compare the Protagonist of Godzilla's Upcoming Anime to Deku

The strongest accusations stem from the hero’s design, which many believe echoes the green-haired, earnest appearance of Deku from My Hero Academia. Viewers noted the character’s youthful look, timid posture, and glowing transformation cues, all of which reminded them of the hit shōnen series. These visual similarities fueled the first wave of complaints.

As more images circulated, comparisons intensified. Critics argue that the new character appears to follow a familiar template of an anxious but chosen teen who unlocks overwhelming power. While this trope isn’t new, some fans felt the studio leaned too heavily into an aesthetic that has already defined one of anime’s biggest franchises.

Supporters, however, argue that early stills don’t tell the whole story. They point out that character archetypes often overlap in shōnen anime and that design inspiration doesn’t automatically equal plagiarism. Many prefer to reserve judgment until full trailers or story details arrive.

Godzilla's New Story Parallels to Kaiju No. 8

Kaiju-No-8-Episode-16-Kafka

Beyond the visuals, fans quickly noticed how closely the plot resembles Kaiju No. 8. In that series, a human gains kaiju powers and becomes a hybrid creature capable of massive destruction. The new Godzilla anime appears to tread similar ground by giving its protagonist Godzilla-like abilities. For some viewers, the resemblance feels too direct to ignore.

Skeptics argue that Godzilla adopting a hybrid-human storyline feels more reactive than innovative, especially after Kaiju No. 8’s recent surge in popularity and successful second season. They worry the franchise is chasing trends rather than exploring new narratives unique to Godzilla’s legacy. This perception has added fuel to the copycat accusations gaining traction online.

Still, long-time fans caution against rushing to judgment. They note that Godzilla stories have reinvented themselves for decades, often experimenting with human-kaiju metaphors. If executed well, the new series could reframe the classic monster’s power in a fresh, character-driven way. Ultimately, viewers agree that the final verdict will depend on how the story distinguishes itself when it premieres.

The backlash may be loud, but many believe the situation reflects a larger shift in anime fandom. With so many series exploring transformation-based heroes and kaiju battles, thematic overlap is inevitable. Whether the new Godzilla anime is truly derivative or simply part of a growing genre trend will become clear only once audiences see the full story play out.

Godzilla Movie(s) Godzilla, Godzilla 2, Godzilla 3, Shin Godzilla, Godzilla, Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Kong, Godzilla Minus One, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Godzilla Vs King Kong, Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., godzilla: monster planet, Godzilla vs. Gigan, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Godzilla: Final Wars, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Godzilla: The Showa Era Films, Godzilla vs. Biollante Created by Tomoyuki Tanaka, Akira Watanabe First Film Godzilla Latest Film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire First Episode Air Date November 17, 2023 Cast Akira Takarada, Momoko Kôchi, Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell

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My Hero Academia

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