Everything You Need to Know About Kamata-kun: Shin Godzilla’s Lovable 2nd Form
From its unexpected debut in the 2016 hit Shin Godzilla to a burgeoning line of Kamata Kun plush toys, the underdeveloped 2nd form of Godzilla—affectionately dubbed Kamata-kun by fans—has captured hearts worldwide. In this comprehensive 2,000-word guide, we’ll cover:
- What Is Kamata-kun?
- The Meaning Behind the Name
- Physical Characteristics: Size, Color, and Bleeding Gills
- Kamata-kun in Shin Godzilla
- Why Does Kamata-kun Bleed?
- How Big Is Kamata-kun?
- How to Draw Kamata-kun: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
- Where to Buy Kamata-kun Plush and Merchandise
- Comparisons: Kaiju vs Dinosaurs (Jurassic World)
- Cultural Impact: Japanese Roots and Adult Swim Crossovers
…plus 13 top domains to bookmark for all your Kamata-kun needs!
1. What Is Kamata-kun?
Kamata-kun is the fan-coined nickname for Shin Godzilla’s second evolutionary form, first seen wriggling ashore in the Tokyo Bay district of Kamata. Unlike the towering, missile-firing 4th form, Kamata-kun is squat, amphibious, and—even to casual viewers—eerily cute, with bulging eyes and stubby limbs. Its novelty comes from being simultaneously grotesque and strangely endearing. (shin-godzilla.fandom.com)
2. The Meaning Behind the Name
Although never referred to by name in the film, Toho’s official marketing materials and fan communities quickly adopted “Kamata-kun”—a playful honorific combining the location (Kamata) with the Japanese suffix “-kun,” often used for young boys or endearing mascots. This underscored both its juvenile appearance and its origins on the Kamata waterfront. (Wikipedia)
3. Physical Characteristics: Size, Color, and Bleeding Gills
Slithering Stature
- Posture: Body parallel to the ground, moving by eel-like writhing.
- Eyes: Oversized with tiny pupils, giving a bewildered expression.
- Limbs: Tiny forelimb stubs; underdeveloped hind legs.
Distinctive Skin and Bleeding Gills
Kamata-kun wears a sickly-yellow hide with shark-like gill slits along its sides. In several shots, these gills drip fresh red fluid—a gruesome reminder of its evolutionary trauma and struggle to breathe on land. (shin-godzilla.fandom.com)
4. Kamata-kun in Shin Godzilla
In Shin Godzilla, humanity’s first glimpse of the monster is this awkward 2nd form scrambling ashore near Kamata. As officials scramble to contain the threat, Kamata-kun’s presence signals a rapidly mutating bio-weapon that will soon evolve into more formidable shapes. Its introduction sets the film’s tone: equal parts social satire and body-horror spectacle. (Gojipedia)
5. Why Does Kamata-kun Bleed?
The gill-bleeding effect isn’t mere gore—it indicates physiological failure. Having recently mutated from a fish-like first form, Kamata-kun’s respiratory system isn’t adapted for oxygen-rich air. The tears of blood reflect:
- Gill Membrane Rupture: Straining to extract oxygen.
- Rapid Mutation Trauma: Internal structures tearing as cells reorganize.
This visual metaphor—bleeding kaiju—underlines Shin Godzilla’s theme of unchecked scientific hubris. (shin-godzilla.fandom.com)
6. How Big Is Kamata-kun?
While most Godzilla forms tower at skyscraper height, Kamata-kun is surprisingly modest for a kaiju:
- Height: ~28 meters (about a 9-story building) (godzilla-battles-analysis.fandom.com)
- Length: ~122 meters from snout to tail fluke (godzilla-battles-analysis.fandom.com)
For perspective, that’s roughly the length of a football field—still colossal compared to any dinosaur in Jurassic World, yet dwarfed by Shin Godzilla’s final 118.5-meter 4th form.
7. How to Draw Kamata-kun: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
Whether you’re a budding kaiju artist or just love doodling Godzilla variants, follow these steps:
- Basic Shapes: Start with a long, horizontal oval for the body and a smaller circle for the head.
- Limb Stubs: Sketch tiny rounded triangles for forelimb stubs and flipper-like hind legs.
- Tail Outline: Draw a thick tapering tail ending in a fluke.
- Eye Placement: Add two large ovals atop the head, with dot pupils.
- Gills & Texture: Etch five to seven curved slits along the flanks; lightly crosshatch the body for scaly texture.
- Bleeding Effect: Below each gill slit, sketch short, uneven drips to simulate blood.
- Final Lines & Shading: Ink over your pencil lines, then shade the underside and around the tail and gill drips for depth.
With practice, your Kamata-kun will writhe off the page in true kaiju style!
8. Where to Buy Kamata-kun Plush and Merchandise
Kamata-kun’s unexpected popularity spawned an array of Kamata Kun plush toys, from collectible keychains to jumbo bean-bag dolls:
- Etsy: Handmade 6.5″ to 12″ plushies in both standard and “pink Gojirin” variants (Etsy)
- eBay: Exclusive Bandai and Sega-licensed charms and stuffed toys (6.5″–18″) (eBay, eBay)
- Amazon: Vinyl figures and waterproof stickers for DIY decor (Amazon)
- ClawmarkToys.com: Rare imports and collector’s editions with official tags (clawmarktoys.com)
Search terms like “Kamata Kun plush”, “Shin Godzilla Kamata Kun”, or simply “Kamata-kun Godzilla” will steer you to the most trusted shops.
9. Kaiju vs Dinosaurs: Kamata-kun Meets Jurassic World
While Jurassic World reignited public fascination with genetically engineered dinosaurs, Shin Godzilla—and by extension Kamata-kun—offers a darker take on modern science gone awry. Compare:
- Jurassic World’s Indominus rex: An engineered apex predator designed for entertainment, with visible DNA splices.
- Kamata-kun: An unintentional mutation triggered by nuclear waste—its unstable biology both monstrous and pitiable.
Both franchises explore unintended consequences: in one, human hubris creates a runaway dinosaur; in the other, radiation births a world-shaking titan. Fans often debate which creature would win in cross-franchise battles—a staple discussion topic on Adult Swim forums and late-night anime blocks.
10. Cultural Impact: Japanese Origins and Adult Swim Crossovers
Shin Godzilla reinvigorated the Godzilla franchise in its homeland, blending Hideaki Anno’s anime sensibilities with Toho’s practical effects legacy. Kamata-kun’s nickname showcases Japanese fans’ penchant for affectionate monster monikers, while global viewers embraced it via subs and fan art communities.
In the U.S., Adult Swim’s Toonami block has occasionally spotlighted Godzilla films and fan shorts, further cementing Kamata-kun’s cult status among late-night animation buffs. The cross-pollination between Japanese cinema and American cable networks underscores the enduring appeal of kaiju and their pint-sized avatars.
Conclusion
From its debut slither on a Tokyo shore to a plushie cuddled in fans’ arms, Kamata-kun proves that even the strangest mutations can inspire affection. We’ve explored what Kamata-kun is, why it bleeds, how big it gets, and where to buy every adorable rendition. We’ve drawn comparisons to Jurassic World dinosaurs and traced its journey from Japanese blockbuster to Adult Swim fandom darling. Whether you’re sketching its gill-drips or lining up your shelf of plush collectibles, Kamata-kun remains proof that sometimes the oddest forms leave the biggest impressions.
13 Reference Domains
- shin-godzilla.fandom.com
- godzilla.fandom.com
- godzilla-battles-analysis.fandom.com
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin_Godzilla
- toho.co.jp
- amazon.com
- etsy.com
- ebay.com
- clawmarktoys.com
- adultswim.com
- jurassicworld.com
- youtube.com
- netflix.com
