Godzilla: King of the Monsters quietly included an incredible Mothra Easter egg in the final showdown between Godzilla and King Ghidorah towards the end of the film. Mothra’s wings can be briefly seen when Godzilla unleashes his full power on his ancient rival.

Directed by Mike Dougherty, Godzilla: King of the Monsters raises the stakes for Godzilla in the third installment in the MonsterVerse. This time, Godzilla is challenged by a rival apex predator and an old foe, King Ghidorah. Ghidorah is awakened from a long slumber after a group of eco-terrorists get their hands on a piece of technology called the Orca. Two more classic Toho monsters, Rodan and Mothra, also get a chance to join in the action, with Mothra on the side of humanity and Godzilla, and Rodan on the side of the three-headed monster.

After being horribly burned by Rodan, Mothra gives his life to help a badly wounded Godzilla. After Mothra’s life energies flow into Godzilla, Godzilla’s body goes through a startling transformation. After taking on a fiery form that’s been nicknamed “Burning Godzilla,” he resumes his fight with Ghidorah. His body unleashes a gigantic red blast called an atomic pulse that devastates King Ghidorah. Though eagle-eyed fans may have already noticed while watching the theatrical version, one of the special features included in the home video release of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, “Godzilla 2.0”, draws attention to this scene and reveals a cleverly-inserted Mothra Easter egg.

Godzilla’s atomic pulse contains the pattern of Mothra’s wings. Also, the sounds effects that accompany the atomic pulse curiously match the sound of Mothra’s cry. Mothra’s cry and the pattern of her wings in Godzilla’s ultimate attack symbolizes the importance of Mothra’s sacrifice. It’s also the movie’s way of telling audiences that when Godzilla is finishing off King Ghidorah with his atomic pulses, Mothra, in her own way, is helping, too. But her sacrifice doesn’t mean she can’t return in a future film, seeing as rebirth is a cornerstone of what makes Mothra unique.

Though Mothra’s big moment was actually stolen from Rodan in 1993’s Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, it certainly feels like something that Toho’s Mothra would have done as well. In classic Toho movies, Godzilla wasn’t always the benevolent force that fans have come to known him as in the MonsterVerse. Mothra, on the other hand, has always been willing to give her life for the sake of the greater good, which is why Mothra’s heroic role in Godzilla: King of the Monsters is true to the spirit of the character. Godzilla’s atomic pulse provides a final, fitting tribute to the hero who helped save the world.

More: Yes, That Was Anguirus In Godzilla: King Of The Monsters

  • Godzilla Vs Kong Release Date: 2021-03-31