Living in an Age of Gods: An Opinion Piece

Kaiju of many shapes and size rule our world. They go by many names as well;

Anguirus.

Varan.

Rodan.

Mothra.

Ghidorah.

Manda.

Battra.

Kamacuras.

Gorosaurus.

Zilla.

Kumonga.

Destoroyah.

Titanosaurus.

Godzilla.

Just to name a few.

But while the global community sees them as big, lumbering monsters who turn cities into rubble and make the militaries of the world look like utter jokes while fighting amongst each other. Others see the Kaiju as something else.

Before those fateful early November days of 1954, the word "Kaiju" was the Japanese word for "strange creature" or "giant monster". Nowadays, it is synonymous with creatures that are powerful enough to be considered elemental forces of Nature capable of reducing cities to rubble, sometimes entirely if they wanted to. In fact, we've seen countless metropolises, once proud and gleaming, turned to ruins in a matter of days or even hours with little chance of anyone returning.

This is not helped by our efforts to curb the Kaiju with numerous superweapons; from the humble Maser cannon to the Super X's, from Cybersaur to MOGUERA, from the Sky Hammer to even the Oxygen Destroyer back in '54. Yet all of these weapons have one thing in common: They failed. Some have said we might as well be trying to fight Godzilla with golf-balls and shredded tires.

But, if trying to fight the Kaiju is out of the question, what can truly be done? Some have said we must treat the Kaiju like any other natural disaster; for every earthquake, an attack by Baragon, for every tornado, an incursion by Rodan, for every hurricane, an attack by Ghidorah, for every tsunami, a siege by Ebirah or Zilla, for every volcanic eruption, an attack made by Godzilla. However, Kaiju are not simply natural disasters or even dumb animals. In fact, a large number of people see the Kaiju as something more akin to gods or deities, some cultures around the world worshiping these gigantic beasts. This is not uncommon as the people of Infant Island revere Mothra as their goddess while the people of Odo Island still live in fear of Godzilla's wrath should they displease him.

Maybe, humanity should accept they are living in the company of gods. Maybe humanity should accept they are no longer the masters of the planet. Maybe, humanity must learn to co-exist with creatures far beyond their control or understanding. It may be the only key to surviving in this Age of Gods.

- Stephen Martin, Rookie Reporter for United World News