This became one of the most controversial Godzilla movies. Shortly after the film's release in Japan, CNN in America ran a lengthy story about the film being anti-American and showed scenes of US soldiers being killed, and the plot featuring Westerners from the future was debated. The original Godzilla director, Ishirô Honda also criticized this film's director, Kazuki Ômori, and stated he had gone too far. Omori, however, defended his artistic decision on camera, arguing that the film was not in fact meant to be anti-American stating," "The movie is not especially anti-U.S., I just thought I'd try to picture the identity of the Japanese people." Economic tensions between East and West were high at this time, and the negative publicity was very much a sign of the times.
There is a rumor that alleges that when the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was destroyed in the final battle, the audience cheered because it was the main center for tax. Not only is there no testimonials of this ever occurring, the building itself had only been open for eight months prior to the films release.
When asked if he would like to play the part of Shindo, the morally troubled business mogul who has a secret history with Godzilla, Yoshio Tsuchiya responded "I've been waiting my whole life for this role."
The roar of the Godzillasaurus is the roar of Gamera, the giant monster from a competing series of films.
Akira Ifukube returned to score a Godzilla movie for the first time since Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975). Though he was initially reluctant to come out of retirement, he was persuaded by his daughter to return, reasoning that Toho would have used his themes regardless.