If you were Kōichi Shikishima, the former kamikaze pilot haunted by survivor’s guilt in Minus One, witnessing the radioactive reptile stomping Odo Island, you’d wish you were drunk on sake. Really. That said, the Godzilla: The Battle of Fierce Junmai Daiginjo is not brewed for that purpose. But it is perfect for fans who aren’t afraid of Gojira and want every possible piece of merch short of a full-scale suit standing in their living room.
Made by Maruhiko Shuzō, a sake brewery with over 150 years of experience in Mie Prefecture, this special-edition Junmai Daiginjo is crafted to embody the strength of Japan’s most famous kaiju. The brewery calls it a “soul-shaking” sake. Based on how Godzilla typically interacts with cities, I believe them.
This kaiju-grade drink uses 100 percent Mie-grown rice polished down to 50 percent, resulting in a fragrant, fruity, and refreshingly smooth profile. It is the kind of drink you can enjoy while reflecting on Godzilla’s long cinematic career, from man-in-suit mayhem to modern CG meltdown. Or while simply admiring the bottle, which looks like it survived a tail swipe.
Each bottle comes in a 720 ml size, clocks in at 14 percent alcohol, and is heat-treated for stability. So, no, the ABV is not enough to make you spew atomic breath. You will probably stay sober enough to know Godzilla is about to squash you like a fly.It is standard Junmai Daiginjo on paper, but the packaging and theme turn it into a collectible you probably won’t want to crack open. Unless you watched Minus One again and need emotional support.
The Godzilla: The Battle of Fierce Junmai Daiginjo retails for 5,000 yen [JP] (about 33 USD), not including tax.
Images: Maruhiko Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. [JP].
