The death of Mothra, the giant moth kaiju, would have monumental effects on the world around her. As one of Godzilla’s allies, Mothra plays an important role in maintaining balance and order among the monsters. Her passing would create a power vacuum with unforeseeable consequences.
What is Mothra?
Mothra is a giant divine moth kaiju that first appeared in the 1961 film Mothra. She is among the most popular and recognizable movie monsters from Japan. Some key facts about Mothra:
- Has insectoid features like compound eyes, six legs, and two large colorful wings
- Is covered in luminous fur that can glow brightly
- Possesses divine powers such as flight at Mach 3 speeds, hurricane winds from her wings, and psychic abilities
- Is one of the few benevolent kaiju, helping humanity and protecting the planet
- She is worshipped as a goddess on her home Infant Island
- Often assists Godzilla against more malevolent monsters like King Ghidorah
- Has a symbiotic relationship with her twin priestesses, the Shobijin fairies
With her godlike powers and role as protector of the Earth, Mothra’s death would have devastating ecological effects around the globe.
How would she die?
There are a few potential scenarios that could result in Mothra’s untimely demise:
- Killed in battle: Mothra could perish in a fight against a more powerful kaiju like King Ghidorah or Destoroyah. Despite her powers, she is one of the least physically imposing kaiju, leaving her vulnerable against such foes.
- Radiation poisoning: Exposure to excessive radiation could make Mothra ill and ultimately result in her death. Sources could include nuclear bomb tests, meltdowns, or energy beams from kaiju foes.
- Environmental pollution: Toxins and pollutants from human activities that disrupt Infant Island’s natural balance could poison and kill Mothra over time.
- Old age: Mothra may simply die of natural lifespan exhaustion, given that she is already over 10,000 years old.
Regardless of the cause, the global effects of losing Mothra would be extensive and catastrophic for both humanity and the planet itself.
Ecological Impact
Mothra’s death would have tremendous ecological consequences across the Earth. Here are some of the major effects:
- Destabilization of Earth’s climate – Mothra’s wings can create wind patterns that influence weather and ocean currents globally. Her absence could alter temperature, rainfall, and other climate factors.
- Disruption of food chains – Mothra’s role in pollination and as a food source itself maintains balance across ecosystems. Her demise would remove that stability.
- Rise of insect threats – With Mothra gone, insect populations like the Elias beetles could grow unchecked, devastating vegetation, crops, and the environment.
- Extinction threats – Species relying on Mothra could face endangerment or extinction without her protection and support against predators or habitat loss.
- Infant Island decline – The lush tropical ecosystem of Infant Island, Mothra’s home, could deteriorate into a wasteland without her divine presence.
These ecological impacts could trigger food shortages, natural disasters, unchecked kaiju insect threats, and irreparable damage to Earth’s natural environments.
Effects on Humanity
Mothra’s death would also have pronounced effects on human civilization and society:
- Increased monster attacks – With Mothra gone, humanity would lose its most powerful protector against the kaiju.
- Heightened natural disasters – The climate changes from Mothra’s loss would worsen cataclysms like floods, droughts, and hurricanes around populated areas.
- Civil unrest – Food and resource shortages from ecological instability could stoke socioeconomic tensions and unrest globally.
- Geopolitical turmoil – Nations may clash over dwindling resources, or unite against the rising kaiju threat.
- Loss of culture – Mothra is integral to spiritual beliefs, festivals, and lore for many indigenous peoples who may see their cultures decline.
- Psychological impact – Loss of hope and higher anxiety due to Mothra’s death and a more threatening monster landscape.
The combined effects could cause severe hardship for human civilization through displaced populations, infrastructure damage, armed conflicts, and high mortality rates.
Who would assume her mantle?
With Mothra gone, the most likely kaiju to take her place defending the planet would be Godzilla. However, Godzilla lacks Mothra’s benevolence toward humanity and the environment. Other possibilities include:
| Monster | Likelihood | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Godzilla | High | Could defeat other kaiju but cause heavy collateral damage |
| King Caesar | Moderate | Powerful guardian but not active unless called upon |
| Battra | Low | Mothra’s dark counterpart is destructive to humanity |
| Kumonga | Very Low | Giant spider is an insect but unlikely protector |
Realistically, the loss of Mothra would create a void no other kaiju could fully fill, due to her unique personality and powers.
Could Mothra be reborn?
There is a possibility Mothra could return through reincarnation or rebirth. Her mythology states that she perpetually dies and returns in an endless cycle, like a phoenix. Prior films have depicted Mothra larvae hatching to continue her lineage after her death. Circumstances where Mothra could return include:
- Egg hatches on Infant Island – If her people the Shobijin survive, they could care for an egg that hatches a larvae which matures into the new Mothra.
- Metamorphosis powers – Drawing on her divine energy, Mothra could resurrect or transform herself into a new adult form after death.
- Nuclear mutation – Radiation that contributed to Mothra’s demise could also trigger genetic mutations that enable her rebirth.
- Space arrival – Another Mothra could arrive from space to pick up her fallen counterpart’s cause.
However, reincarnation would likely take years or decades during which Earth remains vulnerable. And the new Mothra may not retain the same traits or powers as the original.
Alternate peaceful solutions?
Rather than Mothra dying prematurely, a more optimistic outcome could see humanity finding solutions to treat Mothra and allow her continued survival:
- Medical care – Scientists could develop treatments for any illness or injuries weakening Mothra.
- Toxin clean-up – Removing pollution and restoring Mothra’s native environment could improve her health.
- Diplomacy – Hammering out peace deals with other kaiju factions could reduce conflict that endangers Mothra.
- Joint guardianship – Mothra and humanity could work together more cooperatively toward shared goals of protection and balance.
- Reduced threats – Cutting back destabilizing activities like nuclear tests or environmental destruction could limit risks to Mothra.
With her psychic abilities, Mothra may even guide humanity toward more enlightened pathways so her legacy of harmony can continue.
Conclusion
The loss of Mothra would have devastating planetary effects disrupting climate, ecosystems, human civilization and kaiju power balances. Her divine benevolence makes her irreplaceable. While reincarnation could eventually occur, the world would first endure heavy turmoil. The wisest path forward is increased cooperation between humanity and Mothra to face shared threats. With hope and care, moth and mankind can both survive and thrive together.