I only recently saw the Japanese version of Godzilla and while I like Raymond Burr, I have to admit this one was way better than the American version. I especially liked the little character moments, especially with Shinkichi, the young man from Odo Island. In both versions, when Godzilla comes ashore on Odo for the first time he destroys the home of Shinkichi's brother as the poor guy can just sit there and watch (him screaming his brother's name helplessly is something that I always found painful to watch). He sort of disappears after this in the American version, but he is seen several times after this in the Japanese version, returning to Tokyo with Dr. Yamane and Emiko. Although I don't recall it ever actually being said, the implication I got was that they let him come live with them because he had no more family back on Odo after Godzilla squished his brother's house flat.
Good call Koosh, I liked that character, too. In Godzilla vs. Destroyer, they confirm that Shinkichi was in fact adopted by Yamane and became part of their family.
