What is the Kai-Sei Era? IDW’s new Godzilla shared universe!

The start of IDW’s new Godzilla interconnected universe—the Kai-Sei Era—and the first ongoing Godzilla comic in a decade, goes on FOC this coming Monday, 6/9. Written by Tim Seeley (Grayson, Hack/Slash, Local Man) and illustrated by Nikola Čižmešija (Sword of Azrael, Batman and Robin)—who also designed the new Godzilla—Godzilla #1 is the best jumping-on point for the king of the monsters in years.

“In 1954, experimentation with a mysterious energy source known as Kai-Sei awakened Godzilla and a host of immortal kaiju. In the years that followed, humanity has been pummeled by near-constant monster attacks. While Japan has begun to treat the kaiju like natural disasters, understanding that their attempts to fight Godzilla only make the threat worse, the American G-Force is going to fight, fight, fight.

The Americans have just discovered the ultimate tool in the fight against kaiju: a young boy named Jacen with the power of Godzilla. Able to harness the mysterious Kai-Sei in the same vein as the King of the Monsters, this boy will either save the world…or bring about its doom.”

Interior Art from Godzilla [Kai-Sei Era] #1

Godzilla Eras:

Showa (1954-1975) – The original run of 15 films that span from the harrowing and dark original Godzilla in 1954 to the wacky monster brawls of the 60s and 70s.

Heisei (1984-1995) – 7 interconnected films featuring big kaiju fights and science fiction elements like space travel, time travel, psychic children, and super weapons.

Millennium (1999-2004) – A reboot of Godzilla for the 2000s, featuring the last of the classic “suitmation” films before the modern CGI-era.

Reiwa (2016-present) – The current era of Godzilla films, featuring critically-acclaimed masterpieces like 2016’s Shin Godzilla and 2023’s Godzilla Minus One

And now…

Kai-Sei (2025-present) – IDW’s new line of comics, featuring three currently announced series, the mainline ongoing Godzilla, and the miniseries Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone and Starship Godzilla. All three connected titles have distinct storytelling styles and settings. Centered on a mysterious energy source known as Kai-Sei, that connects the monsters with the heroes.

Featuring all-star creative teams on every title, the Kai-Sei Era is shaping up to be 2025’s premiere Godzilla story. Thanks to the talent of writers Tim Seeley (Godzilla vs. America: Chicago), Griffin Sheridan and Ethan S. Parker (Kill Your Darlings), Chris Gooch (In Utero), and artists Nikola Čižmešija (Batman and Robin), Pablo Tunica (TMNT/Ghostbusters 2), and Oliver Ono (Godzilla: Monster Island Summer Camp), there’s no limit to where this universe could go!

Godzilla #1 has received rave reviews from notable outlets like AIPT, ComicBook.com, CBR, and more. IDW is supporting the launch of the Kai-Sei Era with a 1:25 ratio incentive pin pack for Godzilla #1, featuring a 1-inch tall pin of Nikola Cizmesija’s new Godzilla design.

Godzilla has been everywhere in comics in recent years, including with IDW’s own series like Godzilla: Heist, Godzilla: Here There Be Aliens, Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre, and Godzilla vs. America. Combined with the recent blockbuster and critical success of the films Godzilla Minus One and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and the AppleTV series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the king of the monsters has never been more popular in its 70-year history!

For more on the Kai-Sei Era, check out the overview on Godzilla.com.

Retailers: Godzilla #1 goes on FOC this coming Monday, 6/9. Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1 goes on FOC 6/30. Starship Godzilla is coming later this fall.

Fans: Be sure to pre-order all three upcoming Kai-Sei Era titles at your local comic shop!

View all covers for Godzilla #1 and Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1 below: