Godzilla vs. Kong 2: Pink Godzilla is inspired by Goku's Kaio-ken

Jared Krichevsky, chief character designer of "Godzilla vs. Kong: A New Empire", revealed that Godzilla's new pink transformation was inspired by Son Goku's Kaio-ken in "Dragon Ball Z".

At the X AMA, Krichevsky was asked if Godzilla's new pink design was inspired by Goku Black's pink Super Saiyan form (with pink hair) in Dragon Ball Super. Krichevsky responded, "I didn't see Pink Goku until many years later, but the transformation is definitely based on Goku's Kaio-ken."

One of Goku's earliest transformations, the Kaio-ken is a unique technique that multiplies both strength and speed. Goku used this iconic red form to even the odds in his iconic battles with Vegeta and Frieza in Dragon Ball Z, as well as in his battle with Hit in Dragon Ball Super.

Unlike his various Super Saiyan transformations, Kaio-ken only gives Goku a brief burst of power, but the side effects are pretty severe. Kaio-ken also puts a lot of physical stress on Goku - in the anime, Goku's body radiates heat and veins pop out - and the longer the fight drags on, the greater the stress.

Goku learned his King-ken from Kingshin, while Godzilla gained his pink form by absorbing the DNA of fellow kaiju Tiamat. Regardless of the different power-ups, Jared Krichevsky confirmed that, like Goku's King-ken, Godzilla's pink form is temporary.

"The sheer amount of energy required for his transformation forces him to burn off all that excess fat. That will change when he regains full control."