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Archive for the tag “King Ghidorah”

16 Mar 2013

Know Your Monster: 16

KING GHIDORAH

Of all the monsters that Godzilla fights, none is more powerful and fearsome than the golden, three-headed dragon King Ghidorah. While it’s difficult to imagine Godzilla quaking in his boots, notice that he never does battle alone against this archenemy. Godzilla always faces this creature with one or more allied monsters to provide some extra muscle and support.

Eiji Tsuburaya, the special effects genius who created Godzilla, also envisioned King Ghidorah. A stunt actor plays the creature but it takes an entire team of puppeteers to control its three heads, two tails and bat-like wings. Next time you watch a movie featuring King Ghidorah, take note of its well-orchestrated moves, and imagine how difficult they are to coordinate. The attention to detail on the part of the puppeteers is remarkable, each Ghidorah head even has its own distinct, piercing shriek. King Ghidorah is so complicated it’s one of the few monsters in the Godzilla franchise that not only has been realized through suitmation but also CGI.

Originally, King Ghidorah was presented as a conquering beast from Outer Space, sent to devastate Earth by the Xilians, a civilization inhabiting an unknown planet close to Jupiter. In later movies, it was alternatively suggested that he was created by time travelers — a mutant freak of nature generated through radiation and genetic engineering. The back-stories don’t matter so much as King Ghidorah’s swooping power and nightmarish appearance.

He has a large and dedicated fan base, so he has appeared many times since his debut in the 1964 film Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster. Besides joining a pack of Kaiju in the all-out Destroy All Monsters, he was the star attraction in Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah, and made a memorable cameo appearance in Godzilla Vs. Gigan.

Here, WatchMojo explains the origins of King Ghidorah.

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Tomorrow’s featured monster: Kumonga

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01 Mar 2013

Know Your Monster: 1

ANGUIRUS

Welcome to Know Your Monster. Every day through the month of March, we’ll introduce a different movie monster, mostly from Japan, although we’ve added a couple of ringers from Denmark and South Korea just to give the series a little more international breadth. The Japanese call these monsters “Kaiju,” which translates into English as “strange beasts.” Follow this series daily through March, and by the end of the month, you’ll be well on your way toward becoming a Kaiju expert. At the minimum, you’ll be able to recognize these creatures, and know the difference between Guilala and, say, Gyaos.

First up out the chutes, by virtue of coming first in alphabetical order: Anguirus. Here are the Anguirus vitals.

Looks: Mutant Ankylosaur, essentially a spiked turtle but also embodying features from the rhinoceros and crocodile.
Distinguishing characteristics: Originally an arch-enemy of Godzilla, later an ally. Bleating roar to express anger. Uses spikes and horns as primary weapons, and also has a nasty bite. Boasts a good “fake” move, hurling himself backwards against his foes.
Origins: First appeared in the second Godzilla movie, Godzilla Raids Again (1955), released in the US four years later as Gigantis, the Fire Monster. Anguirus has returned many times not only to battle Godzilla, but also Mechagodzilla, King Ghidorah and other Kaiju.

Here’s Anguirus’ distinct roar.

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Now, let’s watch the big guy in action, pairing with Godzilla in a tag-team match against Gigan and King Ghidorah. This Battle Royale is from Godzilla Vs. Gigan (1972).

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Tomorrow: Meet Atragon

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