Metphies

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Metphies
Metphies in GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters
Species Exif
Age 50
Height 195 centimeters[1]
Affiliation United Earth
Occupation Archbishop, colonel
First appearance Latest appearance
GODZILLA: Planet
of the Monsters
GODZILLA: The
Planet Eater
Played by Japanese:
Takahiro Sakurai
English:
Lucien Dodge
German:
Daniel Schütter
Spanish:
Armando Guerrero (Standard),
Daniel Gonzalez Lillo (Castilian)
French:
Maxime Van Santfoort
Italian:
Omar Maestroni
Portuguese:
Rodrigo Nanal
I've been waiting for this moment. Our chance meeting with you, the long journey through the void. Everything was for this day of harvest. Life sprouts from seeds known as planets. The flower called people blooms into civilization. The final fruit of that flower is Godzilla. We Exif have seen this cycle occur on many planets. And our god is the one who picks that fruit and eats it. King Ghidorah. The Golden Death. This universe only exists and has value as a tribute and a sacrifice to Him.
„ 

— Metphies (GODZILLA: The Planet Eater)

Metphies (メトフィエス,   Metofiesu) is a colonel aboard the emigrant spaceship Aratrum who first appeared in the 2017 Godzilla film GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters.

An Exif archbishop on the Aratrum's Central Committee, Metphies is characterized by his calm and gentle demeanor, and is young Captain Haruo Sakaki's closest confidant. While many of his colleagues forsake religion, Metphies remains devout in his observation of the Exif faith, and takes a special interest in Haruo. Metphies is also more calculating than he lets on, playing an important role in the ultimate goal of the Exif religion: the summmoning of their God, Ghidorah. Metphies accompanied Haruo on his ill-fated mission to destroy Godzilla and reclaim the Earth, assuring him he was the hero who would finally defeat the monster. Even when their mission was met with disaster, Metphies continued to offer guidance and encouragement to the young captain. It was Metphies who warned Haruo that Mechagodzilla City would assimilate the planet after defeating Godzilla and convinced himm to destroy it. After this event, Metphies began building a cult that hailed Haruo as a hero chosen by God. This was all part of the Exif archbishop's plan to summon Ghidorah to Earth, with Haruo being the one who would convince the rest of mankind to offer themselves to the Golden King. However, Haruo resisted Metphies' influence and defeated him, banishing Ghidorah back to the void from whence he came.

Name

Metphies' name may come from Mephistopheles (メフィストフェレス,   Mefisutoferesu), a demon from German folklore prominently featured in the Faust legend. This name belies Metphies' true sinister nature as an agent of and collector of souls for his God Ghidorah, just as Mephistopheles' purpose as an agent of the devil was to collect souls for Lucifer.

Character description

An Xilien alien, Metphies is an archbishop in the religious class of his race, and an ally of Haruo. He is a moral being who respects others, and his [sic] known for his soft smile and gentle tone. The Exiles are a long-lived race, and Metphies has an appearance equivalent to a 25 year-old human.[2]

Appearance

Metphies is tall and fair-skinned, bearing the characteristic white hair and pointed ears of his race. His hair is arranged in the mizura style of ancient Japanese noblemen. Unlike his superior Endurph, Metphies appears fairly young with no visible wrinkles in his skin. Metphies typically wears the garb of the Exif clergy, a long white robe with purple trim, though he does also wear the military uniform of the United Earth when taking part in military missions.

Personality

Metphies is a benevolent archbishop of the Exif religion. He is very calm and gentle as well as emotionally restrained, never demonstrating the intense emotion of his friend Haruo Sakaki. He is very interested in Haruo and seems to have much respect for him. He also seems genuinely concerned for the human race and is willing to help them defeat Godzilla. Metphies is very wise and is able to discover the true intentions of others, such as the Bilusaludo's plan to assimilate the Earth with Nanometal. Metphies strongly believes that civilizations are doomed to create monsters once they reach a certain point of advancement, and that monsters like Godzilla are a form of divine punishment for civilizations that become arrogant and pronounce themselves "lords of creation." However, in the final film of the trilogy, Metphies' humanitarian inclination turns out to be nothing more than a mask for a more sinister persona. Metphies is a religious fanatic and a nihilist, believing life is meaningless when compared to the much more powerful forces in the universe like the Exif God, Ghidorah. Because of this, he believes that the best thing a person can do for himself and others is mutual euthanasia, since life is meaningless and full of pain and misery. Metphies believes in a peaceful death, as he doesn't want to cause what he is trying to destroy: pain. These beliefs are best exemplified by his ultimate plan to summon Ghidorah to destroy Earth. His commitment to Ghidorah is as stubborn as Haruo's hatred for Godzilla, and in his dying breath he tells Haruo that Ghidorah will continue to watch him. While Metphies is incredibly manipulative and ruthless in achieving his ultimate goal, going so far as to mislead his followers and cause countless deaths, he truly believes he is helping mankind achieve a higher purpose and granting them mercy in the wake of a cruel reality. His admiration for Haruo is also genuine; he believes Haruo is the chosen hero who can convince the rest of mankind to follow in his footsteps and offer themselves to Ghidorah.

History

Reiwa series

GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters

An Exif archbishop and colonel aboard the Aratrum, Metphies visited Haruo Sakaki in his cell after the latter was arrested following his attempt to stop the landing expedition to the surface of Tau Ceti-e. Metphies claimed he was there to hear Haruo's confession, but in reality he had come to provide him with classified data regarding Godzilla so that Haruo could use it in his "Godzilla annihilation strategy." Haruo aimed to prove that humanity could have defeated Godzilla 22 years ago before it abandoned Earth with the correct strategy, and Metphies remarked that it almost seemed Haruo wanted to see that monster again. Haruo anonymously published his report aboard the Aratrum, and rumors of a plan to return to Earth and reclaim it from Godzilla began to circulate around the ship. The Central Committee knew someone among them had given the author classified data, but they were unsure who it was. Around this time, Metphies visited the quarters of Mulu-elu Galu-gu, a Bilusaludo colonel on the ship. Metphies asked Galu-gu if he had read Haruo's report, and Galu-gu replied that he had and when he downloaded the latest version, it already had over 400 views. Metphies asked Galu-gu what he thought of the plan, and Galu-gu expressed his doubts that humanity would have been able to defeat Godzilla even with this plan. He said that if Godzilla were defeated, it would only be a matter of time before the Exif's cult took over the Earth. Metphies countered by saying that had the Bilusaludo's Mechagodzilla been successful in defeating Godzilla, they likely would have turned it against humanity next. Galu-gu chuckled and said none of that mattered now, as both alien races had failed to defeat Godzilla and now were in the same situation as humanity.

Not long after, the Central Committee approved a plan to return to Earth using the Aratrum's experimental hyperdrives, and successfully completed the return voyage. When it arrived, it was determined at least 10,000 years had passed on Earth due to time dilation, however Reconnaissance Drones sent to the planet's surface confirmed that Godzilla was still alive and active after all this time. As the Central Committee debated how to proceed next, Metphies stated that he was prepared to reveal the author of the anti-Godzilla plan so long as all charges for stealing classified information were dropped, and Haruo was released on bail. Left with no options, the Committee agreed and allowed Haruo to propose his anti-Godzilla plan. The plan was approved, and a mission to the planet's surface to destroy Godzilla, under the command of Colonel Eliott Leland, was put into motion. Metphies was part of the mission, and traveled to Earth aboard a Landing Ship with Leland and Haruo, who was kept in handcuffs. As the ship approached the surface, Metphies told Haruo that he believed he was the one destined to defeat Godzilla, and that the truth would be shown soon enough.

However, the mission did not go as planned, as a group of Servum attacked Leland's company and badly damaged several Landing Ships. Leland gave the order to abort the mission and return to the Aratrum, much to Haruo's frustration, but Metphies pointed out that they could not return to the ship even if they wanted to due to the damage sustained to their ships. Leland ordered their company to move through the Tanzawa Pass and rendezvous with the other companies, where they could refuel and repair the ships and thus return to the Aratrum. As their Landing Ship flew through the pass, Metphies mentioned that Haruo seemed to be lost in thought. Haruo asked what the point of coming to Earth was if they were just going to retreat again, but Metphies said that neither Haruo nor Leland seemed to understand Godzilla's purpose. Metphies explained that during the time the Exif wandered space, they witnessed many great civilizations fall at the hands of creatures similar to Godzilla. Metphies believed such creatures were divine punishment for civilizations that became too arrogant, and that for this reason Godzilla would not let humanity escape. True to Metphies' warning, Godzilla appeared near the pass and began approaching the company. Leland ordered all units to move away from Godzilla, but the damaged Landing Ship carrying Haruo and Metphies began to lose altitude and show risk of exploding. Metphies set Haruo free from his binds and told him to do as his soul commanded, then fled the ship along with Martin Lazzari and Yuko Tani. Haruo used a Hover Bike to try and get Godzilla to deploy his asymmetrically permeable shield so they could pinpoint the organ that produced it, but the Bike's weapons were ineffective. However, before Haruo could foolishly ram his Bike headfirst into Godzilla, Leland opened fire on the monster from a Multipodal Battery, which while successful in forcing Godzilla to deploy the shield, resulted in Leland's demise from a blast of Godzilla's atomic breath.

Leland's sacrifice was not in vain, as Galu-gu was able to determine the location of Godzilla's EMP organ in his dorsal plates. Metphies contacted the Central Committee and informed them of Leland's death, which by default put him in charge of the mission. The Committee gave Metphies permission to do anything necessary to bring back as many people as possible. Metphies then addressed the surviving troops, saying that he was not the man for the job and handing command over to Haruo. Haruo gave an impassioned speech to the troops, expressing his resolve to give everything they have to defeat Godzilla once and for all. Haruo's plan was put into action, with Godzilla being lured into the Tanzawa Pass by a fleet of Hover Bikes, then buried in rubble created by explosive charges placed in the area. Artillery destroyed Godzilla's EMP organ, allowing Haruo to place an EMP Probe into Godzilla's body using a Powered Suit while the shield was disabled. The other Powered Suit units followed suit, and the accumulated electromagnetic energy caused Godzilla to explode. While the soldiers celebrated their victory, a huge earthquake struck the area, and from a nearby mountain emerged the original Godzilla, now grown to over 300 meters in height. The Godzilla the humans had killed had simply been a smaller clone grown from Godzilla's cells. As Godzilla prepared to annihilate the humans' forces, Metphies watched from a nearby hill, delivering an ominous monologue stating that the "King of Destruction" had finally shown himself again after 20,000 years.

GODZILLA: City on the Edge of Battle

Metphies was not among the survivors of Godzilla Earth's attack who were gathered in the Houtua village. When Haruo led the survivors back out into the wilderness to search for a downed Landing Ship, they were attacked by a flock of flying-type Servum. Fortunately, Metphies arrived commanding a Multipodal Battery and opened fire on the creatures, forcing them to retreat. Metphies and the survivors with him rendezvoued with Haruo's group near the downed Landing Ship and managed to reestablish communication with the Aratrum. When the Bilusaludo Mulu-elu Galu-gu and Rilu-elu Belu-be revealed to Haruo that they had discovered the Houtua were utilizing Nanometal to construct their weapons, Metphies remained behind on Earth with Haruo and all but three survivors, who returned to the Aratrum aboard the Landing Ship. Metphies accompanied Haruo to the former site of the development facility used to build Mechagodzilla 20,000 years ago. In its place, they found a replica of the facility built entirely from Nanometal controlled by Mechagodzilla's intact head, which Galu-gu dubbed "Mechagodzilla City." When the Bilusaludo managed to reactivate Mechagodzilla's A.I. and take command of the City, Metphies expressed skepticism that they would be able to defeat Godzilla Earth at his current size and power. Galu-gu responded that they would be able to mobilize all of the City's Nanometal in order to create a giant Godzilla execution device. Metphies later approached Galu-gu and asked him to use the City's Nanometal to repair a Garbetrium bead which he needed for a sacred ritual.

Sometime later, Metphies was holding a religious gathering in a cave just outside the City when he was visited by Haruo. Haruo asked to speak wh Metphies in private and expressed his doubts about his leadership and the viability of their new plan. Metphies responded that he found the Nanometal to be a "sinister thing," remarking that the Bilusaludo seemed to want to become as monsters themselves. He explained that every civilization that reached a certain point of advancement ended up creating the very monster which destroyed them, and the Bilusaludo seemed intent on repeating this mistake. When Haruo asked if the Exif home planet was destroyed by monsters as well, Metphies responded that it was. However, they hesitated to even say the name of their destroyer, as speaking it was like a bad omen. That being said, Metphies decided to tell the name to Haruo so he could remember it when in battle with Godzilla, that way he would be reminded that a far more destructive power than Godzilla was lurking sommewhere in space. Compared to it, he said, Godzilla would not even be worth the fear. He leaned in and whispered the name "Ghidorah" into Haruo's ear, warning him never to speak it to anyone else.

During the decisive battle against Godzilla, the King of Monsters began emitting intense heat after being struck by two EMP Harpoons. Rather than explode as Godzilla Filius did, he was converting the excess energy into heat which he used to attack his enemies. The Bilusaludo chose to fuse the pilots of the Vulture mechs with Nanometal so they would be able to withstand the heat long enough to fly from the tropopause directly into Godzilla's dorsal fin and hopefully cause him to explode. However, Yuko resisted the fusion and became stuck in her Vulture, with Haruo catching her and hesitating from making this final suicide attack against Godzilla while Galu-gu urged him to do what was necessary. At this critical moment, Metphies contacted Haruo and warned him that if Godzilla was destroyed, Mechagodzilla City's Nanometal would continue to proliferate until it had assimilated the entire Earth. Galu-gu angrily accused the Exif of betraying the Bilusaludo just before they could finally destroy Godzilla, but Metphies responded that a victory at the cost of humanity was not a victory to Haruo. Haruo grappled with the agonizing decision before finally demanding Galu-gu end the Nanometal's encroachment. When he refused, Haruo opened fire on Mechagodzilla City's control room, killing Galu-gu and deactivating all of the City's Nanometal. Free once more, Godzilla wasted no timem in obliterating what was left of the City. When Haruo landed and exited his Vulture, he found that he had acted too late and that Yuko had died.

GODZILLA: The Planet Eater

In the aftermath of Mechagodzilla City's destruction, Metphies began to attract a devoted religious following among the survivors in the Houtua village. He preached that Haruo and the others who were not assimilated by the Nanometal had only been spared through the divine intervention of God, and that Haruo was a hero chosen by God. Metphies at one pint attempted to enter the Houtua's shrine, but was stopped by Miana who warned him that he needed permission to enter the place of the Houtua's God. Metphies apologized, saying he must have been lost. Haruo confronted Metphies and said he only resisted the Nanometal infection because Miana had healed him earlier with the scales secreted from her skin. To his shock, Metphies replied that he figured as much. Haruo accused Metphies of willingly misleading the survivors, to which he replied that this was only necessary to successfully summon God to defeat Godzilla. Metphies explained the importance of Haruo being a heroic savior figure to the survivors so that they would accept God when the time came to summon him. Haruo was disgusted at Metphies' deception and refused to play along with his plan, choosing instead to go into hiding. Metphies maintained telepathic contact with the Exif cardinal Endurph aboard the Aratrum through his Garbetrium device. The two discussed how their plan was proceeding smoothly, though Endurph questioned Metphies' fixation on Haruo. Metphies realized that Miana was watching him and asked her to show herself. She told him that she understood now why she could never read his mind like the others, as he was a telepath as well. She asked why Metphies hid this ability, and he responded that it was necessary in order to guide the others to salvation. When Miana asked what salvation this was, he responded that he would have to sacrifice her if he told her. Metphies then grabbed and restrained Miana, telling her to bow down to the "Golden Demise" as he showed her a vision of an approaching three-headed shadow.

Metphies gathered all of his followers to a makeshift altar in the Houtua village to begin the summoning ceremony for his God. He asked his congregation to drink the soup from a large pot, symbolizing how like the soup became part of them, so too would they become part of something greater. Metphies placed the bead on his Garbetrium and finally revealed the sacred name of God: "Ghidorah." His followers beseeched Ghidorah to come forth to destroy Godzilla, as the same thing took place aboard the Aratrum under Endurph's guidance. As his followers closed their eyes and chanted Ghidorah's name, three shadows crept out fro under Metphies' Garbetrium and bit down on the worshipers' shadows, dismembering them one-by-one. Around the same time, a singularity opened next to the Aratrum in Earth's orbit, and from it one of Ghidorah's heads emerged and destroyed the ship by crushing it in his gravitational field.

Haruo gathered with Maina, Martin Lazzari, and Josh Emerson at a Houtua watchtower as the sky became black and filled with storms. Haruo realized that Metphies must have been behind this and left to confront him. Haruo found Metphies standing atop a hill overlooking Godzilla's losing battle with Ghidorah, with Miana tied to a wooden structure next to him. Metphies assured Haruo that Miana was alive, then explained how he had been waiting for this very moment. Everything which had transpired beforehand had led to this; including the Exif's contact with mankind, their long journey through space, and their failed battles with Godzilla. He explained that planets were the seeds of civilization and mankind the flower. Godzilla was the fruit, and his God, he explained, was that which harvested the fruit. All of existence was merely an offering to Him: King Ghidorah, said Metphies. Haruo recognized this as the name of the monster which Metphies said had destroyed the Exif home planet. When Haruo called out Metphies for his deception, the Exif turned to face him, revealing that he had replaced one of his eyes with the Garbetrium bead. Looking into the bead placed Haruo into a trance in which he was at Metphies' mercy. Metphies made Haruo relive trauatic events from his past, such as the death of his parents and the aftermath of the failed battles with Godzilla. He asked Haruo why he was not willing to do what was necessary to defeat Godzilla: simply give in to Ghidorah. Would he let all of those who gave their lives in the fight die in vain? Haruo continued to resist, so Metphies showed him the dropping of the atom bomb from within the bomber. He told him that life was full of pain and suffering, and ultimately led to civilizations destroying themselves.

Realizing Haruo was battling Ghidorah's influence, Maina and Martin headed to Mothra's egg in the Houtua temple and called upon her to reach Haruo. Mothra manifested in Haruo's vision, causing Metphies to curse the Houtua's blasphemy. Mothra destroyed the bomber, and as Haruo free-fell in the vision Maina and Martin explained that Metphies was somehow guiding Ghidorah in this dimension. Haruo continued to fight Metphies' manipulation and finally broke free of the vision, finding himself holding Metphies by the head. He cursed Metphies for betraying and manipulating him, then shattered the Garbetrium bead in his eye. With this, Ghidorah became bound to this dimension's physics and was swiftly dispatched by Godzilla. As Metphies lay dying, he reached out his hand and touched Haruo, telling him that for as long as he lived, Ghidorah would be watching. Metphies finally died, and Haruo found himself clutching his corpse and weeping for the closest thing he ever had to a friend.

Months later, Martin revealed to Haruo that he had successfully reactivated the last Vulture, meaning he could harness its Nanometal and use it to rebuild civilization. Haruo experienced a brief vision in which Metphies' voice assured him that the cycle of destruction would begin anew, and time was on his side. Haruo chose to take Yuko's Nanometal-infected body inside the last Vulture and sacrifice himself to eradicate the last traces of the Nanometal and thus mankind's opposition to Godzilla. When Godzilla burned away the Vulture with his atomic breath, humanity was offered a new chance to live along with the Houtua and avoid falling into conflict with nature again. In Haruo's final act, he ensured Metphies would not win.

Abilities

Metphies with the Garbetrium bead in his eye

Metphies is a telepath, and as such can both read minds and communicate mentally with other telepaths. He can also shield his mind from being read by the Houtua as they read the minds of the other members of the United Earth. Metphies' telepathy is aided by the Garbetrium device he wields, which allows him to converse with Endurph aboard the Aratrum all the way from Earth. By replacing his eye with a Garbetrium bead, Metphies becomes able to guide Ghidorah in this dimension, rendering him immune to the laws of physics and able to fight a one-sided battle with Godzilla Earth. Metphies can exert a form of mind control by staring into Haruo Sakaki's eyes with the Garbetrium bead, placing him in a trance where he is subjected to visions orchestrated by Metphies.

Weaknesses

If the Garbetrium bead in his eye is broken, Metphies loses his connection to Ghidorah, rendering the monster subject to this dimension's laws of physics. The injury sustained when Haruo shattered the bead was also enough to kill Metphies.

Gallery

Concept art

GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters

Screenshots

GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters

GODZILLA: City on the Edge of Battle

GODZILLA: The Planet Eater

Comics

GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters Manga

Quotes

We Exif have been wandering through space as vagrants far longer than Earthlings have, and we've witnessed many civilizations destroyed. Many have been regretfully destroyed by creatures similar to Godzilla. He is the punishing iron hammer for the arrogant. For the species who pronounce themselves as lords of creation, a divine avenger will pay them a visit.
„ 

— Metphies to Haruo Sakaki (GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters)

When those fleeting lives destined to die, forget their humbleness and sing praises of their glory, such will shake the very heavens and split the earth, and they shall know the wrath of the divine. The inevitable incarnation of destruction. So, you show yourself at last. Since we last saw each other, it has been 20 years for us and 20,000 years for you. It's been a while... Oh, King of Destruction.
„ 

— Metphies (GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters)

Haruo Sakaki: “Metphies. Was your planet destroyed by monsters, too?
Metphies: “Yes. To that which brought the end of our civilization, we hesitate greatly to carelessly say its name. Words just have that much strength.
Haruo Sakaki: “So it's like a bad omen?
Metphies: “Yes. But Haruo, to you who is about to face Godzilla, I should probably tell you. The destructive name that we Exif have been secretly hiding.
Haruo Sakaki: “Why me?
Metphies: “Remember it when you're in battle, and about to be swallowed in fear. There is a far greater destructive power lurking somewhere in space. Compared to that, Godzilla would not even be worth the fear. [...] It's Ghidorah.
― Metphies reveals to Haruo Sakaki the name of the being that destroyed Exifcalus (GODZILLA: City on the Edge of Battle)
Damn the blasphemous.
„ 

— Metphies reacts to Mothra manifesting in Haruo Sakaki's vision (GODZILLA: The Planet Eater)

References

This is a list of references for Metphies. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]

  1. GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters theater program. Toho. 17 November 2017.
  2. SciFi Japan - GODZILLA: PLANET OF THE MONSTERS Press Notes From Toho

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