Kamoebas
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Kamoebas (カメーバ Kamēba) is a giant turtle Template:Kaiju created by Toho that first appeared in the 1970 Toho film, Space Amoeba.
Name
Kamoebas' name is derived from the Japanese word "kame" (カメ), which means "turtle," and "amoeba,"a reference to Kamoebas' creator, the giant space amoeba Yog.
Kamoebas' scientific name given in Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., "Megalo matamata," is likely derived from the Greek word "Megalos," which means "giant" or "great," and "matamata," which comes from the mata mata turtle.
Origins
Kamoebas was a mata mata turtle living on Sergio Island that was possessed and mutated into a monster by the alien amoeba Yog in his attempt to conquer the Earth. Although Kamoebas was killed along with Yog and Ganimes, at least one other Kamoebas existed on the island and was first sighted in 1987.
In Godzilla: Rulers of Earth, Kamoebas is an ancient creature that has existed since prehistoric times, and like most of the other Template:Kaiju in the comic is part of the natural balance of the Earth.
History
Showa Series
Space Amoeba
After Ganimes was destroyed, Yog turned to a mata mata turtle transformed it into Kamoebas, while also creating another Ganimes. However, bats fled from a nearby cave and caused Yog to lose control of the monsters. Kamoebas and Ganimes battled each other up the mountain in the center of the island and both fell into the volcano, destroying themselves and Yog forever.
Go! Godman
Kamoebas suddenly appeared at a beach and terrorized some beach-goers. The couple called out for Godman, who heard their plea and appeared on the scene in a matter of seconds. Kamoebas was confronted by the hero, and attempted to defend itself any way it could; mostly scratching and biting while rising on its hind legs. Despite making a valiant effort, Kamoebas was eventually outmatched and quickly destroyed by Godman.
Millennium Series
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
A dead Kamoebas, the first specimen of its kind seen since 1987, washed ashore in Japan in 2004, with gaping slash wounds in its neck. The J.X.S.D.F. surrounded the carcass and examined it, determining that it was probably attacked by a huge predator, most likely Godzilla, and eventually died from its wounds.
Abilities
- Kamoebas has a hard carapace.
- Kamoebas has an extendable neck.
Filmography
Video Game Appearances
- Godzilla: Trading Battle
- Godzilla Generations
- Godzilla: Kaiju Collection
- Godzilla: The Game (Kaiju Guide)
Godzilla: The Game
Kaiju Guide
Kamoebas, the Giant Turtle Monster
A space amoeba snuck into the capsule of the Helios 7 space probe that later crash-landed on Sergio Island in the South Pacific, allowing the amoeba to enter the body of a mata mata turtle that it then turned into a giant turtle monster. It attacks by tucking in its hands and feet while nimbly thrusting out its neck, head-butting its enemies. The hypersonic sounds of the bats living in the island's limestone caves caused it to plunge into a state of confusion and lose control.
In its second appearance, it showed up as a carcass washed up on the shores of Kujukuri Beach in "Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S." It is widely believed to have received mortal wounds from Godzilla during a battle in the Pacific Ocean.
The original full-body costume boasted a meticulous attention to detail and lifelike realism. Together with the costumes for Ganimes and Gezora, which were created at the same time, this style of costume had a lasting influence on designers.
■ Specifications
Height:
20 meters
Weight:
28,000 tons
Abilities:
Headbutt
Appearances:
"Space Amoeba"
"Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S."
Kamoebas' card in Godzilla: Trading Battle
Kamoebas in Godzilla: Kaiju Collection
Comics
Godzilla: Rulers of Earth
Kamoebas was first seen in a flashback where it came to shore while Gorosaurus and Megaguirus fought. It was classified as a "water Template:Kaiju" by the Shobijin. Kamoebas was captured by the Trilopods at some point and was imprisoned in their hive. King Caesar recognized Kamoebas as a monster from his time and freed him before freeing all of the other imprisoned Template:Kaiju. Kamoebas then assisted in the final battle against the Trilopods and Magita, and followed Godzilla out to sea along with the other monsters once the battle was over.
Gallery
- Main article: Kamoebas/Gallery.
Roar
In Go! Godman, Kamoebas reused Mukadender's roars.
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In Other Languages
- Russian: Камоэбас
- Yiddish: קאַמאָעבאַס
Trivia
- In the movie Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., Anguirus was supposed to be the monster whose carcass washes ashore, not Kamoebas. However, staff thought that putting Anguirus in that role would draw negative fan reactions, so they changed the monster to Kamoebas. Another, unconfirmed reason may be because Anguirus is traditionally Godzilla's ally. It is also sometimes believed that Kamoebas was included as an indirect shot at fellow turtle kaiju Gamera, although once again, this is purely rumor.
- Concept art shows that Kamoebas' role also originally was meant for a giant mosasaur, but Toho felt it would be odd to introduce a brand new creature just to have it die in an unseen fight.
- Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. establishes that a Kamoebas was sighted in 1987, even though the Kamoebas seen in Space Amoeba died along with Ganimes and Yog in 1970. It is possible that, like he had done with Ganimes, Yog possessed more than one mata mata turtle on the island and created multiple Kamoebas specimens.
- The Giant Turtle from the Godzilla: The Series episode End of the Line shares some traits with Kamoebas, most prominently its spiky shell and extendable neck.
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 ゴジラ大怪獣超百科 (テレビマガジン デラックス20). Monsters of Terror Attacking Humanity; Page 62.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 ゴジラ完全解読 (別冊宝島 2207). The Beasts from Outer Space; Page 135.
