Anguirus (Millennium): Difference between revisions

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The original English name given to Anguirus by Toho was "Angilas," as seen in the company's 1955 international sales booklet.<ref>[[File:Toho Films 1955-56-07 Godzilla Raids Again.jpg|160px]]</ref> In the mid-1970's, Toho copyrighted the new revised English name Anguirus, making it the official Anglicization of the monster's name for all subsequent media. However, only the English dub of ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla]]'' uses anything resembling this spelling, with ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' pronouncing it like "Angweenus."
The original English name given to Anguirus by Toho was "Angilas," as seen in the company's 1955 international sales booklet.<ref>[[File:Toho Films 1955-56-07 Godzilla Raids Again.jpg|160px]]</ref> In the mid-1970's, Toho copyrighted the new revised English name Anguirus, making it the official Anglicization of the monster's name for all subsequent media. However, only the English dub of ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla]]'' uses anything resembling this spelling, with ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' pronouncing it like "Angweenus."
==Development==
==Development==
Following his appearance in ''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla'', Anguirus would not appear in another film for another 30 years. However, he was considered for several projects during the [[Heisei era|Heisei]] and [[Millennium era|Millennium series]] before finally making his return in the final Millennium film, ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''. The first proposed appearance of Anguirus following ''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla'' was ''[[Godzilla vs. Godzilla]]'', a project considered as the seventh and final entry in the Heisei series. [[Shinji Nishikawa]] commissioned concept art of Anguirus for the film. In one version of the story, Anguirus would be possessed by the film's antagonist, [[Ghost Godzilla]], and transform into a hybrid [[kaiju]] dubbed "Godzirus." [[Godzilla vs. Baraguirus|Another draft]] featured a creature dubbed [[Baraguirus]] which was said to resemble a cross between Anguirus and [[Baragon]].<ref name="Completion">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla vs. Destoroyah Completion]]|date=9 December 2017|publisher=Hobby Japan|isbn=978-4798615813}}</ref> Nishikawa also designed a new monster for the project described as a "subspecies of Anguirus," the [[Anguirus Hound]]. While ''Godzilla vs. Godzilla'' was scrapped, Anguirus and the Anguirus Hound were both carried over into the next iteration of ''Godzilla 7'',  ''[[Godzilla vs. Barubaroi]]''. In this story, the Anguirus Hound would be defeated and assimilated by the creature [[Barubaroi]], which then takes its form, becoming a grotesque creature resembling a cross between Anguirus and an insect.<ref name="HGChronicle">{{cite book|title=[[Heisei Godzilla Chronicle]]|date=14 July [[2014]]|publisher=Kinema Junpo|page=197|isbn=978-4-87376-319-4}}</ref><ref name="Heisei Perfection">{{cite book|title=Heisei Godzilla Perfection|author=[[Koichi Kawakita|Kawakita, Koichi]] (Supervisor)|publisher=ASCII Media Works|page=21|date=2012|isbn=978-4-04-886119-9}}</ref> Concept art for both the Heisei Anguirus and the Anguirus Hound possesses a split carapace, much like what Anguirus was originally going to possess in ''Godzilla Raids Again''. Ultimately, Anguirus and the Anguirus Hound were dropped from the project, which finally became ''[[Godzilla vs. Destoroyah]]''. Special effects director [[Koichi Kawakita]] cited reasons such as Anguirus' four-legged stance compared to Godzilla's bipedal stance and his inability to portray a sense of speed due to walking on his knees when explaining why Anguirus was not featured in the Heisei series despite being frequently considered.<ref name="Heisei Perfection"/>
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
Concept_Art_-_Godzilla_vs._Ghost_Godzilla_-_Anguirus_2.png|Anguirus concept art by [[Shinji Nishikawa]] for ''[[Godzilla vs. Godzilla]]''.
Concept_Art_-_Godzilla_vs._Ghost_Godzilla_-_Anguirus_3.png|[[Anguirus Hound]] concept art for ''Godzilla vs. Godzilla''.
Concept_Art_-_Godzilla_vs._Ghost_Godzilla_-_Anguirus_1.png|Concept art of [[Barubaroi]] imitating the Anguirus Hound for ''[[Godzilla vs. Barubaroi]]''.
</gallery>
Anguirus was next considered for the third entry in the Millennium series by director [[Shusuke Kaneko]]. Kaneko wanted his film to revolve around [[Godzilla/GMK|Godzilla]] battling three ancient "[[Guardian Monsters]]," for which he chose [[Varan]], Baragon, and Anguirus. Kaneko prepared a screenplay for the film, titled ''[[Godzilla X Varan, Baragon and Anguirus: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]'', with assistance from Keiichi Hasegawa and Masahiro Yokotani. Numerous concept models of the four monsters were completed. Anguirus was given a quadrupedal stance, walking on his hind feet rather than his knees. The spines on his carapace were incredibly long and sharp, and pointed backwards. His tail was considerably shorter than previous designs, being held in the air parallel to the ground and ending with a spiky club. Anguirus, or "Angira" as he would be originally known in the story, was to be the "golden freezing monster," whose powers revolve around ice. For the film's final showdown in [[Yokohama]], Anguirus would combine his ice powers with Varan and Baragon's elemental powers to assault Godzilla. Kaneko's proposal was approved by producer [[Shogo Tomiyama]], but [[Toho]]'s executives requested that the more marketable monsters [[Mothra]] and [[King Ghidorah]] be worked into the film instead. Kaneko compromised by replacing Varan and Anguirus with Mothra and King Ghidorah, but retaining Baragon in the final story. The film would go on to become ''[[Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]'', the most successful entry in the Millennium series.
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
Behind_GMK_39.jpg|(From left to right) Concept models of [[Varan]], Anguirus, and [[Baragon]] for ''[[Godzilla X Varan, Baragon and Anguirus: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]''.
SokogekiVaran_SokogekiBara_and_SokogekiAngira.jpg
</gallery>
Anguirus was considered to appear in both entries in the Kiryu Saga. In ''[[Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla]]'', he would have battled [[Kiryu]]. For the follow-up film, ''[[Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.]]'', director [[Masaaki Tezuka]] proposed that Anguirus be the carcass that washes ashore after being killed by [[Godzilla/Kiryu Saga|Godzilla]], as Toho had rejected a [[Liopleurodon]] performing this role. However, producer [[Shogo Tomiyama]] wanted Anguirus to be left alive for a potential sequel,<ref name="Henshin!Online">{{Plain link|[https://web.archive.org/web/20060815173059/http://www.henshinonline.com:80/archive2004.html DVD REVIEW: SON OF GODZILLA and GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS - Henshin!Online]}}</ref> and so Tezuka requested [[Gamera]] in the role instead. Toho countered with [[Kamoebas]], the only turtle kaiju which they owned.<ref name="Terror from Beyond the Daves">{{Plain link|[https://terrordaves.com/2015/09/03/masaaki-tezuka-the-proper-etiquette-for-accepting-a-godzilla-movie/ Masaaki Tezuka & the Proper Etiquette for Accepting a Godzilla Movie!]}}</ref><ref name="Heisei Perfection"/>
[[File:Concept_Art_-_Godzilla_Final_Wars_-_Anguirus_1.png|thumb|right|200px|Anguirus concept art for ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'']]
[[File:Concept_Art_-_Godzilla_Final_Wars_-_Anguirus_1.png|thumb|right|200px|Anguirus concept art for ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'']]
Anguirus was finally brought back for Godzilla's 50th anniversary film, ''Godzilla: Final Wars'', in 2004, 30 years after his most recent film appearance. The creature was designed by Shinji Nishikawa, and a brand new suit was created, one which looked quite different from previous designs. Veteran ''Kamen Rider'' and ''Super Sentai'' suit actor [[Toshihiro Ogura]] portrayed Anguirus in the film.
Anguirus was finally brought back for Godzilla's 50th anniversary film, ''Godzilla: Final Wars'', in 2004, 30 years after his most recent film appearance. The creature was designed by [[Shinji Nishikawa]], and a brand new suit was created, one which looked quite different from previous designs. Veteran ''Kamen Rider'' and ''Super Sentai'' suit actor [[Toshihiro Ogura]] portrayed Anguirus in the film.
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
Tumblr_n7ogwlT0Jg1s2jfn0o1_1280.jpg|The new Anguirus suit is constructed for ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''.
Tumblr_n7ogwlT0Jg1s2jfn0o1_1280.jpg|The new Anguirus suit is constructed for ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''.
Line 62: Line 49:
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Design==
==Design==
The ''Final Wars'' Anguirus has some differences in his design compared to previous incarnations. His skin is a a much lighter shade of gray, with yellowish-colored spikes. This Anguirus has a shorter, more mammal-like snout, and his underbelly has an armored, brick-like texture. He now has spikes on his arms and legs, and his tail ends with a spiked club, a trait shared by the real-life ''Ankylosaurus''.
==Personality==
==Personality==
This incarnation of Anguirus is mind-controlled throughout his appearance, and attacks [[Shanghai]], [[China]] under the command of the [[Xiliens]]. He is later sent by the Xiliens to attack [[Godzilla/Final Wars|Godzilla]] alongside [[Rodan/Millennium|Rodan]] and [[King Caesar]]. Anguirus coordinates his attacks with Rodan and King Caesar to try and defeat Godzilla. After Anguirus and his allies are defeated, they are spared by Godzilla for unknown reasons, while Godzilla killed all of the Xiliens' other monsters.
This incarnation of Anguirus is mind-controlled throughout his appearance, and attacks [[Shanghai]], [[China]] under the command of the [[Xiliens]]. He is later sent by the Xiliens to attack [[Godzilla/Final Wars|Godzilla]] alongside [[Rodan/Millennium|Rodan]] and [[King Caesar]]. Anguirus coordinates his attacks with Rodan and King Caesar to try and defeat Godzilla. After Anguirus and his allies are defeated, they are spared by Godzilla for unknown reasons, while Godzilla killed all of the Xiliens' other monsters.
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{{clear}}
{{clear}}
==Abilities==
==Abilities==
====Anguirus Ball====
===Anguirus Ball===
[[File:Anguirus - Anguirus Ball 1.gif|right|thumb|200px|Anguirus curls into his carapace and launches himself at [[Godzilla/Final Wars|Godzilla]] in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''.]]
[[File:Anguirus - Anguirus Ball 1.gif|right|thumb|200px|Anguirus curls into his carapace and launches himself at [[Godzilla/Final Wars|Godzilla]] in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''.]]
Anguirus is able to retreat inside of his carapace and curl into a ball, an ability dubbed the '''Fierce Dragon Monster Ball Violent Bullet''' {{Nihongo|暴龍怪球烈弾|Bō Ryū Kai Kyū Retsu-dan}} or simply '''Anguirus Ball''' {{Nihongo|アンギラスボール|Angirasu Bōru}}.<ref name="GFWSCW">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla: Final Wars Super Complete Works]]|date=January 20, 2005|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|page=13|isbn=978-4091014986}}</ref> This allows Anguirus to travel quickly by rolling while also damaging any structures or enemies in his path.
Anguirus is able to retreat inside of his carapace and curl into a ball, an ability dubbed the '''Fierce Dragon Monster Ball Violent Bullet''' {{Nihongo|暴龍怪球烈弾|Bō Ryū Kai Kyū Retsu-dan}} or simply '''Anguirus Ball''' {{Nihongo|アンギラスボール|Angirasu Bōru}}.<ref name="GFWSCW">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla: Final Wars Super Complete Works]]|date=January 20, 2005|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|page=13|isbn=978-4091014986}}</ref> This allows Anguirus to travel quickly by rolling while also damaging any structures or enemies in his path.

Revision as of 19:01, 24 November 2020

Anguirus incarnations
Anguirus (Second Generation)
Anguirus (Millennium)
Anguirus (Anime)
Anguirus™ (Millennium) trademark icon
Anguirus (Millennium)
Anguirus in Godzilla: Final Wars
Subtitle(s) Fierce Dragon (暴,   Bōryū)[1]
Species Giant Ankylosaurus
Height 40 meters (quadrupedal),[1][2]
90 meters (standing upright)[2]
Length 160 meters[2][3][note 1]
Weight 60,000 metric tons[2][3]
Place(s) of emergence Shanghai, China; foot of Mount Fuji
Controlled by Xiliens
Allies Rodan, King Caesar
Enemies Godzilla
Designed by Shinji Nishikawa
Played by Toshihiro Ogura
First appearance Godzilla: Final Wars
Roar(s)
More roars
Captain, it's the Anguirus, sir!
„ 

— A Karyu crewman warns of Anguirus' impending attack (Godzilla: Final Wars)

Anguirus (アンギラス,   Angirasu) is a giant Ankylosaurus kaiju who appeared in the 2004 Godzilla film, Godzilla: Final Wars.

One of many monsters placed under the control of the Xiliens in 20XX, Anguirus attacked Shanghai before being recalled as part of the Xiliens' ruse. When the invaders' true intentions were exposed, Anguirus was unleashed once again to ravage Shanghai. The Controller of Planet X then deployed Anguirus along with Rodan and King Caesar to battle Godzilla at Mount Fuji, but the King of Monsters succeeded in defeating all three.

Name

Anguirus's Japanese name, Angirasu (アンギラス), comes from the Japanese spelling of the name of the dinosaur genus Ankylosaurus (アンキロサウルス,   Ankirosaurusu), upon which the monster's design is based. The name was chosen from several names proposed by employees of Toho during production of Godzilla Raids Again.

The original English name given to Anguirus by Toho was "Angilas," as seen in the company's 1955 international sales booklet.[4] In the mid-1970's, Toho copyrighted the new revised English name Anguirus, making it the official Anglicization of the monster's name for all subsequent media. However, only the English dub of Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla uses anything resembling this spelling, with Godzilla: Final Wars pronouncing it like "Angweenus."

Development

Anguirus concept art for Godzilla: Final Wars

Anguirus was finally brought back for Godzilla's 50th anniversary film, Godzilla: Final Wars, in 2004, 30 years after his most recent film appearance. The creature was designed by Shinji Nishikawa, and a brand new suit was created, one which looked quite different from previous designs. Veteran Kamen Rider and Super Sentai suit actor Toshihiro Ogura portrayed Anguirus in the film.

Design

The Final Wars Anguirus has some differences in his design compared to previous incarnations. His skin is a a much lighter shade of gray, with yellowish-colored spikes. This Anguirus has a shorter, more mammal-like snout, and his underbelly has an armored, brick-like texture. He now has spikes on his arms and legs, and his tail ends with a spiked club, a trait shared by the real-life Ankylosaurus.

Personality

This incarnation of Anguirus is mind-controlled throughout his appearance, and attacks Shanghai, China under the command of the Xiliens. He is later sent by the Xiliens to attack Godzilla alongside Rodan and King Caesar. Anguirus coordinates his attacks with Rodan and King Caesar to try and defeat Godzilla. After Anguirus and his allies are defeated, they are spared by Godzilla for unknown reasons, while Godzilla killed all of the Xiliens' other monsters.

Origins

While Anguirus' origins go unexplained in Godzilla: Final Wars, the film's theater program and Super Complete Works book explain that he was an Ankylosaurus irradiated by nuclear testing.[3][5] In the film, he suddenly appears in Shanghai under the control of the Xiliens in the year 20XX, but the Earth Defense Force recognizes him and refers to him by name, suggesting that he had appeared in the past. In an interview with Henshin!Online published a month prior to the film's release, Shinichi Wakasa explained:

[The monsters in the film are] not brand-new. The only new monster is Monster X. The others all have the same elements, the same character as before.
„ 

Shinichi Wakasa[6]

History

Millennium era

Godzilla: Final Wars

In the year 20XX, Anguirus was under the control of the Xiliens and was sent to China and attacked Shanghai. He was attacked by the Karyu, but he proved too fast for it. He continued to fight against the humans, but he was recalled by the Xiliens on their commander's orders. Once the Controller of Planet X killed the Commander and led the Xiliens himself, Anguirus was brought back to Shanghai, and destroyed the Karyu by slamming into it after curling up. After Godzilla was freed by the Gotengo in Antarctica, Anguirus was deployed to the Japanese countryside with Rodan and King Caesar by the Xilien UFOs α, ß and γ, and waited to encounter Godzilla. When Godzilla arrived, Anguirus almost immediately curled up into a ball and tried to ram Godzilla, but Godzilla used this to his advantage, kicking Anguirus into King Caesar and Rodan. After successfully knocking all three monsters unconscious, Godzilla stacked them into a pile and continued to follow the Gotengo to Tokyo.

Abilities

Anguirus Ball

Anguirus curls into his carapace and launches himself at Godzilla in Godzilla: Final Wars.

Anguirus is able to retreat inside of his carapace and curl into a ball, an ability dubbed the Fierce Dragon Monster Ball Violent Bullet (暴龍怪球烈弾,   Bō Ryū Kai Kyū Retsu-dan) or simply Anguirus Ball (アンギラスボール,   Angirasu Bōru).[5] This allows Anguirus to travel quickly by rolling while also damaging any structures or enemies in his path.

Intelligence

Anguirus coordinates with Rodan and King Caesar during his battle with Godzilla.

Tail

Anguirus' tail ends in a fan-shaped spiked club, though he never uses it onscreen.

Filmography

Video games

Comics

Gallery

Main article: Anguirus/Gallery.

Roar

Like Godzilla, Anguirus's roars were created by a musical instrument: the saxophone.[7] In Godzilla: Final Wars, his roars were mixed with animal growls.

Anguirus' roars

Trivia

  • Anguirus is one of only three monsters Godzilla spares in Godzilla: Final Wars, the others being Rodan and King Caesar.
  • This incarnation of Anguirus is to date the largest and heaviest version of the character.
  • This is the first Anguirus incarnation to use the Anguirus Ball attack onscreen, though it had been featured in multiple video games beforehand.

Video

Wikizilla: YouTube Kaiju Profile: Anguirus

Notes

  1. While most sources, including the Godzilla: Final Wars theater program, give Anguirus' length as 160 meters, the publication Godzilla: Final Wars Super Complete Works (p. 12) erroneously writes his length as 180 meters.

References

This is a list of references for Anguirus (Millennium). 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. 1.0 1.1 Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia. Shogakukan. 23 July 2014. p. 118. ISBN 4-096-82090-3. Check date values in: |date= (help)
    Anguirus90meters60000metrictons.jpeg
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Godzilla Completely Deciphered. Takarajimasha. 26 June 2014. p. 111. ISBN 4800228964.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Godzilla: Final Wars theater program. p. 12. 2004.
  4. Toho Films 1955-56-07 Godzilla Raids Again.jpg
  5. 5.0 5.1 Godzilla: Final Wars Super Complete Works. Shogakukan. January 20, 2005. p. 12. ISBN 978-4091014986. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "GFWSCW" defined multiple times with different content
  6. Aiken, Keith (7 November 2004). "GODZILLA FINAL WARS INTERVIEW: SHINICHI WAKASA". Henshin!Online.
  7. Paul, Andrew (30 May 2019). "The History of Godzilla's Iconic Roar". GQ.

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