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|type1            =Fire
|type1            =Fire
|type2            =Water
|type2            =Water
|header          ={{Toho Kaiju}}
|copyrighticon    =Monster Icons - Ebirah.png
|copyrighticon    =Monster Icons - Ebirah.png
|image            =Ebirah04.png
|altimage        =<tabs style="color:black; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">
|caption          =Ebirah in Godzilla: Final Wars
<tab name="Millennium">[[File:Ebirah04.png|330px|Ebirah in Godzilla: Final Wars]]</tab>
<tab name="Showa">[[File:Ebirah.jpg|330px|Ebirah in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]</tab>
</tabs>
|name            =Ebirah{{tt|™|Ebirah is a Trademark of Toho Company Ltd.}}
|name            =Ebirah{{tt|™|Ebirah is a Trademark of Toho Company Ltd.}}
|species          =Giant Lobster
|nicknames        =The Sea Monster, Evirah
|nicknames        =The Sea Monster,<br>Horror of the Deep, Evirah
|species          =Giant crustacean
|height          ={{Ishowa}}30 meters {{small|(Lying down)}}<br>50 {{small|meters {{small|(Standing upright)}}}}<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><br>{{Imill}}50 meters
|subtitle        =Giant Shrimp Monster<br>{{Nihongo|大{{tt|エビ|Also written in hiragana as えび}}怪獣|Ō Ebi Kaijū}}<ref name="GTGMPBook">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla Toho Giant Monster Pictorial Book]]|date=1 April [[2005]]|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|page=105|isbn=4-09-280052-5}}</ref><br>Huge Shrimp Monster<br>{{Nihongo|巨大エビ怪獣|Kyodai Ebi Kaijū}}{{sup|[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep|EHotD]]}}<ref name="IQTest">{{Plain link|[http://ent.kodansha.co.jp/godzilla/quiz/quiz.html Ent.kodansha.co.jp: Godzilla All Movie DVD Collector's Box IQ Test]}}<br>[[File:HugeShrimp.png|150px]]</ref><br>Heinous New Monster<br>{{Nihongo|凶悪新怪獣|Kyōaku Shin Kaijū}}{{sup|[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep|EHotD]]}}<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia">{{cite book|title=[[Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia]]|date=23 July [[2014]]|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|page=45|isbn=4-096-82090-3}}</ref><br>Horror of the Deep<br>{{Nihongo|深海の恐怖|Shinkai no Kyōfu}}{{sup|[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep|EHotD]]}}
|length          ={{Ishowa}}60 meters<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><br>{{Imill}}100 meters<ref name="metric">''[[Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia]]''. Godzilla: Final Wars; Page 118</ref><br><br>
 
|weight          ={{Ishowa}}23,000 metric tons<ref name="GodzillaCompendium">''[[The Official Godzilla Compendium]]''. Profiles of the Monsters; Page 123.</ref><br>{{Imill}}50,000 metric tons<ref name="metric" />
|height          ={{Ishowa}}50 meters<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><br>{{Imill}}50 meters<ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla Completely Deciphered]]|date=26 June 2014|publisher=Takarajimasha|pages=103, 114|isbn=4800228964}}</ref>
|forms            =[[Flying Ebirah]]{{sup|[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansya Manga Series)|KM]]}}
|length          ={{Ishowa}}60 meters<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><br>{{Imill}}100 meters<ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia2">{{cite book|title=[[Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia]]|date=23 July [[2014]]|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|page=118|isbn=4-096-82090-3}}</ref>
|weight          ={{Ishowa}}23,000 metric tons<ref name="GodzillaCompendium">{{cite book|title=[[The Official Godzilla Compendium]]|author=J.D. Lees, Marc Cerasini|date=24 March [[1998]]|publisher= [[Random House]]|page=123|isbn=0279888225}}<br>[[File:Compendium3.png|150px]]</ref><ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><br>{{Imill}}50,000 metric tons<ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia2"/>
|1=Pincer length|stat1={{ishowa}}15 meters {{small|(right)}}, <br>13 meters {{small|(left)}}<ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><br>{{imill}}20 meters {{small|(right)}}, <br>15 meters {{small|(left)}}<ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/>
|forms            =Winged form{{sup|[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansha manga series)|KOD]]}}
|allies          =[[Hedorah]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}
|allies          =[[Hedorah]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}
|enemies          =[[Godzilla]], [[Meganulon]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Megaguirus]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}
|enemies          =[[Godzilla]], [[Meganulon]],{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}} [[Megaguirus]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}
|relationships    =None
|controlled      =[[Xiliens]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}
|controlled      =[[Xiliens]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}
|created         =[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]<br>[[Shinichi Sekizawa]]<br>[[Jun Fukuda]]<br><br>
|conceived        =Susumu Goto
|designed        =[[Shinji Nishikawa]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}
|modeled         =[[Teizo Toshimitsu]],{{sup|[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep|EHotD]]}} [[Kanju Yagi and Yasuei Yagi|Yasuei Yagi]],{{sup|[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep|EHotD]]}} [[Shinichi Wakasa]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}
|portrayed        ={{ishowa}}[[Hiroshi Sekita]]<br>{{imill}}[[Toshihiro Ogura]]
|portrayed        ={{ishowa}}[[Hiroshi Sekita]]<br>{{imill}}[[Toshihiro Ogura]]
|firstappearance  =[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]
|debut            =''{{Small|[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]}}''
|latestappearance =[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]
|last            =''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''
|suits            ={{ishowa}}[[ShodaiEbira]]<br>{{imill}}[[FinalEbira]]
|roar            ={{ishowa}}[[File:Ebirah_Roar_Showa.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]{{imill}}[[File:Ebirah_Roar_Millennium.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]{{More Roars}}
|roar            ={{ishowa}}[[File:Ebirah_Roar_Showa.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]{{imill}}[[File:Ebirah_Roar_Millennium.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]{{More Roars}}
}}
}}
'''Ebirah''' {{Nihongo|エビラ|Ebira}} is a giant lobster {{kaiju}} created by [[Toho Company Ltd.|Toho]] that first appeared in the [[1966]] [[Godzilla (Franchise)|Godzilla series]] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|film]], ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]''.
{{Quote|Did you see enough? If any of you try to escape, you'll only end up being caught by '''Ebirah'''!|[[Red Bamboo]] Captain [[Ryui]] to the [[Infant Island]]er prisoners (''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]'')}}
'''Ebirah''' {{Nihongo|エビラ|Ebira}} is a giant crustacean [[kaiju]] who first appeared in the [[1966]] [[Toho]] [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla series]] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|film]], ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]''.
 
Ebirah was the primary monster antagonist in ''Ebirah, Horror of the Deep'', a huge crustacean mutated by nuclear waste produced by the [[Red Bamboo]]'s activities on [[Letchi Island]]. Ebirah patrolled the island's waters, destroying any watercraft that tried to enter or leave the island, except for the Red Bamboo's ships, which released a yellow juice that repelled him. When [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] was awakened from his slumber in a cave on the island, Ebirah battled him twice, losing both times. In their second battle, Godzilla removed both of Ebirah's claws and forced him to retreat to the ocean depths. Ebirah made a stock footage appearance in ''[[All Monsters Attack]]'', where he battled Godzilla on [[Monster Island]] within the dreams of [[Ichiro Miki]]. Ebirah returned 35 years later for the final entry in the [[Millennium era|Millennium series]], ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', in which he was a mind-controlled pawn of the [[Xiliens]]. Ebirah was initially defeated by the [[Earth Defense Force]]'s mutant soldiers at [[Tokai]], and was deployed again to assist [[Hedorah]] against [[Godzilla/Final Wars|Godzilla]] in [[Tokyo Bay]].
{{TOC}}
{{TOC}}
==Name==
==Name==
Ebirah's name is derived from the [[Japan]]ese word ''ebi'' {{Nihongo|海老}}, meaning ''shrimp'', even though he's actually a lobster. The "ra" {{Nihongo|ラ}} part of Ebirah's name is a common suffix for {{kaiju}} names.
Ebirah's name is derived from the [[Japan]]ese word ''ebi'' {{Nihongo|海老}}, referring to several types of crustacean such as lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish. The "[[-ra]]" {{Nihongo|ラ}} part of Ebirah's name is a common suffix for [[kaiju]] names. The Ebirah featured in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' is denoted as '''Ebirah (2nd Generation)''' {{Nihongo|エビラ(2代目)|Ebira Nidaime}} in the book ''[[Godzilla Dictionary (New Edition)|Godzilla Dictionary [New Edition]]]''.<ref name="NewGodzillaDictionary">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla Dictionary (New Edition)|Godzilla Dictionary [New Edition]]]|date=7 August 2014|publisher=Kasakura Publishing|page=374|isbn=9784773087253}}</ref>
==Appearance==
==Development==
Ebirah generally looks like a giant lobster. His body is red all throughout, and he has one pincer that is bigger than the other one. He also has two antennae and a giant nose-like shell piece. Ebirah additionally has multiple legs and multiple segments in his body, leading up to a normal lobster tail.
[[File:King_Kong_vs_the_Sea_Monster.png|thumb|left|200px|Artwork depicting ''[[Operation Robinson Crusoe: King Kong vs. Ebirah]]'' by [[Hurricane Ryu Hariken|"Hurricane" Ryu Hariken]]]]
It was the idea of [[Toho]]'s then-president Susumu Goto to introduce a new [[kaiju]] based on a shrimp, as he found the idea of another bipedal humanoid kaiju "not interesting."<ref name="TSEMCW">{{cite book|title=[[Toho Special Effects Movie Complete Works]]|date=28 September 2012|publisher=Village Books|pages=110-113|isbn=9784864910132}}</ref> Ebirah was intended to appear as the villain of ''[[Operation Robinson Crusoe: King Kong vs. Ebirah]]'', in which he was to battle against [[King Kong]].<ref name="TSEMCW"/><ref name="GodzillaDictionary">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla Dictionary]]|ed=1st edition|date=1 November 2004|publisher=Kasakura Publishing|page=317|isbn=9784773002928}}</ref> However, Toho received objections to the proposed film from [[Rankin/Bass Productions]], who helped provide Toho with the rights to Kong and was co-producing the project and felt the story didn't follow the source material, ''[[The King Kong Show]]'', closely enough. Toho went back to the drawing board for their second Kong film and ultimately produced the more faithful ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'' in [[1967]]. However, rather than completely discard the ''King Kong vs. Ebirah'' story, the studio opted to write [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] into Kong's role, with the end result being [[1966]]'s ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]''.
 
[[File:EHOTD_-_Ebirah_Model.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A concept maquette of Ebirah]]
According to special effects director [[Sadamasa Arikawa]], the filmmakers attempted to make the shrimp kaiju intimidating by emphasizing certain features, such as the strength of its claws, the eerieness of its mouth movements as it preys on humans, and the general grotesqueness of a shrimp. Ebirah's head was modeled by [[Teizo Toshimitsu]] and his torso by [[Kanju Yagi and Yasuei Yagi|Yasuei Yagi]]. Ebirah's suit was composed of separate upper and lower halves, with suit actor [[Hiroshi Sekita]] wearing only the upper half for scenes of the kaiju above water. Otherwise, the two halves were joined without an actor inside and manipulated like a prop.<ref name="TSEMCW"/> Posters and promotional photos of Ebirah showed him battling with Godzilla on land, although in the film itself the two kaiju only battle in the sea. These promotional images also depicted Ebirah with a scorpion-inspired reversed tail, which is not present in the onscreen design. A large model of Ebirah's claw was constructed for scenes of the monster attacking the ''Yahlen'' and other watercraft.<ref name="TSEMCW"/><ref name="1954-1999">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla 1954-1999 Super Complete Works]]|date=1 January [[2000]]|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|page=116|isbn=978-4091014702}}</ref>
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
316b168765de37fcfba0e03c279675a6.jpg|A crew member holds the full Ebirah suit, with no actor inside.
EHOTD_-_Setting_Up_for_Ebirah.jpg|Staff members work to suspend the full Ebirah suit.
EHOTD_-_Godzilla_About_to_Slam_Ebirah.jpg|[[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] suspends Ebirah over his head in a publicity photo. Note the Ebirah suit's reversed tail.
Godzilla_vs_Ebirah_Behind_Scenes.jpg|Filming of a fight scene between Godzilla and Ebirah is prepared. In this sequence, [[Hiroshi Sekita]] wears only the upper half of the Ebirah suit.
</gallery>
 
[[File:Concept_Art_-_Godzilla_Final_Wars_-_Ebirah_1.png|thumb|left|200px|Ebirah concept art for ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' by [[Shinji Nishikawa]]]]
Ebirah was included in an early draft for ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'' titled ''[[All Monsters Attack Directive]]'', but was omitted from the finished film.<ref name="Character Encyclopedia">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla Character Encyclopedia: Toho Special Effects Movie Complete History]]|date=15 July 2014|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|page=114|isbn=978-4062190046}}</ref> The kaiju's next onscreen appearance would not come until [[2004]], when he was one of several [[Showa era|Showa]] kaiju brought back for the franchise's 50th anniversary film, ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''. Ebirah was redesigned by [[Shinji Nishikawa]], and his suit was modeled by [[Shinichi Wakasa]]'s company MONSTERS. The new suit was worn onscreen by prolific ''Kamen Rider'' and ''Super Sentai'' suit actor [[Toshihiro Ogura]], who also portrayed [[Anguirus]] and [[Monster X|Keizer Ghidorah]] in the film.
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
GFW Godzilla vs. Ebirah still.png|[[Godzilla/Final Wars|Godzilla]] throws Ebirah in a publicity still depicting a scene which never occurs onscreen.
46080592_4cf95e58f4_z.jpg|The Ebirah and [[Hedorah]] suits are prepared for the scene in which the monsters are destroyed by Godzilla.
Tumblr_nlni4hthdy1qcqjsdo2_1280.jpg|A group photo of all the film's monster suits, with Ebirah on the far left
Ebirah_2004.png|The intact Ebirah suit from ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' on display in [[2019]]
</gallery>
==Design==
Ebirah generally looks like a giant lobster or shrimp. His body is red all throughout, and he has one pincer that is bigger than the other one. He also has two antennae and a giant nose-like shell piece. Ebirah additionally has multiple legs and multiple segments in his body, leading up to a normal lobster tail. In ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]'' specifically, Ebirah's body is wide and his body segments are not very pronounced, his right claw is more massive than the left one, he has crustacean whiskers, eyes on stalks, and about six legs. Ebirah also has big eyebrows and spikes on its back, as well as fairly long scythe-like pointy crest, and seems to have a mouth like [[Mothra]]'s, in that it is flipped on its side.
 
In ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', Ebirah has a large goblin nose-like crest, one claw that is much longer than the other, eight large legs, and 16-20 spikes along his length. Ebirah's eyes are set into the head and he has crustacean-like antennae and mouth. Ebirah's underside is a very dark red, almost brown color. The body segments are clearly distinguished and separated, making it more closely resemble real-life crustaceans.
==Personality==
Ebirah is an extraordinarily violent and aggressive creature, destroying any watercraft which come within his vicinity and often preying on fleeing hummans by skewering them with his claw and eating them whole. Ebirah defends the waters around [[Letchi Island]] vigilantly, sommething the [[Red Bamboo]] exploit to prevent intruders from reaching the island. Only using a yellow juiced processed fromm one of the island's fruits can the Red Bamboo safely bypass Ebirah. Ebirah's aggressiveness causes him to challenge the larger and stronger [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] on two occasions. This proves to be his undoing, as Godzilla defeats him in both instances and brutally maims him in their second encounter. During their battles, Ebirah exhibits extensive body language as he seemmingly tries to both intimidate and mock Godzilla.
 
In ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', Ebirah acts only under the mind control of the [[Xiliens]], who direct him to attack [[Tokai]] and later battle alongside [[Hedorah]] against [[Godzilla/Final Wars|Godzilla]].
 
In the comic series ''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'', Ebirah demonstrates his aggressiveness once more as he takes on Godzilla in Sao Paulo. However, Ebirah also demonstrates pragmatism as he retreats from the battle once Godzilla becomes occupied by [[Megaguirus]] and her swarm of [[Meganulon|Meganulon and Meganula]]. Ebirah is never seen captured by the [[Trilopods]] later in the comic nor does he take part in the final battle, suggesting he continued to avoid fighting battles he knew he couldn't win.
==Origins==
Ebirah was a crustacean that was mutated to colossal size by the nuclear waste produced by the [[Red Bamboo]]'s operations on [[Letchi Island]]. The Red Bamboo used Ebirah's presence to their advantage, keeping him in the island's waters to prevent any ships from entering or leaving. The Red Bamboo released a yellow juice from their own ships that repelled Ebirah, allowing them to enter or leave the island's waters at their leisure.
 
In ''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'', Ebirah is an ancient [[kaiju]] that is part of the planet's natural order, classified among the "Water Monsters" by a mural on [[Infant Island]].
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}
==History==
==History==
===[[Showa era|Showa Series]]===
===[[Showa era|Showa Series]]===
====''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]''====
====''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]''====
[[File:Ebirah.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[ShodaiEbira|Ebirah]] in ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]'']]A terrorist organization known as the [[Red Bamboo]] secretly operated on the remote [[Letchi Island]] in the South Pacific, where they enslaved natives of [[Infant Island]] while producing nuclear weapons. The radioactive wastes on the island mutated some of the animals living on it. One of them was a [[Giant Condor]] that was used by the organization to guard the skies. Ebirah was used to destroy any ship that came too close to the island. Ebirah was successful at this and no ship could reach the island. The Red Bamboo ships used a special extract from the island's fruit to protect themselves from Ebirah. When a small group of people stranded on the island saw Godzilla sleeping in a cave, they woke him so he could fight Ebirah. Godzilla easily won and injured the crustacean with the atomic breath. The day after, a Red Bamboo ship appeared, but they accidentally used a placebo and not the fruit extract. Ebirah attacked and tore the ship apart. Godzilla reappeared, but this time, Godzilla pulled off Ebirah's claws. Ebirah escaped and was not seen again.  
[[File:Ebirah6.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ebirah in ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]'']]While sailing the stolen yacht the ''Yahlen'' through the South Seas in order to find his lost brother [[Yata Kane|Yata]], young [[Ryota Kane]] and his shipmates found themselves caught in a storm in which Ebirah's massive claw rose from the sea and crushed the yacht. The four men escaped and washed ashore on the seemingly-deserted [[Letchi Island]], but as they explored they witnessed members of the [[Red Bamboo]] terrorist organization unloading a shipment of slaves abducted from [[Infant Island]] onto a dock. Some of the prisoners attempted to escape, and all but two were killed by a machine gunner. The Red Bamboo captain [[Ryui]] allowed the survivors to steal a boat and try to escape so that the other prisoners could witness their ultimate security measure. Ebirah rose from the sea and smashed the boat with his claw. As the two men tried to swim away, Ebirah impaled them on his claw and shoved them into his mouth before submerging once more. Ryui warned the islanders that the same fate awaited them if they managed to escape the island. In the confusion, one of the prisoners, [[Daiyo]], managed to escape and encountered Ryota and the others. They fled from a party of Red Bamboo soldiers and hid in a cave overlooking the ocean. Inside, they discovered [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] hibernating. When attempts to battle the Red Bamboo themselves resulted in one of them being captured and Ryota being carried off by a balloon, the remaining three decided to awaken Godzilla to handle the Red Bamboo for them. Using a sword as a makeshift lightning rod, the group tied a copper wire to it and strung it down to Godzilla. When a storm neared the island, a bolt of lightning struck the sword and successfully awakened Godzilla.
 
The King of the Monsters immediately tried to leave the island, but was met by Ebirah who guarded the nearby waters. Realizing he had to go through Ebirah, Godzilla began tossing boulders at the giant crustacean. However, Ebirah was easily able to catch and toss back the projectiles with his claw, and the two [[kaiju]] engaged in a rock-throwing fight. Finally, Godzilla charged into the water to fight Ebirah hand-to-hand. While Godzilla was the stronger of the two, Ebirah was in his element and succeeded in dragging Godzilla under the surface. Godzilla fought himself free and eventually caused Ebirah to retreat by firing his atomic breath into the water, boiling his foe alive. Rather than pursue, Godzilla went back ashore on Letchi Island to rest on a cliff. Nita, the castaway who had been captured by the Red Bamboo, found himself imprisoned alongside the Infant Islanders. They told him that they were forced to process a yellow fruit found on the island into a juice that repelled Ebirah. This way, the Red Bamboo were able to come and go at their leisure while anyone else venturing to or from the island was attacked by Ebirah. This gave Nita the idea to use the fruit's leaves to produce a false yellow juice, which the other prisoners quickly put into action. The Red Bamboo's attemmpts to fight Godzilla backfired and led the enraged kaiju to destroy their base. The Red Bamboo command members activated the island's self-destruct and absconded with the newest batch of yellow juice as they fled the island in a [[Red Bamboo Ship|ship]]. However, the juice which the ship released was Nita's placebo liquid and the boat was promptly sunk by Ebirah, putting an end to the Red Bamboo.
 
Alerted to Ebirah's presence, Godzilla entered the sea to confront the crustacean kaiju once again. Godzilla and Ebirah exchanged blows, before Ebirah once mmore dragged Godzilla below the surf. Using a rock from the sea floor, Godzilla bashed Ebirah's head until his enemmy released him and allowed him to resurface. The kaiju clashed once more with their heads above the water, Godzilla finally using his superior strength to bite and tear off one of Ebirah's claws. As Ebirah reeled in agony, Godzilla proceeded to rip off his other claw, forcing the maimed Ebirah to swim off in defeat.<ref name="Death" group="note">While Ebirah's fate is left ambiguous in ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]'', the [[1991]] book ''[[Kodansha Hit Books: Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah Monster Great Complete Works]]'' (p. 73) states that Ebirah died after [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] tore off his claws.</ref>
====''[[All Monsters Attack]]''====
====''[[All Monsters Attack]]''====
Ebirah reappears on the sea near [[Monster Island]] alongside the [[Giant Condor]] in [[Ichiro Miki|Ichiro]]'s dream. He fights Godzilla briefly, and retreats back into the water after Godzilla defeats him.
Ebirah appeared in the sea near [[Monster Island]] alongside the [[Giant Condor|Giant Eagle]] in [[Ichiro Miki|Ichiro]]'s dream. He fought [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] briefly, and retreated back into the water after Godzilla defeated him.
===[[Millennium era|Millennium Series]]===
===[[Millennium era|Millennium Series]]===
====''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''====
====''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''====
[[File:Middle_1093919366.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[FinalEbira|Ebirah]] in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'']]Ebirah returned in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' as one of the many controlled monsters of the [[Xiliens]]. It destroys a factory near Tokyo. The military forces try to destroy Ebirah, but the immense crustacean is too powerful, knocking over buildings in order to destroy tanks and resisting weaponry with its durable exoskeleton. But the mutant soldiers are called to stop the monster. The mutants successfully defeat Ebirah with specialized hand-held maser cannons and were about to kill it, when it disappeared. The Xiliens arrive and say that they destroyed the monsters to save Earth. However, it is soon found out that the monsters were controlled by the Xiliens. The Gotengo then frees Godzilla from [[Antarctica]] so he could fight the controlled {{kaiju|s}}. The plan is a success and Godzilla successfully defeats most of the {{kaiju|s}}. Then Ebirah and [[Hedorah]] are sent to destroy Godzilla in Tokyo bay. However, Godzilla blasts them out of the water with the atomic ray and the duo crash into a building, with Ebirah accidentally piercing Hedorah's large eye with his pincer. Godzilla then emerges from the waves and fires another atomic ray and defeats both Ebirah and Hedorah.
[[File:Middle_1093919366.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ebirah in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'']]Ebirah was one of the many [[kaiju]] under the control of the [[Xiliens]] when they invaded [[Earth]] in 20XX. He destroyed a factory near [[Tokai]]. The [[JSDF]] tried to destroy Ebirah, but the immense crustacean was too powerful, knocking over buildings in order to destroy tanks and resisting weaponry with its durable exoskeleton. The [[Earth Defense Force]]'s mutant soldiers were then called to stop the monster. The mutants successfully defeated Ebirah with specialized hand-held [[Maser Cannon]]s and were about to kill him before he was suddenly teleported away. The Xiliens then revealed themselves to the people of Earth and claimed that they destroyed the monsters to save humanity. However, the EDF soon discovered that the monsters were controlled by the Xiliens, who aimed to conquer the planet. The [[Gotengo]] then freed Godzilla from [[Antarctica]] so he could fight the controlled [[kaiju]]. The plan was a success and Godzilla successfully defeated most of the [[kaiju]] as he made his way to [[Japan]]. Ebirah and [[Hedorah]] were sent to destroy Godzilla in [[Tokyo Bay]]. However, Godzilla blasted them out of the water with his atomic breath and the duo crashed into a building, with Ebirah accidentally piercing Hedorah's eye with his pincer. Godzilla then emerged from the waves and fired another blast of atomic breath, destroying both Ebirah and Hedorah.
==Abilities==
==Abilities==
Ebirah has no special powers, but he has strong claws and is an adept swimmer. Since Ebirah is a lobster, he could have the ability to regenerate his claws as well, but it's not seen.
===Claws===
 
[[File:Ebirah_header.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ebirah crushes the [[Red Bamboo Ship]] with his claw.]]
In ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', Ebirah can attack with both of its claws in a signature attack called "Crisis Scissors."
Ebirah has two differently-sized claws, one on each arm. Ebirah uses his larger right claw to grasp objects or bludgeon enemies. He accidentally stabbed one of [[Hedorah]]'s eyes with this claw in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''. Ebirah used this claw to catch and throw boulders at [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] during their first battle. Ebirah also has a smaller, thinner claw on his left arm which he used to skewer [[Infant Island]]ers trying to escape from the [[Red Bamboo]] on [[Letchi Island]]. In ''Godzilla: Final Wars'', Ebirah can attack with both of his claws simultaneously in a maneuver known as '''Crisis Scissors''' {{Nihongo|クライシス・シザース|Kuraishisu Shizāsu}}.
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
All_Monsters_Attack_-_Ebirah_appears_via_stock_footage_6.png|Ebirah catches a boulder with his claw.
</gallery>
===Aquatic adaptation===
Being a mutated crustacean, Ebirah is a very capable swimmer and underwater combatant. He is able to fight [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] on even footing underwater, possessing the strength to pull him all the way down to the sea floor and catch him in a death roll.
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
All_Monsters_Attack_-_Ebirah_and_DaisensoGoji_appear_via_stock_footage_4.png|Ebirah catches [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] in a death roll after dragging him underwater.
</gallery>
===Weaknesses===
===Weaknesses===
In ''Ebirah, Horror of the Deep'', Ebirah showed a dislike of the spice Saffron. [[Red Bamboo]] used this weakness to prevent Ebirah from attacking their boats, which shot out jets of gas containing the Saffron to ward him off.
[[File:All_Monsters_Attack_-_Ebirah_and_DaisensoGoji_appear_via_stock_footage_5.png|thumb|right|200px|Godzilla bites down on Ebirah's claw and prepares to tear it off.]]
In ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]'', Ebirah possessed an aversion to a yellow fruit that grew on [[Letchi Island]]. The [[Red Bamboo]] used this weakness to prevent Ebirah from attacking their boats, which shot out jets of juice from the fruit to ward him off. While able to hold his own against Godzilla beneath the waves, Ebirah was outmatched when fighting with the majority of his body above the surface. Godzilla was able to bite off both of Ebirah's claws and render him helpless. In both of his film appearances, Ebirah has shown a susceptibility to Godzilla's atomic breath. In ''Ebirah, Horror of the Deep'', Godzilla defeated Ebirah and forced him to retreat by superheating the water around Ebirah with his atomic breath, boiling him alive. In ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', Ebirah is blasted out of [[Tokyo Bay]] by [[Godzilla/Final Wars|Godzilla's]] atomic breath and subsequently dispatched by a second blast. Ebirah is also vulnerable to the handheld weapons used by the M Organization of the [[Earth Defense Force]] earlier in the same film, which prove sufficient to destroy one of his claws and bring him down before the [[Xiliens]] teleport him away.
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
All_Monsters_Attack_-_Ebirah_appears_via_stock_footage_9-1_defeated.png|Ebirah retreats after Godzilla tears off both of his claws.
All_Monsters_Attack_-_Ebirah_appears_via_stock_footage_7.png|Ebirah is boiled alive by Godzilla's atomic breath.
</gallery>
==Filmography==
==Filmography==
*''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]''
*''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]'' (1966)
*''[[All Monsters Attack]]'' (Stock Footage)
*''[[All Monsters Attack]]'' (1969) [stock footage]
*''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' (2004)
==[[Toho monsters in video games|Video Game Appearances]]==
==Video Games==
*''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Gameboy)]]''
*''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Game Boy)|Godzilla, King of the Monsters]]'' (1993) - Nintendo Game Boy
*''[[Godzilla: Heart-Pounding Monster Island!!]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Heart-Pounding Monster Island!!]]'' (1995) - Sega Pico
*''[[Godzilla Movie Studio Tour]]''
*''[[Godzilla Movie Studio Tour]]'' (1998) - PC and Mac
*''[[Godzilla: Trading Battle]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Trading Battle]]'' (1998) - Sony PlayStation
*''[[Godzilla Generations]]''
*''[[Godzilla Generations]]'' (1998) - Sega Dreamcast
*''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]''
*''Collect Godzilla: Giant Monster Assembly'' (1998) - Sega Dreamcast VMU
*''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]'' (2004) - Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox
*''[[Godzilla: The Game]]'' (Kaiju Guide)
*''[[Godzilla (2014 video game)|Godzilla]]'' (2014) - PlayStation 3 and 4 [Kaiju Guide]
*''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]'' (2015) - Android and iOS
*''[[Godzilla Defense Force]]'' (2019) - Android and iOS
===''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]''===
===''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]''===
[[File:Godzilla_Save_The_Earth_EBIRAH.png|thumb|right|200px|Ebirah in ''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]'']]Ebirah makes its only appearance in the Atari-Pipeworks games in ''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]'' in the final on-rail shooter-style level when playing as ''Godzilla 2000''. Ebirah appears before facing the [[Vortaak]]s' underwater ship and must be defeated to continue.
[[File:Godzilla_Save_The_Earth_EBIRAH.png|thumb|right|200px|Ebirah in ''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]'']]Ebirah makes its only appearance in the Atari-Pipeworks games in ''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]'' in the final on-rail shooter-style level when playing as [[MireGoji|Godzilla 2000]]. Ebirah appears before facing the [[Vortaak]]'s [[Hammer Sub]] and must be defeated to continue.
{{Clear}}
===[[Godzilla (2014 video game)|''Godzilla'' (PlayStation 3 / PlayStation 4)]]===
===''[[Godzilla: The Game]]''===
{{Main|Godzilla (2014 video game)/Kaiju Guide#Ebirah}}
====Kaiju Guide====
'''Ebirah, the {{tt|Giant Shrimp|Ebirah is a giant lobster, not a giant shrimp}}'''
[[File:Kaiju_Guide_Ebirah.png|200px|right]]
{{Small|This huge crustacean lived in the vicinity of [[Letchi Island]] in the South Pacific.}}
 
{{small|Ebirah allegedly turned into a monster due to the waste flowing from the arms factory of a secret society called the "[[Red Bamboo]]". It used its giant, scissor-like right arm and spear-like left arm to attack ships approaching the island, preventing them from approaching the outer reaches of the coast. Its weakness was identified when people discovered that the monster could be thwarted by a bitter yellow juice made from the seeds of plants growing on the island.}}
 
{{small|In "Godzilla: Final Wars" (2004), Ebirah was controlled by the [[Xiliens|Xilien]] invaders and attacked the East Sea Industrial Complex Zone, eventually resulting in a battle with the Earth Defense Force (EDF) Mutant Unit and M Organization. It was also able to come ashore and operate on land, where it unleashes its dual-claw attack, "Crisis Scissors". When it eventually attacked [[Godzilla]] with [[Hedorah]] in [[Tokyo Bay]], it was thrown onto land and given the coup de grace with a heat ray.}}
 
● '''"Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster"'''<br>
'''Length:'''<br>50 meters<br>
'''Weight:'''<br>23,000 tons<br>
'''Length of Scissor Arms:'''<br>Right: 15 meters<br>Left: 13 meters<br>
'''Abilities:'''<br>Right-arm scissors<br>Left-arm pincers<br>
'''Appearances:'''<br>"[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep|{{tt|Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster|Ebirah, Horror of the Deep}}]]"
 
● '''"Godzilla: Final Wars"'''<br>
'''Length:'''<br>100 meters<br>
'''Body Height:'''<br>30 meters<br>
'''Weight:'''<br>50,000 tons<br>
'''Length of scissor arms:'''<br>Right: 20 meters<br>Left: 15 meters<br>
'''Abilities:'''<br>Crisis Scissors<br>
'''Appearances:'''<br>"[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]"
<gallery widths="120" position="center" spacing="small" captionalign="center">
<gallery widths="120" position="center" spacing="small" captionalign="center">
Ebirah_tradingbattle.png|Ebirah's card in ''[[Godzilla: Trading Battle]]''
Ebirah_tradingbattle.png|Ebirah's card in ''[[Godzilla: Trading Battle]]''
GKC Ebirah 1966.jpg|[[ShodaiEbira|Ebirah 1966]] in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
File:22b_ebirah.png|Ebirah's sprite in ''Collect Godzilla: Giant Monster Assembly''
GKC Ebirah 2004.jpg|[[FinalEbira|Ebirah 2004]] in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
GKC Ebirah 1966.jpg|Ebirah 1966 in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
GKC Ebirah 2004.jpg|Ebirah 2004 in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Books==
===''[[Godzilla: Monster Apocalypse|GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse]]''===
Multiple individual Ebirahs appeared, but the third individual denoted "Ebirah III" was killed by the [[USS Saratoga|USS ''Saratoga'']] in 2015.<ref name="Apocalypse">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla: Monster Apocalypse|GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse]]|author=Ōki, Renji|publisher=[[Kadokawa]]|date=October 25, 2017|page=87}}</ref>
==Comics==
==Comics==
===''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansya Manga Series)|Godzilla, King of the Monsters]]''===
*''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansha manga series)|Godzilla, King of the Monsters]]'' (1992-1993)
{{Main|Flying Ebirah}}
*''[[Godzilla: The Half-Century War]]'' #3 (2012)
[[File:Flying Ebirah.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Flying Ebirah]] in [[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansya Manga Series)|Kodansya's ''Godzilla, King of the Monsters'' manga]]]]
*''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'' #9, 13, 17-18 (2014)
Ebirah appears in [[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansya Manga Series)|Kodansya's ''Godzilla, King of the Monsters'' manga series]], where he is modified by the evil [[Dr. Oniyama]] into [[Flying Ebirah]] to battle [[Godzilla]], but is defeated.{{Clear}}
*''[[Godzilla: Cataclysm]]'' #2 (2014)
*''[[Godzilla: Rage Across Time]]'' #5 (2016)
===''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansha manga series)|Godzilla, King of the Monsters]]''===
[[File:Flying Ebirah.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A winged Ebirah in [[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansha manga series)|Kodansha's ''Godzilla, King of the Monsters'' manga]]]]
After the defeat of his pawn [[King Ghidorah|King Ghidorah III]], Ebirah was the next monster in Dr. Mad Oniyama's lineup to be pitted against [[Godzilla]]. This time, Oniyama decided to work on modifying Ebirah, grafting giant insect wings to the lobster due to his belief that insects and crustaceans are physically similar.
 
The flying Ebirah first appeared in a South Pacific Beach resort, where it used its new wings to great effect, flying around and stabbing at Godzilla. Ebirah was, however, impaled on a palm tree and had its new wings torn off by the King of the Monsters. It was then frozen and destroyed.
===''[[Godzilla: The Half-Century War]]''===
===''[[Godzilla: The Half-Century War]]''===
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
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</gallery>
</gallery>
===''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]''===
===''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]''===
During the battle between [[King Caesar]] and [[Megalon]], the island's natives caught between the two {{kaiju|s}}'s battle ran for cover, some escaping to the ocean. However, [[Varan]] and Ebirah started to devour any stragglers. Ebirah, Varan, Megalon and King Caesar all vanished as an alien ship crash landed into the ocean near by. Ebirah was later seen on the water monsters section of the mural on Infant Island.
During the battle between [[King Caesar]] and [[Megalon]], the island's natives caught between the two [[kaiju]]'s battle ran for cover, some escaping to the ocean. However, [[Varan]] and Ebirah started to devour any stragglers. Ebirah, Varan, Megalon and King Caesar all vanished as an alien ship crash landed into the ocean near by. Ebirah was later seen on the water monsters section of the mural on Infant Island.


Ebirah makes a full appearance in issue #17, where he abruptly attacks [[Godzilla]], who is swimming back after his battle with the [[MechaGodzilla 1|MechaGodzillas]] and [[Mecha-King Ghidorah]]. Godzilla throws Ebirah to the surface, and the two monsters arrive in Sao Paulo, Brazil. While Godzilla and Ebirah battle, Ebirah is swarmed by [[Meganulon]]s, who break through his shell and draw blood. Ebirah snaps his claw shut on some of the Meganulons, cutting them in half. [[Megaguirus]] soon arrives and stings Ebirah. After repeated attacks from all of the monsters, Ebirah retreats to the ocean. Ebirah was not seen afterwards, and none of the [[Trilopod]]s possessed his characteristics.
In the modern day, Ebirah abruptly attacked [[Godzilla]] as the latter was swimming back after his battle with the [[Mechagodzilla/Showa|Mechagodzillas]] and [[Mecha-King Ghidorah]]. Godzilla threw Ebirah to the surface, and the two monsters arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil. While Godzilla and Ebirah battled, Ebirah was swarmed by [[Meganulon]], who broke through his shell and drew blood. Ebirah snapped his claw shut on some of the Meganulon, cutting them in half. [[Megaguirus]] soon arrived and stung Ebirah. After repeated attacks from all of the monsters, Ebirah retreated to the ocean. Ebirah was not seen afterwards, and none of the [[Trilopod]]s possessed his characteristics.
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
RoE_Ebirah.jpg|Ebirah in ''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'' #9
RoE_Ebirah.jpg|Ebirah in ''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'' #9
</gallery>
</gallery>
===''[[Godzilla: Cataclysm]]''===
===''[[Godzilla: Cataclysm]]''===
In ''[[Godzilla: Cataclysm Issue 2]]'', Arata's grandfather states that members of his village pray to Ebirah to bring them plentiful fishing trips.<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">Ebirah Cataclysm.jpg|Ebirah in ''[[Godzilla: Cataclysm Issue 2|Godzilla: Cataclysm #2]]''</gallery>
Arata's grandfather stated that members of his village prayed to Ebirah to bring them plentiful fishing trips.<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">Ebirah Cataclysm.jpg|Ebirah in [[Godzilla: Cataclysm Issue 2|''Godzilla: Cataclysm'' #2]]</gallery>
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Main|Ebirah/Gallery}}
{{Main|Ebirah/Gallery}}
==Sightings==
==Sightings==
*Ebirah inspired two monsters who appeared in the Nintendo anime ''[[w:c:kirby:Kirby: Right Back at Ya!|Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]'', [[w:c:kirby:Ebifryer|Ebifryer]] and [[w:c:kirby:Lobzilla|Ebizou]]. Both are giant shrimp monsters who have abilities far stronger than the rest of the cast.
*Ebirah inspired two monsters who appeared in the Nintendo anime ''[[wikia:w:c:kirby:Kirby: Right Back at Ya!|Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]'', [[wikia:w:c:kirby:Ebifryer|Ebifryer]] and [[wikia:w:c:kirby:Lobzilla|Ebizou]]. Both are giant shrimp monsters who have abilities far stronger than the rest of the cast.
==Roar==
==Roar==
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
Ebirah's shriek was edited and reused for [[Kamacuras]] in ''[[Son of Godzilla]]''. It was also later used for the Giant Spider in the English-dubbed version of the film ''[[The Magic Serpent]]'', and many [[kaiju]] from the Ultra Series, such as Eleking and Vakishim.
ShodaiEbirah (1965-1998)|Ebirah's roars in the [[Showa era]]
{{videos|
Ebirah Roars|Ebirah's roars in the [[Millennium era]]
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">DoHX8UNfOqo&t=1s</youtube>|Ebirah's roars in ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]''}}
</gallery>
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">x1X9e3Mlc40</youtube>|Ebirah's roars in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''}}
}}
 
==In Other Languages==
==In Other Languages==
*Russian: Эбира
{{Other languages
*Chinese: 伊比拉 (Yībǐ lā)
|ru=Эбира|rumeaning=Transliteration of Japanese name
|zh_cmn=伊比拉 ''Yībǐlā''
|zh_cmnmeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
}}
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Toho had first wanted Ebirah to be King Kong's enemy instead of Godzilla's but a rights problem caused Kong to be dropped and Toho replaced him with Godzilla without enhancing Ebirah.
*Ebirah was [[Toho]]'s first crustacean kaiju. Others that followed included [[Ganimes]] and [[Destoroyah]].
*In the English version of the 1966 [[tokusatsu]] film, ''The Magic Serpent'', Tsunade's giant spider used edited Ebirah roars.  
*Several publicity photos for ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]'' depict [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] lifting and throwing Ebirah over his head, though this never takes place in the film. A publicity photo for ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' also depicts the same situation. This is referenced in the comic ''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'', in which Godzilla tosses Ebirah over his head as the two monsters come ashore in Sao Paulo.
*According to the German release of ''Ebirah, Horror of the Deep'', Ebirah was possibly created by Dr. Frankenstein.
*In ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', Ebirah is nearly killed by [[Shinichi Ozaki|Ozaki]] and the other [[Mutants|mutants]]' [[Maser Cannon|Maser]] Rifles, making Ebirah one of the few monsters to be defeated by humanity without the use of vehicles, superweapons like the [[Oxygen Destroyer]], or other monsters.
*In the original concept for ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'', Ebirah was originally supposed to appear and was to guard the Kilaak base with [[Maguma]]. However Ebirah, along with [[Maguma]], was left out due to the water damage of the suit and not being able to really fight on land and was eventually replaced with [[Anguirus]], [[Gorosaurus]], and [[Minilla]] for the final draft.
**[[Baragon]] and [[Varan]] were supposed to take Ebirah's and [[Maguma]]'s roles as Guards of the Kilaak base but even that couldn't happen because their suits were also in overused condition.
*The version of Ebirah as seen in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' is nearly killed by Ozaki and the other mutants' maser cannons, making Ebirah one of the few monsters to be defeated by humanity without the use of vehicles, super-weapons like the [[Oxygen Destroyer]], or other monsters.
*Despite being labeled a lobster, there are a few species of crustacean that resemble Ebirah more than lobsters as the crayfish and ironically the shrimp such as the Snapping Shrimps and distinctively the Heterocarpus shrimps.
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{TohoMonsters}}
==Notes==
==Poll==
{{Notelist}}
<poll>
{{Toho Monsters}}
Do you like Ebirah?
{{Comments}}
Yes!
No.
Kind of.
</poll>
{{Era|TOH|SHO|MIL|KAI|EBI}}
{{Era|TOH|SHO|MIL|KAI|EBI}}
[[de:Ebirah]]
[[de:Ebirah]]
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[[Category:Showa Godzilla Kaiju]]
[[Category:Showa Godzilla Kaiju]]
[[Category:Millennium Godzilla Kaiju]]
[[Category:Millennium Godzilla Kaiju]]
[[Category:Crustacean Kaiju]]

Revision as of 23:21, 17 October 2019

Template:Ktab

Ebirah™ trademark icon
Ebirah
Ebirah in Godzilla: Final Wars
Ebirah in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
Alternate names The Sea Monster, Evirah
Subtitle(s) Giant Shrimp Monster
(大エビ怪獣,   Ō Ebi Kaijū)[1]
Huge Shrimp Monster
(巨大エビ怪獣,   Kyodai Ebi Kaijū)EHotD[2]
Heinous New Monster
(凶悪新怪獣,   Kyōaku Shin Kaijū)EHotD[3]
Horror of the Deep
(深海の恐怖,   Shinkai no Kyōfu)EHotD
Species Giant crustacean
Height Showa: 50 meters[4][5]
Millennium: 50 meters[5]
Length Showa: 60 meters[4]
Millennium: 100 meters[5][6]
Weight Showa: 23,000 metric tons[4][5]
Millennium: 50,000 metric tons[5][6]
Pincer length Showa: 15 meters (right),
13 meters (left)[5]
Millennium: 20 meters (right),
15 meters (left)[5]
Forms Winged formKOD
Controlled by XiliensGFW
Allies HedorahGFW
Enemies Godzilla, Meganulon,GRoE MegaguirusGRoE
Conceived of by Susumu Goto
Designed by Shinji NishikawaGFW
Modeled by Teizo Toshimitsu,EHotD Yasuei Yagi,EHotD Shinichi WakasaGFW
Played by ShowaHiroshi Sekita
MillenniumToshihiro Ogura
First appearance Latest appearance
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep Godzilla: Final Wars
Roar(s)
ShowaMillenniumMore roars
Did you see enough? If any of you try to escape, you'll only end up being caught by Ebirah!
„ 

Red Bamboo Captain Ryui to the Infant Islander prisoners (Ebirah, Horror of the Deep)

Ebirah (エビラ,   Ebira) is a giant crustacean kaiju who first appeared in the 1966 Toho Godzilla series film, Ebirah, Horror of the Deep.

Ebirah was the primary monster antagonist in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, a huge crustacean mutated by nuclear waste produced by the Red Bamboo's activities on Letchi Island. Ebirah patrolled the island's waters, destroying any watercraft that tried to enter or leave the island, except for the Red Bamboo's ships, which released a yellow juice that repelled him. When Godzilla was awakened from his slumber in a cave on the island, Ebirah battled him twice, losing both times. In their second battle, Godzilla removed both of Ebirah's claws and forced him to retreat to the ocean depths. Ebirah made a stock footage appearance in All Monsters Attack, where he battled Godzilla on Monster Island within the dreams of Ichiro Miki. Ebirah returned 35 years later for the final entry in the Millennium series, Godzilla: Final Wars, in which he was a mind-controlled pawn of the Xiliens. Ebirah was initially defeated by the Earth Defense Force's mutant soldiers at Tokai, and was deployed again to assist Hedorah against Godzilla in Tokyo Bay.

Name

Ebirah's name is derived from the Japanese word ebi (海老), referring to several types of crustacean such as lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish. The "-ra" (ラ) part of Ebirah's name is a common suffix for kaiju names. The Ebirah featured in Godzilla: Final Wars is denoted as Ebirah (2nd Generation) (エビラ(2代目),   Ebira Nidaime) in the book Godzilla Dictionary [New Edition].[7]

Development

It was the idea of Toho's then-president Susumu Goto to introduce a new kaiju based on a shrimp, as he found the idea of another bipedal humanoid kaiju "not interesting."[8] Ebirah was intended to appear as the villain of Operation Robinson Crusoe: King Kong vs. Ebirah, in which he was to battle against King Kong.[8][9] However, Toho received objections to the proposed film from Rankin/Bass Productions, who helped provide Toho with the rights to Kong and was co-producing the project and felt the story didn't follow the source material, The King Kong Show, closely enough. Toho went back to the drawing board for their second Kong film and ultimately produced the more faithful King Kong Escapes in 1967. However, rather than completely discard the King Kong vs. Ebirah story, the studio opted to write Godzilla into Kong's role, with the end result being 1966's Ebirah, Horror of the Deep.

A concept maquette of Ebirah

According to special effects director Sadamasa Arikawa, the filmmakers attempted to make the shrimp kaiju intimidating by emphasizing certain features, such as the strength of its claws, the eerieness of its mouth movements as it preys on humans, and the general grotesqueness of a shrimp. Ebirah's head was modeled by Teizo Toshimitsu and his torso by Yasuei Yagi. Ebirah's suit was composed of separate upper and lower halves, with suit actor Hiroshi Sekita wearing only the upper half for scenes of the kaiju above water. Otherwise, the two halves were joined without an actor inside and manipulated like a prop.[8] Posters and promotional photos of Ebirah showed him battling with Godzilla on land, although in the film itself the two kaiju only battle in the sea. These promotional images also depicted Ebirah with a scorpion-inspired reversed tail, which is not present in the onscreen design. A large model of Ebirah's claw was constructed for scenes of the monster attacking the Yahlen and other watercraft.[8][10]

Ebirah concept art for Godzilla: Final Wars by Shinji Nishikawa

Ebirah was included in an early draft for Destroy All Monsters titled All Monsters Attack Directive, but was omitted from the finished film.[11] The kaiju's next onscreen appearance would not come until 2004, when he was one of several Showa kaiju brought back for the franchise's 50th anniversary film, Godzilla: Final Wars. Ebirah was redesigned by Shinji Nishikawa, and his suit was modeled by Shinichi Wakasa's company MONSTERS. The new suit was worn onscreen by prolific Kamen Rider and Super Sentai suit actor Toshihiro Ogura, who also portrayed Anguirus and Keizer Ghidorah in the film.

Design

Ebirah generally looks like a giant lobster or shrimp. His body is red all throughout, and he has one pincer that is bigger than the other one. He also has two antennae and a giant nose-like shell piece. Ebirah additionally has multiple legs and multiple segments in his body, leading up to a normal lobster tail. In Ebirah, Horror of the Deep specifically, Ebirah's body is wide and his body segments are not very pronounced, his right claw is more massive than the left one, he has crustacean whiskers, eyes on stalks, and about six legs. Ebirah also has big eyebrows and spikes on its back, as well as fairly long scythe-like pointy crest, and seems to have a mouth like Mothra's, in that it is flipped on its side.

In Godzilla: Final Wars, Ebirah has a large goblin nose-like crest, one claw that is much longer than the other, eight large legs, and 16-20 spikes along his length. Ebirah's eyes are set into the head and he has crustacean-like antennae and mouth. Ebirah's underside is a very dark red, almost brown color. The body segments are clearly distinguished and separated, making it more closely resemble real-life crustaceans.

Personality

Ebirah is an extraordinarily violent and aggressive creature, destroying any watercraft which come within his vicinity and often preying on fleeing hummans by skewering them with his claw and eating them whole. Ebirah defends the waters around Letchi Island vigilantly, sommething the Red Bamboo exploit to prevent intruders from reaching the island. Only using a yellow juiced processed fromm one of the island's fruits can the Red Bamboo safely bypass Ebirah. Ebirah's aggressiveness causes him to challenge the larger and stronger Godzilla on two occasions. This proves to be his undoing, as Godzilla defeats him in both instances and brutally maims him in their second encounter. During their battles, Ebirah exhibits extensive body language as he seemmingly tries to both intimidate and mock Godzilla.

In Godzilla: Final Wars, Ebirah acts only under the mind control of the Xiliens, who direct him to attack Tokai and later battle alongside Hedorah against Godzilla.

In the comic series Godzilla: Rulers of Earth, Ebirah demonstrates his aggressiveness once more as he takes on Godzilla in Sao Paulo. However, Ebirah also demonstrates pragmatism as he retreats from the battle once Godzilla becomes occupied by Megaguirus and her swarm of Meganulon and Meganula. Ebirah is never seen captured by the Trilopods later in the comic nor does he take part in the final battle, suggesting he continued to avoid fighting battles he knew he couldn't win.

Origins

Ebirah was a crustacean that was mutated to colossal size by the nuclear waste produced by the Red Bamboo's operations on Letchi Island. The Red Bamboo used Ebirah's presence to their advantage, keeping him in the island's waters to prevent any ships from entering or leaving. The Red Bamboo released a yellow juice from their own ships that repelled Ebirah, allowing them to enter or leave the island's waters at their leisure.

In Godzilla: Rulers of Earth, Ebirah is an ancient kaiju that is part of the planet's natural order, classified among the "Water Monsters" by a mural on Infant Island.

History

Showa Series

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep

While sailing the stolen yacht the Yahlen through the South Seas in order to find his lost brother Yata, young Ryota Kane and his shipmates found themselves caught in a storm in which Ebirah's massive claw rose from the sea and crushed the yacht. The four men escaped and washed ashore on the seemingly-deserted Letchi Island, but as they explored they witnessed members of the Red Bamboo terrorist organization unloading a shipment of slaves abducted from Infant Island onto a dock. Some of the prisoners attempted to escape, and all but two were killed by a machine gunner. The Red Bamboo captain Ryui allowed the survivors to steal a boat and try to escape so that the other prisoners could witness their ultimate security measure. Ebirah rose from the sea and smashed the boat with his claw. As the two men tried to swim away, Ebirah impaled them on his claw and shoved them into his mouth before submerging once more. Ryui warned the islanders that the same fate awaited them if they managed to escape the island. In the confusion, one of the prisoners, Daiyo, managed to escape and encountered Ryota and the others. They fled from a party of Red Bamboo soldiers and hid in a cave overlooking the ocean. Inside, they discovered Godzilla hibernating. When attempts to battle the Red Bamboo themselves resulted in one of them being captured and Ryota being carried off by a balloon, the remaining three decided to awaken Godzilla to handle the Red Bamboo for them. Using a sword as a makeshift lightning rod, the group tied a copper wire to it and strung it down to Godzilla. When a storm neared the island, a bolt of lightning struck the sword and successfully awakened Godzilla.

The King of the Monsters immediately tried to leave the island, but was met by Ebirah who guarded the nearby waters. Realizing he had to go through Ebirah, Godzilla began tossing boulders at the giant crustacean. However, Ebirah was easily able to catch and toss back the projectiles with his claw, and the two kaiju engaged in a rock-throwing fight. Finally, Godzilla charged into the water to fight Ebirah hand-to-hand. While Godzilla was the stronger of the two, Ebirah was in his element and succeeded in dragging Godzilla under the surface. Godzilla fought himself free and eventually caused Ebirah to retreat by firing his atomic breath into the water, boiling his foe alive. Rather than pursue, Godzilla went back ashore on Letchi Island to rest on a cliff. Nita, the castaway who had been captured by the Red Bamboo, found himself imprisoned alongside the Infant Islanders. They told him that they were forced to process a yellow fruit found on the island into a juice that repelled Ebirah. This way, the Red Bamboo were able to come and go at their leisure while anyone else venturing to or from the island was attacked by Ebirah. This gave Nita the idea to use the fruit's leaves to produce a false yellow juice, which the other prisoners quickly put into action. The Red Bamboo's attemmpts to fight Godzilla backfired and led the enraged kaiju to destroy their base. The Red Bamboo command members activated the island's self-destruct and absconded with the newest batch of yellow juice as they fled the island in a ship. However, the juice which the ship released was Nita's placebo liquid and the boat was promptly sunk by Ebirah, putting an end to the Red Bamboo.

Alerted to Ebirah's presence, Godzilla entered the sea to confront the crustacean kaiju once again. Godzilla and Ebirah exchanged blows, before Ebirah once mmore dragged Godzilla below the surf. Using a rock from the sea floor, Godzilla bashed Ebirah's head until his enemmy released him and allowed him to resurface. The kaiju clashed once more with their heads above the water, Godzilla finally using his superior strength to bite and tear off one of Ebirah's claws. As Ebirah reeled in agony, Godzilla proceeded to rip off his other claw, forcing the maimed Ebirah to swim off in defeat.[note 1]

All Monsters Attack

Ebirah appeared in the sea near Monster Island alongside the Giant Eagle in Ichiro's dream. He fought Godzilla briefly, and retreated back into the water after Godzilla defeated him.

Millennium Series

Godzilla: Final Wars

Ebirah was one of the many kaiju under the control of the Xiliens when they invaded Earth in 20XX. He destroyed a factory near Tokai. The JSDF tried to destroy Ebirah, but the immense crustacean was too powerful, knocking over buildings in order to destroy tanks and resisting weaponry with its durable exoskeleton. The Earth Defense Force's mutant soldiers were then called to stop the monster. The mutants successfully defeated Ebirah with specialized hand-held Maser Cannons and were about to kill him before he was suddenly teleported away. The Xiliens then revealed themselves to the people of Earth and claimed that they destroyed the monsters to save humanity. However, the EDF soon discovered that the monsters were controlled by the Xiliens, who aimed to conquer the planet. The Gotengo then freed Godzilla from Antarctica so he could fight the controlled kaiju. The plan was a success and Godzilla successfully defeated most of the kaiju as he made his way to Japan. Ebirah and Hedorah were sent to destroy Godzilla in Tokyo Bay. However, Godzilla blasted them out of the water with his atomic breath and the duo crashed into a building, with Ebirah accidentally piercing Hedorah's eye with his pincer. Godzilla then emerged from the waves and fired another blast of atomic breath, destroying both Ebirah and Hedorah.

Abilities

Claws

Ebirah crushes the Red Bamboo Ship with his claw.

Ebirah has two differently-sized claws, one on each arm. Ebirah uses his larger right claw to grasp objects or bludgeon enemies. He accidentally stabbed one of Hedorah's eyes with this claw in Godzilla: Final Wars. Ebirah used this claw to catch and throw boulders at Godzilla during their first battle. Ebirah also has a smaller, thinner claw on his left arm which he used to skewer Infant Islanders trying to escape from the Red Bamboo on Letchi Island. In Godzilla: Final Wars, Ebirah can attack with both of his claws simultaneously in a maneuver known as Crisis Scissors (クライシス・シザース,   Kuraishisu Shizāsu).

Aquatic adaptation

Being a mutated crustacean, Ebirah is a very capable swimmer and underwater combatant. He is able to fight Godzilla on even footing underwater, possessing the strength to pull him all the way down to the sea floor and catch him in a death roll.

Weaknesses

Godzilla bites down on Ebirah's claw and prepares to tear it off.

In Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, Ebirah possessed an aversion to a yellow fruit that grew on Letchi Island. The Red Bamboo used this weakness to prevent Ebirah from attacking their boats, which shot out jets of juice from the fruit to ward him off. While able to hold his own against Godzilla beneath the waves, Ebirah was outmatched when fighting with the majority of his body above the surface. Godzilla was able to bite off both of Ebirah's claws and render him helpless. In both of his film appearances, Ebirah has shown a susceptibility to Godzilla's atomic breath. In Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, Godzilla defeated Ebirah and forced him to retreat by superheating the water around Ebirah with his atomic breath, boiling him alive. In Godzilla: Final Wars, Ebirah is blasted out of Tokyo Bay by Godzilla's atomic breath and subsequently dispatched by a second blast. Ebirah is also vulnerable to the handheld weapons used by the M Organization of the Earth Defense Force earlier in the same film, which prove sufficient to destroy one of his claws and bring him down before the Xiliens teleport him away.

Filmography

Video Games

Godzilla: Save the Earth

Ebirah makes its only appearance in the Atari-Pipeworks games in Godzilla: Save the Earth in the final on-rail shooter-style level when playing as Godzilla 2000. Ebirah appears before facing the Vortaak's Hammer Sub and must be defeated to continue.

Godzilla (PlayStation 3 / PlayStation 4)

Main article: Godzilla (2014 video game)/Kaiju Guide#Ebirah.

Books

GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse

Multiple individual Ebirahs appeared, but the third individual denoted "Ebirah III" was killed by the USS Saratoga in 2015.[12]

Comics

Godzilla, King of the Monsters

After the defeat of his pawn King Ghidorah III, Ebirah was the next monster in Dr. Mad Oniyama's lineup to be pitted against Godzilla. This time, Oniyama decided to work on modifying Ebirah, grafting giant insect wings to the lobster due to his belief that insects and crustaceans are physically similar.

The flying Ebirah first appeared in a South Pacific Beach resort, where it used its new wings to great effect, flying around and stabbing at Godzilla. Ebirah was, however, impaled on a palm tree and had its new wings torn off by the King of the Monsters. It was then frozen and destroyed.

Godzilla: The Half-Century War

Godzilla: Rulers of Earth

During the battle between King Caesar and Megalon, the island's natives caught between the two kaiju's battle ran for cover, some escaping to the ocean. However, Varan and Ebirah started to devour any stragglers. Ebirah, Varan, Megalon and King Caesar all vanished as an alien ship crash landed into the ocean near by. Ebirah was later seen on the water monsters section of the mural on Infant Island.

In the modern day, Ebirah abruptly attacked Godzilla as the latter was swimming back after his battle with the Mechagodzillas and Mecha-King Ghidorah. Godzilla threw Ebirah to the surface, and the two monsters arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil. While Godzilla and Ebirah battled, Ebirah was swarmed by Meganulon, who broke through his shell and drew blood. Ebirah snapped his claw shut on some of the Meganulon, cutting them in half. Megaguirus soon arrived and stung Ebirah. After repeated attacks from all of the monsters, Ebirah retreated to the ocean. Ebirah was not seen afterwards, and none of the Trilopods possessed his characteristics.

Godzilla: Cataclysm

Arata's grandfather stated that members of his village prayed to Ebirah to bring them plentiful fishing trips.

Gallery

Main article: Ebirah/Gallery.

Sightings

  • Ebirah inspired two monsters who appeared in the Nintendo anime Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, Ebifryer and Ebizou. Both are giant shrimp monsters who have abilities far stronger than the rest of the cast.

Roar

Ebirah's shriek was edited and reused for Kamacuras in Son of Godzilla. It was also later used for the Giant Spider in the English-dubbed version of the film The Magic Serpent, and many kaiju from the Ultra Series, such as Eleking and Vakishim.

Ebirah's roars in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
Ebirah's roars in Godzilla: Final Wars

In Other Languages

Language Name Meaning
China and Taiwan Flags.png Mandarin Chinese 伊比拉 Yībǐlā Transcription of Japanese name
Flagicon Russia.png Russian Эбира Transliteration of Japanese name

Trivia

References

This is a list of references for Ebirah. 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 Toho Giant Monster Pictorial Book. Shogakukan. 1 April 2005. p. 105. ISBN 4-09-280052-5. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. Ent.kodansha.co.jp: Godzilla All Movie DVD Collector's Box IQ Test
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  3. Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia. Shogakukan. 23 July 2014. p. 45. ISBN 4-096-82090-3. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 J.D. Lees, Marc Cerasini (24 March 1998). The Official Godzilla Compendium. Random House. p. 123. ISBN 0279888225 Check |isbn= value: checksum (help). Check date values in: |date= (help)
    Compendium3.png
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Godzilla Completely Deciphered. Takarajimasha. 26 June 2014. pp. 103, 114. ISBN 4800228964.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia. Shogakukan. 23 July 2014. p. 118. ISBN 4-096-82090-3. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. Godzilla Dictionary [New Edition]. Kasakura Publishing. 7 August 2014. p. 374. ISBN 9784773087253.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Toho Special Effects Movie Complete Works. Village Books. 28 September 2012. pp. 110–113. ISBN 9784864910132.
  9. Godzilla Dictionary. Kasakura Publishing. 1 November 2004. p. 317. ISBN 9784773002928. Unknown parameter |ed= ignored (|edition= suggested) (help)
  10. Godzilla 1954-1999 Super Complete Works. Shogakukan. 1 January 2000. p. 116. ISBN 978-4091014702. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. Godzilla Character Encyclopedia: Toho Special Effects Movie Complete History. Kodansha. 15 July 2014. p. 114. ISBN 978-4062190046.
  12. Ōki, Renji (October 25, 2017). GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse. Kadokawa. p. 87.

Notes

  1. While Ebirah's fate is left ambiguous in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, the 1991 book Kodansha Hit Books: Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah Monster Great Complete Works (p. 73) states that Ebirah died after Godzilla tore off his claws.

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