Fake Godzilla

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Mechagodzilla incarnations
None
Fake Godzilla
Mechagodzilla (Showa)
Fake Godzilla
Fake Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Alternate names Godzilla, Mechagodzilla
Species Disguised Mechagodzilla,GvMG
robot Godzilla impostorGI[1]
Height 50 meters[2]
Weight 40,000 metric tons[2]
Forms Mechagodzilla
Controlled by Black Hole Planet 3 AliensGvMG, XiliensGI, CryogsGRoE,
Dr. Mad OniyamaKM
Relations Godzilla (counterpart),
Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens (creators)GvMG
Enemies Anguirus, Godzilla
First appearance Latest appearance
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla Godzilla Island
Roar(s)
More roars

Fake Godzilla (にせゴジラ,   Nise Gojira) is a robot Godzilla impostor that first appeared in the 1974 Godzilla film Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.

When it first emerged from Mount Fuji, Mechagodzilla wore a pseudo-reptilian skin that allowed it to almost seamlessly resemble Godzilla. This disguise was damaged in battle with Anguirus, and eventually completely removed in battle with Godzilla himself. Mechagodzilla has frequently worn the Fake Godzilla disguise in non-film media such as video games and comics, while Fake Godzilla appeared as its own individual character in the 1997 television series Godzilla Island.[1]

Name

The "fake" in Fake Godzilla's Japanese name is sometimes spelled in either kanji (偽), katakana (ニセ), or hiragana (にせ) characters, though all of these spellings are pronounced "nise."

Development

The Fake Godzilla suit (left) being prepared for the fight scene against the real Godzilla

In addition to the MegaroGoji suit used to portray Godzilla himself in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Fake Godzilla was portrayed with a promotional Godzilla suit that looked noticeably different.[3] Director of special effects Teruyoshi Nakano has stated that switching the suits used for Fake Godzilla between scenes was done intentionally, as was the difference between the two suits' faces. In his words, he wanted child audiences to remark "Hey, is that different?" Elaborating: "An imposter appears first, and at that point, the regular suit is used, but after that, the suit that appears is purposely different-looking."[4] Additional footage of Godzilla and Fake Godzilla's confrontation and daytime footage of Fake Godzilla transforming into Mechagodzilla in Okinawa was filmed and included in the film's trailer, but does not appear anywhere in the film itself.[5]

To create the effect of Mechagodzilla burning off the Fake Godzilla disguise, the upper half of the Mechagodzilla suit was covered in aluminum foil, with light being shined onto it to make the foil shimmer all at once.[3] The fire effect which was superimposed over the shot was synthesized by cutting a steel plate in the shape of Mechagodzilla, covering it in alcohol-based explosives, and lighting it on fire.[1]

In an early draft of Terror of Mechagodzilla, Mechagodzilla was to wear its Fake Godzilla disguise again when attacking Tokyo alongside Titan I and Titan II.[3] While Fake Godzilla was not utilized in Terror of Mechagodzilla, the Fake Godzilla suit was repurposed to depict Godzilla wading out to sea at the end of the film.

Six years after Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla was released, an official replica of the MegaroGoji suit resembling the Fake Godzilla suit was constructed by Toho for publicity events surrounding Godzillla's 25th anniversary. This suit was later worn by Haruo Nakajima in a 1983 interview with the Japanese magazine Uchusen.[6]

Design

In Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Fake Godzilla looks almost identical to the MegaroGoji suit. At first, Fake Godzilla was portrayed using the actual MegaroGoji suit, but after Anguirus exposes metal on its arm, it is portrayed using a separate promotional suit that has some differences from the MegaroGoji. This suit features a more pronounced nose, sharper pointed teeth, and sinister-looking eyes.

In Godzilla Island, Fake Godzilla is portrayed with another of the same figure used to portray Godzilla in the show. After it is exposed as a fake when Godzilla damages its disguise, Fake Godzilla has a metallic torso identical to that of the Showa Mechagodzilla visible underneath its skin. Stock footage of the 84Goji suit from The Return of Godzilla and the MosuGoji suit from Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster is also used to depict Fake Godzilla for some scenes.

Origins

In Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Fake Godzilla was a disguise for the Mechagodzilla created by the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens. In Godzilla Island, Fake Godzilla was a robotic impostor used by the Xiliens to frame the real Godzilla.

History

Showa era

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

Fake Godzilla first emerged from the crater of Mount Fuji and attacked a nearby apartment building. Anguirus soon after arrived and attacked Fake Godzilla, sensing he was not his friend. During his battle with Fake Godzilla, Anguirus tore off a piece of the impostor's skin, revealing metal underneath. After a brutal beatdown, Fake Godzilla broke Anguirus' jaw, sending him retreating back underground. Fake Godzilla was later confronted by the real Godzilla, having been alerted by Anguirus' call, later that night while attacking Tokyo. The two fought until Godzilla dealt enough damage to his impostor to expose more of the Space Titanium under his skin. The Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens controlling Fake Godzilla from afar then shed his disguise completely, revealing Mechagodzilla.


Godzilla Island

Fake Godzilla in Godzilla Island

Fake Godzilla appeared in the third story arc of Godzilla Island. Fake Godzilla is being controlled by Zagres and went on a rampage across Japan. Believed to be the real Godzilla, he was put in a cave in handcuffs. The cave was blocked by metal bars, almost like he was in jail.

Megalon and Battra flew to Godzilla Island and attacked. They were eventually driven off by Rodan, Mothra, Mechagodzilla and Moguera after a quick fight, but this distraction allowed Fake Godzilla to escape. He rampaged through Japan again. Still thinking he was the real Godzilla, Besuke Jinguji warned that if Fake Godzilla didn't stop, he would have to be destroyed. Torema flew to Japan and pleaded for Fake Godzilla to stop, but was shot down. However, the ship was grabbed. The real Godzilla had come. He blasted Fake Godzilla, burning off some of the rubber skin and revealing metal inside, proving he was a fake. Godzilla fought and easily destroyed the copy-cat. Zagres then revealed she had tried to frame Godzilla.

In episode 72, Fake Godzilla appeared in a flashback as Torema, Lucas, and Besuke Jinguji recalled Godzilla's many battles.

Abilities

Physical strength

While he cannot utilize the majority of Mechagodzilla's concealed weaponry, in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla Fake Godzilla exhibits formidable physical strength. He is able to easily demolish a building in his path, and also quickly and brutally overpowers Anguirus in combat.

Laser beam

Fake Godzilla fires its yellow laser beam in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

Fake Godzilla fires a yellow laser beam from his mouth meant to emulate Godzilla's atomic breath. This beam is able to destroy several buildings in a single strike, and is also shown to hurt Godzilla. In Godzilla Island, Fake Godzilla also possesses atomic breath, though it is blue like the real Godzilla's.

Electric blast

In the 1993 arcade game Godzilla, Fake Godzilla can launch a electric blast similar to Godzilla's Nuclear Pulse.

Finger Missiles

In Godzilla, King of the Monsters, Mechagodzilla III is able to use its finger missiles without shedding its Fake Godzilla disguise first; this not only gives away its identity, but leaves Fake Godzilla's hands intact.

Weaknesses

In Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Fake Godzilla is unable to utilize the majority of Mechagodzilla's arsenal of weapons due to its disguise. Its disguise is also easily damaged in battle with Anguirus and Godzilla, quickly exposing it as an impostor. In Godzilla Island, Fake Godzilla is easily destroyed by two blasts of Godzilla's atomic breath.

Filmography

Video games

Super Godzilla

Fake Godzilla appears in the U.S. version of Super Godzilla as its weakest enemy, only needing one hit to be defeated. Once hit, it becomes Mechagodzilla, the true boss of the stage.

Comics

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

Fake Godzilla appears in the manga adaptation of Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, playing much the same role as it does in the film itself.

The Godzilla Comic

Fake Godzilla appears in a humorous comic strip in "Gojira-kun," one of the stories in The Godzilla Comic. This strip recreates Mechagodzilla's reveal from Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, only after shedding its Fake Godzilla disguise, Mechagodzilla immediately falls apart.

Godzilla, King of the Monsters

After Dr. Mad Oniyama finished rebuilding Mechagodzilla for the third time, he crafted a false skin over it which disguised it as Godzilla. Fake Godzilla attacked an oil refinery near Tokyo on Oniyama's orders, but its true colors were revealed after Yosuke Kaneko shot away a piece of the robot's skin with his ASTOL-MB93, which provoked Mechagodzilla III into giving away its own disguise by firing finger missiles directly through Fake Godzilla's hands. With the doppelganger's disguise now foiled, Yosuke continued to fire on the machine with the ASTOL-MB93's maser weaponry, which eventually burned away the rest of the disguise to fully reveal Mechagodzilla III beneath it.

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (Kodansha)

Fake Godzilla appears in a simulation in the Kodansha Comics manga adaptation of Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II. The new Mechagodzilla faces Fake Godzilla in battle, but the imitation proves to put up an impressive fight. Eventually, Mechagodzilla tears off its head. Fake Godzilla's body stumbles forward before falling down and exploding, while beneath the shredded skin on the head, that of the "old-type Mechagodzilla" is revealed.

Godzilla: Rulers of Earth

Fake Godzilla makes an appearance in issue #13 of Godzilla: Rulers of Earth as a Godzilla disguise used by a Mechagodzilla built by the Cryog aliens. Fake Godzilla lures Anguirus to the Arctic, where it sheds its disguise, reveals itself as Mechagodzilla, and attacks Anguirus.


Gallery

Main article: Fake Godzilla/Gallery.

In other languages

Language Name Meaning
Flagicon Russia.png Russian Лже-Годзилла False-Godzilla
Flagicon Serbia.png Serbian Лaжнa-Годзила / Lažna-Godzila Fake-Godzilla

Trivia

Video

Wikizilla: YouTube Kaiju Profile: Fake Godzilla

References

This is a list of references for Fake Godzilla. 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 1.2 Godzilla 1954-1999 Super Complete Works. Shogakukan. 1 January 2000. p. 162, 182. ISBN 978-4091014702.
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.D. Lees, Marc Cerasini (24 March 1998). The Official Godzilla Compendium. Random House. p. 135. ISBN 0279888225 Check |isbn= value: checksum (help).
    Compendium21.png
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Toho Special Effects Movie Complete Works. villagebooks. 28 September 2012. p. 171, 186. ISBN 9784864910132.
    Toho Special Effects Movie Large Complete Works - Terror of Mechagodzilla draft 1974-December-5.jpg
  4. Godzilla Great Complete Works. Kodansha. 1 August 1994. pp. 146–147. ISBN 406178417X.
  5. ゴジラ対メカゴジラ(プレビュー)
  6. Nakjima tries on the Godzilla suit one last time
  7. Bullmark 1970 Godzilla.jpg

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