Fake Godzilla
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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),[3] katakana (ニセ),[4] or hiragana (にせ) characters,[5][6][7][8] though all of these spellings are pronounced "nise." In the English subtitles for Godzilla Island's YouTube release, Zagreth gives Fake Godzilla the nickname Faux-zilla.
Development
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.[9] 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."[10] 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.[11]
A shot of Fake Godzilla during the day in Okinawa exclusive to the trailer for Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Additional footage of Godzilla and Fake Godzilla's confrontation exclusive to the trailer for Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
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.[9] 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.[9] 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.
The Fake Godzilla suit being employed as Godzilla's water suit at the end of Terror of Mechagodzilla
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.[12]
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 descended its slopes, destroying an apartment building after it reached the mountain's foot. 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 appeared in the third story arc of Godzilla Island. Fake Godzilla is being controlled by Zagreth 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. Zagreth 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 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. Mechagodzilla does not reuse this attack after removing its disguise. 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
- Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
- Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) [stock footage]
- Godzilla Island (TV 1997) [episodes 16-17, 19-20, 72]
- Godzilla Final Wars (2004) [stock footage]
Video games
- Super Godzilla (1993) - Super Nintendo Entertainment System / Super Famicom
- Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1993) - Nintendo Game Boy
- Godzilla (1993) - arcade
- Godzilla (1993) - NEC PC-9801
- Godzilla: Archipelago Shock (1995) - Sega Saturn
- Godzilla Defense Force (2019) - Android and iOS
- Godzilla Battle Line (2021; added in 2023) - iOS, Android, and PC
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.
Godzilla Battle Line
As a unit, Mechagodzilla 1974 spawns on the battlefield in one of three Fake Godzilla guises: Godzilla 1989, 2004, or 2021. It uses the stats and attacks of the Godzilla unit in question until losing 20% of its health, at which point it removes its disguise.
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.
Fake Godzilla encounters Godzilla
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 vs. Mechagodzilla"
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 fired two Drill Missiles at it from his ASTOL-MB93, which provoked Mechagodzilla III into firing finger missiles directly through Fake Godzilla's hands. With the doppelganger's true identity now all but revealed, Yosuke continued to fire on the machine with the ASTOL-MB93's maser cannons, which broke several pieces of the disguise off Mechagodzilla III's shoulder and head, revealing metal underneath. Mechagodzilla III then shed the rest of the disguise to fully reveal itself.
Fake Godzilla firing its finger missiles after being provoked by Yosuke's ASTOL-MB93
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.
Fake Godzilla in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #13
Gallery
- Main article: Fake Godzilla/Gallery.
In other languages
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Russian
Serbian
Trivia
- During Fake Godzilla's appearance through stock footage at the beginning of Terror of Mechagodzilla, it is given Godzilla's normal roar rather than Mechagodzilla's.
- The Fake Godzilla in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth is modeled after a Godzilla figure produced by Bullmark in 1970.[13]
- Though Fake Godzilla itself does not appear in the game, it is referenced in Godzilla on the PlayStation 4 in Mechagodzilla's battle intro, which features Mechagodzilla appearing on fire before it extinguishes to reveal Mechagodzilla, which is a reference to its Fake Godzilla skin being burned off in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.
- Other monsters who disguised themselves as Godzilla include the Energy Beast in Hanna-Barbera's Godzilla animated TV series, the Chameleon in Godzilla: The Series, Dororin in Godzilla Island, and the Doppelgänger Demon in Godzilla in Hell.
Video
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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]
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