Gappa

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Gappa
The Gappas in Gappa
Subtitle(s) Giant Beast (大巨獣,   Daikyojū)
Species Ancient Giant Monster
Height 60 meters (Male),
55 meters (Female)
Length 80 meters[1]
Weight 6,000 metric tons (Male),
5,000 metric tons (Female)
Other Stats Flight Speed: Mach 6,[2]
Underwater Speed: 150 knots,[2]
Destructive Force: 2,000,000 hp[2]
Relations Baby Gappa (Son),
inhabitants of Obelisk Island (Worshippers)
Enemies Humans, Other monsters
Created by Iwao Yamazaki, Ryuzo Nakanishi
Played by Atami Hiroshita, Takashi Konagai (Male),
Ken Misugi, Shiro Tonami (Female)
First appearance Gappa

The Gappas (ガッパ,   Gappa) are a species of ancient monsters created by Nikkatsu. Two adult Gappas, male (雄ガッパ,   Osu Gappa) and female (雌ガッパ,   Mesu Gappa), and their juvenile son first appear in the 1967 Nikkatsu kaiju film, Gappa.

Origins

In ancient times, the Gappas would fight other monsters for survival. They were already present when the Earth was still an interstellar cloud, suggesting that the Gappas originated in outer space.[1]

Design

All three of the Gappas share common characteristics, being based on various reptiles and birds, such as eagles and hawks. Overall, they resemble enormous bipedal Griffins. As exhibited in the two adults seen in the film, the species is sexually dimorphic. The female has a smaller head crest and has a flatter face compared to her mate. Their scales are triangle-shaped, and their eyelids are reverse to that of humans. Gappas' wings are unlike those of birds; they are actually evolved ribs.[1]

History

Showa Series

Gappa

An expedition to Obelisk Island by Mr. Funazu uncovers a baby monster, who hatches from an egg near a sacred temple. The natives plead with the skeptical scientists not to take the baby away, lest it anger the baby's parents. Sure enough, they take the baby away, and soon, inside the caverns, its two parents rise from the underground waters beneath the volcano, destroying everything in their path. Saki, the only survivor, is rescued by an American navy fleet and brought back to Japan.

The parents storm across Japan, destroying all in their wake, but their assault ceases once they recover their child. Mercifully, they relent, and depart to return to Obelisk Island.

Abilities

  • The Gappas can fly at a maximum speed of Mach 6.[2]
  • The Gappas have a maximum underwater speed of 150 knots.[2]
  • The Gappas have a destructive force of 2 million horsepower.[1][2]
  • The Gappas' wings can emit hurricane-force winds.
    • The Gappas can cause tsunamis or storm surges using this ability.
  • Adult Gappas can fire a 4,000-degree Celsius Radiant Heat Beam (放射熱光線,   Hōshanetsu Kōsen)[2] from their mouths. This is described as being "comparable to a death ray" in the film, and can burn or melt anything it contacts.
    • This ability is also speculated in the film to make the Gappas immune to poisons.
  • The Gappas emit bioluminescence from their eyes, which appear blue-white underwater and yellow on land.
  • The Female Gappa possesses a pearl-like substance within her body, likely stored in her legs. This substances is able to cause humans to go blind.[1]
  • The Juvenile Gappa's body is electrified and causes electric arcs/sparks whenever metals are attached to its body. This may suggest that adult Gappas are also able to emit electricity.

Gallery

Main article: Gappa/Gallery.

Trivia

Early Bemular concept.
  • Gappa's design was based on three mythological figures: the kappa, the tengu, and Garuda.
  • Tsuburaya Productions originally had an idea of a space bird monster that protected Earth in times of need, called Bemular. The 'Bemular Birdman' shares many traits with the Gappa, and caused rumors of being sold to Nikkatsu Corporation. However, these rumors are likely false, as the design was recycled for another Tsuburaya monster called Hydra. Thus, Hydra also bears a resemblance to the Gappas, though he is completely feathered.


References

This is a list of references for Gappa. 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 1.3 1.4 Gappa DVD Collector's BOX. 25 February 2000. ASIN: B00005FBSE.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Japanese Gappa trailer
    Gappa's Super Abilities.png


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