Kraken
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- For other uses of "Kraken", see the disambiguation page.
The Kraken is a cephalopod monster from Scandinavian mythology renowned for sinking ships. An enduring presence in popular culture, it has been featured in numerous media over the years, including the 1966 cartoon The King Kong Show. The name "Kraken" has also been applied to three different Titans in Legendary Pictures' Monsterverse franchise: Na Kika is nicknamed Kraken by Monarch employees in Godzilla: King of the Monsters - The Official Movie Novelization (2019), the monstrous antagonist of Netflix's 2023 animated series Skull Island has been dubbed Kraken by creator Brian Duffield, and the character Bernie Hayes alleges in the graphic novel Monsterverse Declassified (2024) that Kraken was one of the names given to Tiamat by the vikings. Yet another Kraken also appears in the Monsterverse crossover comic Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong as a denizen of the DC Universe.
Design
The Kraken is a cephalopod-based creature and thus takes the general appearance of an enormous octopus or squid. In The King Kong Show, it has a simplistic design resembling an octopus. Its skin is a purplish grey and the undersides of its arms are white with suction cups. Its face is concealed beneath a shadow cast by its brow ridge. In Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong, the Kraken is instead a light blue color with darker blue or purple suction cups and glowing yellow eyes. It has countless arms across its whole body, including two main arms with three clawed digits each, as well as arms on its face which resemble a beard. Its mouth is filled with sharp teeth and appears to be pink on the inside.
History
- The King Kong Show (TV 1966-1969) [pilot, episode 25]
- Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) [engravings]
The King Kong Show
"A Friend in Need"
When a ship in distress suddenly appeared, its captain shouted to Captain Englehorn to steer clear of it. Englehorn, however, decided to help nonetheless. Suddenly, the Kraken appeared, grabbing on the ship. Kong, towed behind Englehorn's ship on a raft, roared at the giant cephalopod. Bobby asked Kong to stay put, but Kong jumped inthe water to fight against the tentacled monster. The Kraken dragged Kong underwater with its tentacles, but Kong pushed it away with his feet, then swam back to the surface. The Kraken quickly wrapped its tentacles around Kong again, but Kong punched it in the face, stunning it. Bobby showed Kong a stick, saying that he should find something similar to use as a weapon. While Kong went to grab the mast of the other ship, the Kraken swam to Captain Englehorn's ship and tried to grab Bobby and his father. Kong quickly saved them, grabbing the Kraken, who grabbed him back and pulled him underwater again. Kong started slamming the Kraken with the mast. Though the Kraken splashed ink everywhere, Kong emerged victorious.
Abilities
Tentacles
In its various appearances the Kraken uses its tentacles as weapons, doing so against King Kong and Godzilla.
Durability
The Kraken showed some resilience, enduring attacks from King Kong, Tiamat, and Godzilla, though only temporarily.
Weaknesess
In Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong, the Kraken faltered in battles against Tiamat and Godzilla. It was ultimately killed by the latter.
Tabletop games
- King of Tokyo (2011)
Kraken's appearance was inspired by Cthulhu, having a humanoid body and several tentacles which hang down from its mouth area. According to promo art poster for the Dark Edition, Kraken weighs 295,000 lbs.[1]
Dark Kraken artwork by Paul Mafayon
Kraken alongside King Kong and Rozy Pony
King of Tokyo: Even More Wicked! counters
Books
- Godzilla: King of the Monsters - The Official Movie Novelization (2019) [mentioned]
Godzilla: King of the Monsters - The Official Movie Novelization
- Main article: Na Kika.
A marine Titan was discovered dormant in the Indian Ocean by Monarch, who built a containment facility around it. The creature was dubbed "Kraken," after the creature of myth.
Comics
- Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons #2 (2023)
- Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #4-5 (2024)
- Godzilla Rivals: Vs. Manda (2024) [mentioned]
- Monsterverse Declassified (2024) ["Tiamat", mentioned]
- Gorgo Legacy (TBA)
Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons
While telling his captors the tale of his encounter with Godzilla on Monster Island while serving under Sir Francis Drake, Henry Hull brought up tales of Kraken sinking ships, alongside legends of Moby Dick, mermaids and sea serpents when describing Godzilla as a leviathan eclipsing all of them in might.
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong
When Atlantis was attacked by Tiamat and further threatened when Godzilla came to battle the sea serpent, Aquaman chose to release a Kraken that had been kept chained up in a deep sea trench as a desperate move to save his kingdom. The Kraken eventually fell to Godzilla, but bought Wonder Woman and Aquaman enough time to trap him with a Nth Metal chain.
Gallery
- Main article: Kraken/Gallery.
In other languages
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Japanese
Trivia
- The Kraken appears in the mobile game Hungry Shark Evolution, which also includes a shark based on Godzilla called Sharkjira, as well as a Mecha Sharkjira based on Mechagodzilla.
- The Kraken also crossed over with King Kong in The LEGO Batman Movie (2017). However, they were allies instead of enemies, teaming up against Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and Alfred. Though largely modeled after the version from the 1981 film Clash of the Titans, this Kraken had the unique ability to spit blue fireballs, in a possible reference to Godzilla.
See also
References
This is a list of references for Kraken. 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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