Mechagodzilla (Showa)

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Mechagodzilla incarnations
Fake Godzilla
Mechagodzilla (Showa)
Mechagodzilla (Heisei)
Mechagodzilla® trademark icon
Mechagodzilla®
Mechagodzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Mechagodzilla 2 in Terror of Mechagodzilla
Alternate names Fake Godzilla, Showa Mechagodzilla, Mechagodzilla 1, Mechagodzilla I, MG1, Bionic Monster, Cosmic Monster, Mechagodzilla The First, Cyber Godzilla, Mechagodzilla 2, Mechagodzilla II, Mechagodzilla2,[1] MG2, Mechagodzilla 1974, Mechagodzilla 1975, King Kong, MechaKing, MechaKong,[2] M-GodzillaA Old-Type MechagodzillaKMGII
Subtitle(s) Robot Monster
(ロボット怪獣,   Robotto Kaijū)[3][4]
Cyborg Monster
(サイボーグ怪獣,   Saibōgu Kaijū)[5][6]
Cyborg Monster of Earth Conquest
(地球征服のサイボーグ怪獣,  
Chikyū Seifuku no Saibōgu Kaijū
)
[7]
Silver King of the Monsters
(銀色の怪獣王,   Gin'iro no Kaijū-Ō)[8]
Alien's WeaponG:BL
Robot Space Monster
(ロボット宇宙怪獣,   Robotto Uchū Kaijū)G:TB
Super Strong Mecha Monster
(超強メカ怪獣,   Chō Kyō Meka Kaijū)GKotM
Species Mechanical Godzilla duplicate
Height Showa: 50 meters[9]
Kodansha: 100 meters[10]
Weight Showa: 40,000 metric tons[9]
Forms Fake Godzilla, Mechagodzilla 2, Mechagodzilla IIIKM
Controlled by Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens, CryogsGRoE,
Dr. Mad OniyamaKM
Relations Katsura Mafune (mentally linked)
Allies Titanosaurus, Mecha-King GhidorahGRoE, Mechani-KongKM
Enemies Godzilla, King Caesar, Anguirus, KiryuGRoE, SpaceGodzillaGRoE
Conceived of by Tomoyuki Tanaka
Written by Jun Fukuda, Masami Fukushima,
Shinichi Sekizawa, Hiroyasu Yamamura
Designed by Akihiko Iguchi, Nobuyuki Yasumaru, Teruyoshi Nakano, Koichi Kawakita
Modeled by Nobuyuki Yasumaru, Tomoki Kobayashi
Played by Kazunari Mori
First appearance Latest appearance
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla Terror of Mechagodzilla
Roar(s)
More roars
Damn Godzilla. You're mistaken if you think your powers are a match for Mechagodzilla.
„ 

Kuronuma (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla)

Mechagodzilla (メカゴジラ,   Mekagojira) is an alien mecha that first appeared in the 1974 Godzilla film Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.

The creation of the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens, Mechagodzilla was the centerpiece in their planned invasion of Earth. The magnificent machine was released from the crater of Mount Fuji wearing a Godzilla disguise, and made its way to Tokyo after dispatching Anguirus. Once it reached Tokyo, the impostor was attacked by the real Godzilla, who quickly revealed its true colors. Mechagodzilla was damaged in the ensuing fight with Godzilla, but was repaired and sent to destroy King Caesar at Okinawa. Godzilla returned and aided King Caesar, and together they were able to destroy Mechagodzilla. A year later, Mechagodzilla was rebuilt by the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens and re-christened Mechagodzilla 2 (メカゴジラ2,   Mekagojira Tsū), and was unleashed on Tokyo once again, this time aided by the monster Titanosaurus, controlled by the deranged human scientist Dr. Shinzo Mafune. Godzilla rose to battle his robotic doppelgänger a second time, but found himself badly outmatched against two foes. However, with the aid of humanity and the sacrifice of Katsura Mafune, Godzilla was able to triumph once again. The original Showa Mechagodzilla proved to be a memorable addition to Godzilla's rogues gallery, appearing in two consecutive films and later inspiring several reinterpretations of the character. Other interpretations of Mechagodzilla using this one's design have also appeared in video games, comics, and the educational Get Going! Godzilland OVAs.

Name

Mechagodzilla's name is a combination of "mecha," which is derived from "mechanical," and "Godzilla" (ゴジラ,   Gojira). In Terror of Mechagodzilla, it is designated Mechagodzilla 2 (メカゴジラ2,   Mekagojira Tsū)[11] in reference to the fact it was rebuilt. As such, the original incarnation of Mechagodzilla from Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is sometimes retroactively referred to as Mechagodzilla 1 (メカゴジラ1,   Mekagojira Wan) or Mechagodzilla I (メカゴジラI,   Mekagojira Wan).

The Showa Mechagodzilla, in contrast to the then-new Heisei Mechagodzilla, was called OLD Mechagodzilla (OLDメカゴジラ) in a program for the 1994 exhibition Great Godzilla Expo.[12]

Development

The idea of a mechanical Godzilla actually predates the creation of Mechagodzilla by at least two years. A character dubbed "Mechani-Godzilla" (メカニゴジラ,   Mekanigojira), described as a Godzilla suit repainted silver and adorned with switches on its chest, was featured in an episode of the obscure 1971-1972 television show Chibikko Special in which a panel of judges reviewed original monsters submitted to the show. Toho monsters frequently made guest appearances on the show, including Godzilla himself, while eventual Mechagodzilla co-designer and modeler Nobuyuki Yasumaru was one of the judges.[13]

Finalized Mechagodzilla design art by Akihiko Iguchi. Nobuyuki Yasumaru made additional changes to the design when the suit was being modeled

According to director of special effects Teruyoshi Nakano, Mechagodzilla was the idea of producer Tomoyuki Tanaka as a way to commemorate the Godzilla series' 20th anniversary. Tanaka was inspired by Mechani-Kong, King Kong's mechanical doppelgänger who appeared in Toho's 1967 film King Kong Escapes, and decided to create a robot duplicate for Godzilla. Tanaka was also influenced by the rising popularity of robot-themed anime in the 1970's.[14]

Prior to Mechagodzilla being conceived, Toho considered introducing a mechanical monster called Garugan to oppose Godzilla. In the screenplay Giant Monsters Converge on Okinawa! Showdown in Zanpamisaki, Garugan was to be controlled by the Garuga Aliens and battle against the combined efforts of Godzilla, Anguirus, and Mothra in Okinawa. When the concept underwent further revision, Garugan's role was given to Mechagodzilla while the Garuga Aliens were eventually reworked into the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens.[14]

In Showdown in Zanpamisaki: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, another screenplay considered prior to the final draft for Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Mechagodzilla would have teamed up with Gigan under the command of the R Aliens and battled against Godzilla, Anguirus, and a new guardian monster called King Balgan, or alternatively King Vulcan. The final concept of the film was trimmed down to Mechagodzilla fighting Anguirus early in the film while disguised as Godzilla, and confronting both Godzilla and King Caesar in the film's climactic battle in Okinawa.[14]

Nakano stated that Mechagodzilla's design was patterned after European plate armor of the Middle Ages, and said he struck a Godzilla doll with a hammer in order to visualize the rough, dented metal texture he wanted Mechagodzilla's armor to have. Koichi Kawakita, who worked as Nakano's assistant on Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, described Mechagodzilla's design as “steampunk” due to the distinctive rivets on its body.[15]

Kawakita assigned Akihiko Iguchi to design Mechagodzilla, due to their shared experience on Ultraman Ace.[14] Iguchi stayed in Tomoyuki Tanaka's room at the Toho Studios 3F Building for 3-4 days working on the design. Iguchi referenced pictures of Godzilla as he worked on the concept, gradually making alterations until arriving at the final design. Originally, Mechagodzilla was envisioned as having a rainbow-tinted body, but this was ultimately decided against. Nobuyuki Yasumaru, who was in charge of modeling, commended Iguchi's design but felt its body was too smooth and dull, and adorned the monster's body with rivets and the "MG" inscriptions on its arms. Yasumaru was also responsible for choosing the location of the window from which the suit actor would see out of, and decided to disguise it as shutters on Mechagodzilla's neck.[13] Despite Yasumaru's altered design being that used in the finished film, Iguchi's preliminary designs appeared on posters.

Because Koichi Kawakita was a big fan of mechas, Toho's advertising department requested that he conceive and name all of Mechagodzilla's weapons.[15][14] Kawakita patterned Mechagodzilla's rainbow-colored Space Beams after a similar rainbow-colored optical beam effect he had previously tried to implement into Ultraman Ace.[15][14] According to Nakano, the shots of Mechagodzilla's Space Beams took two to three times as long to complete as a regular beam weapon, putting Toho's optical effects department for Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla under a great deal of strain.[16]

The completed Mechagodzilla suit

Noboyuki Yasumaru and Tomoki Kobayashi were responsible for modeling Mechagodzilla's suit. The suit was split into an upper and lower half which each could be worn independently by suit actor Kazunari Mori.[14] The shot of Mechagodzilla shedding its Fake Godzilla disguise was accomplished by only filming the suit's upper body.[17] The suit's head and hands were made from fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), while its body was made from a polyethylene material commonly used in bath mats.[14] The suit's eyes were repurposed from the tail lights from a car. The modelers prevented the suit's arms from being too long by reducing the size of its shoulders.[14] Two different heads were modeled for the suit, described as "rounded" and "sharp" in reference to their facial features. Though the effect is not visible onscreen, Mechagodzilla's teeth were modeled from transparent resin.[14]

A flying Mechagodzilla prop half the size of the suit was constructed from kapok wood, which was later reused in the following film.[14] Kobayashi also modeled a smaller 2-shaku (Japanese foot) flying Mechagodzilla prop which was reused in the next film as well.

Mechagodzilla's Fake Godzilla disguise was portrayed onscreen through both the Godzilla suit used in the film as well as a promotional suit which looked noticeably different, something done deliberately according to Nakano.[14][18] 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.[14] 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.[17]

Teruyoshi Nakano with the Mechagodzilla 2 suit

Because of the success of Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Toho decided to bring Mechagodzilla back as the antagonist for the next film. Yasumaru and Kobayashi were once again responsible for modeling the new, rebuilt Mechagodzilla 2. The head from the previous suit was reused, though it was repainted a darker color and the dorsal plates on the back of its neck were reduced from three rows to just one. The FRP hands were made rotatable, while the fingers were remodeled. Two new torsos were modeled from latex lifted from a plaster mold, giving them a softer texture than the polyethylene body of the previous suit. The new suit was recolored a dark gray in contrast to the bright silver shade of the original suit. For the scene in which Mechagodzilla's head is torn off, exposing its Head Controller, the upper body from the previous Mechagodzilla suit was actually used.[17] As mentioned previously, the flying Mechagodzilla props from the previous film were reused for Terror of Mechagodzilla.

The Showa Mechagodzilla's suit is the oldest known kaiju suit to still be preserved in good condition, as it has been put on display in Japan frequently in the last decade. However, the preserved suit appears to be pieced together from both the 1974 and 1975 suits, as its chest and groin area correspond to the 1974 suit while the rest of it is from the 1975 suit.

Design

The original Mechagodzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla has short and stubby finger missiles, a metal piece with three bolts on the hand plate, a less defined and prominent shoulder frill, one orange button each on the chest and above the crotch, a bottom-half pentagon underneath the chest cannon, two circular pieces coming from the chest canon, smooth grooves that runs along the back of the feet, knee plates that get smaller as they go towards the back of its legs, a smooth and solid tail blade, plates on the tail that are smooth and run straight across it, and red "MG" initials on its arms that stands for "Mecha Godzilla".

The rebuilt Mechagodzilla 2 from Terror of Mechagodzilla has longer finger missiles, one big metal piece on its hand plate, a more defined and prominent shoulder frill, one silver button on the chest, one silver button underneath the chest cannon and two silver buttons above the crotch, a triangle underneath the chest cannon, two lightning-like pieces coming up the chest, sharp spurs that stick out of the back of the feet, the knee plates get small and thin half way and go around the back, a smooth and solid tail blade with three large bolts in it, one row of dorsal plates on the back of its neck instead of three, V-shaped tail plates, and blue and orange "MG2" initials on its arms which stand for "Mecha Godzilla 2," thus giving it the name Mechagodzilla 2.

Personality

Despite being a machine under the control of the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens, Mechagodzilla is semi-autonomous in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, responding to verbal commands from Kuronuma relayed electronically to the Cybanek on its head. In Terror of Mechagodzilla, the rebuilt Mechagodzilla 2 is linked to the cyborg Katsura Mafune, and is controlled through her organic brain tissue. However, Mechagodzilla seems to retain some autonomy, as it continues fighting Godzilla even after Katsura breaks free of the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens' influence and regains complete control over her mind.

Mechagodzilla is an extremely brutal hand-to-hand combatant, shown when it breaks Anguirus' jaw and repeatedly pummels King Caesar and shoves its hand down the monster's throat during their battle. However, Mechagodzilla primarily relies on its vast array of weaponry and prefers to attack its opponents from a distance using its various missiles and lasers. The 1992 book Special Graphix Godzilla vs. Mothra compares Mechagodzilla's personality with that of King Ghidorah and Gigan, two other recurring villains in the Showa series. While King Ghidorah is said to be a "dignified villain" and Gigan a "bloodthirsty, ferocious cutthroat," Mechagodzilla is described as a "nihilistic killer" and a "consistently coldhearted and composed professional [...] because Mechagodzilla is a literal mecha, so its true feelings are unable to be seen."[19][note 1]

In the addition and subtraction OVAs for Get Going! Godzilland, Mechagodzilla is portrayed as a lonely and sad monster who is unable to make friends due to his violent and impulsive nature. He twice attempts to force other monsters to become his friends by abducting them, only for Godzilla and his friends to rescue them, much to Mechagodzilla's despair. At the conclusion of each OVA, Mothra takes pity on Mechagodzilla and convinces Godzilla and his friends to play with him.

Origins

In Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Mechagodzilla was constructed by the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens following close study of the real Godzilla as a tool to conquer the Earth. Initially, Mechagodzilla was covered in a pseudo-skin that almost perfectly disguised it as Godzilla himself. Following the machine's defeat at the hands of Godzilla and King Caesar, it was rebuilt as a more advanced model dubbed Mechagodzilla 2 in the film Terror of Mechagodzilla.

In Godzilla: Rulers of Earth, Mechagodzillas are a mass-produced army of war machines built by Rhizon, the leader of the Cryog aliens, while posing as a Russian businessman named Dyachenko. The Mechagodzillas were constructed under the guise of providing a cheaper alternative to the U.S. government's Mechagodzillas that any nation could purchase to defend itself from kaiju attacks. In reality, the Mechagodzillas were built as a supplement to the Cryogs' invasion force of monsters, alongside Gigan and Mecha-King Ghidorah.

History

Showa era

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

Mechagodzilla first emerged from Mount Fuji disguised as Godzilla and rampaged through the countryside. Anguirus, who was traveling underground, attacked it, but was brutally beaten and quickly incapacitated when Mechagodzilla broke his jaw. Mechagodzilla then moved on to Tokyo, where it was intercepted by Godzilla. After a brief skirmish, Mechagodzilla shed its disguise and revealed the full extent of its weaponry. It fired missiles at Godzilla and then unleashed its space beams. Godzilla countered the attack with his atomic breath, causing the beams to lock and explode, severely damaging Mechagodzilla’s Cybaneck and badly wounding Godzilla, who was thrown into the sea. Mechagodzilla was called back to the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens' base in Okinawa to be repaired. The aliens captured human scientist Hideto Miyajima, and forced him to repair Mechagodzilla in exchange for his daughter's life. After repairs on Mechagodzilla were completed, it was unleashed once again and sent to destroy King Caesar, an ancient guardian monster of Okinawa. Mechagodzilla quickly gained the upper hand, but was interrupted by a vengeful Godzilla. Godzilla and King Caesar then joined forces against Mechagodzilla, who unleashed an all-out attack and badly injured both monsters. However, Godzilla was able to gain the advantage by using his newfound magnetic abilities. Successfully pulling it into his grasp as it tried to flee, Godzilla held the machine still while King Caesar repeatedly attacked it, then twisted its head off. Mechagodzilla's body subsequently exploded along with the aliens' base, ending the invasion.


Terror of Mechagodzilla

Mechagodzilla 2 in Terror of Mechagodzilla

Mechagodzilla was rebuilt by the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens a year later in another attempt to take over Earth. Its wreckage was recovered in the waters off Okinawa, and the machine was rebuilt in an underground base near Mount Miyagi and dubbed Mechagodzilla 2. This time, the aliens recruited the help of a deranged human scientist, Shinzo Mafune, for their invasion. Mafune helped the aliens improve Mechagodzilla, and also offered them the assistance of the aquatic monster Titanosaurus, which he controlled. The aliens installed the control device for Mechagodzilla inside of Mafune's cybernetically-modified daughter, Katsura, as Mafune said that Mechagodzilla required living brain tissue to be a perfect robot.

To demonstrate Mechagodzilla's upgraded weaponry, the machine was deployed in Tokyo, with Titanosaurus providing backup. Unleashing wave after wave of its eye beams, Mechagodzilla set large areas of the city on fire, and its finger missiles now had the capability to explode with such force as to throw buildings and vehicles into the air. Titanosaurus also wreaked havoc by creating gale-force winds with its tail that demolished structures with little effort. Godzilla arrived to challenge the monsters, but was quickly outmatched. While Titanosaurus battled Godzilla head-on, Mechagodzilla blasted its organic counterpart with various weapons. Titanosaurus kicked Godzilla into a ditch, while Mechagodzilla buried him with its missiles. The humans intervened and distracted Titanosaurus with a sonic wave oscillator, allowing Godzilla to take on Mechagodzilla one-on-one. Godzilla removed Mechagodzilla's head once again, but found that the mechanical monster had a Head Controller placed inside its neck, which let it continue operating while headless and fire a powerful concentrated laser. However, Katsura committed suicide to stop Mechagodzilla, and the machine shut down. Godzilla seized the opportunity and threw Mechagodzilla into a ravine, then destroyed his mechanical doppelgänger for good with a blast of his atomic breath. The ravine then collapsed on top of Mechagodzilla's ruins, preventing the aliens from retrieving them and rebuilding another Mechagodzilla.

Abilities

Space Beams

Mechagodzilla fires its Space Beams at Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

Mechagodzilla fires a rainbow-colored optical laser called the Space Beam (スペースビーム,   Supēsu Bīmu), which is capable of destroying objects instantaneously.[6] The rebuilt Mechagodzilla 2, in addition to its Space Beams, was armed with a Laser Firing Apparatus (レーザー発射装置,   Rēzā Hassha Sōchi) on its "back-up" Head Controller (ヘッドコントローラー,   Heddo Contorōrā),[20] which it utilized after its head was removed by Godzilla.[5] The first Mechagodzilla's Space Beams are red, green, blue, orange, purple, and yellow, while Mechagodzilla 2's Space Beams are yellow, pink, and white. The filmmakers may have reduced the number of colors to make the rays easier to animate.

Missiles

Mechagodzilla 2 blows up a street with its revolving Finger Missiles in Terror of Mechagodzilla

Mechagodzilla has an apparatus mounted in its neck called the Trace Device (トレイス装置,   Toreisu Sōchi), which allows for the firing of a large quantity of small missiles,[6] though this ability goes unused in both of Mechagodzilla's film appearances. Mechagodzilla also possesses missiles at the tips of all of its fingers, known simply as the Finger Missiles (フィンガーミサイル,   Fingā Misairu)[6] or Space Finger Missiles (スペースフィンガーミサイル,   Supēsu Fingā Misairu). These missiles have massive destructive power, and are immediately replaced after each shot,[6] allowing for virtually continuous firing.

In Terror of Mechagodzilla, Mechagodzilla is upgraded to rotate its hands continuously before firing its finger missiles, granting them destructive power five times greater than the first Mechagodzilla's missiles.[21] Mechagodzilla also possesses a missile launcher on the back of its hands.[22] Mechagodzilla is equipped with time-delayed missiles in its knees, referred to as Homyu Shot (ホーミューショット,   Hōmyū Shotto).[6] Similar to the Finger Missiles, Mechagodzilla's toes were armed with drilling missiles, called the High Pressure Homing missiles (ハイプレッシャーホーミング,   Hai Puresshā Hōmingu).[6] These missiles were most effective when spun,[6] as they could bury themselves into an opponent before exploding. Mechagodzilla also had several missiles attached to the inside of its mouth, though they were rarely utilized.

Cross Attack Beam

Mechagodzilla fires its Cross Attack Beam at a rock formation in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.

A shutter on Mechagodzilla's chest can fold open, revealing a device which can fire a high-power electromagnetic beam, referred to as the Cross Attack Beam (クロスアタックビーム,   Kurosu Atakku Bīmu).[6] This orange-colored laser was strong enough to slice through a large rock formation.

Unisot

Mechagodzilla's tail was armed with a sharp blade called the Unisot (ユニソット,   Yunisotto),[6] which acted as a flight stabilizer. Although never utilized, this utensil is detachable and could be used offensively to attack an opponent that was behind it.[6]

Flight

Mechagodzilla uses his flight capabilities to attack Godzilla from the air

Mechagodzilla possesses propulsion jets in its feet called Jet Fire (ジェットファイヤー,   Jetto Faiyā),[6] which enable flight at Mach 5.[3] Mechagodzilla was shown to still be able to use its weaponry when in midair, specifically its Space Beams, by aligning its head to face forward.

In the Kodansha Godzilla, King of the Monsters manga, Mechagodzilla III could perform an impressive aerial ramming attack while in flight, striking Godzilla headfirst with enough force to knock the King of the Monsters backwards within range of Mechani-Kong II's location, allowing the latter machine to catch him off-guard with its incredible grip.

Desto-Fire

Mechagodzilla's Desto-Fire in Godzilla: Unleashed

Although not displayed in either of its film appearances, Mechagodzilla is said to be able to launch flaming, 500,000°C[20] bullets from its nose in an attack referred to as Desto-Fire (デストファイヤー,   Desuto Faiyā).[6] Mechagodzilla does possess this ability in video games such as Godzilla and Godzilla: Unleashed, where it functions like a flamethrower projected from its nostrils.

Antenna and Super Radar

Mechagodzilla is equipped with an antenna to receive the orders of the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens. A Super Radar (スーパーレーダー,   Sūpā Rēdā) was also attached, which enables Mechagodzilla to locate things, namely enemies, underwater and underground.[6]

Space Titanium Armor

Mechagodzilla's body is covered entirely with Space Titanium, an extraterrestrial element with a strength 10 times that of regular steel.[6]

Head Rotation

Mechagodzilla's head and neck can rotate 360 degrees horizontally. If the robot is fighting an opponent while another is approaching it from behind, it can rotate its head to face the opponent behind him to fire its Space Beams at them. This ability is also imperative to the creation of its Defense Neo Barrier.

Defense Neo Barrier

When Mechagodzilla rapidly spins its head while firing beams from its eyes, a shield is formed known as the Defense Neo Barrier (ディフェンスネオバリヤー,   Difensu Neo Bariyā).[6] This shield was effective in blocking both Godzilla's atomic breath and attempted physical attacks.

Teleportation

In the 1993 arcade game Godzilla, Mechagodzilla has the ability to instantaneously teleport.

Weaknesses

Mechagodzilla is destroyed after having its head torn off by Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

Mechagodzilla is critically impaired by damage to its Cybaneck (サイバネック,   Saibanekku), a control receiver[6] mounted on the sides of its head. In the machine's first encounter with Godzilla, it was rendered inoperable after sustaining damage to the Cybaneck following an explosion caused by a beam clash, though it was still able to receive orders to retreat. Godzilla destroyed Mechagodzilla in their battle in Okinawa by tearing off its head. In Terror of Mechagodzilla, Mechagodzilla's control device was instead located inside of the cyborg Katsura Mafune. In a similar manner, when Katsura was killed, Mechagodzilla was rendered defenseless.

Although never shown onscreen, the loss of Mechagodzilla's Unisot would leave it unable to fly properly, due to its dual function as a flight stabilizer.

In the Kodansha Godzilla, King of the Monsters manga, Mechagodzilla III had an additional weak point with its forehead-mounted Super Radar, as a direct shot to the radar's antenna from an ASTOL-MB93's Maser Cannons was enough to leave the machine stunned and unable to defend against Godzilla's attack.

In Godzilla: Rulers of Earth, the Cryogs' Mechagodzilla units are susceptible to the extreme cold of outer space, which causes them to freeze and renders them completely helpless.

Video games

Godzilla: Monster of Monsters!

The Showa Mechagodzilla appears in Godzilla: Monster of Monsters! for the Nintendo Entertainment System, in which it is one of the strongest monsters fought by Godzilla and Mothra, possessing the most health of any monster barring King Ghidorah. It attacks with punches, kicks, and a laser from its eyes. Its attacks are strong so it can prove difficult for Godzilla, but Mothra can beat it easily by flying right under its chin, where none of its attacks can hit her.

Super Godzilla

Mechagodzilla appears as the second boss in the the North American version of Super Godzilla for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Though the Japanese version featured the Heisei Mechagodzilla, the localization team of game designers for Super Godzilla changed the character to the more-familiar Showa Mechagodzilla for the American version, since Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II had not reached America yet. Despite the change in appearance, the boss battle is overall the same fight as in the Japanese version, with some minor differences. First, as a reference to the movie it appeared in, Mechagodzilla first appears disguised as Godzilla, though the disguise disappears after one hit. Other than that, the only gameplay difference is that the Showa Mechagodzilla has its finger missiles in place of the Heisei Mechagodzilla's Mega Buster, which do less damage.

Godzilla: Unleashed

Mechagodzilla had a playable appearance in the Wii version of Godzilla: Unleashed making it the first Atari Pipeworks Godzilla game to feature the Showa Mechagodzilla. In this game, the alien creation can spew a flamethrower from its nose and create a force field that reflects all projectiles thrown at it. Both it and the Heisei Mechagodzilla are the only characters in the game who can knock out a health cell with a beam. This Mechagodzilla has a smaller head and shorter tail compared to its counterpart from the movies.

Mechagodzilla in Godzilla: Unleashed

Height: 98 meters[23]
Weight: 73,000 tons[23]

"Mechagodzilla was the first attempt by the Vortaak to subjugate the human population of the Earth. Plated in space titanium, Mechagodzilla proved to be too well armored for any of Earth's monsters to defeat single-handedly. Unfortunately for the Vortaak, the Earth Defenders are more than willing to work as a team when necessary, and through their combined effort, Mechagodzilla was destroyed. In their latest invasion attempt, the Vortaak have rebuilt Mechagodzilla to fight alongside them once more. With allies of his own on hand, Earth's monsters will need to make full use of their speed advantage when battling this indomitable nemesis."

Godzilla (PlayStation 3 / PlayStation 4)

Mechagodzilla 2 in Godzilla

Both versions of the Showa Mechagodzilla appear in the game Godzilla developed by Natsume Atari, though the 1974 version is exclusive to the PlayStation 4 release of the game. Mechagodzilla may appear as a boss throughout many levels of the game. It attacks by punching, shooting missiles and eye beams. It can also shoot all of its weapons at once, including its chest beam. It is one of the most common opponents in King of the Monsters mode. There are a few differences between the two Showa Mechagodzillas in the game aside from physical appearance. The original Mechagodzilla's forcefield lasts longer than Mechagodzilla 2's, while Mechagodzilla 2 is able to use both normal finger missiles and more powerful revolving finger missiles. If Mechagodzilla 2 is grabbed with low health, its head will explode and reveal the "brain" in its neck, from which it can fire a laser beam.

Moveset

Mechagodzilla
  • Square
    • One tap: Right Hand Blade
    • Two taps: Left Hand Blade
    • Three taps: Double Hand Blades
  • Triangle
    • Tap: Two Handed Chop
    • Forward + Tap: Finger Missiles
  • X
    • Tap: Tackle
  • Circle
    • Tap: Space Beam
    • Forward + Tap: Space Beam Sweep
    • Backward + Tap: Cross Attack Beam
    • Roar + Tap: Volley
  • R2
    • Tap: Defense Neo Barrier
Mechagodzilla 2
  • Square
    • One tap: Right Hand Blade
    • Two taps: Left Hand Blade
    • Three taps: Double Hand Blades
  • Triangle
    • Tap: Two Handed Chop
    • Forward + Tap: Finger Missiles
    • Backward + Tap: Rotating Finger Missiles
  • X
    • Tap: Tackle
  • Circle
    • Tap: Space Beam
    • Forward + Tap: Mega Space Beam
    • Roar + Tap: Volley
  • R2
    • Tap: Defense Neo Barrier

Kaiju Guide

Main articles: Godzilla (2014 video game)/Kaiju Guide#Mechagodzilla, Godzilla (2014 video game)/Kaiju Guide#Mechagodzilla 2.

Godzilla Battle Line

Mechagodzilla (1974) in Godzilla Battle Line

Mechagodzilla (1974) is a four-star Battle Piece that can be used as a unit or leader.

Comics

Godzilla, King of the Monsters

Mechagodzilla III in Godzilla, King of the Monsters

A third build of the Showa Mechagodzilla was created by the mad scientist Dr. Mad Oniyama, who then also rebuilt Mechani-Kong as Mechani-Kong II. Mechagodzilla III was built using the components of Mechagodzilla 2, including its 'Electronic Brain', which was located by Oniyama in the depths of the excavations for the Tokyo Bay Aqua Line. Once completed, Mechagodzilla III was disguised with a Fake Godzilla suit, and was sent to attack Tokyo.

Before Godzilla could arrive, Yosuke Kaneko - believing that Fake Godzilla was the real Godzilla who had turned his ire on humanity - began firing on Fake Godzilla with his ASTOL-MB93's Drill Missiles, provoking the machine into firing finger missiles through Fake Godzilla's hands in retaliation. Yosuke managed to shoot off several portions of the machine's disguise with the ASTOL-MB93's Maser Cannons, and Mechagodzilla III shed its disguise entirely just as Godzilla arrived, setting the stage for the ensuing battle. Mechagodzilla III was quickly joined by Mechani-Kong II, who caught Godzilla by surprise. Mechagodzilla III was commanded to "shred Godzilla" while Mechani-Kong II held the beast down. Oniyama's Mechagodzilla III then brutally skewered Godzilla through the chest using its arms, causing Godzilla to collapse to the floor in a state of near-unconsciousness.

After G-Team forced Oniyama to flee the controls of the two machines, Godzilla managed to get back to his feet thanks to Yosuke stunning Mechani-Kong II with his ASTOL-MB93's masers, deactivating Mechani-Kong II by throwing it over his shoulder and ending the mechanical ape with a shot of atomic breath. However, Mechagodzilla III was able to continue the fight without command, unloading its Finger Missiles and Space Beams to force Godzilla back. Fortunately, Yosuke came to Godzilla's aid for a second time, providing an ideal opportunity to triumph over his mechanical doppelgänger by firing his ASTOL-MB93's Maser Cannons at Mechagodzilla III's Super Radar, destroying it. With Mechagodzilla III stunned and unable to defend itself, Godzilla approached the machine and fired his atomic breath at it, blowing Mechagodzilla into Tokyo Bay and blasting off its outer casing on its head and upper body. With the electronic brain inside Mechagodzilla III fully exposed and short-circuiting from exposure to the water, all the robot could do was feebly utter Godzilla's name before the King of the Monsters fired another shot of atomic breath at it, ending Mechagodzilla once and for all in a gigantic explosion.


Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (Kodansha)

Mechagodzilla's head revealed beneath its disguise in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

The Showa Mechagodzilla appears as a prototype used in a training simulation in the Kodansha Comics manga adaptation of Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II. The new Mechagodzilla seemingly removes the head of what is believed to be Godzilla, but it is soon revealed to be the "old-type Mechagodzilla."

Use of this incarnation's design in other media

Films and television

Comics

Gallery

Main article: Mechagodzilla (Showa)/Gallery.

Sightings

  • In the Ugly Americans episode "The Kong of Queens", Kong breaks open the wall of his next door neighbor, Mechagodzilla, who is eating cereal.
  • Mechagodzilla is seen in one of the online game Movie Star Planet's television commercials, as well as the game itself.

Roar

The Showa Mechagodzilla possesses a heavily sped-up and heavily altered Godzilla roar. Mechagodzilla's roar was reused for Megarion in The Justirisers.

Mechagodzilla's roars in the Showa series

In other languages

Language Name Meaning
Flagicon Germany.png German King KongGvMG King Kong
Flagicon Greece.png Greek Ρομπότ RompótGvMG Robot
Flagicon Italy.png Italian RobogodzillaGvMG Robogodzilla
Flagicon Russia.png Russian Мехагодзилла Transliteration of English name

Trivia

  • Despite this Mechagodzilla being labeled "Mechagodzilla 2" in Terror of Mechagodzilla, the name "Mechagodzilla 2" is commonly given to the Heisei Mechagodzilla, both by some fans and in a considerable amount of recent media in which the various Mechagodzillas are portrayed as separate characters that exist in the same continuity, such as the Atari games. This is because the English title of the movie it appeared in was "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II" and it was the second distinct incarnation of the character, although it was the first and only one to appear in its respective era.
  • While the original Mechagodzilla was constructed by aliens for the purpose of conquering the Earth, all subsequent onscreen incarnations of the character have been at least partially constructed by humanity in order to defend itself from Godzilla. While humanity was involved in the construction of the Mechagodzilla of the GODZILA anime trilogy, it was primarily developed by the Bilusaludo aliens for the secret purpose of assimilating the Earth with Nanometal.
  • In Godzilla: Rulers of Earth, where there are multiple Showa Mechagodzillas, each one has a different number emblazoned under the "MG" initials on its arms.[24]
  • Unlike the Heisei and Millennium Mechagodzillas, the Showa Mechagodzilla has never been depicted as Godzilla's ally in any official media, and is almost universally portrayed as a villain and enemy of Godzilla. However, this Mechagodzilla did befriend Godzilla and his friends at the end of two of the Get Going! Godzilland OVAs.
  • While the Mechagodzilla featured in the 2018 film adaptation of Ready Player One sports a new unique design and set of abilities, it does retain the Showa incarnation's finger missiles.
  • Pipeworks considered including the Showa Mechagodzilla as a secret character in their second Godzilla game Godzilla: Save the Earth.[25] It would ultimately become a playable character in their third game Godzilla: Unleashed.
  • With a top flight speed of Mach 5, Mechagodzilla can exceed supersonic speeds (Mach 1+) and reach hypersonic speeds (Mach 5+). Other monsters capable of this include Iris, Mothra Leo, Desghidorah, and Dagahra.

Video

Wikizilla: YouTube Kaiju Profile: Showa Mechagodzilla

See also

Notes

  1. If King Ghidorah is a dignified villain, then Mechagodzilla has the image of a nihilistic killer. Gigan has a similar image of a killer but his image of a bloodthirsty, ferocious cutthroat serves as contrast, as Mechagodzilla has a strong image of a consistently cold-hearted and composed professional. This is because Mechagodzilla is a literal mecha, so its true feelings are unable to be seen. Thus is the charm of Mechagodzilla. / キングギドラを威厳に満ちた大悪役とするならば、メカゴジラはニヒルな殺し屋というイメージがある。同じく殺し屋のイメージを持つガイガンが血に飢えた凶暴な殺人鬼のイメージなのに対して、メカゴジラはあくまでも冷たく冷静なプロフェッショナルのイメージが強い。これはメカゴジラが文字通りメカであり、感情がまったく見えないからであろう。そこがメカゴジラの魅力になっているのだ。

References

This is a list of references for Mechagodzilla (Showa). 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. Toho cards.jpg
  2. 1118full-terror-of-mechagodzilla-poster.jpg
  3. 3.0 3.1 Godzilla 1954-1999 Super Complete Works. Shogakukan. 1 January 2000. p. 158. ISBN 978-4091014702.
  4. Toho Special Effects Movie Complete Works. villagebooks. 28 September 2012. pp. 170, 186. ISBN 4-864-91013-8.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Godzilla 1954-1999 Super Complete Works. Shogakukan. 1 January 2000. p. 164. ISBN 978-4091014702.
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia. Shogakukan. 23 July 2014. p. 69. ISBN 4-096-82090-3.
  7. Japanese Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla trailer
    Chikyuu Seifuku no Saiboogu Kaijuu.png
  8. Encyclopedia of Godzilla (Mechagodzilla Edition). Gakken. 10 December 1993. p. 50. ISBN 405600174X.
  9. 9.0 9.1 J.D. Lees, Marc Cerasini (24 March 1998). The Official Godzilla Compendium. Random House. p. 135. ISBN 0679888225.
    Compendium21.png
  10. Yasui, Hisashi; Kawamoto, Hiroshi (5 December 1992). Godzilla, King of the Monsters. vol. 1. Kodansha. p. 97. ISBN 4-06-321661-6. |volume= has extra text (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. Japanese Terror of Mechagodzilla trailer
    メカゴジラ(ツー)2.png
  12. ゴジラ生誕40周年記念「大ゴジラ博」. movic. 21 July 1994. p. 15. ASIN B07DLYG5DV.
  13. 13.0 13.1 All Toho Monsters Pictorial Book (4th Edition). Yosensha. 4 September 2016. p. 186, 206. ISBN 978-4-8003-0362-2.
  14. 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 Toho Special Effects Movie Complete Works. villagebooks. 28 September 2012. pp. 169–171. ISBN 9784864910132.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Kawakita, Koichi (2010). Tokusatsu Soul: Toho Tokusatsu Work Record. Yosensha. pp. 110–116. ISBN 978-4-86248-515-1.
  16. Teruyoshi Nakano - Interview by Steve Ryfle with Stuart Galbraith IV
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Godzilla 1954-1999 Super Complete Works. Shogakukan. 1 January 2000. p. 162, 168. ISBN 978-4091014702.
  18. Godzilla Great Complete Works. Kodansha. 1 August 1994. pp. 146–147. ISBN 406178417X.
  19. Special Graphix Godzilla vs. Mothra. Kindaieigasha. 1992. p. 75. ASIN B0084BR94W.
  20. 20.0 20.1 Mechagodzilla 2 anatomical drawing from "Godzilla Monster Illustration Super Encyclopedia"
  21. Nomura, Kohei (28 September 2014). Godzilla Dictionary [New Edition]. Kasakura Publishing. p. 277. ISBN 978-4-7730-8725-3.
  22. FnDbMG3akAEOZY6.jpg
  23. 23.0 23.1 Blackheart_Goji (26 May 2023). "Godzilla unleashed card animations w/sfx final". YouTube.
  24. https://wikizilla.org/w/images/d/dd/RCO016.jpg
  25. Mirjahangir, Chris (2005). "Godzilla: Save the Earth - Interview". Toho Kingdom.

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