Shobijin

From Wikizilla, the kaiju encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
Shobijin
The Shobijin in Godzilla Final Wars
Height 30 centimetersMOT-EHotD,[1]
18 centimetersGvM-GvSG[1]
Occupation Priestesses of Mothra
First appearance Latest appearance
Mothra Godziban
Played by Emi and Yumi Ito,MOT-GtTHM
Yuko and Yoko Okada,EHotD
Keiko Imamura and Sayaka Osawa,GvM-GvSG
Masami Nagasawa and Chihiro Otsuka,SOS-GFW
Reina Ueda and Akari Kito (voices)CGRA
Senichiro Fukuda: “Hey, how did these Shobijin come by to help you?
Shinichi Chujo: “Shobijin?
Senichiro Fukuda: “Oh, it's a journalist term. You had a vision of two young ladies. We like to call them Shobijin.
― Senichiro Fukuda discusses the Shobijin with Shinichi Chujo (Mothra)

The Shobijin (小美人,   Shobijin, lit. "Small beauties") are tiny twin priestesses of Mothra who first appeared in the 1961 film, Mothra. They have been featured in nearly all of the character's film appearances since, as well as in several comics and video games. While their names and portrayals have varied over the years, Mothra's Shobijin act as her link to humanity, interceding on her behalf with the rest of the world. The Shobijin can telepathically communicate with Mothra and translate her messages, and often sing in order to summon her or pray for her aid.


For Mothra's first three film appearances, her twin fairies were played by the singing duo The Peanuts, composed of twin sisters Emi and Yumi Ito. In Mothra, the Shobijin were discovered by a joint Rolisican-Japanese expedition to the irradiated Infant Island, after saving the life of interpreter Shinichi Chujo. They were subsequently captured by the greedy Rolisican businessman Clark Nelson, who brought them to Japan to exploit them for money. They called out to their goddess Mothra, who rampaged through Tokyo and New Kirk City in her efforts to rescue them. They were finally reunited with Mothra through the assistance of Chujo and his allies. In Mothra vs. Godzilla, the Shobijin returned to Japan to request the return of Mothra's egg, which had been washed ashore in a typhoon and claimed by greedy businessmen Kumayama and Jiro Torahata. When their efforts and those of their human allies Ichiro Sakai, Shunsuke Miura, and Junko Nakanishi were unsuccessful, they returned home to Infant Island, only for the three humans to arrive and ask for Mothra's aid against Godzilla. While the Shobijin politely declined, Mothra herself agreed to help and they accompanied her back to Japan. The Shobijin sang to help the twin larvae hatch from Mothra's egg after Mothra was killed in battle against Godzilla. Later that same year, after one of the larvae had passed away, the Shobijin returned on a goodwill trip to Japan, and were convinced to stay behind after hearing the ominous warnings of a Venusian prophetess. They summoned the surviving larva to Japan to try and convince Godzilla and Rodan to join forces against the marauding King Ghidorah, and translated the monsters' conversation for their human allies. While the initial talks failed and Mothra tried to fight the space monster alone, Godzilla and Rodan had a change of heart and helped her drive off King Ghidorah. The Shobijin then bid farewell to both monsters as they returned home.

In Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, the Shobijin were played by another singing duo, Pair Bambi. After the terrorist organization known as the Red Bamboo enslaved dozens of Infant Islanders, the Shobijin prayed to Mothra that she would awaken to save her people. They helped Yata and Ryota prepare for a voyage to the Red Bamboo's base on Letchi Island, asking them to free the slaves and to prepare a giant net. Once Mothra awakened, she traveled to the island with the Shobijin and rescued Yata, Ryota, their allies, and the Red Bamboo's prisoners using the giant net just before the island exploded.

For Mothra's Heisei series introduction in Godzilla vs. Mothra, her fairies were renamed the Cosmos (コスモス,   Kosumosu) and played by Keiko Imamura and Sayaka Osawa. The last remnants of an ancient civilization, the Cosmos lived with Mothra on Infant Island for 12,000 years after the ancient world was destroyed in a battle between Mothra and her dark counterpart Battra. They were kidnapped by Kenji Ando and brought to his boss Takeshi Tomokane, head of the Marutomo Company. Tomokane planned to exploit the Cosmos for publicity, but they summoned Mothra to Japan to rescue them. Afterwards, she matured into her imago form and joined forces with Battra to defeat Godzilla in Yokohama. The Cosmos then traveled with Mothra into outer space to intercept a meteor bound for the Earth. In Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, the Cosmos sent a telepathic projection of themselves to Miki Saegusa on Earth to warn of SpaceGodzilla's impending arrival.

In the Rebirth of Mothra trilogy, Mothra's priestesses were the Elias, Moll and Lora. Unlike earlier incarnations, they were not mind-linked twins but individual persons. They frequently found themselves in conflict with their human-hating sister, Belvera. In addition to accompanying Mothra and Mothra Leo, the Elias utilized the tiny Fairy Mothra as their steed.

Masami Nagasawa and Chihiro Otsuka played the Shobijin in two films from the Millennium series, Godzilla: Tokyo SOS and Godzilla Final Wars, though they took place in different continuities. In Godzilla: Tokyo SOS, the Shobijin were individually named Hio (ヒオ,   Hio) and Mana (マナ). They appeared to Shinichi Chujo along with Mothra in 2004 to warn that the first Godzilla's bones, used as the basis for the anti-Godzilla weapon Kiryu, must be returned to the sea, as life must be lived in the time nature allows. They claimed that Mothra would defend humanity from Godzilla in Kiryu's place, but said Mothra would be forced to declare war on mankind if the bones were not returned. They ultimately assisted Mothra, her larvae, and Chujo's nephew and Kiryu mechanic Yoshito in the battle against Godzilla. In Godzilla Final Wars, the Shobijin appeared to a group of Earth Defense Force personnel who discovered the mummified body of Gigan, an evil space monster Mothra had fought against long ago. They gave Miyuki Otonashi a sacred dagger that she later used to free Shinichi Ozaki from the mental domination of the Controller of Planet X.

Two characters inspired by the Shobijin, Miana and Maina, appeared in GODZILLA: City on the Edge of Battle and GODZILLA: The Planet Eater, the second and third entries of the GODZILLA anime trilogy. Rather than tiny twin fairies, Miana and Maina are twin members of the Houtua, a tribal race inhabiting Earth 20,000 years in the future, where it is dominated by Godzilla. Like the Shobijin, Miana and Maina act as priestesses for Mothra's egg, and use their telepathy to translate its messages.

Name

"Shobijin" is a direct romanization of the Japanese term 小美人 (Shōbijin), meaning "small beauties." This name is coined by the character Senichiro Fukuda in Mothra after he hears Shinichi Chujo's account of the Shobijin rescuing him from the Vampire Plant. In Mothra, the Shobijin in are alternatively referred to as the Fairies (妖精,   Yōsei) in both Japanese and English. In the English-dubbed version of their debut film, they are only referred to generically in the dialogue as the "beauties" or "little girls." The English-dubbed version of Mothra vs. Godzilla also uses similar informal terms. In the English-dubbed version of Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, they are again referred to as the "Fairies" exclusively.

In the Heisei series, the Shobijin are renamed the Cosmos (コスモス,   Kosumosu), a term which also refers to the ancient civilization from which they hail in this continuity. In the Rebirth of Mothra trilogy, Mothra's miniature priestesses are a pair of non-identical sisters called the Elias, individually named Moll and Lora. Moll is renamed Mona in Omni Productions' English dubs for the Rebirth of Mothra trilogy.

In Godzilla: Tokyo SOS the Shobijin are given the individual names Hio (ヒオ,   Hio) and Mana (マナ). Likewise, in the GODZILLA anime trilogy, the twin Houtua women who act as Mothra's priestesses have the individual names Maina and Miana. In Godziban, the Shobijin are named Lune and Luna, while there is also a third Shobijin named Luluvera who is aligned with Battra. In Godzilla: Monsters & Protectors, the Shobijin's individual names are May and June.

In Godzilla: Gangsters & Goliaths, it is stated that "Shobijin," "Cosmos," and "Elias" are all interchangeable names for Mothra's priestesses, with "Elias" being the primary name used for them in the story. While they use the Elias name, these versions of the Shobijin are more closely based on traditional versions of the characters and not Moll and Lora.

History

Showa era

Mothra

The Shobijin in Mothra

Despite the advances that science has provided humanity throughout the many millennia, there are still things that it cannot explain. Among one of those was a discovery made in the Polynesian Islands in the early 1960's.

When a Japanese cargo ship suddenly ran aground on a deserted and ravaged isle called Infant Island, they discovered that despite the immense radiation from nuclear tests still present, humans were capable of living on the land mass. After being rescued by search parties from Japan, the survivors relay word to the authorities who promptly dispatch a research party to learn more about the discovery. What they find is a civilization able to live on the island despite the radiation due to a native juice.

To find out more, Japan along with at least one other nation sends an expedition to Infant Island. There they find land capable of supporting vegetation and a human civilization present.

Among the inhabitants are two tiny girls who are priestess to the civilization, the Shobijin. They are powerful telepaths and that power along with their ability to sing allows them to communicate with the civilization's god, a giant being named Mothra.

After the Japanese contingent of the expedition thwarted his efforts, the leader of the combined research team, an entrepreneur by the name of Clark Nelson, kidnaps the Shobijin. Seemingly ignorant of what he has done, Nelson tries to exploit the Shobijin despite protests from Japan and his own government. When Mothra arrives in Tokyo in response to the Shobijin's pleas for assistance, Nelson manages to escape and eventually heads back to his own country. However, the Japanese know about his activities and soon a manhunt is on with Nelson being hunted by his fellow comrades as Mothra tracks him and the Shobijin. After Nelson is disposed of by his own people, the girls are set free and return aboard Mothra to their home island.

Mothra vs. Godzilla

The Shobijin in Mothra vs. Godzilla

In Mothra vs. Godzilla, an immense typhoon struck the island and eventually washed Mothra's egg out to sea. That egg eventually ended up on the shores of Japan with the two Shobijin following right behind it as Mothra flew them there to persuade the Japanese to return the egg. Unfortunately, they were met with little success as the present owners of the egg would not give it back and there human supporters had little power to help them. At first, they took the failure with good grace but it haunted them as well as their fellow inhabitants on Infant Island. It was not therefore surprising that when the humans of the modern world asked them for assistance against the monster known as Godzilla, the Shobijin at first rejected the plea, citing the problems with Mothra's egg as the reason.

However, after hearing their human allies out, the Shobijin communicated the request to Mothra although they feared rightly that it was a suicide mission for their beloved god. They journeyed aboard Mothra to Japan and watched as Godzilla killed their deity in battle. Fortunately, the Shobijin voiced a plan to use Mothra’s offspring in the egg to help stop Godzilla. The plan worked and the Shobijin journeyed back to Infant Island aboard the two giant caterpillars with the eternal gratitude of the population of Japan.

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster

Sometime later, one of the two Mothra offspring passed on, leaving the remainder as the guardian of Infant Island and its people.

Eventually, the Shobijin returned to Japan willingly and served as the roles of ambassadors, which included appearing on television shows. They were just about to return home after promising to the people that Mothra would return to defend them against Godzilla and other monsters when they encountered a woman who claimed to be a priestess from Venus. After hearing her warning, they delayed their departure and provided what assistance they could to the priestess, which included helping to thwart an assassination attempt on her while in Yokohama. They are present when the “Venus priestess” states that the threat comes in the form of a horrific space monster known as King Ghidorah.

Later, they are at the Diet Building where they first promised to send Mothra for assistance and then they voice the incredible idea of asking Godzilla and Rodan for help. At first incredulous at the proposal, the humans agree after witnessing first hand King Ghidorah's destructive power over Tokyo. They then head up to Mt. Fuji where Godzilla and Rodan are fighting each other while King Ghidorah is attacking nearby.

When Mothra arrives, they serve as translators as Mothra tries to persuade Godzilla and Rodan to join her in stopping King Ghidorah. This effort is a success and after peace has returned to the land, the Shobijin return to Infant Island aboard Mothra.

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep

In Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, a group called the Red Bamboo invaded Infant Island and kidnapped some of its inhabitants as slaves. In response, the Shobijin lead the prayers and pleas to Mothra to help rescue the inhabitants. After assisting two Japanese men who were dealing with the same problem, they ventured out once more on Mothra to the island to evacuate their allies as it was about to be destroyed in a nuclear explosion triggered by the Red Bamboo.


Heisei era

Godzilla vs. Mothra

The Cosmos in Godzilla vs. Mothra

Twelve millennia ago, a guardian named Mothra roamed the Earth as an advanced civilization crafted a machine that could control the weather. Offended, the Earth created a dark Mothra—Battra—which destroyed everything that endangered the planet. After a fierce battle, Mothra vanquished Battra, and was put to rest in the Northern Sea. In the process, the climate controller was destroyed, and most of the land on Earth remained underwater due to intense flooding. Mothra survived and retreated into the mountains with the Cosmos.

In the year 1993, on Infant Island in the Indonesian Archipelago, the Cosmos appeared to Takuya Fujito, Masako Tezuka, and Kenji Ando and revealed their tragic past. They also revealed that Mothra was now in a new life cycle, and that the egg of Mothra was on their island. Both Mothra and Battra were revived in response to the reckless destruction of nature at the hands of humankind, largely by the actions of such big businesses as the Marutoma Corporation. Kenji Ando, an employee of said corporation, suggested that the egg could be better preserved in Japan, and the Cosmos agreed.

As they sailed to Japan, Godzilla emerged from the ocean and attacked the enormous egg. The monster became sidetracked, however, as the recently rejuvenated Battra became locked in combat with Godzilla. As their terrible battle continued, they fell into a fissure in the Earth's crust beneath the ocean, and as they sank in the magma flows, they were presumed dead.

Mothra returned to Infant Island as the Cosmos arrived in Japan. Kenji Ando absconded with the fairies and handed them over to his CEO, Takeshi Tomokane. Now in captivity, the Cosmos were left with only one option: to call for much-needed assistance. They sang into the distance and plead with Mothra for rescue. Leaving her island home, Mothra rushed to Tokyo, where she began to destroy everything in her predetermined path to rescue her beloved fairies.

In the meantime, Takuya Fujito cunningly kidnapped the Cosmos and attempted to extract one million dollars in ransom from an American company; however, his ex-wife and daughter began to convince him of how wrong this course of actions truly was. As the argument continued, Mothra finally arrived, and the hotel in which the humans stood began to tremble. Takuya finally relented, and the Cosmos were freed. Upon convincing Mothra that they were fine, she began to retreat. Unfortunately, the military was unaware of this change in events, and when their forces were finally in position, an all-out assault commenced.

When the Self-Defense Force was ordered to cease fire, Mothra began to act very lethargic. She slowly made her way to the Diet Building, where she enshrouded herself in silk and began to form a chrysalis. The CEO of the Marutoma Corporation ordered Kenji Ando to use this opportunity to reacquire the Cosmos, but he resisted and was ultimately terminated. Left alone, the CEO could was left to wallow in his own shame. As the night progressed, the Cosmos sang again, as an adult Mothra emerged from her pupa. The two fairies revealed that Mothra was going to locate and destroy Battra. Godzilla and Battra were both still alive.

Having survived the magma flows, Godzilla emerged at Mt. Fuji as Battra emerged from the ocean floor, metamorphosing instantly into its imago form. Takuya Fujito, Masako Tezuka, their daughter, and the Cosmos drove to Yokohama, where they witnessed an intense war of the monsters. Battra pummeled Mothra into submission, and it appeared as though she would lose this fight; however, Godzilla suddenly appeared, and this new contender distracted Battra's attention. Unfortunately, Godzilla proved to be a much greater challenge, and Battra was thrown to the ground below.

In response to this new, nearly invulnerable hindrance, Mothra rose from the streets and repelled Godzilla as she made her way to Battra. The Cosmos sang once more as Mothra bestowed energy into her old enemy. Reentering battle, Mothra fired her full arsenal at Godzilla, to no avail. Luckily, Battra saved Mothra just in time, and the Cosmos revealed that the two nemeses were now allies. Joining forces, Mothra and Battra subdued Godzilla and lifted him over the sea. Alas, Godzilla killed Battra in the process, and Mothra was forced to drop both monsters into the cold ocean below, upon which she sealed with her energy.

When Mothra returned to her fairies in Japan, it was revealed that Battra was to stop an asteroid from plummeting to Earth in 1999. Now that he was dead, it would be up to Mothra to save the planet from the incoming meteor. The Cosmos lifted into the air and rushed to join Mothra. The majestic moth and her fairies soared into space, ready to meet their destiny.

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

Two years passed as Mothra flew through the vast emptiness of space, determined to halt the incoming meteor. A new and deadly power was discovered as Mothra pierced through the dark void, and a Fairy Mothra was dispatched to planet Earth, which the Cosmos used to submit two solemn warnings to psychic Miki Saegusa. It would be necessary, they instructed, for her to assist in the defeat of this new monster, and it was imperative that the whole world join together in the destruction of the space creature.

SpaceGodzilla, as it came to be known, appeared on Earth and entrapped Godzilla's offspring in a crystal prison. MOGUERA, G-Force's replacement for Mechagodzilla, and Godzilla both aided in the defeat of this beast. With SpaceGodzilla defeated, the Cosmos thanked Miki and Fairy Mothra returned to space where they could finish their mission to save planet Earth.

Rebirth of Mothra, Rebirth of Mothra 2 and Rebirth of Mothra 3

Main article: Elias.

Millennium era

Godzilla: Tokyo SOS

The Shobijin in Godzilla: Tokyo SOS

The Shobijin from Tokyo SOS, stated by Dr. Shinichi Chujo to be related to the Shobijin from 1961, arrive to Japan and warn Dr. Shinichi Chujo and the Japanese government that Godzilla continues returning to Japan because they used the original Godzilla's bones in Kiryu's design. If they return the bones to the bottom of the sea, Mothra would gladly take Kiryu's place in defending Japan, but if they do not, Mothra will declare war on humanity. Godzilla began his attack on Tokyo and the Shobijin summon Mothra from Infant Island. When Mothra needed assistance her egg hatched and the Shobijin were surprised then glad to see twin Mothra Larvae rush to their mother's aide.


Godzilla Final Wars

The Shobijin in Godzilla Final Wars

After the mummified corpse of Gigan was uncovered in Japan, the fairies submitted a grave warning to three humans overlooking the remarkable discovery. The Shobijin teleported the humans to a remote cave, and sternly warned that Gigan must be returned to his burial chamber. Apparently, Mothra had defeated Gigan 10,000 years ago, and that they desired that the two monsters would never fight again. The Shobijin returned their guests to the mummified Gigan, but the fairies' warning was not taken seriously. Gigan was not returned, and when the Xiliens arrived, they soon reawakened Gigan, who subsequently laid waste to the city of Tokyo.

Following a long series of battles between Godzilla and an army of monsters released by the Xiliens, an asteroid named Gorath began to plummet toward the Earth. In response, the Shobijin summoned  Mothra to aid Godzilla. Mothra sacrificed herself to kill Gigan.

Video games

Monster's Fair

In Monster's Fair, the Shobijin are kidnapped by aliens, and it is up to Mothra to rescue them.

Battle Baseball

In Battle Baseball, the Shobijin act as cheerleaders for the Godzilla Megapowers team.

Godzilla: Heart-Pounding Monster Island!!

In this game, the Cosmos oversee a minigame in which the player must balance various kaiju and weights on a teeter-totter.

Godzilla: Trading Battle

Both the Shobijin and the Cosmos appear on different event cards in Godzilla: Trading Battle.

47 Heroines

After the Debuggers mistake Mothra for an enemy, the Cosmos appear before them to explain the monster's history and ask for the Debuggers' help in uniting Mothra and Godzilla against King Ghidorah.

Comics

Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters

The Shobijin witnessed a news report of Battra's hatching from an unknown location.

Godzilla: Gangsters & Goliaths

The Shobijin break up a fight between Titanosaurus and Kumonga in Godzilla: Gangsters & Goliaths

On Monster Island, the Elias and their human servants, the Keepers of the Elias, served to maintain peace between the monsters and larger cosmic forces at work. After the Elias sent Mothra to protect Detective Makoto Sato from Godzilla and gangsters that were hunting him, he kidnapped the fairies, hoping to exploit their connection with Mothra on a mission of vengeance. Having been framed for murder by crime boss Ryota Takahashi, Sato used Mothra to target locations that were known to be part of Takahashi's criminal syndicate. Despite the protests of the Elias, who repeatedly insisted they be returned to Monster Island alongside Mothra in order to protect a greater cosmic balance, Sato failed to heed their warnings and continued to unleash Mothra again Takahashi's empire. Eventually, Godzilla arrived in Tokyo due to Sato upsetting this cosmic balance, and while a remorseful Sato attempted to right his wrongs by returning the Elias to their island, Takahashi and his men intervened and kidnapped the Elias. Though the Elias pleaded with Takahashi to release them, the crime lord refused, having gone as far as killing the Keepers of the Elias to maintain his hold over them. As Takahashi reveled in the chaos caused by the continued captivity of the Elias, more monsters from Monster Island were drawn to Tokyo. Later, Sato and his sons were able to rescue the Elias from Takahashi using Mechagodzilla before the crime lord was crushed by Godzilla. Mothra then arrived to take the Elias back to Monster Island, which finally put an end to the chaos as the monsters returned to their island in peace. In the aftermath, with balance being restored, Sato moved to Monster Island and became the new Keeper of the Elias.

Godzilla

The Shobijin address the U.N. in Godzilla

Following the appearance of the new monster Mothra, the Shobijin revealed themselves to humanity and spoke at the United Nations headquarters to warn the world of "impending calamity". The priestesses cryptically warned the world leaders that the recent rise of monsters on the planet was only the beginning of a larger event, which only led to more questions. After Mothra tried to stop Boxer and Claire Plangman, the remaining members of Boxer's crew attacked the U.N. headquarters in efforts to get the Shobijin to call Mothra off. The Shobijin did so, but not before Mothra left Claire with a vision of space monsters invading the Earth, causing her to realize the monsters of Earth were not their enemies and were meant to protect the planet. Sometime later, while addressing the United Nations, the Shobijin revealed information about the space monsters - Spacegodzilla, Gigan, Hedorah, and Monster X - once they finally arrived on Earth. After Mothra fought and lost to Monster X, the Shobijin fell unconscious.

Godzilla: Rulers of Earth

The Shobijin warn Steven Woods of the Cryog threat in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth

Following the invasion of the space monsters, Mothra and the Shobijin disappeared from public view. Sometime later, having survived a monster attack that destroyed the aircraft carrier she had been on, Lucy Casprell washed up on the shores of Infant Island where she was soon greeted by the Shobijin. The Shobijin led Lucy deeper into the island, where she encountered the island’s natives and Mothra herself, accompanied by her two larvae. The Shobijin then began to explain the history of the kaiju on Earth, describing a natural power balance the monsters maintained. They detailed several kaiju uprisings and battles that disrupted this balance, notably one involving Earth’s ancient guardian King Caesar and Megalon that nearly resulted in the extinction of humanity. Back in the present, Lucy noticed that Infant Island’s cave murals appeared to separate the kaiju into specific categories based on the elements, where the Shobijin revealed the belief in an unknown category of monsters that was throwing the balance into disarray once more and causing the monsters to rise again. Lucy then realized that this unknown element was referring to the space monsters, at which point the Shobijin requested that she warn Earth’s leaders of the “grave dangers” facing the planet from beyond; as humanity failed to heed their warnings last time, the Shobijin expressed their belief that Lucy could serve as an ambassador for them who people would truly listen to, at which point they sent Lucy on her way to fulfill their wishes.

Years later, as ancient monsters began to rise up yet again, Battra attacked Infant Island under the influence of psychics Minette and Mallory. Despite Mothra’s best efforts to defend their home, Battra killed her, forcing Mothra’s larvae, the Shobijin, and surviving natives to flee the island before it was completely destroyed by Battra. The Shobijin and the larvae sought refuge on the Monster Islands, where Steven Woods offered them shelter and protection from Battra. There, the Shobijin warned that the alien threat to the planet had only grown due to the Cryog, and that Lucy herself was in grave danger. Inevitably, Battra soon located the Monster Islands to finish off the Shobijin and Mothra’s larvae, but his crusade was cut short when the Cryog sent the Trilopods to Earth and launched an assault on the Monster Islands, which allowed the crew of the islands to escape with the Shobijin and the larvae. The Shobijin later divulged their plans to awaken King Caesar to help defend the Earth from the alien invasion, for which they requested Lucy’s assistance. In Okinawa, the Shobijin located King Caesar’s resting place and found the sleeping guardian, but Lucy became concerned when King Caesar failed to wake. The Shobijin assured her that she must have faith, and that the monsters or Earth would inevitably correct the balance that the aliens had disrupted, just as they always had. Battra then returned to kill the Shobijin, only to be stopped by King Caesar and the Trilopods. Following Battra’s retreat, King Caesar took Lucy’s group and the Shobijin in his hands and allowed the Trilopods to abduct him so they could return to the Trilopod hive. After arriving, King Caesar released the humans and the Shobijin before he began to free the rest of Earth’s kaiju who had been abducted by the Trilopods. The Shobijin assured Lucy and her friends that King Caesar would defend their planet and unite Earth’s kaiju against the Trilopods and Cryog, which he would successfully achieve. During the final battle, Lucy and the Shobijin felt Godzilla growing stronger, with the Shobijin noting that Godzilla was absorbing the energy of his allies to succeed in eliminating the Trilopod threat once and for all. In the aftermath of the global battle, Lucy penned an essay to share what she had learned from the Shobijin – that there are things that will always defend the planet, and that good will always prevail.

Godzilla: Rage Across Time

In Feudal Japan, warriors Gorou Suda and Akio were tasked with journeying to the Shobijin Temple following an invasion led by Mongol forces, who had command of the monsters Gigan and Megalon. Upon arrival, the duo were confronted by Yamata no Orochi, but the Shobijin appeared to offer their help by enchanting Akio's arrows with the power of Mothra and leading Gorou to a relic that would grant him control over the beast. Unfortunately, Godzilla soon appeared and quickly put an end to their plans by defeating Orochi, though the warriors and the Shobijin would nevertheless achieve their goal to save Japan after the warriors lured Godzilla to Gigan, Megalon, and the Mongol army, where he was quick to defeat them.

In medieval England, a group of knights led by Gilder were seeking to slay a dragon believed to be the source of the plague before they happened upon the temple of Mothra. The Shobijin revealed themselves to the knights and offered their aid in the form of Mothra, who they sent to battle and ultimately defeat the dragon, Megaguirus.

Godzilla: Monsters & Protectors

After sensing Godzilla's growing anger at mankind's abuse of the planet due to the recent actions of the Linival Corporation, and experiencing a psychic vision of the future in which Godzilla wiped out humanity, the Shobijin - May and June - decided to intervene and show Godzilla that humans could change their ways. Leaving Infant Island, May and June sought out a school to find children with hope for the future and soon arrived in Tokyo, where the duo telepathically enlisted the aid of twin sisters Ann and Steph. Following the Linival Corporation's unveiling of their own genetically engineered monster, Biollante, May and June attempted to use their powers to psychically influence Linival CEO Nomura so he would stop antagonizing Godzilla, but Nomura was able to resist their influence. Ann and Steph, having overheard some of their fellow students discussing the future, introduced May and June to Cedric, Emily, and Anderson, who the Shobijin realized were the perfect candidates for convincing Godzilla that humanity deserved a second chance. May and June then explained their plan of using Mothra to bring the children face-to-face with Godzilla. After summoning Mothra to the school, May and June used their psychic powers to influence JSDF officials and force them to stand down before racing to Godzilla's location as he was in the midst of battling Biollante. Upon defeating Biollante, the enraged Godzilla prepared to go through with his plan of eradicating humanity, but Mothra, May, and June arrived just in time with the children. Using their abilities to link the minds of Godzilla, Mothra, and the children together, the Shobijin at last managed to show Godzilla that humans could learn to live in harmony with nature as seen in the hopes and dreams of the kids. Temporarily pacified by May and June's actions, Godzilla then retreated in peace, giving humanity one more generation to truly change their ways. With the world safe - at least for the time being - Mothra returned the children to Japan before bringing May and June back to Infant Island.

Godzilla Rivals: Vs. Mothra

In 1984, while investigating strange sightings at a lake, photojournalist Mima Kinjo discovered Mothra being held captive by chains underwater, restrained there by the JSDF. After freeing Mothra in the hopes that she would battle the attacking Godzilla, Mima was arrested, but the Shobijin later appeared in her cell and introduced themselves. They explained that Mothra had heard her calls to protect humanity from Godzilla, but needed to regain her strength before facing him. After being freed from her cell, Mima raced to the cocoon that Mothra had encased herself in, with the Shobijin explaining that Mothra had grown too weak to free herself. With Mima’s help, Mothra broke free of the cocoon and journeyed to face Godzilla, ultimately going on to stop his rampage.

Godzilla: Monsters & Protectors - All Hail the King!

Following recent actions undertaken by the Xiliens, May and June telepathically contacted Cedric, Emily, and Anderson, to warn them of coming threats. While the children were in class, the Shobijin appeared to transport the trio to Infant Island alongside their classmate, Karen, though they explained to the kids that they were merely speaking to them within their minds. After warning the kids of the Xiliens and their recent discovery of King Ghidorah, the Shobijin expressed their belief that Godzilla was needed to defend the planet - and the children may be the only ones capable of reaching out to Godzilla now that they were connected to his mind. With Mothra slumbering, May and June also revealed that Karen was connected to another giant monster who may be needed to help as well. While the Shobijin were initially concerned that Godzilla would not listen to the kids' pleas for help, Godzilla did ultimately appear and fought King Ghidorah. Following their battle, the Shobijin contacted the four students once more to warn them that King Ghidorah had not been defeated and now posed an greater threat to Earth upon being freed from Xilien control. They also hoped that Karen would call upon her family's guardian monster to assist Godzilla. Though Karen expressed doubt that she would succeed after having been unable to contact her guardian in the past, May and June assured her that she had a greater role to play in saving the world than even they realized. With that, they bid the children farewell, but remained confident that they would help Earth's kaiju stop the alien threat.

Songs

The Shobijin sing songs to Mothra in nearly all of their film appearances. This is most likely due to the fact that the actresses who first portrayed the Shobijin, Emi and Yumi Ito, were a popular singing duo in Japan known as the Peanuts. Ever since, the Shobijin have continued to sing in various films featuring Mothra. There are various songs that the Shobijin have sung, including:

Gallery

Mothra

Mothra vs. Godzilla

Godzilla vs. Mothra

Godzilla: Tokyo SOS

Godzilla Final Wars

Godziban

Video games

Merchandise

Magazines

Trivia

  • The Shobijin are derived from the Ailenas, fairies who accompanied Mothra in the book which Mothra was adapted from, The Luminous Fairies and Mothra. The Ailenas had the same role in the plot, except there were more than two of them.
    • The Ailenas name was used in Columbia Pictures' publicity to refer to the Shobijin in Mothra.[2]
The Shobijin's unused human disguises from an early cover for Godzilla: Monsters & Protectors


References

This is a list of references for Shobijin. 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 Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia. Shogakukan. 23 July 2014. pp. 27, 34, 37, 45, 83, 94. ISBN 4-096-82090-3.
  2. Michael Cozzoli, John (5 October 2012). "Movie Pressbook: Mothra (1961)". From Zombos' Closet.
  3. eburnham (3 May 2021). "IDW's GODZILLA General Discussion". Toho Kingdom.

Comments

Showing 71 comments. When commenting, please remain respectful of other users, stay on topic, and avoid role-playing and excessive punctuation. Comments which violate these guidelines may be removed by administrators.

Loading comments...
Era Icon - Toho.png
Era Icon - Showa.png
Era Icon - Heisei.png
Era Icon - Millennium.png
Era Icon - Mothra.png