Gigan

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Gigan® trademark icon
Gigan®
Gigan in Godzilla: Final Wars
Modified Gigan in Godzilla: Final Wars
Gigan in Zone Fighter
Alternate names Gaigan,[1] Borodan, Galien,
Monster Zero, SaviniGRoE[2], Geigan
Subtitle(s) Cyborg Monster
(サイボーグ怪獣,   Saibōgu Kaijū)[3]
Future Monster
(未来怪獣,   Mirai Kaijū)[4]
New Monster (新怪獣,   Shin Kaijū)GvG[5]
Space Monster
(宇宙怪獣,   Uchū Kaijū)GvM[3]
Heinous Monster
(凶悪怪獣,   Kyōaku Kaijū)GvM[6]
Future Terror-Beast
(未来恐獣,   Mirai Kyōjū)ZF[7]
Species Cybernetic Space Dinosaur[8]
Cybernetically-Modified MonsterG:PM[9]
Height Showa: 65 meters[10]
Millennium: 120 meters[3]
Weight Showa: 25,000 metric tons[10]
Millennium: 60,000 metric tons[3]
Other Stats Scythe Length: 45 metersGFW,[11][12]
Chainsaw Length: 40 meters[11]
Forms Modified GiganGFW
Controlled by M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens,GvG-GvM
Garogas,ZF Xiliens,GFW Cryogs,GRoE Bilusaludo and ExifG:PM[9]
Relations M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens (Creators)GvG, GvM, GI, Xiliens (Creators)GFW, Controller of Planet X (Telepathically Bonded)
Allies King Ghidorah, Megalon, GodzillaGI, Monster X, SpaceGodzillaG:O, Hedorah, OrgaGRoE
Enemies Godzilla, Anguirus, Jet Jaguar, Zone Fighter, Mothra, Battra, MegalonGI, Destoroyah, Kumonga, Dororin, Rodan, M.O.G.U.E.R.A., SpaceGodzillaGRoE
Created by Jun Fukuda, Tomoyuki Tanaka, Shinichi Sekizawa
Played by ShowaKenpachiro Satsuma, Isao Zushi
MillenniumKazuhiro Yoshida
First appearance Latest appearance
Godzilla vs. Gigan Godzilla: Final Wars
Roar(s)
ShowaMillenniumMore roars
GIGAN!!! Rise!
„ 

Controller of Planet X (Godzilla: Final Wars)

Gigan (ガイガン,   Gaigan) is an alien cyborg kaiju created by Toho that first appeared in the 1972 Godzilla film, Godzilla vs. Gigan.

The ultimate weapon of the M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens, Gigan was deployed to Earth alongside King Ghidorah to aid in the invaders' conquest of the planet. Gigan and King Ghidorah began their assault on Tokyo, where they were confronted by Godzilla and Anguirus. After a grueling battle, Gigan and King Ghidorah both retreated into outer space. The following year, in Godzilla vs. Megalon, the Nebulans sent Gigan back to Earth to aid their allies, the Seatopians, in their assault on the surface world. Gigan joined forces with the Seatopians' guardian Megalon, but was sent retreating once again by the combined efforts of Godzilla and Jet Jaguar. In the television series Zone Fighter, Gigan was now under the control of the Garogas and had joined the ranks of their Terror-Beasts. The Garogas upgraded Gigan and sent him to Earth, where he fought Godzilla once again but was ultimately killed in battle with Zone Fighter. Gigan's next film appearance came in Godzilla: Final Wars almost 30 years later, where he was under the control of the Xiliens. Gigan engaged Godzilla in Antarctica and was defeated, but the Xiliens upgraded him and sent him to Tokyo to aid Monster X in the final battle against Godzilla. Mothra soon intervened on Godzilla's behalf, sacrificing her life to destroy Gigan once and for all. Despite the generally low-perceived quality of his first two film appearances, Gigan has remained a popular member of Godzilla's rogues gallery, and has been featured in numerous comics and video games over the years. Gigan's popularity contributed to his revival for Godzilla: Final Wars, as he was one of director Ryuhei Kitamura's favorite monsters.

Design

Gigan is truly a strange monster, sporting a circular saw weapon located in his frontal abdominal region, large steel hooks for hands with smaller ones for toes, spikes running down his tail, three, large fin-like sails on his back and a red cybernetic visor for an eye. He also bears various avian characteristics, such as a 'crest' made of metal spines and a metal beak. In the Showa series, Gigan's skin was a dark green color and he possessed golden scales over several parts of his body. In Godzilla: Final Wars, Gigan's appearance was changed to make him appear more cybernetic. In this film, Gigan's skin is now a dark blue, his body is much thinner and more streamlined, and there are wire-like structures running across his body. When Gigan is revived as Modified Gigan, his hook hands are replaced with double-pronged chainsaws.

Personality

Gigan is sometimes considered to be Godzilla's most brutal and violent opponent. The 1992 book Special Graphix Godzilla vs. Mothra contrasts Gigan's personality with King Ghidorah and Mechagodzilla, two of Godzilla's other recurring foes from the Showa series. While King Ghidorah is described as a "dignified villain," Gigan is said to be a "bloodthirsty, ferocious cutthroat" in contrast to Mechagodzilla being a "consistently coldhearted and composed professional."[13][note 1] Gigan is shown to be very vicious and sadistic in combat, preferring to shred his opponents up close with his hook hands and buzzsaw. According to Gigan's suit actor Kenpachiro Satsuma, he made the conscious decision to portray Gigan as enjoying the destruction he causes.[14] However, at least in the Showa series, Gigan appears to be a bit of a coward, attempting to retreat and leaving his ally at the mercy of his enemies as soon as the tide of battle turns against him. In Godzilla: Final Wars, Gigan is shown to be somewhat incompetent, having his head easily blown off by Godzilla's atomic breath and later slicing his own head off with two razor discs intended for Mothra.

In Godzilla Island, Gigan actually becomes an ally of Godzilla after being defeated by him, and assists him and the other residents of Godzilla Island in fighting off invading monsters. This is the first and only time Gigan has been depicted in a benevolent light.

Origins

In the Showa series, Gigan is a type of space dinosaur that was transformed into a cyborg by the M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens in order to be used in their attempted invasion of Earth.[8]

In Godzilla: Final Wars, Gigan is an ancient cybernetic monster that was sent to Earth by the Xiliens 12,000 years ago, where he was defeated by Mothra and subsequently mummified. In the year 20XX, Gigan's mummified corpse was discovered by the Earth Defense Force, and the monster was later reactivated by the Controller of Planet X during the Xiliens' invasion.

In the continuity of the GODZILLA anime trilogy, Gigan was a monster discovered in hibernation on the seabed off the coast of Siberia. Gigan was modified using Exif and Bilusaludo technology and gradually converted into a cybernetic biological weapon used against Godzilla.[9]

History

Showa Series

Godzilla vs. Gigan

Gigan was sent to Earth by the M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens to destroy all civilization alongside King Ghidorah. Controlled remotely by the Nebulans from Godzilla Tower, Gigan and King Ghidorah were unleashed in Tokyo. The space monsters ravaged the city, but their rampage was interrupted by Godzilla and Anguirus at a refinery. The monsters began a fierce battle, which gradually moved to the Nebulans' base of operations at World Children's Land. With the aid of the Godzilla Tower's laser cannon, Gigan and King Ghidorah nearly killed both of the Earth monsters. However, a group of humans were able to successfully destroy the Godzilla Tower with explosives, severing the Nebulans' control over the space monsters and leaving them both confused. This bought time for Godzilla and Anguirus to regroup and mount their attack. This time, the tide of battle was turned against Gigan and King Ghidorah, prompting Gigan to attempt a retreat. Godzilla shot down Gigan with his atomic breath, then he and Anguirus turned their attention to King Ghidorah. Finally, King Ghidorah flew away into space, and was joined by Gigan, leaving the Earth safe for the time being.

Godzilla vs. Megalon

A year later, the Seatopians called upon the M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens for aid as they launched an assault on the surface world. The Nebulans sent Gigan to aid their allies, and he joined the Seatopians' guardian Megalon in battle against Jet Jaguar. Godzilla soon arrived to assist the robot, but the two found themselves locked in a difficult battle. Eventually, Godzilla and Jet Jaguar regained their strength and began winning the battle. Gigan quickly retreated back to space, with Megalon returning to Seatopia shortly afterward.

Zone Fighter

Gigan in Zone Fighter

After returning to space, Gigan was captured by the Garogas, who added him to the ranks of their Terror-Beasts. The Garogas upgraded Gigan, allowing him to deploy parachutes to slow his descent after entering Earth's atmosphere and outfitting his claws with a special ability that made objects explode when he hit them. Gigan was sent to Earth again, where he battled Zone Fighter, and nearly overpowered him. However, his archnemesis, Godzilla, had become close friends with the Sakimori family, and took over the fight, beating down Gigan and forcing him to retreat yet again. However, the Garogan control over Gigan remained, and they sent him into battle once again. However, the damage Gigan sustained while fighting Godzilla hadn't been repaired, and Gigan was beaten badly by Zone Fighter. After a short battle, Zone Fighter used his Meteor Missile Might on Gigan, and the alien monster fell to the ground while gushing black smoke and exploded, finally ending Gigan's life for good.


Godzilla Island

Story 5

In Godzilla Island episodes 31-40, when Zaguresu gets upset on the reports of her failures while reading a newspaper, a M Space Hunter Nebula Alien crawls into view and says to Zaguresu that it's here to help her conquer Godzilla Island, so the M Space Hunter Nebula Alien introduces Gigan to Zaguresu, which impressed her, and Gigan heads down to earth.

When Godzilla sees Gigan, Gigan levels off and starts a scan on Godzilla, and succeeds in doing so, Gigan then prepares to leave as Torema arrives on the scene, but Gigan flies over Torema's ship, and Zaguresu was annoyed when Gigan didn't even bother to fight. Gigan then fires an arrow with a note tied onto it to Godzilla Island from space, it turns out that the note said that Gigan has challenged Godzilla to a battle at sunrise, so Godzilla heads out to battle, only to be stopped by King Caesar, who then warns Godzilla that Gigan is too strong and needs to prepare before the battle, but Godzilla roars in defiance, then Torema begs Godzilla to listen, but Godzilla marches past King Caesar refusing to listen.

Godzilla finally reaches the battle site and finds Gigan waiting. The two monsters then begin to wait through the night before attacking, when the sun rises, Gigan reflects the sunlight off its claw, blinding Godzilla by the reflection. Gigan sees its opportunity and starts to charge at Godzilla, only for Godzilla to regain his sight, causing Gigan to halt its charge, and leap back to where it started attacking from.

Zaguresu starts getting frustrated that Gigan isn't fighting Godzilla, so she calls out Battra, only for Gigan to fire its Cluster Beam at Battra. The M Space Hunter Nebula Alien alien then assures Zaguresu that Gigan can defeat Godzilla on its own.

Godzilla and Gigan continue to face off as everyone waits in anticipation. When a landslide falls between Godzilla and Gigan, the two monsters begin to charge, but unfortunately, Godzilla goes down, much to everyone's surprise. Gigan then approaches the fallen Godzilla when Mothra suddenly appears, and attacks Gigan with her scales, then Rodan appears, picks up Godzilla, and flies away with Godzilla as Mothra follows.

Gigan watches, but turns away as Godzilla escapes. At King Caesar's healing spa, Godzilla admits to King Caesar that he wasn't ready to face Gigan and should've listened in the first place. King Caesar then tells Godzilla that he needed to use powers he's never used to defeat Gigan, and can train Godzilla how to use those powers. Gigan then appears, much to Godzilla and King Caesar's surprise.

However, it did not attack, but instead, enjoys the hot spa, as Godzilla and King Caesar watch. Gigan then rises out of the spa and challenges Godzilla at sunrise for the final battle, and Godzilla accepts Gigan's challenge. Before their final battle, Godzilla is seen meditating as Rodan flies by, King Caesar approaches as Godzilla continues to meditate. King Caesar taps into Godzilla's inner power, then walks away.

The next day, Godzilla has reached the battle site, and Gigan flies into position while King Caesar's gathered all the monsters, and warns them not to interfere in Godzilla's battle with Gigan. The monsters disapprove, and King Caesar roars in defiance, causing the monsters to step back.

Godzilla then closes his eyes, much to Gigan's confusion, and a green aura surrounds Godzilla, causing Gigan to step back. The green aura disappears and Godzilla opens his eyes. Godzilla suddenly fires his Radioactive Heat Ray aimlessly into the sky. Gigan sees its opportunity and charges Godzilla. In midair, the ray does a 180 and hits Gigan from behind, and everyone is shocked as to what has happened. Gigan looks back to see who attacked it, and Godzilla sees his opportunity and charges Gigan. As Gigan turns back around, Godzilla leaps in the air and strikes with a spinning tail attack, knocking Gigan down to the ground.

The fallen Gigan looks up at Godzilla as the King of the Monsters looks back. Gigan soon falls unconscious, and all the monsters come to congratulate Godzilla, even Torema is happy that Godzilla was able to defeat Gigan. but Zaguresu swats the M Space Hunter Nebula Alien alien with her newspaper because the plan's failed.

Story 12

Gigan reappears in episodes 117-118 when Godzilla is getting a beat down from Destoroyah and Megalon. At first it would seem like Gigan is helping the two monsters against Godzilla, but as it turns out, Gigan is actually helping Godzilla when Gigan knocks down Megalon. Destoroyah then tries to fly away, but Gigan shoots him down with the Cluster Beam, and Godzilla finishes Destoroyah off with a spinning tail attack, knocking him down. Godzilla and Gigan then drag the two monsters into a cave, and use their respective beam attacks to close in the cave on Destoroyah and Megalon. Godzilla and Gigan then look at each other, and Gigan flies off while Godzilla goes back to Godzilla Island to help fight-off against Mecha-King Ghidorah.

Story 16

Gigan once again reappears in episodes 169-178 when Misato goes on an expedition to Matango Island in her ship, Gigan is seen training by throwing rocks up in the air and slicing them in two, so Misato then reports this back to the G-Guard Commander. Landes sends Camero to ask if Gigan would like to join them in conquering Godzilla Island, but Gigan is uninterested and flies off.

The Giant Dark Emperor appears in space to yell at Landes, but she cries and he gives her a new monster, Dororin, to send out on earth. Dororin then crashes on Matango Island, shape-shifts himself into Godzilla, and smashes a rock on Gigan's head while Gigan was meditating.

Then he shape-shifts into Gigan itself, and flies off. Misato also arrives on Matango Island because Lucas got an alert, and Gigan tells her Godzilla attacked it, and Gigan flies to Godzilla Island to fight Godzilla. Meanwhile back in Godzilla Island, Dororin, while disguised as Gigan, smashes a rock on Godzilla's head. The G-Guard Commander radios Misato, and tells her that Gigan is here, but she tells him she's with Gigan. Soon enough, the real Gigan comes and fights Godzilla.

So far, neither monsters are falling or getting hit by blows that brought them down in previous battles. The battle continues despite Misato getting upset, and also the fact that the G-Guard Commander is piloting Mechagodzilla to fight Dororin to protect G-Guard Base. Godzilla refuses to stop fighting to help fight Dororin. But then Moguera, piloted by Nao, comes in-between Godzilla and Gigan and tells Godzilla to help fight-off against Dororin, so Godzilla decides to go because his friends are more important than his battle honor, and Gigan follows.

While Misato uses the computer and gets a clue on how to beat Dororin, Godzilla comes in and blasts Dororin with his Radioactive Heat Ray and takes over the fight, but Dororin grabs him from behind. Then Gigan comes in and attacks Dororin. And then Fire Fighter Jet Jaguar, piloted by Misato, comes in and uses its fire hose, melting the shape-shifting monster away, the spirit then flies up to the air, only for Gigan to smash it with its claw and finally, Gigan flies away, but not before it fires an arrow with a note tied onto it to ground from space.

Millennium Series

Godzilla: Final Wars

In 20XX, Gigan's mummified remains were discovered in Hokkaido by the Earth Defense Force. According to the Shobijin, Gigan invaded the Earth thousands of years ago, but was defeated by Mothra. Gigan was soon reactivated by the Xiliens to help them conquer the Earth. He chased the Gotengo to Antarctica to stop it from awakening Godzilla. He nearly destroyed the ship, but he was blasted by Godzilla's atomic breath. Gigan battled Godzilla, trapping him in barbed wire and pulling him toward his buzzsaw. However, Godzilla fired his atomic breath at Gigan's head, decapitating him and causing him to fall to the ground.


Modified Gigan
Modified Gigan in Godzilla: Final Wars

After being decapitated in his battle with Godzilla, Gigan was rebuilt by the Xiliens as Modified Gigan (改造ガイガン,   Kaizō Gaigan), with a different head, braces to protect the back of his neck and, most notably, a set of two-pronged chainsaws instead of hooks. Modified Gigan was released by the Controller of Planet X to battle Mothra, and seemingly defeated her after slicing off part of her wing. Gigan then attempted to help Monster X in his battle with Godzilla, slicing him in the chest while Monster X held him still. Mothra flew into the battle and knocked Monster X and Gigan over. Gigan shot his blades at Mothra, but she dodged them. Gigan then blasted Mothra with his laser beam, causing her to burst into flames. Gigan struck a victory pose, but his razor discs flew back and sliced his head off. Gigan wandered around blindly after his head was severed until Mothra, now on fire, flew into him, causing him to explode and die.

Abilities

Hooked Appendages

Gigan destroys a building with his hooked hand in Godzilla vs. Gigan

Gigan's forelimbs sport a pair of large metal hooks in place of hands which he can use to batter and stab an opponent. In his appearance on the television series Zone Fighter, the tips of the hooks can release an explosive charge on contact with an enemy. In Godzilla: Final Wars, Gigan's forearms ended in scythe-like blades, the undersides of which were equipped with dual grappling hooks that could bind an enemy and drag them straight into his buzzsaw. These new scythe-like appendages are officially referred to as the Bloody Triggers (ブラッディ・トリガー),[11] while concept art calls the grappling hooks the Fucking Ancer.[15] Following his initial defeat by the recently awakened Godzilla, the blades were replaced with double-pronged chainsaws, known as Bloody Chainsaws (ブラッディ・チェーンソー).[11]

Antigravity Flight

Gigan flies in Godzilla vs. Gigan

Gigan is capable of flying at speeds of up to Mach 3 while in Earth's atmosphere. However, in the realm of space Gigan is capable of flight at speeds of Mach 400[16] (in the Showa series this is done by encasing himself in a diamond). This normally assists in interstellar travel and is utilized very little, if at all, during battle situations. When it is used in battle, however, Gigan will often use it to engage in aerial slams to continuously topple his opponents without giving them a chance to counter, or even get up. In Zone Fighter, the Garogas fitted Gigan with a set of deployable drogue parachutes to slow his immense flying speed down upon approaching a battle.

Another mode of movement that Gigan utilizes is his teleportation ability, only seen in video games.

Buzzsaw

Gigan uses his buzzsaw to slice Anguirus' face in Godzilla vs. Gigan

Gigan has a buzzsaw built into his abdominal area made of an unknown alien alloy; granting it considerable durability and sharpness. In his first appearance, Gigan's saw was able to draw blood from both Godzilla and Anguirus. In Godzilla: Final Wars, the buzzsaw is officially known as the Bladed Cutter (ブラデッド・カッター)[11], and was even able to lacerate the hull of the Gotengo. A favored tactic of Gigan is to use his powers of flight along with his buzzsaw in hit and run attacks, slashing his opponent as he races by them.

Laser

Gigan fires his eye laser in Godzilla: Final Wars

In addition to his melee weapons, the Showa Gigan was depicted as having an beam aperture set into his forehead just above his visor. Official art would frequently depict him as firing a laser from this device although he was never shown to actually do so on film. However, in Godzilla vs. Gigan, after Godzilla heaves a rock at Gigan's face, the laser device in Gigan's forehead gives off a quick flash of light, possibly short-circuiting.

Although Gigan never used his laser onscreen in the Showa series, the attack has been featured in some non-film media. Gigan has used his laser in numerous pieces of official print media since the Showa era, including a Zone Fighter manga and the Cinema Shares Godzilla vs. Megalon comic adaptation. Gigan also demonstrated the ability in several video games, including Godzilla: Monster of Monsters!, Godzilla: Battle Legends and Godzilla: Great Monster Battle, as well as the three Atari/Pipeworks Godzilla games. According to the info located on the back of Gigan's Trendmasters collectible card, Gigan's forehead laser is actually an atomic energy weapon, similar to Godzilla's own atomic breath.

In Godzilla: Final Wars, Gigan's laser blast was finally revealed on screen, though it had been heavily altered from the original concept. Rather than being fired from a forehead laser device (the aperture had been replaced with a non-faceted ruby gem), it was instead fired from Gigan's eye itself. It also was no longer a traditional laser, but a large energy blast that, in a manner similar to a cluster bomb, would split into smaller explosive bolts of energy upon entering close range of a target, saturating the target in multiple hits simultaneously. The eye beam has been officially titled the Cluster Light Beam. A similar attack appears in the Atari/Pipeworks games, but the beam scatters the instant it leaves Gigan's eye, has a limited range, and is referred to as Shotgun Blast. In the PlayStation 3 and 4 Godzilla game, Modified Gigan's laser beam is called Giganume Cluster.

Flamethrower

In the video game Godzilla: Battle Legends and the Godzilla arcade game, Gigan has the ability to spew flames from his mouth. Although this ability has never been used in a film, Godzilla Movie Studio Tour confirmed that it is a normal ability Gigan has always had.

Miscellaneous

After being repaired and upgraded following his initial fight with Godzilla in Godzilla: Final Wars, Gigan displayed the ability to fire guided razor discs from two hidden slots in his upper torso which were able to boomerang back for a second attempt if they initially missed their target. Doing so however is risky as if they missed the target once again, Gigan would find himself right in the path of his own attack; which ultimately was what killed him. Gigan was also able to use his scorpion-like tail to aid him in melee combat. Gigan's razor disc attack is officially referred to as Bladed Slicer (ブラデッド・スライサー),[11] or alternatively Bloody Slicer, in the PS3 and 4 Godzilla game. He also possesses a more powerful version in the game called Surging Wave Blooded Slicer.

Filmography

Video Games

Godzilla: Monster of Monsters!

Gigan appears as a boss in the 1988 Nintendo Entertainment System game Godzilla: Monster of Monsters!.

Godzilla: Unleashed

Gigan in the Wii version of Godzilla: Unleashed

Gigan's Godzilla: Unleashed bio differs slightly in the Wii and PS2 versions in that the latter has contains a different closing sentence.

Height: 95 meters
Weight: 47,000 tons

"Gigan is the vanguard of the Alien Invaders. He is the finest fighting monster the Vortaak have at their command. Gigan is a cyborg infused with Vortaak technology designed to augment his powerful natural combat abilities. This latest upgrade makes him faster, stronger, and more ferocious than ever. Gigan projects powerful alien energy from his single eye to engage opponents at range, though with quick footwork and lightning-fast edged attacks he is clearly designed with close combat in mind. In addition, Gigan has the ability to teleport short distances to confuse and outflank his opponents."

Godzilla (PlayStation 3 / PlayStation 4)

Modified Gigan in Godzilla

Modified Gigan appears as a boss in many levels throughout Godzilla on the PlayStation 3 and 4. He was the final kaiju revealed to be in the original PlayStation 3 release of the game. Gigan attacks with his buzzsaw, razor disks, chainsaw hands, and eye beams. He also charges at enemies with the blade on his head. When defeated, Gigan's head will explode, as it does in Godzilla: Final Wars. In the PlayStation 4 version of the game, Gigan is a fully-playable character.

Moveset

  • Square
    • One tap: Right Bloody Chainsaw
    • Two taps: Left Bloody Chainsaw
    • Three Taps: Middle Kick
  • Triangle
    • Tap: Somersault Kick
  • X
    • Tap: Chainsaw Tackle
  • Circle
    • Tap: Giganume Cluster
    • Forward + Tap: Blooded Slicer
    • Roar + Tap: Surging Wave Blooded Slicer
  • R2
    • Tap: Revolving Chainsaw Slice

Kaiju Guide

Main article: Godzilla (2014 video game)/Kaiju Guide#Gigan.


Books

GODZILLA: Project Mechagodzilla

Gigan was discovered hibernating on the ocean floor off the coast of Siberia. He was captured by the United Earth and modified using Exif and Bilusaludo technology to be used as a weapon against Godzilla. Gigan was employed in "Operation: Long March," a plan by the United Earth to lure Godzilla deep into Eurasia. Godzilla and Gigan first battled in Suez, and although both of Gigan's arms were severed in the battle he succeeded in bringing Godzilla from Africa to Eurasia. Nonetheless, Gigan was salvaged and continually employed in "Operation: Long March," luring Godzilla deeper and deeper into Eurasia. In each battle, Godzilla progressively maimed Gigan more and more severely, only for his masters to replace his lost body parts with mechanical ones and gradually convert him into a cyborg. Gigan's hands were replaced with sickles and hyper-vibrating chainsaws, homing missile launchers were installed on his arms, his eyes were replaced with a single goggle-like visor, and his abdomen was equipped with a prototype blade launcher intended for use by Mechagodzilla. In a final battle between the monsters in Yarkant, China, Godzilla damaged Gigan's wings, arms, and head, but the Bilusaludo injected Gigan with experimental Nanometal during the battle, which allowed him to instantaneously heal from grievous injuries. However, Godzilla eventually destroyed Gigan completely with his spiral atomic breath, leaving no trace of the monster behind.[9]

Comics

Cinema Shares' Godzilla vs. Megalon adaptation

In this promotional comic for the U.S. release of Godzilla vs. Megalon by Cinema Shares International, Gigan (called "Borodan") is said to have been 'acquired' by Megalon, rather than being lent to the Seatopians by the M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens. Borodan fights both Godzilla and Jet Jaguar (called "Robotman"), but is defeated after he gets dropped from a great height by Robotman.

Zone Fighter Manga

Gigan in the Zone Fighter manga

In a manga adaptation of Zone Fighter, Gigan appears under the control of the Garogas, as he does in the TV series. He battles Zone Fighter alongside fellow Terror-Beast Balgaras. Notably, Gigan uses his optic laser beam in this manga, one of the earliest known instances of Gigan using this ability in officially licensed media.

Godzilla, King of the Monsters

In this short manga series, Gigan is featured as an enemy of Godzilla that is under the control of Doctor Oniyama, who had survived his apparent death after KIDS exploded by rebuilding much of his body with cybernetics. This Gigan was called Neo Gigan, and was sent to Earth from space with King Ghidorah at the end of Volume 1. Interestingly, Oniyama had extensively modified Neo Gigan so that he was more of a mech than a cyborg, piloting Neo Gigan from inside his head. Neo Gigan suddenly attacked Godzilla after Flying Ebirah was defeated, and used a variety of abilities to overpower the heroic kaiju, including firing his hooks off on cables to ensnare Godzilla, using his Optic Laser, and using his Buzzsaw. Godzilla managed to pull off one of Neo Gigan's arms when the latter attempted to use his Buzzaw again, exposing the cybernetics inside his chest. In a successful attempt to escape after Godzilla destroyed Neo Gigan's body, Oniyama flew Neo Gigan's head away, only to return integrated into King Godzilla's body a short while later.

Godzilla: Legends

Gigan makes a small cameo in Godzilla: Legends #1. When Dr. Anders is commenting on how Anguirus has lost every time he has fought another kaiju, Gigan's arm can be seen in one of the flash back panels, slicing Anguirus across the face.

Godzilla: The Half-Century War

Gigan appears in The Half-Century War #5. In this issue, Gigan and King Ghidorah arrive on Earth and wreak havoc. The AMF builds the Dimension Tide and lures the space monsters to Antarctica, hoping to trap them in an artificial black hole. Godzilla and Kiryu arrive and temporarily join forces to battle the space monsters. Eventually, Gigan is defeated and banished into the black hole along with King Ghidorah.


Godzilla: Ongoing

Gigan appears in Godzilla: Ongoing as one of the space monsters that attack Earth. In issue #10, Gigan battles Rodan and Anguirus in Hong Kong. Gigan's visor is shattered in the battle, rendering him blind. Gigan's fate is left unknown.

Godzilla: Rulers of Earth

In the first issue of Godzilla: Rulers of Earth, Gigan erupted from underground in Arizona, his visor still damaged from the earlier battle, and was immediately attacked by Kumonga. After getting trapped in the kaiju's webbing, Gigan faked defeat until Kumonga got close. Using his abdomen saw, Gigan severed one of Kumonga's legs, and freed himself from the web. Using his laser, Gigan set the whole valley on fire and left to be upgraded by the Cryog aliens.

Gigan later appeared with his Final Wars design in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #6 to fight Godzilla and M.O.G.U.E.R.A. with the help of Orga. M.O.G.U.E.R.A. was disabled by the alien kaiju. Orga couldn't be controlled by the Cryog, though, and went on a rampage but was destroyed, leaving Gigan to deal with Godzilla. Jet Jaguar came in soon afterwards and Gigan was soon defeated by Godzilla and Jet Jaguar.

In Rulers of Earth #17, Gigan is deployed to defend the Cryogs' ship from his former ally, SpaceGodzilla. Gigan and SpaceGodzilla prove to be almost equally matched, but SpaceGodzilla uses his mastery of crystals to shred Gigan's sails before SpaceGodzilla resumes its path to Earth in its flying form. Gigan's right arm is caught in SpaceGodzilla's crystalline hide and the cyborg is forced to sever it in order to escape, leaving him floating helplessly in space.

In the final issue, it is revealed that the Cryog commander, Rhizon, rescued and repaired Gigan to use in his coup against Karkaro. After Karkaro destroyed Rhizon's ship, Gigan was released from a silo on Earth's moon, and proceeded to attack and wipe out all of Karkaro's fleet, as well as briefly battle with Jet Jaguar once again. Gigan cut into Karkaro's ship with his upgraded chainsaws, crippling the spacecraft. After a brief argument, Rhizon shoved Karkaro into Gigan's still-active chainsaw blades, killing him, but not before he summoned Magita from the Trilopod hive. At some point during the battle, Jet Jaguar confronted Gigan and defeated him yet again before he went to help the other monsters. Gigan seemed to disappear after this, but was later shown at the end of the issue being repaired alongside a Mechagodzilla in an unknown location, possibly by the Cryogs.

Godzilla: Rage Across Time

Gigan appeared in the first issue of Godzilla: Rage Across Time, where he and Megalon were controlled by Zhenjin Khan, the dragon master, and sent to obliterate Japan in the 13th century alongside the Mongolian troops, actually the M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens in disguise. The soldiers of Japan fought back against the Mongolians while the two monsters laid waste to the land. Just when it looked like all hope was lost, the monsters were suddenly hit by an atomic beam that pushed back Megalon's napalm bomb. The source of the beam was revealed to be Godzilla, who was drawn towards the duo's location and decided to fight them. At first, Godzilla had the upper hand in the battle, dodging the monsters' attacks and striking hard at them, but was eventually overwhelmed by his enemies' coordinated teamwork. When it seemed like Godzilla would be defeated, the Mongol relic that controlled Gigan and Megalon was destroyed by a fire arrow shot from Akio, the infamous woman warrior. With the monsters dazed and confused, Godzilla fired his atomic breath at Gigan and swung his tail at Megalon, forcing the two monsters to retreat and fly off into space while Godzilla destroyed the remainder of the invading army.

Gallery

Main article: Gigan/Gallery.

Roar

Gigan's roar was reused for the choju Barabas from Ultraman Ace. Gigan's roar was later modified and used for SpaceGodzilla.

Gigan's roars in the Showa series
Gigan's roars in Godzilla: Final Wars

In Other Languages

Trivia

  • Gigan was the first monster to cause Godzilla to visibly bleed. In Godzilla vs. Gigan he had flown over Godzilla and slashed Godzilla's shoulder with his buzzsaw and later stabbed him in the head with his hammer-claw hands, causing blood to run down his face.
  • Gigan was portrayed by Kenpachiro Satsuma in Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla vs. Megalon. Satsuma had previously played Hedorah, and would go on to play Godzilla himself for all seven Heisei films. In Zone Fighter, Gigan was played by Isao Zushi, who also played Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.
  • In Godzilla Island, Gigan is the only space kaiju to ally himself with Godzilla.
  • Gigan shares some physical similarities with the Ultraman kaiju Dorako, most prominently his hooked forearms, along with a pointed beak-like face and large sail-like structures on his back, although in Dorako's case these are more like wings.
  • In Ultraman Mebius, the monster Dinozaur uses Gigan's roar.
  • Gigan is referenced in the game Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity. His name appears in two racing tracks, Gigan Rocks and Gigan Device.
  • Gigan's ability to fire off shurikens in Godzilla: Final Wars is very similar to Guiron's secondary attack, where he can fire four shurikens from indents in the side of his head.
  • In Godzilla: Rulers of Earth, Gigan appears in his Showa design in issue #1 and is later upgraded to his Millennium design in issue #5, and later into Modified Gigan. This is the first time Gigan is upgraded from his Showa design to his Millennium design visibly, though Gigan's bio from the instruction manual of Godzilla: Unleashed states he was upgraded using the "latest Vortaak technology," referencing the use of Gigan's Showa design in the previous two Atari/Pipeworks games.
  • The Ultraman Ace choju, Chameleking, has a saw in his stomach like Gigan, though it is never used in combat.
  • Gigan's skull makes a brief appearance in Pacific Rim Uprising, during the scene where Hermann Gottlieb examines PPDC records in search of a match for the image Mako Mori transmitted.

Videos

Wikizilla: YouTube Kaiju Profile: Gigan

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 coldhearted 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。
  2. Episodes 31-40, 67, 72, 115, 117-118, 127-128, and 169-178.

References

This is a list of references for Gigan. 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. Concept Art - Godzilla Final Wars - Gigan 1.png
  2. Savini gigan groe issue 6.png
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia. Shogakukan. 23 July 2014. pp. 66, 118. ISBN 4-096-82090-3. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. Godzilla 1954-1999 Super Complete Works. Shogakukan. 1 January 2000. p. 146. ISBN 978-4091014702. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. Shin Kaijuu Gaigan.png
  6. Kyooaku Kaijuu Gaigan.png
  7. SciFi Japan: ZONE FIGHTER Series Guide
  8. 8.0 8.1 Godzilla Monsters All Overall Encyclopedia. Shogakukan. 1 January 1985. p. 154. ISBN 4092811047.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Oki, Renji (25 April 2018). GODZILLA: Project Mechagodzilla. Kadokawa. pp. 74–82. ISBN 9784041063453.
  10. 10.0 10.1 J.D. Lees, Marc Cerasini (24 March 1998). The Official Godzilla Compendium. Random House. p. 123. ISBN 0279888225 Check |isbn= value: checksum (help). Check date values in: |date= (help)
    Compendium6.png
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Toho Special Effects Movie Complete Works. Village Books. 28 September 2012. pp. 155, 286. ISBN 4-864-91013-8. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. Common Knowledge of Godzilla. Futabasha. 6 July 2014. p. 125. ISBN 978-4-575-30696-5. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. Special Graphix Godzilla vs. Mothra. Kindaieigasha. 1992. p. 75. ASIN B0084BR94W. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. Kenpachiro Satsuma Interview I - davmil.org
  15. Gfw gigan concept art.jpg
  16. All Toho Monsters Pictorial Book (4th Edition). Yosensha. 4 September 2016. p. 171. ISBN 978-4-8003-0362-2. Check date values in: |date= (help)

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Kaiju
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