Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.movies,alt.cult-movies
From: dave@blackbox.cc.columbia.edu (David Milner)
Subject: JAPANESE MONSTER GUIDE, PART I
Message-ID: <1993Feb5.161625.9380@news.columbia.edu>
Keywords: Godzilla Disney Japan Monster
Organization: Columbia University
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1993 16:16:25 GMT
Lines: 377

What follows is information on all of Toho's giant monsters. 

A similar listing of the monsters seen in the Gamera films
will be posted shortly.

ANGILAS (Angirasu)
Description: Angirasaurus
Height: 60 Meters
Weight: 30,000 Tons
Note: Leaps to Use Spikes on Back to Injure Adversaries
Film Appearances: GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (1955); DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
(1968); GODZILLA'S REVENGE (1969) (stock footage); GODZILLA VS.
GIGAN (1972); GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (1973); GODZILLA VS.
MECHAGODZILLA (1974)

BARAGON (Baragon)
Description: Prehistoric Creature
Height: 25 Meters
Weight: 250 Tons
Note: Radioactive Breath
Film Appearances: FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD (1965); DESTROY
ALL MONSTERS (1968)

BATTRA (Batora)
Description: Battle Mothra
Length: 90 Meters (larva); 73 Meters (adult)
Height: 60 Meters (larva)
Weight: 20,000 Tons (larva); 30,000 Tons (adult)
Wingspan: 180 Meters
Air Speed: Mach 2.5
Note: Emits Rays from Horn and Eyes
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA (1992)

BIOLLANTE (Biorante)
Description: Genetically Engineered Combination of Cells
from a Rose, a Woman and Godzilla
Height: 85 Meters (plant form); 120 Meters (animal form)
Weight: 6,000 Tons (plant form); 20,000 Tons (animal form)
Note: Spits Corrosive Sap from Mouth and Tendrils
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE (1989)

BROWN GARGANTUA (Sanda)
Description: Mutated Human Being
Height: 30 Meters
Weight: 15,000 Tons
Note: Unaggressive
Film Appearances: WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (1966)

DAGORA (Dogora)
Description: Space Monster
Height: 500 Meters
Weight: Unknown
Note: Sucks Up Mineral Ores While Floating in Air
Film Appearances: DAGORA, THE SPACE MONSTER (1964)

EBIRAH (Ebira)
Description: Lobster
Length: 50 Meters
Weight: 23,000 Tons
Note: Fended Off by Liquid Made from Yellow Fruit
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER (1966); GODZILLA'S
REVENGE (1969) (stock footage)

FRANKENSTEIN (Furankenshutain)
Description: Mutated Human Being
Height: 20 Meters
Weight: 200 Tons
Note: Grew from the Heart of the Frankenstein Creature After an
Atomic Bomb was Dropped on Hiroshima
Film Appearances: FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD (1965)

GABORAH (Gabara)
Description: Bully Monster
Height: 58 Meters
Weight: 23,000 Tons
Note: Generates Electricity and Channels It Through Hands to Subdue
Opponents
Film Appearances: GODZILLA'S REVENGE (1969)

GANIME (Ganime)
Description: Crab
Length: 20 Meters
Weight: 12,000 Tons
Note: Grabs Adversaries with Claws
Film Appearances: YOG, MONSTER FROM SPACE (1970)

GEZORA (Gezora)
Description: Octopus
Height: 30 Meters
Weight: 25,000 Tons
Note: Afraid of Fire
Film Appearances: YOG, MONSTER FROM SPACE (1970)

GHIDRAH (Kingu Gidora)
Description: Three-Headed Dragon
Height: 100 Meters (1964-1972); 140 Meters (1991)
Weight: 30,000 Tons (1964-1972); 70,000 Tons (1991)
Wingspan: 150 Meters (1964-1972); Unknown (1991)
Air Speed: Mach 3 (1964-1972); Mach 4 (1991)
Note: Emits Rays from Mouths
Film Appearances: GHIDRAH THE THREE HEADED MONSTER (1964); GODZILLA
VS. MONSTER ZERO (1965); DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968); GODZILLA VS.
GIGAN (1972); TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (1975) (stock footage);
GODZILLA VS. GHIDRAH (1991)

GIANT CONDOR (O Kondor)
Description: Condor
Height: 15 Meters
Weight: 2,000 Tons
Wingspan: 25 Meters
Air Speed: Unknown
Note: Uses Beak to Peck at Opponents
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER (1966); GODZILLA'S
REVENGE (1969) (stock footage)

GIANT OCTOPUS (O Dako)
Description: Octopus
Length: 25 Meters
Weight: 20,000 Tons
Note: Uses Poison to Help Subdue Adversaries
Film Appearances: KING KONG VS. GODZILLA (1962); FRANKENSTEIN
CONQUERS THE WORLD (1965) (alternate ending); WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS
(1966)

GIANT SEA SNAKE (O Umi Hebi)
Description: Sea Snake
Length: 85 Meters
Weight: 4,000 Tons
Note: Wraps Body Around Opponents
Film Appearances: KING KONG ESCAPES (1967)

GIGAN (Gaigan)
Description: Cyborg
Height: 65 Meters
Weight: 25,000 Tons
Air Speed: Mach 4
Note: Emits Ray from Opening on Forehead; Protuberances on Chest
and Abdomen Revolve
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (1972); GODZILLA VS. MEGALON
(1973)

GIMANTIS (Kamakirasu)
Description: Praying Mantis
Height: 50 Meters
Weight: 2,800 Tons
Air Speed: Mach 0.5
Note: Vastly Increased in Size After Radioactive Storm
Film Appearances: SON OF GODZILLA (1967); GODZILLA'S REVENGE (1969)

GODZILLA (Gojira)
Description: Gojirasaurus
Height: 50 Meters (1954-1975); 80 Meters (1984-1989); 100 Meters
(1991-Present)
Weight: 20,000 Tons (1954-1975); 50,000 Tons (1984-1989); 60,000
Tons (1991-Present)
Note: Radioactive Breath; Generates Internal Surge of Energy
Capable of Casting Off Anything in Contact with Body
Film Appearances: GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS (1954); GODZILLA
RAIDS AGAIN (1955); KING KONG VS. GODZILLA (1962); GODZILLA VS.
MOTHRA (1964); GHIDRAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER (1964); GODZILLA
VS. MONSTER ZERO (1965); GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER (1966); SON
OF GODZILLA (1967); DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968); GODZILLA'S REVENGE
(1969); GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER (1971); GODZILLA VS. GIGAN
(1972); GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (1973); GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA
(1974); TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (1975); GODZILLA 1985 (1984);
GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE (1989); GODZILLA VS. GHIDRAH (1991);
GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA (1992)

GODZILLASAURUS (Gojirasaurusu)
Description: Gojirasaurus
Height: 12 Meters
Weight: 60 Tons
Note: Much Larger Than Other Similar Species
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. GHIDRAH (1991)

GOROSAURUS (Gorosaurusu)
Description: Gorosaurus
Height: 35 Meters
Weight: 8,000 Tons
Note: Often Kicks Adversaries
Film Appearances: KING KONG ESCAPES (1967); DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
(1968); GODZILLA'S REVENGE (1969) (stock footage)

GREEN GARGANTUA (Gaira)
Description: Mutated Human Being
Height: 25 Meters
Weight: 10,000 Tons
Note: Affinity for Human Flesh
Film Appearances: WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (1966)

HEDORAH (Hedora)
Description: Space Monster Born of Pollution
Height: 60 Meters
Weight: 48,000 Tons
Air Speed: Mach 1
Note: Emits Corrosive Mist While Flying; Emits Ray from Just Above
Eye
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER (1971)

HYDRA (Sematanoorochi)
Description: Hydra
Length: 300 Meters
Weight: 10,000 Tons
Note: All Seven Heads Capable of Independent Action
Film Appearances: THE THREE TREASURES (1959)

JET JAGUAR (Jeto Jagua)
Description: Robot
Height: 1.8 Meters; 50 Meters
Weight: 150 Kilograms; 25,000 Tons
Note: Capable of Vastly Increasing in Size
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (1973)

KAMEBA (Kameba)
Description: Sea Turtle
Length: 20 Meters
Weight: 28,000 Tons
Note: Extends and Retracts Head
Film Appearances: YOG, MONSTER FROM SPACE (1970)

KING KONG (Kingu Kongu)
Description: Ape
Height: 45 Meters (1962); 20 Meters (1967)
Weight: 45,000 Tons (1962); 10,000 Tons (1967)
Note: Strengthened by Electricity; Channels Electricity Through
Hands to Subdue Opponents
Film Appearances: KING KONG VS. GODZILLA (1962); KING KONG ESCAPES
(1967)

KING SEESAR (Kingu Sisa)
Description: Foo-Lion
Height: 50 Meters
Weight: 30,000 Tons
Note: Captures and Emits Rays with Eyes
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (1974)

MAGMA (Maguma)
Description: Walrus
Length: 50 Meters
Weight: 25,000 Tons
Note: Antarctic Habitat
Film Appearances: GORATH (1962)

MANDA (Manda)
Description: Sea Serpent
Length: 150 Meters
Weight: 30,000 Tons
Note: Wraps Body Around Prey
Film Appearances: ATRAGON (1963); DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968);
GODZILLA'S REVENGE (1969) (stock footage); TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA
(1975) (stock footage)

MECHAGHIDRAH (Meka Kingu Gidora)
Description: Cyborg
Height: 140 Meters
Weight: 80,000 Tons
Wingspan: Unknown
Air Speed: Mach 4
Note: Emits Rays from Mouths; Equipped with Grappling Hooks
Concealed in Chest Plate
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. GHIDRAH (1991)

MECHAGODZILLA (MekaGojira)
Description: Robot
Height: 50 Meters
Weight: 40,000 Tons
Air Speed: Mach 5
Note: Emits Rays from Chest and Eyes; Fires Missiles from Fingers,
Knees and Toes; Generates Force Field Around Itself
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (1974); TERROR OF
MECHAGODZILLA (1975) (stock footage)

MECHAGODZILLA 2 (MekaGojira 2)
Description: Robot
Height: 50 Meters
Weight: 40,000 Tons
Air Speed: Mach 5
Note: Emits Rays from Chest, Eyes and Underneath Head; Fires
Revolving Missiles from Fingers, Knees and Toes
Film Appearances: TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (1975)

MECHAKONG (MekaniKong)
Description: Robot
Height: 20 Meters
Weight: 15,000 Tons
Note: Blinding Light Emitted from Eyes; Hypnotic Light Located on
Top of Head
Film Appearances: KING KONG ESCAPES (1967)

MEGALON (Megaro)
Description: Beetle
Height: 55 Meters
Weight: 40,000 Tons
Air Speed: Mach 3
Note: Emits Ray from Horn; Spews Explosive Balls from Mouth
Film Appearances: GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (1973)

MEGANURON (Meganuron)
Description: Caterpillar
Length: 8 Meters
Weight: 1 Ton
Note: Lives Underground
Film Appearances: RODAN, THE FLYING MONSTER (1956)

MOGUERA (Mogera)
Description: Robot
Height: 50 Meters
Weight: 50,000 Tons
Note: Emits Rays from Eyes
Film Appearances: THE MYSTERIANS (1957)

MINYA (Minira)
Description: Gojirasaurus
Height: 13 Meters (birth); 18 Meters
Weight: 800 Tons (birth); 3,000 Tons
Note: Radioactive Breath
Film Appearances: SON OF GODZILLA (1967); DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
(1968); GODZILLA'S REVENGE (1969)

MOTHRA (Mosura)
Description: Moth
Length: 180 Meters (larva, 1961); 135 Meters (adult, 1961); 40
Meters (larva, 1964-1968); Unknown (adult, 1964-1966); 120 Meters
(larva, 1992); 65 Meters (adult, 1992)
Weight:  20,000 Tons (larva, 1961) 15,000 Tons (adult, 1961); 8,000
Tons (larva, 1964-1968); Unknown (adult, 1964-1966); 15,000 Tons
(larva, 1992); 20,000 Tons (adult, 1992)
Wingspan: 250 Meters (1961); 80 Meters (1964-1966); 175 Meters
(1992)
Air Speed: Mach 3 (1961); Unknown (1964-1966); Mach 2 (1992)
Note: Gives Off Poisonous Yellow Dust; Emits Rays from Antennae;
Discharges Bolts of Lightning from Wings; Telepathic
Film Appearances: MOTHRA (1961); GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA (1964);
GHIDRAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER (1964); GODZILLA VS. THE SEA
MONSTER (1966); DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968); GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA
(1992)

RODAN (Radon)
Description: Pteranodon
Height: 50 Meters
Weight: 15,000 Tons
Wingspan: 150 Meters
Air Speed: Mach 1.5
Note: Radioactive Breath
Film Appearances: RODAN, THE FLYING MONSTER (1956); GHIDRAH, THE
THREE-HEADED MONSTER (1964); GODZILLA VS. MONSTER ZERO (1965);
DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968); TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (1975) (stock
footage)

SPIGA (Kumonga)
Description: Spider
Length: 45 Meters
Weight: 8,000 Tons
Note: Poisons Victims Before Encasing Them in Webbing
Film Appearances: SON OF GODZILLA (1967); DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
(1968); GODZILLA'S REVENGE (1969) (stock footage)

TITANOSAURUS (Chitanosaurusu)
Description: Chitanosaurus
Height: 60 Meters
Weight: 30,000 Tons
Note: Creates Whirlwinds with Tail
Film Appearances: TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (1975)

VARAN (Baran)
Description: Baranosaurus
Height: 50 Meters
Weight: 15,000 Tons
Air Speed: Mach 1.5
Note: Uses Excess Skin Under Arms to Fly
Film Appearances: VARAN, THE UNBELIEVABLE (1958); DESTROY ALL
MONSTERS (1968)

David Milner  Columbia University
inet:   dave@blackbox.cc.columbia.edu
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