Monster Profile: GYANGO (Ultraman)

GYANGO

(ギャンゴ, Gyango)

Classification: Brain Wave Monster

A rock from space that can transform into whatever the holder wills ends up in the hands of a gangster. He wills it to become a bizarre giant monster dubbed Gyango. He uses Gyango to terrorize the Japanese suburbs. Unfortunately, when the gangster is put into a coma, Gyango doesn't disappear.

Ultraman is deployed to stop Gyango's wave of destruction. Fighting with a goofy, playful style, Gyango battles with Ultraman until the Science Patrol can find a way to wake the gangster from his coma and sever the mental connection with Gyango that's keeping it in monster form.

Height: 2.2 - 50 m (7-164 feet)

Weight: 60 - 60, 000 tons

Powers: As one form of the space rock, Gyango can technically transform into anything a human wishes.

Gango can summon any type of metal using his claws but this power is never used or referenced in the show.

First Appearance

Ultraman (1966) - "The Ruffian from Outer Space"

Trivia

• Gyango is built from the Bemular suit used in the very first episode of the 1966 Ultraman series.

Monster Profile: KNIFEHEAD (Pacific Rim)

KNIFEHEAD

Classification: Category III

Emerging from the breach in the year 2020, the ferocious kaiju codenamed Knifehead is the largest category III kaiju ever recorded. With a tough outer shell and armor-piercing knife-like nose, Knifehead holds the distinction of being the kaiju that put Jaeger Gipsy Danger out of commission during their battle off the coast of Anchorage, Alaska. During that confrontation with Gipsy Danger, Knifehead dealt a fatal blow to the over-confident Jaeger pilot team. 

Thinking they had defeated Knifehead, Gispy Danger pilots Yancy and Raleigh Becket were prematurely congratulating themselves as Knifehead pulled itself back up from the sea. Using its incredible strength, Knifehead severed the Jaeger's arm and smashed open its head, tearing co-pilot Yancy out of the cockpit and killing him. Left to pilot Gipsy Danger on his own, Raleigh Beckett managed to destroy Knifehead by unloading several rounds of plasma aster charges into Knifehead's face. 

Like other Kaiju, Knifehead's anatomy resembles that of Earth's aquatic fish, mammals, and reptiles. While in many ways resembling a goblin shark, Knifehead sports a very whale-like blowhole atop its head. In other ways like an insect, Knifehead has four arms: from the shoulders, two large dominant arms ending in three-clawed digits (the middle digit being significantly extended) and from its belly, two smaller secondary arms. Knifehead's dark grey body is detailed with a pattern of yellow lines. Its eyes and the interior of its mouth glow blue.

Height: 96 meters (315 feet)

Weight: 2, 700 tons
Toxicity: Medium

Powers: Knifehead's signature weapon is the bony knife-like nose protrubance that's so sharp it can cut through Jaeger armor. In addition, Knifehead can rend Jaeger steel with its mouth full of jagged teeth.

Appearances

Pacific Rim (2013)

Monster Profile: SUFLAN (Ultraman)

SUFLAN

(aka. Sufuran)

Classification: Aggressive Carnivorous Vines

Although not as great a threat as the giant monsters in the Monster Lawless Zone, this carnivorous plant certainly made things difficult for the Science Patrol.

Height: 328 feet (100 meters)

Weight: 8 tons

Powers: As a plant, Suflan attacks from the canopy with long vines capable of constricting its prey to death.

Weaknesses: Suflan proves quite susceptible to fire since the Science Patrol was able to escape the deadly vines by utilizing flame throwers.

First Appearance

Ultraman (1966) - "Monster Lawless Zone"

Monster Profile: JIRASS (Ultraman)

JIRASS

(ジラース - Jirāsu)

Classification: Frilled Monster

Bearing an unmistakable likeness to the King of the Monsters, Jirass is a giant frilled aquatic reptile created (or is it found?) by the mad scientist Professor Nakamura (aka. Professor Nikaido) and raised in Lake Kitayama.

After Jirass's life in Lake Kitayama was disturbed and he was brought forth by his caretaker to attack the Science Patrol, Ultraman defeated Jirass in an uncharacteristically showy and brutal battle in which Jirass's frilled collar was ripped from his neck. After Jirass died, Ultraman knelt before the defeated monster to show his respects.

Height: 147 feet (45 meters)

Weight: 25,000 - 30, 000 tons

Powers: Like Godzilla, Jirass is an accomplished swimmer, but where Godzilla fires a blast of atomic breath, Jirass unleashes a blue electric ray from his mouth instead.

First Appearance

Ultraman (1966) - "The Mysterious Dinosaur Base"

Other Appearances

Redman (1972) 

Trivia

• Jirass is assembled from the Godzilla suit head used in Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster and the Godzilla body seen in Mothra vs. Godzilla with the addition of a frilled collar and yellow paint to distinguish Jirass from the iconic King of the Monsters

• The man in the suit is none other than Haruo Nakajima who is famous for playing Godzilla in the first twelve Godzilla films.

Monster Profile: PIGMON (Ultraman)

PIGMON

(ピグモン Pigumon)

Classification: Friendly Rare Monster

On Tatara Island, the monsters come big and mean, but Pigmon is the exception to the rule.

The size of a human child, Pigmon is a bizarre creature with a heart of gold. He first appeared in the classic Ultraman series as a diminutive kaiju with a body sprouting in red frills. His stubby white arms end in long, skeletal fingers that are constantly waggling and are, honestly, unnerving to watch. 

Pigmon was discovered by the Science Patrol on Tatara Island where Pigmon left a trail for the Science Patrol to follow. They found Pigmon helping an injured researcher, the only survivor of a doomed research team that was ravaged by the island's larger, meaner monster. Near the end of the episode, the monster Red King attacks and kills Pigmon by crushing him under an avalanche of rocks.

In a later episode, Pigmon is brought back to life by a creature known as Geronimon who was angry at the Science Patrol for killing monsters. Pigmon helped the Science Patrol learn of Geronimon's plans, but Pigmon is killed once again while protecting Science Patrol member Ide from the resurrected monster Dorako.

Height: 4 feet (1 meter)

Weight: 40 kilograms

First Appearance

Ultraman (1966) - "Monster Lawless Zone"

Other Appearances

Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero / Ultraman Powered (1993)
Revive! Ultraman (1996) 
Ultraman Max (2005)
Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy (2009)

Monster Profile: GABORA (Ultraman)

GABORA

(ガボラ)

Classification: Uranium Monster

Gabora is a four-legged, subterranean monster with a deep hunger for uranium. When he first appeared in the classic Ultraman series, he surfaced after a typhoon in order to seek out souces of uranium to eat.

To assist in his life underground, Gabora's head is covered in six strips of armour that close to form a conical shield, perfect for burrowing. When Gabora is ready to attack or feed, the armor strips separate and fold back like blooming flower petals to reveal the monster's face. Gabora's back is also lined with armour plates, but the rest of his tough skin is exposed to attack.

Height: 50 meters (164 feet)

Weight: 25, 000 Tons

Powers: Gabora can fire a blue uranium beam from his mouth. Although the beam is supposedly powerful, it doesn't cause much devastation in the episode when he appeared.

First Appearance

Ultraman (1966) - "Operation Electric Stone Fire"

Other Appearances

Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero / Ultraman Powered (1993)

 Trivia

• Gabora is built from Toho's Baragon costume that was also used to make Neronga and Magular

Monster Profile: RED KING (Ultraman)

RED KING

(レッドキング Reddo Kingu)

Classification: Skull Monster

In the original Ultraman series, Red King appeared twice. First, he was encountered on the remote island of Tatara where he and other monsters had terrorized and killed a team of researchers.

In this episode, Red King is a ferocious monster with a tendency to showboat and use rocks and boulders as weapons. He quarrels with other monsters and is not above ripping off his enemy's limbs, but his bony skin and intimidating size were no match for Ultraman who defeated him without depleting his own energy.

The second time Red King appeared, he was considerably more dangerous because he had swallowed a nuclear device. Again, he quarrels with other monsters before facing down Ultraman, who slices Red King into three pieces.

Height: 45 meters (147 feet)

Weight: 20, 000 Tons

Variations

• EX Red King

First Appearance

Ultraman (1966) - "Monster Lawless Zone"

Other Appearances

Ultraman (1966)
The Ultraman (1979)
Ultraman 80 (1980)
Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero / Ultraman Powered (1993)
Ultraman Max (2005)
Ultraman Mebius (2006)
Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle (2007)
Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey (2008)
Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy (2009)

Monster Profile: ANTLAR (Ultraman)

ANTLAR

(アントラー Antora)

Classification: Magnet Monster

Residing in the desert sands of the Middle East, Antlar is a giant beetle-like monster with magnetic powers. Antlar's distinguishing features include a impenetrable carapace and ferocious mandibles. In the original Ultraman series, Antlar is an ancient beast that threatens the Middle Eastern city of Baraj, but Antlar is kept at bay by a blue stone handed down to the people of Baraj by one of Ultraman's ancestors. Antlar holds the distinction of being one of the few kaiju that Ultraman was unable to defeat.

In Ultraman Max, Antlar is a prophetic force that destroys polluters; after destroying the ancient city of Barrage he goes after Tokyo. Antlar also appeared in the series Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey and the film Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legend The Movie

Height: 40 meters (131 feet)

Weight: 20, 000 Tons

Powers: Antlar is a quick burrower capable of traveling through the sand at great speeds. As an offensive attack, Antlar can kick and shoot sand into the faces of its opponents. Antlar can also produce a magnetic beam capable of attracting all metallic objects. This beam works especially well in drawing the weapons out of enemy hands.

Weaknesses: The Blue Stone of Baraj (Ultraman); The Blue Stone of Barrage (Ultraman Max); Ultraman's Ultra Attack Ray (Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legend The Movie)

First Appearance

Ultraman (1966) - "The Blue Stone of Baraj"

Other Appearances

Ultraman Max (2005)
Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: Never Ending Odyssey (2008)
Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy  (2009)

Trivia

• Ultraman has failed to defeat Antlar without the help of a magical blue stone in every incarnation except for in Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legend The Movie, making Antlar one of Ultraman's most formidable enemies.

• Antlar's neck and legs are borrowed from Toho's Megalon costume.

Monster Profile: GREENMONS (Ultraman)

GREENMONS

(グリーンモンス)

Classification: Miroganda Monster

Once a normal specimen of the large and beautiful miroganda flower, Greenmons was created when a miroganda was taken back to Japan and exposed to radiation. Not only did the plant grow to human size but it also reverted back to its juvenile form: an amorphous and carnivorous green plant. Now radiated, Greenmons glowed yellow from its center and was extraordinarily animate.

An adult miroganda

Greenmons required special water from its home island to survive, so it was drawn to attack the researchers who drank from that same water  Later, when confronted by the Science Patrol, Greenmons fed on energy to grow to gigantic size for its final battle with Ultraman.

Height: 20 centimeters (8 inches) - 35 meters (114 feet)

Weight: 30 grams - 20, 000 tons

Powers: When threatened, Greenmons can attack with a green cloud of poisonous mist. It can also smother enemies and escape through small spaces by flattening into a leafy ribbon and sliding on a trail of green mucus.

First Appearance

Ultraman (1966) - "Secret of Miroganda"

Monster Profile: GESURA (Ultraman)

GESURA

(ゲスラ)

Classification: Sea Monster

Gesura is an amphibious monster from the waters of South America that's cuckoo for cocoa. Its diet consists of cocoa, chocolate, cocoa, and cacao beans.

Normally Gesura is a smaller creature, but the Gesura encountered by Ultraman was mutated to gigantic size after exposure to the toxic contents of Tokyo's Harbour.


Max. Height: 60 meters (196 feet)

Max. Weight: 10,000 Tons

Powers: Its primary defense is a series of toxic spines that run down its back.

Weaknesses: Gesura can be fatally wounded by removing the fin from its head.

First Appearance

Ultraman (1966) - "Coast Guard Orders"

Later Appearances

Superior Ultraman 8 Brothers (2008) as King Gesura

Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy (2009) as King Gesura

Monster Profile: RAGON (Ultra Q / Ultraman)

RAGON

(ラゴン)

Classification: Humanoid Fish

The Ragon are a species of humanoid fish creatures that live in the Pacific Ocean. They reproduce sexually, and their offspring hatch from eggs. The Ragon are known to respond to music.

Normally, a full-grown Ragon stands approximately six feet tall, but exposure to nuclear radiation is known to cause them to grow to heights of 98 feet.

Max. Height: 30 meters (98 feet)

Powers: The Ragon species appears to be amphibian and can breathe air as well as in the water. The giant Ragon that Ultraman defeated developed the mutated power to fire atomic breath.

First Appearance

Ultra Q (1966) - "Undersea Humanoid Ragon"

Later Appearances

Ultraman (1966) - "Five Seconds Before the Explosion"

Monster Profile: NERONGA (Ultraman)

NERONGA

(ネロンガ)

Classification: Transparency Monster

According to legend, Neronga was a monster imprisoned at the bottom of a well after a battle with a samurai in the Edo period. Neronga remained underground, feeding on electricity from the nearby power plant and growing to giant size. Neronga is only visible after he's fed on electricity.

Max. Height: 45 meters (148 feet)

Max. Weight: 40,000 tons

Powers: When Neronga's antlers/antenna rotate around to point away from his head, Neronga can fire a damaging electric beam from the glowing horn on the end of his face.

First Appearance

Ultraman (1966) - "Charge Forth, Science Patrol"

Later Appearances

Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy (2009)

Trivia

• The Neronga costume was made out of the 1965 Baragon costume from Frankenstein Conquers the World.

• Neronga is played by Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima, who also played Varan in Varan the Unbelievable.

Monster Profile: KING KONG (1933)

King Kong

aka. Kong

Classification: Giant Ape

Living on a forgotten island shrouded by mist, Kong thrives in the violent, primal jungles of a lost prehistoric world. From behind a giant wall, tribal people sacrifice to Kong their women in order to appease him. One day, an American film crew arrives on the island, and Kong becomes smitten with Ann Darrow, a blonde American kidnapped and offered to Kong. Darrow's crew-mates brave the jungle to rescue her, and Kong is captured by the Americans. He's taken to New York as a captive and entertainment attraction. After escaping and rampaging through the city, Kong meets his end atop the Empire State Building and falls to his death.

Max. Height: 5 meters (on Skull Island) or 7 meters (in New York) (18-24 feet)

Weight: Over 38 tons

Weakness: Blonde White Women

Powers: Kong possesses all the abilities and strengths of a gorilla proportionate to his height and size. Unlike apes, however, Kong fights in a very human fashion by employing hand-to-hand combat skills reminiscent of wrestling and boxing moves.

Appearances

King Kong (1933)

Official Variations

• King Kong (1976)
• King Kong (2005)
• Japanese King Kong (Toho)
• Animated King Kong (Japan 1966)

Monster Profile: BALTAN SEIJIN (Ultraman)

BALTAN SEIJIN

aka. Alien Baltan
(バルタン星人 Barutan Seijin)

Classification: Space Ninja

Whether they exist at microscopic size, human height, or as 164 foot monsters, do not underestimate the Baltan Seijin. Equipped with a formidable range of powers, this uncompromising race debuted in the original Ultraman series and attempted to take over the Earth after their own planet was destroyed by a nuclear device. Recognized by their crustaceon-like faces, V-shaped head crest, giant claws, and distinctive laugh, the Baltan Seijin have appeared in various subsequent Ultraman series as one of Ultraman's classic enemies.

Max. Height: 50 meters (164 feet)
Max. Weight: 15,000 tons
Weakness: Specium (spacium)

Powers: The Baltan Seijin have an array of powers. From their claws, they can fire paralyzing red beams or destructive red/white beams. They are capable of flight, rapid growth, and short-range teleportation. The Baltan-Seijin can also project illusionary dublicates as decoys to confuse enemies. In Ultraman, Baltans have also been shown to possess the ability to take control of a human's body and mind in order to communicate with humans. Presumably, the original Baltans lack the natural ability to communicate with Earthlings. Although Baltans are tough to kill, when a Baltan does suffer severe damage, it sheds its outer carapace. Finally, multiple Baltans of microscopic or human-size can combine into one larger Baltan. Team work!

 Variations

• Mecha-Baltan
• Psycho Baltan
• Neo-Baltan
• Dark Baltan
• Little Baltans (Child & Tiny)

First Appearance

Ultraman (1966) - "Shoot the Invader"

Later Appearances
Ultra Fight (1970)
The Return of Ultraman (1971)
Redman (1972)
The Ultraman (1979)
Ultraman 80 (1980)
Andro Melos (1983)
Ultraman Powered (1993)
Ultraman Cosmos (2002)
Ultraman Max (2005)
Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy (2009)

Monster Profile: BEMULAR (Ultraman)

BEMULAR

(ベムラー Bemurā)

Classification: Space Monster

Looking like the cross between Godzilla and a sea urchin, Bemular is an evil space monster who escaped captivity and was pursued to earth in the first episode of Ultraman. He draws strength from a lake, but after wreaking some havoc, he is swiftly pummeled by Ultraman and then destroyed. He suffers a similar fate in the Ultraman film Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy.

Height: 50 meters (164 feet)
Weight: 15,000 tons
Flight Speed: Mach 1.8

Powers: Bemular can travel through space in a blue sphere. He can also fire a destructive blue laser from his mouth.

Trivia

• Bemular's name was originally going to be used for a bird-like humanoid monster with wings that was intended to be the hero of the series Scientific Special Search Party: Bemular. This series would have been the followup to Ultra Q but the idea was scrapped in favour of the Ultraman concept. 

• The Bemular suit was later recycled to make the monster Gyango in Episode 11 of Ultraman, "The Ruffian from Outer Space".

• Bemular`s roar sounds like a pitched-down version of Godzilla`s own iconic roar.

Appearances

Ultraman (1966) - "Ultra Operation #1"

Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy (2009)