Gigan 1236610 225663353 2008-07-14T20:09:32Z Jaakko 9 1272193 + it {{film-in-universe}} {{Unreferenced|date=August 2007}} {| class="infobox" style="width: 21em; font-size: 90%; text-align: left" |- ! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | ''[[Godzilla film series]]'' character |- | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:FinalWarsGigan.jpg|center|thumb|175px|Gigan in his current form]] --> |- ! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; font-size: larger; background-color: #001; color: #ffa;" |Gigan |- ! Species | [[Extraterrestrial life in popular culture|Alien]]/[[Cyborg]] [[Hybrid (biology)|Hybrid]] |- ! Height | 65-120 meters |- ! Weight | 25,000-60,000 tons |- ! Air Speed | Mach 3 |- ! Abilities/Weapons | Flight<br>Hooked Hands<br>Rotary Cutter<br>Cluster Beam<br>Grappling Hooks<br>Chainsaw Hand |- ! Major Enemies | [[Godzilla]]<br>[[Anguirus]]<br>[[Jet Jaguar]]<br>[[Zone Fighter]]<br>[[Mothra]] |- ! Allies | [[King Ghidorah]]<br>[[Megalon]]<br>[[King Ghidorah#Monster X|Monster X]] |- ! Controlled By | [[List of Toho alien races#M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens|M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens]]<br>[[List of Toho alien races#Vortaak|Vortaak]] (in the [[Godzilla video games|Godzilla games]])<br>[[List of Toho alien races#Xiliens|Xiliens]] |- ! First Appearance | ''[[Godzilla vs Gigan]]'' |- ! Created By | [[Jun Fukuda]] |- ! Portrayed By: | '''''Shōwa Series'''''<br>[[Kenpachiro Satsuma]]<br>'''''Millennium Series'''''<br>Kazuhiro Yoshida |} {{nihongo|'''Gigan'''|ガイガン|Gaigan}} is a [[Kaiju|daikaiju]] from the [[Godzilla]] series, introduced in the 1972 film ''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]''. Gigan is a [[cyborg|cybernetic]] monster sporting a [[buzzsaw]] weapon in its frontal abdominal region and large metallic hooks for hands. Gigan is sometimes considered Godzilla's most brutal and violent opponent, and has a large fan following (including ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' director [[Ryuhei Kitamura]]) despite the generally perceived low quality of its first two films. Its new designs for the Millennium series was praised by many and ranked among fans as the best improvements to a [[daikaiju]]. == Film and TV appearances == <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Gigan.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Gigan (portrayed by Kenpachiro Satsuma) as he appears in Godzilla vs Gigan]] --> Summoned to [[Earth]] by the [[Alien races from the Godzilla films#M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens|Nebula M Space Hunter aliens]], Gigan was paired with [[King Ghidorah]] to destroy [[Tokyo]]. They were challenged by [[Godzilla]] and [[Anguirus]], and after a long fight the two space monsters were driven away. A year later, in ''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'', Gigan was sent by the Nebulans to assist the people of [[Fictional locations in the Godzilla films#Seatopia|Seatopia]] in their assault on humanity by aiding [[Megalon]] in a battle against Godzilla and [[Jet Jaguar]]. Gigan abandoned Megalon when the fight turned against them, and flew back to space. That same year, Gigan made an appearance on Toho's television series ''[[Zone Fighter]]''. Gigan was pummelled by Godzilla once again. Left for dead by Godzilla, Gigan revived to battle Zone Fighter. The weakened cyborg was no match for the hero, however, and a slavo of missiles from Zone Fighter caused Gigan to explode. Gigan reappeared in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' as one of the main kaiju villains in the movie. He got new black and red, evil looking armor. He appeared to battle Godzilla but was easily defeated, his head blown off by Godzilla's atomic breath. Gigan was upgraded with claws designed like double pronged chainsaws but was eventually defeated by Mothra when his head is blown off again. == Powers and abilities == [[Image:MegandGig.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Gigan (right) forms an alliance with [[Megalon]] in ''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'' (1973).]] '''Hooked Appendages/Blades''' Gigan's forelimbs sport a pair of large metal hooks in place of hands which the monster uses to both batter and stab his opponents. 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 arms ended in large blades similar to egyptian [[Khopesh| Khopeshes]] which were replaced with chainsaws after being defeated by the freshly awakened Godzilla. Also, in a lost project called "The Return of King Ghidorah" (meant for the Showa series), Gigan's right hook was a mace that fired off his hand and returned at will. '''Antigravity Flight''' Gigan has a pair of retractable wings which is capable of allowing Gigan to fly at speeds of up to Mach 3. 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 ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', the antigravity flight was replaced by jetpacks, presumably to give Gigan more of a robotic feel. '''Buzzsaw''' Gigan has a buzzsaw built into his [[abdominal]] area. The unknown alien alloy is of considerable durability and effectiveness as it was sharp enough to cause severe epidermal damage to Godzilla and Anguirus (being the first weapon shown to breach Godzilla's skin and actually draw blood) and brought down a weakened Gotengo. '''Grappling Cables''' In [[Godzilla: Final Wars]] Gigan was able to fire two hooked grappling cables from beneath both of his hand blades which he used to snagg onto his opponents and reel them into range of his deadly buzzsaw. '''Razor Discs''' In [[Godzilla: Final Wars]] the second Gigan was able to fire two razor sharp disks from just above his buzzsaw. Mothra however dodged them and simultaneously released her poisonous powder, which caused them to malfunction and boomerang back towards Gigan who was promptly decapitated. '''Laser''' In Gigan's numerous Showa appearances in TV shows and films, he had a laser ruby located in his forehead. Official poster art for his film appearances illustrated a laser beam being fired from his forehead, though the ability was never seen on screen. Gigan's laser was also included in several of the Godzilla video games; first appearing in [[Godzilla: Monster of Monsters]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. In ''Godzilla: Final Wars'' (2004), Gigan now had 2 beams, one the same long range laser and a beam in the form of a short range shot-gun burst. The new one still fired from his forehead laser device. '''Teleportion''' An ability seen in the Godzilla video games is jumping in the air Gigan can teleport short distances. '''Flame Thrower''' In two separate 2D Godzilla fighting games Gigan sported a flame thrower which was ignited from his beak. == Trivia == *Gigans name sounds taken out of the word "GIGANtic". {{trivia|date=February 2008}} *Gigan was the first monster to cause Godzilla to visibly bleed. In ''Godzilla vs. Gigan'' it had flown over Godzilla and slashed Godzilla's shoulder with its buzz saw and later stabbed Godzilla in the head with its hammer-claw hands, causing blood to run down his face. Godzilla bled again in ''Gigan'' [[stock footage]] used in ''Godzilla vs. Megalon''. Through [[Eiji Tsuburaya]]'s tenure as head of Toho's [[special effects]] department (which lasted until his death in 1969), he had purposely avoided visible bloodshed during monster clashes; Godzilla's injuries at the hands of Gigan, directed by [[Teruyoshi Nakano]], were a significant and controversial break from Tsuburaya's techniques. This was likely in response to Daiei's [[Gamera]] series, which is well known for the liberal (and often gratuitous) bloodshed utilized in its monster fights. *In many posters for [[Godzilla vs. Gigan]] and [[Godzilla vs. Megalon]], Gigan is seen firing a blue laser-beam out of the diamond on his forehead. He never uses this weapon in any film, except in [[Godzilla: Final Wars]]; which was changed to an eye-beam, rather than a forehead-beam (although the ''Final War'' Gigan still has the diamond on his forehead). However, in a battle sequence in ''Godzilla vs. Gigan'', after Godzilla heaves a rock at Gigan's face, the diamond on Gigan's forehead gives off a quick flash of light, possibly short-circuiting. *Gigan is sometimes jokingly referred to as a chicken, though his only physical resemblance to a chicken lies in his beak. More often, he is accused of behaving like a chicken because of how cowardly he acts in the Showa series. *Jun Fukuda himself stated that Gigan was to appear as if he was cut from the same cloth as Megalon. Gigan's real species might be more insect like, in the same guise as Megalon. Many old Japanese scrolls, manga, and anime predating and following Gigan's first appearance featured mantis' with beaks as well as mandibles. == Filmography == * ''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]'' (1972) * ''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'' (1973) * ''[[Zone Fighter]]'' (1973) (Episode 11: ''In the Twinkling of an Eye: The Roar of Godzilla!'') * ''[[Godzilla Island]]'' (1997) * ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' (2004) == Appearances in other media == *Gigan appears as a villain in the [[1988]] [[Nintendo]] game Godzilla: Monster of Monsters! <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:342.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Gigan as he appears in the Wii Game Godzilla: Unleashed]] --> *Gigan also appears in [[Godzilla Trading Battle]] - (1998 - PlayStation) *Gigan once fought Toho's televised superhero [[Zone Fighter]] where he was ultimately destroyed by Zone Fighter and not Godzilla, thus ending the Showa Gigan's backstory. *He was originally considered to be a playable character in ''[[Godzilla: Domination!]]'' but was canceled because of [[budget]]. *Gigan is a playable character in [[Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee]] and [[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]. In both games he is a fast melee-oriented monster with fast attacks and teleportation abilities (his flying powers were not used in the games). Although his defense is below average, his speed and combos make up for it. His buzzsaw belly is used in a grab, a combo-ending move, and an aerial attack. When using his Rage attack Gigan extends both arms and spins like a top, sending his opponent flying into the air for a possible multi-hitting combo. The Showa Gigan is playable in the two games. *Gigan (Millennium design incorporating aspects of both designs seen in Final Wars) is in [[Godzilla: Unleashed]], a console exclusive for the Nintendo [[Wii]]. Gigan (Millennium) does not appear in the PS2 version, the showa version replaces him. Showa Gigan is in the Nintendo DS version of the game. *Gigan appeared in [[The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy]] TV movie, living on Monster Island. This version of Gigan could breath fire, something he couldn't do in the movies. *Gigan is also a rapper featured on "Krazy World" the [[Take Me to Your Leader (King Geedorah album)]] *The character [[Ponygon]] from [[Zatch Bell]] has a toy that is similar in appearance to Gigan. *The enigmatic guitar virtuoso [[Buckethead]] wrote a song called Gigan, as well as another named Mecha Gigan. They appear on the albums The Elephant Man's Alarm Clock and Crime Slunk Scene, respectively. *In Marc Cerasini's ''[[Godzilla At World's End]]'', Gigan is one of six genetically engineered monsters created to destroy mankind. Gigan first appeared emerging out of a huge fissure that had opened up in Wilkes Land, Eastern Antarctica. Gigan immediately traveled into Earth's orbit, destroying most global communication satellites. Soon after, Gigan returned to Earth and attacked Russia. Eventually, Gigan reached the shores of the Caspian Sea and fought Anguirus. Unlike in the films, Anguirus defeated Gigan, drowning him in the ocean after breaking one of Gigan's hooks and ripping out his throat. *In the video game [[Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity]], there are two tracks called Gigan Rocks and Gigan Device. Each has a statue of a birdlike creature with a sharp beak, which looks similar to Gigan himself. Other Sonic media normaly does spoofs on Toho Kaiju, including having monsters that look like [[Moguera]], [[Mothra]] or [[Biollante]]. *In the anime [[Negima!?]] a robotic [[chupacabra]] is featured that looks similar to Gigan. *"Gigan" is a song from the [[Buckethead]] tour-only album [[The Elephant Man's Alarm Clock]]. {{Toho Kaijū}} [[Category:Godzilla characters]] [[Category:Extraterrestrial supervillains]] [[Category:Fictional cyborgs]] [[Category:Mothra characters]] [[Category:Fictional mummies]] [[Category:Fictional centenarians]] [[Category:Fictional characters with superhuman strength]] [[Category:Fictional characters who can move at superhuman speeds]] [[Category:Fictional characters who can fly]] [[Category:Film characters]] [[Category:Kaiju]] [[es:Gigan]] [[nl:Gigan]] [[it:Gigan]] [[ja:ガイガン]] [[pl:Gigan]] [[sv:Gigan]] [[zh:蓋剛]]