Monster Crap Inductee: Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)

Monster Crap Inductee: Godzilla vs. Gigan

Time To Get Some Alien Be Gone…

1972

Well, it is time once again to get back into the saddle with another Godzilla film from that wacky Showa Era. Now last time we left off, we saw the birth of the nightmare known as Minya. Well, since then two films happened before this one. One was the film that we inducted in the fourth induction and is largely known as the worst Godzilla film ever. The other is Godzilla vs. Hedorah (or The Smog Monster), a film that had an environmental message and was completely a strange experience to watch (one which I am on and off on whether I should induct it or not). Unfortunately for the director of that film, it was a little too off the beaten path and the producer Tomoyuki Tanaka told that guy he “ruined Godzilla” and would never be allowed to touch Godzilla or another Toho film ever again.

And then we get to Godzilla vs. Gigan, a film that was supposed to get back to that true Godzilla formula. Funny enough, the original script for this film had three monsters being the bad guys in King Ghidorah, Gigan, and Megalon, with Megalon being taken out and given his own movie. The good guys would be Godzilla, Anguirus, and a statue of a fictional Inca God come to life called Majin Tuol. It also involved an alien brain and remembering Evil Brain From Outer Space, that probably was a good idea to scratch. Then the second idea would be a six-way monster battle with Godzilla, Anguirus, and Varan taking on King Ghidorah, Gigan, and a monster named Mogu….and even though most of that story was kept, both Varan and Mogu (who was never used) were cut from the final script.

The man in the directing chair would be Jun Fukuda (who directed past Monster Crap inductees Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster and Son Of Godzilla) so a blast from the past there. In the Godzilla suit would be Haruo Nakajima (who had been Godzilla since the first film) in his last ever appearance in the costume. The guy in the Gigan suit would be Kenpachiro Satsuma, who was Hedorah in the Smog Monster film (just in case anyone thought the actors in that film would also be punished for that film). As far as people not in suits go, this would actually be a lot of people’s only time in one of these Godzilla films, except for three of the bad guy henchmen were also in Godzilla movies before this as well.

So with all that out of the way, let’s get into Godzilla vs. Gigan.

We begin this film with Godzilla coming towards the camera and after a few roars, uses his atomic breath at the camera.

And That Brings Us To The Title Sequence And Opening Credits

We then see stills from manga (or comics in the English translation because this was the 70s and the idea of manga was not readily known in the Western World) with voices and sound effects.

Ultimately it reveals that the horror they are witnessing is from the monsters Shugura.

The editor at this manga publication asks if the monster Shugura is going to be see-through since he has been shown yet. Our main character Gengo Kotaka says this is just an outline and the editor is upset that he didn’t bring him finished work. He asks what kind of monster is Shugura and with a smile on his face, Gengo says that he is “The Monster Of Homework”.

The Seal On The Left Is My Reaction

Gengo tries to explain it as he needed the monster to be something that kids hate and what do kids hate more than homework. All good in theory, but we are talking about monsters here and monsters are supposed to be scary so unless you are dealing with a dumb or lazy kid, homework is more of a nuisance than something to be truly afraid of. The editor finds it too simple minded and that kids are more sophisticated than that. Tell that to our western audience who thinks anything that gets the kids to shut up is good entertainment. Gengo then says that the monster is telepathically created by kid’s hatred of homework, which streams through space and creates Shugura. The editor tells him flat out that the idea stinks.

Afterwards, his partner Tomoko Tomoe tries to console Gengo about the idea not working and tells him that they will try again somewhere else.

Of course the next place Tomoko has in mind for him to interview is the construction committee for the upcoming amusement park called World Children’s Land and the Godzilla Tower. Gengo hates this idea and mutters that Tomoko is a hard bitch. She asks him to repeat that and he refuses to do so as we learn that his partner is a black belt in karate. We then go to the construction zone.

And The Godzilla Tower

At the construction HQ, Gengo meets with Kubota, the Secretary of whole operation.

Kubota talks about how a monster around the tower is a good idea. He says that in the tower they are building a museum which will be the first of its kind that will be about all of the monsters, both Western and Oriental. His main goal is for peace though. Gengo says we already have peace and Kubota says that it is all just a sham and his goal is for true peace. Gengo then asks what his job will be and Kubota says that his job is help make this place better than it already is. Gengo then says that he doesn’t think Children’s Land has enough monsters for children to play with and offers to let them use Shugura, the Monster of Homework and Mommargon, the Monster of Strict Mothers.

Thank You, Seth Meyers Because I Had That Reaction As Well

Surprisingly, Kubota actually likes the idea. Gengo then asks about Monster Island, which is full of monsters. Kubota thinks Monster Island should be destroyed after the World Children’s Land is finished because we will never truly have peace with Monster Island still around. And we see loads of stock footage of the monsters at Monster Island.

From Top To Bottom: Godzilla, Rodan, Anguirus, Mothra (In Caterpillar Form), Gimantis (or Kamicuras), Gorosaurus, Spiga (or Kumonga), and Minya, (or Minilla).

We then see drawings of Shugura, the Monster of Homework, and Mommargon, the Monster of Strict Mothers.

While Mommargon Looks Just Passable, Shugura Looks Freaking Horrible

As Gengo is making the designs, Tomoko arrives to congratulate him on getting the job. Gengo says while he thinks the job is a big deal, he definitely cannot stand Kubota and he cannot stand their whole idea of true peace. Tomoko looks at Mommargon and realizes the similarities between her and the monster.

Yeah, They Have The Same Color Pattern On Their Top.

Gengo merely laughs and Tomoko calls him a cheeky pig.

The next day, Gengo goes to work when he runs into a woman who is running out of the building.

She runs away, but accidentally drops something. He then bumps into Kubota and four of his associates. They are not nice at all as they demand to know where the lady went.

He of course points them in the wrong direction and then picks up what was dropped by the woman.

He puts it in his bag as he enters the building. He then enters the office which is on the 5^th floor and meets the Chairman of the whole operation in Fumio Sudo.

Seems Like The Perfect Desk For A Villain

Gengo sees a equation that Fumio is working on and asks about it. Fumio reveals that it is to the orbit of Space Hunter M Nebula. Kubota comes in and delivers the bad news that the woman got away. Fumio is not happy as unless they get that tape back, they may have to alter their plans. Gengo asks about the tape and Kubota reveals that it is a tape of which their whole plan on true world peace is based in. Gengo thinks she is an industrial spy and Fumio says it is much worse as she is an enemy of peace.

That night, Gengo heads home, but is stopped by that same woman who demands to have the tape that she dropped.

She is being assisted by a man who has what appears to look like a gun to Gengo’s back.

After not finding it, they demand to know where it is and Gengo faints.

Pussy

They are scared that they caused him to faint and the guy reveals that the thing he had to Gengo’s back was not a gun, but corn on the cob in the tin foil.

Gengo wakes up at his own place with the strangers and we find out that the woman’s name is Machiko Shima and the guy’s name is Shosaku Takasugi. They apologize and said they should have explained everything first. They also say that they are in fact not the bad guys and that Fumio and Kubota are. Machiko explains that her brother Takashi (a computer technician) had been working at that place and he disappeared. Because of the way the people acted about her brother’s disappearance, she believes they have him as a captive. Gengo explains that he doesn’t have it as he put the tape into a pay locker. He gives them the key and they go to get it.

Now at Godzilla Tower, we find out that Godzilla Tower is not a museum at all and instead the base of operations for Fumio and Kubota’s scheme. We also find out that this is where they have been keeping Takashi.

Takeshi says they can’t get away with this and Kubota thinks they can. Takeshi says this is illegal detention (basically a kidnapping). Kubota apologizes and says they have no other choice. Fumio says that soon, he will thank them for keeping him here as when this is all done, he will be the world’s foremost authority on electronics. They find out that someone is playing the stolen tape and Takeshi has to get knocked out so he can be imprisoned in the storage locker room. We see Gengo, Machiko, and Shosaku playing the tape.

It doesn’t make any sense to the three humans, but the tape’s sound eventually gets the attention of Godzilla and Anguirus.

Now this is where the Japanese Version and the English Version differ. In The Japanese version, we see word bubbles translating what they say.

By The Way, If You Get The DVD With The Japanese Version As Well As The English Version….Those Word Balloons Are Missing And There Is No Translation To What They Are Saying With Their Roars. I Actually Had To Find A Pic Of This Online (Thanks, Synthetic Cinema) To Even Get This.

But in the English version, the monsters roars are also mixed with some strange voices that make Godzilla sound like he may be a bit drunk and Anguirus sound like he may have smoked a pack of cigarettes every day. Bottom line, Godzilla knows something is going on and tells Anguirus to check it out, which Anguirus agrees to do.

So Yeah, Anguirus Is Heading To Japan On A Recon Mission

Back at Godzilla Tower, Gengo heads up the elevator. He looks around the top floor where he finds cigarettes used and a lighter, the lighter which he takes. Kubota finds Gengo and wonders what he is doing. Gengo says he was looking for him and gives him the layouts for his monsters.

Gengo goes back home and we find out that the lighter Gengo found definitely belonged to Machiko’s brother, confirming that he is being held captive. Gengo also finds it strange that the Fumio, who is Kubota’s superior, is way younger than him. Shosaku says that they need to do some digging into the background of both Fumio and Kubota. We then get a montage of them going to find information on the two, finding what they are looking for, and leaving to go to where Fumio lived. Meanwhile, Anguirus is swimming to Japan.

At the home, they meet Fumio’s parents and after a bit of conversation, they find out the starling truth that both Fumio and Kubota (who was Fumio’s teacher) both died in a rock climbing accident over a year ago.

Back in Godzilla Tower, Fumio gets a message from Space Hunter M Nebula that the change of plans have been approved and prepare for the arrival. They are about to send one of the tapes when they are interrupted by news of the arrival of Anguirus.

And the military immediately comes out to fight Anguirus and the people of the nearby town are evacuated.

When Anguirus arrives to the beach, he is met by searchlights.

Any Monster Knows This Is Not A Good Welcoming Committee.

Afterwards, it is time for the military to give Anguirus everything they got with tanks, missiles, cannons, and masers.

In a rare example of military competency, Anguirus basically says…

Screw You, Guys…I’m Going Home

Back at Godzilla Tower, Kubota asks Fumio about what to do with Takeshi and Fumio says that now that we’ve seen the power of the Earth’s forces, there is no need to keep him alive for study. Meanwhile, Takeshi is again trying to find a way to escape. Gengo also arrives at the building and sees a very strange wire next to a door.

After they play tug-o-war for a few minutes, they introduce each other through the door and Gengo tells Takeshi that he will find a way to get the captive out of there. Kubota comes in and asks what is going on, causing Gengo to let go of the wire and play like he was looking for him to talk about his opinion on the layouts he gave him the other day. Kubota tells Gengo he has no business up and to go back to his office. Gengo is about to leave when Kubota gives him a pack of cigarettes.

After Gengo leaves, Kobuta asks Fumio’s opinion on Gengo. Fumio says the employee is stupid, but cunning…which makes him a curious specimen.

Gengo goes back to his house where Machiko and Shosaku are waiting. Gengo reveals that he has found Takeshi in Godzilla Tower, but their conversation is interrupted by Kubota and two henchmen. He reveals the cigarettes he gave them have small transmitters so they knew exactly where he was at all times. Kubota also gets back the stolen tape and then has his goons draw guns on them.

They intend to kill them all, but Tomoko arrives just in time and uses her karate skills to take down the three.

She tells the bad guys to get out and they do. The good guys all try to explain the situation to the authorities, but the authorities don’t believe their story so they won’t do anything. They then get word that Anguirus is coming back, but this time he has Godzilla with him.

Back at Godzilla Tower, they are receiving plans from Space Hunter M Nebula and are getting the tapes ready to transmit. Fumio then gives a speech about this being the day they planned for in order to get eternal and perfect peace. The tapes are then played. Those tapes summon forth two space gems.

The red gem explodes to unveil King Ghidorah.

Since this is the first time we have ever covered King Ghidorah, here is some info on him. He is Godzilla’s biggest rival, being the one that Godzilla has fought the most times. He first debuted in Ghidorah: The Three Head Monster, and has been appeared or some version close to him in 11 films (9 against Godzilla and 2 against Mothra). He has a unique design in that he has three heads and no arms of any kind so basically his two side heads might as well be his arms. He spits out lightning fire and has two legs, two tails, and two wings….making him a force to be reckoned with.

The other gem explodes to reveal the titular monster Gigan.

Since I really did not explain Gigan in my Godzilla vs. Megalon induction, here it is. Gigan is a strange cybernetic monster with the steel beak like a bid with steel mandibles as well. He has one eye with spikes on his back and special razors on his chest and stomach. He has a tail, two feet, and two hooks for arms. He shoots lasers out of his eyes, uses his giant hook hands as weapons, flies at you like a missile, and don’t get to close to him as those razors on his chest and stomach are like a saw and will cut you in half if he wants to give you a big hug. He has my favorite monster design, but some of you may hate him if you ever played the NES game Godzilla: Monster of Monsters since in the game, he may be the most hardest of monsters to deal with since that little saw he uses can take away all your life as he corners you.

He’s Not Even The Final Boss Of The Game And You Have To Deal With Him At Least Four Times.

Now that all the intros are out of the way, back to the movie as King Ghidorah and Gigan head to planet Earth as Godzilla and Anguirus swim to Japan.

Back outside Godzilla Tower, the good guys formulate a plan on how to get Takeshi out of there with Gengo and Tomoko going in there to get them out while Machiko and Shosaku stay behind in case Gengo and Tomoko get captured trying to free Takeshi. Gengo decides that he and Tomoko should use the stairs since they are less likely to get caught that way. This is okay for Tomoko who is fit, but Gengo has a tough time getting up all those stairs.

They eventually get up there and make perfect timing as two goons have been sent to kill Takeshi as the bad guys have no use for him anymore.

Tomoko knocks the two guards out and the three try to escape, but get captured almost immediately.

Kubota says they should consider themselves lucky as he was going to kill them straight away, but instead he wants to be a bad guy and let them live just to see all of their evil plans. Fumio seems okay with this as well when they come in the villains’ HQ. Meanwhile, Machiko and Shosaku know immediately that they have been captured since it has been more than ten minutes and immediately go to plan B.

Fumio reveals that Gengo, Tomoko, and Takeshi will be used as host bodies for soon to be arriving friends from Space Hunter M Nebula. Kubota reveals that they have tried other species, but find humans to be the best uses for this planet. Kubota reveals that their home world used to be like Earth when the people their destroyed their way of life with pollution.

He reveals that Earth will go the same way in time, but some creatures will survive like the creatures that survived on Space Hunter M Nebula. But, while they have taken over their planet, the planet is still dying so they need to take over Earth and keep it from ending up the same way. We finally get the answer to their wanting of peace in that it is just peace for their species and no one else. A lightning storm cuts the power for a bit, but the emergency power light is able to reveal via shadow what these aliens truly are.

SPACE COCKROACHES!!!!!

Oh and despite Godzilla and Anguirus being closer to Japan than King Ghidorah and Gigan, the two bad monsters get their first.

The military realizes this and knows by the sounds the monsters make that one of them is King Ghidorah, but the other monster they have never heard before. The military is sent out again to fight this new threat.

Meanwhile both King Ghidorah and Gigan fly around Godzilla Tower just so the aliens can reveal the monsters to their human captives.

They also explain that they are controlling them and that their action patterns are all recorded on the tapes and that was why they had to get the stolen tape back as without it, they would have no control over the two space monsters. And now it is time for the monsters to start attacking Tokyo.

And we even get to see Gigan’s razor front abdomen destroy a building.

More destruction ensues.

Gigan Sometimes Likes To Judo Chop With His Hook Hands

And it continues to the point that I don’t need anymore pics. Well, it’s finally time for the military to take action.

The tanks do not work as King Ghidorah makes quick work of them.

But how about the missiles?

Not Much Better

Meanwhile Godzilla and Anguirus are still at sea trying to get there.

Man, We Really Need To Find A Faster Way For Them To Show Up.

Ghidorah then destroys a boat.

NO MORE “I’M A BOAT” SONGS!!!!

The destruction continues and it is now time for the planes to attempt an attack.

Since Ghidorah had been doing most of the destruction of military vehicles, it is now Gigan’s turn to get his fair share.

Apparently He Knows Snake Style Kung Fu

The masers finally make an appearance and we get an original scene that was ripped off in Godzilla vs. Megalon of the masers attacking and the monster hiding in the trees before shooting his projectile and destroying them.

Or Should I Say King Ghidorah Makes The Freaking Save Instead Of Gigan Beating Them In This Case

With all this monster on building and military action, I almost forgot about our human captives. They are all locked up in that storage room while Machiko and Shosaku are driving back with supplies for the Plan B.

Meanwhile, the space monsters are still causing havoc when Godzilla and Anguirus finally show up.

Kobuta is not happy that Godzilla is here, but Fumio says that his appearance is a necessary part of their plan and they have to attract Godzilla to Godzilla Tower so they can kill him.

Meanwhile, it is time for a tag team battle.

Tornado Style!!!!

Gigan tries to fly at Godzilla, but Godzilla’s atomic breath takes him down.

Ghidorah starts attacking Godzilla with his lightning beams. Gigan goes to attack Godzilla again, but Anguirus tries intercepts. Unfortunately, Gigan gets on top of Anguirus instead.

Anguirus Sadly Plays The Face In Peril A Lot

Finally, we see Machiko and Shosaku with the balloon and rope in hopes of rescuing the three captives.

The balloon goes up with the rope and the rope is tied at both ends and it is time for our captives to try and zipline to freedom.

Gengo and Tomoko get down okay with no incident, but when Takeshi goes down, the bad guy henchmen see the plan and shoot the balloon and rope, but thankfully Takeshi got down far enough so that the fall didn’t hurt him.

The henchmen tell Kubota and Fumio of the escape and the bad guys see a car leaving. Thinking it is them, they reveal that Godzilla Tower can fire laser beams.

The heroes were not in that car and they just destroyed a car that was empty yet moving due to human ingenuity. We then get King Ghidorah knocking Godzilla into a bridge with an obvious day for night editing.

Yeah, Some Of This Footage Is Lifted From Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster, Godzilla Vs. Monster Zero, & Destroy All Monsters.

We then hear from the bad guys that Godzilla is coming this way, which Kubota says is perfect. Fumio says that if they can kill Godzilla, then they have won. Meanwhile, Gigan is kicking the shit out of Anguirus. Then we get the infamous, often copied stock footage of King Ghidorah shooting lightning at Godzilla’s crotch.

What A Heel!!!

Suddenly, Godzilla goes Muhammad Ali.

Meanwhile, we see the good guys formulating with the military how they can get a small group in there and destroy Godzilla Tower, thus stopping the aliens from controlling the space monsters. Now for a bit that was done in Godzilla vs. Megalon, but was copied from this film: The Gigan attacking Godzilla with flying attacks loop.

Although This Time Godzilla Doesn’t Duck Yet

All of this leads Godzilla close to World Children’s Land, where Godzilla is drawn to Godzilla Tower.

Do I Really Look Like That?

Once close enough, the aliens at Godzilla Tower starts shooting laser beams in an attempt to kill Godzilla.

The aliens keep firing at Godzilla, while Anguirus is getting his ass kicked by both King Ghidorah and Gigan. Meanwhile, our good guys get some help from the military to set up a trap for the aliens in Godzilla Tower. They pile packs of TNT and cover them behind a drawing of the good guys.

Okay…..Any Person With A Brain Is Gonna Figure This Out Before Even Firing.

But of course, this fucking works as the henchmen fire at the stupid poster and the poster destroys the Godzilla Tower weapon.

We see Fumio and Kubota wondering how their plan could fail and are upset that they are dying before turning into roaches and die.

Also, Kubota Turned Into A Roach Way Before Fumio Did

With Godzilla Tower done for, King Ghidorah and Gigan are no longer under the aliens’ control and all that the good guys can hope for is that Godzilla isn’t already dead from the barrage of laser beams. Well, good news is Godzilla isn’t dead, but the bad news is Gigan is going to use his hooks on him.

Gigan drags Godzilla over to Ghidorah so both monsters can beat him up.

Oh And Decades Before Shawn Michaels And Triple H Did It, Gigan Does Crotch Chops.

King Ghidorah then throws Godzilla into what is left of Godzilla Tower.

Gigan: That Was Fun, Now Let Me Kick Some More Ass.

Ghidorah: By All Means, My Good Monster

Little do they know that by destroying the rest of Godzilla Tower, Godzilla has hulked up.

He’s Mad Now!!!!

Godzilla and Gigan start having a straight up fight. King Ghidorah is too busy watching this that he doesn’t notice Anguirus get back up and bite him in one of his two tails.

King Ghidorah gets pissed at this so he and Anguirus fight.

King Ghidorah takes Anguirus down while Godzilla takes Gigan down. The two archnemeses then come to blow again. Gigan tries to fly at Godzilla, but Godzilla ducks and he runs into Ghidorah.

Talk About Malfunction At The Junction!!!

Ghidorah gets mad at Gigan while Godzilla gives Anguirus a pep talk. Anguirus then does what I can only show and not explain.

Godzilla beats up Gigan some more and then helps Anguirus with Ghidorah and this looks a lot similar to when Jet Jaguar held Megalon for Godzilla to do his stupid ass attack.

How The Hell Can I Forget This?

Godzilla then does three reverse neckbreakers to King Ghidorah

Godzilla stomps on one of King Ghidorah’s necks and it is at this point, Ghidorah and Gigan have had enough.

Screw You Guys, We’re Both Going Home

Everyone including Godzilla and Anguirus celebrate and it ends with a sappy Japanese song as Godzilla and Anguirus head home.

Anguirus: I Wonder If We Should Help These Humans Rebuild.

Godzilla: Don’t Bother. Next Time Either Of Us Come, It Will Be As If Nothing Ever Happen. That’s Japan For Ya.

And that is Godzilla vs. Gigan for ya. Godzilla would be back in more films. This would actually be King Ghidorah’s last Showa film appearance as he would be in a few episodes of Zone Fighter fighting Zone Fighter and Godzilla. Ghidorah would then return in the Hensai Era, the Millennium Era, and be in the American film sequel Godzilla: King Of The Monsters in 2019. Gigan would appear in Godzilla vs. Megalon, get destroyed in an episode of Zone Fighter that Godzilla was also in, and wouldn’t appear again after that until Godzilla: Final Wars. Anguirus would appear once more in the Showa Era in Godzilla vs. Mecha-Godzilla where Mecha-Godzilla would basically kill him and would then appear in Godzilla: Final Wars, where Godzilla would kill him.

As far as the cast and crew go, only two people from this film would ever continue on in Godzilla films. Kunio Murai (who played Takashi) would be in Return Of Godzilla/Godzilla 1985 and Godzilla, Mothra, & King Ghidorah: All Monsters Attack. The biggest of course would be Kenpachiro Satsuma (who was in the Gigan suit). He would also be in the Gigan suit for Godzilla vs. Megalon and then, would don the Godzilla suit for all the Heisei Era. Of course, this would cause him to pass out many times and that passing out was especially a problem in Godzilla vs. Destroyah as to replicate the fact that Godzilla was about to meltdown, the steam effect in his suit was achieved by using pure carbon monoxide. Yeah, it was freaking hell for him.

Unfortunately, a few people would also pass away. Gen Shimizu (who played the commander of the military) would no longer be with us in 1975 at the age of 68. Kuniko Ashihara (who played Fumio’s mom) would die in 1997 at the age of 82. Jun Fukuda (who was the director) died in 2000 at the age of 77 from cancer. Toshiaki Nishizawa (who played Kubota) passed away in 2013 at the age of 77 from cancer. Harou Nakajima (who was in the Godzilla suit) would die in 2017 at the age of 88 after complications from pneumonia.

In case my induction of this film hasn’t given it away yet, I like this film despite many people not liking this film. There is a lot of monster action in this film and I do not mind the human story too. The only issues I have is the Anguirus for the most part was kind of worthless, except for the stupid scene. I don’t know why this film isn’t as well liked.

One boring film and one enjoyable film. Let's see what is next on the list.

Better Find My Trucker Hat