In the rich lore of the Godzilla universe, two iconic kaiju, Baragon and Anguirus, almost merged into a single entity for a monster film in the 1990s. Both monsters are notable allies of Godzilla and have significant histories within the franchise. Baragon made his debut in Frankenstein vs. Baragon, while Anguirus first appeared in Godzilla Raids Again. Their combined presence was felt during the epic clash against King Ghidorah in Destroy All Monsters, released in 1968.
Among the duo, Anguirus is the only one who actively participated in the battles. He later joined forces with Godzilla again in Godzilla vs. Gigan, but unfortunately, his appearances dwindled after Godzilla: Final Wars, where he only had a minor role. Conversely, Baragon’s contributions to the franchise post-Destroy All Monsters were limited, with a notable appearance in Godzilla, Mothra, and Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Again. Despite their sporadic appearances, Toho Studios remained intrigued by both characters and explored the concept of merging them into a unique villain for Godzilla.
Godzilla vs. Baraguirus: A Unique Fusion of Baragon and Anguirus
Baraguirus: A Creative Blend of Baragon and Anguirus
Before Toho settled on the final script for Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, several other concepts were explored, including the intriguing idea of Godzilla vs. Ghost Godzilla. Among these iterations was the proposed Godzilla vs. Baraguirus, which involved a fusion of Baragon and Anguirus as they faced off against Ghost Godzilla, a resurrected version of the 1954 kaiju. However, concept designer Shinji Nishikawa clarified that his vision for Baraguirus was not a literal merge, but rather a combination of the defining physical features of both monsters, giving birth to a distinct creature.
Nishikawa shared that the envisioned setting for one of the confrontations played a significant role in Baraguirus’ creation. He imagined an underground battle that included a rebuilt Moguera, previously destroyed in Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla. With Baragon’s affinity for subterranean environments, this fusion was seen as a perfect match for the battle scenario. Furthermore, Baraguirus was intended to be possessed by Ghost Godzilla, leading to a climactic showdown with Godzilla himself.
Speculating on the Design of Baraguirus in a Godzilla Film
No Official Designs Exist for Baraguirus
Since Godzilla vs. Baraguirus never materialized, the precise appearance of this hybrid creature remains a topic of speculation. Given the four-legged nature of both Baragon and Anguirus, it stands to reason that Baraguirus would follow suit. Additionally, incorporating Anguirus’ characteristic spiny shell could have added a visually striking element. Elements such as Baragon’s floppy ears and notable yellow horn might have also found their way into this unique kaiju design.
Baraguirus could have presented a robust challenge to Godzilla, especially with the ability to create instant tunnels during confrontations, allowing for strategic retreats or surprise attacks. Nishikawa’s concept hinted at this tactical advantage, allowing Baraguirus to merge Baragon’s burrowing skills with Anguirus’ dynamic jumping attacks, a signature move that made Anguirus memorable during the Showa era.
Six Years After the Baraguirus Concept, Toho Considered a Baragon and Anguirus Team-Up
Toho Did Not Advance with the Baragon and Anguirus Team-Up Either
Interestingly, the idea of Godzilla vs. Baraguirus isn’t the only abandoned concept involving Baragon and Anguirus. In an earlier draft of Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, there was an intention for Baragon and Anguirus to team up against Godzilla, according to John LeMay’s insightful book, The Big Book of Giant Japanese Monsters: The Lost Films. However, Toho decided against this pairing due to their relatively lower popularity, opting to include more prominent figures like Mothra and Ghidorah in the final script.
Ultimately, Baragon survived the script revisions, but his battle with Godzilla was brief, resulting in his downfall. Had the original plan been executed, fans might have witnessed an epic showdown alongside Anguirus and Varan. This lost opportunity adds another layer to the rich and expansive legacy of Toho’s kaiju universe.
Source: Toho Kingdom