Godzilla vs. Gigan marked a significant chapter in kaiju history, showcasing Gigan as a formidable adversary to the iconic King of the Monsters. Notable for his distinctive cyborg design and lethal hook-shaped weapons, Gigan has faced Godzilla in three major films. Their initial confrontation occurred in the 1972 classic, followed by another clash in Godzilla vs. Megalon, with Gigan not returning to the franchise until the release of Godzilla: Final Wars.
While Gigan ranks lower than other key foes like King Ghidorah or Mechagodzilla in the hierarchy of Godzilla’s nemeses, he remains a fearsome contender, demonstrating resilience and cunning in battle. Intriguingly, Gigan holds a record that even Ghidorah, long a staple of Godzilla’s adversaries, has yet to achieve.
Gigan: The First Monster to Inflict Injury on Godzilla
A 19-Year Wait for Godzilla’s First Blood
From his debut in Godzilla Raids Again against Anguirus in 1955 until his encounter with Hedorah in 1972, Godzilla engaged in numerous intense battles with various kaiju. Yet it wasn’t until Godzilla vs. Gigan in 1973 that he encountered an opponent capable of making him bleed. During their clash, Gigan utilized his bladed hooks and stomach-mounted buzzsaw to inflict multiple cuts on Godzilla. Notably, Gigan’s intimidating prowess, particularly in collaboration with Ghidorah, underscored his threat to the King of Monsters.
Given the generally family-friendly tone of many Godzilla films, Gigan’s ability to draw blood from Godzilla was a shocking twist. While Godzilla had experienced defeats before, the battle with Gigan presented a stark contrast, as he appeared to endure a severe beating. For an extended period, Godzilla was left vulnerable, enduring slash after slash without a successful counter from the usually indomitable Titan.
Gigan Unveils a Critical Weakness of Godzilla
The Threat of Bladed Weapons in Godzilla’s Battles
Ultimately, despite Gigan’s impressive offense, Godzilla turned the tide and defeated him. However, that encounter highlighted a significant vulnerability for the iconic creature. The struggle with Gigan revealed how effective bladed weapons can be against Godzilla, an issue that has persisted throughout his cinematic history. Subsequent monsters have also exploited this weakness, as evidenced by Mechagodzilla, Megaguirus, and Biollante, who have all managed to cut Godzilla’s tough exterior.
For instance, Biollante’s sharp vines delivered a brutal blow to Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Biollante. This persistent issue of vulnerability to cutting attacks has even been echoed in recent Monsterverse films.
Gigan’s Dominance Suggests His Potential in the Monsterverse
Indications of Gigan’s Threat Level in the Monsterverse
In the Monsterverse, Godzilla has shown a remarkable susceptibility to sharp attacks, seen when the MUTOs inflicted wounds with their claws in the 2014 film. Additionally, Kong’s axe proved to be particularly effective against Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Kong, showcasing its ability to penetrate deep into his flesh. Such patterns suggest that Gigan’s memorable performance in the Showa era could very well resonate within the Monsterverse, offering a premise for his return. Given Godzilla’s vulnerabilities, Gigan’s reemergence could mirror the tension seen decades prior.
The confirmation of alien Titans in the Monsterverse opens up the tantalizing possibility for Gigan to be introduced in future narratives, potentially connecting him to ongoing storylines involving extraterrestrial threats. If Gigan resurfaces with an arsenal akin to his Toho origins, he could stand as a formidable challenge to Godzilla, reigniting the fierce rivalry that crowned him as the King of the Monsters.