Gigan

A space monster with bladed weapons and flight capabilities, guided by Action Signal Tapes to fight alongside King Ghidorah against Earth's defenders.

Gigan is a space monster designed by Shōnen Magazine illustrator Takayoshi Mizuki based on ideas from special effects director Teruyoshi Nakano. The design aimed for a 'sharp, florid' look, drawing inspiration from migratory birds like geese and the sharpness of an eagle, while also resembling a 'richly colored dinosaur.' In Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), Gigan is guided by Action Signal Tapes broadcast by the Nebulans alongside King Ghidorah to wipe out human civilization. During the climactic battle at World Children's Land, Gigan proves more than a match for Godzilla and Anguirus, utilizing an assortment of bladed weapons to badly injure Godzilla.

Quick Facts

First appears: Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)
Affiliation: Nebulans

Lore & Background

In the 1972 film Godzilla vs. Gigan, Gigan serves as a key enforcer for the Nebulans, a race of cockroach-like aliens from M Space Hunter Nebula whose home planet was destroyed by pollution. The aliens disguise themselves in human skin suits and operate from World Children's Land, centered inside a Godzilla Tower statue. They use Action Signal Tapes to broadcast frequencies that instruct Gigan and King Ghidorah on their actions. While the monsters initially dominate, the tide turns when Gengo Odaka and his friends destroy the tower with TNT supplied by the JSDF. This kills the controlling Nebulans, leaving Gigan and Ghidorah without instruction. Although they briefly resume fighting, Godzilla and Anguirus eventually drive them into a full retreat.

Reader's Guide

Gigan's design in Godzilla vs. Gigan was created by Takayoshi Mizuki under Teruyoshi Nakano's direction, aiming for a unique shape inspired by the multilayered jūnihitoe kimonos of Japanese court ladies and the sharpness of an eagle. The suit featured new sculpts for King Ghidorah's three heads created by Nobuyuki Yasumaru, which would later be used in Zone Fighter before being retired. Filming relied heavily on stock footage from previous films to cut costs. Notably, this was the first film where Godzilla actually shed blood; Gigan caused these injuries during the battle at World Children's Land. The suit for Gigan was not explicitly detailed as a specific actor in the source, but Kenpachiro Satsuma is credited with portraying him. This 1972 film marked the final time Haruo Nakajima portrayed Godzilla before his retirement from suit acting.