Buzz
With the imminent release of Guillermo del Toro's 'Pacific Rim' and the announcement of a new Godzilla film scheduled for 2014, it's clear that the giant-monster craze is at its peak.
As a devoted fan of the Toho Universe, I’ve compiled a list of the 10 most formidable foes from the Godzilla franchise. Here’s the list, enjoy!
10. Anguirus
Anguirus earns his spot in the top 10 because he was the first monster to face off against Godzilla in 1955's Godzilla Raids Again. Aside from this historical significance, he’s rather unremarkable—one of the weakest monsters in the entire series. A dinosaur/armadillo hybrid, Anguirus lacks any special powers or abilities. Nevertheless, he remains a fan favorite due to his fighting spirit and his unique status as Godzilla's first true adversary.
9. Battra
Battra is the dark counterpart to Mothra, and the two are natural enemies. Originally, they were conceived as twins, with Battra being the malevolent sibling. This concept was later discarded in favor of making Battra a force for environmental stability created by an ancient civilization that eventually went awry. Only another giant moth monster, Mothra, could stand in its way. Battra appears both in its larval stage and as a fully developed creature—much like its counterpart.
8. Hedorah
Hedorah, also known as the 'Smog Monster,' is a toxic alien that arrives on Earth, feeding off the planet's pollution to grow and evolve. It reproduces at an alarming rate and has the ability to merge with other creatures to increase its strength. After causing widespread devastation, it is ultimately defeated by Godzilla, who rips its insides out and electrocutes it. Quite the dramatic end.
7. Biollante
Biollante was born when Godzilla’s DNA fused with that of a rosebush, creating a truly bizarre and formidable creature.
Yes, truly. The monstrous creation resulting from this fusion is a formidable force. Biollante holds the title of the heaviest monster in the series, weighing an impressive 220,000 tons, and her intimidating presence is hard to miss. Her movie, *Godzilla vs Biollante*, is considered one of the best in the franchise. Despite making only a single appearance, Biollante unquestionably earns her place on this list.
6. Rodan
Rodan is one of the simpler creatures in terms of design, essentially a massive pterosaur, though with a radioactive twist. Much like Mothra, he first appeared in his own movie before becoming one of Godzilla’s allies. While not evil by nature, Rodan often teams up with Godzilla, Mothra, and others to face off against even more dangerous monsters.
5. Gigan
Gigan is a terrifying sight to behold, despite having a faint resemblance to some sort of punk chicken. Maybe it's the fact that his hands and feet are replaced with giant hooks? Or perhaps it's his torso, which functions as a full-on chainsaw! A true menace, Gigan deals some serious damage to Godzilla before ultimately being defeated. Just as sinister as his appearance suggests, Gigan is definitely one of the more unforgettable monsters on this list. Oh, and did I mention that at one point in the franchise, he swaps his hook hands for two more chainsaws? Talk about being extra.
4. Mothra
Arguably the most beloved of all the Kaiju (besides Godzilla, of course), Mothra has appeared in 11 Godzilla films following her debut in her own movie. Mothra is a gentle soul, often siding with humanity, and she’s come to the planet's rescue on several occasions. She also possesses powerful psychic abilities, which have helped her achieve an impressive success rate in her battles against Godzilla…not bad for a fluffy, brightly-colored moth.
3. King Ghidorah
Without a doubt, King Ghidorah is Godzilla’s most formidable and iconic adversary – and a personal favorite of mine. One of the most powerful creatures in the series, King Ghidorah is an evil three-headed space dragon with the ability to unleash lightning from his mouths. He can even level entire cities with the sheer force of his wingbeats! I could go on about his awesomeness, but honestly, that pretty much sums it up.
Since his debut in 1964's *Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster*, he’s been Godzilla’s ultimate nemesis. Known for his immense power, it’s always taken the help of Godzilla’s Kaiju allies to take King Ghidorah down, and he’s never been defeated in a one-on-one battle. As if that weren’t enough, he was once transformed into the even more terrifying Mecha-King Ghidorah!
2. Destoroyah
For a while, I seriously considered placing Destoroyah at the top of this list. Why? Because he’s the kaiju responsible for killing Godzilla once and for all in his only appearance in the 1995 film *Godzilla vs Destoroyah*. With a terrifying appearance reminiscent of the Balrog from *The Lord of the Rings*, Destoroyah is a horrifying creature—or should I say creatures? He's actually a collective mass of mutated crustaceans formed by the effects of the Oxygen Destroyer on the ocean floor. The Oxygen Destroyer, as you might recall, was the weapon that destroyed the original Godzilla in the first film. What a cool way to bring things full circle, don’t you think?
1. Mechagodzilla
Is there any real need to explain this one? In case the name didn’t give it away, Mechagodzilla is the evil mechanical counterpart of Godzilla. Sounds cool, right? But it gets better—this robotic titan is packed with weaponry. It can fire laser beams from its eyes and chest, and shoot missiles from almost every part of its body—even its toes!
