Gigan (Japanese: ガイガン, Hepburn: Gaigan) is a giant monster, or mecha kaiju, that appeared in Toho's 1972 film, Godzilla vs. Gigan. In Showa era, Gigan is a giant extraterrestrial monster, resembling a bipedal reptile turned into a cyborg by the alien race known as the Nebulans. In Millennium era, Gigan is a bioweapon created by the Xilliens and fought Mothra millennia ago before he was defeated by her and later awakened by the Xilliens in the present time.
Gigan sports a huge buzzsaw in his frontal abdominal region, large metallic hooks for hands, and a bird-like beak.[4] Gigan is considered one of Godzilla's most brutal and violent opponents, and the first kaiju in the Toho sci-fi series to make him noticeably bleed. Complex listed the character as No. 2 on its "The 15 Most Badass Kaiju Monsters of All Time" list.[5]
Overview
Development and design
Gigan was created during the early 1970s when the Godzilla films had undergone a comic book-like shift in tone. Special effects were now purely science fiction fare and budgets were greatly reduced, and Gigan was designed as both a marketing ploy for children's toys and as a completely alien creature whose design would not have necessitated the same attention to detail needed for Godzilla's previously more earthly opponents.[6]
The character was first conceived by Kaoru Mabuchi in his script Godzilla vs. the Space Monsters – Earth Defense Directive, which contained elements that would later be incorporated into Godzilla vs. Gigan, including having a mind-controlled Gigan teaming up with King Ghidorah, though the script also included Megalon. The mastermind behind the space monsters' actions would have been a living brain called Miko.[7]
The first Gigan suit was designed by illustrator Takayoshi Mizuki, modeled by suitmaker Noboyuki Yasamaru, and was worn by Kenpachiro Satsuma, who had starred as Hedorah's suit actor in Godzilla vs. Hedorah. The two initially did not get on well during filming, as Yasamaru focused more on the suit's appearance than on its practicality, at one point making the character's hand-hooks out of pure fiberglass, which made lifting them almost impossible.[8] In portraying Gigan, Satsuma deliberately emphasized the character's destructive personality. For Gigan's appearance in Zone Fighter, Satsuma did not reprise the role.[9] Special effects director Teruyoshi Nakano had initially wanted to give Gigan the ability to fire a laser beam from his forehead as a homage to Buddha sporting a halo around his head, but the idea was scrapped, as Nakano felt that the character was already powerful enough. The beam was nevertheless included in some promotional stills, along with various Godzilla video games.[10]
Characteristics
Gigan possesses an integrated jet pack to fly, a circular saw in his abdomen, and hooked blades in place of hands. [citation needed] In Zone Fighter, the tips of the hooks were able to release an explosive charge on contact with an enemy. [citation needed]
The Godzilla: Final Wars version has grappling hooks in his arms, uses a plier at the end of his tail, can shoot boomerang circular saw blades from his neck, and can fire a laser from his eyes. Later the Xiliens replaced his hooks with double-bladed chainsaws. [citation needed]
History
Showa era (1972-1973)
Gigan debuts in the 1972 film Godzilla vs. Gigan, in which he and King Ghidorah are summoned to Earth by the Nebulans, cockroach-like alien race whose planet had been ravaged by another race and wish to subjugate the Earth in order to create a utopia of "perfect peace". However, the monsters are challenged and defeated by Godzilla and Anguirus.[11]
In the 1973 film, Godzilla vs. Megalon, Gigan is sent by the Nebulans to assist the Seatopians in their assault on humanity by aiding their god, Megalon, in a battle against Godzilla and Jet Jaguar. After having his arm broken by Jet Jaguar however, Gigan retreats into outer space, leaving Megalon to face Godzilla and Jet Jaguar alone.[12]
In the same year, Gigan also makes an appearance in Toho's television series Zone Fighter. After his battle with Godzilla and Jet Jaguar, Gigan is captured by an alien race called the Garogans and sent back to Earth to prevent Godzilla from rescuing Zone Fighter. He was temporarily defeated by the former, but revived once Godzilla left and faced Zone Fighter, who eventually killed Gigan.[13]
After a 31-year absence, Gigan returned in the film Godzilla: Final Wars. Millennia prior, Gigan was an ancient bioweapon created by the alien race called Xillien who had fought Mothra for the fate of the Earth and was defeated. In the present time, his mummified body is discovered in Hokkaido and Xilliens awaken Gigan to assist them in destroying Earth and destroy the Gotengo to stop its human and mutant occupants from awakening Godzilla at Antarctica. While Gigan disables the Gotengo, the crew succeed of freeing Godzilla. Gigan faces Godzilla in battle, but is defeated after Godzilla decapitates his head with atomic breath. The Xiliens recover and modify Gigan with chainsaw to assist Monster X in fighting Godzilla at Tokyo. However, Gigan battles Mothra once more, but inadvertently decapitates himself with his own razor disks after he attempts to kill Mothra before she destroys him once and for all.[14]
Reiwa era (2022-present)
Gigan returned in Gemstone's GvG and Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex, where Godzilla battles an army of soldiers known as Gigan Miles led by the elite red-colored Gigan Rex. [citation needed]
The chibi version of Gigan in Chibi Godzilla Raids Again attempts to retrieve Chibi Mechagodzilla to destroy Monster Island. Chibi Gigan is always easily refuted and persuaded, so he never achieves his goal. [citation needed]
Monsterverse
When the teaser for the 2027 film Godzilla x Kong: Supernova debuted online on May 9, 2025 and revealed its title, fans speculated whenever SpaceGodzilla and/or Gigan would appear in the film as an antagonist.[15][16] In November 2025, the Writers Guild of America West published the final feature credits for Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, the “Source Material” credit of which revealed that SpaceGodzilla, rather than Gigan, would appear in the film.[17][18]
Guitar virtuoso Buckethead wrote a song called "Gigan", as well as another named "Mecha Gigan". They appear on his 2006 albums The Elephant Man's Alarm Clock and Crime Slunk Scene.
Cultural references
The character Ponygon from Zatch Bell! has a toy that is similar in appearance to Gigan.
In Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity there are two tracks called Gigan Rocks and Gigan Device. Each has a statue of a birdlike creature with a sharp beak, which looks similar to Gigan himself.
↑Kalat, David (2010). A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series (2nded.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. pp.115, 125. ISBN978-0-7864-47-49-7.
