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Damage level ten. This ship has been destroyed. There are no survivors.
― Mechagodzilla’s onboard computer (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II)
Overview

Mechagodzilla (メカゴジラ,   Mekagojira?), also known as Super Mechagodzilla (スーパーメカゴジラ,   Sūpā Mekagojira?), is a mecha created by Toho that first appeared in the 1993 Godzilla film, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II.

Name

Mechagodzilla's name comes from the word "mecha," meaning a robot that can be controlled from the inside, and from another monster, Godzilla (ゴジラ,   Gojira?). The "Super" in its "Super Mechagodzilla" name comes from the aforementioned "mecha" and "Godzilla" as well as the word "super," enforcing Super Mechagodzilla's powerful nature. Mechagodzilla's official designation by G-Force is UX-02-93.

Design

Development

Main articles: Berserk and Transforming Mechagodzilla.

The Heisei Mechagodzilla was originally conceptualized as an out-of-control mechanical monstrosity called "Berserk," which was built by the J.S.D.F. and later infected by a computer virus that made it become self-aware. When this idea was discarded, Mechagodzilla was envisioned as being able to split apart into multiple vehicles. Through rewrites to the script of Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, this ability was toned down into Mechagodzilla combining with Garuda to form Super Mechagodzilla.

Appearance

Roar

Mechagodzilla's sound is basically a higher-pitched Godzilla roar. Mechagodzilla's audio is made from the roars of the original Godzilla, which were also multi-toned and distorted in order to sound more metallic.

Past its shrill cry, its roar can also sound deep, and rumbling, much akin to a jet engine.

Origins

Mechagodzilla was created by the United Nations Godzilla Countermeasures Center and controlled by its military branch G-Force, using Futurian technology scavenged from the remains of Mecha-King Ghidorah. In Godzilla Island, this Mechagodzilla was created by G-Guard. In the comic series Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters, it was constructed as part of a joint operation between the American and Japanese governments to defend humanity from the kaiju appearing around the globe.

History

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

MechaGodzilla-2

Mechagodzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

In 1992, the United Nations formed the United Nations Godzilla Countermeasures Center, a special lbranchdedicated to combating the threat posed by Godzilla. The U.N.G.C.C.'s military branch, G-Force, began oonstruction on an anti-Godzilla machine known as Garuda. However, G-Force concluded that the Garuda's lombat capabilities were too limited to be effective against Godzilla. Using Futurian technology salvaged from Mecha-King Ghidorah's central head, G-Force began construction of a much more advanced machine built in Godzilla's own image.

The machine, Mechagodzilla, was finally completed in 1994. The mech would first see action when Godzilla appeared in Japan and began heading to the city of Kyoto. Mechagodzilla was launched and engaged Godzilla in the countryside. Mechagodzilla held the upper hand against its organic counterpart, knocking Godzilla to the ground with its impressive array of lasers and missiles. Mechagodzilla fired its shock anchors into Godzilla, electrocuting him and causing him to foam at the mouth. Suddenly, Godzilla emitted a shockwave of energy that caused the electrical current to be reversed and travel back up Mechagodzilla's shock anchor cables. Mechagodzilla began to short-circuit and was rendered immobile as Godzilla rose back to his feet. Godzilla charged at Mechagodzilla, knocking the machine onto its back, before continuing on to Kyoto.

Mechagodzilla was brought back to G-Force headquarters for repairs, which were expected to take several weeks. After being transferred to parking duty after failing to appear to pilot Mechagodzilla, Kazuma Aoki pulled aside Mechagodzilla's lead engineer, Leo Asimov. Kazuma proposed a plan to modify the Garuda and allow it to be more useful against Godzilla in combat. When Asimov asked what they would do with Mechagodzilla, Kazuma revealed a proposal to combine the Garuda and Mechagodzilla into a single, more powerful machine. Asimov agreed, and both mechs were modified. Meanwhile, G-Force was formulating a new plan to kill Godzilla. They had learned that Godzilla possessed a secondary brain in his hip that controlled lower body function due to Baby Godzilla, an infant Godzillasaurus in G-Force's custody, possessing the same structure.

G-Force planned to use Baby Godzilla as bait to lure Godzilla to the Ogasawara Islands, then have Mechagodzilla use its shock anchor cables to destroy Godzilla's second brain and paralyze him, then finally kill him with its arsenal of weapons. Preparations were made, and Baby Godzilla was airlifted to the Ogasawara Islands along with his human surrogate mother, Azusa Gojo. En route, the canister holding them was captured by Fire Rodan, who touched down and tried to break the canister open.

MechaGojira 2

Mechagodzilla was quickly deployed to attack Rodan and save Baby and Azusa. Mechagodzilla arrived and confronted Rodan, who fought back with his newly-acquired uranium heat beam. Aoki arrived in the Garuda shortly after to back up Mechagodzilla, distracting Rodan with its maser beams while Mechagodzilla charged its plasma grenade. Rodan took to the sky and rammed the Garuda, causing it to crash into a building. Mechagodzilla used its plasma grenade to blast Rodan into a skyscraper, then approached him. Rodan sprang back up and used his beak to knock out Mechagodzilla's right eye. Mechagodzilla fired the plasma grenade again, shredding Rodan's chest and sending him flying into a nearby building.

Super MechaGodzilla

Super Mechagodzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

Super Mechagodzilla Copyright Icon

With Rodan seemingly dead, Godzilla suddenly appeared from the ocean, roaring and challenging Mechagodzilla to battle once again. Mechagodzilla turned to face Godzilla and fired its mega buster beam at him. Godzilla countered with his atomic breath, causing the beams to lock and explode. Mechagodzilla was disabled by the explosion, allowing Godzilla to charge and attack it up close. Godzilla easily overpowered Mechagodzilla, slamming it onto the ground and stomping on its head. The Garuda regained flight and fired at Godzilla, allowing Mechagodzilla to get back up. The Garuda then flew onto Mechagodzilla's back and combined with it, forming Super Mechagodzilla (スーパーメカゴジラ,   Sūpā Mekagojira?). More powerful than ever before, Super Mechagodzilla took flight and unleashed its payload of laser beams onto Godzilla, knocking him to the ground. As Godzilla staggered to his feet, Super Mechagodzilla fired paralyzer missiles at Godzilla then launched its shock anchor cables into his hip. Mechagodzilla then began to discharge electricity through the cables, shattering Godzilla's secondary brain and sending him falling headfirst to the ground.

With Godzilla paralyzed, it appeared Super Mechagodzilla would be victorious. As Super Mechagodzilla prepared to finish Godzilla, Baby Godzilla broke free of the canister holding him and roared out, getting the attention of the mortally-wounded Rodan. Rodan took flight and flew near Godzilla, prompting Super Mechagodzilla to shoot him down with its mega buster. Rodan fell onto Godzilla, and it appeared the two monsters would die together. However, Rodan began transferring his life force into Godzilla, regenerating his secondary brain and revitalizing him. As Rodan faded away into nothing, Godzilla rose to his feet and roared, giving off huge amounts of heat. The intensity of the heat caused Super Mechagodzilla's synthetic diamond armor plate to melt. Godzilla fired his new spiral red atomic breath at Super Mechagodzilla, staggering it back and causing severe damage. Super Mechagodzilla fired back with its mega buster, engaging in another beam lock.

This time, Godzilla's beam overpowered Mechagodzilla's, causing it to fall backward into a building. Godzilla proceeded to fire his spiral beam at Mechagodzilla until the mech's head was blasted off and its entire body erupted in flames. Godzilla roared victoriously and went to find Baby Godzilla. Despite Mechagodzilla's computer claiming that no crew survived its destruction, all of its pilots survived the explosion. Mechagodzilla's pilots looked on from afar as Godzilla and his newly-adopted son waded out to sea together, remarking that life always triumphs over artificial life.

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

The materials salvaged from Mechagodzilla were later used by the U.N.G.C.C. to construct a new mecha, M.O.G.U.E.R.A., for the purpose of finally destroying Godzilla. When Godzilla destroyed SpaceGodzilla with his red spiral atomic breath, he also completely destroyed the wreckage of M.O.G.U.E.R.A., leaving its components unsalvageable.

Abilities

Arm launching

In the manga adaptation of the film Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Mechagodzilla is capable of launching its arms and a device on its forehead. This ability was witnessed in action when Mechagodzilla attempted to attack Godzilla's secondary brain again after the atomic reptile was instilled with Rodan's energy. He also uses this ability as one of his attacks in the GBA video game Godzilla: Domination!.

MechaGodzilla 2 firing eye beams

Mechagodzilla firing its Eye Beams in its first battle with Godzilla

Cranial firepower

Mechagodzilla possesses laser cannons in its eyes and a mega-buster ray from its mouth. The mega-buster in particular appears to be as powerful as Godzilla's own atomic ray.

Missiles

Mechagodzilla had missile launchers embedded in his fingertips. In the GBA video game Godzilla: Domination!, he also had retractable heat seeking missile launchers located in his shoulders.

Electricity Conduction

In the GBA video Game Godzilla: Domination!, Mechagodzilla could launch lightining bolts from his waist cavity.

NT-1 alloy

The Heisei Mechagodzilla is protected by an armor plating made from an alloy called NT-1, which is coated in a layer of artificial diamond. The coating allows it to absorb energy from energy weapons such as Godzilla's atomic breath, which is then converted into plasma energy and transferred to its ultimate weapon, the devastating plasma grenade, which is located on its waist. Mechagodzilla was also able to absorb energy from Fire Rodan's uranium heat beam and use it to power the plasma grenade. Because the Plasma Grenade generates a tremendous amount of heat, it cannot be fired continuously and must be cooled down before being used again. If Mechagodzilla's Diamond Coating melts, it will be unable to absorb enemy attacks which in turn disables the Plasma Grenade.

Super Mechagodzilla upgrade

Finally, Mechagodzilla can attach to the warship Garuda to form Super Mechagodzilla. Upon doing so it gains Garuda's powerful Maser Cannons as well as the ability to continuously hover above the ground by using Garuda's massive engines to achieve lift. When the Garuda connects to Mechagodzilla, all damage that Mechagodzilla had sustained before connecting is repaired, as seen when its right eye that was destroyed by Rodan earlier in the final battle switched on and started functioning normally.

Tranquilizer missiles

Mechagodzilla can fire tranquilizer missiles from its hips, paralysis missiles from the shoulders, and shock anchor cables from its wrists, enabling the robot to deliver powerful electrical charges in a struck opponent - this was later modified into a weapon called the "G-Crusher." The G-Crusher, when precisely targeted at Godzilla's secondary brain, was able to completely destroy it with a single discharge, crippling Godzilla from the waist down.

Weaknesses

External short circuiting

When Mechagodzilla first used its shock anchors against Godzilla, Godzilla was able to somehow reverse the flow of energy back to Mechagodzilla, causing the machine to short-circuit.

Hand to hand combat

Rodan vs

Mechagodzilla after losing an eye in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

Mechagodzilla has one major weakness: hand to hand combat. For all its weapons, Mechagodzilla lacks any real ability to fight up close, losing an eye to Rodan when it managed to get in close and proving no match for Godzilla when he got close enough.

Intense heat

Mechagodzilla's armor, while capable of easily absorbing Godzilla's normal atomic breath and Fire Rodan's uranium heat beam, proved no match for the intense heat given off by Godzilla after he absorbed Rodan's energy. This heat caused Mechagodzilla's armor to melt, leaving it defenseless when it was repeatedly struck by Godzilla's uranium atomic heat ray, which reached 1.2 million degrees Celsius and obliterated Mechagodzilla in a few hits.

Video games

Godzilla (Arcade)

MUTA
Stub
This article is a stub. Please help Gojipedia by adding proper information on this subject.

The Heisei Mechagodzilla made an appearance within the Godzilla Arcade game.

Super Godzilla

Mechagodzilla appears in the Japanese version of the game Super Godzilla, where it is controlled by aliens. It was removed from the American version of the game in favor of the more-known Showa Mechagodzilla. This was due to the fact that at the time of the game's release, the new Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla film had not been released on American shores.

Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee

Mechagodzilla is featured in the 2002 Atari game, Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee as the game's final boss. In this game, Mechagodzilla is more of a composite between the Showa and Heisei versions, possessing the appearance and roar of the Heisei version with the abilities and story role of the Showa version. In the Japanese version of the game, Mechagodzilla is replaced by Kiryu from the then-recent film Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla. For the American Xbox version of the game, Kiryu was added alongside the Heisei Mechagodzilla, who was renamed "Mechagodzilla 2," reflecting its status as the second version of Mechagodzilla.

Godzilla: Domination!

In the Game Boy Advance video game Godzilla: Domination!, Mechagodzilla has the ability to unleash a flame from its hand in a slow attack with good reach. It also can perform a hydraulic kick, where he unleashes a flame from the jets on its feet for a slow attack with excellent reach. It can also do a claw launch, in which it fires off its fist, which will fly forward and then turn around and return to Mechagodzilla. A devastating attack with the potential to hit twice.

Its other video game abilities include the power to fire an electric bolt from his navel area (similar to the plasma grenade), the ability to launch six heat-seeking missiles from compartments located on its back and the ability to create a cooling steam from its chest plates which will slightly heal Mechagodzilla and injure nearby monsters. In the Japanese version of the game, this Mechagodzilla is replaced by Kiryu, the Millennium Mechagodzilla, although the change is only cosmetic.

Godzilla: Save the Earth

Mechagodzilla returns in the sequel to Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee, under the name "Mechagodzilla 2." Mechagodzilla retains the same major abilities from the previous game.

Godzilla: Unleashed

Mechagodzilla 2 was directly inspired by the Vortaak's Mechagodzilla. GDF weapons designers saw that a heavily-armored combatant who blended ranged firepower and heavy melee attacks at the cost of some mobility could be a very effective way to hold back monster attacks on major cities.

Although they could not duplicate the space titanium alloy used in the original, the GDF was able to create an armor composite which resisted bite and claw attacks to a miraculous degree - as well as absorbing a significant portion of the heat and radiation weapon attacks used by many of Earth's monsters.

This focus on defense before offense proved to be a powerful mixture, and Mechagodzilla 2 remains a staple of the GDF's anti-monster force.
― Heisei Mechagodzilla bio

In Godzilla: Unleashed, Mechagodzilla 2 is partially a clone of Mechagodzilla, though trading one cell of defense for one cell of speed. The only major differences between Mechagodzilla 1 and 2 is the latter can hover, fire his Plasma Cannon and use its jets to push away opponents like King Ghidorah and Mecha-King Ghidorah use their wings aside from flying. In this game, Mechagodzilla 2 is the only monster who can knock out a health cell with his beam, alongside Mechagodzilla.

Godzilla (2014 video game)

A mobile anti-Godzilla weapon developed by the United Nations Godzilla Countermeasures Center (UNGCC) after requisitioning and analyzing the technology behind the 23rd-century cyborg King Ghidorah, which had earlier been defeated by Godzilla. Model number: UX-02-93. Its armor is made of a combination of artificial diamond coating and the super-heat-resistant alloy "NT-1" engineered on orbital satellites, allowing it to completely withstand Godzilla's heat rays.

Not only is it outfitted with numerous anti-Godzilla weapons, it can also fly using four turbo jet engines. It can achieve a high maximum speed on land, but its main strategy is to wage mid-range aerial combat, bombarding its enemy while it hovers.

The Mechagodzilla in the Heisei series was a full-body costume made of thin, lighter weight fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). However, because repairs became time-consuming, it was decided before the start of filming to avoid shooting intense hand-to-hand fighting scenes.
― Heisei Mechagodzilla Kaiju Guide bio
An upgraded form of Mechagodzilla featuring the experimental anti-Godzilla combat vehicle "Garuda" (model number: UX-01-92) fused to its back as a power generator. Super Mechagodzilla's offensive power and its output have both been enhanced in the upgrade, with dual high-power Maser beam cannons on its shoulders serving as its primary weapons. Model number: UX-02-93.

Three operators rode inside the cockpit, operating the robot's missile and beam weapons to launch full-fledged assaults, as well as utilizing the G-Crusher to fire an electrical current at Godzilla's second brain in its waist. Like a moving fortress, it overwhelmed Godzilla with its formidable firepower.

Early in planning stages, there was talk about making it a combination of seven robots, but ultimately it was decided to make it a powered-up fusion of Mechagodzilla and Garuda.
― Super Mechagodzilla Kaiju Guide bio

In the PS3 version, Super Mechagodzilla appears as one of the final bosses of the game, initiated when Godzilla enters Area 23 if the G-Generators are not destroyed fast enough. It will attack Godzilla using its shock anchors, beam weapons and melee attacks. It may eventually be joined by the Super X and they will both attack Godzilla.

Once they are defeated, the area will be cleared. In the end cutscene, Super Mechagodzilla is shown flying a frozen Godzilla back into the ocean and sinking with him. This is a reference to Kiryu's behavior at the end of Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.. This only happens if Super Mechagodzilla is encountered in the level if Kiryu was encountered instead then he will take Super Mechagodzilla's place in the final cutscene. If the generators are destroyed fast enough, Kiryu will appear as the boss and take Super Mechagodzilla's place in the cutscene.

In the PS4 version, Super Mechagodzilla will appear as the stage 8 boss if the player takes the easy or normal routes.

Moveset

Square One tap: Triangle Stroke
Two taps: Front Kick
X Tap: Hover
Forward + Tap: Forward Hover Dash
Backward + Tap: Back Hover Dash
Right/Left + Tap: Side Hover Dash
Triangle Tap: Body Slam
Forward + Tap: G-Crusher
Circle Tap: Mega Buster
Forward + Tap: Hyper Maser Beam Cannon
Backward + Tap: Plasma Grenade
Roar + Tap: Volley
Tap (Mid-air): Mega Buster
Forward + Tap (Mid-air): Hyper Maser Beam Cannon
R2 Tap: Rotating Beam Cannon


Godzilla: Kaiju Collection

The Heisei Mechagodzilla appeared within the mobile game Godzilla: Kaiju Collection.

Comics

Kodansya Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2 Manga

In this manga adaptation of his debut film by Kodansya Comics, Mechagodzilla appears as the main antagonist. In this adaptation he is noticeably more brutal and more powerful, being able to rip Godzilla's dorsal fins in half with little effort. Mechagodzilla also gains several new abilities, including the ability to fire its arms off on a pair of cables from its shoulders at foes.

In the first fight against Godzilla, Mechagodzilla overpowers him, tearing his dorsal fins and blasting his eyes with shots of his Mega Buster Ray. However, Godzilla manages to behead Mechagodzilla, and retreats. It is then explained that Mechagodzilla's brutal abilities are related to a remnant of Mecha-King Ghidorah's programming being present in the mecha's computers. In the subsequent battle, Mechagodzilla uses the G-Crusher on Godzilla, but this fails after Fire Rodan revives him. Mechagodzilla is then soon defeated.


Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla Manga

In this manga by Shogakukan, Mechagodzilla is rebuilt by G-Force and deployed after the manga's main protagonist, Akira Yuki, steals M.O.G.U.E.R.A. from the U.N.G.C.C.. Mechagodzilla enters battle against its successor, but is quickly destroyed.

Godzilla: Gangsters and Goliaths

In Godzilla: Gangsters and Goliaths, Mechagodzilla is an old robot that has since been replaced by newer models. When Godzilla and several other giant monsters attack Tokyo, Detective Makato Sato convinces his son, who is a member of G-Force, to pilot the outdated Mechagodzilla into battle against Godzilla. Mechagodzilla does not defeat Godzilla, but is able to distract the creature long enough to save innocent lives and buy Sato time to save the Elias and confront Takahashi.


Godzilla: Legends

Mechagodzilla is one of the monsters featured in Godzilla: Legends Issue 4. In this issue, a rookie crew piloting Mechagodzilla is sent to China in pursuit of Godzilla. When they arrive, they find the entire area is totally devastated and enveloped in toxic smog. Mechagodzilla is then attacked by the source of the destruction, Hedorah, the smog monster.

Mechagodzilla attempts to attack Hedorah, but all of its attacks seem to be harmlessly absorbed by Hedorah. Suddenly, Godzilla himself arrives and is attacked by Hedorah. Just before Hedorah can seriously harm Godzilla, Mechagodzilla re-enters the battle, forcing the King of the Monsters and his mechanical double to become unlikely allies against the smog monster. After a messy and difficult battle, Godzilla and Mechagodzilla defeat Hedorah and go their separate ways, deciding to resume their conflict another time.

Godzilla: The Half-Century War

Mechagodzilla appears in Godzilla: The Half-Century War #3. In this issue, Mechagodzilla has been sent by the Anti-Megalosaurus force to Bombay (Mumbai), India to intercept Godzilla. Meanwhile, Ota Murakami and his team have also arrived in Bombay to find the rogue Dr. Deverich and destroy his monster-transmitter. However, the device attracts a new monster from outer space, SpaceGodzilla. With this new threat, Mechagodzilla is forced to work alongside Godzilla against SpaceGodzilla. Mechagodzilla is severely damaged in the battle, but is able to give Godzilla time to blast SpaceGodzilla's crystals up close and destroy him.

In other languages

  • Russian: Мехагодзилла

Trivia

  • The Heisei Mechagodzilla is often referred to as "Mechagodzilla 2" by fans and in some recent media where all three Mechagodzillas exist in the same continuity as different characters. This name comes from the international title of its debut film, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, and the fact that it is the second distinct incarnation of the character, despite being the only Mechagodzilla in the Heisei continuity. The rebuilt Showa Mechagodzilla in Terror of Mechagodzilla is officially labeled "Mechagodzilla 2" by Toho.
  • After the Monsterverse Mechagodzilla, the Heisei Mechagodzilla is the second-tallest of all the Mechagodzillas, standing at 120 meters tall, while the Showa and Millennium Mechagodzilla are 50 and 60 meters tall, respectively.
  • Mechagodzilla was originally intended to be in Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, but was replaced by M.O.G.U.E.R.A., at the insistence of Koichi Kawakita, as Moguera was one of his favorite monsters. Because of this, it is the only Mechagodzilla to not appear in two films.
  • This incarnation of Mechagodzilla is among the slowest of the flying kaiju if not the slowest from the Heisei series, flying at a speed of mach 1 and mach 2 (when combined with the Garuda to make Super Mechagodzilla) ranking only third place between its Showa and Millennium counterparts.
  • A deleted scene from Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II shows Mechagodzilla perform a taunt by smashing its fists together before taking off. This taunt was later adopted in the Atari/Pipeworks Godzilla games, as this Mechagodzilla utilizes it in both his battle intro and his in-battle taunt move.
  • The Heisei Mechagodzilla is the only Mechagodzilla to be strictly manually piloted from inside and not autonomous to some degree in its film appearance. The Showa Mechagodzilla appeared to be mostly autonomous in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, responding to orders relayed to it by Kuronuma, while the Millennium incarnation was controlled remotely from an AC-3 White Heron and was also capable of overriding its own programming and acting completely autonomously in Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S..
  • The rocket launchers Kiryu wears on his back in Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. are a reference to Super Mechagodzilla's Garuda cannons.
  • In the manga version of Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla II, the fact that Mechagodzilla goes bersek and gets controlled by the programming of Mecha-King Ghidorah and acted on it's own is similar to how Beserk got controlled by a computer virus, how Kiryu got controlled by the original Godzilla's spirit and how the Monsterverse Mechagodzilla got controlled by King Ghidorah's consciousness.

Also see

List of appearances

Films

Video games

Comics

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 The Official Godzilla Compendium. Profiles of the Monsters; Page 135.
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