Exploring Megaguirus: The Lesser-Known Foe of Godzilla

The creative minds behind the Godzilla series possess the extraordinary ability to transform diverse entities into formidable behemoths, although they have certain favorites among them. When it comes to the kaiju genre, there seems to be an unusual aura surrounding mammals and birds. While Kong has earned his place in the lineup, many of the other characters are primarily based on reptiles, amphibians, fish, and various invertebrates. Among the easiest to conceptualize are gigantic insects. The fear many harbor for bugs contributes to their grotesque representation, especially when depicted in extreme close-up. Megaguirus stands out as one of the notable giant insect kaiju, particularly because she commands an entire species of followers.

Long before the term “cinematic universe”gained traction, Toho’s Godzilla series was pioneering this concept. The franchise enabled kaiju to cross over into various films, well ahead of Marvel’s comic book adaptations on the big screen. While the execution was less polished than today’s integrated narratives, it still provided fans with unexpected moments. Iconic kaiju like Rodan and Mothra find their roots tied to Godzilla, despite having initially debuted in their own standalone films.

What exactly is Megaguirus?

Alias	Megaguirus, Megagilas, and Giant Meganulon
Nickname	Super Flying Dragon
Created By	Masaaki Tezuka
Portrayed By	Minoru Watanabe
Film Debut	Godzilla vs. Megaguirus
Debut Date	December 16, 2000

Megaguirus serves as the queen of the ancient insect species known as the Meganulon. The origins of the Meganulon trace back to the 1956 film Rodan, directed by Ishiro Honda, which also introduced the iconic creature Rodan. Though Rodan is the film’s primary focus, the initial danger comes from oversized dragonfly nymphs. A backstory reveals that Rodan emerged from an egg situated within an underground cavern, feasting on the Meganulon and inadvertently saving many lives. The inspiration to revive the Meganulon came from director Masaaki Tezuka’s admiration for James Cameron’s Aliens; he envisioned a scenario in which Godzilla faces off against a horde of insect enemies that unite to call forth a queen, a concept reminiscent of the Xenomorphs from the aforementioned movie.

Megaguirus embodies the role of the Meganulon’s queen. To bring her character to life, the production team utilized both a puppet-like model and a full-body suit. The performer in the suit, Minoru Watanabe, has also contributed to several Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series. Within the Godzilla lore, Megaguirus claims the title of the largest and most formidable member of the Meganulon species. Like her subjects, Megaguirus made her entrance into contemporary Earth via a fantastical black hole weapon that accidentally opened a gateway to an alternate dimension. She acquired her distinct form when a multitude of her subjects latched onto Godzilla, siphoning some of his energy, which was then infused into her cocoon, allowing her to rise as a powerful winged queen. An alternate comic iteration from Godzilla: Rage Across Time hints at Megaguirus being a major carrier of the Bubonic plague, though this storyline doesn’t align seamlessly with the films.

What powers does Megaguirus possess?

Megaguirus is equipped with a variety of menacing insect-like abilities. She can soar through the skies at speeds surpassing Mach 4, making her movement almost imperceptible to the human eye. Her wings are sharpened, allowing her to slice effortlessly through skyscrapers and steel structures during high-speed flybys. While her ranged attacks are deadly, she also poses a significant threat in melee combat. Her claws can penetrate Godzilla’s tough exterior, but it’s her tail stinger that serves as her most lethal weapon. This stinger enables her to not only stab her opponents but also drain their energy, empowering her even further with Godzilla’s nuclear energy. Following this absorption, Megaguirus can unleash a devastating fireball; in several video games, she can even absorb opponents’ energy beams and redirect them.

What fate befell Megaguirus?

Megaguirus had a brief existence within the Godzilla universe. Emerging from her underlings after drawing power from the King of the Monsters, she aimed to harness more of his energy. Though she boasted advantages like remarkable flying capabilities, her physical form was relatively fragile. While she could avoid Godzilla’s atomic breath, a direct clash with him led to her downfall. Despite managing a few successful strikes against Godzilla, her growing overconfidence proved fatal. Her strategy revolved around absorbing energy rather than outright killing him, which resulted in a reckless approach as she lunged at him with her stinger extended. Godzilla seized her appendage and crushed it, neutralizing her main weapon. Ultimately, he concluded their battle with a devastating blast of atomic breath, leaving behind her smoldering remains. She later made a reappearance only through archival footage in Godzilla: Final Wars, while also making sporadic appearance in the comics, including the previously mentioned 2016 Rage Across Time series.

Although Megaguirus is a relatively minor adversary in the Godzilla franchise, there was potential for her character to evolve into something greater. The concept of Godzilla contending with swarms of smaller foes is intriguing, especially with inspiration drawn from the Aliens narrative. Megaguirus could have had a more significant role, perhaps reflecting on themes regarding the vulnerabilities of monarchies. In hindsight, the Meganulon might have benefited from unionizing.

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