T5W#432-Top 5 Mechagodzillas (Written by JMT 117)

Happy Week of Thanksgiving everyone from the Gundam Anime Corner. And this year, I’ve chosen to skip over my annual Top 5 Things I’m Thankful For In Anime in favor of something a bit more special.  We’re in the home stretch of Godzilla Month II and I definitely wanted to get in a Godzilla themed T5W for the occasion.  But I haven’t done many of those myself, those I’ve usually asked of a good friend.  Yes, Dear Readers, JMT 117 is back with another Godzilla Top 5 of his choosing and it’s a solid one too.  So, without further ado, take it away dude, these are the Top 5 Mechagodzillas (Written by JMT 117).

 
In the nearly seventy years Godzilla films have been produced in Japan and, most recently, in America, the King of the Monsters has faced a variety of foes, from the weapons of man, both real and fantastical, to a horde of other kaiju big and small (ironically) from all corners of the Earth and even from outside it. However, out of the legion of Godzilla’s foes, none has stood out quite as much as his mechanical doppelganger. Whether built by aliens bent on the conquest of our planet or made by humans in a bid to find a means to stop the radioactive giant, Mechagodzilla has become a Godzilla staple.
 
Today, for my Top 5, I will rank some of the main Mechagodzillas we’ve seen over the years. And reveal which of them is my favorite and the best, in my humble opinion. And since I am the Godzilla Otaku here, whose opinion is totally correct, let us begin.     
 
#5) OASIS Mechagodzilla (Ready Player One) 

Starting off our list is a Mechagodzilla that we need a little handwaving to include, but for good reason. In the 2018 film adaptation of Ready Player One, the climax of the film sees the villain introduce Mechagodzilla to stop the heroic players. This occurs both in the novel and film, but unlike the novel, where another Mecha-G on our list was used, Ready Player One’s film adaptation opted to have a unique and original Mechagodzilla.
 
Artist Jared Krichevsky designed the OASIS Mechagodzilla based on Toho's request to craft a Mechagodzilla inspired by famed artist Noriyoshi Ohrai's advance poster artwork for the Heisei Era Mechagodzilla film. Both Mechagodzillas feature similar features, with the OASIS version having more of ILM’s beloved ‘greebles’ (coined during the making of Star Wars to describe how to detail the surface of the model ships) over its exterior. This Mecha-G features the classic finger missiles and atomic breath more reminiscent of Godzilla’s vs. what Mechagodzilla usually sports for beam weapons. However, it’s a beast in a fight, taking on both the Iron Giant and the OG RX-78 Gundam and, well, kind of kicking both their butts (sorry, owner of the blog). The fearsome mecha is only taken down thanks to film heroine Artemis and her tossing a grenade inside the technological terror.
 
You might ask why a Mechagodzilla that’s not from a Japanese or American Godzilla film is on this list? It's simple because it actually does something in its film.
 
This is supposed to be a list of the Top 5 Mechagodzillas, and the ‘Mechagodzilla’ included in the Netflix Anime Trilogy doesn’t count. While its design and what little we saw of it (and to really see it, you need to find other media to do so) looked interesting, it gets destroyed in the opening credits of the first Netflix anime film. And…yeah, you needed to DO SOMETHING to be on my list. Hence, there’s also no mention of the blink-and-you-miss-it, post-credit scene of Godzilla: Singular Point and its Mechagodzilla shown there.
 
The OASIS Mechagodzilla does what Mecha-G should, be imposing, a severe threat, and generally kick lots of butt. So, it gets the tail-end-charlie slot. We’ll move into proper Godzilla films for our following choices.       
 
 
#4) Monsterverse Mechagodzilla (Godzilla vs Kong) 

The announcement of Legendary’s Godzilla vs Kong soon brought much speculation that the two ‘kings’ would be given a third enemy to team up and fight. Much conjecture was given about who this third monster could be, but eventually, a toy leak confirmed that Mechagodzilla was coming to the Monsterverse.
 
As with most modern incarnations of Mecha-G, this giant robot was built by Apex Cybernetics to be an anti-Titan (aka Kaiju) weapon capable of taking on Godzilla. The design of this Mechagodzilla might remind you a little of the one from Ready Player One, and you’d be correct, as Jared Krichevsky also worked on this one. He wanted to put his full mark on this Mechagodzilla. Elements of Transformers, previous Mechagodzillas, and even the Heisei Mecha-King Ghidorah came into play. The result is a design that suits the Monsterverse, though I’ll admit I think maybe the Legendary Mecha-G is a bit too greebled over its surface. It seems less like what a high-tech company might design and something more scrapped together. It's like the difference between Iron Man’s first ‘built in a cave’ ad hoc armor vs his refined second one. You’d think a massive corporation would do something more akin to the latter vs the former. 

This Mechagodzilla has impressive weapons, from the red Proton Scream beam, which cleaves a Skull Crawler in half, multitudes of missiles, and a cool drill-ended tail, which nearly gets the better of Kong. It’s also a highly physical opponent for Godzilla and Kong, with the most massive set of arms on any Mechagodzilla we’re looking at today. A cool detail of this mecha is that it’s neural controlled, which for this Godzilla fan ended up being an unintentional I’m sure, slight nod to the young adult Godzilla novel Godzilla vs the Robot Monsters, which featured a similar control method. I also liked that despite being built as an anti-Kaiju weapon, due to the influence of King Ghidorah (whose skull is needed to control it…kaiju movie, just roll with it), it unleashes tons of destruction. 

As with the best Mecha-Gs, this one gave Godzilla a run for his money, nearly besting the Big G and giving the Legendary Godzilla the famed ‘kiss of death’ finisher from the 2014 film. A tag team of Godzilla, Kong, and a nuclear-powered Godzilla fin-spiked axe finally finishes Mechagodzilla. It made for an excellent final boss for the titular titans and a fun addition to the Legendary series.  
 

#3) Heisei Mechagodzilla (Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla ’93) 

We now come to what, for the longest time, was my favorite Mechagodzilla, the model used in the Heisei series and the only other Mecha-G we’d seen up to that point. 

Many designs were considered for the Heisei Mecha-G, with one concept being that Mechagodzilla would be made from individual vehicles that could combine. This Voltron or Megazord-esque idea was dropped but did get picked up for use with M.O.G.U.E.R.A in Godzilla vs Space Godzilla. The transforming/combing concept was at the forefront when Noriyoshi Ohrai’s fantastic poster was created, and as we discussed, it saw some life again as the OASIS Mechagodzilla. Ultimately, Katsushi Murakami of Bandai and Minoru Yoshida, an artist who worked on most Heisei Era films, completed the final concept and design. 

Built using the savaged technology of Mecha-King Ghidorah from the future, the Heisei Mechagodzilla was the first human-built and operated robot. Designed to fight Godzilla by the G-Force, I love its smooth lines and almost polished surface. It was a stark contrast to another entry we’ll be discussing, and I can’t help but like it even if it’s not the slimmest Mecha-G. The Heisei Mechagodzilla also would be paired with the Garuda to form ‘Super Mechagodzilla,’ which is a bit of a mouthful if you ask me. I like the idea of the Garuda from an ‘in-universe’ perspective. After salvaging the remains of Mecha-King Ghidorah, G-Force tested the technologies on a prototype vehicle. It was akin to an even beefier Super-X, and when they saw the base technology worked, they built the main machine. 

While not a physical opponent like the OASIS or Legendary Mechagodzillas, the Heisei Era one makes up for a lack of physicality with sheer firepower. Laser beams, Mega Buster cannon (which fires the classic rainbow-colored beam, more on that later), Paralyzer/Tranquilizer Missiles, and its most potent weapon, the somewhat oddly named but cool Plasma Grenade. Mechagodzilla is covered in a layer of diamond heat-absorbing, reflecting skin in another nice bit of continuity that made the Heisei Era stand out. Like the Super-X2, which used the concept in Godzilla vs. Biollente, Mecha-G can take Godzilla’s most powerful weapon, his Atomic Breath, and use that raw power against him. All this firepower and the G-Crusher/Shock Anchor system allowed this Mechagodzilla to do what few of them have, cripple Godzilla. Heisei Mechagodzilla bested both Godzilla and Rodan in the film, though the latter’s sacrifice of its radioactive energy revived Godzilla, who sadly destroyed Mecha-G.
 
Despite Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla ’93 not appearing in the USA for the longest time (something that frustrated a younger me), this was the Mecha-G used in marketing, toy lines, and video games for years. I had one of the Bandi toys released in the '90s of this Mechagodzilla and just loved imagining him fighting Godzilla in New York or something. The Heisei Era design is special to me as it was the Mechagodzilla when I became the Godzilla Otaku I am. 

Still, even with such a prominent place in my heart, some Mechagodzillas stood out even better.       
 
 
#2) Kiryu Millennium Mechagodzilla (Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, Godzilla: Tokyo SOS) 

The various Godzilla films have been broken into a couple of eras. Named after periods of Japan’s Emperors, we’ve had the original run of films, Showa. The return of the series in the Heisei Era. Then, with Godzilla 2000, the beginning of the Millennium Series. And, as with those two eras before it, a new Mechagodzilla loomed for these 2000-era films.
 
When a new Godzilla (a quirk of the Millenium films where each one only had the original Gojira as the ‘first’ film) arises and causes destruction in Japan, which since the first Godzilla’s appearance has been plagued by giant monsters. The Japanese government decides enough is enough and vows to build Mechagodzilla, better known as Kiryu. However, unlike all the other Mecha-Gs on our list, this one has a core and even the soul of the 1954 King of the Monsters. 

One of the first things that stands out about this Mechagodzilla is its name, Kiryu. Translated to Machine Dragon, which would also be a fantastic way to refer to the Dragonzord from Power Rangers, it’s a sign of how the creators of Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla wanted this robot double of the Big G to be more than just a mechanical tool or foe. Which I think pays off as, in a rarity for the Millenium Series, Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla actually had a direct sequel, Tokyo: SOS. When all the other Millennium films were one and done, for Mechagodzilla to get a second outing at this time was impressive.
 
Being built using the bones of the 1954 Godzilla and with DNA computers (still not sure how those are supposed to work, but as I’ve said, just roll with it), the ‘soul’ of Gojira is very much part of this machine. While not a full-up cyborg, the fact that this mecha isn’t all machine and wires adds to its nature. A theme of Kiryu's conflicted nature runs through its debut film and the sequel. In the first film, it wanted to unleash Gojira's anger and rage against the world, conflicting with the human needs (and that of its pilot, more on this in a bit) to fight Godzilla. This theme evolves in the sequel, with the conflicted needs of humanity for their anti-Godzilla weapon to serve them versus Kiryu’s spirit wanting to rest. I think it’s a unique dynamic compared to the other Godzilla kaiju or mechas. 

Kiryu’s design is pretty awesome, incorporating the looks of the previous Showa and Heisei Mecha-Gs along with Gojira’s skeleton within. Unlike OASIS Mechagodzilla or the Monsterverse’s, I think this Mechagodzilla strikes the right balance between a detailed/smooth polished surface and not too much of either. Plus, I dig the black tubing/muscle running through the segmented neck and other suit parts. It makes these areas stand out.  
 
As with all the mecha on our list today, it’s impressively armed with an awesome backpack missile launcher that, once its weapons are expended, can be turned into a weapon and launched at Godzilla. Railguns, masers (a Godzilla staple), and, in the first film, a cannon that freezes objects to ABSOLUTE ZERO! Like…that’s ridiculous! And even probably more blood pressure-inducing to Japanese taxpayers, it only gets used like once for its intended role, LOL. And unlike the Heisei Mecha-G, Kiryu can throw down physically with Godzilla, too, armed with a drill hand, which is awesome. 

Plus, I’m not sure if it is an intentional nod to the growing use of drones in the 2000s, but Kiryu is remotely piloted from a nearby support aircraft, which…makes a lot of sense when you think about it. I get the coolness of having pilots in a giant robot, but if you send said robot to fight a giant radioactive mutant nigh-indestructible dinosaur…maybe it’s safer to do that from a distance. Also, another excellent idea is that Kiryu’s fins in the back can act as microwave receivers for power. It's a nice way of making them a working part of the machine and having a reason for being there beyond aesthetics.
 
The final aspect I enjoy about Kiryu is that in the first film, there’s a strong connection between it and its pilot, Akane. She begins the film as a member of the Anti-Megalosaurus Force operating a Maser Cannon, but when the new Godzilla attacks for the first time, she’s involved in an accident, which leads to the death of her commander and several soldiers. The JSDF laid the blame on her, along with Akane blaming herself. It's not till a colleague of hers, tapped for the Kiryu team, brings on board to become Mechagodzilla’s pilot that she gets a chance in her eyes to redeem herself. 

While the character is similar to another with a slightly different backstory in an earlier Millennium film (Godzilla vs. Megaguirus), I feel Akane was the idea done right. You can connect with her loneliness and isolation she both has brought on herself but also had instituted against her. In a sense, she becomes a reflection of Kiryu when Gojira’s ‘soul’ awakens and, during its first deployment, possesses Kiryu and goes on a rampage. Like Akane, there are doubts about whether Kiryu can be used after this incident. A fundamental connection forms between Akane and Kiryu reflected when she goes onboard it to control it manually for the climax of the first film. In the end, both Akane and Kiryu prove themselves. And SPOILER, in a rarity for a Mechagodzilla, succeeds in its mission, driving Godzilla off and surviving at the end of the film. 

Sadly, Akane’s relationship with Kiryu isn’t explored in the sequel. She’s sent away early in the film, and Tokyo: SOS tries to build a similar relationship with a technician who works on Kiryu. This version of that man/machine connection didn’t work for me. I wasn’t as invested in that character as I was in Akane. Overall, the fact Kiryu has deep connections with the people who built, worked on him, and piloted it again makes it stand out among the Mecha-Gs. You might wonder why Kiryu isn’t Number 1 on this list. Critically, he probably should be, BUT this is MY Top 5, and that winning slot goes to…
 

 #1) Showa Mechagodzilla (Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla ’74, Terror of Mechagodzilla) 

Oh yeah, it’s time for the original, the Showa metal menace himself, built by Planet of the Apes aliens from the world being sucked down a Black Hole; the one, the only Showa Mechagodzilla! While lacking the depth of Kiryu, the benefits of modern special effects that OASIS and Monsterverse Mecha-Gs had, or connection to my growth as a Godzilla Otakuness, the Heisei Mechagodzilla did, the evil robot built by hostile aliens who want to say it with me ‘conquer the world,’ has a special place in my heart. 

Interestingly enough, like how King Kong helped birth Godzilla, a mechanical Kong helped birth Mechagodzilla. Famed Godzilla producer Tomoyuki Tanaka wanted to celebrate Godzilla's upcoming 20th Anniversary with something special. Inspired by the idea of Mechani-Kong, a mecha version of the giant ape from the Toho film King Kong Escapes, plus the growing love of mecha/robot anime in the 70s (see many reviews on this owner’s blog for more on that). A mechanical doppelganger for Godzilla seemed like a good fit for a film. 

Akihiko Iguchi, who worked on one of the Ultraman series, designed the look of Mechagodzilla with Medieval Knights and Steampunk aesthetics playing a part. Like with Kiryu, Showa Mecha-G has the right amount of detailing. From the giant rivets to the flexible segmented tube bits of a classic 50s robot at shoulders, hips, and knees to the intimidating steel-toothed jaw and sharply angled head. It’s just such a classic design. And when Mechagodzilla is reborn in Terror of Mechagodzilla, there’s a charming detail on the arms where it once said MG, now says MG2. 

As I mentioned, Showa Mechagodzilla was built by aliens whose planet was being sucked down a Black Hole. No doubt, due to the popularity of the Planet of the Ape films, the aliens, while having human disguises, are, in fact, gross ape-men (with apparently a penchant for BSDM in the sequel!). While aliens wishing to conquer the planet had been done to death at this point in the series, the fact they both made Mechagodzilla do it and being such rip-offs of another franchise…I don’t know why, but it has a Silver Age comic feel that I love the silliness of. 

Their plan doesn’t start with unveiling Mecha-G, but they disguise their creation in fake skin to make him look like Godzilla. Dubbed Fake Godzilla by the fans, it was kind of cool to see Godzilla, even as a fake, go back to his destructive roots. Seeing the Terminator parallel with the robot hidden under the fake skin is also fun. This also allows for another nod to Godzilla history as Anguirus comes to fight Fake Godzilla, an homage to their first onscreen encounter in Godzilla Raids Again. And, well, much like that film, the fight doesn’t go well for Anguirus, with Fake Godzilla breaking his jaw in a bloody style.
 
While Showa Mechagodzilla lacks the depth of Kiryu, I think it makes up for that by being such a bloody good and cool villain. Ghidorah, Gigan, and Megalon were all alien puppets for world conquest at one time or another. None, though, seem to match the presence and menace of Show Mecha-G. In a rare instance, Mecha-G (albeit damaging itself) even manages to do a number on Godzilla in their first showdown, knocking Godzilla into the ocean, which then churns with his blood. Something hardly any other foe had done in the films up to that point. It’s fair to say without the team-up with King Ceasar, plus Godzilla pulling a Silver Age Superman trick of giving himself more powers, one wonders if Godzilla could have beaten Mechagodzilla one-on-one. The fact Mechagodzilla got a direct sequel, Terror of Mechagodzilla, speaks to how well he worked as a foe for the Big G. 

Showa Mechagodzilla set the trend for his descendants to be packed with more firepower than the entirety of the U.S. Armed Forces. This is best displayed during the final fight of Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla ’74 when he unleashes his rainbow-colored eye beams, lightning bolt ray beam, finger missiles, toe missiles, and even KNEE cannons, all at Godzilla and King Ceasar. It was a scene that saw massive pyrotechnics going off on the set and around the suit actors, and the Godzilla suit caught on fire at one point! However, Mecha-G's theme music is even more remarkable than his looks and weapons. It is a drum-based beat that gets your foot-shaking heart pumping and sounds superb. 

In the end, I think my love of the Showa Mechagodzilla is akin to why people liked Darth Vader in Star Wars. Remember, pre–Empire Strikes Back and everything that came later…Vader’s just a cool-looking bad guy in a suit. He didn’t have depth outside of a connection to Obi-Wan and was subordinate to Tarkin. Yet, his presence, look, and villainous nature stuck with people who just loved a good, bad guy. And that’s what Showa Mechagodzilla is to me, a good, bad guy you can’t help but like, even though he needs to be beaten in the end.