10 Best Toho Kaiju That Aren’t Godzilla

by

Toho’s Godzilla series, spanning over seven decades, holds the record as the longest-running film franchise. Across 33 movies spread across four different periods, it has become essential to introduce other monsters beside Godzilla himself. The Showa era (1954-1975) saw the inclusion of monsters from Toho films that followed Gojira’s success and also created adversaries exclusive to Godzilla movies. The Heisei era (1984-1995) brought back old acquaintances but also introduced new monsters. This pattern continued in the Millennium era (1999-2004), including Shin Godzilla, three animated films, and Godzilla Minus One. The current Reiwa era (2016-present) follows suit.

Which Toho monsters, besides Godzilla, do you consider among the finest? We’re looking at creatures from standalone films, those that later appeared in Godzilla films, original Godzilla film characters, and Toho-exclusive monsters that didn’t get a sequel. Characters originating from Legendary’s Monsterverse, such as King Ghidorah or Shin Godzilla, are not included in this discussion.

1) Anguirus

In the movie “Godzilla Raids Again,” Ankylosaurus Anguirus, a colossal creature, was Toho’s initial creation to battle Godzilla. Tragically, in this film, it was Godzilla who ended Anguirus’ life.

As Godzilla transitioned from a villain to a hero, he sought companions to support him during challenging times. Among all potential allies, Anguirus was the top pick. He didn’t reappear until the movie “Destroy All Monsters,” but since then, he became a regular in the later Shōwa era films. He fought alongside Godzilla against King Ghidorah and Gigan in “Godzilla vs. Gigan,” had a brief appearance in “Godzilla vs. Megalon,” and nearly met his end at the hands of the fake Godzilla in “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.” This last scene, where Anguirus was near death, underscores the fact that over time, he had become the most beloved character in the franchise, tugging at our heartstrings.

2) Rodan

Among Toho’s kaiju movies not related to Godzilla, one that stands out as notably strong is “Rodan.” Given its status as a Pteranodon monster, it’s logical that Rodan would reappear in some Godzilla films.

In the movie “Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster,” Rodan shared the role of adversary with Godzilla. Later, they both received a reprimand from Mothra. In another film titled “Invasion of Astro-Monster,” Rodan switched to being a co-protagonist yet again, battling Ghidorah once more. He made appearances in “Destroy All Monsters” and was depicted using old footage in “Godzilla vs. Gigan,” “Godzilla vs. Megalon,” and “Terror of Mechagodzilla.” During the Heisei period, Rodan transformed into Fire Rodan in the movie “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II,” which granted him his own energy beam to complement his traditional supersonic speed.

In the movie “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” Rodan is another monster that has been reimagined within the Monsterverse. His storyline in this film isn’t too dissimilar from his portrayal in the Toho films. Initially, he appears as a foe alongside Ghidorah, but eventually switches allegiance and sides with Godzilla. It seems likely that we haven’t seen the last of Rodan within the Monsterverse. Here’s hoping!

3) Mothra

In the grand spectacle of Monster Island, I’ve noticed that Mothra, a majestic kaiju, often serves as the voice of reason, maintaining harmony among her fellow monsters, at least in the film “Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster”. Much like Rodan, Mothra graced the screen with her own solo feature before joining the cast of Godzilla. Interestingly enough, when she reappeared in “Mothra vs. Godzilla”, released three years after her initial appearance, the outcome was a Godzilla movie that many consider to be second only to “Gojira”.

Similarly to Rodan, she has been a constant figure in Godzilla films over the years. To be more specific, she appeared in movies like Ghidorah, Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (also known as Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster), Destroy All Monsters from the Showa era, Godzilla vs. Mothra and Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla from the Heisei era, Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, Godzilla: Tokyo SOS, and Godzilla: Final Wars from the Millennium era, as well as Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire in the Monsterverse. In short, aside from Godzilla himself, she is arguably the most constant presence in Godzilla films, whether they are produced by Toho or not.

4) Ghidorah

Among the legendary film monsters, such as those from Toho or elsewhere, King Ghidorah is undeniably a standout icon, rivaled perhaps only by Mothra in terms of recognition. With his dragon-like form and golden scales, he leaves an indelible impression. Equipped with the ability to emit electrical beams from each of his three heads, he usually causes little difficulty as he wreaks havoc through cities, reducing them to ruins.

In the Monsterverse, Ghidorah was given a new lease of life and proved to be quite intriguing. Just like in the Toho movies, he remained an extraterrestrial being, but his complex “Who truly rules as the monarch” conflict with Godzilla added depth to his character. Moreover, the prospect of introducing Mecha-King Ghidorah into the Monsterverse is quite exciting, given that they have already hinted at the possibility of creating mechanical counterparts like Mechagodzilla from deceased entities such as Ghidorah.

5) Hedorah

In an exceptionally strange Godzilla film titled “Godzilla vs. Hedorah” or alternatively known as “Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster”, Hedorah serves as the primary antagonist. Essentially, Hedorah is a product of mankind’s harmful impact on our planet. Equipped with corrosive goo and capable of emitting sulfuric acid mist while flying, Hedorah proved to be one of Godzilla’s most challenging foes in battle.

Primarily, each time he delivered a blow, his hand was quickly coated with the previously mentioned acidic slime. Hedorah has appeared only twice: once in the 1971 movie and briefly in the chaotic “Godzilla: Final Wars”. It would be delightful to witness him in the Monsterverse. Regrettably, humanity’s treatment of Earth hasn’t significantly improved since 1971.

6) Gigan

It’s been rumored that the forthcoming movie “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova” might have a space-themed plot. Since they’ve previously featured King Ghidorah, it seems unlikely he will appear again, but could Gigan potentially make an appearance instead?

Sporting an appearance reminiscent of a mechanical bird, Gigan stands out as quite a distinctive kaiju. Equipped with hook-like hands and a buzzsaw across his abdomen (replaced by chainsaws in the film “Godzilla: Final Wars”), and sporting a laser cluster from one eye (also exclusive to “Final Wars”), Gigan ranks as Godzilla’s second most formidable foe, following Destoroyah. However, let’s delve deeper into Destoroyah later on.

7) Mechagodzilla

Much like King Ghidorah and Rodan, Mechagodzilla is a renowned Toho monster whose fame stands independently today. Among all the Toho monsters that Steven Spielberg could have included in Ready Player One, he opted for Mechagodzilla.

Throughout the Godzilla franchise, Mechagodzilla’s origins have undergone significant transformations. Initially, in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla and Terror of Mechagodzilla, it was a weapon wielded by the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens to conclude the Shōwa era. In the Heisei era’s Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, it became a tool used by humans against Godzilla. This continued into the Millennium era with Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and Godzilla: Tokyo SOS, where it displayed signs of sentience. In two of the Reiwa-era animated films, it retained this trait. Interestingly, in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, it served as the main antagonist, carrying over its sentient nature, but this time because it was constructed using the remains of King Ghidorah.

8) Biollante

Due to being added to the Criterion Collection’s library (available on Max and the Criterion Channel, as well as a beautiful 4K Blu-ray release), the movie Godzilla vs. Biollante can now be effortlessly watched. For quite some time prior to this, it wasn’t so straightforward, much like its predecessor film: The Return of Godzilla.

At the heart of the 1989 movie (the one that preserves the mood of “Return”), there’s an emotionally resonant story about a man who lost his daughter in a terrorist attack, leaving him aimlessly drifting through life. He employs rose petals from his daughter, her cells, and Godzilla’s cells to resurrect some semblance of his daughter, but the outcome is a monstrous, grotesque plant creature known as Biollante. Despite carrying his daughter’s consciousness, this creature also embodies Godzilla’s traits, albeit not being a relative or kin to the Big G in any way. Instead, it’s more like a genetic replica of sorts. Among all Toho kaiju, Biollante boasts the most captivating origin story, and its two designs are simply extraordinary.

9) Battra

In a twist of events, Battra is portrayed as a villain, yet he was originally born from the Earth itself, 12,000 years ago during an era when an advanced civilization constructed a device controlling the climate. The Earth perceived this creation as an offense and retaliated by producing “The Black Mothra” to safeguard itself against potential harm. However, Battra had ambitions beyond self-defense; he sought to eradicate all of humanity to prevent them from building such devices again. Enter Mothra, who intervened and vanquished him in a fierce battle, resulting in Battra’s imprisonment beneath the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean.

1992’s “Godzilla vs. Mothra” features a meteor impact on Earth that revives Battra, a destructive force eager to continue his rampage. Given humanity’s ongoing prioritization of wealth over planetary health, one might ponder if Battra was justified or Mothra was. In reality, both characters exhibit valid perspectives. By the film’s conclusion, Mothra persuades Battra to join her in combating Godzilla, who poses the greatest danger. This confrontation results in Battra’s demise. It’s fascinating how these films can breathe life into a rubber suit and develop complex character arcs for its inhabitants. With an impressive design, Battra is undeniably one of the standout elements of the Heisei era.

10) Destoroyah

Among the formidable foes from Godzilla’s Heisei period, Destoroyah stands out as the most formidable antagonist. This colossal, mutated crustacean presents the greatest challenge that Godzilla has ever encountered in battle.

Destoroyah is the top villain from Godzilla’s Heisei period because he’s a massive, mutated crab-like creature who gives Godzilla the hardest time of any monster he’s fought during that era.

In every phase, Destoroyah exhibits an impressive level of terror. The Crawl Form resembles a small, eerie crab, while the Juvenile Form is strikingly similar to the Xenomorphs, making the soldiers’ battle against them feel like a scene straight out of James Cameron’s Aliens. The Aggregate Form, as depicted in the image, is an enlarged version of the Juvenile Form, sporting two additional claws and two long arms emerging from its back. The Perfect Form stands upright, boasting four wings and a tail that finishes with a pincer. Essentially, Destoroyah is a lethal machine. If Godzilla hadn’t been overradiated and superpowered in the movie (paradoxically, his enhanced power could have led to his demise), Destoroyah would have emerged victorious.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/10-best-movie-monsters-godzilla-king-kong-kraken-cloverfield/embed/#

Read More

2025-07-04 19:43