I Think These Are the Most Underrated Kaiju From Godzilla Movies

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Since the release of “Gojira” in 1954, Toho has been gradually expanding its roster of legendary kaiju, although some are more captivating than others. While there are undeniably standouts like Godzilla and Rodan, there are also lesser-known gems that don’t always receive the recognition they deserve. However, a few notable characters didn’t quite make it onto this list, such as Megaguirus who was excluded due to her design similarity with Battra, who is more popular and has a full character arc. SpaceGodzilla also missed out, barely failing to meet our criteria for the best Toho kaiju. He may be well-known and appreciated by fans of the genre, but he’s not exactly an underdog. Gorosaurus is simply a dinosaur, while Toho’s Frankenstein, Sanda, and Gaira from “War of the Gargantuas” are too absurd to be considered underrated. As for Toho’s King Kong, he’s essentially the same as RKO’s version, so it’s impossible to call him underappreciated.

When it comes to Gabara and Minilla, their less-than-favorable reception by fans is quite justified. These creatures seem to occupy a space somewhere between the Godzillas and the Gabaras within the monster catalog. In truth, I wasn’t only focusing on the Godzilla series but realized that many intriguing monsters debuted outside of it eventually joined the Godzilla universe at some point or another.

1) Titanosaurus

In essence, this partial approval pertains to Titanosaurus (unrelated to the one from Jurassic World Rebirth). On the positive side, his appearance was significant in Terror of Mechagodzilla. However, his shrill roar can be quite grating, and his actions are manipulated by both marine biologist Shinzo Mafune and the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens, making him more of a controlled entity than an independent force.

In simpler terms, the character played a great role as the secondary antagonist, but since Godzilla had previously defeated Mechagodzilla, they decided to introduce another formidable opponent to increase the tension. This new adversary, King Caesar from “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla,” was indeed powerful, but he lacked the impact compared to the original antagonist, Mechagodzilla, and was more like a large, cowardly dog who hid rather than engaging in combat.

2) Baragon

Among the kaijus, Baragon is perhaps the least frequently used character, with Varan being more prominent. Interestingly, while Baragon’s role was significant, only Varan got a standalone movie – “Frankenstein vs. Baragon” or “Frankenstein Conquers the World,” as it’s known in America.

Baragon, a creation by Toho, stands out due to his unique design. He possesses characteristics of reptiles and creatures from beneath the earth, sporting a horn on his forehead. It’s challenging to pinpoint exactly what he’s modeled after. Similar to other monsters introduced prior to its premiere, Baragon made an appearance in Destroy All Monsters, but didn’t have many significant roles. However, he played a crucial part in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. In summary, one could say that Baragon has some appealing aspects to his character, which is beneficial for him.

3) Megalon

In simpler terms, Megalon, a monster from the movie “Godzilla vs. Megalon”, is often considered to outshine the film itself. Essentially, some people believe that Megalon is more impressive than the overall quality of the movie. It’s worth noting that in the past, the movie received significant attention outside Japan, particularly due to its inclusion in “Mystery Science Theater 3000”. For many viewers, it was a perfect fit for the show.

As a diehard movie enthusiast, let me set the record straight: “Godzilla vs. Megalon” isn’t exactly a masterpiece of cinematic artistry. In fact, it leans heavily on the side of cheesy and goofy, which can make it hard for viewers to take Megalon seriously. However, when you look beyond the silliness, you’ll find that Megalon is a well-conceived and formidable adversary. He’s a beetle monster with half-drills for hands, capable of shooting a laser from the star on his head, and he’s the ultimate burrowing kaiju. It’s a pity that the one time we get to witness his prowess is during one of the Shōwa era’s low points.

4) Kumonga

As I sat down to watch this cinematic marvel, I found myself face-to-face with a colossal arachnid – none other than Kumonga. Like any other spider, it possesses the uncanny ability to weave intricate webs and deliver a rather unpleasant bite. However, what sets Kumonga apart is its striking appearance, which makes it a truly captivating creature on the silver screen. So, if you’re in search of an unusual protagonist for your next movie night, give Kumonga a spin!

The primary motive behind Kumonga’s presence in Son of Godzilla is that he made an ideal menacing antagonist. In contrast to the more serious tone of earlier Godzilla films from Toho, Son of Godzilla is generally designed with a lighter touch and less complex themes, making it more suitable for younger audiences compared to plots like the assassination in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster or the critique of capitalist greed in Mothra vs. Godzilla. Instead of focusing on heavy themes, Son of Godzilla primarily revolves around Godzilla’s transformation into a parent. The movie features adorable scenes of Godzilla teaching his young counterpart, Minilla, how to blow atomic ray breath (which appears as smoke rings until Godzilla corrects him), and Kumonga was an ideal choice for this role because he had the right level of intimidation without being too overpowering for a young monster.

5) Kamacuras

In the same vein as Kumonga, Kamacuras has found its place: it was ideally suited for the movie “Son of Godzilla”. The character of Kamacuras is introduced at the start of the story, while Kumonga appears later on. This sequence adds depth to the plot.

Just like how Kumonga is simply a large spider, Kamacuras is nothing more than a big praying mantis. Despite this, it still boasts an impressive design. Both Kumonga and Kamacuras were introduced during the mid-phase of the Showa era. This period, characterized by less menacing threats and a lighter tone, included films seven through ten: Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, Son of Godzilla, Destroy All Monsters, and All Monsters Attack. These two insectoid monsters appeared in all but Ebirah, only to be seldom used again, making brief appearances in Godzilla Final Wars and the animated GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters.

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2025-07-07 21:40