Ryoga nodded. It was odd how calm he was, considering that he was now a small version of a giant monster. In fact, as the Guide held up a mirror, he could see that he was Gamera! He was a near exact copy of the giant, tusked, flying reptile from a popular series of Kaiju Theatrer produced by Daiei Motion Picture Company in Japan. Created in 1965 to rival the success of Toho Studios’ Gojira during the ‘Kaiju Boom’ of the mid-to-late 1960’s, Gamera has gained fame and notoriety as a Japanese icon in his own right. After Daiei was purchased by Tokuma Shoten in 1974, the new management wanted to do a new Gamera film in 1980, so ‘Gamera: Super Monster was’ produced. While the majority of the film used stock footage, (with limited new scenes of Gamera flying), it was considered a nice recap of Gamera’s history. However, Yuasa and Takahashi felt that they had done all they could with the monster, so they respectfully killed off Gamera at the end of the film.
Still, through the years, on both sides of the Pacific, Gamera did rise up to the standards set by Gojira, and was a popular Japanese icon of the Kaiju in his own right.
But becoming an international icon came with a price, (Or so the guide thought). That meant knock-off toys which could get into the hands of nearly anyone, including poor third-world children like his nephew.
And the fact it WAS a knock-off screwed wit how Ryoga would become. Incorporation both styles of the monster suit in sculpt, Ryoga was now a well-rounded Kaiju of both eras of Gamera film.
In the Showa era films, Gamera was an ancient species of gigantic tortoise whom protected and befriended children, (as children represented mankind’s future). Gamera also fed and fueled on fire and atomic energy. He could breathe intensely hot streams of flames from his mouth when caught in a more serious situation.
In the Heisei era films, Gamera was a guardian of the Earth created by Atlantis to combat Gyaos, which Atlantis had created as well. He could blast also off mighty plasma fireballs from his mouth, usually very quickly, and with varying accuracy. They were highly explosive. The Heisei version could also absorb a great deal of ‘manna’, or the living essence and energy of life on earth, and release an extremely powerful stream of pure plasma and fire from an opened, organic ‘cannon’ in his chest.
Also in the final film of the Heisei series, Gamera demonstrated that he could temporarily gain a spectral plasma fist if he lost his hand and the stump was struck by fire.
But what both Gamera had in common was they could pull their head and limbs into the shell and, from inside, atomic jet propulsion fire from the holes where the limbs used to be and go flying, spinning like a top. In addition to this method of flight, both Showa and Heisei Gameras had the ability to fly forward like a hypersonic jet fighter. In this ‘mode’, the head and arms remained out of his shell, (although the arms expanded to become wing like) and the rear legs retracted, allowing for the atomic exhaust release, acting as propulsion.
But put such powers to someone like Ryoga, what with his family’s directionless sense?
Fortunately Ryoga wasn’t going to be using these powers anytime soon. What he wanted was...
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(Posted Mon, 03 Jul 2006 04:38)
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