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| Megalon | |
|---|---|
| Godzilla character | |
 Megalon as featured inGodzilla vs. Megalon (1973). | |
| First appearance | Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973) |
| Last appearance | Godzilla vs. Megalon (2023) |
| Created by | |
| Portrayed by | Hideto Odachi |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Giantbeetle-like deity |
Megalon (メガロ,Megaro) is a giant monster, orkaiju, who first appeared inToho's 1973 filmGodzilla vs. Megalon as the titular main antagonist. It is also his only film appearance to date.[1]
Megalon is a bipedal, humanoid, burrowinginsect-like entity resembling abeetle, standing 55 meters (180 feet) tall and weighing 40,000 metric tons (44,092 short tons).[2] The creature is worshiped as the god of the subterranean nation of Seatopia. While Megalon possesses limited intelligence (he must be led to his destination by the protagonists' robot,Jet Jaguar), he makes up for it with his strength.
Megalon has two drill-like front appendages, which it uses both for burrowing and as weapons, and it possesses a set of wings usually covered by abeetle-like shell. Unlike most kaiju under fire from humans who prevail with brute force, Megalon uses retreat and ambush tactics to defeat human forces in his first encounter.
Megalon also has a horn (similar to arhinoceros beetle) from which it can firelightning-like bolts of electricity, and it is capable of spittingnapalm bombs from its mouth, which are officially called Geothermal Napalm Bullets.[3]
He can also travel at immense speeds, being able to fly through the air and drill through the ground at speeds of up toMach 3, while he can swim at Mach 4. Megalon is also able to leap through the air for ten kilometres at a time.[3]
InGodzilla vs. Megalon, Megalon is worshiped as a deity by the people of thesubterranean kingdom known as Seatopia. The Seatopians unleash Megalon on the surface world as revenge for the damage caused to Seatopia through recklessnuclear testing. During his assault on the surface world, Megalon comes into conflict withGodzilla andJet Jaguar.[4][5]
Megalon returns inGodzilla: Monster Apocalypse, a prequel novel toGodzilla: Planet of the Monsters. Megalon appeared on theWest coast of Africa in 2012 and crossed the continent, destroying countless nations, and disappeared into theIndian Ocean. There were 20 million casualties, including the wounded. Shortly after Megalon's attack acrossAfrica, millions of refugees fled toEurope and theMiddle East due tocivil wars across the continent, this also lead to a dispute between refugees and locals inEgypt that lead to a second civil war. Megalon returned 10 years later and attackedSouth Africa, forcing humanity to abandon the continent.
InGodzilla: Project Mechagodzilla, a prequel novel toGodzilla: City on the Edge of Battle, 7 years later, Megalon moves toAsia. It annihilatesIndia andPakistan, both of whom just recovered from anuclear war against each other. After destroying thePhilippines, Megalon attackedOkinawa, but was intercepted byKing Caesar, a guardian deity of the island, and both monsters died in the resulting battle.
Megalon made his return in the short filmGodzilla vs. Megalon, released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the character. He is summoned to fight Godzilla, after his victory overGigan in the previous short,Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex.
