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{{short description|Godzilla kaiju}}
{{for|the villages in Iran|Gigan, Sistan and Baluchestan{{!}}Gigan, Iran}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Gigan
| series = [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla film series]]
| image = Original Gigan 1972.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Gigan as featured in ''Godzilla vs. Gigan''
| first = ''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]'' (1972)
| last = ''Godzilla vs. Megalon'' (2023) (carcass only)
| creator = [[Takeshi Kimura|Kaoru Mabuchi]]<br/>[[Jun Fukuda]]
| portrayer = '''Shōwa era:'''<br>[[Kenpachiro Satsuma]]<br>'''Millennium era:'''<br>Kazuhiro Yoshida
| alias = Future Monster{{sfn|監修 東宝株式会社|2012|pp=154-158}}<br/>Cyborg Monster{{sfn|監修 東宝株式会社|2012|p=286}}<br/>Borodan{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=183}}
| species = Alien cyborg
}}
{{Nihongo|'''Gigan'''|ガイガン|Gaigan|lead=yes}} is a [[kaiju]] from [[Toho]]'s [[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'' franchise]] who first appeared in the 1972 film, ''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]''. Gigan is a giant [[Extraterrestrials in fiction|extraterrestrial]] space monster, resembling a species of reptile, who was turned into a [[cyborg]] by the alien race known as the Nebulans. Gigan sports a huge [[Circular saw|buzzsaw]] in its frontal abdominal region, large metallic hooks for hands, and a birdlike beak.<ref>{{cite book|last=Glut|first=Donald F.|author-link=Donald F. Glut|year=2001|title=Jurassic Classics: A Collection of Saurian Essays and Mesozoic Musings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O5znudeYRzEC&pg=PA206|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|page=206|isbn=978-0786409617}}</ref> Gigan is considered one of Godzilla's most brutal and violent opponents, and the first kaiju in the Toho sci-fi series to make him noticeably bleed. ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' listed the character as No. 2 on its "The 15 Most Badass Kaiju Monsters of All Time" list.<ref>Josh Robertson, [http://uk.complex.com/pop-culture/2014/05/most-badass-kaiju-monsters-of-all-time/ "The 15 Most Badass Kaiju Monsters of All Time"], ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' (May 18, 2014)</ref>
==Overview==
Gigan debuts in the 1972 film ''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]'', in which it and [[King Ghidorah]] are summoned to Earth by the M Space Hunter Nebula aliens, cockroach-like aliens whose planet had been ravaged by another race and wish to subjugate the Earth in order to create a [[utopia]] of "perfect peace". However, the monsters are challenged and defeated by [[Godzilla]] and [[Anguirus]].<ref name="GvG">''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]'' (1972). Directed by Jun Fukuda. Toho</ref> In the 1973 film, ''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'', Gigan is sent by the Nebulans to assist the people of Seatopia in their assault on humanity by aiding their god, [[Megalon]], in a battle against Godzilla and [[Jet Jaguar]]. After having its arm broken by Jet Jaguar however, Gigan retreats into space, leaving Megalon to face Godzilla and Jet Jaguar alone.<ref name="GvM">''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'' (1973). Directed by Jun Fukuda. Toho</ref> In the same year, Gigan also makes an appearance in Toho's television series ''[[Zone Fighter]]''. After his battle with Godzilla and Jet Jaguar, Gigan is captured by aliens called the Garogans and sent back to Earth to prevent Godzilla from rescuing Zone Fighter. It was temporarily defeated by the former, but revived once Godzilla left and faced Zone Fighter, who eventually killed Gigan.<ref>"By a Thread - The Roar of Godzilla!". ''[[Zone Fighter]]''. Directed by [[Jun Fukuda]]. June 11, 1973</ref>
After a 31-year absence, Gigan returned in the film ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''. Millennia prior, it had fought [[Mothra]] for the fate of the Earth and was defeated. In the present, its mummified body is discovered in [[Hokkaido]] and revealed to be a weapon used by the alien Xiliens, who awaken Gigan to assist them in destroying Earth and destroy the flying battleship the ''[[Gotengo]]'' to stop its human occupants from awakening Godzilla. While the cyborg disables the battleship, the crew succeed. Gigan faces Godzilla in battle, but is defeated. The Xiliens recover and upgrade Gigan with new weapons to assist Monster X in fighting Godzilla and Mothra. Gigan faces Mothra once more and seemingly kills her, but inadvertently decapitates itself with its razor disks before a burning Mothra destroys it.<ref>''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' (2004). Directed by [[Ryūhei Kitamura]]. Toho</ref> Gigan returned in Gemstone's GvG and Godzilla vs Gigan Rex.
===Development===
Created during the early 1970s, when the Godzilla films had undergone a comic book-like shift both in tone and special effects and were now purely science fiction fare, budgets were greatly reduced, so Gigan was designed as both a marketing ploy for children's toys and as a completely alien creature whose design would not have necessitated the same attention to detail needed for Godzilla's previously more earthly opponents.<ref name="kalat2010">{{cite book|last1=Kalat|first1=David|title=A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series|date=2010|publisher=[[McFarland & Co.]]|location=Jefferson, N.C.|isbn=978-0-7864-47-49-7|pages=115, 125|edition=2nd}}</ref>
The character was first conceived by [[Takeshi Kimura|Kaoru Mabuchi]] in his script ''Godzilla vs. the Space Monsters – Earth Defense Directive'', which contained elements that would later be incorporated into ''Godzilla vs. Gigan'', including having a mind-controlled Gigan teaming up with [[King Ghidorah]], though the script also included [[Megalon]] and the mastermind behind the space monsters' actions was a living brain called Miko.{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=176}}
The first Gigan suit was designed by illustrator Takayoshi Mizuki, modeled by suitmaker Noboyuki Yasamaru, and was worn by [[Kenpachiro Satsuma]], who had starred as [[Hedorah]]'s suit actor in ''[[Godzilla vs. Hedorah]]'' the year previously. The two initially did not get on well during filming, as Yasamaru focused more on the suit's appearance than on its practicality, at one point making the character's hand-hooks out of pure [[fiberglass]], which made lifting them almost impossible.<ref>''The Art of Suit Acting'' (2006) - Classic Media ''[[Godzilla Raids Again]]'' DVD featurette</ref> In portraying Gigan, Satsuma deliberately emphasized the character's destructive personality. For Gigan's appearance in ''Zone Fighter'', Satsuma did not reprise the role.<ref>David Milner, [http://www.davmil.org/www.kaijuconversations.com/satsum2.htm "Kenpachiro Satsuma Interview I"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007031137/http://www.davmil.org/www.kaijuconversations.com/satsum2.htm |date=2016-10-07 }}, ''Kaiju Conversations'' (December 1993)</ref> Special effects director [[Teruyoshi Nakano]] had initially wanted to give Gigan the ability to fire a laser beam from its forehead in homage to [[Buddhist art]] depicting the [[Buddha]] sporting a halo around his head, but the idea was scrapped, as Nakano felt that the character was already powerful enough. The beam was nevertheless included in some promotional stills, along with various Godzilla video games.<ref>David Milner, [http://www.davmil.org/www.kaijuconversations.com/nakano.htm "Teruyoshi Nakano Interview"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003180341/http://www.davmil.org/www.kaijuconversations.com/nakano.htm |date=2016-10-03 }}, ''Kaiju Conversations'' (July 1994)</ref>
===Characteristics===
Gigan possesses an integrated [[jet pack]] to fly, a [[circular saw]] in his abdomen, and hooked blades in place of hands.
In ''[[Zone Fighter]]'', the tips of the hooks were able to release an explosive charge on contact with an enemy.
The ''Godzilla: Final Wars'' version has [[grappling hooks]] in his arms, a plier at the end of his tail, and can shoot boomerang circular saw blades from his neck and a laser from his eyes. Later the Xiliens replaced his hooks with double-bladed [[chainsaws]].
==Appearances==
===Films===
* ''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]'' (1972)
* ''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' (2004)
===Television===
* ''[[Zone Fighter]]'' (1973)
* ''[[Godzilla Island]]'' (1997–1998)
* ''[[Godzilland]]'' (1992–1993)
===Web content===
* ''Godziban'' (2019–present)
* ''Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex'' (2022)
* ''Fest Godzilla 3: Gigan Attacks'' (2022)
* ''Godzilla vs. Megalon'' (2023)
===Video games===
* ''[[Godzilla: Monster of Monsters]]'' ([[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] – 1988)
* ''[[Kaijū-ō Godzilla]]'' / ''King of the Monsters, Godzilla'' ([[Game Boy]] – 1993)
* ''[[Godzilla: Battle Legends]]'' ([[Turbo Duo]] – 1993)
* ''[[Godzilla: Monster War]]'' / ''Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters'' ([[Super Famicom]] – 1994)
* ''[[Godzilla: Giant Monster March|Godzilla Giant Monster March]]'' ([[Game Gear]] – 1995)
* ''[[Godzilla Trading Battle]]'' ([[PlayStation]] – 1998)
* ''[[Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee]]'' ([[GameCube]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] – 2002/2003)
* ''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]'' ([[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[PlayStation 2|PS2]] – 2004)
* ''[[Godzilla: Unleashed]]'' ([[Wii]] – 2007) – The Millennium version is exclusive in the [[Wii]] version.
* ''[[Godzilla: Unleashed#PlayStation 2 version|Godzilla: Unleashed]]'' (PS2 – 2007) – The Showa version is exclusive to the [[PlayStation 2]] version.
* ''[[Godzilla (2014 video game)|Godzilla: The Game]]'' ([[PlayStation 3|PS3]], [[PlayStation 4|PS4]])
* ''Godzilla Defense Force'' (2019)
* ''Godzilla Battle Line'' (2021)
* ''[[GigaBash]]'' ([[PlayStation 4|PS4]], [[PlayStation 5|PS5]], [[Steam (service)|Steam]], [[Epic Games Store|Epic Games]] - 2022)
===Literature===
* ''[[Godzilla (Marc Cerasini series)#Godzilla at World's End|Godzilla at World's End]]'' (novel – 1998)
* ''[[Godzilla (comics)#IDW Publishing|Godzilla: Legends]]'' (comic; 2011–2012)
* ''[[Godzilla (comics)#IDW Publishing|Godzilla: Ongoing]]'' (comic – 2012)
* ''[[Godzilla (comics)#IDW Publishing|Godzilla: The Half-Century War]]'' (comic; 2012–2013)
* ''[[Godzilla (comics)#IDW Publishing|Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'' (comic; 2013–2015)
* ''[[Godzilla (comics)#IDW Publishing|Godzilla: Oblivion]]'' (comic – 2016)
* ''GODZILLA: Project Mechagodzilla'' (novel – 2018)
===Music===
* Gigan (a.k.a. Zymeer) is a rapper from hip-hop group [[Monsta Island Czars]] also featured on the ''[[Take Me to Your Leader (King Geedorah album)|Take Me to Your Leader]]'' album.
* Guitar virtuoso [[Buckethead]] wrote a song called "Gigan", as well as another named "Mecha Gigan". They appear on his 2006 albums ''The Elephant Man's Alarm Clock'' and ''[[Crime Slunk Scene]]''.
===Cultural references===
* The character [[Ponygon]] from ''[[Zatch Bell]]'' has a toy that is similar in appearance to Gigan.
* In ''[[Billy & Mandy's Big Boogey Adventure]]'', a monster similar in appearance to Gigan appears, living on Monster Island.
* In ''[[Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity]]'' there are two tracks called Gigan Rocks and Gigan Device. Each has a statue of a birdlike creature with a sharp beak, which looks similar to Gigan himself.
==References==
{{Commons}}
{{Reflist}}
;Bibliography
* {{cite book |author=監修 東宝株式会社 |script-title=ja:東宝特撮映画大全集 |language=ja |trans-title=Toho special effects movie Complete Works |publisher=Village Books |year=2012 |isbn=9784864910132}}
* {{cite book |title=Japan's Favorite Mon-Star: The Unauthorized Biography of the Big G |last=Ryfle |first=Steve |year=1998 |publisher=[[ECW Press]] |isbn=1550223488 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/japansfavoritemo0000ryfl }}
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[[Category:Cyborg supervillains]]
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[[Category:Fictional mummies]]
[[Category:Fictional undead]]
[[Category:Film characters introduced in 1972]]
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