Anguirus

Anguirus is a fictional kaiju, or, "giant monster", featured in the Godzilla film series produced by the Toho Company. He first appeared in the 1955 film Godzilla Raids Again, released in the United States as Gigantis the Fire Monster. He was originally played by actor Katsumi Tezuka, who also played Godzilla in his first appearance in Gojira in 1954. Actor Hiroshi Sekita portrayed Anguirus in Destroy All Monsters. He was played by Koetsu Omiya in Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla vs. Megalon, and by Momoru Kusumi in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.

Overview
Anguirus is the dopey little friend of Godzilla. He is a quadruped, which makes him shorter in height to other monsters like Godzilla or Rodan, which also adds to his "sidekick" status during monster battles. He has brownish/gray scaly skin with a spiky plate-metal covering over his back. He six horns upon his brow, and one atop his nasal cavity, which is ideal not only for burrowing, but also for attack. He has an enlarged spikey protrusion at the end of his tail. His biological origins can be traced back to an Ankylosaurus dinosaur. He is 100 meters in length and weighs 30,000 metric tons.

Notes & Trivia

 * In the original Japanese film series, Anguirus was referred to as "Angirasu", or "Angira" for short. He was also identified as "Angilus". He was referred to as Anguirus in the American release of Godzilla Raids Again. Toho made this the monster's official name in the 1990s.


 * Actor Katsumi Tezuka also played Godzilla in Gojira, Godzilla, King of the Monsters, and King Kong vs. Godzilla. He also played the monster known as Baran in Daikaiju Baran in 1958. Other Toho monster films that Tezuka appeared in include Rodan in 1956, The Mysterians in 1957, Matango in 1963, Atragon in 1963, Mothra vs. Godzilla in 1964, and Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster in 1964.


 * Although Anguirus was originally introduced as a foil for Godzilla, he later became one of Godzilla's most loyal allies.


 * Like most Japanese monsters, Anguirus is susceptible to mental domination and can be controlled by conquering alien races such as the Kilaaks.


 * Despite being a quadruped, Anguirus can stand up on his hind legs.


 * Anguirus can speak "monster", which is a common language amongst all kaiju despite the fact that each creature has distinct vocalizations.

Appearances

 * Godzilla Raids Again
 * Destroy All Monsters
 * Godzilla vs. Gigan
 * Godzilla vs. Megalon
 * Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
 * Godzilla: Final Wars