Manda (kaiju)
| Manda | |
|---|---|
| Godzilla film series character | |
 | |
| First appearance | Atragon (1963) |
| Last appearance | Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) |
| Created by | Eiji Tsuburaya |
Manda (マンダ) is a kaiju film monster which first appeared in Toho's 1963 film Atragon. Manda is based on a Japanese dragon. Manda does not have any special weapons, but can wrap its body around an enemy and crush them in the manner of a constrictor snake. Manda can also swim very fast and breathe underwater. Manda's roars were created through recordings of lions bellowing.
Overview
Showa Series
In Atragon, Manda is a sea-dwelling dragon that is the guardian of Mu, an underwater kingdom. Manda is one of the primary antagonists along with the Empress. When the submarine warship Gotengo attacks, Manda attacks and wraps its body around the ship, trying to crush it. But the Gotengo discharges electricity on Manda and shocks it. Manda unwraps itself and tries to swim away, but the Gotengo pursues it, later firing its Absolute Zero Cannon to freeze Manda.
Manda reappears again on Monster Island (along with several other monsters including Godzilla, Rodan, and Anguirus) in Destroy All Monsters. Aliens called Kilaaks come to Earth and take control of Manda and the other monsters, making them attack cities worldwide (Manda is used to attack London) until the humans manage to free the monsters from alien mind control. After this, the monsters are sent to fight King Ghidorah, although Manda does not fight in the battle, merely watching from the sidelines with Varan and Baragon. After Ghidorah is killed, Manda and the other monsters return to Monster Island.
The Manda prop used in Destroy All Monsters had no horns or whiskers on its face and the long fuzz running down its back was gone.
Millennium series
In the Millennium series, Manda is the first monster to be killed in Godzilla: Final Wars, playing a minor role, once again as an adversary of the Gotengo. The Gotengo attacks Manda which is wrapped around its hull. The super-submarine manages to shake it off and sails into an underwater volcano to see if it can lure Manda inside. The plan works, but Manda is merely injured and continues to pursue the Gotengo. The submarine then whips around and fires its Zero Cannon which hits Manda, causing it to freeze instantly, after which Gotengo uses its drill to easily pierce the frozen Manda, causing the monster to shatter and die. In this movie, Manda, along with Zilla and Kamacuras while flying, is computer generated.
Appearances
Films
- Atragon (1963)
- Destroy All Monsters (1968)
- All Monsters Attack (1969, stock footage cameo)
- Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975, stock footage cameo)
- Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)
Video games
- Kaijū-ō Godzilla / King of the Monsters, Godzilla (Game Boy - 1993)
- Godzilla: Monster War / Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters (Super Famicom - 1994)
- Godzilla Trading Battle (PlayStation - 1998)
Literature
- Godzilla at World's End (1998)
- Godzilla: Rulers of Earth (2013)
Cultural references
- Manda is used as the name for a giant snake, and boss of the Snake Summons in the Naruto manga series.
- The Manda suit is used in Ultra Q Episode 6 as a flame breathing dragon.
