Atlanteans (disambiguation)

The Atlanteans are a race of Prehistoric people who are referenced in Toho's Mothra series, and in Daiei's Gamera trilogy. In both versions, they are shown to be a powerful race which could create, but were completely wiped out by the misuse and neglect of the monsters they created.

Rebirth of Mothra II
In this film, the Atlanteans were a powerful race, much like the humans, but they faced the problem of increasing pollution levels. To solve this, they created Dagahra, a Kaiju which could feed on Pollution and remove it from their aquatic city. Unfortunately, Dagahra became out of control, and used its byproduct, the Barems, to wipe the race out, save for a few individuals led by the princess Yuna, who inhabited the oceanic Nilai-Kanai castle.

Abilities
In this incarnation, the Atlanteans are shown to be remarkably powerful - Yuna, their princess, shows telepathic, telekinetic and electric abilities. They are also very intelligent, and understand how to create and strengthen Kaiju. For a prehistoric race, their technology is also highly advanced.

Gamera Trilogy
In the Gamera Trilogy, the Atlanteans are referenced throughout the three films. Prior to the rise of the Human Race, the Atlanteans ruled the Earth. In order to combat the pollution they created, they made the Gyaos, who could control the pollution by feeding on it. However, they discovered that the Gyaos could rapidly evolve and proliferate based on how much energy, or Mana, the Earth possessed. In order to control the Gyaos Swarms, they then created Gamera, so that the two acted in an antagonistic relationship against each other. Finally, it is suggested in ''Gamera 3: Awakening of Irys that the Atlanteans also created Irys to kill Gamera if he became to powerful. However, this is not the only theory to explain Irys' creation.

The Atlanteans also created powerful amulets which allowed certain members of their population to control the Kaiju that they made. At least one existed for both Gamera and Irys.