Mechani Kong

Mechani-Kong (メカニコング, Mekanikongu?) is a remote-controlled robot double of King Kong introduced in the 1966 animated television series The King Kong Show and featured again in the 1967 film King Kong Escapes. The robot was created by Dr. Who (not to be confused with the British television series or its main character) to kill King Kong.

The King Kong Show
Mechani-Kong first appeared in the ninth episode of The King Kong Show (the segment titled "Mechanikong") as one of several monsters in the series used by Dr. Who to fight Kong.

King Kong Escapes
Mechani-Kong was built by Dr. Who to dig for Element X, a large core containing a natural abundance of nuclear power. However Mechani-Kong was not strong enough to dig out the element, as the robot's circuits were destroyed by magnetic waves. Dr. Who then kidnaps the real Kong to dig for the element, placing him in a hypnotic trance. King Kong eventually breaks out of his trance and swims to Tokyo, where he and Mechani-Kong fight atop Tokyo Tower. After a long battle, in which both of them nearly fall off the tower, Dr. Who's associate Madame X rips out the robot's control cords, causing Mechani-Kong to malfunction. The mechanic replica of the ape falls to its destruction from the top of the tower.

Lost Projects
The original idea for a second Toho Kong film involved the giant lobster Ebirah fighting Kong. The film was made with Godzilla in place of Kong, and Rankin/Bass agreed to work on the script to King Kong Escapes instead.

After abandoning a remake of King Kong vs. Godzilla in 1991, Toho attempted to produce a film called Godzilla vs. Mechani-Kong. However, though Toho had created the live-action Mechani-Kong, Turner demanded payment for using King Kong's image. The film was dropped in favor of Godzilla vs King Ghidorah.

Abilities
Aside from its great strength, Mechani-Kong possesses a dome on the top of its head which features a flashing light that can be used to blind or hypnotize its foes. It is later modified with attachments on its waist which it uses to carry multiple grenade-like explosives. He can also fire beams from his eyes.

Influence
Mechani-Kong inspired the creation of Mechagodzilla for Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974, Godzilla's 20th anniversary film). Also, Akira Ifukube utilized a reworked version of Mechani-Kong's motif as the theme for the second Mechagodzilla.