Gorosaurus (ゴロザウルス Gorozaurusu?) is a dinosaur kaiju created by Toho that first appeared in the 1967 Toho film, King Kong Escapes.
Name
Gorosaurus' name might be derived from the Japanese word "gorogoro," meaning "thunder," and the Greek word saurus, meaning lizard or reptile. Another possible explanation may be that it's an intentionally corrupted form of Gorgosaurus, as both names are extremely similar in both English and Japanese; however, no official word has confirmed the origin of the name.
Design
Appearance
Gorosaurus is a gray color all over, though in some highlights the color can change from a greenish tint or even a form of teal and blue, and has skin with pronounced scaly bumps. He has a row of triangular plates running down his back, as well as a bipedal stance, strong legs, fairly but muscular short arms, and a big head. He also sports a form of bludgeon on the tip of his tail.
Roar
In King Kong Escapes, much like Baragon, Gorosaurus' roar is also another modified Varan roar but was sped up and altered in pitch. Gorosaurus' roar also utilizes parts of Rodan's screech.
In Gorosaurus' protagonistic role in Destroy All Monsters, his roar was slowed down and deepened. Gorosaurus was also given one of Godzilla's roars, during the fight with King Ghidorah. In this film, Gorosaurus also had some other monsters' roars blended into his roar, like Ebirah's screech which can be heard at the beginning of his roar. Gorosaurus also used Varan's unedited roar during the scene where he destroys the Arc de Triomphe.
Origins
According to the Godzilla Movie Studio Tour, it said in Gorosaurus' bio that he is an abrupt descendant of Allosaurus. This is relevant to Gorosaurus' design, as most dinosaurs from the Allosauridae family have a triangular-shaped head.
History
King Kong Escapes
Gorosaurus in King Kong Escapes
Gorosaurus lived on Mondo Island when he attacked Susan Watson and tried to eat her. King Kong attacked him and saved her. Gorosaurus used his Kangaroo Kick multiple times on Kong, but he was defeated when Kong broke his jaw.
Destroy All Monsters
Gorosaurus in Destroy All Monsters
In 1999, Gorosaurus was living on Monsterland with the other Earth monsters. After the monsters were taken over by the Kilaaks, Gorosaurus was sent to attack Paris, burrowing underneath and destroying the Arc de Triomphe.
He was later called back to Mount Fuji to guard the Kilaak transmitter. After he was released from his mind control, he helped Godzilla and the other Earth monsters battle King Ghidorah, damaging the alien dragon's spine after he delivered a Kangaroo Kick to his back. After the destruction of Kilaaks, Gorosaurus and the other Earth monsters returned to Monsterland and lived out their days peacefully.
Go! Godman
Gorosaurus in Go! Godman
Gorosaurus also appears in the series Go! Godman, as a one-time enemy of the eponymous Godman. Gorosaurus appeared in a town and started wandering around, stepping on trees. Godman comes to fight, and the two spar. Godman ends up ripping off Gorosaurus's jaw.
The Gorosaurus suit here is in such poor shape that the inner support seems to be deteriorating. It makes Gorosaurus' torso look like its caving in. His jaw also flops open and shut and appears to hang at a very slight angle.
Abilities
Burrowing
Also, in the 1968 film Destroy All Monsters, Gorosaurus is shown with the ability to burrow underground. This is the only incident where this ability is shown.
Intelligence
Gorosaurus' battle against King Ghidorah showed his strategies. While fighting, Godzilla and Anguirus attacked the two outermost heads as a distraction, which Gorosaurus used to sneak behind King Ghidorah; his blind spot. Gorosaurus kicks King Ghidorah down to the ground, where the other kaiju pin him down and finally kill him.
Kangaroo Kick
Gorosaurus kicking King Ghidorah in Destroy All Monsters
Aside from the usual tooth and claw, Gorosaurus has been noted for using a "kangaroo kick" against foes like King Kong and King Ghidorah. Perhaps his most popular trait, via leaning back on his tail, Gorosaurus can deliver a quick, very powerful kangaroo kick that is able to topple and wound even the strongest of opponents.
Physical traits
Gorosaurus is also known for possessing incredible physical strength, capable of contending with other kaiju.
Bite
Due to his short arms, Gorosaurus uses his massive jaws to bite down on opponents. Other than his kangaroo kick, this is his most powerful ability.
Tail Spike
While never used on screen, Gorosaurus possesses a massive spike on the end of his tail. This spike is assumed to be used to stab enemies.
Video games
Godzilla, King of the Monsters
Godzilla: Heart-Pounding Monster Island!!
Godzilla Movie Studio Tour
Godzilla: Trading Battle
Godzilla Generations
Godzilla (2014 video game)
Although carnivorous, the Gorosaurus is not savage at heart. The first one discovered on Mondo Island was eventually defeated by King Kong, but another was bred on an isolated island at a safe haven called "Monsterland." Though manipulated by the Kilaaks to destroy the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, it later joined the army of earth monsters in the fight against King Ghidorah.
Gorosaurus's model has proven quite popular due to its lifelike realism. Die-cut latex mixed with sawdust was applied to the skin over the entire body to achieve a sense of hardness and mass.
In other languages
- Spanish: Gorosaurio
- Russian: Горозавр
- Chinese: 哥罗龙 (Gē luō lóng)
- Portuguese: Gorossauro
- Italian: Gorosauro
Trivia
- Gorosaurus was strangely shown to be burrowing in Paris in Destroy All Monsters. This role was originally intended for Baragon, however, the Baragon suit was on loan to Tsuburaya Productions for use in the Ultraman series. Toho instead replaced him with Gorosaurus, having Gorosaurus "borrow" Baragon's burrowing ability. Gorosaurus was even referred to as "Baragon." By the end of the film's production, Baragon's suit was replaced and repaired, but he could only make a short cameo because the filming of scenes was almost over.
- Gorosaurus is one of the three Godzilla monsters that have "saurus" in their names. The other two are Titanosaurus and Godzillasaurus.
- Gorosaurus' role in King Kong Escapes is similar to the Tyrannosaurus that fought King Kong in the 1933 film.
- According to Nobuyuki Yasumaru, the creator of Gorosaurus, Gorosaurus was one of Eiji Tsuburaya's favorite monsters.
- Gorosaurus was the first monster Nobuyuki created. He later went on to create suits for Ultraman and Ultra Q.
- Originally in the production, King Kong Escapes, suit maker Ryosaku Takayama was assigned in making Gorosaurus, but his concept of the monster was too pure and seemed at most wouldn't best fit Toho's special effects, as implied by Nobuyuki. Nobuyuki decided to create the Gorosaurus suit in his own concept.
- Gorosaurus appeared in the poster of All Monsters Attack, but he doesn't appear in the actual film, aside from a brief stock footage appearance.
- The Pachimon character dubbed Doilar is taken directly from Gorosaurus' design but altered with two head horns and a toothless mouth.
- Although Gorosaurus has some of Ebirah's chirps blended into the beginning of his roar in Destroy All Monsters, it is for some reason not present in his roar in any of the sound effects albums released for the film.
- Gorosaurus stands at 35 meters tall and is only slightly taller than King Kong, who stands at 20 meters tall, in King Kong Escapes. Interestingly, in Destroy All Monsters, Gorosaurus appears to be about the same height as Godzilla, who is 50 meters tall. Despite this, the Destroy All Monsters Gorosaurus is officially stated to have the exact same height and weight as the King Kong Escapes version.
- Gorosaurus is the only monster to meet both King Kong and Godzilla.
List of appearances
Films
- King Kong Escapes (First appearance)
- Destroy All Monsters
- All Monsters Attack (Stock Footage)
- Godzilla vs. Gigan (Stock Footage)
Television series
Video games
- Godzilla, King of the Monsters
- Godzilla: Heart-Pounding Monster Island!!
- Godzilla Movie Studio Tour
- Godzilla: Trading Battle
- Godzilla Generations
- Godzilla (2014 video game) (Kaiju Guide)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Official Godzilla Compendium. Profiles of the Monsters; Page 122.
External Links
