Kamoebas (カメーバ Kamēba?) is a rock turtle kaiju created by Toho that first appeared in the 1970 Toho film, Space Amoeba.
Kamoebas also made an appearance in the 2003 film, Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., having been killed by Godzilla in an unseen conflict.
Name
Kamoebas' name is derived from the Japanese word "kame," which means turtle, and "amoeba."
Kamoebas' scientific name from Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., "Megalo matamata," is likely derived from the Greek word "Megalos," which means "giant" or "great," and the word "matamata" which might come from the mata mata turtle.
Roar
In Go! Godman, Kamoebas reused Mukadender's roars.
History
Space Amoeba
Kamoebas in Space Amoeba
After Ganimes was destroyed, Yog turned to a rock turtle and made Kamoebas. It also made another Ganimes. However, bats fled from a nearby cave and caused Yog to lose control of the monsters. They battled each other up the mountain in the center of the island and both fell into the volcano, destroying themselves and Yog forever.
Go! Godman
Kamoebas in Go! Godman
Kameobas also appeared in the low-budget tokusatsu series, Go! Godman as a giant turtle which terrorized some beach-goers. The couple called out for Godman, who heard their plea and appeared on the scene in a matter of seconds. Kamoebas was confronted by the hero, and attempted to defend itself any way it could; mostly scratching and biting whilst rising on its hind legs. But although making a valiant effort, Kamoebas was eventually matched and quickly destroyed.
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
Kamoebas in Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
Kamoebas made a brief appearance in Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.. In the film, news agencies and the J.S.D.F. swarmed to a small part of the coast of Japan. A dead Megalo matamata, or Kamoebas, had washed ashore in the night. As it was investigated they noticed several large claw marks on its neck. It becomes clear to the humans that Kamoebas had been killed by Godzilla.
Abilities
Carapace
Kamoebas has a hard, rocky carapace that could potentially act as both a shield from physical attacks and camouflage on the sea floor.
Extensive neck
Kamoebas has an extendable neck.
Physical Abilities
Kamoebas has sharp teeth which can be used to bite foes, which he used against both Ganimes and Godman. Kamoebas also has claws at the ends of his fingers that can be used to scratch at enemies. This was primarily shown in Go! Godman.
Video games
Godzilla: Trading Battle
Godzilla (2014 video game)
| “ | A space amoeba snuck into the capsule of the Helios 7 space probe that later crash-landed on Sergio Island in the South Pacific, allowing the amoeba to enter the body of a mata mata turtle that it then turned into a giant turtle monster. It attacks by tucking in its hands and feet while nimbly thrusting out its neck, head-butting its enemies. The hypersonic sounds of the bats living in the island's limestone caves caused it to plunge into a state of confusion and lose control. In its second appearance, it showed up as a carcass washed up on the shores of Kujukuri Beach in "Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S." It is widely believed to have received mortal wounds from Godzilla during a battle in the Pacific Ocean. The original full-body costume boasted a meticulous attention to detail and lifelike realism. Together with the costumes for Ganimes and Gezora, which were created at the same time, this style of costume had a lasting influence on designers. |
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— Kamoebas Kaiju Guide bio |
Godzilla: Kaiju Collection
Comics
Godzilla: Rulers of Earth
Kamoebas in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth
Kamoebas was first seen in a flashback where it came to shore while Gorosaurus and Megaguirus fought. It was classified as a "water kaiju" by the Shobijin.
Kamoebas was captured by the Trilopods at some point and was imprisoned in their hive. King Caesar recognized Kamoebas as a monster from his time and freed him before freeing all of the other imprisoned kaiju.
Kamoebas then assisted in the final battle against the Trilopods and Magita, and followed Godzilla out to sea along with the other monsters once the battle was over.
In other languages
- Russian: Камоэбас
- Yiddish: קאַמאָעבאַס
Trivia
- In the movie Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., Anguirus was supposed to be the monster whose carcass washes ashore, not Kamoebas. However, staff thought that putting Anguirus in that role would draw negative fan reactions, so they changed the monster to Kamoebas.
- Concept art shows that Kamoebas' role also originally was meant for a giant mosasaur, but Toho felt it would be odd to introduce a brand new creature just to have it die in an unseen fight.
List of appearances
Films
- Space Amoeba (First appearance)
- Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
Television series
Video games
- Godzilla: Trading Battle
- Godzilla Generations
- Godzilla: Kaiju Collection
- Godzilla (2014 video game) (Kaiju Guide)
