Template:Vehicle Infobox The Maser Cannon is a fictional weapon featured in many of Toho Studio's sci-fi and fantasy films. There have been several varieties, but each function in a similar way and have a similar appeareance. Variations of the Maser have appeared in 12 films thus far.
They presumably work on the same principle as real world Maser devices, of which their name is short for Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Template:TOC
Origins
Many fans consider the inspiration for the final version of the Maser Cannon to be the Markalite Cannon from 1957's The Mysterians. The gigantic satellite-like weapon fired a ray/beam from its center, and proved to be very effective. A similar weapon also appeared in 1959's Battle in Outer Space. In 1961, the movie Mothra featured the famous Atomic Heat Ray Gun, a Markalite-like weapon that took the basic design that was featured in the previous films and placed it on wheels. The tank-like form was taken to the next level five years later for War of the Gargantuas, the first film to feature an official Maser Cannon.
Overview
Although there are several different types of Masers, most have a similar appearance and all function in about the same way. The Maser is basically a large tank that supports a laser firing system in the form of a large arm ending in a satellite-like head. Usually, the arm lowers down when the tank is moving, and rises to take aim at the intended target. The head then fires a steady beam that resembles a laser beam or stream of lightning. The beam has proven to be very effective against some monsters, the best example being Gaira. Masers were also very effective in driving off such monsters as Anguirus and Godzilla (only in Godzilla vs. Gigan), and a variation of the Maser, called the DAG-MB96 or ULT Laser Cannon (which appeared in Godzilla vs. Destoroyah) even succeeded in killing the monster Destoroyah at the film's climax. However, most of the time, the Masers fell before the might of the monsters. Maser weapons were utilized by Kiryu, as mouth cannons and the chest-mounted Hyper Maser Cannon, in the Millennium series films.
History
Showa Series
War of the Gargantuas
The Type 66 Maser cannon was used on Gaira in an attempt to drive him away. They failed and Gaira destroyed them.
Godzilla vs. Gigan
The Maser cannons were deployed when Anguirus reached the shore. They managed to drive him back to the ocean.
Godzilla vs. Megalon
The Maser cannons were among the many weapons deployed to stop Megalon's rampage.
Heisei Series
The Return of Godzilla
The Hyper Laser Cannon was created as a weapon during the Cold War. They were deployed when Godzilla attacked, and managed to distract him long enough for the Super X to arrive. They then retreated.
MBT-92
A DAG-MB96 ULT Maser cannon (left) with a modified MBT-92 (center) and MBAW-93 (right)
- Main article: MBT-92.
The MBT-92 appeared as a weapon in almost every Heisei film, except The Return of Godzilla. It was modified into a freeze cannon in Godzilla vs. Destoroyah.
DAG-MB96
- Main article: DAG-MB96.
The DAG-MB96 was a freeze cannon used in Godzilla vs. Destoroyah.
MBAW-93
- Main article: MBAW-93.
The MBAW-93 was a modified Maser cannon.
ASTOL-MB93
- Main article: ASTOL-MB93.
The ASTOL-MB93 was a Maser cannon modified with flight.
Millennium Series
Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla
The Type 66 Maser cannons were used in the past against Sanda and Gaira.
A new Maser Cannon, called the Type 90, were deployed and used against Godzilla on various occasions. They were not very effective.
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
The Type 90 Maser cannons battled Godzilla while Kiryu was being repaired. They appeared many times throughout the battle.
Godzilla: Final Wars
Maser cannons were deployed in Antarctica to fight Godzilla.
The Gotengo's main weapon was a Maser cannon.
Filmography
- War of the Gargantuas
- Godzilla vs. Gigan
- Godzilla vs. Megalon
- The Return of Godzilla
- Godzilla vs. Biollante
- Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
- Godzilla vs. Mothra
- Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2
- Godzilla vs. Destoroyah
- Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla
- Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
- Godzilla: Final Wars
Video Game Appearances
Gallery
Trivia
- The original Maser that appeared in War of the Gargantuas had a head that always remained parallel to the ground beneath it. This was due to the fact that the light bulb used to light the Maser prop could only function parallel to the floor of the set.
- In George Lucas' Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, during the climactic battle between the clone and droid armies on the planet Geonosis, the clones unleash a laser tank against the escaping Trade Federation starships that bears a striking resemblance to Toho's Maser Cannon. Both rest on tanks and fire a blue beam from a satellite-like head. While it is unknown weather or not Lucas used the Maser Cannon for inspiration, it is extremely likely given the similarities. (This is not without precedent; Lucas had referenced Japanese cinema previously in the Star Wars series. The characters of C-3PO and R2-D2 were based on the always bickering peasants in Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece The Hidden Fortress. Also, the Rancor, a giant alien monster that had made an appearance in Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi, was based on Godzilla himself, and was originally planned to be realized via suitmation.)
- In episode 70 of Sgt. Frog series, Maser cannons make a cameo.
- The Transformer Signal Flare's alternate mode is based off a Maser cannon.
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