- Not to be confused with Megalon.
The Meganulon (メガヌロン Meganuron?), also known as Meganula (メガニューラ Meganyūra?), is a species of giant Paleozoic dragonfly kaiju created by Toho, that first appeared in the 2000 Toho film, Godzilla vs. Megaguirus. The Meganulons are from prehistoric Earth accidentally brought to modern day by a black hole. Upon hatching and molting into the Meganula, they infest Tokyo as a new nest for their queen, Megaguirus.
Name[]
The Meganulons' name comes from Meganeura, a species of extinct dragonflies from the Carboniferous period approximately 300 million years ago.
Design[]
Appearance[]
The original form of Meganulon retains the same body as its Showa counterpart, although it is much spikier and smoother than previously. While the design is less visibly segmented, it still had black lines in-between segments of the body. The design's back is very smooth, and can be opened when they start molting. Meganulons have spherical green-yellow eyes with no distinction between the sclera and the iris, save for black lines which divided them, as opposed to the compound eyes of their previous incarnation. The head has two antennae, and the mouth has two fangs, which become more noticeable when the mouth opens. Their pincers resemble that of mantises and Kamacuras, but spikier. Meganulons also have thin feet with claws that are reminiscent of the original Meganulon, except they have two claws instead of a single one.
The second form of Meganulon, Meganula, resembled Meganulon mostly with a brown color, with a redder line running down its spiky back. The creature has blue compound eyes, and a mouth consists of white chelicerae and white fangs. It also sports four foggy, transparent wings, as well as a pair of fore and hind wings that are quite large. It has a thin, long body with segments that allow for a lot of flexibility. The Meganura has a pair of very thin and long mantis-like scythes, as well as two pairs of legs. At the end of its body, the creature possesses a stinger.
Portrayal[]
Meganulon's design was a suit, a puppet, and computer generated all at once. Its color changed slightly between these three being used, but it is generally a light brown. The suit's name was GiraMeganuron.
The Meganula was mostly made into computer models, but puppets were made for it.
Roar[]
Meganulon reuse the original chirps from their Showa counterparts.
Origins[]
The Meganulons are enlarged insects that originally presided in prehistoric times. They are eusocial insects, led by a larger queen Meganulon known as Megaguirus.
History[]
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus[]
A Meganulon becomes a Meganula.
The Meganulon were prehistoric insects that were released into the modern world through a black hole experiment. A giant dragonfly flew through a black hole and laid an egg in the forest, which was discovered and taken home by a young boy. The boy dumped the egg into the sewers of Tokyo when it started to ooze. The egg hatched into several Meganulons, which flooded the city and attacked and ate several citizens before molting into Meganula.
Meganula swarm Godzilla.
After their metamorphoses were complete, the Meganula attacked Godzilla to steal his energy for their queen. Godzilla managed to kill most of the Meganula, but some escaped with his energy. They flew to Tokyo and gave the energy to Megaguirus, dying in the process.
Abilities[]
Claws[]
Meganulons have claw-like appendages at the ends of its front legs.
Mucus spit[]
Meganulons can spit a purple liquid-like substance from its mouth, the purpose of which is unclear, although it is not shown to be particularly harmful to its victims. However, its possible use is too temporarily blind, or distract, its victims.
Durability[]
Meganulons' carapaces are durable enough to withstand machine gun fire.
Mandibles[]
Meganulons possess sharp mandibles, deadly enough to kill anyone unfortunate enough to get caught. An example of this is seen when a young couple is caught off guard by a cunning Meganulon, which kills them both using its mandibles, though not before grabbing them with its claws.
Metamorphosis[]
Meganulons can shed their bodies, revealing the airborne Meganula.
Stinger[]
Meganula are capable of draining energy through their sting. They can also transfer energy through their stingers, at the cost of their own lives.
Flight[]
using their Dragonfly-like wings, the Meganula are capable of flying at a rapid pace.
Weaknesses[]
Energy transfer[]
The Meganula can transfer energy they collect to other organisms, though at the cost of their life. This causes them to perish after transferring their energy to Megaguirus.
Video games[]
Godzilla (2014 video game)[]
Comics[]
Godzilla: Cataclysm[]
In Godzilla: Cataclysm #3, the Meganula arrive in the refugees' village along with Megaguirus in order to feed on Biollante, who is still regenerating from her battle with Godzilla. Mothra arrives to protect Biollante and battles Megaguirus. The Meganula attempt to swarm and bite Mothra, but are knocked away by her wings.
In Other Languages[]
- Russian: Меганулон
Trivia[]
- The Meganulon is based on the actual giant prehistoric dragonfly genus Meganeura, which lived during the Carboniferous period. This is reinforced with its secondary evolution into the dragonfly-like Meganula.
- The Meganula are some of the smallest monsters to have ever fought and survived a battle against Godzilla.
List of appearances[]
Films[]
- Godzilla vs. Megaguirus(First appearance)
Video games[]
- Godzilla: Save the Earth (Megaguirus's rage attack)
- Godzilla: Kaiju Collection
- Godzilla: The Game (Kaiju Guide)
Comics[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia. Godzilla vs. Megaguirus; Page 109.
