Shinomura (シノムラ?) is a radioactive parasitic colony daikaiju created by Legendary Pictures that first appeared in the 2014 Godzilla graphic novel, Godzilla: Awakening.
Name[]
Shinomura was originally an unnamed monster with the placeholder name "M.U.T.O.", but is later provided with its current name by Eiji Serizawa. Shinomura is derived from the Japanese "shi no mure," (死の群れ?), which means "swarm of death."
Design[]
Appearance[]
While the creatures could technically take on two different forms, the main form of a Shinomura were massive, winged, insect-like Titans with blue segmented armor and black, membranous wings. They had a total of six glowing white eyes, with there being three on each side of the head. Their bodies were long and serpentine, ending in a sharp, scorpion-like prehensile tail. Their mouths were comprised of sharp plates and supported by exo-mandibles. At times, a bright white light could been seen shining from inside the mouth of the Shinomura. Upon reaching larger sizes, two long tendrils ending in sharp barbs grow from underneath the creature.
Shinomura's gigantic super-colony cells are black and blue and resemble starfish.
Roar[]
Shinomura's roars are written as generic "Roars" and "Screeches" in the comic.
Origins[]
Shinomuras evolved and lived alongside Godzilla and numerous other Titan species at least 250 million years ago, right before the Permian-Triassic extinction event happened. During the event, a Shinomura fell underground, where it laid dormant for millions of years until the bombing of Hiroshima awoke it. Though classified as parasites, it is never directly stated or seen how they reproduce.
History[]
Godzilla: Awakening[]
250 million years ago, a Shinomura landed upon a small island to feast upon the remains of a large, aquatic creature. It failed to notice Godzilla and was subsequently blasted by his atomic breath. Around that time, a meteorite strike hit the Earth, resulting in drastic changes to radiation levels around the world. The ground cracked open and the Shinomura's body fell into the resulting fissure. There it remained until 1945 when it was roused from its slumber by the detonation of an atomic bomb in Hiroshima. The creature proceeded to attack ships throughout the ocean, during which time it began to grow. But wherever Shinomura went, Godzilla followed and chased it away.
In 1946, a part of Shinomura was discovered in the Philippines. Originally thought to be a severed limb or a scale, it was later revealed to be one of the kaiju's cells. Monarch then exposed the cell to radiation, which allowed it to grow and regenerate. The new Shinomura escaped and began to look for its other half.
In 1949, Shinomura arrives in Rotorua, New Zealand, before Godzilla appears and chases it away soon after.
Later, when Godzilla appears on Moansta Island, both Shinomura appear and merge into a larger one, at which point they engage in combat with Godzilla. After a long struggle, Godzilla incinerates one with his atomic breath, but the other one gets away. A trap is set for both of the creatures, leaving a radiation trail for Shinomura, which would in turn lure Godzilla. A nuclear 'test' is staged, though this is simply a cover story for the plan to kill both Godzilla and Shinomura using an atomic bomb. The last Shinomura is destroyed in the explosion, while Godzilla survives unaffected.
Abilities[]
Composite structure[]
Shinomuras are a conglomerate of millions of cells merged to create one single entity, much like Destoroyah. As long as there is radiation to sustain it, one single cell can regenerate into a complete Shinomura, similar to how a starfish can regenerate missing arms. Due to its composite structure, Shinomura can shape its combined form however way it chooses, allowing it to form extra appendages such as sharp tendrils and even take on smaller forms.
Unlimited Growth[]
If allowed to continually feed on radiation uninterrupted, a Shinomura can grow until it "blocks out the sky".
Prehensile Tail[]
Shinomuras have prehensile tails that can be used to grapple opponents in battle, likely for balance and constriction.
Strength and Combat[]
Upon reaching larger sizes, a Shinomura is capable of fighting Titans like Godzilla head-on. They have incredible physical strength, as seen when one grapples and drags Godzilla with its tail during battle.
Weaknesses[]
Nuclear weapons[]
Despite its affinity for radiation, which serves as its resource for carrying out the regenerative process, the Shinomura seems to lack the capacity to withstand the blast of a nuclear warhead suggesting the Titan is rather frail for its size compared to other Titans, as it was ultimately obliterated under such circumstances.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Shinomura bears several similarities to the monsters Hedorah and Destoroyah. All three monsters are composite creatures composed of countless smaller organisms that can split apart and recombine at will. All three monsters are also extremely deadly to organic lifeforms on Earth.
- Just like the MUTOs and the MUTO Prime, Shinomura is a parasitic species.
- As the events of Godzilla: Awakening have been retconned with the release of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Shinomura's presence within the MonsterVerse timeline is currently unclear. However, Shinomura is mentioned in the film novelization of Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
List of appearances[]
Comics[]
- Godzilla: Awakening (First appearance)