Gaira: Thoughts and his popularity

[Tyler]

Gaira's cool, but I prefer Sanda. I like good guys.

[Killswitch]

Gaira always stood out to me. The character has been a popular one for commercial and film purposes. My question is why, and what does everyone think of the creature?

Personally, I felt Gaira was perfect as the antagonist of The War of the Gargantuas. His kinship to Sanda added a level of emotion to their fight that was unexplored in other Toho kaiju pictures and made it more than just a brawl between the two. Although similar in ways to Frankenstein vs. Baragon, Gaira added a level of menace that was missing from the more approachable Baragon.

In terms of why he is so popular, I think it's easy to explain: he scared the crap out of people. Although I saw the film too late in my life for the first time, there is no denying that Gaira is quiet frighting. Its hard to be spooked by the larger monsters, as they seem to target buildings and structures. Gaira chased after people and consumed them. It add a touch of horror that made the monster memorable, and as human nature is prone audiences became fascinated with him. An appearance in GxMG and Final Wars, toys, and even a return in Godman. All at the same time as Sanda being... well never mentioned again. I guess sometimes it doesn't pay to be the good guy.

Anyway, wondering everyone else's thoughts on the evil green gargantua and his relative popularity.

You pretty much nailed it. Gaira had all the right characteristics needed to be a great villian. Toho hit a homerun with the size of the monsters in that film. They weren't too big. They were the size of mythical Giants, which have scared people since the beginning of time.

I would like to see more movies made with monsters in that size range. I would also like to see a reboot of that movie. Although I think the story needs to be tweaked a bit.

[Godzilla2000]

Gaira's okay. He's not the best, and not the worst. I like his colors, and he is pretty menacing.

[Arbok]

I think Gaira is popular because he's a more believable monster appearance wise. When you look at him, you don't think "guy in suit." He's so close to human that you just tend believe his performance more. His movements are so natural looking, I still get chills when he runs to the water from the airport after first seeing the sun.

I agree.

The way you can see the actors eyes through the costume really sells it too. Plus, this is done so flawlessly that the affect isn't ruined even once. You don't see the actor's eyes looking out, you see Gaira's. They had tried a similar technique with King Kong back in 1962, but with this film they finally perfected it.

[Godz]

I'm a huge Gaira fan. I, too, was a bit scared of him when I first saw this movie at the age of six or so. The thought of this giant monster that RAN, didn't lumber about, but could honest to god run as fast as he could, scoop up people and eat them....WOW. Plus, the shot of him where he spooks the couple of guys in the fishing boat, where it cuts to an overhead shot and you see Gaira lurking underwater, looking up..it's my favorite shot in all of kaiju eiga.

Hey, this seems like a perfect opportunity to post my Gaira suit I wore to G-FEST this year. I call this one "Gaira Doesn't Understand Elevators", or, "Hey, Wait, Here Come Some Hot Broads!"

[Showa Gyaos]

I've never truly understood why he is popular, either. He seemed different in behavioral patterns, but if this is the main reason, perhaps it explains why more modern kaijuu such as the Cloverfield monster are so popular.

[Arbok]

Nice suit Godz, I assume you are holding the singer in your hand?

[edgaguirus]

Gaira was pure evil. You just don't see him devouring victims, but you see the chewed up clothes he spits out, with all the tears and rips. You can just imagine those teeth shredding his poor victims like knives. A small part was that he was a creature of darkness. Gaira fears the sun and bright light, but hunts at night like some demon. That's why people like Gaira.

Godz, try not to eat the doll. It might get stuck in your throat.

[Godz]

Nice suit Godz, I assume you are holding the singer in your hand?

Yep. I still didn't get to eat her, thanks to my good for nothing 'brother'