How did Kiryu get his name?

[Goji95]

I was just wondering how exactly MechaG got his name Kiryu in Godzilla against Mechagodzilla. They never explain how he gets this name, nor why the film crew decided to give him this nickname rather than just call him Mechagodzilla. Sorry if this has been asked before, I be new to this forum.

[Rody]

I believe Kiryu means something like "shining dragon" in Japanese. It's an appropriate title, but beyond that I do not know.

[gzilla46]

I believe Kiryu means something like "shining dragon" in Japanese. It's an appropriate title, but beyond that I do not know.

I never knew either.

[Godzilla165]

What his name basically means is "metal dragon", which kind of makes sense for Kiryu. If he had just been called mechagodzilla all of the time, then I don't think he would be as popular and as recognized as he is today.

[20th Century Boy]

"Machine Dragon" is the translation I hear the most.

Kiryu was one of the few Millennium kaiju with actual character, so I think the name change is appropriate here. It also distinguishes him from the other Mechagodzillas, which he is very different from.

[UltramanGoji]

It was his mother's maiden name.

[gzilla46]

"Machine Dragon" is the translation I hear the most.

That actually makes sense. And he he was one of the few mechs who had actual feelings and personality instead of being controlled like the previous MechaGodzillas.

[kpa]

The name 'Kiryu' is a combination of the words 'kikai' (machine) and 'ryu' (dragon). I don't recall an official explanation for how/why Toho came up with it, but having a unique identification for a character can be helpful with promotions and merchandising... it immediately tells fans and licensing companies that this is a new (or new version of a) character.

Also, in GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA it is stated that Kiryu is the robot's true name and that 'Mechagodzilla' is just a nickname, not the other way around.

[Dillyziller]

His name mean's "Metal Dragon", nuffsaid

[Rody]

My thanks once again for clearing up yet another fandom question, kpa.

[shinmattiathekaiju]

Cause it sounds cool.

[kpa]

My thanks once again for clearing up yet another fandom question, kpa.

You're very welcome, Rody!

[Gojira1963]

I never knew what the name meant. I have a greater appreciation for it.

[20th Century Boy]

Here's something for the sake of discussion: What was everybody's reaction to the name change? At first, I found it annoying how they didn't call it Mechagodzilla, but it has eventually grown on me. Now I'll be annoyed if a video game of comic book DOESN'T call this version of the character Kiryu.

[Gojira1963]

Here's something for the sake of discussion: What was everybody's reaction to the name change? At first, I found it annoying how they didn't call it Mechagodzilla, but it has eventually grown on me. Now I'll be annoyed if a video game of comic book DOESN'T call this version of the character Kiryu.

I found it more strange and confusing since I had no clue as to why they were changing the name. If I remember correctly in Tokyo SOS don't they call him Mecha-G instead of Kiyru?

[Godzilla165]

^ Mecha g was just his nickname.

[Rody]

It sort of confused me when I first saw the film; but I like it now. As kpa mentioned, it helps this version stand out appropriately, since it's quite different from the previous renditions.

[Gojira1963]

^ Mecha g was just his nickname.

Yeah, I understand that but I can't remember if they still called him Kiyru though. You'd think I would know since I have seen the movie hundreds of times!

[Dillyziller]

^ Mecha g was just his nickname.

Yeah, I understand that but I can't remember if they still called him Kiyru though. You'd think I would know since I have seen the movie hundreds of times!

They did call him that some times. (I know it's weird)

[kpa]

If I remember correctly in Tokyo SOS don't they call him Mecha-G instead of Kiyru?

He's called 'Kiryu' in the Japanese version but 'MechaG' in the subtitles and English dub.

Every November in Japan there is the Tokyo International Film Festival . The new Godzilla movies opened in Japan in December, so Toho often would premiere each movie the month before at TIFF. The prints shown at the festival would be subtitled in English, and Toho's subbed print of TOKYO SOS used 'MechaG' for the monster. I don't have an official explanation for why Toho did that, but the print was made for events where audiences may not necessarily have been hardcore Godzilla fans or had seen the previous film so it was likely done to keep things simple and avoid confusion. When the film was later dubbed into English it followed what had been done for the subtitles.

One nice touch: if you watch the Japanese opening titles for the film, each monster's name is shown. The word 'Kiryu' appears onscreen then transforms into the word 'Mechagodzilla'.