Ebirah エビラ [Showa]

Ebirah [Showa]
Ebirah

Height : 50 meters
Mass : 23,000 tons

Powers / Weapons

Giant claws

Appearances

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966); All Monsters Attack (stock footage)

Series // Showa

Sound Effect

Description

Lurking in the oceans around Letchi Island in the South Pacific, this giant stalked. Striking during storms, sailors often last sights were that of a mammoth crimson claw crashing down. However, Ebirah's true purpose would soon be revealed. When a boat, full of a handful of Japanese men, crashed onto an island they found the hideout of the Red Bamboo. This group was a terrorist organization intent on building an army. With the organization dabbling in radioactivity, the left over radioactive materials from their weapon development gave birth to the island's giant inhabitants. Both the Giant Condor of the sky, and Ebirah of the sea.

Whether the creation of these monsters was an intended side effect of their work mattered not. The creatures still fulfilled a purpose to the organization, especially Ebirah. No vessel of any kind could ever touch the island's shores without the ruby-hued giant attacking them. The water born kaiju also prevented anyone from escaping the island. A trait that proved useful for the slave labor the terrorist group depended on from Infant Island. The only known repellent that assured the Red Bamboo's ability to travel back and forth, was a yellow liquid extract. This bitter fluid was created from fruits that grew on the island. Grinding the fruits and converting it into a mist allowed the organization to hold the crustacean at bay. This process required a massive amount of manual labor to produce the liquid in the quantities needed. To achieve this, the Red Bamboo depended on the hostage slave labor from Mothra's Infant Island.

Ebirah [Showa]However, during the survivors' stay, they awoke Godzilla. The nuclear leviathan immediately advanced on the nearby Ebirah. The two titans fought. The gigantic undersea animal was able to hold its own for awhile, until Godzilla turned his heat ray onto it. Its body searing from the blast, the creature retreated.

The next day, the creature was awoken from its watery sleep by the advancing Red Bamboo ship. Tricked by those they enslaved, though, the vessel was not carrying the correct repellent but a placebo. Ebirah remained unfazed, and shattered the boat with his gigantic claw.

Soon, though, the crustacean was once again in sight of Godzilla. The King of the Monsters had moments ago crushed the Red Bamboo base, and was now looking for his next challenge. As Godzilla advanced toward the water, the two squared off once more. However, Ebirah was met with defeat. Tearing both of his pincers from his forearms, Godzilla stood triumphant. The lobster cried in pain before it dove into the waves in retreat. The King of the Monsters then proceeded to mockingly open and close the detached pincer it had forcefully removed. The act did little to distract Ebirah, who swam away without looking back.

Years later, a boy named Ichiro Miki dreamed of visiting Monster Island. The isle contained Godzilla, Minilla and other kaiju. One of the inhabitants was Ebirah, who still had his two pincers. Like before, the giant crustacean engaged Godzilla in combat. This included volleying a rock back and forth before the fight was moved to the water. Although in his natural element, shoving Godzilla underwater, Ebirah was overpowered. Rising to the surface, the King of the Monsters once more ripped Ebirah's scissor-like pincer from it's body. Before Godzilla could continue the attack, the giant crustacean swam away in retreat again.


Powers / Weapons
Giant Claws

Giant Claws

Ebirah boasts two large, and very different claws.

The right arm features a scissor-like claw that is 15 meters in length. This appendage is mammoth, able to grasp objects in it's powerful grip. Ebirah was also fond of using it as a blunt instrument due to it's size.

The left arm has a spear-like claw that is 13 meters in length. Ebirah was able to use this as a harpoon, and did so to skewer the Infant Island natives as they tried to escape.


Background and Trivia
  • The giant crustacean was portrayed by suit actor Hiroshi Sekita.
  • The head of Ebirah was modeled by Teizo Toshimitsu.
  • In The Giant Picture Encyclopedia of Godzilla: Toho Special Effects Movie World (ISBN: 4873765587), Ebirah's powers are cited as "Large Scissor" (大ハサミ - Dai Hasami) and "Small Scissor" (小ハサミ - Ko Hasami). Furthermore, the book lists the monster's attacks as a "Tail Strike" (尻尾で叩きつけろ - Shippo de Tatakitsukero), a "Ripping Attack" (切り裂き攻撃 - Kirisaki Kogeki) when using the large claw and a "Thrust Attack" (突き攻撃 - Tsuki Kogeki) when using the small claw.
  • Ebirah being born from exposure to radiation is noted in Godzilla and Toho Tokusatsu: Official Mook Vol.0 (ISBN: 9784065302231)
  • Ebirah was originally envisioned as an opponent for King Kong rather than Godzilla. The sea monster was supposed to star against the giant ape in Operation Robinson Crusoe: King Kong vs. Ebirah. Trouble behind the scenes led to King Kong being removed and substituted by Godzilla for the final production.
  • Was at one time considered to appear in Destroy All Monsters (1968), being referenced in an early draft that was called All Monsters Attack Directive.