Hailing from the outer regions of space, from the
Dark Gas Nebula in the Orion Constellation, a
microscopic alien life form attached itself to
the passing Ikeya Comet. This hunk of rock would
eventually bypass Earth, and bring to the planet
a new monster. However, the creature's arrival
did not go unnoticed. While on a routine catch
for shrimp, a fisherman, by the name of Gohei,
discovers what appears to be a new breed of tadpole.
Gohei immediately takes his finding to Professor
Yano for study. However, before Yano can thoroughly
study the specimen, a beast, resembling a giant
version of the mysterious tadpole, engages two
ships out at sea, sinking both in mere minutes.
Fearful that their might be a connection between
the sample and this new menace, Yano decides to
investigate the common source of the occurrences:
the nearby bay. The Professor dons his scuba gear,
and submerges himself in the bay in search of
clues, while his son, Ken Yano, awaits his return.
However, while waiting for his father on shore,
Ken is attacked by a bus sized tadpole. Ken fights
back with his knife, tearing through the monster's
stomach with no effect. Ken is left dumbfounded,
though, as the mammoth tadpole spares him and
returns out to sea. Once back underwater, the
monster happens upon Professor Yano scuba diving,
and is far less merciful. The Professor is brutally
attacked by the monster tadpole, left with the
right side of his face horribly deformed.
After Yano is brought back to his house,
so that he can nurse his injury, the Professor
immediately continues his studies on the new
organism. Through his observations, Yano makes
a startling discovery. As long as the animal
is moist, and has an ample supply of pollution
to feed on, it could grow indefinitely. However,
Yano also discovers another horrifying fact.
When the creature was cut in half, both halves
where not only able to survive, but regroup
and form a new larger body. It's this reason
he speculated to his son, whom now dubbed
the mysterious monster Hedorah after the sludge
it lives in, why the beast was able to grow
so fast.