Monsterland and Monster Island
Encyclopedia
Monsterland and Monster Island are fictional locations in Toho Studios' Godzilla film franchise, both serving as nature reserve
s or homes for several giant monsters.
. The United Nations
had decided to gather all the Earth
's daikaiju
(giant monsters) and corral them into a single location, then keep them there. The Ogasawara Islands
were chosen for the project and by 1999 (1994 in the original Japanese version), Godzilla
, Rodan
, Mothra
, Anguirus
, Gorosaurus
, Kumonga
, Minilla
, Baragon
, Manda, and Varan
were all residents of Monsterland. Various security devices were installed on the island to make sure the daikaiju wouldn't escape. Among the various devices were machines that sprayed different types of mist that Godzilla and Mothra shied away from, as well as a magnetic wall that prevented Rodan from flying away.
All was well until the Kilaaks invaded, taking control of Monsterland and letting loose the monsters upon the world. After the Kilaaks were foiled, the monsters returned to Monsterland and have been living there since.
In the Japanese version of Destroy All Monsters, its mentioned that Monsterland was set up "around twenty years ago". That would put it at around 1974, since the Japanese version also states that it is set in the year 1994.
, in the dreams of a young boy named Ichiro. He dreamt of befriending Minilla and watching him and Godzilla battle other monsters. In Ichiro's dream, the daikaiju living on Monster Island included Godzilla
, Minilla
, Gabara, Kamacuras
(3 of them), Kumonga
, Ebirah
, Anguirus
, Gorosaurus
, Manda, the Giant Condor from Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster
, Maneater (A plant man that grabs Ichiro in the jungle http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/maneater.htm), and Rodan
(mentioned but unseen). This is, however, just a boy's daydream; the island is likely his own creation, the residents simply his favorite daikaiju.
Monster Island is revealed to be an actual island in Godzilla vs. Gigan
(1972). Godzilla
, Rodan
, Mothra
, Anguirus
, Minilla
, Gorosaurus
, Kumonga
, Manda, and Kamacuras
all live there.
Monster Island appeared again in Godzilla vs. Megalon
(1973), one of many locations suffering the effects of nuclear testing. This is seen to disturb Godzilla, Rodan, and Anguirus; as they try to escape the explosions, Anguirus falls into a crevasse in the ground. Rodan's fate was never revealed, though it can be assumed he flew away safely. Godzilla was summoned from Monster Island in a few of the episodes of the television series Zone Fighter
, to assist the giant superhero, specifically the first episode that Godzilla appeared in. These Zone Fighter episodes are considered by Toho to be canon.
It is commonly speculated to be Solgell Island from Son of Godzilla
due to the timing of introduction and presence of Godzilla, Minilla, Kamacuras and Kumonga, all kajiu who had been previously seen on the island whereas most other kajiu had not had set locations of origin. As well, the island is referred to as "Monster Island" in the Japanese version of the film, most notably the title.
In a script that was never produced, Maguma (Gorath (1962)) was also on the island.
, the continuation of the 1998 film Godzilla
. It is given the codename: SITE OMEGA. This island was originally the base of operations for the Tachyon
aliens, as proposed by Major Hicks. This island eventually became home to Crustaceous Rex, King Cobra, the Giant Bat, Skeetera, the mutant humming birds and possibly the Shrewster as well as the combined monster population of the Mutant collesium and mutant mania circus. Godzilla also visited the island occasionally, though because he traveled with H.E.A.T. he never became a permanent resident. Large, cage-like apparatuses were installed on the island to keep the daikaiju isolated from each other, and they remain on Monster Island to this day. At one point, the base was infiltrated by an organization of ecoterrorists called S.C.A.L.E. who tried to free the monsters, which only resulted in a large scale battle between the beasts before they were imprisoned once again. In the series, Monster Island was originally called Isla de Diablo.
In an alternate timeline
, Monster Island fell under siege by the invincible Dragma creatures, and every daikaiju there (including Godzilla, who fought to protect a large number of humans and given a hero's commemoration via a statue
) was slaughtered by their might.
) in the wild was shot off near Ogasawara Islands
. In a fitting coincidence, these islands were used in much of the Godzilla mythos being the legitimate "Monster Island".
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
s or homes for several giant monsters.
Monsterland
Monsterland was introduced in the 1968 film Destroy All MonstersDestroy All Monsters
Destroy All Monsters, released in Japan as , is a 1968 Japanese horror Science fiction Kaiju film. The ninth in Toho Studios' Godzilla series, it was directed by Ishirō Honda with special effects by Sadamasa Arikawa This is the fifth film to feature Mothra, third to feature King Ghidorah, fourth...
. The United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
had decided to gather all the Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
's daikaiju
Kaiju
is a Japanese word that means "strange beast," but often translated in English as "monster". Specifically, it is used to refer to a genre of tokusatsu entertainment....
(giant monsters) and corral them into a single location, then keep them there. The Ogasawara Islands
Ogasawara Islands
The Bonin Islands, known in Japan as the are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical and tropical islands, some directly south of Tokyo, Japan. Administratively, they are part of Ogasawara Municipality of Ogasawara Subprefecture, Tokyo...
were chosen for the project and by 1999 (1994 in the original Japanese version), Godzilla
Godzilla
is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
, Rodan
Rodan
is a fictional Japanese mutated pterosaur introduced in Rodan, a 1956 release from Toho Studios, the company responsible for the Godzilla series. Like Godzilla and Anguirus, he is designed after a type of prehistoric reptile...
, Mothra
Mothra
is a kaiju, a type of fictional monster who first appeared in the serialized novel The Luminous Fairies and Mothra by Takehiko Fukunaga, Shinichiro Nakamura, and Yoshie Hotta...
, Anguirus
Anguirus
is the second Kaiju to appear in the Toho franchise. Anguirus appeared only a year after Godzilla in the 1955 Toho film Godzilla Raids Again...
, Gorosaurus
Gorosaurus
is a fictional theropod dinosaur created by Toho Studios. He stands 35 meters tall and weighs 8,000 tons in his first appearance. He was an opponent of King Kong in 1967's King Kong Escapes. He later enjoyed a prominent role in 1968's Destroy All Monsters, in which his size was increased to match...
, Kumonga
Kumonga
is a giant spider daikaiju that appeared in the Toho produced Godzilla series. In the monster's first two appearances, it was called Spiega or Spiga. Spiga/Kumonga is the main antagonist in Son of Godzilla.-Abilities:...
, Minilla
Minilla
is a Kaiju from the Godzilla series of films and is the first of several young Godzillas. He first appeared in the Showa film Son of Godzilla and also appeared in Destroy All Monsters, All Monsters Attack and the Millennium film Godzilla: Final Wars.-Origin:The son of the famous Godzilla, Minilla...
, Baragon
Baragon
is a fictional Kaiju that was first featured in the 1965 Toho-produced film, Frankenstein Conquers the World. Baragon is a four-legged dinosaur with a horn on his head and large ears. His main weapon is a heat ray that he can fire from his mouth...
, Manda, and Varan
Varan
is a kaiju that first appeared in Varan the Unbelievable . Physically, Varan resembles a giant reptile with skin membranes between his arms and legs, allowing him to glide much like a flying dragon or flying squirrel; he also has a horned head....
were all residents of Monsterland. Various security devices were installed on the island to make sure the daikaiju wouldn't escape. Among the various devices were machines that sprayed different types of mist that Godzilla and Mothra shied away from, as well as a magnetic wall that prevented Rodan from flying away.
All was well until the Kilaaks invaded, taking control of Monsterland and letting loose the monsters upon the world. After the Kilaaks were foiled, the monsters returned to Monsterland and have been living there since.
In the Japanese version of Destroy All Monsters, its mentioned that Monsterland was set up "around twenty years ago". That would put it at around 1974, since the Japanese version also states that it is set in the year 1994.
Monster Island
Monster Island first showed up in 1969's All Monsters AttackAll Monsters Attack
All Monsters Attack, released in Japan as , is a 1969 tokusatsu Kaiju film, also known as Godzilla's Revenge The 10th film in Toho Studio's Godzilla series, it was directed by Ishirō Honda, who also directed the special effects, assisted by Teruyoshi Nakano. This is the second film to feature...
, in the dreams of a young boy named Ichiro. He dreamt of befriending Minilla and watching him and Godzilla battle other monsters. In Ichiro's dream, the daikaiju living on Monster Island included Godzilla
Godzilla
is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
, Minilla
Minilla
is a Kaiju from the Godzilla series of films and is the first of several young Godzillas. He first appeared in the Showa film Son of Godzilla and also appeared in Destroy All Monsters, All Monsters Attack and the Millennium film Godzilla: Final Wars.-Origin:The son of the famous Godzilla, Minilla...
, Gabara, Kamacuras
Kamacuras
, is a fictional gigantic praying mantis that has appeared in the Toho produced Godzilla series. In its first appearance, the creature was called Gimantis in the U.S. version.-Showa:...
(3 of them), Kumonga
Kumonga
is a giant spider daikaiju that appeared in the Toho produced Godzilla series. In the monster's first two appearances, it was called Spiega or Spiga. Spiga/Kumonga is the main antagonist in Son of Godzilla.-Abilities:...
, Ebirah
Ebirah
, is a fictional kaiju that first appeared in the Showa Godzilla film Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster. He is one of the two main antagonists of the film.-Showa series:...
, Anguirus
Anguirus
is the second Kaiju to appear in the Toho franchise. Anguirus appeared only a year after Godzilla in the 1955 Toho film Godzilla Raids Again...
, Gorosaurus
Gorosaurus
is a fictional theropod dinosaur created by Toho Studios. He stands 35 meters tall and weighs 8,000 tons in his first appearance. He was an opponent of King Kong in 1967's King Kong Escapes. He later enjoyed a prominent role in 1968's Destroy All Monsters, in which his size was increased to match...
, Manda, the Giant Condor from Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster
Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster
Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, released in Japan as and known internationally as Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, is a 1966 science fiction kaiju film directed by Jun Fukuda and written by Shinichi Sekizawa. This is the first film in the series with special effects directed by Sadamasa Arikawa...
, Maneater (A plant man that grabs Ichiro in the jungle http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/maneater.htm), and Rodan
Rodan
is a fictional Japanese mutated pterosaur introduced in Rodan, a 1956 release from Toho Studios, the company responsible for the Godzilla series. Like Godzilla and Anguirus, he is designed after a type of prehistoric reptile...
(mentioned but unseen). This is, however, just a boy's daydream; the island is likely his own creation, the residents simply his favorite daikaiju.
Monster Island is revealed to be an actual island in Godzilla vs. Gigan
Godzilla vs. Gigan
Godzilla vs. Gigan, released in Japan as and also known as Godzilla on Monster Island when first released to U.S. theaters, is a 1972 Science Fiction Kaiju film. The 12th of Toho Studio's Godzilla series, it was directed by Jun Fukuda with special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano. It is the fourth film...
(1972). Godzilla
Godzilla
is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
, Rodan
Rodan
is a fictional Japanese mutated pterosaur introduced in Rodan, a 1956 release from Toho Studios, the company responsible for the Godzilla series. Like Godzilla and Anguirus, he is designed after a type of prehistoric reptile...
, Mothra
Mothra
is a kaiju, a type of fictional monster who first appeared in the serialized novel The Luminous Fairies and Mothra by Takehiko Fukunaga, Shinichiro Nakamura, and Yoshie Hotta...
, Anguirus
Anguirus
is the second Kaiju to appear in the Toho franchise. Anguirus appeared only a year after Godzilla in the 1955 Toho film Godzilla Raids Again...
, Minilla
Minilla
is a Kaiju from the Godzilla series of films and is the first of several young Godzillas. He first appeared in the Showa film Son of Godzilla and also appeared in Destroy All Monsters, All Monsters Attack and the Millennium film Godzilla: Final Wars.-Origin:The son of the famous Godzilla, Minilla...
, Gorosaurus
Gorosaurus
is a fictional theropod dinosaur created by Toho Studios. He stands 35 meters tall and weighs 8,000 tons in his first appearance. He was an opponent of King Kong in 1967's King Kong Escapes. He later enjoyed a prominent role in 1968's Destroy All Monsters, in which his size was increased to match...
, Kumonga
Kumonga
is a giant spider daikaiju that appeared in the Toho produced Godzilla series. In the monster's first two appearances, it was called Spiega or Spiga. Spiga/Kumonga is the main antagonist in Son of Godzilla.-Abilities:...
, Manda, and Kamacuras
Kamacuras
, is a fictional gigantic praying mantis that has appeared in the Toho produced Godzilla series. In its first appearance, the creature was called Gimantis in the U.S. version.-Showa:...
all live there.
Monster Island appeared again in Godzilla vs. Megalon
Godzilla vs. Megalon
is a 1973 Japanese science fiction kaiju film directed and co-written by Jun Fukuda with special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano. It was the thirteenth film in the Godzilla franchise...
(1973), one of many locations suffering the effects of nuclear testing. This is seen to disturb Godzilla, Rodan, and Anguirus; as they try to escape the explosions, Anguirus falls into a crevasse in the ground. Rodan's fate was never revealed, though it can be assumed he flew away safely. Godzilla was summoned from Monster Island in a few of the episodes of the television series Zone Fighter
Zone Fighter
Zone Fighter, known in Japan as , is a tokusatsu science fiction superhero television series. Produced by Toho Company Ltd., the show aired on Nippon Television from April 2 to September 24, 1973, with a total of 26 episodes, it was cancelled due to the oil crisis of 1973...
, to assist the giant superhero, specifically the first episode that Godzilla appeared in. These Zone Fighter episodes are considered by Toho to be canon.
It is commonly speculated to be Solgell Island from Son of Godzilla
Son of Godzilla
Son of Godzilla, released in Japan as , is a 1967 science fiction kaiju film. The eighth part of the Toho studio's Godzilla series, it was directed by Jun Fukuda with special effects by Sadamasa Arikawa It is the first film to feature Kamacuras, Kumonga, and Minilla.-Plot:A team of scientists are...
due to the timing of introduction and presence of Godzilla, Minilla, Kamacuras and Kumonga, all kajiu who had been previously seen on the island whereas most other kajiu had not had set locations of origin. As well, the island is referred to as "Monster Island" in the Japanese version of the film, most notably the title.
List of monsters living there
- GodzillaGodzillais a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
- AnguirusAnguirusis the second Kaiju to appear in the Toho franchise. Anguirus appeared only a year after Godzilla in the 1955 Toho film Godzilla Raids Again...
- RodanRodanis a fictional Japanese mutated pterosaur introduced in Rodan, a 1956 release from Toho Studios, the company responsible for the Godzilla series. Like Godzilla and Anguirus, he is designed after a type of prehistoric reptile...
- VaranVaranis a kaiju that first appeared in Varan the Unbelievable . Physically, Varan resembles a giant reptile with skin membranes between his arms and legs, allowing him to glide much like a flying dragon or flying squirrel; he also has a horned head....
- Gabara
- MothraMothrais a kaiju, a type of fictional monster who first appeared in the serialized novel The Luminous Fairies and Mothra by Takehiko Fukunaga, Shinichiro Nakamura, and Yoshie Hotta...
- Manda
- BaragonBaragonis a fictional Kaiju that was first featured in the 1965 Toho-produced film, Frankenstein Conquers the World. Baragon is a four-legged dinosaur with a horn on his head and large ears. His main weapon is a heat ray that he can fire from his mouth...
- MinillaMinillais a Kaiju from the Godzilla series of films and is the first of several young Godzillas. He first appeared in the Showa film Son of Godzilla and also appeared in Destroy All Monsters, All Monsters Attack and the Millennium film Godzilla: Final Wars.-Origin:The son of the famous Godzilla, Minilla...
- KumongaKumongais a giant spider daikaiju that appeared in the Toho produced Godzilla series. In the monster's first two appearances, it was called Spiega or Spiga. Spiga/Kumonga is the main antagonist in Son of Godzilla.-Abilities:...
- KamacurasKamacuras, is a fictional gigantic praying mantis that has appeared in the Toho produced Godzilla series. In its first appearance, the creature was called Gimantis in the U.S. version.-Showa:...
- GorosaurusGorosaurusis a fictional theropod dinosaur created by Toho Studios. He stands 35 meters tall and weighs 8,000 tons in his first appearance. He was an opponent of King Kong in 1967's King Kong Escapes. He later enjoyed a prominent role in 1968's Destroy All Monsters, in which his size was increased to match...
- EbirahEbirah, is a fictional kaiju that first appeared in the Showa Godzilla film Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster. He is one of the two main antagonists of the film.-Showa series:...
- Ookondoru
- Maneater
In a script that was never produced, Maguma (Gorath (1962)) was also on the island.
Godzilla: The Series
Another version of Monster Island existed in Godzilla: The SeriesGodzilla: The Series
Godzilla: The Series is an American/Japanese animated television series which originally aired on Fox in the United States. The show premiered on September 12, 1998, and is a direct sequel to the American Godzilla remake.-Plot:...
, the continuation of the 1998 film Godzilla
Godzilla (1998 film)
Godzilla is a 1998 science fiction monster disaster film film co-written and directed by Roland Emmerich. It is a loose remake of the 1954 giant monster classic Godzilla. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Emmerich and Dean Devlin. The film relates a tale of a nuclear incident...
. It is given the codename: SITE OMEGA. This island was originally the base of operations for the Tachyon
Tachyon
A tachyon is a hypothetical subatomic particle that always moves faster than light. In the language of special relativity, a tachyon would be a particle with space-like four-momentum and imaginary proper time. A tachyon would be constrained to the space-like portion of the energy-momentum graph...
aliens, as proposed by Major Hicks. This island eventually became home to Crustaceous Rex, King Cobra, the Giant Bat, Skeetera, the mutant humming birds and possibly the Shrewster as well as the combined monster population of the Mutant collesium and mutant mania circus. Godzilla also visited the island occasionally, though because he traveled with H.E.A.T. he never became a permanent resident. Large, cage-like apparatuses were installed on the island to keep the daikaiju isolated from each other, and they remain on Monster Island to this day. At one point, the base was infiltrated by an organization of ecoterrorists called S.C.A.L.E. who tried to free the monsters, which only resulted in a large scale battle between the beasts before they were imprisoned once again. In the series, Monster Island was originally called Isla de Diablo.
In an alternate timeline
Alternate history (fiction)
Alternate history or alternative history is a genre of fiction consisting of stories that are set in worlds in which history has diverged from the actual history of the world. It can be variously seen as a sub-genre of literary fiction, science fiction, and historical fiction; different alternate...
, Monster Island fell under siege by the invincible Dragma creatures, and every daikaiju there (including Godzilla, who fought to protect a large number of humans and given a hero's commemoration via a statue
Statue
A statue is a sculpture in the round representing a person or persons, an animal, an idea or an event, normally full-length, as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size, or larger...
) was slaughtered by their might.
Popular culture
Several references to "Monster Island" are likely based on this element from the Godzilla series.- The SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
: In the episode "Lisa on IceLisa on Ice"Lisa on Ice" is the eighth television episode of The Simpsons sixth season. It was first broadcast on Fox in the United States on November 13, 1994. In the episode, Principal Skinner hands out academic alerts to the Springfield Elementary students, and Lisa discovers that she is in peril of...
", Lisa imagines being sentenced to Monster Island for failing Physical EducationPhysical educationPhysical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
. The judge informs her that the term "Monster Island" is just a name, but Lisa discovers that the island is in fact the home of several daikaiju. Fleeing from the giant creatures (which are MothraMothrais a kaiju, a type of fictional monster who first appeared in the serialized novel The Luminous Fairies and Mothra by Takehiko Fukunaga, Shinichiro Nakamura, and Yoshie Hotta...
, RodanRodanis a fictional Japanese mutated pterosaur introduced in Rodan, a 1956 release from Toho Studios, the company responsible for the Godzilla series. Like Godzilla and Anguirus, he is designed after a type of prehistoric reptile...
, and GameraGamerais a giant, flying turtle from a popular series of kaiju films produced by Daiei Motion Picture Company in Japan. Created in 1965 to rival the success of Toho Studios' Godzilla during the daikaiju boom of the mid-to-late 1960s, Gamera has gained fame and notoriety as a Japanese icon in his own...
), Lisa is informed by one of her fellow inmates that what the judge meant was that, Monster Island is in fact a peninsulaPeninsulaA peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
. - The Monsta Island CzarsMonsta Island CzarsMonsta Island Czars is a hip-hop group based in New York City, New York, USA most notable for members MF Grimm and former member MF DOOM.-History:...
are a hip-hop group from New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, most of whose individual names are parodies of daikaiju names. - In Warren EllisWarren EllisWarren Girard Ellis is an English author of comics, novels, and television, who is well-known for sociocultural commentary, both through his online presence and through his writing, which covers transhumanist themes...
' s Planetary series, there is Island Zero, home to many kaiju, including what is apparently King GhidorahKing Ghidorahis a kaiju, a fictional Japanese monster featured in several of Toho Studios' Godzilla films...
, GodzillaGodzillais a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
and MothraMothrais a kaiju, a type of fictional monster who first appeared in the serialized novel The Luminous Fairies and Mothra by Takehiko Fukunaga, Shinichiro Nakamura, and Yoshie Hotta...
, all dead. A green, flying kaiju similar to RodanRodanis a fictional Japanese mutated pterosaur introduced in Rodan, a 1956 release from Toho Studios, the company responsible for the Godzilla series. Like Godzilla and Anguirus, he is designed after a type of prehistoric reptile...
has, however, survived. - In Marvel ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, Monster Island (or Monster Isle, in some comics) is the home of the Mole ManMole ManThe Mole Man is a comic book supervillain that exists in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #1, and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
, and the various monsters that inhabit it are the descendants of the DeviantsDeviant (comics)The Deviants are a fictional race of superhumans in the Marvel Comics' universe. They are an offshoot of the evolutionary process that created sentient life on Earth instigated by the alien Celestials, and wage war against their counterparts, the Eternals... - In DC ComicsDC ComicsDC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, Dinosaur IslandDinosaur IslandDinosaur Island is an island that has appeared in various comic book series published by DC Comics. The island is not the same "Dinosaur Island" that appeared in Batman #35...
was often called Mystery Island or Monster Island during the its initial appearances in the pages of Star Spangled War Stories. - On Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Xander Harris likens living near the Hellmouth to living on Monster Island.
- The Grim Adventures of Billy & MandyThe Grim Adventures of Billy & MandyThe Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy often shortened as Billy and Mandy is an American animated television series that aired on Cartoon Network. It is also the spin-off of Grim & Evil. Having originally aired as part of Grim & Evil The show began in 2001, And went on to become one of Cartoon...
: In the Cartoon Network original movie Billy and Mandy's Big Boogey Adventure, the race Team Grim and Team Boogey had to go through to win the privilege to fight Horror included getting past Monster Island, and encountered the Toho monsters GodzillaGodzillais a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
, AnguirusAnguirusis the second Kaiju to appear in the Toho franchise. Anguirus appeared only a year after Godzilla in the 1955 Toho film Godzilla Raids Again...
, RodanRodanis a fictional Japanese mutated pterosaur introduced in Rodan, a 1956 release from Toho Studios, the company responsible for the Godzilla series. Like Godzilla and Anguirus, he is designed after a type of prehistoric reptile...
, King GhidorahKing Ghidorahis a kaiju, a fictional Japanese monster featured in several of Toho Studios' Godzilla films...
, GiganGiganis a kaiju from the Godzilla series, introduced in the 1972 film Godzilla vs. Gigan. Gigan is a cybernetic monster sporting a buzzsaw weapon in its frontal abdominal region and large metallic hooks for hands. Gigan is considered Godzilla's most brutal and violent opponent, alongside Destroyah,...
, and GameraGamerais a giant, flying turtle from a popular series of kaiju films produced by Daiei Motion Picture Company in Japan. Created in 1965 to rival the success of Toho Studios' Godzilla during the daikaiju boom of the mid-to-late 1960s, Gamera has gained fame and notoriety as a Japanese icon in his own...
. Interestingly enough, Godzilla has his roar from the Heisei series. - The Powerpuff GirlsThe Powerpuff GirlsThe Powerpuff Girls is an American animated television series created by animator Craig McCracken and produced by Hanna-Barbera for Cartoon Network...
: In the episode "Super Zeroes", a giant slimy teal blob-like monster named Steven, explains to the girls that going to Townsville to encounter the Powerpuff Girls in order to return (alive) from fighting them is a symbol of honor on Monster Isle, where most of the show's city-destroying antagonists reside. - Top Ten includes a character named Gograh (a Godzilla-like monster) who is said to live on 'Monster Atoll' (presumably an island near Neopolis) with other giant monsters.
"Monster Island Attracts a Real Life Monster"
On September 27, 2005, the first filmed evidence of a live "Architeuthis" (Giant SquidGiant squid
The giant squid is a deep-ocean dwelling squid in the family Architeuthidae, represented by as many as eight species...
) in the wild was shot off near Ogasawara Islands
Ogasawara Islands
The Bonin Islands, known in Japan as the are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical and tropical islands, some directly south of Tokyo, Japan. Administratively, they are part of Ogasawara Municipality of Ogasawara Subprefecture, Tokyo...
. In a fitting coincidence, these islands were used in much of the Godzilla mythos being the legitimate "Monster Island".
Other Godzilla media
- In Scott CiencinScott CiencinScott Ciencin is an American author. He sometimes writes with Denise Ciencin.-Biography:Scott Ciencin is a New York Times bestselling author who writes adult and children's fiction and works in a variety of mediums including comic books. Among his works are novels written for the Dungeons &...
's Godzilla junior novels, Monster Island first existed as a government research facility created to study AnguirusAnguirusis the second Kaiju to appear in the Toho franchise. Anguirus appeared only a year after Godzilla in the 1955 Toho film Godzilla Raids Again...
and RodanRodanis a fictional Japanese mutated pterosaur introduced in Rodan, a 1956 release from Toho Studios, the company responsible for the Godzilla series. Like Godzilla and Anguirus, he is designed after a type of prehistoric reptile...
. Eventually, through the psychic influence of a pair of children, Godzilla and a troop of other monsters (including VaranVaranis a kaiju that first appeared in Varan the Unbelievable . Physically, Varan resembles a giant reptile with skin membranes between his arms and legs, allowing him to glide much like a flying dragon or flying squirrel; he also has a horned head....
, KamacurasKamacuras, is a fictional gigantic praying mantis that has appeared in the Toho produced Godzilla series. In its first appearance, the creature was called Gimantis in the U.S. version.-Showa:...
, KumongaKumongais a giant spider daikaiju that appeared in the Toho produced Godzilla series. In the monster's first two appearances, it was called Spiega or Spiga. Spiga/Kumonga is the main antagonist in Son of Godzilla.-Abilities:...
, and several over-sized animals) travel to the island and make it their new home. - Monster Island is a playable arena in the videogames Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters MeleeGodzilla: Destroy All Monsters MeleeGodzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee is a fighting video game produced by Pipeworks Software, Inc. and released for the Nintendo GameCube on October 8, 2002. The game was later released for the Xbox in North America on April 16, 2003...
, Godzilla: Save the EarthGodzilla: Save the EarthGodzilla: Save the Earth is a fighting game released on November 2, 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox game consoles based on characters and situations from the Godzilla film series. The game is itself the sequel to the 2002 game Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee which was released for the...
and Godzilla: UnleashedGodzilla: UnleashedGodzilla: Unleashed, abbreviated as G3 or GU, is a 3D fighting video game based on the Godzilla film franchise for the Wii and PlayStation 2, developed by Pipeworks and published by Atari. The PS2 version was released on November 20 and the Wii version on December 5, 2007 in North America and both...
. In the latter, it has, like the game's other arenas, been affected by the spread of alien crystals. Early speculation was that the island would be partially flooded, but the arena is the same as that in the first two games other than the presence of the crystals. Producer Shelby Wills explained that the island is the "starting point" for the playable faction, Earth Defenders, in the game and so does not show the same signs of apocalyptic damage as the game's other environments.
External links
- Monster Island at Scary For Kids