KAIJUOLOGY: MATANGO

Subject: Matango

Documentation: Matango ~ Fungus of Terror a.k.a. Attack of the Mushroom People (1963), Godzilla: Monster of Monsters (NES video game 1988)

History: It is uncertain whether or not the creation of the Matango fungi is a natural creation or a mutation due to nuclear radiation or the result of a scientific experiment. All known information about the organism was derived from the ravings of a former Japanese university professor, Kenji Murai. Professor Murai along with a yachting party of six were reported missing in a storm off the coast of Japan. Allegedly the group drifted to an island surrounded by fog with such strong currents that made any attempt to escape the island impossible.

While foraging for food the group discovered wild mushroom growth within the heart of the island. The mushrooms varied in size, shape, and color. According to Murai many of the mushrooms had grown in excess of 10 feet, appearing almost tree-like in size. Despite cautioning against the consumption of the mushrooms, several in the party ate of the fungi out of hunger and desperation.

Later the party discovered the hulk of a scientific vessel shipwrecked along the shores. Inside they found a log book documenting the crews experiments on the island and a record of the mysterious mushroom species called Matango. The log book tells of the addictive nature of the mushroom and the effects on human beings through various stages.

First Stage: Infection

First Stage: The initial infection. Gradual deterioration of the mind including hallucinations and insanity. Subjects exhibit violent tendencies and gluttonous appetites.

Second Stage: Physical Metamorphosis

Second Stage: A physical transformation as the fungus infects the cellular structure of organisms spreading throughout the body resulting in lesions and skin growths. Subjects lose the capability to speak, becomes extremely docile, and no longer require food for sustenance, taking on zombie-like behavior. Physically they are vaguely recognizable as human.

Third Stage: Assimilation

Third Stage: Complete biological take over. The fungus has now replaced flesh and bone with botanical matter. The degree to which the human body is transformed varies in this stage. Some grow onto the landscape, lying over the ground, on rocks, and up the sides of trees. Some root themselves to the ground and climb high into the air resembling trees. And others become humanoid monstrous creatures.

In every case one thing is certain, the end result is total assimilation. The transmission of the Matango virus is accomplished through consumption of the fungus and inhalation of the spores. The environment too plays a significant role in the duration of metamorphosis. Murai reports the weather on the island was moist, humid, and raining the majority of the day and night. Scientists postulate that in a wet climate the Matango transformation would occur more rapidly than in a dry climate although this theory has not been proven.

The most startling aspect of Murai's report was aggressive way in which it propagated and sought to infect its victims. Not only did it prey on the physical form but also on a psychological level. This leads one to believe that the Matango may in fact possess a level of intelligence. If such an organism ever spread to highly populated areas or vast forested areas the effect would be catastrophic. The potential threat of Matango if it were to travel across the ocean to the continents would be world changing.

Review: I first encountered Matango in the classic NES video game Godzilla: Monster of Monsters. The premise of the game is that the aliens from Planet X have taken over the Milky Way Galaxy, populating the planets with monsters. It is up to Godzilla and Mothra to vanquish the aliens and save the galaxy. This also happened to be Godzilla's first encounter with Matango. In the game Matango had taken over entire areas of the planet and grown into kaiju size rooted mushroom even larger than the monsters themselves.

Matango Level in Godzilla: Monster of Monsters NES video game

Godzilla can either attempt to destroy the Matango infestation of simply travel through the area. If he chooses to battle the monstrous fungus the Matango will fight back and attempt to assimilate the king of the monsters. Spore clouds are spewed through the air and they swarm over Godzilla. His atomic breath proves very powerful against the mushroom but it was always a 50/50 chance the Matango would claim Godzilla's life.

Matango Boss in Godzilla NES video game

Years later I saw the movie itself. Director Ishiro Honda made so few true horror films but this is one of them. It is still to this day one of the most unique horror films I've ever seen and the creature Matango is one with a large amount of potential for further films. If you've played the video game The Last Of Us then you know how truly horrifying a fungus infestation can be. Imagine that in a world of giant monsters. How cool would that be?! I hope that in some future film this curious and terrifying creature will go up against the king of the monsters.

Threat Level: 10 out of 10