KAIJUOLOGY: DOGORA ~ THE SPACE MONSTER

Subject: Dogora

Documentation: Dogora The Space Monster (1964), Godzilla: Monster of Monsters (NES video game 1988)

History: In 1964 the world suffered an attack from one of the most bizarre creatures ever witness. Dubbed Dogora by the Japanese scientists who discovered the beast, this strange jellyfish like creature of outer space origin first appeared in the skies above Japan. The beast is one of the largest kaiju on record dwarfing the likes of Godzilla, Biollante, and virtually every terrestrial kaiju in existence. Its body is soft and malleable consisting of a central mass (the body) and numerous tentacle like arms.

Dogora is at home in the vacuum of outer space as well as Earth's atmosphere. The beast has an ability to move through space and our atmosphere easily, traveling under its own power by as of yet unknown means, moving through space and our skies like a jellyfish moves through water. The extent of the creatures strength has not been accurately measured either. Dogora, at the height of its destructive rampage, lifted the entire Wakato Bridge, a structure two kilometers long weighing several hundred tons. Its strength capacities haven't been fully measured but it is believed the creature could lift a kaiju as large as Biollante with ease.

In the 1964 event the creatures (multiple Dogoras) were discovered in orbit just beyond our planet's atmosphere. Many satellites in orbit were destroyed due to impacts with the body of the creature. The creatures have a hunger for carbon based materials, (whether the creatures need a certain amount of carbon to survive or are simply attracted to the element is unknown at this time) attacking coal mines and factories across Japan. Diamonds were also subject to their attention. The beasts demonstrated a telekinetic ability and suction to steal the coal and diamonds, absorbing the material into their bodies. Their telekinesis ranged from floating a single human being through the air to lifting entire buildings off the ground.

The body of the beast, as previously stated, is flexible. During an attack the beasts were bombarded by artillery of the Japanese Self Defense Forces. The result was the seeming destruction of the creatures, only to discover that the beast had merely divided itself into hundreds or smaller beasts, a kaiju size mitosis of sorts. Salvation was discovered in the form of wasps. The venom of wasp stings contained a chemical which reacted with Dogora's body resulting in a crystallization of its form. The chemical was synthesized and weaponized by the Japanese and the Dogora threat was ended. The crystallized remains of the Dogora monsters were collected for further study and quarantined.

Review: Dogora is one of the most unique and interesting monsters in the entire Toho kaiju stable. Dogora has an interesting design and unique power set. The possibile threat of a hunger for carbon has frightening possibilities too (What if Dogora decided to snack on all carbon based materials including human beings?! The threat level just jumped WAY up!). Dogora is a kaiju rarely seen and rarely used but is so rife with potential. A modern reinvention of the kaiju could be something awe-inspiring and wicked cool.

A fairly accurate size comparison of Godzilla and Dogora as depicted in the NES video game

The special effects used to bring Dogora to life in the film are something to behold too and begs the question "How'd they do that?" With today's special effects Dogora could make for one incredible adversary for Godzilla. The only time Godzilla and Dogora have ever battled was in the NES video game Godzilla: Monster of Monsters. Godzilla only fights little Dogoras but it should be noted that in the background of the Dogora level is one massive Dogora monster dwarfing Godzilla in size!

Mothra traversing the Dogora level in the NES game Godzilla: Monster of Monsters

In summary Dogora needs another movie and is a kaiju dying to get back in the game! Also worthy of note is that the original Dogora film is unlike any other kaiju film in that it doesn't present itself as a kaiju film but rather a heist film. Just another nod to how amazing director Ishiro Honda and crew were, already trying to reinvent the kaiju genre (much Marvel Studios is doing with super hero films today. Ant-Man is said to be a heist film too!).

Threat Level: 10 out 10 (Extinction level threat)

Art by Yasushi Torisawa