KAIJUOLOGY: KAMOEBAS

Subject: Kamoebas

Documentation: Space Amoeba (1970) a.k.a. Yog ~ The Monster From Space, Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)

History: The Kamoebas is a breed of Gigas-chelonians discovered in 1970 by Dr. Miya of Japan. The great beasts were discovered upon the small atoll of Selgio Island located between Hawaii and the Marianas. The island was inhabited by 80 natives but since the rise of the kaiju the surviving natives have now relocated. The island is also home to many rare flora and fauna, some of which was long believed extinct. Not a mile out from the beach Selgio is completely surrounded by coral reefs, a natural barrier or underwater fence for the island. Now, Selgio is an island habitat for several different species of kaiju.

Some of the kaiju had been known to the natives for some time. They islanders worshiped the kaiju Gezora, believing it to be a deity. Gezora (a mutated giant Kisslip Cuttlefish) was the first kaiju discovered by Dr. Miya followed by Ganimes (a megalo-crustacean), and finally a Kamoeba. A single Kamoeba was spotted prowling through the forested areas of the island. It was the last of the kaiju discovered living upon Selgio Island. Near the end of Dr. Miya's expedition on the island he witnessed the colossal turtle engaged in combat with the kaiju Ganimes, their battle raging up the side of the active volcano on the island. The titanic battle ended with both great beasts plummeting over the rim and into the molten depths below.

Art by Yasushi Torisawa

Through further examination Dr. Miya discovered that the creatures were physically augmented by an alien parasite from the deeper recesses of space. This amoeba sized extraterrestrial would first infect its subjects, alter them physically, (in this case by evolving various forms of sea life to gargantuan proportions)  even mutating them, and bending them to their will. Eventually the alien parasites were driven from the animals bodies but the augmentation remained even once the parasites had long been removed. By the end of the event it was believed that all the kaiju living on Selgio Island had perished.

Years later upon returning to Selgio Island for further research it was discovered that these mammoth creatures yet existed and thrived upon the island and in the waters just beyond its shores. Apparently the altered evolution of the animals had continued to propagated and reproduce. Multiple Kamoebas have since been sighted along with Ganimes and Gezora. The Kamoebas continue to inhabit the island. Theories also persist that the evolving of the Kamoebas by the aliens was in fact a devolving to a prehistoric state, a time when the Kamoebas roamed the earth naturally. Fossils found in Brazil support this theory.

In another incident quite sometime later the carcass of a Kamoeba washed ashore upon one of the Japanese islands. The scientists and examining kaijuologists determined the cause of death was due to massive lacerations along the throat. The only other known kaiju in the waters around Japan at that time was Godzilla. The two kaiju must have engaged each other on an uninhabited island nearby or in an underwater battle. The kaiju's remains were transported to the Japanese mainland for further study.

Kamoebas carcass from Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

The Kamoebas possess no preternatural powers or abilities. Its armored carapace has proven invulnerable to nearly all modern weaponry. Even the Kamoeba carcass hadn't sustained any injuries to its shell (not even Godzilla could penetrate it). It also has an armored skin similar to its shell, yet much softer (still impervious to most conventional weapons). It has the natural ability to extend and retract its neck. The full extension of its neck is measured at nearly 2/3rds the length of its body. And lastly it has powerful jaws with tremendous strength and claws on all four of its feet. Its feet are webbed enabling it to swim quite easily.

Review: Toho's own giant turtle. Gamera was very popular at the time this kaiju debuted and I'm sure Toho wanted to stick it to Daiei Studios and their famous kaiju. I must admit that the design and suitmation of Kamoebas is far superior to any of Gamara's Showa iterations (in my personal opinion). Space Amoeba was the first tokusatsu (Japanese Special Effects) film made after the passing of legend Eiji Tsuburaya. Special Effects were done by his protegee Sadamasa Arikawa and his designs are wonderful.

Peaceful Monster Protectors of Earth. Art by Yasushi Torisawa

I've always preferred the kaiju based off real animals or dinosaurs like Varan, Rodan, Manda, and Anguirus. The kaiju of this film would be some of the few kaiju of the 1970's to have this "traditional" design.  Kamoebas is based on the Matamata Turtle or Chelus fimbriatus Testudines that lives in the rivers of the Amazon or Orinoco. It is an aquatic turtle, carnivorous, and nocturnal. The real life turtle is wicked cool looking and the special effects department really didn't need to do much to make Kamoebas a cool looking kaiju.

The real life inspiration for Kamoebas! The Mata Mata Turtle.

Toho's giant turtle hasn't been featured in many films but it is my personal favorite of the three kaiju from Space Amoeba. The cameo appearance of it in Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. was a wonderful surprise and some of the most realistic kaiju footage in existence (in my opinion) I really wish Toho would bring their turtle back since Daiei seems reluctant to resurrect theirs (I would love another Gamera movie!). I'm pretty sure Kamoebas would get his shell rocked by Godzilla but I would still love to see him put up a good fight against the king of the monsters. Maybe team him up with other four legged kaiju like Baragon and Maguma.

Threat Level: 4 out of 10

Localized Destruction