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Mothra

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Toho character
File:Mothra.jpg
Mothra
Species Divine Moth
Alias The Thing
Form(s) Larva Form
Adult Form
Length Larval form
30[1]-120[2] metres
Adult form
24[3]-65 [4] metres
Weight Larval form
8,000[5]-16,500[6] tons
Adult form
15,000[7]-22,000[8] tons
Wingspan 75[9]-175[10] metres
Air speed Mach 3[11]-80[12]
Relationships Shobijin (Priestesses)
Battra (Dark twin in Godzilla vs. Mothra)
Mothra Leo (Son in Rebirth of Mothra)
Major enemies Godzilla
King Ghidorah
Battra
Death Ghidorah
Gigan
Major Allies Godzilla
Rodan
Miki Saegusa
Baragon
King Ghidorah (in GMK
Kiryu
First appearance Mothra (1961)
Created by Takehiko Fukunaga

Mothra (モスラ, Mosura) is a kaiju, a type of fictional monster who first appeared in the novel The Luminous Fairies and Mothra by Takehiko Fukunaga. Since her film début in the 1961 film Mothra, she has appeared in several Toho tokusatsu films.

Generally regarded as female by English-speaking audiences, she is a giant lepidopteran with characteristics both of butterflies and of moths. The name "Mothra" is the suffixation of "-ra" (a common last syllable in kaiju names) to "moth"; since the Japanese language does not have dental fricatives, it is approximated "Mosura" in Japanese. In the American dubbing of Mothra vs. Godzilla, Mothra is also referred to as the Thing. She is occasionally an ally to Godzilla but for the most part engages in conflict with the King of Monsters due to the potential threat he represents to Earth and its people.

About Mothra

Since her first film, Mothra has been depicted in various stages of the lepidopteran life cycle: Mothra's mammoth egg is decoratively colored in blue and yellow waves. The egg hatches into her larva, a massive brown, segmented caterpillar (resembling a silkworm) with glowing blue—sometimes red—eyes. In rare circumstances, twins may emerge from the egg. The caterpillar eventually spins a silken cocoon around itself (the pupa stage), and from this cocoon the imago (adult) Mothra emerges, a gigantic moth-like creature with brightly-colored wings. Mothra's life cycle—particularly the tendency of an imago's death to coincide with its larvae hatching—echoes that of the Phoenix, resembling resurrection and suggesting divinity. Despite having wrought destruction worthy of any Toho daikaiju, she is almost always portrayed as a kind and benevolent creature, causing destruction only when acting as protector to her worshippers on Infant Island or to her egg, or as collateral damage while protecting Earth from a greater threat.

Mothra has proven a formidable adversary in combat: in larval form she may use her silken spray to wrap and immobilize an opponent, and has a knack for biting and clinging to foes' tails. In imago form her powers vary widely from film to film, including very animalistic scratching and dragging, incorporating several bolt and beam weapons in the Heisei era, and often concluding with a poisonous yellow powder (or "scales") —her last defense.

Mothra is one of the most powerful psychics in the Toho universe. She has had the ability to use this power benevolently, to communicate with humans, or defensively, to destroy her enemies. As suggested earlier, Mothra is assumed to be divine and draws many parallels to the Phoenix, which makes her one of the more powerful kaiju of the Toho universe.

Mothra has become one of Godzilla's most challenging opponents, having achieved the greatest success rate in battle[13]: She has once overcome Godzilla in imago form, and twice Godzilla has fought her to her death only later to be bested by her newborn larvae. It should be mentioned that Mothra has never beaten Godzilla alone (in her Imago Form). The only victory by an insect(s) over Godzilla were the Mothra twin-larvae in Mothra vs Godzilla in the Showa Era, Imago Mothra and Imago Battra in Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth, in the Heisei series and the twin-larvae and Kiryu (MechaGodzilla) in the Shinsei (aka Millennium) Series.

File:Gvmothra1.jpg
Mothra battles Godzilla in Godzilla vs Mothra

In the Heisei Era (1984-1995), Mothra gained her own series of films dubbed in America as the "Rebirth of Mothra" series. These movies were not called "Rebirth of" in Japan, but just simply "Mothra" 1, 2 or 3 with a byline title, such as Adventure Under the Sea or Advent of King Ghidorah. These series are not connected to the Showa, Heisei or Shinsei Godzilla movies and are standalone films. The movies start off as the elder and last of her line puts the last of her energy into a new egg. From this egg hatches Mothra Leo.

Mothra Leo is supposedly male, as opposed to the pure female Mothras before (though the English dubbing is inconsistent, going back and forth between "she/her" to "he/him", even "it", and therefore its gender is left ambiguous). It also has "ever-increasing energy" which allows it to absorb energy from other sources to become stronger. The 10,000 year-old tree in Rebirth of Mothra allowed Mothra Leo to change into its imago form as "Mothra Leo", thought to be the most powerful Mothra of all time. Mothra Leo gains several forms throughout the Rebirth trilogy, such as Rainbow Mothra, Aqua Mothra, Armor Mothra, and Eternal Mothra.

In this series Mothra battled three opponents: Death Ghidorah, a flora-destroying horned beast with three heads; Dagahra, a toxic dragon-like sea creature; and finally the infamous King Ghidorah, in both Cretaceous and modern forms who is the fauna-destroying beast.

In Godzilla Final Wars, Mothra, after being summoned by her Shobijin to help the Earth, Mothra flew over Tokyo to aid Godzilla in battle against Monster X. The Xilien whouldn't let that happen though, and they sent the improved Gigan, to stop Mothra. Mothra is quickly dispatched by Gigan. Mothra quickly recovers and attackes Gigan and Monster X. Gigan resumes his battle with Mothra, using it's laser vision beam, turning Mothra to what "Fire Mothra," and both Kaiju are destroyed in a Kamikaze attack by the lepidopteran deity.

Unlike the majority of other Toho daikaiju, which are usually performed by stunt actors in a large costume, Mothra has always been operated mechanically as a wire controled marionette, remote controlled robotic prop, or a combination of the two. Her characteristic chirp was created by speeding up the roar of Anguirus from Godzilla Raids Again.

File:Mothra Larva.jpg
Mothra's larval form destroying the Tokyo Tower- (Mothra, 1961)

Popularity

Toho had intended to follow 1989's Godzilla vs. Biollante with a revival of Mothra in her own spinoff film, Mothra vs. Bagan, for 1990 release. However, following the unimpressive box office performance of Biollante, Toho discarded the project in favor of another Godzilla film, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991).[14] A 1992 survey revealed that Mothra was Toho's most popular daikaiju among women, an observation which inspired Toho to again revise its plans, abandoning a proposed sequel to King Ghidorah in favor of a Godzilla–Mothra feature.[15] Following the end of the Heisei Godzilla series, Toho produced a trilogy of Mothra films, known in the U.S. as Rebirth of Mothra (1996–1998). Mothra thus became the first Toho daikaiju to lead its own film(s) after its incorporation into the Godzilla franchise.

Abilities

Mothra is obviously capable of flight. Her wings can (and generally do) create gales which tear apart buildings and send other kaiju flying. Her great bulk of a body is commonly used to her advantage in battle to slam into opponents, and her surprising levels of strength can help her to drag and even lift monsters like Godzilla. Her final strategy is to emit "scales", a yellow poisonous powder that can hopefully asphyxiate an enemy.

The Heisei version of Mothra had some differences. She could now fire a beam of energy from her antennae, and fire arcs of lightning from her wings, or keep it in her body to release to another through touch. The powder now had a different effect; It would act as a 3-D mirror to trap energy blasts, making them rebound over whatever was inside the cloud of powder over and over again. This proved very effective in turning Godzilla's own atomic ray against him.

In the Mothra Trilogy, Mothra displayed a wide use of energy-type abilities. Ranging from triple prismatic beams from her forehead, to her sun strike buster, a very potent attack that comes from the sky like a sacred lightning bolt.


Mothra's Fairies (Shobijin, Cosmos, and Elias)

Main article: Shobijin

Mothra is usually accompanied by two tiny priestesses or fairies (often called shobijin—Japanese for "small beauties") who also speak for her. For Mothra's first three film appearances these twin fairies were played by the Peanuts. In Mothra they demonstrate telepathic ability, within speaking range with people and over great distances with Mothra. They explain that while they call to Mothra in prayer and song, they and Mothra are also connected on some deeper level beyond their control, and it is this connection that impels Mothra to find them no matter where they are. These qualities are part of the continuity of all subsequent Mothra appearances. In Mothra vs. Godzilla the Shobijin also demonstrate teleportation, when trying to escape from Kumayama and Torahata. In Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster the girls translate not only Mothra's chirps but an entire conversation among three daikaiju. Decades later, in Godzilla: Tokyo SOS, two other shobijin (portrayed by Masami Nagasawa and Chihiro Ôtsuka) demonstrate telekenesis as well.

In the Godzilla films of the 1990s Mothra's priestesses (played by Keiko Imamura and Sayaka Osawa) identify themselves as Cosmos, the last survivors of an ancient civilization which had threatened, and eventually been destroyed by, the very life force of Earth. They had constructed Mothra as their guardian deity, to which the Earth life force had responded with Battra—a "Black Mothra" (as described in Godzilla vs. Mothra) or "Battle Mothra" (as described in the Super Godzilla video game manual).

In the Rebirth of Mothra trilogy, made in the late 1990s, Mothra's priestesses were the Elias; the Elias differ from earlier incarnations in that they are not mindlinked twins but individual persons, Moll (or Moru or Mona) and Lora. They are also seen to have an older sister, a dark Elias called Belvera. In addition to accompanying Mothra, the Elias would also ride smaller offspring called Fairy Mothras. Mothra would reprise the role of ancient guardian, though with only a passing homage to the Cosmos, in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack.

Mothra's Songs

The fairie's famous song "Mosura No Uta" ("Mothra's Song") was written in Malay, though the shobijin often sing Japanese approximations to the original lyrics.[16] Other verses and entirely new songs (in Japanese) have been added by various composers over Mothra's film history. The shobijin have also been portrayed by Pair Bambi (Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster) and Megumi Kobayashi and Sayako Yamaguchi (the Mothra Trilogy).

The original song went, as follows (in Malay and English)

  • Mosura ya Mosura
    • Mothra O Mothra
  • Dongan kasakuyan Indo muu
    • If we were to call for help
  • Rusuto uiraadoa
    • Over time
  • Hanba hanbamuyan
    • Over sea
  • Randa banunradan Tounjukanraa
    • Like a wave you'd come
  • Kasaku yaanmu
    • Our guardian angel!

There are many other Mothra songs that have been used over the years all the way from the Showa series to the Millenium series:

"Mahara Mothra" (Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964), Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth (1992) "Sacred Springs" (Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964), Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth (1992) "Mothra's Song (Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966) "The Song of Prayer" (Rebirth of Mothra (1996) "Mothraleo" (Rebirth of Mothra (1996) "Haora Mothra" (Rebirth of Mothra 3 (1998) Less enthralled but still flying, "The Trouble With Those Mothra Girls" by surf band Daikaiju.

Mothra's Character and Personality

Mothra's character/personality has developed exponentially over the years. For instance, when she appeared in her first movie, she only protected her own people on Infant Island and did not care for the entire world like the later Heisei and Rebirth versions did. In the Heisei Era, Mothra became the environmental savior as well as the human savior of the Earth----which means that she was the guardian of the planet as stated by the Cosmos in Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle For Earth. In the Shinsei series though, Mothra reverted back to her original self as she was in the Showa series. Mothra is one of the only known kaiju who actually battles for the betterment of humanity and the Earth, and for years has continued to establish that pureness of heart in her character.

Mothra in Other Media

Filmography

Cultural references

  • Mothra appeared as a summonable monster in Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee. A Mothra-shaped icon, when picked up, calls in a "Mothra Air Strike", where she flies around the arena firing her antennae beams at all monsters besides the one who got the item. She does little damage with each attack, but it builds up. Mothra can be chased off if hit with a beam weapon, but this is difficult to do.
  • Mothra became playable in the sequel, Godzilla: Save the Earth. Players start as Larval Mothra, who is slow and has high defense and moderate attack. Larval Mothra can use her Silk Shot to immobilize foes, and can spear with her tail and roll around the arena to attack. Pressing R2 and L2 at the same time causes her to metamorphosize into Adult Mothra. Trading speed for defense and attack for weapons, Mothra relies on long-range assaults and good strategy. She can reflect most beam weapons away from her, and stun opponents when getting up or with a greenish mist. Mothra is unique in that she does not enter Rage Mode, instead she treats the Rage power-up as a Health and Energy Recover.
  • In episode 40 of the Kimagure Orange Road anime TV series, the cast are making an amateur movie referencing certain elements from Mothra. They use the Kasuga family cat to play the part of a giant monster heading towards Tokyo with a final confrontation at Tokyo Tower and the Kasuga Twins playing the part of lost princesses that the monster is seeking. The twins even sing to the monster in order to calm it down and they ride on the monster back to their island paradise.
  • In the Love Hina anime, Motoko has a dream where Mutsumi Otohime appears as two tiny versions of herself who sing to summon a giant version of Tama-chan the sea turtle.
  • Mothra is one of two playable characters in the 1988 Nintendo game Godzilla: King of the Monsters (the other playable character being Godzilla.) In this game Mothra fights by firing red fireballs/energy blasts from her head, and by flapping her wings and releasing her pollen/scales on enemies below.
  • Mothra is mentioned in an episode of Golden Girls, season 7 episode 1. Sophia mishears what Dorothy says and believes Dorothy said "I am Mothra, giant radioactive insect, REE REE REE."
  • Legendary Heavy Metal band, Anvil wrote a song called Mothra, about the giant beast sent from God to purify human kind.
  • Mothra has a brief appearance in Episode 48 of Sonic X. On a mysterious island that both Sonic and friends and Dr. Eggman have come to investigate, Decoe and Bocoe disturb a giant moth that strongly resembles Mothra, although this beast is a savage toothy version with large red spheres at the ends of its antennae and is much smaller than Mothra (but still giant compared to the characters). It chases the robots towards Sonic, Chris and the others, and when Chris throws a rock at it he also is chased until all three fall down a hole. The moth disappears after this.
  • In an episode of Pokémon Advanced Battle called "Caterpie's Big Dilemma", they encounter a giant Caterpie that evolves into Metapod and Butterfree, with tons of homages to Mothra, such as destroying a building similar to the Tokyo Tower.
  • Mothra is the name of a track on the 'Nosferatu' album (1979) by The Stranglers' lead-singer and guitarist Hugh Cornwell and Captain Beefheart percussionist Robert Williams.
  • The ToeJammers wrote a song about Mothra, in which Godzilla sings Mothra a letter he wrote that begs for her forgiveness.
  • The band Atomship wrote a song about Mothra vs. the World in their 2004 debut album, "the Crash of '47."
  • Godflesh have a song called "Mothra" on the "Pure" album.
  • During the events entailed in Silent Hill 1, the lead protagonist, Harry Mason encounters a large larva that he must fight. Later on, it is shown to have evolved into a very Mothra-like giant moth, who seeks revenge.
  • An enemy in the Legend of Zelda series is a giant poisonous moth known as Mothula. In some games, it is a boss, while in Wind Waker they appear as a cyclopean species of moth instead. Its name seems to indicate it as a reference to Mothra/Mosura.
  • In Teen Titans the character "silkie" looks just like Mothra
  • In The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy this was just mentioned as a giant silk worm.
  • Mothra was a crust punk band from Japan that combined epic melodies with off-time ad-libbed vocals.
  • In episodes 25-26 of Tokyo Mew Mew, a very Battra/Mothra-like Chimera Anima called the Chimera Moth is used by aliens to poison the Tokyo area. A further homage to the kaiju genre includes the fact that the moth hatched on the Tokyo Tower, much like Mothra in her first film appearance. The Chimera Moth returns briefly in episode 49.
  • In the Jetix show Yin-Yang-Yo, a brief appearance of several characters as kaiju, including Mothra, was in an episode about a cold that alters reality.
  • In the Dragonball Z movie Wrath of the Dragon, the monster Hirudegarn is able to undergo a metamorphosis of sorts, and emerge a more powerful insect-like creature with the ability to fly. In the movie, Hirudegarn makes his change over the ruins of a crushed building that looks like Tokyo Tower. This is nod to original Mothra movie.
  • In the latest Fantastic Four television series, the Thing liked that movie where a giant moth attacks Tokyo.

References

  1. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra_mill.htm#l
  2. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra_heisei.htm#l
  3. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra_mill.htm#i
  4. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra_heisei.htm#i
  5. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra_mill.htm#l
  6. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra_heisei.htm#l
  7. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra_mill.htm#i
  8. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra_heisei.htm#i
  9. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra_mill.htm#i
  10. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra_heisei.htm#i
  11. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra61.htm#i
  12. ^ http://www.tohokingdom.com/kaiju/mothra96.htm
  13. ^ Lees, J.D. and Cerasini, Marc. The Official Godzilla Compendium, Random House, 1998. ISBN 0-679-88822-5
  14. ^ "Lost Project: Mothra vs. Bagan", TohoKingdom. Retrieved January 25, 2006.
  15. ^ Milner, David. Interview with Koichi Kawakita, December 1994.
  16. ^ Leibach, Mary (2004). Moth with Heart, retrieved January 16, 2006.
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