Mechagodzilla (メカゴジラ, Mekagojira?) is a human-built robotic Godzilla clone constructed to protect humankind from giant monster attacks. He appears in Godzilla: Ongoing and Godzilla: Rulers of Earth.
Name
Kiryu's legal name, "Mechagodzilla", is simply a shortening of the words "Mechanical Godzilla," while his official designation in the films is "MFS-3," which is short for "Multipurpose Fighting System Type-3." "Kiryu" comes from combining the Japanese words kikai and ryu, which mean "machine dragon."
Design
Appearance
Mechagodzilla's design is identical to the Millenium series version of the character in Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla. Like Mechagodzilla and the Cryog Mechagodzilla, Kiryu is a giant silver robot built in Godzilla's image. Unlike the other two Mechagodzillas, Kiryu is sleeker and resembles Godzilla more closely. Kiryu is the only Mechagodzilla with a fully movable tail. He also has larger dorsal spines and a segmented armor that allows for more organic movement.
Personality
Kiryu is always under the control of a human pilot and does not really display a noticeable personality.
Origins
Kiryu was constructed by billionaire Daniel Malmon to replace the previous Mechagodzilla.
History
Godzilla: Ongoing
Kiryu battles Godzilla and briefly has the upper hand. Kiryu attempts to use his Absolute Zero cannon on Godzilla, but Godzilla counters it with his atomic breath, creating a beam clash which Kiryu loses. With Kiryu damaged and immobile, Godzilla leaves.
Kiryu is later stolen by Harrison, Boxer's estranged son and a member of his "Kaiju Kill Crew" and sent to Monster Island to free the Earth monsters being contained there so that they can battle the space monsters. Kumonga hitches a ride on Kiryu's back while Boxer and Hikari join Harrison in the cockpit, and Kiryu heads to New York to take on Monster X. Monster X easily beats Kiryu and Kumonga before SpaceGodzilla and Godzilla both arrive. During the ensuing battle, Kiryu is knocked into the Hudson River. As Kiryu begins to flood and sink, Boxer manages to get the Absolute Zero cannon operational. Using a well-timed shot, Kiryu freezes SpaceGodzilla, rendering him helpless while Godzilla blasts him and apparently destroys SpaceGodzilla.
Godzilla: Rulers of Earth
Kiryu reappears in Rulers of Earth #11, now upgraded to his Modified Type-3 Kiryu design. In this issue, Kiryu is sent to Paris to subdue Baragon. Baragon breathes fire at Kiryu and fights fiercely, but Kiryu is able to overcome and capture Baragon, after which he brings Baragon to the new Monster Islands.
In Rulers of Earth #12, Kiryu is sent along with a naval fleet to assault the Devonian capital. However, Destoroyah attacks the fleet and kills Kiryu's pilot. Jet Jaguar realizes that he is no match for Destoroyah, and decides to shrink to human size and pilot Kiryu. Jet Jaguar uses Kiryu's Absolute Zero cannon to freeze Destoroyah, killing him in one hit.
In Rulers of Earth #14, Kiryu is sent to Antarctica to recover the supposed dead body of Anguirus following his battle with a Mechagodzilla. When it is discovered that Anguirus is still alive, Kiryu restrains him and is ordered to fly Anguirus to a secret facility in Russia. On the way there, Kiryu and the jets escorting him are attacked by a group of Mechagodzillas. Kiryu is shot down over Russia, while Anguirus escapes to go join Godzilla in battle against Mecha-King Ghidorah and more Mechagodzillas.
Kiryu was later repaired and joined the massive counter-attack against the Trilopods. The mech managed to freeze a Baragon Trilopod, before getting pounced on and destroyed by the Varan and Sanda Trilopods.
Abilities
Absolute Zero Cannon
Kiryu's most devastating weapon is the Absolute Zero Cannon. Stored in its chest behind a trio of folding panels, the Absolute Zero Cannon fires a ball of energy that flash-freezes its _target to Absolute Zero, thereby causing it to disintegrate under the weight of its own mass at the molecular level.
Flight
Kiryu was also able to fly; although its limited energy reserves required the machine to be airlifted to the battlefield.
Trivia
- This is the second version of Mechagodzilla to ally with Godzilla in any medium, after the Mechagodzilla in Kingdom of Monsters and the Mechagodzilla in Godzilla Island.
List of appearances
- Godzilla: Ongoing (First appearance)
- Godzilla: Rulers of Earth
