Gabara

:"For the genus of noctuid moths, see "Gabara (moth).

Gabara (ガバラ) is a fictional kaiju (giant monster) featured in the 1969 Japanese tokusatsu film "All Monsters Attack" (also known as "Godzilla's Revenge"), the tenth Godzilla film to be produced by Toho. Gabara is the primary antagonist of the film.

Overview

Just as "All Monsters Attack" is one of the more distinctive entries in the Godzilla canon — existing, as Gabara does, entirely inside the dreams of a small child — Gabara is unique. Not obviously based on any real animal or mythological creature, Gabara's costume is similar to an ogre or troll, with a turquoise, warty hide. On top of his head is a mane of scruffy orange fur with a series of horns protruding from it. His facial features are vaguely feline, and his roar sounds like a crazed, throaty warble. Gabara has the power to project electricity through physical contact, and uses this ability to electrocute Minya, and later, Godzilla. Promotional photos for "All Monsters Attack" also depict Gabara shooting lightning bolts from his hands, though this ability was never depicted in the film.

Media appearances

Within the context of the film, Gabara is a representation within the dreams of Ichiro, the main character, of a schoolyard bully of the same name. Similarly, Ichiro is represented by Minya, Godzilla's son. After Godzilla defends his offspring in Ichiro's dreams, Ichiro is able to overcome his fears and confront the real Gabara.

The character did not make any further appearances in Godzilla films, but the name and costume were reused in the second episode of Yuke! Godman and the following year in the fourteenth episode of the short Kyodai Hero television series "Ike! Greenman". However the Godman and Greenman shows were not linked to any sort of continuity with the various Toho films. [ [http://tohokingdom.com/kaiju/tv/gabara_greenman.htm Gabara [Go! Greenman ] ]

Also, the monster's name was used for a lake in the three minute long Godzilla Island.

References

* [http://tohokingdom.com/kaiju/gabara.htm Gabara] at Toho Kingdom.

Footnotes