Battra

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Battra (バトラ, Batora^?) is a fictional giant black moth appearing in Godzilla vs. Mothra. Like Mothra, Battra has both larva and imago (adult) forms. Battra's name most likely comes from the common Japanese practice of shortening two words to make one; in this case the combination of the Japanese spelling of Battle Mothra (Batoru Mosura), as described in the Super Godzilla video game manual. It was also said to be "Black Mothra" (as described in Godzilla vs. Mothra). The name is also suggestive of its "bat-like" nature, as the word Bat-ra is similar in structure to Moth-ra.

[edit] Origin

Battra was created by Earth's life force to defend the planet from various threats, such as meteorites and human destruction of the environment. Over 12,000 years ago there was an advanced human civilization which originally lived in harmony with the Earth, but when they created a device to control the climate, this offended the living Earth, which sent Battra to destroy the device. Unfortunately, Battra, as the physical embodiment of the Earth's anger, continued its rage well beyond its task, and began to harm the very Earth itself. Mothra was sent to stop Battra's rampage and restore the natural order. In the fierce battle between Mothra and Battra, the existing human civilization was destroyed in a tremendous flood. It is strongly implied that this ancient human civilization was Atlantis, although this is never explicitly stated.

After the battle, Battra rested in the Arctic Ocean, whereas Mothra retired to Infant Island in the Philippines, accompanied by the two Cosmos. It was intended that Battra would reawaken in 1999 to prevent a large meteorite from destroying the Earth. Instead he awoke when a smaller meteorite hit the Earth in 1992, seven years too early. With no assigned task, the Cosmos expressed concern for what Battra might do. As predicted, Battra once again vented his wrath on human civilization. The larval Battra was drawn to the newly hatched incarnation of Mothra, but was distracted by the presence of Godzilla, who had also been awakened by the meteorite. Godzilla, as the epitome of ecological imbalance and human violation of the Earth, became Battra's target instead of Mothra, who escaped while the two fought. Godzilla and Battra battled on the ocean floor, until they caused a rift to open between tectonic plates. Both daikaiju were swallowed up into the Earth's crust.

Battra emerged from the sea later, apparently unharmed by the searing lava, and set off after Mothra and Godzilla. After a fierce aerial battle with Mothra, in which Mothra was injured, Battra attacked Godzilla. Godzilla severely wounded Battra, and was about to finish him off, but Mothra suddenly intervened to save Battra. Mothra then gave Battra an influx of light and sparkling energy, and the Cosmos were delighted that their two charges had "become friends". Godzilla then attacked again, wounding Mothra. As the mutant dinosaur was about to strike the killing blow, Battra intervened this time, saving Mothra's life. The two insects then had a conversation, much to the amazement of the observing humans. During this communication, Mothra made a promise to Battra. The two then worked as a team to defeat Godzilla, and together carried him back out to sea. Unfortunately, Godzilla had mortally wounded Battra, and he died.

The promise Mothra made to Battra was to take on Battra's task of preventing the destruction of the Earth, should Battra not survive. At the end of the film, Mothra leaves Earth to fulfill this promise.

Battra was originally meant to be an "evil" twin of Mothra named "Gigamoth" (whose abilities resemble Hedorah) in an unmade film,^[1] but this project was scrapped and replaced with Godzilla vs. Mothra. Conceptual art for Gigamoth would eventually find its way into the designs for Battra.

[edit] Battle Statistics

Battra in his larva form while battling Godzilla.

In its larval form, Battra was a horribly brutal opponent who was relentless and remorseless in its attack. In this form, he wielded a massive yellow horn which could be put to use as a battering ram or bludgeoning weapon. From the horn, he was also capable of firing off furious electrical blasts of an orange-yellow color. He could fire similar electrical blasts of a purple color from his crimson eyes. However, these beams would often fly wildly about, Battra not having precise control over them yet.

Unlike Mothra, Battra did not require a chrysalis in order to metamorphose into his adult form, and had no shobijin (priests) to represent him.

In its imago form, Battra had lost the ability to burrow or swim, but attained flight with its new wings, allowing for easier and more efficient travel for further destruction. The once prominent horn had disappeared and had been replaced with three smaller horns. These horns were incapable of releasing energy anymore, but Battra had developed more powerful optic beams, known as "prism beams". Unlike the beams used in his larval form, adult Battra had complete control over the Prism Beams. He also developed three pairs of legs and would utilize them for grasping objects.

[edit] Video Game Appearances

Battra has appeared in the SNES games: Super Godzilla, in Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters in the wrath attack (Dark Echo) of Mothra and in Godzilla: Battle Legends for the Turbo Duo in both it's larva and imago form. In Godzilla: Save the Earth, Battra could be summon via a particular powerup, similar to what Mothra did in the Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee. He is playable in both forms in the PlayStation 2 version of Godzilla: Unleashed as a Mutant. Battra is also playable in Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash only in his adult form. He can be bought for 15,000 store points in the PS2 version, but has the exact same abilities as Mothra except that he is stronger, his larva form shoots lightning rays and his imago form shoots his prism beams.

[edit] Cultural References

• Battra is also the name of a bird like charabom in Bomberman Jetters.

• Battra appeared in the novel Godzilla At World's End by Mark Cerasini. In the novel, Battra was one of six genetically engineered monsters created to destroy mankind. Battra was defeated by a juvenile Rodan off the coast of Peru and was thought to be dead. However, in the summary for Cerasini's last (and unpublished) novel, Godzilla and The Lost Continent, it's revealed that Battra did indeed survive and had taken up residence on the newly arisen continent of Mu. This version of Battra had no larval form (or at least none mentioned) and had no connection to Mothra, although a relationship with Megalon is suggested.
• Battras shrieks are identical to those of Rodan except sped up and more dark sounding.

• In episodes 25-26 of Tokyo Mew Mew, a Battra-like Chimera Anima 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. Dust Waiburn returns briefly in episode 49.

[edit] Trivia

• Rodan's roar (albeit enhanced) was utilized for Battra's roar.

[edit] Footnotes