Moguera

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Moguera (モゲラ, Mogera^?) is a daikaiju featured in two of Toho's science fiction films. The name is derived from mogura (土竜(もぐら, mogura^?) the Japanese word for mole.

[edit] The Mysterians

In the tokusatsu film The Mysterians, Moguera is a robot used by the alien Mysterians to assist in destroying humanity to make them bend to their will and supply them with a sufficient amount of land and women. It attacked a small village with its optic heat blasts, but was destroyed when the bridge it was standing on collapsed due to the military dynamiting it.

A second Moguera appeared as the Markalite beam cannons assaulted the Mysterians' base. This Moguera tried to destroy one of the Markalites by burrowing underneath it, but the weapon fell on top of it, crushing and destroying the short-lived second Moguera.

[edit] Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

A second incarnation, referred to by some fans and in Godzilla: Save the Earth as Moguera 2, appeared in Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, a U.N.-built mecha designed to fight Godzilla following the failure of G-Force's Mechagodzilla. For this film the designation MOGUERA was assigned the backronym "Mobile Operation Godzilla Universal Expert Robot Aero-Type".

MOGUERA has an expansive arsenal of weapons. The most heavily-utilized and standard weapon are the plasma laser cannons built into its eyes, which rapidly fire yellow plasma shots. A drill bit is located in the center of its face, which can be used for close range fighting. It's cone-shaped hands are capable of releasing blue energy beams, known as Autolasers. Furthermore, the hands can open up and launch Spiral Grenade missiles. Its chest secretly conceals a Plasma Maser cannon, a powerful energy weapon. It can fly through earth's atmosphere at Mach 1 and through space at Mach 44. It is also capable of moving on land via independent leg action, or with the treads built into its feet and legs.[1] MOGUERA is the aggregate form of two vehicles: Land Moguera, a tracked armoured fighting vehicle able to drill through the earth; and Star Falcon, a VTOL craft capable of space flight.

MOGUERA's first assignment was to intercept SpaceGodzilla, which was discovered on a course toward Earth. A battle ensued in the asteroid belt leaving MOGUERA seriously damaged, though able to return to Earth for repairs. It was during the repairs that it was fitted with the Spiral Grenade Missiles, and the Plasma Maser Cannon. Following the devastation caused by SpaceGodzilla, MOGUERA (under its new pilot Yuki Gondo) aligned itself with Godzilla to destroy the greater threat. It shattered SpaceGodzilla's shoulder crystals (thus preventing Spacegodzilla from absorbing power from crystals) but was damaged beyond repair during the battle; its remains were subsequently obliterated by Godzilla's red radioactive breath.

[edit] Other Appearances

• MOGUERA 2 appeared in the video game Godzilla: Save the Earth (2004, Xbox/Playstation 2). Moguera ranks as a mainly long-range combatant, possessing many weapon systems with which to keep away opponents. His defense and melee are poor, but if his dash is charged and released, he can use the drill on his face to repeatedly hit the opponent, doing much damage if the drill continually hits (it also knocks most monsters into the air and can juggle them; Kiryu will not be knocked off his feet and will receive even more damage). Moguera has his Plasma Eye Pulses, Maser System, Autoblasters and Spiral Grenade Missiles, and also generates electrical fields to stun opponents. His speed is top-notch and his upper body will always face the opponent even as he's moving about the field. Moguera recharges energy very slowly, he must go into "hibernation" mode to recharge quite quickly, leaving him vulnerable. Blocked beam attacks build charges for his Maser Cannon which he fires from his chest. Finally, he can double-jump to reach great heights or long distances.

• He is in Godzilla: Unleashed, and is on the Global Defense Force. He can be bought for 5,000 store points in the PS2 and Wii versions.

• He is also an unplayable character in Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash

• The 1988 Nintendo game Godzilla: Monster of Monsters, featured Moguera as an enemy, and is perhaps the first time Moguera and Godzilla are featured together.

• A robot named "Mongroun" that is very similar to, and most likely based on Moguera, appears in episode 48 of the anime Sonic X[2]. In the same episode a giant moth also appears, very similar to Mothra.

• Mecha Morgan is an alien invading cyborg that appears in the katamari games. It is about 100 meters tall, has a drill nose and hooked metal hands.

[edit] Original Design

The Original version of Moguera was much different. Instead of having the more familiar chicken shaped automaton, he was an organic, alien reptile. The idea was almost used, but the Effects Department figured it looked too much like their popular Godzilla. The creature was eventually redesigned into the mechanical beast fans know of today.

[edit] Trivia

• Moguera has been said by many fans to resemble Woody Woodpecker. (see Original Design)
• In Godzilla Unleashed, Moguera is able to speak a human language, making him the first Godzilla mecha to speak. However, he can only say his name, Moguera.

[edit] External links

• Barry's Temple of Godzilla
• Toho Kingdom
• Kaijuphile: Monster Site. Monster Obsession.
• Monster Zero News
• Sci-Fi Japan
• Godzilla Stomp
• The Godzilla Shrine
• Differences between the Mogeras