The Giant Squid is an elusive, deep-ocean creature that doesn't come around too often. So when it does show up, it's kind of a big deal.

And it's back!

Well, it was back. Now it's dead.

A few days ago, Japanese fishermen snagged a Giant Squid off the coast of Niigata. It was 26-feet long, 360 pounds, and still alive. "I was surprised — there's no other word for it," one of the fisherman said. "We all started shouting 'giant squid, giant squid' all at once."

Here's footage of the fishermen hauling in their catch:

And some longer, slightly grosser coverage from Japanese news media:

It's the first Giant Squid event of the new year. On Jan. 27 last year, Discovery Channel aired the first footage of a living Giant Squid in its natural habitat. It was awesome. So here's that video, too. Because science.

Where will this slithery, slippery monster show up next?