





The ShodaiGhido (初代ギド, ShodaiGido?) is the King Ghidorah suit design used in the 1964, 1965, 1968, and 1972 Godzilla films, Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, Invasion of Astro-Monster, Destroy All Monsters, and Godzilla vs. Gigan.

It was also used in the 1973 television series, Zone Fighter.





Contents show]

Name

In Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, the ShodaiGhido's name comes from shodai (初代?), meaning first generation, and Ghido, which comes from King Ghidorah's name.

In Invasion of Astro-Monster, the DaisensoGhido's name comes from the film's Japanese title, specifically daisensō (大戦争?), meaning great war, and Ghido, which comes from King Ghidorah's name.

In Destroy All Monsters, the SoshingekiGhido's name comes from the film's Japanese title, specifically sōshingeki (総進撃?), and Ghido, which comes from King Ghidorah's name.

In Godzilla vs. Gigan, the GiganGhido's name comes from another kaiju's name, Gigan (ガイガン, Gaigan?), and Ghido, which comes from King Ghidorah's name.

Detail

Originally, before production of Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, this suit had purple scales and rainbow-colored detail on the wings, but later on, the entire body is recolored into a gold color. The heads of this suit has two curved horns on both sides with a crescent in the middle and a mane on each one, much like the appearance of a Chinese or Japanese Dragon. The actor is inside the middle head, and would hunch over, holding a pole, with the necks and heads being controlled by wires.

In Godzilla vs. Gigan, a stiff prop was used for scenes when King Ghidorah flew. This prop had red eyes and its wings and necks were fixed in place, giving King Ghidorah the bizzare appearance of hovering in the air.

The suit is also called DaisensoGhido in Invasion of Astro-Monster, SoshingekiGhido in Destroy All Monsters, and GiganGhido in Godzilla vs. Gigan.

Trivia

The ShodaiGhido was portrayed by a different suit actor in every one of the Godzilla films it appeared in.

The ShodaiGhido the only King Ghidorah design that was used in more than one film.

List of appearances

Films