Gigantron

Biography

Gigantron (ジャイガントロン, Jaigantoron) is a flying kaiju who first debuted in Ultraman: Rising. She is the mother of Emi, and after their separation was forcibly mechanized into the fearsome Mecha Gigantron, a tool of the Kaiju Defense Force.

Subtitles:

Gigantron: Queen of All Kaiju^[1]
Mecha Gigantron: Mechanical Dragon^[2]

Conception

Design

According to Tindle, Gigantron's design incorporates the essence of a European dragon (such as the Maleficent dragon from Disney's Sleeping Beauty)^[3], but its fundamental structure was still inspired by King Ghidorah.^[4]

In the art department's detailed breakdown on how to create Gigantron, animation visual developer Nacho Molina categorized it into six main types, including normal state, inner design, translucent skin, bioluminescent patterns, and abyss form.^[5]

The inner design is based on the skeletal structure and organs, allowing animators to gain a deep understanding of Gigantron's internal structure. These skeletal structures share similarities with T-REX, elephants, reptiles, birds, and humans, and are inspired by a blend of classic kaiju anatomy illustrations and real animals. Based on these bones and organs, an "X-ray bones" rendering was also created to help animators understand the flow of energy from the chest to the mouth. This allows the audience to see parts of the bones and body outlines. Reference designs included X-ray images of birds, as they look particularly terrifying.^[5]

On top of the X-ray, animators wanted some parts of the body to present a tile-like color. The skin becomes translucent or transparent depending on the area, allowing viewers to see the skeletal structure from the previous step. Certain parts of Gigantron's body would also glow, revealing some patterns on her body.^[5]

When Gigantron releases an energy blast, she takes on the "abyss form." The so-called "abyss form" is a combination of translucent skin, X-ray bones, and bioluminescent patterns. To achieve the translucent effect and final look, the production team drew inspiration from some abyssal fish and creatures.^[5]

Nacho Molina Gigantron 2 — Concept art by Nacho Molina.^[5]

Once Gigantron's Abyss form was approved, concept designer Nacho Molina created a proof-of-concept illustration showing the specific moment in the film where this form would be used. However, the team quickly realized that considering the short screen time of the Abyss form, achieving this scene would require a significant amount of time and resources. For the overall benefit of the film, different solutions needed to be considered.

Ultimately, the concept of the Abyss form was applied to the creature's bioluminescent form and the visual aspect of Emi's egg.^[6]

History

Ultraman: Rising

20 years ago, Gigantron was the main instigator of a kaiju incident which drove a wedge in the relationship between Ken Sato and his father, and is implied to have been responsible for the death of Dr. Onda's wife and daughter that same night.

In the present day, Gigantron was first seen pursuing KDF gunships, which had abducted her egg, into the Tokyo skyline, inadvertently interrupting Ken's first match in Japan. As Ultraman, Ken attempted to fight off Gigantron but struggled against her Chemiluminescent Blast, giving the kaiju a window of opportunity to snatch back her offspring before turning to the skies. With the KDF out for the kill, Gigantron attempted to flee and maneuvered past the gunfire. Unfortunately, she could not avoid the explosive ordnance and got caught up in the blast, diving headfirst into the sea. With one last look at her unhatched offspring, Gigantron fell unconscious as it succumbed to its injuries.

Later, Gigantron was transported to a secret location and refitted with mechanical parts so that she would do the bidding of the KDF under Project Surrogate led by Dr. Onda. As Mecha Gigantron, it approached the Sato's mansion to lure out Emi, its newborn child, who led it in the direction of Kaiju Island. Fortunately, Ultraman stepped in to save the day, engaging in battle against what he presumed to be a fake recreation of Emi's mother. After Dr. Onda ordered a missile attack and Emi was struck, an enraged Ultraman dealt his biggest blows against the mecha, and would have ended its life if not for the revelation that it was Gigantron under all the armor.

Shocked, Ultraman took a step back as Emi tried to communicate with her mother. While still under Dr. Onda's directives, Mecha Gigantron took this moment of vulnerability to seize and defeat Ultraman. Fortunately, the timely intervention of Ultradad gave Emi a chance to break her mother out of the KDF's control, returning Gigantron back to her senses. The two then joined Ultraman and Ultradad in the climatic fight against the Destroyer.

In the epilogue, she is seen alongside Emi, Ken, and Professor Sato, as the newfound family headed to Kaiju Island.^{Ultraman: Rising}

Trivia

According to Shannon Tindle's AMA question, Gigantron does not actually lay eggs on Kaiju Island. In an early draft that was not used in the film, it was described that the KDF discovered their nest, leading to the theft of Gigantron's egg.^[7]
In the design process of Gigantron and Emi, Shannon Tindle initially created Emi and then envisioned Gigantron based on how he imagined Emi would look as she grew older. He drew inspiration from the stages of transformation in the life cycle of a bird, from chick to adult.^[8]
Gigantron’s roar is different in the trailer than in the film. It was reused from the Toho kaiju, Megalon.
Concept art of Gigantron's internal anatomy used cutaway illustrations of Telesdon, King Ghidorah, Anguirus and Gamera as reference (see below).

Data

Gigantron (Baby)

Main article: Emi

Stats^[9]^[10]

Height: 8 m
Weight: 12,000 t (but she's growing bigger every day)
Origin: Kaiju Island

Powers and Weapons

Sonic Tantrum (ソニックタントラム, Sonikku Tantoramu)^[9]^[10]: A sonic beam imbued with energy, seen used once when Emi threw a tantrum for the first time.
Chemiluminescent Blast (ケミルミネセントプラスト, Kemirumisento Burasuto): A pinkish energy beam similar to her mother's Chemiluminescent Blast, which destroyed KDF drones and melted through reinforced glass with ease.
Echolocation: By emitting sound waves, Emi can echolocate her prey, find her way back to Kaiju Island, or communicate with her mother.
Color Shifting: Through some form of metachrosis, Emi's skin involuntarily changes color, as seen during her first encounter with Ultraman where she mimicked his Color Timer.
Extraordinary Jumper: Emi can jump to extraordinary heights and distances for her size and age.
Cocoon: Emi creates a cocoon/pupa around herself to advance in her life cycle. The first time she went through this, she emerged mostly the same, but with wings.
Flight: Emi was instinctively able to fly shortly after she gained her wings.

Gigantron

1
2

U-Rising Gigantron Suit Render — Live-Action Suit

Stats^[9]^[11]

Height: 41 m
Weight: 55,000 t
Origin: Kaiju Island

Powers and Weapons

Chemiluminescent Blast (ケミルミネセントプラスト, Kemirumisento Burasuto)^[9]^[11]: A powerful energy beam fired from Gigantron's mouth. It has a pinkish hue.
Echolocation: Like her daughter, Gigantron can emit sounds to locate or communicate.
Flight: Gigantron can fly with her wings.

Mecha Gigantron

Stats^[12]

Height: 42 m
Weight: 70,000 t
Origin: Kaiju Defense Force
Weakness: Mecha Gigantron is simply Gigantron covered in a mechanical armor, and thus the kaiju can be freed from the mecha system's control if Emi continues to communicate with her.

Powers and Weapons

Mechluminescent Blast (メキルミネセントプラスト, Mekirumisento Burasuto)^[12]: A powerful energy beam fired from Mecha Gigantron's mouth. Unlike the original, it has a greenish hue.
Missiles: The missiles loaded in Mecha Gigantron's chest compartment can be remotely deployed on the KDF's command.