“ | And he asked him, 'What is thy name?' And he answered saying, 'My name is Legion, for we are many.' | „ |
~ A soldier, quoting Mark 5.9, naming the Legion as they swarm over Gamera. |
The Legion are an extraterrestrial race of silicon-based kaiju and the two main antagonists (alongside the Gyaos) of the Heisei Gamera trilogy.
They first appear as the titular main antagonists of Gamera 2: Advent of Legion and posthumously serve as the overarching antagonists of the 1999 sequel Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris.
They are group of insectoid aliens, arrived on Earth and tried to spread by cultivating giant plants. They started in downtown Sapporo but were stopped by Gamera, who destroyed their flower and killed some of them. The Mother Legion, the largest member of the group, moved to Sendai and successfully established another flower, defending it from Gamera. Gamera prevented the flower from launching its seed into space, but got injured and Sendai was destroyed. The Mother Legion and her soldiers then went to Tokyo to build a third flower, and the military was unable to stop them. Luckily, Gamera was revived and resumed his fight against the invaders in Tokyo. He had to use a dangerous ability that consumed Earth's energy to finally destroy the Mother Legion and put an end to their attack on the planet.
Biography[]
Gamera 2: Attack of Legion[]
The Symbiotic Legion descended upon Earth when a meteorite crashed near the city of Sapporo, causing a spectacle of mysterious lights in the sky. Furthermore, this extraterrestrial event led to a significant rise in the surrounding oxygen levels, altering the atmosphere. In their quest for survival and sustenance, two Soldier Legion ventured towards a nearby brewery where they utilized their extraordinary abilities to disintegrate the glass on beer bottles, absorbing the silicon within. As their numbers grew, the Legion eventually assembled in the depths of the Sapporo subway, launching a ferocious attack on an unsuspecting train, resulting in the brutal demise of multiple innocent passengers. Just as hope seemed to dwindle, salvation arrived in an unexpected form. Gamera, the legendary protector of Earth, emerged in the city, unleashing his formidable power of plasma fireballs upon the towering plant, swiftly reducing it to ash and embers. However, the victory was short-lived as a swarm of the relentless Soldier Legion seized the opportunity to attack Gamera, piercing through his impenetrable shell and drawing blood. Undeterred by the onslaught, the Legion's assault was abruptly halted as they were lured towards an electrical transformer nearby, meeting their demise through a fatal electrification. Gamera, wounded and in need of recovery, took flight to mend his injuries. Yet, amidst the ensuing chaos, an even greater threat presented itself. From the depths of the underground, the colossal Mother Legion emerged, dwarfing all in its path, commencing a desperate flight with the JSDF in relentless pursuit. Ultimately, the military forces managed to shoot down the formidable Mother Legion over the vast expanse of the ocean. However, despite their triumph, no physical remains were recovered, leaving behind only a solitary wing as a haunting reminder of the immense battle that had transpired. Within the depths of the underground tunnel, the Legion cunningly planted a colossal flower, which astonishingly grew at an accelerated pace, eventually breaking through the surface and captivating the attention of all who beheld its magnificence. Recognizing the imminent threat posed by this botanical monstrosity, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) devised a strategic plan involving the placement of C-4 charges on the plant's roots, with hopes that the detonation would trigger a catastrophic explosion, fueled by the oxygen-rich air, thus eradicating the menacing plant once and for all. Sadly, their meticulously planned explosion failed to achieve its desired outcome, leaving them perplexed and searching for alternative solutions.
Out of nowhere, the Symbiotic Legion along with their powerful queen made an unexpected appearance in the city of Sendai. This particular city was the site of a newly cultivated Legion Plant, which was feared to bring about unimaginable destruction through a catastrophic explosion. In a desperate attempt to save themselves, the citizens of Sendai hastily sought refuge by boarding helicopters at the city's airport, hoping to escape the impending doom. As the very last helicopter was preparing for takeoff, carrying Asagi Kusanagi amongst its passengers, the colossal Mother Legion emerged from the ground, determined to obliterate the fleeing aircraft. Fortunately, Gamera, the legendary protector, swooped in just in time, diverting the attention of the fearsome Mother Legion and allowing the helicopter to escape unscathed. However, Gamera himself suffered severe injuries as the Mother Legion unleashed her wrath upon him. Her horn pierced his chest, causing immense pain, and he was further harmed when she unleashed a powerful plasma beam that tore off his shoulder. Sensing that the Legion Plant was on the verge of releasing its deadly seeds, the Mother Legion decided to retreat, leaving behind a wounded Gamera within the blast radius. Time was of the essence, and with no other choice, Gamera valiantly approached the Legion Plant and sacrificed himself by positioning his body in front of it. His selfless act prevented the pod from being launched into space, thereby saving the universe from further devastation. However, this act of heroism came at a great cost, as the city of Sendai was annihilated, and it appeared that Gamera had perished in the process.
The Mother Legion and her swarm arrived in the Kanto region with the purpose of invading Tokyo and planting another flower. The J.S.D.F desperately attempted to stop the Legion's advance, but their weapons proved ineffective. In a miraculous turn of events, Gamera, revived by the Earth's Mana, flew to Ashikaga to confront the Mother Legion. Simultaneously, the Soldier Legion were enticed to an electrical plant, where they climbed onto the power lines. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the JSDF swiftly launched missiles, successfully eliminating all the stationary Legion. Gamera managed to remove the Mother Legion's horn, seemingly defeating her. However, the battle was far from over. Rising from the ground with blazing red eyes, the enraged Mother Legion unleashed a relentless assault on Gamera using the Red Rod, emitting deadly red energy strands from her head that tore through Gamera's skin, causing severe burns. With no other choice, Gamera absorbed an immense amount of the Earth's Mana and created a cavity in his chest, unleashing the Ultimate Plasma. The powerful beam collided with the Mother Legion, pushing her back as she attempted to withstand the attack. Ultimately, the blast overwhelmed the Mother Legion's protective shell, tearing through her body and causing a violent explosion. Nothing remained of her, effectively ending her species' ambitions of conquering Earth.
Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris[]
In the movie Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris, the Legion may not physically appear, but their impact is revealed through the Mother Legion's defeat by Gamera's Ultimate Plasma. This defeat leads to a depletion of Earth's Mana, which in turn allows the emergence of the film's secondary antagonists, the Hyper Gyaos, all around the globe. Asagi and Mayumi Nagamine speculate that the Legion were attracted to Earth, particularly Japan, due to the presence of abundant Mana. The intentions of the Legion towards Mana are unclear, as it is uncertain whether they viewed it as a threat, a source of power, or simply a sign of a planet capable of supporting their large colony.
Power and Abilities[]
- The Mother Legion possesses the ability to detect and identify electromagnetic waves spanning across a wide range of wavelengths.
- Legion possesses the remarkable ability to emit a concentrated stream of microwaves in the form of a blue beam, emanating from its nasal horn. Additionally, it can unleash a devastating force known as the Butte Legion, achieved by opening its horn. This formidable beam holds immense destructive capabilities, capable of obliterating entire manufacturing facilities with just a few strikes. Astonishingly, it can even puncture holes in the impenetrable shell of Gamera, leaving discernible cuts upon impact. Notably, when Gamera forcefully detached the upper section of Legion's horn, his hands suffered burns, indicating the incredibly high temperature at which Legion's shell is heated.
- Legion has the astonishing ability to generate an impressive quantity of up to 100 Symbiotic Legion Soldiers within a single hour, all originating from the red egg chamber that is situated on the abdomen of the Mother.
- The Tunneling Arms of the Legion have been specifically designed to fulfill the crucial function of serving as excavators, enabling the Legion to effectively and efficiently burrow beneath the surface of the ground.
- Mother Legion possesses legs with extremely sharp tips that have the remarkable ability to slice through a wide range of substances. These legs are so potent that they can effortlessly harm Gamera by penetrating his protective shell.
- The Mother Legion possesses a pair of legs equipped with sickles that are affixed to them. These legs not only enable the Mother Legion to launch attacks from beneath the ground, but they also offer a remarkable degree of flexibility and maneuverability.
- The Mother Legion is enveloped in a protective substance, resembling rigid silicon resin, that acts as insulation. This material is exceptionally tough, as it managed to withstand the powerful impact of the Mana Blast for several seconds without being damaged.
- The additional appendages with claws surrounding Mother Legion's head possess the remarkable ability to generate diverse electromagnetic waves. This unique feature enables them to effectively divert incoming missiles and nullify the destructive power of Gamera's fireballs. Nevertheless, it is important to note that if these clawed limbs sustain any damage, their capability to fully counter potent projectiles becomes compromised.
- The Mother Legion is equipped with the Nasal Horn and Interference Claws, which enable it to generate a powerful electromagnetic field that serves as a defense mechanism against Gamera's plasma fireballs. This electromagnetic field is specifically designed to neutralize and counteract the destructive effects of Gamera's attacks.
- In the event that the nasal horn of the Mother is damaged or forcefully removed, she possesses the extraordinary ability to generate crimson laser tendrils from the resulting injury. These laser tendrils possess a remarkable level of mobility and possess scorching temperatures, rendering them capable of effortlessly slicing through Gamera's sturdy shell.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The Mother Legion is a notable character in the Gamera series, marking the second female monster to make an appearance, with Jiger being the first. It is worth mentioning that had Gamera vs. Garasharp been released, she would have been the third female monster in the series.
- Barugon and Guiron were initially intended to be the next adversaries Gamera would face in the trilogy.
- The initial inspiration for Mother Legion's concept originated from the designs of Zigra and Guilala.
- When the Mother Legion is under attack, she undergoes a remarkable transformation, shedding her majestic wings and adopting a new, subterranean existence. This intriguing behavior bears a striking resemblance to the behavior of ant queens found in the natural world. These remarkable creatures, after taking flight just once in their entire lives to seek out a fresh habitat, courageously sever their wings upon successfully establishing a thriving colony.
- The Mother Legion is undoubtedly the most massive creature that Gamera has ever encountered in battle.
- In the Heisei Gamera series, the Mother Legion and her soldiers stand out as the only kaiju that hail from outer space, marking their extraterrestrial origin. On the other hand, the rest of the kaiju in the series, namely Gamera, Gyaos, and Iris, can be traced back to their Atlantean roots.
- There is a concept drawing for Orga's design that has a striking similarity to the Mother Legion, raising suspicions about its origins.
External links[]
- Legion on the Godzilla Wiki
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Gamera Villains | ||
Kaiju Heisei GAMERA -Rebirth- Humans Heisei GAMERA -Rebirth- Aliens |