You’re browsing through a bin of old kaiju DVDs or scrolling a retro streaming service and you see it: Gamera vs Monster X. If you’re a casual fan, you probably think, "Wait, didn’t Godzilla fight Monster X?" Or maybe you're confused because you thought Gamera’s 1970 opponent was a giant prehistoric lizard-pig thing called Jiger.
Honestly, you’re right on both counts.
The name "Monster X" is one of the biggest branding headaches in giant monster history. It’s not just a name; it’s a label that’s been slapped onto at least three different creatures across decades of Japanese cinema. But when we talk about the 1970 classic directed by Noriaki Yuasa, we’re talking about a very specific, very weird, and surprisingly dark chapter in the Gamera saga.
The Identity Crisis: Who is Monster X?
Let’s clear the air immediately. If you search for "Monster X" today, Google usually spits out the skeletal, multi-headed alien from Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). That is not the guy Gamera fought.
The Gamera vs Monster X you’re looking for is actually the American television title for the film originally known in Japan as Gamera tai Daimajū Jaigā, or Gamera vs. Jiger.
Why the name change? Marketing.
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Back in the 70s, American International Television (AITV) thought "Monster X" sounded way cooler and more mysterious than "Jiger." It’s a bit ironic because the original Japanese script by Niisan Takahashi actually used "Giant Demon Beast X" as a placeholder before they settled on Jiger. It’s like the translators found the rough draft and just ran with it.
The movie itself is the sixth entry in the Showa-era Gamera series. It’s a pivotal moment. By 1970, Daiei Film was struggling financially, but they managed to scrape together a 35 million yen budget—nearly double the previous film—to tie the movie into the upcoming Expo '70 in Osaka.
The Plot: A "Fantastic Voyage" Gone Wrong
The story starts on Wester Island. Archeologists, being the meddling humans they are, decide to remove an ancient statue called the Devil’s Whistle. The local islanders are screaming, "Don't do it! It's a curse!" but do the scientists listen? Of course not.
As soon as the statue is moved, a low-frequency hum stops, and Jiger (our Monster X) wakes up.
Jiger isn't your average "breath fire and stomp" kaiju. She’s a quadrupedal beast that looks like a cross between a boar and a triceratops, and she has one of the most brutal movesets in the entire genre. She doesn't just fight Gamera; she violates him.
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The fight moves to Osaka, specifically the Expo '70 grounds. This was a massive marketing deal. Daiei got to film on the actual Expo site, but with one condition: they weren't allowed to show any of the Expo buildings getting destroyed. It’s kinda funny watching the movie now—Jiger levels half of Osaka, but as soon as she steps near a pavilion, she suddenly becomes a very respectful tourist.
The Most Disturbing Scene in a Kids' Movie
In their first major clash, Jiger uses a stinger on her tail to stab Gamera in the neck. She doesn't just wound him; she implants a parasitic larva into his lungs.
Gamera turns a sickly, chalky white. He’s paralyzed. This is where the movie shifts from a standard monster brawl into a weird riff on Fantastic Voyage. Two kids, Hiroshi and Tommy, take a mini-sub and literally drive it into Gamera’s mouth, down his throat, and into his lungs to perform surgery.
They find the "Baby Jiger"—a slimy, translucent version of the mother—sucking Gamera’s blood. It’s gross. It’s arguably one of the most visceral concepts in the Showa era. The kids eventually realize the baby (and the mother) hates white noise, which they blast through their radio to kill the parasite.
Why This Movie Still Matters
Despite the "Monster X" confusion, this film represents the peak of the "Gamera is a Friend to All Children" era. It’s goofy, sure, but it has some surprisingly heavy themes.
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- Colonialism: The whole conflict is caused by Westerners stealing a cultural artifact from a Pacific island.
- Scientific Hubris: The "experts" ignore local warnings, and thousands die for the sake of a museum exhibit.
- Biology as Horror: The parasitic angle was way ahead of its time for a "kids' movie."
Jiger herself is a top-tier villain. She has Solid Saliva Missiles (she literally spits needles that pin Gamera’s limbs to his shell) and a Magnetum Ray that can turn humans into skeletons instantly. She’s a tank. She’s one of the few monsters that actually makes Gamera look like the underdog.
Actionable Insights for Kaiju Collectors
If you're looking to watch or buy Gamera vs Monster X today, here’s the lay of the land:
- Check the Title: On modern Blu-rays (like the excellent Arrow Video sets), it will be listed as Gamera vs. Jiger. Don't let that throw you off.
- The Dub vs. Sub Debate: The American International Television dub (where she's called Monster X) is nostalgic and campy. However, the original Japanese audio preserves the actual tension of the "Devil's Whistle" curse much better.
- The MST3K Version: If the movie feels too slow, Mystery Science Theater 3000 covered this one in Season 13 (2022). It’s a great way to experience the weirdness with a side of commentary.
- Avoid the "Final Wars" Mix-up: If you see a toy or poster with a skinny, black-and-silver bipedal alien, that’s the Godzilla Monster X. You want the four-legged, horned beast from 1970.
The legacy of this film is surprisingly long. Ryuta Tasaki, who directed Gamera the Brave in 2006, cited the "internal journey" into Gamera's body as a major inspiration. Even the recent Gamera: Rebirth on Netflix brought Jiger back, redesigning her as a genetically engineered culling machine.
Whether you call her Jiger or Monster X, she remains the only monster to ever give Gamera a literal chest infection. And honestly? That's a pretty legendary way to make an entrance.
To get the full experience, track down the Arrow Video Gamera: The Complete Collection. It features the 4K restoration of the film and includes the American "Monster X" title sequence as a bonus feature, giving you the best of both worlds.