Saigo

Saigo (サイゴ) is a Kaiju from Ultraman. A giant monster native to Planet Q, he was observed fighting another giant denizen of the planet, Keylla. He was later destroyed by the SSSP after he attempted to attack them.

Subtitle: Sand Abyss Monster (砂地獄怪獣, Suna Jigoku Kaijū)

Conception

Etymology

Saigo's name is derived from the Japanese word saigo (最後), variously translated as "final" or "the last", reflecting his original placement in the series as the final monster that Ultraman would battle. As a result of this etymology, Saigo's name is related to the Japanese word saiko (最高), which has a similar meaning, instead referring to something's quality as "the greatest" of its kind, again connecting to the monster's original intended use of being the strongest of the original Ultraman's roster of monsters.

History

Ultraman

An alien creature that inhabited Planet Q, Saigo was first seen in combat with Keylla. The two were battling as the SSSP arrived to watch. The battle seemed evenly matched, after Saigo blasted Keylla with his sand attack; however, he was blinded by Keylla's blinding flashes and sent into retreat.

Not long after, Saigo emerged from the ground as the Science Patrol got their vehicle stuck. The monster sought to destroy the invaders to its home, but the forces fought back hard, unloading everything that they had at the beast. Saigo was covered in dry ice and its body shattered to pieces.

Trivia

• Suit actor: Eichi Matsushima
• Saigo reuses several sped-up roars uttered by Godzilla in the film Godzilla Raids Again. These roars would later be reused for Kingstron and Sphinx.
• Saigo was going to originally be the final monster who would defeat Ultraman in battle, while Zetton was a "warm-up" enemy. The two were switched as the producers thought that Zetton had a better design and so made him Ultraman's final enemy, while Saigo was demoted to an "extra".
  • Considering this, it would explain why Zetton has the title of Space Dinosaur, which is something that Saigo resembles.
  • Saigo shares a few design features with Zetton, including the blocky appendages on the face and several bumps on the back.
• Saigo, alongside Keylla, also appeared in the television drama Naite Tamaruka episode 76, "Oh, Kaiju Japan’s No.1 Actor". Footage of their fight from Ultraman was reused, as well as new scenes.

Data

Stats

• Height: 45 m
• Weight: 40,000 t
• Origin: Planet Q

Powers and Weapons

• Sand Attack: Saigo can fire a concentrated blast of sand from his jaws.
• Burrowing: Saigo can burrow at moderate speeds.

Merchandise

Gallery