Shagong

Shagong (シャゴン, Shagon)^[1][2][3] is a species of underground Kaiju which first appeared in Ultraman Arc episode 1.

Subtitle: Armored Shell Kaiju (鎧甲殻獣, Yoroi Kōkakujū)^[1][2][3]

Conception

Design

Shagong was designed by Toshimi Sakamoto.^[4] Shagong is said to bear a striking resemblance to turtles due to its extendable neck and hard shell.^[5]

Director Takanori Tsujimoto stated that he intended for Shagong to evoke the atmosphere of Showa-era kaiju. He also referenced Shako Monster from Space Sheriff Gavan as a point of inspiration. Tsujimoto aimed to give Shagong's upper body a sense of mass and weight. Since the creature's chest was considered a vulnerable point, the design incorporated a frontal armor configuration, with the entire face styled to resemble a shield.^[6]

According to Sakamoto, the name "Shagong" was decided from the start, with the only request being that the kaiju look hard and tough. It didn't need to be based strictly on a mantis or a shrimp—instead, the design combined features from various creatures. Besides crustaceans, it also included elements from insects and reptiles, like trilobite and lizard. The goal was to avoid making it look too much like any real-life animal, and instead create a mysterious lifeform that felt unreal.^[6]

Because Shagong was conceived as a subterranean kaiju, small spikes were added across its body, inspired by the metal surface structures of tunnel boring machine drill heads. Although the shape of the creature's back is unique, it was not based on any particular object. Rather, it was designed to establish a distinctive and easily recognizable silhouette. The numerous protruding holes on Shagong's head were intended to serve as nostrils, allowing the creature to breathe even when buried underground. At Tsujimoto's request, a "sequential lighting" effect was incorporated into the design, resulting in light-emitting elements on both sides of the head.^[6]

As for Shagong's coloration, the initial design sketches proposed a reddish-brown shell, a grayish-black body with the texture of rubber tires, and a blue underside. However, the final suit produced by LSS featured a pinkish shell and a dark blue body. Tsujimoto later noted that the colors appeared too vibrant and requested that the overall tone be darkened. As a result, the final palette was adjusted to a more subdued style, drawing inspiration from the muted tones of Gokinezura.^[6]

History

Ultraman Arc

A well-documented species of carnivorous cave-dwelling Kaiju native to Japan, Shagong typically live in groups under the surface and only emerge to lay their eggs during the spring season, where their voracious appetite prompts them to attack people and livestock. One such Shagong was parasitized by an Oo-ze, forcing it to ingest calcium carbonate found in limestones and supplying the parasitic organism with nutritional energy, enough for it to rapidly grow in size.

In search of more food, the Shagong emerged from Mt. Shishio and headed towards Hayama Chemical Industries, where more calcium carbonate could be found. When the GDF arrived to stop it, Shagong had already grown to an astounding height, and began to release Oo-ze that had proliferated within its body. Seeing that the situation was getting out of hand, Yuma Hize transformed into Ultraman Arc to fight the Kaiju.

The two giants exchanged blows, with Shagong using its acid spray and blinding flash to catch Arc off-guard. At first, it appeared that Shagong had the upper hand as it unleashed a barrage of energy slashes to bring down Arc from the skies. However, the Ultra countered with his barrier, and eventually managed to subdue the Kaiju by targeting its weak spot, the luminous organ on its chest. Momentarily stunned, Shagong was eventually defeated by Arc's Arc Finalize.^{Arc to the Future}

Later, a group of Shagongs would appear from beneath the land where the Akebono Inn stood, revealing themselves to be the cause of the tremors happening in the area. While two of the Shagong fought Arc together, the third repeatedly tried to grab hold of SKIP and the staff at the Inn in an effort to eat them. Arc was able to defeat the first Shagong with little trouble, but the second was stronger, and prevented him from reaching the Inn to stop the third from continuing to menace the humans. However, with the assistance of Alien Croco, who knocked the third down using his spaceship, Arc was able to defeat the second with his Solis Armor and Arc Eye Sword. As the third got back up, Arc stared the Kaiju down and spared it, allowing the monster to leave with its life. ^{Welcome to the Akebono Inn}

Alongside Leodo, Livyjira, Digelos, Zadime and Givas, Shagong was one of the monsters conjured in a dream created by Guilebaku in an effort to convince Yuma that everything he had experienced for the past 16 years was just a dream. ^{The Descending Dream}

Trivia

• Suit actor: Hiroyuki Arai
• In one of the "Ask TsuPi!" columns posted to X (formerly Twitter), the navigator TsuPi warns that though Shagong may seem cute like a turtle, its ferocity and temper are like that of a bear, to which TsuPi dubs it the "bear of the Kaiju".^[5]
• Shagong is the first monster spared by Ultraman Arc.

Ultraman Arc The Movie: The Clash of Light and Evil

As the first test issued by Sascal to Yuma, a Shagong appeared in the foothills of Mt. Akiyoshi and attacked local residents and livestock several times, and escaped through the ground after destroying them. After GDF received the information, the SKIP team quickly rushed to the area to investigate.

Mukawa, a local resident, was worried that the kaiju Mugon would be attacked by humans, so he urged it to run away as soon as possible. But then Shagong appears and attacks Mugon over a territorial dispute. Although Mugon fights back, the second Shagong also joins the battle, creating a two-on-one situation.

At the critical moment, Arc appears and turns the battle into a two-on-two situation. As the situation became more and more unfavorable for the Shagongs, the Shagongs combined their efforts to perform a spinning joint attack called the "Shagong Bomb." Despite its incredible power, it was still no match for Arc's Luna Armor and Mugon's coordinated attack, and was eventually defeated.^{Ultraman Arc The Movie: The Clash of Light and Evil}

Data

Stats

• Height: 5 ~ 54 m^[2][3] (listed as 5 ~ 50 m on SKIP's files)
• Weight: 3 ~ 47,000 t^[2][3] (listed as 3 ~ 48,000 t on SKIP's files)
• Origin: Underground
• Weakness: The luminous organ on its chest, when struck, deals great pain to Shagong.

Powers and Weapons

• Extendable Neck: Shagong is able to stretch out its neck.
• Carapace: Shagong's outer shell is strong enough to withstand conventional weaponry and physical attacks from Ultraman Arc.
• Shagong Acid^[1] (シャゴンアシッド, Shagon Ashiddo)^[3]: A strong liquid acid sprayed from the nozzle-like organ within its mouth. It is thought to be an evolutionary feature developed to dissolve cave rock and iron underground.
• Cutter Beam (カッタービーム, Kattā Bīmu): A continuous barrage of purple crescent-shaped energy slashes fired from the back of its carapace.
• Shagong Flash (シャゴンフラッシュ, Shagon Furasshu)^[1]: A blinding light emitted from the luminous organs on its shell.
• Shagong Spark (シャゴンスパーク, Shagon Supāku)^[1]: A series of lightning bolts unleashed from the luminous organs on its shell.

Merchandise

Ultra Monster Series (2016)

• Shagong (2024)
  • Release Date: July 6, 2024
  • Price: 800 yen
  • JAN/ISBN: 4570118242426
  • Materials: PVC

Ultra Monster Series (2016) Shagong is a small soft vinyl figure with 2 points of articulation at its arms.

Gallery

Ultraman Arc

Miscellaneous

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} https://tsuburaya-prod.com/encyclopedia/shagong
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} https://m-78.jp/character/arc-1/
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} https://cocreco.kodansha.co.jp/telemaga/news/feature/arc/n8msK
4. ↑ https://x.com/NichimaruDenki/status/1809394986645135609
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} https://x.com/TsuburayaGlobal/status/1822437747203662279
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3} Figure King No.325, pg 44-45