Zugugan

Zugugan (ズグガン)^[1][2][3] are a species of insect kaiju who first appeared in the twentieth episode of Ultraman Blazar.

Subtitle: Subterranean Insectile Kaiju (地底甲獣, Chitei Kōjū)^[1][2][3]

Conception

Design

Zugugan was designed by Masayuki Gotoh.

History

Ultraman Blazar

The Zugugan colony once lived deep underground but approached the surface in search of richer soil, sapping from and destroying the fertile fields of Nakahoshi in the process. When Teruaki returned to his hometown, he and his father Shogo ventured into the neighboring woods in search of clues, only to stumble upon a strange cave in the mountains. The chirping in the air began to worsen, and they were suddenly attacked by an insectile creature! The two fled and managed to find cover, but were soon ambushed by a swarm of these creatures, and were almost devoured alive if not for the timely intervention of the SKaRD.

By blasting a hole into the mountain, the SKaRD devised a tactic to wipe out the colony from the inside. Earth Garon descended into the nest and proceeded with pest control, but the gigantic queen Zugugan emerged from beneath and drove Earth Garon out from its nest, using its mucus to immobilize the mecha shortly after. As the kaiju approached the village, Gento transformed into Ultraman Blazar and engaged Zugugan, but he was soon incapacitated by the kaiju's mucus and pushed to the ground.

Meanwhile, Teruaki and Anri approached the core of the nest and discovered a large egg housing the colony's larvae. As the chirping intensified and more Zugugan larvae were deposited to take care of the intruders, Teruaki realized that the Zugugan's cries acted as a warning signal to the rest of the colony. His quick-thinking in weaponizing their cries gave Blazar the opportunity to free himself and transform into his Firdran Armor to finish off the queen Zugugan using the Tilsofird Enryusha, as Teruaki exterminated the colony with a large explosive, putting an end to the Zugugan threat in Nakahoshi.^{Night of Insects Chirping}

More young Zugugan were seen following Varallon's arrival on Earth, joining Demaaga, its young, and the other Earth monsters in eating the space monster's organic bombs, thus preventing them from exploding and allowing Ultraman Blazar to defeat Varallon. ^{The Ones Who Embrace the Earth}

Trivia

• Suit actor: Hiroyuki Arai
• Zugugan is the last kaiju from the Ultraman Blazar premiere event to make its appearance in the show.

Ultraman Blazar The Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown

Zugugan will reappear in the movie.^{Ultraman Blazar The Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown}

Data

Merchandise

• Zugugan (2023)
  • Release Date: December 2, 2023
  • Price: 700 yen
  • JAN/ISBN: 4570118001337
  • Materials: PVC

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

• Zugugan (Adult ver.) (2024)
  • Release Date: February 23, 2024
  • Price: 700 yen
  • JAN/ISBN: 4570118148216
  • Materials: PVC

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

Gallery

Ultraman Blazar

Ultraman Blazar The Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown

Miscellaneous

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} https://m-78.jp/character/blazar-20-1/
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} https://m-78.jp/character/blazar-20-2/
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} https://cocreco.kodansha.co.jp/telemaga/news/feature/blazar/QK1Lb