Jet Jaguar
A robot built by inventors, turned giant monster ally.
Jet Jaguar is a humanoid-shaped robot that appears in the 1973 Japanese kaiju film Godzilla vs. Megalon. Created by inventor Goro Ibuki, his little brother Rokuro, and their friend Hiroshi Jinkawa, Jet Jaguar is initially built as a small robot but later grows to gigantic proportions to fight monsters. The character originated from a contest held by Toho for children, with the winning design submitted by an elementary school student.
- first_appearance
- Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
- creator
- Goro Ibuki, Rokuro Ibuki, and Hiroshi Jinkawa (in-universe); designed by an elementary school student (real-world contest winner)
- field
- Kaiju film character
- nationality
- Japanese (film origin)
- known_for
- Guiding Megalon, later aiding Godzilla; growing to giant size; shaking hands with Godzilla
Lore & Background
Jet Jaguar was constructed by Goro Ibuki, his brother Rokuro, and their friend Hiroshi Jinkawa. Seatopian agents attempted to steal the robot to use it as a guide for their monster Megalon. The agents succeeded in taking control of Jet Jaguar, using it to direct Megalon's attack on Tokyo. However, the inventors escaped and regained control via a secondary system, sending Jet Jaguar to Monster Island to summon Godzilla.
Reader's Guide
Jet Jaguar's significance lies in its origin as the result of a children's contest, making it a unique fan-created element in the Godzilla franchise. The robot initially serves as a tool for the Seatopians but later acts independently, growing to giant size to fight Megalon before Godzilla arrives. Its role in the film contributes to the campy and comedic tone that Western audiences often associate with kaiju films. Jet Jaguar's popularity was revived after the film appeared on Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1991, cementing its status as a memorable, if unconventional, character in the series.
Did You Know?
- Jet Jaguar was created from a design submitted by an elementary school student in a Toho contest.
- The original design, called Red Arone, was white; the suit was colored red, blue, and yellow, upsetting the child.
- Jet Jaguar grows to gigantic proportions during the film to fight Megalon and later shakes hands with Godzilla.
- The character was originally intended to guide Megalon but was reprogrammed to summon Godzilla instead.
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