NAME: 
Gomora (ゴモラ)
FIRST APPEARS IN:
The Prince of Monsters, Part 1
DESIGN FEATURES:
– a triceratops-like head
– a whopping great big tail
– dead, soulless eyes (standard for most Ultraman monsters)
SKILLS:
– a taste for vengeance
– destroying beloved buildings
– getting aforementioned tail blown off
– managing to keep the attention of Ultraman viewers for two consecutive episodes
MONSTER SOUNDS:
Gomora is an extremely popular member of the Ultraman family. He would go on to appear in many Ultraman series after his appearance in the original series. Watching the excellent two-part story of “The Prince of Monsters”, it’s not hard to see where Gomora’s popularity comes from. The original Ultraman series has its low points, but thankfully episodes like “The Prince of Monsters” two-parter makes up for that and truly injects some needed energy into the series. Appearing to have a much higher budget than usual, the crew behind Ultraman really went all out of Gomora’s debut.
Gomora awakes
One of the things I love about Gomora’s episodes in the original series is his ridiculous King Kong-esque back story. Here is an outline from the fantastic Ultraman wiki:
Professor Nakatani, aided by Science Patrol member Arashi (acting as his guard), goes on a scientific expedition to the Johnson Islands. They discover that the legendary monster Gomora is still alive, and Nakatani decides to bring the still-living monster to a museum for the World’s Fair. The Science Patrol agrees to do this task, despite the utter lack of logic and danger of bringing a living monster to a largely populated city. Before the monster attacks them, Arashi tranquilizes the monster with the UNG Dart, and the Patrol airlifts the monster via nets with the Jet VTOL. However, the monster awakes an hour early due to atmospheric changes between the island and the mainland and struggles to the point where the VTOL’s have to release the nets, thus causing the monster to fall two kilometers to the ground. Enraged, Gomora goes on a rampage on Mount Rokkô (where he landed), and Ultraman, who comes to the rescue, is unable to stop the monster, and is beaten, much to everyone’s shock.
Gomora and Ultraman tussle
Despite his role as the antagonist, from the beginning, we’re on Gomora’s side. The poor lug is kidnapped, taken from his home and tossed in a big city – Osaka – by the heroes. Osaka deserves what it gets, I say! From a purely nerdified point-of-view, it’s pretty bad-ass to witness Ultraman having the living fuck beaten out of him by the infuriated Gomora. Ultraman episodes from the original series generally end with Ultraman giving a terribly one-sided beat-down to the episode’s antagonistic kaijū. Not in “The Prince of Monsters”. Gomora destroys Ultraman at the end of the story’s first part and Ultraman only manages to scrape through with a victory in the story’s conclusion after Gomora’s tail is blown off by the Science Patrol. Gomora certainly brings some sorely lacking competition to the table.
Gomora fucks up Osaka
Some Ultraman episodes are woefully low on action and destruction – not these two episodes. Easily the most impressive part of Gomora’s two-part story is the amazing sets and their relentless destruction. Gomora is allowed to truly fuck up Osaka. He smashes the living hell out of buildings left, right and centre. It’s wonderful to see. But it’s not only the budget that makes Gomora’s destruction a joy to behold, it’s his raging fury and spite that give these scenes an extra punch. The Science Patrol and other characters in the episode make a really big deal about protecting their beloved Osaka Castle. Many times it is mentioned that if Gomora destroys it, the city will lose its pride. You would assume with such a big deal being made that the building would survive. Nope:
Amazing, amazing stuff. Thanks Gomora! Sadly, Ultraman, of course, manages to get the upper-hand in the concluding episode’s finale. The tailless Gomora is viciously torn to shreds by Ultraman in what is a more violent than usual battle. But happily, Gomora would return many times to come! Gomora – certainly deserving of his fame.
