Mothra (モスラ Mosura) is a giant divine moth kaiju created by Toho that first appeared in the 1961 serialized novel The Luminous Fairies and Mothra, which was adapted the same year by Toho into the film Mothra. Mothra made her first appearance alongside Godzilla in the 1964 Godzilla film, Mothra vs. Godzilla.
Name[]
The name "Mothra" is the suffixation of "-ra" (a common last syllable in kaiju names) to "moth." Since the Japanese language does not have dental fricatives, it is approximated "Mosura" in Japanese. Originally, Mothra's name was approximated in English as "Mosla," but it was later corrected to "Mothra" by the time of the release of her debut film. In the American dubbing and various posters for Mothra vs. Godzilla, Mothra is also referred to as "The Thing." She is among Toho's most popular characters, primarily among female fans, and she has appeared in every Godzilla film era. Toho even honored Mothra with the title "Queen of Monsters" for the soundtrack and home video releases of Rebirth of Mothra, illustrating her proximity in status to Godzilla himself.
Origins[]
Mothra is an incarnation of a Japanese goddess. Being part of an unknown monotheistic religion of some region of Japan, and even there are records that their religion had spread from the east to the west, but with different versions. The legend said that the Goddess would one day reach the world of mortals in the form of a huge moth, which would protect the world from the evils that lurk and ruin this world. And it would prevent the awakening of his evil brother, Battra.
She is also accompanied by two fairies, known as the Shobijin, who are responsible for translating everything that Mothra says to humanity and other terrestrial creatures.
Personality[]
Despite having wrought destruction worthy of any kaiju, Mothra is almost always portrayed as a kind and benevolent creature, causing destruction only when acting as protector to her worshipers on Infant Island or to her egg, or as collateral damage while protecting Earth from a greater threat. Mothra is usually accompanied by two tiny priestesses or fairies (often called Shobijin—Japanese for "small beauties") who also speak for her.