King Kong

Immense Demon God

A massive gorilla-like kaiju originating from America, which has faced off against Godzilla. It appears in various film series and anime, often depicted as the guardian deity of Skull Island.

Quotes

  • Kong... are you... a god?
  • He's not just a monster, he's a guardian deity.
  • I am the king here.
  • Nobody knows what you’re capable of.
  • I am the king of this island.

Trivia

  • The original King Kong was made with stop-motion puppet animation using a wooden skeleton and rabbit fur.
  • Toho's Kong was the first King Kong portrayed with a suit.
  • MonsterVerse Kong is a highly intelligent kaiju capable of conversing with sign language.
  • In 1962's "King Kong vs. Godzilla," it's the only King Kong with electric discharge ability.
  • "King Kong Escapes" depicts him larger than a gorilla but mild-tempered.
  • Peter Jackson version features Andy Serkis' motion capture performance.

Alternate names

Kong Giant Power Monster Demon God of the South Seas King of Gorillas

Tags

King Kong Godzilla series Kaiju Toho Kaiju MonsterVerse Suitmation Tokusatsu Giant Gorilla Foreign film

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Profile

Species
Giant Primate
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
Appears as a giant gorilla or ape-like creature, depicted as quadrupedal or bipedal depending on the work. Fur is brown, black, or sometimes white. Toho version has a Japanese macaque-like face, while MonsterVerse version is more ape-man-like bipedal.
Height
Approx. 5.4m (1933 original Skull Island) / Approx. 7.2m (1933 original New York) / 45m (Toho "King Kong vs. Godzilla" 1962) / 20m (Toho "King Kong Escapes" 1967) / 16.8m (John Guillermin version 1976) / Approx. 7.5m (Peter Jackson version 2005) / 31.6m (juvenile) to 103m (adult) (MonsterVerse series)
Weight
Approx. 25,000 tons (Toho "King Kong vs. Godzilla") / Approx. 10,000 tons (Toho "King Kong Escapes") / 70,000-80,000 tons (MonsterVerse version)
Hair color
Brown / black / white / unknown
Distinguishing features
  • Immense arm strength
  • Japanese macaque-like face (Toho version)
  • Electrified physiology (Toho version)
  • Ape-man-like form when bipedal (MonsterVerse)
Iconic items
  • Giant wooden axe (MonsterVerse)
  • Chains (New York incident related)
  • Giant balloon (during Toho transport)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Brave
Detailed personality
Basically revered as a guardian deity by natives, mild-tempered with a strong sense of justice, but becomes aggressive when stimulated or in danger. MonsterVerse version has high intelligence, uses tools, and communicates with sign language.
Keywords
  • Brave
  • Intelligent
  • Mild-tempered
  • Protective
  • Independent
  • Short-tempered
Motto
Protect the weak and maintain the balance of nature.
Talents
  • Exceptional arm strength
  • Combat skills
  • Adaptation to natural environments
  • Electrification ability (Toho version)
  • High intelligence and planning (MonsterVerse)
Skills
  • Knuckle-walking
  • Bipedal walking
  • Tool use (MonsterVerse)
  • Setting traps
  • Hunting techniques
Motivation
Protecting territory and loved ones, rescuing those dear.
Habits
Especially gentle when protecting females, launches fierce attacks when angry.
Favorite places
Skull Island, Mondo Island, Faro Island, Hollow Earth (MonsterVerse)
Favorite foods
Plant-based foods (herbivorous) (some depictions), Dinosaur and other animal meat (carnivorous scenes exist)
Favorite colors
Brown, Black
Disliked situations
Capture or restraint, Hypnosis, Enemies threatening the species

History

Backstory
A giant primate inhabiting Skull Island, Mondo Island, Faro Island, etc., in the South Pacific's Infant Island area, revered as a guardian deity by natives. In many series, offered actresses or women as sacrifices, leading to bonds. Often captured in modern times, causing incidents in New York. In MonsterVerse, depicted as the last survivor of its species, apex predator of Skull Island's ecosystem.
Debut date
March 7, 1933
Work title
King Kong (1933 film)
Media type
Movie

First appearance

Significant event
First appearance
Description
First appeared in the 1933 film "King Kong," depicted as a giant primate monster.

King Kong vs. Godzilla

Significant event
King Kong vs. Godzilla
Description
First faced Godzilla in Toho's 1962 film. Enlarged and given electric discharge ability.

King Kong Escapes

Significant event
King Kong Escapes
Description
Toho's 1967 film. Portrayed as mild-tempered and highly intelligent. Battles Mechani-Kong.

MonsterVerse series debut

Significant event
MonsterVerse series debut
Description
From 2017, depicted with modern CG and motion capture, establishing Kong's image in contemporary kaiju films.

Relationships

Little Kong

Child

Small Kong considered son or descendant. Appears in Toho series.

Lady Kong

Spouse

Appears in Toho "King Kong 2." Revived Kong via blood transfusion, becomes his partner.

Ann Darrow

Best friend

In 1933 version, offered as sacrifice, woman who bonds emotionally with Kong.

Mason Weaver

Ally

Female journalist who bonds with him in MonsterVerse.

Jia

Ally

Deaf girl who bonds with him in "Godzilla vs. Kong."

Iwi tribe

Iwi tribe: guardian

Skull Island natives

Skull Island natives: protector

Monarch organization

Monarch organization: captured-subject

Media appearances

King Kong (1933 film)

Movie / Protagonist

Released 1933

King Kong vs. Godzilla

Movie / Protagonist

Released 1962

King Kong Escapes

Movie / Protagonist

Released 1967

King Kong (anime)

Anime / Protagonist

Aired 1966

King Kong (1976 film)

Movie / Protagonist

Released 1976

King Kong 2

Movie / Protagonist

Released 1986

King Kong (2005 film)

Movie / Protagonist

Released 2005

Kong: Skull Island

Movie / Protagonist

Released 2017

Godzilla vs. Kong

Movie / Protagonist

Released 2021

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Movie / Protagonist

Scheduled for 2024 release

Voice cast and creators

Masakazu Hirose

Voice actor
Masakazu Hirose
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Toho "King Kong vs. Godzilla" "King Kong Escapes"

Haruo Nakajima

Voice actor
Haruo Nakajima
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Toho version

Peter Cullen

Voice actor
Peter Cullen
Language
English
Version or series
1976 film

Andy Serkis

Voice actor
Andy Serkis
Language
English
Version or series
2005 film (motion capture)

Terry Notary

Voice actor
Terry Notary
Language
English
Version or series
MonsterVerse series motion capture

Edgar Wallace (original concept)

Creator name
Edgar Wallace (original concept)
Role
Original author

Willis O'Brien (initial design)

Creator name
Willis O'Brien (initial design)
Role
Character designer

Toho special effects team

Creator name
Toho special effects team
Role
Animation studio

RKO / Toho / Universal / Legendary et al.

Creator name
RKO / Toho / Universal / Legendary et al.
Role
Licensee

Related goods

King Kong Action Figure

Item name
King Kong Action Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

King Kong Suit Replica

Item name
King Kong Suit Replica
Category
Apparel
Availability
Limited

King Kong Plush

Item name
King Kong Plush
Category
Plush or doll
Availability
Regular

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