Godzilla: Who Are The Xiliens?

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Godzilla: Who Are The Xiliens?

As a longtime fan of the Godzilla franchise, I have to say that the Xiliens are one of my favorite alien races in these iconic movies. Their first appearance in Invasion of Astro-Monster was a game changer for me – it was the perfect blend of science fiction and suspense, with a dash of unexpected twist at the end. The Xiliens‘ return in Godzilla: Final Wars was equally exciting, albeit with a more modern twist that perfectly captured the spirit of the 2000s.

In the realm of Godzilla films, it’s clear that the colossal monsters, or kaiju, take center stage. Watching The Magnificent Monster Godzilla collaborate with or battle other titanic creatures is a thrill that filmmakers have been striving to surpass since their inception. Yet, the kaiju are not the only intriguing figures in the Godzilla universe. There are also various alien species. The M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens, reminiscent of a psychedelic Franz Kafka trip on acid, are a terrifying race of enormous cockroaches who occupy deceased human bodies and don bright orange suits. Given the era was the 1970s, this is not surprising. The Simians, space-dwelling apes, appear to be inspired by Planet of the Apes. Lastly, there’s the Kilaaks, a glittery slug race that may seem feminine at first glance but are actually from another planet. Each of these aliens brings their unique charm to the franchise, but none are as beloved as those originating near Jupiter.

Back in 1965, I first encountered the Xiliens in the movie “Invasion of Astro-Monster,” where they appeared as humanoid beings with a unique style – all-black outfits, thin glasses, and antennae perched atop their heads. Fast forward to television with “Godzilla Island” and the 2004 film “Godzilla: Final Wars,” and they sported a more futuristic look reminiscent of the Matrix series. The world of science fiction fashion is always evolving! Over the years, they’ve graced various manga stories, video games, and even found their way into action figures. But what’s the tale behind these aliens, and why have they become a fan favorite?

They Come Under the Guise of Peace

Godzilla: Who Are The Xiliens?

The Xiliens’ First Appearance

1965’s “Astro-Monster” tells a tale where two earthly astronauts arrive on Planet X and converse with its ruler, the Controller of Planet X. The Controller shares their predicament: their planet has been devastated by Monster Zero, also recognized as King Ghidorah on Earth, forcing them to dwell underground. To vanquish King Ghidorah, they seek aid from Godzilla and Rodan, who had previously triumphed over the three-headed monster. In exchange for this assistance, they pledge to bestow upon Earth a remedy for cancer (or, in the English version, a cure for all diseases).

It transpired that the Xiliens were feigning peace, and in reality, they aimed to subjugate Earth. They had manipulated King Ghidorah, and it appeared they also controlled Godzilla and Rodan. Given this situation, their objective of conquering Earth seemed imminent. However, the Xiliens didn’t foresee that humans would fight back, or that we would discover a sound frequency capable of disrupting their control over these monsters.

The Xiliens’ Return To Earth

In Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), the Xiliens return to Earth, disguising themselves as peaceful entities. However, they secretly command several monsters known as kaiju, supposedly to protect Earth from them. They deceive humanity by warning of an impending collision with a rogue asteroid named Gorath, claiming that only through an alliance with the Xiliens and their advanced weaponry can Earth be preserved.

As Earth continues to blissfully tread towards potential conquest, a discord arises among the Xilien leadership. The Controller, eager for immediate dominance, advocates for a direct assault, while the Commander prefers a more covert approach. Tragically, the Controller slays the Commander and assumes command. In an audacious move, he summons Keizer Ghidorah to combat Godzilla, revealing his true identity as a Keizer – a hybrid of Xiliens and humans. Ultimately, an energy exchange from Keizer Ghidorah to Godzilla thwarts another Xilien attack on Earth.

The Xiliens Want to Plunder Earth & Humanity for Resources

Godzilla: Who Are The Xiliens?

As a gamer, I ponder over an intriguing scenario from the movie “Invasion of Astro-Monster.” This technologically advanced alien race, the Xiliens, aren’t hoarding gold like Scrooge McDuck, but rather they’re in a desperate hunt for water. They even seem to panic when their water-gathering process gets disrupted during King Ghidorah’s initial assault. It’s an interesting twist on the usual “aliens want our resources” trope.

In the film “Godzilla: Final Wars,” the motivations of the Xiliens are downright unsettling, given that they envision humans as livestock to be exploited for their mitochondria. This movie, symbolic of the 2000s with its use of Sum 41’s “We’re All to Blame,” presents one of the worst possible first encounters imaginable.

The Xiliens’ Humanoid Appearance Masks Their True Forms

Godzilla: Who Are The Xiliens?

Previously mentioned, the Godzilla aliens generally take on a humanoid shape, but upon closer examination, they are distinctly alien. In their initial introduction, it wasn’t apparent that the Xiliens possessed another form. However, the fact that all the women among them looked identical raised some unsettling similarities. Although the Xiliens in Godzilla: Final Wars appeared mostly human, they were unable to blink, suggesting a deeper alien nature. When a Xilien is slain, their body transforms, revealing their true form: gray-skinned reptilians with no discernible eyes, which could account for the difficulty in blinking while disguised as humans.

The Xiliens, in their two major film appearances, have proven to be a fun and memorable alien race. Although they have shown up in other media, such as the cute puppet Lei Lei in Godziban, perhaps it’s time for the formidable Xiliens to grace the big screen again. After all, if nothing else, it would be fun to see what the peak of sci-fi fashion looks like in the 2020s.

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2024-08-23 17:05