”Not just a monster.” Anyone who watched Godzilla vs. Hedorah must have felt that way. That one-of-a-kind existence, Hedorah, has been resurrected as a 55th Anniversary Version in the “Toho Large Monster Series.” Commemorating the 55th anniversary of its release in 2026, the coloring for this figure has been re-examined and a brighter tone has been adopted, based on the fierce daytime battle scene that unfolded at Tagonoura. A different expression from Hedorah's previous “darkness” or “eerie quality” emerges, and it distinctively recreates a more screen-accurate sense of presence.

What is particularly striking about this figure is the light-up gimmick in both eyes. If you insert two AA batteries (sold separately) into the power unit, an eerie light is emitted from its eyes, just like in the film. With the addition of glowing red eyes to the already imposing 28cm mass, it creates a unique sense of tension that seems capable of changing the very atmosphere of the room. If you look at it in a dark room, what appears is no longer a “decoration,” but a presence akin to a living organism. The creepiness that makes you involuntarily flinch when your eyes meet is also part of this figure's appeal.

The origin of the monster Hedorah is extremely unique. It has a backstory of a mineral-based life form arriving from space and undergoing abnormal evolution upon contact with Earth's polluted environment, and its growth process is full of a biological realism that transcends the boundaries of a mere monster. Originally a microorganism resembling a tadpole, it grew enormous by continuously absorbing sludge and toxic substances from Suruga Bay, and furthermore gained new weapons such as the ability to fly, sulfuric acid mist, and beam attacks. Such a process can be clearly felt from the figure's imposing form and unique texture. One is simply amazed by the precision of the sculpting, which even gives off a “sludge-like” feel, as if it might be slimy to the touch.

This figure, standing approximately 28cm tall, conveys the “meaning” of Hedorah's existence in a three-dimensional way, beyond just its large scale. This monster, which embodies the theme of global environmental pollution, is an existence that seems to question the viewer. Its overwhelming power and growth, which even put Godzilla to a struggle, are a metaphor for the environmental problems created by humanity itself. The brighter coloring this time successfully maintains a balance, gently wrapping around such a heavy theme without losing its essence.