Kaiju

Kaiju
壊獣「かいじゅう」 (Kaijū)
"Radian" and "Gameciel" in the artwork of "Kaiju Capture Mission".
Other names
Simplified Chinese	坏兽
French	Kaiju
German	Kaiju
Italian	Kaiju
Korean	파괴수 破壞獸 (Hanja) Pagoesu (romanized) Translation: Destruction Beast
Portuguese	Kaiju
Spanish	Kaiju
Sets
Sets	Structure Deck: Soulburner
Sets	Structure Deck: Soulburner
TCG Sets	Clash of Rebellions Dimension of Chaos Breakers of Shadow Shining Victories OTS Tournament Pack 2 2016 Mega-Tin Mega Pack OTS Tournament Pack 4 OTS Tournament Pack 5 Structure Deck: Mechanized Madness 2020 Tin of Lost Memories Brothers of Legend Structure Deck: Albaz Strike Speed Duel GX: Midterm Paradox Structure Deck: Beware of Traptrix Battles of Legend: Chapter 1
TCG Sets	Clash of Rebellions Dimension of Chaos Breakers of Shadow Shining Victories OTS Tournament Pack 2 2016 Mega-Tin Mega Pack OTS Tournament Pack 4 OTS Tournament Pack 5 Structure Deck: Mechanized Madness 2020 Tin of Lost Memories Brothers of Legend Structure Deck: Albaz Strike Speed Duel GX: Midterm Paradox Structure Deck: Beware of Traptrix Battles of Legend: Chapter 1
OCG Sets	Extra Pack 2016 Rarity Collection Premium Gold Edition Structure Deck R: Machiners Command Structure Deck: Sacred Beasts of Chaos Structure Deck: Alba Strike Structure Deck: Forest of the Traptrix Structure Deck: Forest of the Traptrix - The Legend of Duelist Quarter Century Edition TACTICAL-TRY DECK Doomsday Assault Dragon: Cyber Dragon
OCG Sets	Extra Pack 2016 Rarity Collection Premium Gold Edition Structure Deck R: Machiners Command Structure Deck: Sacred Beasts of Chaos Structure Deck: Alba Strike Structure Deck: Forest of the Traptrix Structure Deck: Forest of the Traptrix - The Legend of Duelist Quarter Century Edition TACTICAL-TRY DECK Doomsday Assault Dragon: Cyber Dragon
Asian-English-Only Sets	Structure Deck: Salamangreat Sanctum Transcend Power-Up Pack Tournament Pack 2024 Vol.3 Essential Selection 01
Asian-English-Only Sets	Structure Deck: Salamangreat Sanctum Transcend Power-Up Pack Tournament Pack 2024 Vol.3 Essential Selection 01
Appearances
Anime appearances	Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
Anime appearances	Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
Lists
Members Support Anti-support
Members Support Anti-support

"Kaiju" (壊 (かい) 獣 (じゅう) Kaijū) is an archetype of high-Level monsters with various Attributes and Types (primarily LIGHT & Machine) introduced in Clash of Rebellions. It is one of two TCG-exclusive archetypes that premiered in that set, the other being the "Kozmo" archetype.

The archetype has become infamous for its ability to provide cheap and generic monster removal while bypassing almost any protection the target may have. However, due to Master Rule 4, Kaiju monsters cannot get rid of monsters in the Extra Monster Zone if that player's Main Monster Zone is full.

Design

Appearance

Each "Kaiju" monster is based on a monster from different kaiju franchises, such as Godzilla, Ultraman, Pacific Rim and Gamera. Their Field Spell represents a common setting for the movies, while the other Spell/Trap Cards seem to be common scenes in these movies.

Etymology

Kaiju is a Japanese term meaning "strange beast" or "monster", frequently used to describe giant monsters from movies. However, the Japanese archetype name is a pun, as it is written as 「壊獣」 instead of 「怪獣」 , with a Kanji for "destruction" replacing the one for "strange". This pun isn't visible in TCG languages; in Korean, the pun doesn't work either, and the name simply translates to "destruction beast".

Members

Monster	Origin
Dogoran, the Mad Flame Kaiju	Burning Godzilla; named after Dogora
Gadarla, the Mystery Dust Kaiju	Mothra/Megaguirus
Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju	Gamera
Jizukiru, the Star Destroying Kaiju	Legion
Kumongous, the Sticky String Kaiju	Kumonga
Radian, the Multidimensional Kaiju	Dark Lugiel; named after Rodan
Super Anti-Kaiju War Machine Mecha-Dogoran	MechaGodzilla/Kiryu
Super Anti-Kaiju War Machine Mecha-Thunder-King	Mecha-King Ghidorah
Thunder King, the Lightningstrike Kaiju	King Ghidorah; named after Eleking

Support

Card	Origin
Interrupted Kaiju Slumber	Breach
Kaiju Capture Mission	G-Force
The Kaiju Files
Kyoutou Waterfront	Kyoto/Tokyo, Japan

Playing style

Each member with the exception of "Mecha-Dogoran", can Tribute an opponent's monster to Summon it to their side of the field, similar to "Volcanic Queen" or "Lava Golem", and can be Special Summoned from the hand if the opponent controls a "Kaiju" monster, most likely symbolizing the obsession these monsters have with fighting each other in movies. "Kyoutou Waterfront" is a very important card to the archetype as it both provides Kaiju Counters to use the "Kaiju" monsters' effects and searches those monsters from the Deck. Numerous Normal Spell Cards, such as "Upstart Goblin", are recommended to put Kaiju Counters on "Waterfront" and increase consistency. The "Ninja" engine is also very helpful as of Clash of Rebellions, as it helps to Summon the few monsters in the archetype with ease, while also putting counters on "Waterfront" with cards such as "Reinforcement of the Army" and the "Ninjitsu Transformation" cards.

A very useful card to add to this archetype is "Neo-Spacian Grand Mole". If a monster your opponent controls that is owned by you is returned to the hand, it returns to your hand, not your opponent's. Therefore, you can Tribute an opponent's monster to Summon a Kaiju to their field, then Summon a Kaiju to your field, and Normal Summon Grand Mole. Attack the enemy Kaiju with Grand Mole and return both to your hand, then either attack another opponent's monster or attack directly. This combination essentially allows you to Summon a massive, powerful beatstick for free, and Tribute an opponent's monster (thereby getting around any anti-destruction or targeting effects it has too) in the process.

"Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer" is another card with high utility. He can be summoned easily with "Summoner Monk" and any of several Level 4 staples ("Electromagnetic Turtle", "Planet Pathfinder", etc.), and his first effect can be used to flip Kaijus you control face-down in order to summon more, plus he has additional utility in a tricky situation to get rid of a problematic card.

Recommended cards

Monsters

Effect Monsters

• Dogoran, the Mad Flame Kaiju
• Gadarla, the Mystery Dust Kaiju
• Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju
• Jizukiru, the Star Destroying Kaiju
• Kumongous, the Sticky String Kaiju
• Radian, the Multidimensional Kaiju
• Super Anti-Kaiju War Machine Mecha-Dogoran
• Super Anti-Kaiju War Machine Mecha-Thunder-King
• Thunder King, the Lightningstrike Kaiju
• Armored Bee
• Cardcar D
• Fairy Tail - Luna
• KA-2 Des Scissors
• Master's Diploman
• Neo-Spacian Grand Mole
• Nibiru, the Primal Being
• Planet Pathfinder
• The Atmosphere

Spirit monsters

• Hebo, Lord of the River

Ritual Monsters

• Relinquished

Extra Deck

Fusion Monsters

• Millennium-Eyes Restrict
• Thousand-Eyes Restrict

Xyz Monsters

• Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer
• Number 38: Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy

Link Monsters

• Relinquished Anima
• Security Dragon

Spells & Traps

Spells

• Interrupted Kaiju Slumber
• Kyoutou Waterfront
• The Kaiju Files
• Creature Swap
• Instant Fusion
• Magic Planter
• Moon Mirror Shield
• Murmur of the Forest
• Owner's Seal
• Rebellion
• Relinquished Fusion
• Terraforming
• Trade-In
• Upstart Goblin

Traps

• Kaiju Capture Mission
• Legacy of Yata-Garasu
• Nightmare Archfiends
• Remove Brainwashing

Cyber Dragon Kaiju

"Kaiju" monsters can also work around "Cyber Dragon" decks dedicated to "Cyber Dragon Infinity" due to the fact that they are Special Summoned in Attack Position via their own effects, and can therefore be taken back as Xyz Material for "Cyber Dragon Infinity" immediately, therefore getting over an opponent's monster that would otherwise be immune to targeting (such as "Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon" or certain "Kozmo" monsters), or avoiding their negation effects (such as those of "Shooting Quasar Dragon", "Stardust Sifr Divine Dragon", and "Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon"). This tactic will cause also the last effect of "Shooting Quasar Dragon" to miss its timing, preventing your opponent from negating the effect "Cyber Dragon Infinity" with "Quasar" or Special Summoning "Shooting Star Dragon" after it is tributed.

"Jizukiru, the Star Destroying Kaiju" can also be used in conjunction with "Chimeratech Fortress Dragon" if you control "Cyber Dragon" or any of the monsters that have their name treated as "Cyber Dragon" while face-up on the field to get rid of an opponent's monster, then immediately be used as Fusion Material for "Chimeratech Fortress Dragon". "Chimeratech Fortress Dragon" can then be used with a Level 8 "Kaiju" monster to Xyz Summon "Number 38: Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy", "Divine Dragon Knight Felgrand", or any other Rank 8 Xyz Monster you wish.

"Cyber Repair Plant" can not only search your "Cyber Dragon" monsters, "Electromagnetic Turtle", or "Galaxy Soldier", but "Jizukiru, the Star Destroying Kaiju" as well.

Recommended Cards

Monsters

Effect Monsters

• Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju
• Gadarla, the Mystery Dust Kaiju
• Jizukiru, the Star Destroying Kaiju
• Thunder King, the Lightningstrike Kaiju
• Cyber Dragon
• Cyber Dragon Drei
• Cyber Dragon Core
• Cyber Dragon Zwei
• Electromagnetic Turtle
• Swift Scarecrow
• Galaxy Soldier

Extra Deck

Fusion Monsters

• Barbaroid, the Ultimate Battle Machine / Cyber End Dragon / Cyber Twin Dragon (use with the last effect of "Cyber Dragon Nova")
• Chimeratech Fortress Dragon
• Chimeratech Rampage Dragon
• Chimeratech Overdragon
• Panzer Dragon / Pair Cycroid

Xyz Monsters

• Cyber Dragon Nova
• Cyber Dragon Infinity
• Constellar Pleiades
• Number 61: Volcasaurus
• Gaia Dragon, the Thunder Charger
• Number 38: Hope Harbinger Dragon Titanic Galaxy
• Divine Dragon Knight Felgrand

Spells & Traps

Spells

• Interrupted Kaiju Slumber
• Galaxy Expedition
• Cyber Repair Plant
• Power Bond
• Foolish Burial
• Limiter Removal
• Overload Fusion
• Twin Twisters / Cosmic Cyclone
• Instant Fusion

Traps

• Royal Decree / Trap Stun
• Threatening Roar
• Solemn Strike
• Solemn Warning

Graydle Kaiju

The "Kaiju" monsters hybridize well with the "Graydle" archetype, as the "Graydle" monsters focus on taking control of the opponent's monsters, allowing the "Kaiju" monsters to be used as quick spot removal and then reclaimed. The effect of "Graydle Dragon" can also revive "Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju" from the Graveyard when it is destroyed. Due to the heavy use of the "Graydles", which will often be used to take control of more than just "Kaiju", "Owner's Seal" and "Remove Brainwashing" are more detrimental than helpful. The "Graydle" monsters also give access to Level 8 Synchro Monsters and Rank 3 and 8 Xyz Monsters (the latter through use of overlaying both Level 8 Synchros and "Kaiju".)

Recommended Cards

Monsters

Effect Monsters

• Dogoran, the Mad Flame Kaiju
• Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju
• Gadarla, the Mystery Dust Kaiju
• Jizukiru, the Star Destroying Kaiju
• Kumongous, the Sticky String Kaiju
• Radian, the Multidimensional Kaiju
• Super Anti-Kaiju War Machine Mecha-Dogoran
• Thunder King, the Lightningstrike Kaiju
• Graydle Slime
• Graydle Alligator
• Graydle Cobra
• Graydle Eagle
• Cardcar D
• Lava Golem
• Planet Pathfinder
• Santa Claws
• Volcanic Queen

Extra Deck

Synchro Monsters

• Graydle Dragon
• Level 8 Synchro Monsters

Xyz Monsters

• Rank 8 Xyz Monsters
• Number 47: Nightmare Shark

Spells & Traps

Spells

• Interrupted Kaiju Slumber
• Kyoutou Waterfront
• The Kaiju Files
• Graydle Impact
• Creature Swap
• Kaiser Colosseum
• Terraforming
• Magic Planter
• Trade-In
• Upstart Goblin (for adding Kaiju Counters)

Traps

• Kaiju Capture Mission
• Graydle Parasite
• Graydle Split
• Oasis of Dragon Souls
• Jar of Greed / Legacy of Yata-Garasu / Reckless Greed (for adding Kaiju Counters)

Weaknesses

• This Deck focuses entirely on Special Summoning "Kaiju" monsters in order to win, so cards that disable or counter Special Summoning, like "Fossil Dyna Pachycephalo" or "Black Horn of Heaven", can greatly hinder this Deck.
  • "Fog King" and "Mask of Restrict" can also be used to hinder the Summons of "Kaiju" monsters, as their Special Summons require Tributes of the opponent's monsters. However, these cards cannot prevent "Interrupted Kaiju Slumber" from being used.

• "Kyoutou Waterfront" is a key element of the Deck, as it can search out "Kaiju" monsters from the Deck once it has 3 or more Kaiju Counters (which can be easily accumulated in most situations). It can be difficult to eliminate, as it can also remove 1 Kaiju Counter from itself to prevent its destruction. However, Decks that are capable of Rank 4 Xyz Summons can use "Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer" to dispatch it with ease. An alternate option is "Spiritualism", which can avoid negation by the effect of "Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju".
  • "Gate Blocker" can also be somewhat effective, as its effect will negate "Kyoutou Waterfront" and remove its counters as a result. While it may use up one's Normal Summon and be vulnerable in Attack Position, it also has some merit against the "Kaiju-Graydle" hybrid Deck by drawing the effects of "Graydle" monsters to itself.
  • "Cursed Seal of the Forbidden Spell" and "Prohibition" can disable "Kyoutou Waterfront" near-permanently. "Spell Vanishing" is another option, although some "Kaiju" players will use cards that recover Spells from their Graveyard to counter attempts to destroy their Field Spell.
  • Another option is to use a card effect to banish cards that would normally be sent to the Graveyard (for instance, "Banisher of the Light", "Macro Cosmos", or the Pendulum effect of "Amorphage Goliath"). This will prevent "Kyoutou Waterfront" from accumulating Kaiju Counters, as well as limit the "Kaiju" player's ability to use the second effect of "Interrupted Kaiju Slumber" to search their Deck for more "Kaiju" monsters.

• As all of the "Kaiju" monsters are high-Level monsters, cards like "Gravity Bind" and "Level Limit - Area B" can easily prevent them from attacking.
  • Since each player can only control 1 "Kaiju" monster at a time, cards like "Scrap-Iron Scarecrow" can be effective at stopping their attacks. However, these options can still be countered with the effects of "Radian, the Multidimensional Kaiju" and "Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju".

• "Kaiju" monsters can activate their effects by using Kaiju Counters from anywhere on the field, so your opponent can easily use their effects against you (although "Kaiju Capture Mission" can hinder them by forcing the "Kaiju" into face-down Defense Position before its effect can resolve).
  • In general, careful thought must be made when deciding which "Kaiju" monster you're going to give to the opponent - always make sure that you have a way to retake it or destroy it before your opponent can use it against you.