The New Titan Reveal: How Godzilla & Kong's GxK Team-Up Finally Makes Sense

The Threat of Skar King and Shimo

There needs to be a massive Titan threat in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire in order to justify Godzilla and Kong teaming up, and the latest Titan reveal for the Monsterverse does just that. The first teaser for Godzilla x Kong revealed the existence of the new ape foe now known as Skar King, and since then, many have theorized what could make him such a colossal threat to bring Godzilla and Kong together. The question seems to have been answered by a recent toy leak, which revealed a brand-new Titan that could be an even greater threat than Skar King himself.

Godzilla x Kong The New Empire Villain Skulls

A Reddit post on the main Godzilla Reddit thread revealed a photo of a small figurine from Jada Toys of a Titan named 'Shimo'. Shimo appears to be a dragon-like Titan, and has a body shape and style very similar to Godzilla. The predominant theory is that Shimo will side with Skar King in some way, either as an ally or, more likely, as a Titan under Skar King's control. That could be the key to Godzilla and Kong's titanic team-up, and further justify upgrades like Godzilla's new pink atomic power.

An angry ape-like monster stairs ahead menacingly in a Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire teaser.

Two big Titan villains would require both Godzilla and Kong to defeat. The end of Godzilla vs. Kong saw the two titular Titans team up briefly to take down Mechagodzilla, and for good reason. A robotic Godzilla with the power of the Hollow Earth and Ghidorah's affinity for global destruction is certainly a significant enough threat to bring the two rivals together. Skar King, however, is another ape, and even if he's larger, faster and stronger than Kong, he stands little chance against Godzilla's claws and atomic breath. Godzilla defeated Kong one-on-one, so another ape Titan simply doesn't seem like a large enough threat to justify Godzilla needing Kong's assistance given his status as Alpha Titan and King of the Monsters.

Godzilla prepares his pink atomic breath in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

The Role of Shimo and Skar King

However, if Skar King has a dragon Titan on his side, Godzilla would almost certainly need backup. The predominant theory is that Shimo, whose name means 'frost' in Japanese, is an ice-spitting dragon, and he could keep Godzilla busy enough on his own. Two villainous Titans working toward a common goal is the perfect reason for Godzilla and Kong to team up once again, especially if Shimo and Skar King have power and abilities that rival Godzilla and Kong's. Director Adam Wingard has teased an 8-minute Titan battle, which would likely feature all four Titans duking it out for control of the planet.

Skar King from Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

It would undermine Godzilla and Kong's reputations if he could defeat them alone. Godzilla's role as King of the Monsters has always been central to his character, and the Monsterverse leaned into it by making him the planet's Alpha Titan. Kong has also historically worn the title of 'King' ever since his first appearance in the 1930s. If Skar King were to be able to defeat not only Godzilla but Kong as well, then the reputation of both monsters would suffer. For this reason, it's important that Skar King has Titan allies to back him up and do his bidding.

A mysterious, ape-like figure with glowing eyes sits atop a throne surrounded by bones in a Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire teaser.

Implications for Godzilla and Kong's Reputations

The Godzilla x Kong trailer reveals an entire civilization of ape Titans in the Hollow Earth, and Skar King is most likely their ruler. It stands to reason that, like these apes, Shimo is under the control of Skar King somehow. It's entirely possible that Skar King is not actually a physical threat to Godzilla and Kong; rather, he could be the mastermind behind an entire army of Titans that surrender to his will. A set-up like that would not only justify Godzilla and Kong teaming up in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, it would preserve their well-established reputations as the planet's top Titans moving forward.

Kong's yellow gauntlet from the Godzilla x Kong trailer