The Ultimate Clash: Unveiling Kong's Original Rival in the MonsterVerse

Warning: Spoilers for Skull Island episode 8

In the latest episode of Skull Island, a new Titan is introduced as a hidden challenger to Kong in the MonsterVerse. The new Netflix anime, which is part of the official canon, adds significant value to Legendary's franchise. Despite being set in the past and probably having no impact on Kong's future, it provides important insights into the history of Skull Island and Kong's origins.

The MonsterVerse Has A Second Squid Titan On Skull Island

The series primarily focused on the personal narratives of a small group of individuals who found themselves stranded on Skull Island. Initially, Kong served as a mysterious and colossal presence lingering in the background. However, as season 1 drew to a close, Kong began to receive significant attention. Through a combination of flashbacks showcasing his past and the events that unfolded throughout the series, a captivating new chapter in Kong's life within the MonsterVerse unraveled. This development also introduced a formidable adversary for Kong, setting the stage for his eventual clash with Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Kong. Here's a detailed exploration of this newly embraced Titan within the MonsterVerse and how it intertwines with Kong's overarching story.

Skull Island's latest massive creature is currently without an official name. Referred to as "the squid" in the series, showrunner Brian Duffield has nicknamed the imposing monster "the Kraken" due to its resemblance to the legendary sea creature [via Twitter]. It's important to note, however, that this Kraken should not be confused with the Kraken mentioned in the Godzilla: King of the Monsters novelization. The particular Titan, as revealed in the MonsterVerse tie-in comic, Godzilla: Dominion, is actually a distinct beast known as Na Kika.

Skull Island's newest Titan remained concealed for most of the season, keeping his body submerged while using his tentacles to menace Kong and the show's main characters. However, it was evident from the start that they were confronting a cephalopod monster, reminiscent of the one Kong fought in Kong: Skull Island.

Surprisingly, Kong had not one, but two cephalopod adversaries in the MonsterVerse. In Kong: Skull Island, he battled a colossal squid. The opening credits of Godzilla vs. Kong confirmed that it was indeed a Titan. This new creature shares similarities with the squid but is portrayed as a far greater threat. It possesses distinct abilities and physical traits like its beak and claws, setting it apart from ordinary squids. While the creature in Kong: Skull Island was essentially a Titan-sized squid, Skull Island's Kraken is a fully-fledged sea monster with squid-like characteristics.

The Kraken’s Powers & Abilities Explained

The Kraken, a formidable force in the MonsterVerse, surpasses even Kong in size. Its tentacles are massive, capable of effortlessly lifting Kong and posing a major threat. These tentacles extend far onto land, endangering those exploring Skull Island. The Kraken can snatch unsuspecting humans or tear helicopters from the sky with ease. In addition, its tentacles release a deadly venom. But the Kraken doesn't stop there—it possesses electrical powers as well. It can unleash bursts of electrical energy through its tentacles, shocking its adversaries. Utilizing this power while gripping Kong intensified the challenge for Kong to overcome.

The Kraken Wanted To Become The Skull Island Alpha

The Kraken's ultimate goal in the MonsterVerse was discovered to be dethroning Kong as the alpha Titan of Skull Island. Kong has held this position for many years, but the Kraken was determined to become the dominant predator by openly provoking Kong through attacks on a human village under his protection. The Kraken unintentionally caused the death of a young woman who had a strong emotional connection with Kong, making it clear that his primary motivation was to anger Kong. It seemed that he had been hoping for Kong to retaliate, as theorized by the characters on the show.

However, Kong resisted the urge to fight back. The humans believed that this was because Kong knew that the Kraken would have the advantage if they battled in the ocean. Similarly, the Kraken refrained from attacking Kong on land because of his inability to come ashore. As a result, the two giants remained locked in a standoff for an unspecified amount of time. Kong and the Kraken have been adversaries for years, possibly even decades, unable to act on their mutual animosity.

Godzilla and Kong had been locked in a stalemate until Godzilla vs. Kong. However, their rivalry took on a distinct nature. The conflict between Godzilla and Kong stemmed from the ancestral history and their inherent desire to establish dominance. In essence, their battle relied more on instinct and less on any substantial animosity towards each other. Conversely, Kong's confrontation with the Kraken was deeply personal. Due to the village girl, he harbored valid motives for seeking vengeance against the sea monster.

The Kraken Is Dead In The MonsterVerse (But Is There Another One?)

Thanks to the meticulous planning of Skull Island’s protagonists, the squid Titan has been vanquished in the MonsterVerse. Recognizing that their departure from the island was impossible as long as the Titan roamed, they ingeniously enticed Kong into the water, instigating a showdown between the two adversaries. Initially, the Kraken held the advantage, but Kong persevered and ultimately annihilated the creature during the exhilarating finale of Skull Island season 1. Tearing it apart, Kong ensured the permanent elimination of the looming threat, rendering it highly improbable for this formidable being to resurface in the MonsterVerse ever again.

There is no precise timetable for the events of the show, but it is evident that it takes place before 2014 when Godzilla battled the MUTOs in San Francisco. This lack of knowledge about the Titans suggests that the show is set before that time. In the MonsterVerse timeline, the Kraken was already deceased by then. However, since the Titans are not unique, with multiple members representing species like Godzilla and Kong, it is conceivable that another incarnation of Skull Island's antagonist exists somewhere within the MonsterVerse, whether it be in the depths of the ocean or the concealed Hollow Earth realm.