Mechagodzilla (メカゴジラ, Mekagojira) is the designated name of three separate mecha that appeared in the Toho's Godzilla film series. The character first appeared in the 1974 film Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla as an extraterrestrial villain opposing Godzilla. In subsequent iterations, Mechagodzilla is depicted as a man-made weapon designed to defend Japan from Godzilla. In all incarnations, Mechagodziila appears as a robotic doppelgänger and arch-enemy of Godzilla.