Anguirus made his debut in Godzilla Raids Again (1955), becoming the first monster ever to battle Godzilla. Though defeated in that film, Anguirus later returned in Destroy All Monsters (1968) as one of Godzilla’s most loyal allies, notably latching onto one of Ghidorah's throats to keep it grounded in that battle for Earth. From that point on, he became a recurring defender of Earth and a trusted companion on Monster Island.

Godzilla Raids Again is a strong follow-up to the original and an important milestone it’s the first film in the franchise to feature a monster battle. The dynamic between Godzilla and Anguirus set the tone for future kaiju rivalries.