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Yuriko Takiguchi (Earth-616)

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History

Early Life[]

Yuriko Takiguchi was born and raised in Japan, where he demonstrated an exceptional intellect from an early age. His insatiable curiosity and aptitude for science led him to pursue advanced studies across multiple disciplines, establishing himself as a brilliant scientist. Excelling in the fields of genetics, radiation, engineering, and robotics, he became a leading expert in atomic mutation theory. His research would later place him at the forefront of groundbreaking technological and biological advancements, shaping his career and contributions to scientific innovation.[2]

Godzilla[]

Dr. Yuriko Takiguchi was the lone dissenter among a group of scientists involved in an international undersea test near Japan.[3] Concerned about the ecological consequences, he feared the effects of nuclear material on marine life and the broader ecosystem.[4] Although opposed to the project, Yuriko remained on the observation vessel. When the test’s shockwave fractured the ocean floor, it released a massive, ancient creature called Godzilla that attacked the ship, leaving Yuriko as the sole survivor. Upon returning, he reported the emergence of the creature, which soon began rampaging through Japan before ultimately becoming encased in ice and drifting to the Alaskan coast.[5]

Over the years, Yuriko worked with Tamara Hashioka, whom he employed as his assistant. Together, they designed a giant robotic construct Red Ronin who they intended to counter the threat posed by the creature. When the creature reappeared near Alaska, the U.S. government, including high-ranking officials, granted Yuriko and Tamara clearance due to their proposed countermeasure.[5] The Department of Defense approved their robotic project, and industrialist Tony Stark agreed to provide the necessary resources for its construction.[4] Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D., arranged transport for Yuriko, his twelve-year-old grandson Robert Takiguchi, and Tamara to meet with S.H.I.E.L.D. forces in Alaska. During the flight, Yuriko expressed concerns about the mission’s urgency, while Robert questioned the morality of attacking the creature rather than attempting to understand it. Yuriko dismissed this perspective, calling the creature the most dangerous and unpredictable force on Earth. Upon arrival, Yuriko observed the creature battling S.H.I.E.L.D. forces and confirmed its identity. When S.H.I.E.L.D. commander Dum Dum Dugan expressed doubts about their robotic project, Yuriko insisted it was the only viable solution.[5]

Aboard a S.H.I.E.L.D. vessel, Yuriko outlined his belief that the creature was mutated and freed by nuclear testing. He theorized that other prehistoric life forms could have been similarly preserved and reawakened.[4] After the creature escaped S.H.I.E.L.D.’s containment efforts, Yuriko, Tamara, and Robert traveled to Stark’s industrial complex in Detroit. Stark, impressed by Yuriko’s work, provided full access to his facilities. However, Yuriko quietly disapproved of Tamara’s growing rapport with S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jimmy Woo.[6] Construction of the robotic countermeasure began, with Stark commending Yuriko’s unconventional but brilliant engineering.[7] As the project neared completion, Yuriko inspected the work, unaware that Robert was secretly planning to take control of the robot. That night, Robert entered the control chamber and activated the machine, but a surge of energy knocked him unconscious. [3] S.H.I.E.L.D. later informed Yuriko that the creature had escaped a missile facility. Meanwhile, Robert recovered and once again attempted to control the robot, successfully activating it. Yuriko and S.H.I.E.L.D. debated whether Robert was the only one capable of piloting the machine due to its neural interface. Robert took off in the robot, intending to face the creature himself.[8] Aboard a S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft, Yuriko observed as Robert piloted the machine into battle.[9] After two days of negotiations, Robert agreed to exit the machine. Yuriko reminded him of the dangers he had faced. When S.H.I.E.L.D. decided the machine was too dangerous to use further, Yuriko reluctantly agreed [10]. Yuriko later contacted a paleontologist colleague, Dr. Gladstone Hawkins, to assist in tracking the creature.[11]

Alongside S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel, Yuriko traveled to Utah to investigate sightings of the creature. While en route, he introduced Dr. Hawkins to the team, leading to discussions about alternative containment measures. S.H.I.E.L.D. later obtained a substance that could shrink the creature. Yuriko observed as it was successfully reduced in size and contained.[12] As the team transported the creature to a research facility, it demonstrated unexpected intelligence, alarming Yuriko. Upon arriving in New York, a mishap allowed the creature to escape into the river.[13] Yuriko and Hawkins searched Manhattan but failed to locate the creature. They discussed the potential consequences if it returned to full size.[14] When the creature resurfaced at a reduced size, Yuriko and S.H.I.E.L.D. attempted to contain it inside a museum for study. However, a battle ensued when outside forces intervened. Yuriko watched as the conflict unfolded, uncertain of the creature’s future.[15]

Yuriko watched as Godzilla fell into a shark tank, only to be swatted out by the Thing. Mr. Fantastic then subdued Godzilla, causing him to pass out. After the Fantastic Four transported the now 20-foot-tall Godzilla to the Baxter Building, Yuriko approved Reed Richards’ plan to use his time machine to send Godzilla back to his own time period. However, unbeknownst to those present, the machine instead transported Godzilla to Dinosaur World, home to Devil Dinosaur and Moon-Boy.[16] With Godzilla seemingly gone, Gladstone Hawkins reflected that it was both a shame and a joy while it lasted. Yuriko agreed, acknowledging that it had to be. As the two bonded over their shared experiences, Rob rushed in, distressed that Godzilla had been sent "back in time" where other creatures like him might try to kill him. Yuriko reminded Rob that Godzilla had been out of place in the modern world and that he had not made the decision to send him back. Instead, he suggested that fate or a higher force had determined Godzilla’s destination. When Rob countered that the same force had decreed Godzilla’s awakening in their world, Yuriko pondered the thought, responding only with a contemplative "Hmmm...".[17]

However, Godzilla soon returned to Manhattan at full size, prompting S.H.I.E.L.D.'s massive airship, the Behemoth, to lead him toward the river and away from the city. When Rob confronted Dum Dum Dugan over his aggressive tactics, Dugan ordered Yuriko and Tamara Hashioka to take Rob away. Yuriko complied, telling Rob solemnly, "It is out of our hands now.".[18] In a final act of trust, Rob climbed atop the Behemoth and pleaded with Godzilla to follow him to safety. In response, Godzilla carefully picked Rob up between his fingers, demonstrating his trust. Though Yuriko believed in their bond, he feared what would happen if Godzilla’s trust wavered for even a moment. Ultimately, Godzilla heeded Rob’s plea and ventured out to sea. As Rob tearfully berated the others, asking if they were satisfied now that Godzilla was gone, Yuriko and the others remained silent out of respect.[19]

Avengers[]

During his time leading the "Green Team," Yuriko utilised advanced S.H.I.E.L.D. technology to further his research into atomic mutation theory.[20] When Dr. Earl Cowan seized control of Red Ronin and went on a destructive rampage, Nick Fury sought Yuriko and Tamara for advice on neutralising the threat. After consulting the Avengers, Fury departed to take a call, and Yuriko provided a strategy: manipulating Ronin into launching his rotary shield like a discus at an attacking Iron Man. The Avengers captured the device, allowing Iron Man to take control and use it to destroy Ronin’s left hand and both legs. Beast then identified the weak link in Ronin’s power flow and disabled the mech.[20] Despite his contributions, S.H.I.E.L.D. eventually discontinued its funding for Yuriko’s research.[1]

X-Club[]

Following the death of his son, who perished as a hero, Yuriko established a base on Japan's Kunashir Island, where he conducted further experiments, creating giant crab-like creatures as the first line of defence.[1] In addition, he engineered a Godzilla-like creature called Leviathan and, fearing a Russian invasion, rigged it as a self-destruct mechanism to obliterate his base and research should it be seized. Reports later surfaced that Yuriko had died, though Beast’s investigation suggested otherwise.[1] Acting on this lead, Beast, Archangel, Dr. Nemesis, and Madison Jeffries travelled to Kunashir Island, triggering Yuriko’s defences. Assuming the intruders were Russian forces, Yuriko initiated the self-destruct sequence, releasing his monstrous creations. As the team fought off giant crabs and fled to a bunker, Yuriko confronted them, speaking in Russian, believing his captors sought his research. Beast reassured him in Japanese that they were not Russian agents. Switching to English, Yuriko acknowledged his research and revealed his son’s death.[1] As Leviathan emerged, Jeffries inquired about available technology for defence, but Yuriko warned that Leviathan was impervious to conventional weaponry, except for its softer interior. In response, Archangel transformed into his metallic-winged form and fatally pierced Leviathan through the skull. Yuriko subsequently accompanied the X-Men to their base at Graymalkin Industries, where Beast introduced him to the X-Club, a scientific team dedicated to mutant survival.[21] He later met Dr. Kavita Rao, discussing the suppression of the mutant X-Gene by Scarlet Witch, debating whether magic or science held the solution.[22] When Jeffries suggested time travel to study mutant origins, Yuriko expressed scepticism about acquiring precise historical data but later assisted in formulating a plan to investigate early mutant birth trends.[23]

Time Travel[]

The X-Club travelled back to the 1906, San Francisco to obtain blood samples from Catherine Bradley and Nicola Bradleu, parents of one of the first recorded mutant birth booms. After a confrontation with the Hellfire Club, Yuriko and Rao aided Catherine, who suffered a severe hemorrhage. Following Nemesis' diagnosis, the team retrieved the necessary blood samples. Upon returning to the present, Yuriko silently observed as the group speculated whether Nicola's power battery inadvertently triggered the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.[24]

Dark Reign[]

In the wake of Norman Osborn's crackdown on mutants, Yuriko monitored developments from Graymalkin Industries[25], later rushing to inform Cyclops that the project to raise Asteroid M and establish Utopia had succeeded.[26]

Death[]

Settling on Utopia, Yuriko spent his final days in relative peace, playing bridge with Kavita Rao and enjoying the island's tranquil setting. Psylocke brought him breakfast in bed, where he remarked on the beauty of his surroundings and his desire to stay. However, the strain of recent events proved too much, and he quietly passed away.[27] The X-Men honored him with a funeral, led by Beast, who spoke words from the Bible despite assuming Yuriko had been a Buddhist in his youth. Yuriko's remains were placed within a torpedo casing and incinerated in a blast furnace on Utopia's sublevel 7. As the ceremony concluded, Beast reflected on Yuriko's brilliance and the void left by his passing, bidding him farewell with a moment of silence.[27]

See Also

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References

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