Gigan is sometimes considered to be Godzilla's most brutal and violent opponent. The 1992 book Special Graphix Godzilla vs. Mothra contrasts Gigan's personality with King Ghidorah and Mechagodzilla, two of Godzilla's other recurring foes from the Showa series. While King Ghidorah is described as a "dignified villain," Gigan is said to be a "bloodthirsty, ferocious cutthroat" in contrast to Mechagodzilla being a "consistently coldhearted and composed professional." Gigan is shown to be very vicious and sadistic in combat, preferring to shred his opponents up close with his hook hands and buzzsaw. Gigan is also not above continuing to attack his enemies while they are down, as shown in his debut film, where he repeatedly struck and stabbed Godzilla with his Hammer Hands while the latter was still left floored by the Godzilla Tower. According to Gigan's suit actor Kenpachiro Satsuma, he made the conscious decision to portray Gigan as enjoying the destruction he causes. However, at least in the Showa series, Gigan appears to be a bit of a coward, attempting to retreat and leaving his ally at the mercy of his enemies as soon as the tide of battle turns against him.