Once a prominent member of the United Galactic Federation, he transforms into the enforcer for Dr. Jacques von Hämsterviel was assigned the job of catching all of Dr. Jumba Jookiba's illegal genetic experiments, in hopes of achieving intergalactic domination. Beneath his rugged surface, there is a spirit that must be revealed by a powerful source of goodness, whether it is a person or something else. He is the former arch-nemesis of the titularduo and is the best friend of Reuben. After being discarded by Hämsterviel due to him now having Leroy as his henchman, Gantu joined Lilo and Stitch to defeat his former master. After defeating Hämsterviel, Gantu regained his former position as captain of the Galactic Armada.
He is voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson, who also voices Antauri from Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! and Maurice from The Penguins of Madagascar. In the Stitch! anime, he was voiced by Keith Silverstein in the English version. In Stitch & Ai, he was voiced by Richard Epcar and by the late Unshō Ishizuka who also voiced Zabuza Momochi in Naruto in the Japanese version.
Gantu is the former captain of the Galactic Armada, serving as the second-in-command to the Grand Councilwoman. Unlike the Grand Councilwoman, however, Gantu was known for being the brute force of the Galactic security forces, holding no sympathy towards criminals or fugitives, and preferring immediate arrest, as opposed to awaiting a chance to see if a criminal in question has some form of good within them.
After Gantu's failed attempt to arrest 626, as well as following his discharge from the Galactic Federation, Gantu left to work for a notorious galactic enemy known as Dr. Hämsterviel, who sought out to capture the other 624 of Dr. Jumba Jookiba's loose experiments in an attempt to take over the galaxy. Though his actions under Hämsterviel's control were completely villainous, Gantu noted several times that the job was mostly taken out of a desperate need for money, while another motivation could include revenge against Lilo and Stitch.
Appearance[]
Gantu is a giant, hulking alien resembling either a gray humanoid shark or whale, which is a recurring joke in the franchise since many characters often compare him to fishes, crustaceans and sharks. He wears a black spacesuit consisting of a tank shirt with thick red brims on his sleeves and matching linings vertically on both sides of it, and trousers with the same vertical linings on his leggings. He also wears a gray belt with a light gray "V" on the front, a holster on the right, and black wristbands.
Personality[]
Gantu is a strict, no-nonsense soldier. He is not wicked, however, as while he was the main antagonist in the first movie, he's the law and Stitch was an escaped prisoner who was bound to wreak havoc if he was allowed near civilization. As the Grand Councilwoman stated, he has a problem with ethics. He is also fairly menacing, as he seemed to enjoy seeing Stitch in shackles and wasn't hesitant to shoot or capture him every chance he got. And yet, he does not tolerate failure or being mocked as shown through his interactions with Stitch and Reuben. Considering his backstory given in Lilo & Stitch: The Series, it is possible his ostracism by his peer groups caused him to be the cold, lonely individual he is. Even after being fired from his position, he seemed eager to redeem himself and get his position back every chance he got. He is fairly snooty of his abilities, often exclaiming how he was a former captain of the Galactic Armada, showing that he still takes pride in his previous occupation. He is also fairly hardworking but can be impulsive, which often works against him.
Due to Woops' clumsiness driving him crazy, he is willing to give Woops to Lilo and Stitch when he cannot stand with Woops when he also give Dr. Hamsterviel a headache.
He tends to get aggravated easily and has a short fuse, willingly resorting to violence against those who deliberately insult him. This causes him to act without thinking or not listen to others every now and then. His loyalty to Hämsterviel is strictly that of an employer and worker, as Hämsterviel shows no respect for Gantu, despite all the hard work he does. Even so, Gantu is always willing to leave Hämsterviel whenever an opportunity to earn cash presents itself. In fact, he still tolerates Hämsterviel's rude insults and tends to be meek towards those whose authority he is under, as shown by his relationship with the Grand Councilwoman and Hämsterviel. He is often called "Big Dummy" or "Blubber Butt," which he doesn't tolerate, as he hates being ridiculed and also being called "fat" or "stupid." Gantu is quite smart and shown to conduct decent plans for capturing experiments, but usually due to interference from Lilo and Stitch, they end up backfiring. He also tends to endure the most pain and slapstick throughout the series, getting hurt very often. But he does get a happy ending in episodes such as "Clip", "Amnesio", "Topper", "Phoon", and "Snooty" once in a while.
Biography[]
Background[]
Gantu holds the position of captain within the Galactic Armada and acts as the Grand Councilwoman's deputy. In contrast to the Grand Councilwoman, Gantu was recognized for having no compassion for criminals or fugitives, favoring swift arrests and punishment over alternative approaches.
After Gantu's unsuccessful effort to capture 626 and his subsequent dismissal from the Galactic Federation, he went on to take a job for a famous criminal referred to as Dr. Hämsterviel aimed to seize the remaining 625 of Dr. Creations of Jumba Jookiba. Even though his behavior was entirely evil while under Hämsterviel's influence, Gantu observed multiple times that the primary reason he took the job was due to a dire financial situation. Another possible motivation for his actions could be a desire for revenge against Lilo and Stitch.
Lilo & Stitch[]
Gantu in Lilo & Stitch
Gantu showed up at Jumba's trial. Gantu quickly realized that Jumba's Experiment 626 posed a serious threat to society and needed to be eliminated. After listening to 626, Gantu arrested Jumba and ordered that 626 be exiled to a barren asteroid. Before leaving the room, Gantu conducts a brief questioning, and in his absence, 626 makes a getaway. The Grand Councilwoman subsequently employs Jumba along with an Earth specialist called Pleakley to travel to Earth for the purpose of capturing Stitch.
In the latter part of the film, Gantu takes on a significantly larger role, as Jumba and Pleakley do not succeed in their tasks over the course of two days. This failure prompts the Grand Councilwoman to enlist Gantu to complete the mission. Gantu manages to capture 626, who is now called "Stitch," along with his new human companion Lilo. Stitch succeeds in fleeing, while Gantu remains unaware that he has escaped. Stitch, along with Lilo's sister Nani and the transformed Jumba and Pleakley, began their mission to rescue Lilo. A fight breaks out, and Lilo is saved by Stitch. Following the battle, Gantu and the heroes make their way back to the island. Gantu is subsequently dismissed from his position for carrying out his orders harshly and putting others' lives at risk during the operation. He does not reappear for the remainder of the film, leading to the assumption that he left on the Grand Councilwoman's ship. There is no indication that he remained on Earth, but it is probable that upon returning to space, Gantu was expelled from the galaxy's navy.
Stitch! The Movie[]
In this movie, Gantu captures Jumba and holds him as a hostage to acquire the other 625 experiments that Jumba designed. Under the direction of Cobra Bubbles and the Grand Councilwoman, Hämsterviel and Gantu strike a deal with Jumba, successfully obtaining the experiments, except for Experiment 221 (Sparky), which Lilo and Stitch currently possess. Lilo and Stitch fight against Gantu on his ship to reclaim the experiments, but they unintentionally set them loose in Hawaii. Due to a malfunction in the circuit caused by Sparky, Gantu's ship crashes into Hawaii. This results in Gantu being stuck with an experiment intended to eliminate Stitch, which instead proves to be just a sluggish sandwich-making machine: Experiment 625.
Lilo & Stitch: The Series[]
Gantu is portrayed as a main antagonist in the series and makes an appearance in nearly every episode. Gantu has become Hämsterviel's official henchman and aims to seize all 625 experiments. Gantu receives a partner too, the witty Experiment 625. He appears to be rather clumsy and foolish when compared to how he first showed up. He attempts different strategies and utilizes natural elements to conduct all the experiments, but he has limited success. Towards the conclusion of the series, it is disclosed that he had managed to seize only seventeen of them, but Lilo and Stitch quickly set these experiments free. The series suggests that Gantu is motivated solely by financial gain in his role with Hämsterviel. In "Wishy-Washy," Gantu turns against Hämsterviel after encountering an experiment that can fulfill wishes, realizing he doesn't require the villain's wish-granting abilities. He lost Woops to Lilo and Stitch due to his clumsiness making him insane.
Leroy & Stitch[]
Three years after Lilo and Stitch transformed the experiments on the island for the better, Gantu tries to prove himself to Hämsterviel by helping him escape from prison. Successfully, he leaves 625 behind on Earth. Hämsterviel recruits Gantu for his latest plan, aiming to produce a wicked clone of Stitch as part of a strategy to dominate the galaxy. They go to Jumba's lab, the place where the scientist is staying since he got his keys returned by the Grand Councilwoman.
Gantu tells Jumba that he will kill him if he does not work with Hämsterviel to complete the experiment that is almost done in the lab. After finishing the experiment, Hämsterviel decides to call it Leroy, a name that Gantu and Jumba find amusing, and instructs it to capture all the other experiments. After gathering them, Hämsterviel dismisses Gantu, as he no longer requires the previous captain. Due to the discharge, Gantu chooses to make a fresh start by releasing a prisoner, Lilo, along with 625, who is now called "Reuben" by Lilo. The team joins Stitch, Jumba, and Pleakley before traveling to Earth to fight against the Leroy army and rescue the galaxy. Once the mission succeeds, Gantu is restored to his role as captain of the Galactic Armada, with Reuben serving as his galley officer. Gantu even mentions that he truly enjoys Reuben's egg salad recipe.
Stitch![]
In the non canon anime, he is employed by Dr. Hämsterviel aims to take Stitch's Good Deed Counter. In the English dub, Gantu lost his position in the Galactic Federation after being discharged dishonorably because of his poor karaoke performance. Gantu is extremely passionate about a TV series known as "Red Rose Maiden," which is titled "The Young and the Stupid" in the English version. He also has a significant infatuation with the lead character, Princess Michigo.
In the third season of the show, Dr. has given Gantu and Reuben specific tasks to complete. Hämsterviel and Delia aim to obtain the Neo Power Cell that is located within Stitch. In order to achieve this, Dr. Hämsterviel took control of, corrupted, and altered the other 624 experiments that Gantu received that day.
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep[]
Gantu as he appears in Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep.
Gantu has a relatively less important role as a minor antagonist in Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. In the game, he is found and resides in the Lilo & Stitch-based world of Deep Space. Holding a desperate struggle to retain the dangerous Experiment 626, it is both on and before his quest to recapture Experiment 626 that he crosses paths with Terra, Ventus and Aqua.
Gantu first appeared alongside the Grand Councilwoman after he reported capturing a strange being floating through space, showing her an unconscious Terra in one of the ship's prison cells. The two aliens were soon attacked by a group of Unversed. Gantu attempting to defend the Grand Councilwoman but was eventually forced to flee while a recently awakened Terra took on the mysterious creatures.
When Aqua arrived in Deep Space, she was captured by Gantu, who was on the search of the renegade Dr. Jumba Jookiba and Experiment 626 and branded an intruder by the massive extraterrestrial. She was then taken to the Grand Councilwoman. Gantu was criticized when he told the Grand Councilwoman the ship's weapons were no match against the Unversed. Aqua was hired to eliminate them in his place; she was also told to search for Experiment 626 and Jumba. When the Keyblade wielder found the fugitives on the docking bay, Gantu ultimately attacked with a desire for revenge. Witnessing his attack on her security monitors, the Grand Councilwoman arrived on the docking bay after the battle between Gantu, Experiment 626 and Aqua had ended, demoting Gantu back to patrol status despite his protests.
Having recaptured Experiment 626, who had escaped during Terra's visit and was later given a fighting chance at survival for learning about friendship during Aqua's visit, Gantu was interrupted from tormenting the small alien. Soon after, an intruder was detected. He found Ventus, whom he accused of being the trespasser. Ventus explained he was merely following an Unversed that had sneaked aboard the ship, Gantu calling him a liar, since no other intruders had been sensed. However, the Grand Councilwoman's announcements of a monster causing the engine to go wild and out of control made him change his mind and pursue the creature. Ventus then proceeded to disobey Gantu's orders to stay put, defeating the mysterious Unversed alongside Experiment 626. Ventus and the renegade Experiment 626 affirmed their friendship, but then Gantu arrived in an attempt to destroy them. He was out-maneuvered and Experiment 626 was able to escape the ship.
Gallery[]
Quotes[]
“
Can you make me a chicken soup sandwich?
„
~ Gantu while sick asking Reuben to make him a chicken soup sandwich.
“
He's just a little clumsy! He stomped all over my azaleas! He broke my blaster! HE'S DRIVING ME CRAZY! All he can says for himself is, "Woops", "Woops", "Woops". You're the ones who always wants these abominations. You take him.
„
~ Gantu when giving away Woops to Lilo and Stitch.
Trivia[]
Gantu is an expert in twelve martial arts.
Gantu doesn't appear to be evil in the first film. However, it is completely unknown why he captured Lilo together with Stitch. It was probably unintentional, but he had no qualms with abducting her alongside Stitch (his primary target) and then didn't bother to release her, even going so far as to comment to the two of them as he loaded them onto his ship, "And look, I even got you a little snack," implying that he thought Stitch might eat Lilo. It is possible, though, that he didn't release Lilo simply because it would have given Stitch the opportunity to escape once again.
Gantu appears, along with several other Lilo & Stitch characters, in a parody of the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical, which was broadcast as part of the High School Musical: Around the World one-year anniversary special.
It is unknown how Gantu, who used to be more intelligent and competent in the original film, became quite bumbling and somewhat dim-witted in the TV series. It is possible that he has lost most of his bravado and competence as the result of being upset over getting fired from the Galactic Armada at the end of the original film.
According to Gantu in "Richter", he is from the eighth planet of the Keplok system.
Gantu is mean and hostile due to his intellectual memory. This is proven when he loses his memory in "Amnesio", as he becomes very polite and kind at once.
Gantu seems to dislike working for Hämsterviel and has occasionally done hostile things to him on purpose, which proves Gantu is not always on Hämsterviel's side, as this is due to Hämsterviel's abusive treatment towards him. After Hämsterviel fired Gantu in Leroy & Stitch, he decided to join Lilo and Reuben's side.
People mistake him as a whale or shark, due to the fact that he resembles a bipedal whale or shark. He has also been mistaken as a Samoan (due to his large size and when he is wearing human clothing).
Despite claiming to not like the planet itself, Gantu seems to enjoy recreational activities on Earth. He danced at a luau in "Clip", showed an interest in kickboxing in "Kixx", enjoyed a spa weekend in "Fibber", played checkers and basketball in "Slugger", bought a boat to become a captain in "Shoe", watched Macki Macaw on TV in "Snooty", went surfing in "Phoon", played cards in "Ace", and sang karaoke in "Snafu".
In "Dupe", Gantu revealed that in his past, his father was an authoritarian, and it is because of this that he grew up lonely and with no friends. His father also told him to never trust people and to avoid them. Additionally, he revealed that he was often excluded from his peer groups' parties by the age of twelve and had braces at thirteen.
In "Wishy-Washy", Gantu had a school year hologram, which is similar to a school yearbook; he was a member of an unknown football team and had a girlfriend named Cinta.
It is also revealed that Gantu chose to join the Galactic Armada over marrying Cinta because his pride and ambition wouldn't allow him to.
His favorite kind of sandwich is egg salad as mentioned in Stitch! The Movie and Leroy & Stitch. However, he states in Stitch! The Movie that he dislikes bologna because it is too fatty.
It has also been mentioned sporadically throughout the series and in the episode "Richter" that he is shown to like toasted bacon and raisin, as well as chicken soup sandwiches in "Slushy", "Poxy", and "Slick" (whenever he's sick).
However, he states in "Frenchfry" that he dislikes sweets, yet he devoured a whole cake that Frenchfry made him, which caused him to bloat up. On the other hand, this could be attributed to Frenchfry's ability to make food irresistibly delicious.
In "Swapper", he is revealed to be allergic to Hämsterviel's dandruff while inside the latter's body.
Gantu is not present in the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch movie due to budgetary reasons, being instead replaced by Jumba as the main antagonist of the film.
Heroes
