How is the giant squid different from other squid?

No, its real.

Additional Information: The Giant Squid is a species in it's own right, along with eight species in the family" Architeuthidae". It is not a hoax, oddity, or mutation of another squid species. They live in deep ocean waters, and are considered very shy, so little is known of them and they are seen rarely. For more details, please see the site listed below.