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{{Kaiju Infobox
{{Kaiju Infobox|info-name=yes|info-phys=yes|info-affil=yes|info-real=yes|info-misc=yes
|type1            =Rock
|type1            =Rock
|type2            =Fire
|type2            =Fire
|header          ={{Toho Kaiju}}
|copyrighticon    =Monster Icons - Rodan.png|crsize=30px
|copyrighticon    =Monster Icons - Rodan.png
|copyrighticon2  =[[File:Monster Icons - Fire Rodan.png|30px|Fire Rodan™ Copyright Icon]]
|image            =Rodan.jpg
|image            =GKOTM custom textless December poster Rodan.png
|caption          =Rodan in Godzilla: Final Wars
|caption          =Rodan in Godzilla: King of the Monsters
|name            =Rodan{{tt|™|Rodan is a Trademark of Toho Company Ltd. Fire Rodan is also a Trademark.}}
|name            =Rodan{{tt|™|Rodan is a Trademark of Toho Company Ltd. Fire Rodan is also a Trademark.}}
|species          =Irradiated [[Pteranodon]]
 
|nicknames        =Radon, <br>Monster Zero-Two{{sup|[[Invasion of Astro-Monster|IoAM]]}}, <br>Fire Rodan, Rado
|nicknames        =Radon, Monster Zero-Two,{{sup|[[Invasion of Astro-Monster|IoAM]]}}<br>Fire Rodan, Fire Demon,{{sup|[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters|G:KotM]]}}<br>''Titanus Rodan''{{sup|[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters|G:KotM]]}}
|height          ={{Ishowa}}50 meters{{sup|[[Rodan (1956 film)|ROD]]-[[Destroy All Monsters|DAM]]}}<ref name="GodzillaCompendium">''[[The Official Godzilla Compendium]]''. Profiles of the Monsters; Page 138.</ref><br>{{Iheisei}}70 meters{{sup|[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2|GMG2]]}}<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><br>{{imill}}100 meters{{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}
|species          =Irradiated ''[[Pteranodon]]''
|2=Wingspan|length={{Ishowa}}120 meters{{sup|[[Rodan (1956 film)|ROD]]-[[Destroy All Monsters|DAM]]}}<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><br>{{Iheisei}}150 meters{{sup|[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2|GvMG2]]}}<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><br>{{imill}}200 meters{{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}
 
|weight          ={{Ishowa}}{{small|15,000 metric tons}}{{sup|[[Rodan (1956 film)|ROD]]-[[Destroy All Monsters|DAM]]}}<br>{{Iheisei}}{{small|16,000 metric tons}}{{sup|[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2|GMG2]]}}<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><br>{{imill}}{{small|30,000 metric tons}}{{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}
|subtitle        =Giant Monster of the Sky<br>{{Nihongo|空の大怪獣|Sora no Daikaijū}}<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia2">{{cite book|title=[[Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia]]|date=23 July [[2014]]|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|page=117|isbn=4-096-82090-3}}</ref><br>Crimson Monster Bird<br>{{Nihongo|紅蓮怪鳥|Guren Kaichō}}{{sup|[[Rodan (film)|ROD]], [[Godzilla: Trading Battle|G:TB]]}}<br>Airborne Monster<br>{{Nihongo|空中怪獣|Kūchū Kaijū}}{{sup|[[Destroy All Monsters|DAM]]}}<ref name="Ultra Books">{{cite book|title=[[Ultra Books: Destroy All Monsters]]|date=[[1968]]|publisher=[[Asahi Sonorama]]}}<br>[[File:Ultra Books Kaiju Soshingeki Rodan.jpg|150px]]</ref><br>Pterosaur Monster<br>{{Nihongo|翼竜怪獣|Yokuryū Kaijū}}{{sup|[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II|GvMG2]]}}<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia">{{cite book|title=[[Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia]]|date=23 July [[2014]]|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|page=86|isbn=4-096-82090-3}}</ref><br>The Flying Battleship{{sup|[[Godzilla: Battle Legends|G:BL]]}}<br>Atomic Monster Bird<br>{{Nihongo|原子怪鳥|Genshi Kaichō}}{{sup|[[Godzilla: Trading Battle|G:TB]]}}<br>The One Born of Fire,{{sup|[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters|G:KotM]]}}<ref name="Superspecies Profile"/><br>A Titan of Winged Fury{{sup|[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters|G:KotM]]}}<ref name="Monarch">[http://www.monarchsciences.com/ "SPECIMEN: TITANUS RODAN" - Monarch Sciences]<br>[[File:TITANUS RODAN - Monarch Sciences.png|100px]]</ref>
|forms            =Fire Rodan<br>Power Up Rodan{{sup|[[Godzilla (Trendmasters Toy Line)|TMT]]}}
 
|allies          =[[Godzilla]], [[Mothra]], [[Anguirus]], [[Varan]], [[Gorosaurus]], [[Kumonga]], [[Baragon]], [[Manda]], [[Minilla]], [[Godzilla Junior]], [[King Caesar]], [[MechaGodzilla (Heisei)|MechaGodzilla]]{{sup|[[Godzilla Island (Series)|GI]]}}, [[M.O.G.U.E.R.A.]], [[Battra]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters|GKM]]}}, [[Kiryu]], [[Sanda]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Gaira]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Zilla]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Titanosaurus]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}},<br>[[Jet Jaguar]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}
|height          ={{Ishowa}}50 meters<ref name="GodzillaCompendium">{{cite book|title=[[The Official Godzilla Compendium]]|author=J.D. Lees, Marc Cerasini|date=24 March [[1998]]|publisher= [[Random House]]|page=138|isbn=0279888225}}<br>[[File:Compendium28.png|150px]]</ref><ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla Completely Deciphered]]|date=26 June 2014|publisher=Takarajimasha|pages=76, 102, 111|isbn=4800228964}}</ref><br>{{Iheisei}}70 meters<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><br>{{imill}}100 meters<ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><br>'''[[MonsterVerse]]:''' {{tt|46.9 meters|154 feet}}<ref name="Monarch">[http://www.monarchsciences.com/ "SPECIMEN: TITANUS RODAN" - Monarch Sciences]<br>[[File:TITANUS RODAN - Monarch Sciences.png|100px]]</ref><ref name="Japanese stats">[[File:MonsterVerse Rodan Japanese stats.jpg|150px]]</ref>
|enemies          =[[King Ghidorah]], [[Meganulon]], [[MechaGodzilla (Heisei)|MechaGodzilla]], [[Destoroyah]], [[Megalon]], [[Battra]], [[Neo Hedorah]], [[Mecha-King Ghidorah]], [[Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah]], [[Titanosaurus]], [[Godzilla]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}, [[Varan]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Trilopod]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Magita]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Kiryu]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Oblivion|Obliv]]}}, [[Mothra]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Oblivion|Obliv]]}}
 
|relationships    =[[Godzilla Junior]] {{Small|(Surrogate Brother)}}
|wingspan        ={{Ishowa}}120 meters<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><br>{{Iheisei}}150 meters<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><br>{{imill}}200 meters<ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><br>'''[[MonsterVerse]]:''' {{tt|265.5 meters|871 feet}}<ref name="Monarch"/><ref name="Japanese stats"/>
|controlled      =[[Xiliens]]{{sup|[[Invasion of Astro-Monster|IoAM]]}}, {{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}<br>[[Kilaaks]]{{sup|[[Destroy All Monsters|DAM]]}}
 
|created          =[[Ken Kuronuma]]<br>[[Ishiro Honda]]<br>[[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]
|weight          ={{Ishowa}}15,000 metric tons<ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><br>{{Iheisei}}16,000 metric tons<ref name="GodzillaCompendium"/><ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><br>{{imill}}30,000 metric tons<ref name="GCompletelyDeciphered"/><br>'''[[MonsterVerse]]:''' 39,043 tons<ref name="Superspecies Profile">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/TohoKingdom/status/1129168485441974272|title=Specimen: Titanus Rodan|work=[[Toho Kingdom]] on Twitter|date=16 May 2019}}</ref>
|portrayed        ={{ishowa}}[[Haruo Nakajima]]{{sup|[[Rodan (1956 film)|ROD]]}}, <br>[[Kōji Sora]]{{sup|[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster|GTHM]]}}, <br>[[Masaki Shinohara]]{{sup|[[Invasion of Astro-Monster|IoAM]]}}, <br>[[Teruo Aragaki]]{{sup|[[Destroy All Monsters|DAM]]}}<br>{{iheisei}}Puppet<br>{{imill}}[[Naoko Kamio]]
 
|firstappearance  =[[Rodan (1956 film)|Rodan]]
|forms            =Fire Rodan, Power Up Rodan{{sup|[[Trendmasters|TMT]]}}
|latestappearance =[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]
|allies          =[[Godzilla]], [[Mothra]], [[Anguirus]], [[Varan]], [[Gorosaurus]], [[Kumonga]], [[Baragon]], [[Manda]], [[Minilla]], [[Godzilla Junior|BabyGodzilla]], [[King Caesar]], [[Mechagodzilla/Heisei|Mechagodzilla]]{{sup|[[Godzilla Island (Series)|GI]]}}, [[MOGUERA]], [[Jet Jaguar]], [[Battra]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters|GKM]]}}, [[Kiryu]], [[Sanda]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Gaira]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Zilla]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Titanosaurus]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}
|suits            ={{ishowa}}[[ShodaiRado]], [[SanDaikaijuRado]], [[SoshingekiRado]]<br>{{iheisei}}[[HeiseiRado]]<br>{{imill}}[[FinalRado]]
|enemies          =[[King Ghidorah]], [[Meganulon]], [[Mechagodzilla/Heisei|Mechagodzilla]], [[Destoroyah]], [[Megalon]], [[Battra]], [[Neo Hedorah]], [[Mecha-King Ghidorah]], [[Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah]], [[Titanosaurus]], [[Godzilla]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}, [[Varan]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Trilopod]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Magita]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|GRoE]]}}, [[Kiryu]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Oblivion|Obliv]]}}, [[Mothra]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Oblivion|Obliv]]}}, [[Hedorah]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Monster Apocalypse|G:MA]]}}, [[Megaguirus]]{{sup|[[Godzilla: Monster Apocalypse|G:MA]]}}
|roar            ='''[[Rodan (1956 film)|1956]]'''[[File:Rodan (56) Roar.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]'''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster|1964]]-[[Destroy All Monsters|1968]]'''[[File:Rodan SFX.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]'''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2|1993]]'''[[File:Heisei Rodan SFX.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]'''[[Godzilla: Final Wars|2004]]'''[[File:GFW Rodan SFX.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]{{More Roars}}
|relationships    =[[Godzilla Junior|BabyGodzilla]] {{Small|(Surrogate Brother)}}
|controlled      =[[Xiliens]]{{sup|[[Invasion of Astro-Monster|IoAM]], [[Godzilla: Final Wars|GFW]]}}, [[Kilaaks]]{{sup|[[Destroy All Monsters|DAM]]}}
|portrayed        ={{ishowa}}[[Haruo Nakajima]]{{sup|[[Rodan (film)|ROD]]}},<br>[[Koji Uruki]]{{sup|[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster|GTHM]]}},<br>[[Masaki Shinohara]]{{sup|[[Invasion of Astro-Monster|IoAM]]}},<br>[[Teruo Aragaki]]{{sup|[[Destroy All Monsters|DAM]]}}<br>{{iheisei}}Puppet<br>{{imill}}[[Naoko Kamio]]<br>'''[[MonsterVerse]]:''' Jason Liles {{small2|(motion capture)}}
|debut            =''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]''
|last            =''[[Godziban]]''
|roar            ='''[[Rodan (film)|1956]]''':[[File:Rodan (56) Roar.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]'''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster|1964]]-[[Destroy All Monsters|1968]]''':[[File:Rodan SFX.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]'''[[Heisei era|Heisei]]''':[[File:Heisei Rodan SFX.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]'''[[Millennium era|Millennium]]''':[[File:GFW Rodan SFX.ogg|center|180px|noicon]]'''[[MonsterVerse]]''':[[File:MonsterVerse Rodan roar.ogg|180px|center|noicon]]{{More Roars}}
}}
}}
'''Rodan''' {{Nihongo|ラドン|Radon}} is a giant [[Pteranodon|pteranodon]] {{kaiju}} created by [[Toho Company Ltd.|Toho]] that first appeared in the [[1956]] [[Toho Company Ltd.|Toho]] [[:Category:Films|film]], ''[[Rodan (1956 film)|Rodan]]'', and made his first appearance alongside [[Godzilla]] in the [[1964]] [[Godzilla (Franchise)|Godzilla]] {{GFilmC}}, ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]''.
{{Quote|The last of their kind, masters of the air and earth, the strongest, swiftest creatures that ever breathed... now they sank against the earth like weary children. Each had refused to live without the other, and so they were dying together. I wondered whether I, a 20th century man, could ever hope to die as well.|[[Shigeru Kawamura]] (''[[Rodan (film)#U.S. Release|Rodan]]'')}}
'''Rodan''' {{Nihongo|ラドン|Radon}} is a giant ''[[Pteranodon]]'' [[kaiju]] who first appeared in the [[1956]] [[Toho]] [[:Category:Films|film]], ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'', and made his first appearance alongside [[Godzilla]] in the [[1964]] [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla]] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|film]], ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]''.


'''Fire Rodan''' {{Nihongo|ファイヤーラドン|Faiyā Radon}} is a form of Rodan that first appeared in the [[1993]] Godzilla film, ''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]''.
Two individual Rodans, a male and a female, were featured in the character's debut film. Awakened by nuclear radiation, the Rodans emerged from [[Mount Aso]] in Kyushu and wrought havoc across the globe, eventually annihilating the city of [[Fukuoka]]. The [[JSDF]] tracked the beasts to their nest in Mt. Aso, and triggered an eruption using artillery, seemingly causing the two Rodans to perish together. However, in ''Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster'', a single Rodan rose from the crater of Mt. Aso and immediately did battle with [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]]. [[Mothra/Second Generation|Mothra]] convinced Rodan and Godzilla to put aside their differences and help her drive off [[King Ghidorah/Showa|King Ghidorah]], a malevolent space monster. Rodan went on to become a trusted ally of Godzilla in the [[Showa era|Showa series]], aiding him twice more in battle against King Ghidorah in the films ''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]'' and ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]''.
 
Rodan was reintroduced for the [[Heisei era|Heisei series]] in the film ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]'', where he was found on [[Adonoa Island]] guarding over [[Godzilla Junior|BabyGodzilla's]] egg. After being defeated by [[Godzilla/Heisei|Godzilla]], Rodan transformed into a new form dubbed '''Fire Rodan''' {{Nihongo|ファイヤーラドン|Faiyā Radon}} and flew to [[Japan]] to retrieve BabyGodzilla from [[G-Force]]. Rodan was mortally wounded in battle by [[Mechagodzilla/Heisei|Mechagodzilla]], and gave up his life force to revitalize Godzilla so that he could overcome Mechagodzilla and raise BabyGodzilla in his place.
 
Rodan's next film appearance came in the final film of the [[Millennium era|Millennium series]], ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', where he was a mind-controlled pawn of the [[Xiliens]] in their invasion of [[Earth]]. Rodan also exists in the continuity of the ''GODZILLA'' anime trilogy, with multiple members of the species featured in the two official prequel novels, ''[[Godzilla: Monster Apocalypse|GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse]]'' and ''[[Godzilla: Project Mechagodzilla|GODZILLA: Project Mechagodzilla]]''. The skeletal remains of the first Rodan in this continuity, killed by the bioweapon [[Hedorah]], are visible during the opening of ''[[Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters|GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters]]'', along with those of [[Anguirus]]. Rodan was teased through a cave painting in ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'', the second film of [[Legendary Pictures]]' [[MonsterVerse]], and appeared in full alongside [[Mothra/Legendary|Mothra]] and [[King Ghidorah/Legendary|King Ghidorah]] in ''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]'', the sequel to Legendary's ''[[Godzilla (2014 film)|Godzilla]]''.
 
This is an overview page. To view information on specific incarnations of Rodan, please visit the [[Rodan#Incarnations|Rodan incarnations subpages]].
{|
|{{portalskinsmall|articlename=Rodan/Showa|name=Rodan (Showa)|image=DAM - Rodan 1968.png}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=Rodan/Heisei|name=Rodan (Heisei)|image=Godzilla.jp_-_Fire_Rodan.jpg}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=Rodan/Millennium|name=Rodan (Millennium)|image=2004Rodan.jpg}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=Rodan/Legendary|name={{small|Rodan (MonsterVerse)}}|image=Rodan portal.png}}
|}
{{TOC}}
{{TOC}}
==Name==
==Name==
The Japanese name of Rodan, "Radon," is a contraction of "pteranodon" and may also have been chosen to suggest radiation. In the [[United States]], the monster's name was changed to and trademarked as "Rodan."
Rodan's Japanese name, '''Radon''' {{Nihongo|ラドン|Radon}}, is a truncation of "''[[Pteranodon|Pte'''ra'''no'''don''']]''." It may also have been chosen to suggest radiation. The katakana spelling of ''Radon'' is identical to that of [[wikipedia:Ladon (mythology)|Ladon]], a dragon-like monster present in Greek mythology, though this may be nothing more than a coincidence. The name was changed to "Rodan" in English-speaking markets,<ref>[[File:Rodan 57.jpg|150px]]</ref> in order to avoid confusion with the element [[wikipedia:Radon|Radon]].<ref name="sequart">{{Cite web | author=Harry Edmundson-Cornell | access-date= | url=http://sequart.org/magazine/56195/rodan/ | title=Tsuburaya Does Colour: Rodan | work=[[Sequart Organization]] | date=March 24, 2015}}</ref> [[Toho]] eventually trademarked the name "Rodan," making it the monster's official English name. However, the name "Radon" was used in English-language materials for ''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]'',<ref>[[File:Astro-monster 66.jpeg|150px]]</ref><ref>[[File:Radon trailer.png|150px]]</ref> and in the English dubs for ''[[Terror of Mechagodzilla]]'' and ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]''.
==Appearance==
 
{{Main|s=s|ShodaiRado|, [[SanDaikaijuRado]], [[SoshingekiRado]], [[HeiseiRado]] and [[FinalRado]]}}
==Design==
Rodan resembles a large pterosaur that walks upright on two legs. Rodan generally has either brown or burgundy skin with a spiky chest and two to three horns on the back of his head.
Rodan resembles a large pterosaur that walks upright on two legs. Rodan generally has either brown or burgundy skin with a spiky chest and two to three horns on the back of his head.
==Personality==
==Personality==
In the original ''[[Rodan (1956 film)|Rodan]]'', the two Rodans are depicted as horrific and dangerous creatures who, despite their destructive nature, care deeply for each other and are unwilling to live without the other. In ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'', Rodan displays a great deal of personality, openly mocking [[Godzilla]] when the latter is covered in [[Mothra]]'s silk. According to the translation of the monsters' conversation by the [[Shobijin]], Rodan agrees with Godzilla's sentiment that he only hates humans because they hate him. Rodan claims he has no obligation to protect human beings and prefers to continue his pointless fight with Godzilla. However, upon seeing Mothra bravely take on [[King Ghidorah]] by herself, Rodan joins with Godzilla to battle the extraterrestrial creature. In subsequent films in the [[Showa era|Showa series]], Rodan is seen as a loyal ally of Godzilla who assists him and the other Earth monsters in fighting off King Ghidorah.
In the original ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'', the two Rodans are depicted as horrific and dangerous creatures who, despite their destructive nature, care deeply for each other and are unwilling to live without the other. In ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'', Rodan displays a great deal of personality, openly mocking [[Godzilla]] when the latter is covered in [[Mothra]]'s silk, and shakes his head in an irritated fashion after Godzilla's atomic breath has no effect on him. According to the translation of the monsters' conversation by the [[Shobijin]], Rodan agrees with Godzilla's sentiment that he only hates humans because they hate him. Rodan claims he has no obligation to protect human beings and prefers to continue his pointless fight with Godzilla. However, upon seeing Mothra bravely take on [[King Ghidorah]] by herself, Rodan joins with Godzilla to battle the extraterrestrial creature. In subsequent films in the [[Showa era|Showa series]], Rodan is seen as a loyal ally of Godzilla who assists him and the other Earth monsters in fighting off King Ghidorah.


In ''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]'', Rodan sees [[Godzilla Junior|Baby Godzilla]] as his brother and will go to great lengths to protect him, nearly being killed by both Godzilla and [[MechaGodzilla (Heisei)|MechaGodzilla]]. After seeing that Baby Godzilla is a [[Godzillasaurus]] and not a pteranodon like him, Rodan willingly sacrifices himself to save Godzilla from MechaGodzilla so he can raise Baby Godzilla.
In ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]'', Rodan sees [[Godzilla Junior|BabyGodzilla]] as his brother and will go to great lengths to protect him, nearly being killed by both Godzilla and [[Mechagodzilla/Heisei|Mechagodzilla]]. After seeing that BabyGodzilla is a [[Godzillasaurus]] and not a pteranodon like him, Rodan willingly sacrifices himself to save Godzilla from Mechagodzilla so he can raise BabyGodzilla.
==Origins==
==Origins==
In the [[Showa era|Showa series]], Rodan is a [[Pteranodon]] that lived deep underground and was mutated from exposure to radiation and grew to gigantic size. In ''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]'', it is explained that Rodan was a Pteranodon living on [[Adonoa Island]] who was mutated due to nuclear dumping on the island by the [[Russia]]ns.
In the [[Showa era|Showa series]], Rodan is a [[Pteranodon]] that lived deep underground and was mutated from exposure to radiation and grew to gigantic size. In ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]'', it is explained that Rodan was a Pteranodon living on [[Adonoa Island]] who was mutated due to nuclear dumping on the island by the [[Russia]]ns. Rodan's origins are never elaborated upon in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', but according to chief monster modeler [[Shinichi Wakasa]] he is the same character as before and has been encountered in that film's continuity in the past, explaining why the characters recognize him.
 
In the [[MonsterVerse]], Rodan is a colossal ancient creature designated as a [[Titan]] by [[Monarch]], who was discovered in pyrostasis within the volcano on Isla de Mara, [[Mexico]], in [[1991]]. Rodan's exact species is not known, although he is described as a "reptilian firebird" and still resembles a giant pterosaur.
==Incarnations==
*[[Rodan/Showa|Showa Rodans]] ({{small|''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'' through ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]''}})
*[[Rodan/Heisei|Heisei Rodan / Fire Rodan]] ({{small|''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]''}})
*[[Rodan/Millennium|Millennium Rodan]] ({{small|''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''}})
*[[Rodan/Legendary|MonsterVerse Rodan]] ({{small|''[[Kong: Skull Island]]''}})
==History==
==History==
===[[Showa era|Showa Series]]===
===[[Showa era|Showa Series]]===
====''[[Rodan (1956 film)|Rodan]]''====
====''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]''====
[[File:Rodan56.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[ShodaiRado|Rodan]] in ''[[Rodan (1956 film)|Rodan]]'']]In 1956's ''[[Rodan (1956 film)|Rodan]]'', there were two Rodans, a male and a female, both implied to be mates. They were awakened by mining operations in Kitamatsu along with a swarm of prehistoric insects called [[Meganulon]]s. One of the creatures hatched from an egg located inside an underground cavern and proceeded to devour several Meganulons before flying out of the cavern. Rodan performed an elusive airborne prowl across various Pacific countries such as [[China]], the [[Philippines]] and [[Okinawa]] before finally revealing itself after it emerged from the foot of [[Mount Aso]]. As word spread of the monster's existence, no time was wasted, as the Japanese air force pursued the threat, leading directly to the city of [[Fukuoka]]. Following a fierce aerial dogfight, a [[F86F Sabre|fighter jet]] crashed into Rodan's wing, injuring the beast and neutralizing its ability to fly at supersonic speeds, although this does not stop Rodan from laying waste to the city. Soon enough, a second Rodan appears to escort the other to safety, ending the rampage. As the two monsters prepare to hibernate by returning to their nest in Mount Aso, Japan's defense force performs a last-ditch effort to defeat the Rodans by bombarding the active volcano, triggering an eruption. As the two monsters attempt to escape, one is incapacitated by the lava and falls, burning to death. The second Rodan flew down to its dying companion, incinerating itself, leaving both Rodans to burn away in the molten rock.
[[File:Rodan56.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'']]
While assisting the [[JSDF]] in exterminating the [[Meganulon]] in the mine in Kitamatsu, [[Shigeru Kawamura]] was sent falling into a cavern underneath [[Mount Aso]] by a sudden avalanche. When Shigeru regained consciousness, he found himself in front of a colossal egg, and surrounded by countless Meganulon. Suddenly, the egg began to crack, and from it emerged the hatchling Rodan. The creature broke the rest of its eggshell with its wings and roared loudly before grabbing the Meganulon in its beak and eating them. Horrified by the sight, Shigeru went into shock, and was rescued sometime later by a group of villagers. Shigeru was left in a catatonic state, and the authorities could not gain any information from him regarding what he saw. In the meantime, Rodan began an aerial prowl across the [[Pacific Ocean]], being sighted above [[China]], the [[Philippines]] and [[Hong Kong]]. Eyewitnesses couldn't make out what they saw, labeling it simply a UFO. The [[JSDF|JASDF]] tried to take down the UFO when it was sighted over Japan, but Rodan used its supersonic flight to evade its attackers and destroy them. As Rodan's rampage continued, it attacked a young couple near Mt. Aso, though its victims did take a partial photograph of the beast before they were killed. When Shigeru emerged from his catatonic state and told his story to the authorities, Dr. Kashiwagi cross-referenced his story with the photograph and a piece of eggshell found near Mt. Aso, and determined that the UFO was actually a giant [[Pteranodon]]. Rodan emerged from the crater of Mt. Aso shortly afterward, and began flying to the city of [[Fukuoka]]. The JASDF engaged the beast in a dogfight, during which a [[F-86 Sabre]] crashed into the beast's wing, injuring it and causing it to lose its supersonic flight. Rodan touched down in Fukuoka, blowing away buildings and vehicles by flapping its wings. The JSDF deployed all its forces to attack Rodan, but they were blown away by the powerful winds. A second Rodan soon appeared over the city, and assisted its mate in fighting off the JSDF before escorting it back to their nest inside Mt. Aso.
 
As the two Rodans entered hibernation inside the mountain, the JSDF formed a last-ditch plan to destroy them: they would bombard the volcano with missiles, triggering an eruption and hopefully incinerating both monsters. Several [[Honest John Missile Launchers]] were stationed around Mt. Aso, and opened fire on the slopes of the volcano. The missiles triggered a small earthquake, which brought forth lava from the volcano and caused it to erupt. The two Rodans broke out of the mountain and began to fly away, but the intense heat caused one Rodan to fall into the lava below, where it began to burn alive. Unwilling to live without its companion, the other Rodan flew down into the lava flow next to its mate, where the two Rodans appeared to die together.
====''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]''====
====''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]''====
[[File:PDVD 005.JPG|thumb|right|200px|[[SanDaikaijuRado|Rodan]] in ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'']]Rodan went on to cross over into the Godzilla series. Whether another Rodan entirely, or a survivor from 1956, this Rodan was resurrected by accumulated volcanic gas under [[Mount Aso]], appearing in ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'' in 1964 when he broke out of the crust of the volcano and started fighting [[Godzilla]]. When [[Mothra]] asked Godzilla and Rodan to assist her in fighting [[King Ghidorah]], the humans asked the [[Shobijin]] to translate the conservation between the monsters. The Shobijin translated that Rodan argued that it does not matter to him if the human race perishes, to which Godzilla agreed and stated that they have always had trouble with men and men hate them. Mothra gave up convincing the two to help her out, and resolved to fight King Ghidorah alone, much to the humans' dismay, knowing that the larva wouldn't stand a chance. Rodan and Godzilla, suddenly feeling sympathetic for Mothra after watching King Ghidorah attack her, came to help her out as she had requested. Rodan helped get Mothra to ride him and shoot silk at Ghidorah as Godzilla grabbed Ghidorah from behind and held him still so he could become cocooned in the silk. Ghidorah was overwhelmed by the combined force of the three kaiju and flew back to space. Godzilla and Rodan then watched Mothra and the Shobijin swim back to Infant Island. In this film, Rodan is portrayed as being about as tall as Godzilla with a wingspan a little wider than he is tall, while later installments portrayed Rodan as significantly smaller than Godzilla.  
[[File:PDVD 005.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'']]
In [[1964]], eight years after the two Rodans seemingly perished in the eruption of [[Mount Aso]], a [[Selina Salno|mysterious woman]] claiming to come from [[Venus]] appeared in [[Japan]] and warned that a terrible disaster would soon occur at the volcano. While seismologists claimed that Mt. Aso showed no danger of erupting, the Venusian arrived at the volcano's crater and warned all the people there to flee. She claimed that accumulated volcanic gases would soon resurrect Rodan, only for the spectators to laugh at her. The Venusian's prediction came true however, when Rodan emerged from the volcano's crater and let out a terrifying roar. Rodan took flight and rose from the crater, causing the crowds to scatter and flee. Rodan flew over a nearby bridge, causing it to collapse into the water below. Rodan then flew to [[Yokohama]], where [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] had just surfaced from the harbor. When he saw Rodan flying overhead, Godzilla roared and followed him to the foot of [[Mount Fuji]], where the two monsters began a titanic battle. Meanwhile, a meteor that crashed in Kurobe Valley split open and unleashed [[King Ghidorah/Showa|King Ghidorah]], an evil space monster that had previously destroyed the civilization of Venus. As King Ghidorah terrorized Japan while Godzilla and Rodan battled, humanity turned to the [[Shobijin]] for aid. The Shobijin claimed that [[Mothra/Second Generation|Mothra]] stood no chance against any of those monsters, but if she worked together with Godzilla and Rodan they may have a chance to fend off King Ghidorah. Mothra left [[Infant Island]] and arrived at Mt. Fuji, where she interrupted Godzilla and Rodan's ongoing battle. Mothra tried to convince Godzilla and Rodan to aid her, but the two monsters stubbornly insisted that the other apologize, and refused to assist humanity because humanity had always attacked them. Mothra tried to tell them that the [[Earth]] belonged to all creatures, and that it was their duty to defend it, but the monsters still refused. Mothra tried to take on King Ghidorah by herself, but was brutally overpowered by the space monster. Godzilla and Rodan were inspired by the larva's courage, and decided to put aside their differences to help her. Together, the three monsters gained the upper hand against their extraterrestrial foe. Rodan allowed Mothra to ride on his back and spit silk at King Ghidorah while Godzilla held King Ghidorah still from behind. Godzilla threw King Ghidorah off a cliff and pelted him with boulders, finally leading the beast to retreat back to outer space. Godzilla and Rodan then watched Mothra and the Shobijin swim back to Infant Island.
====''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]''====
====''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]''====
[[File:Godzilla.jp_-_6_-_DaisensoRado_Rodan_1965.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[SanDaikaijuRado|Rodan]] in ''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]'']]Rodan appeared again with Godzilla in ''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]'', where they were both transported to [[Planet X]]. They battled King Ghidorah before being mind-controlled by the [[Xiliens]] and sent to destroy Earth's cities. The two monsters again fought King Ghidorah when the mind control was broken by the [[A-Cycle Light Ray Gun]].
[[File:Godzilla.jp_-_6_-_DaisensoRado_Rodan_1965.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in ''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]'']]
{{Clear}}
In 196X, astronauts [[Kazuo Fuji]] and [[Astronaut Glenn|Glenn]] arrived on the newly-discovered [[Planet X]], where they encountered an intelligent alien race known as the [[Xiliens]]. The Xiliens' leader, the [[Controller of Planet X]], informed the astronauts that their planet was under constant attack by a space monster known as Monster Zero, which was revealed to be none other than [[King Ghidorah/Showa|King Ghidorah]]. The Controller asked to "borrow" [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]] and Rodan from [[Earth]], knowing they successfully drove away King Ghidorah in the past. Glenn and Fuji said they would consider the offer, then returned to Earth. In secret, several Xiliens traveled to Earth and discovered the locations of Godzilla and Rodan. When the Xiliens' presence was discovered, they met with several of Earth's leaders and stated that they had the capacity to retrieve and transport both monsters to Planet X. After the Xiliens gained permission to take the [[kaiju]], one [[Xilien UFO]] blasted away the side of a mountain, revealing Rodan sleeping inside. The UFO then brought Rodan to Planet X, with another carrying Godzilla. The monsters were released on the planet's surface, after which King Ghidorah arrived. Godzilla and Rodan worked together and eventually drove King Ghidorah off. The Controller thanked Glenn and Fuji, and provided them with a tape he claimed contained the cure for cancer. When the astronauts returned to Earth, they found that the tape was an ultimatum from the Xiliens, demanding that the Earth surrender and become a colony of Planet X. When humanity would not yield, the Xiliens released Godzilla, Rodan and King Ghidorah, all of whom were under their control, to attack Earth's major cities. Thankfully, Fuji discovered that the Xiliens' mind-control rays could be severed by special light rays, and the [[JSDF]] constructed several [[A-Cycle Light Ray Gun]]s to break the aliens' control over the monsters. In addition, the humans broadcast a sound that was lethal to the Xiliens, allowing them to be easily defeated by the JSDF's forces. After the Xiliens were defeated, the monsters regained consciousness, and Godzilla and Rodan again joined forces against King Ghidorah. After a brief battle, Rodan grabbed hold of Godzilla and flew into King Ghidorah, sending all three monsters toppling off a cliff into the ocean. King Ghidorah surfaced and flew back into space after a few moments, but Godzilla and Rodan disappeared. However, humanity was fairly certain neither monster had been killed.
====''[[Destroy All Monsters]]''====
====''[[Destroy All Monsters]]''====
[[File:SoshingekiRado_eats_a_fish.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|[[SoshingekiRado|Rodan]] in ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'']]In ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'', Rodan was again controlled by aliens, the Kilaaks, to attack [[Moscow]]. Again the mind control was broken and the monsters fought King Ghidorah. After King Ghidorah was defeated, Rodan was set on fire by a rogue [[Kilaak UFO|Fire Dragon]], but he recovered, and is later shown with the other monsters to be peacefully inhabiting Monsterland. Rodan would only appear again in the Showa series in stock footage used for ''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]'', ''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'', and ''[[Terror of MechaGodzilla]]''.
[[File:SoshingekiRado_eats_a_fish.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'']]
By the end of the 20th century, Rodan and most of [[Earth]]'s other monsters had been captured and contained on [[Monsterland]], a human-monitored island in the Ogasawara chain. Rodan lived peacefully on the island, restrained only by a magnetic barrier that extended slightly past the island. As such, Rodan was able to freely fly over Monsterland and even over the surrounding waters, where he could catch and eat his fill of sea creatures. However, the peace would be disturbed when the [[Kilaaks]] seized Monsterland, taking control of the monsters and sending them to attack the [[Earth]]'s major cities. Rodan first attacked [[Moscow]], then later appeared in [[Tokyo]] alongside [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]], [[Mothra/Third Generation|Mothra]] and [[Manda]]. After destroying Tokyo, Rodan reappeared in the area around [[Mount Fuji]], where he attacked the [[Moonlight SY-3]] before it escaped into outer space. When the Kilaaks' mind control over the monsters was severed, the monsters assembled near Mt. Fuji, ready to destroy the Kilaaks' base of operations. The Kilaaks then unleashed their trump card, [[King Ghidorah/Showa|King Ghidorah]], and sent him to attack the monsters. Rodan did not directly take part in the battle, but merely watched as the other monsters overpowered and finally killed King Ghidorah. The Kilaaks then unleashed the [[Kilaak UFO|Fire Dragon]], which flew past Rodan and set him on fire before heading to Tokyo. The Moonlight SY-3 destroyed the Fire Dragon, and Rodan and all the other monsters were subsequently returned to Monsterland to live in peace.
====''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]''====
In [[1972]], Rodan was living on [[Monster Island]] alongside [[Godzilla/Showa|Godzilla]], [[Anguirus]], [[Mothra]], [[Minilla]], [[Kamacuras]], [[Kumonga]] and [[Gorosaurus]]. The [[M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens]] were planning to wipe out the monsters on the island, but their plans to invade Earth were foiled by Godzilla and Anguirus after they escaped the island.
====''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]''====
====''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]''====
While Rodan only appears through stock footage, his small role in the film is somewhat significant. Rodan and Anguirus are resting on [[Monster Island]] when a Nuclear Bomb is tested nearby, creating a massive fissure and a massive earthquake which crippled both the island and the capital city of [[Seatopia]] under the ocean close by. Rodan tries to escape, but Anguirus falls on him and both of the {{Kaiju}} fall into the growing chasm. This act of destruction by the humans was the last straw for the [[Seatopia|Seatopian]] people, who commanded [[Megalon]] to attack the humans for their perceived crimes.
In 197X, an underground nuclear test conducted near the Aleutian Islands produced far-reaching seismic anomalies. In addition to damaging the capital of [[Seatopia]], the detonation caused an earthquake that tore apart [[Monster Island]], causing Rodan to fall from his perch onto [[Anguirus]], causing both [[kaiju]] to fall into an underground fissure.
====''[[Terror of Mechagodzilla]]''====
To try and dissuade [[Shinzo Mafune|her father]] from giving [[Titanosaurus]]' services to the [[Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens]], [[Katsura Mafune]] reminded him of the destruction wrought by other [[kaiju]], such as Rodan, [[King Ghidorah/Showa|King Ghidorah]] and [[Manda]].
===[[Heisei era|Heisei Series]]===
===[[Heisei era|Heisei Series]]===
====''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]''====
====''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]''====
[[File:GVMG2 - Rodan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[HeiseiRado|Rodan]] in ''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]'']]Rodan returned in ''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]'', where he sought to protect [[Godzilla Junior|Baby Godzilla]], whose egg was in Rodan's nest. Rodan played a vital role in the film's climax, sacrificing his own life to revive [[Godzilla]] by transferring his life-energy to him.
[[File:Heiseirodan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]'']]
 
When a team of scientists led by Hiroshi Omae arrived on [[Adonoa Island]] and discovered an intact egg in a [[Pteranodon]] nest, they prepared to load it onto a [[Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma|helicopter]] so they could bring it back to [[Japan]]. As they were doing so, Rodan flew overhead and destroyed their campsite. Omae stated that Rodan was an irradiated Pteranodon that must have hatched from another egg in the same nest. Rodan landed on a cliff overlooking the sea, which began to suddenly flash. Rodan stared into the water, only for a beam of [[Godzilla/Heisei|Godzilla's]] atomic breath to shoot out of the water and strike the cliff. Rodan took flight and flew out over the water, producing shockwaves on the surface of the water. Godzilla fired his atomic breath at Rodan, with one blast striking his wing. Godzilla came ashore on the island, only for Rodan to fly behind him and strike him with the spikes on his chest. Rodan began pecking Godzilla in the back of the head with his pointed beak. Godzilla's dorsal plates began to flash, leading Rodan to fly away as Godzilla fired his atomic breath at him. Rodan circled around Godzilla, then flew directly at him and knocked him to the ground with his wing. Rodan dove onto Godzilla and began pecking at his face, but Godzilla managed to grab Rodan by the throat, choking him until blood began to pour from Rodan's mouth. Godzilla threw Rodan off of him and blasted him with his atomic breath, only for Rodan to fly back at him and knock Godzilla headfirst into a mountain, which collapsed onto Godzilla and buried him in rubble. Rodan flew overhead, but Godzilla's tail knocked Rodan out of the sky. Godzilla rose from the rubble and blasted Rodan with his atomic breath, then stomped on his back. Rodan tried to take flight, but Godzilla blasted him twice at point-blank range with his atomic breath, sending Rodan crashing into a rocky slope and leaving him seemingly dead. In the confusion, the scientists had managed to escape the island with the egg, with Godzilla following after them, intent on recovering the egg for himself.
In this film, Rodan is noticeably proportionally much smaller compared to Godzilla than in his appearances in the Showa series, standing only about two-thirds as tall as Godzilla and having a wingspan not too much larger than Godzilla's height. The prominent rows of spines on his belly are replaced with overlapping ridges of bone, and he has three spines on his head instead of two (the outer two curve outwards and the center curves up), as well as a wider beak and more predatory face. Heisei Rodan does have some of his predecessor's durability, withstanding several blasts from both Godzilla and MechaGodzilla, and kept his speed and shockwave abilities as well as a stronger pecking attack that can shatter boulders.
 
After being defeated and left for dead by Godzilla following a fight on the small island where his and Baby Godzilla's eggs are found, Rodan was revived by the psychic song of an ancient plant that had covered the eggs. Godzilla's radiation mutated Rodan into Fire Rodan, changing his colors from brown and tan to brick red and light yellow/gold. Fire Rodan also gained a uranium heat ray as a weapon, similar to Godzilla's atomic breath. Besides that, Fire Rodan remained basically the same as Rodan.
=====Fire Rodan=====
=====Fire Rodan=====
[[File:Firerodan1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[HeiseiRado|Fire Rodan]] in ''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]'']][[File:Monster_Icons_-_Fire_Rodan.png|right|Fire Rodan Copyright Icon]]'''Fire Rodan''' {{Nihongo|ファイヤーラドン|Faiyā Radon}} is a more powerful form of Rodan that appeared in ''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]''.
[[File:Firerodan1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Fire Rodan in ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]'']]
When a choir of psychic girls sang a song to [[Godzilla Junior|BabyGodzilla]], the creature that hatched from the egg found in Rodan's nest, Rodan heard it all the way back on Adonoa Island. Rodan was revived as '''Fire Rodan''' {{Nihongo|ファイヤーラドン|Faiyā Radon}} and immediately flew to [[Japan]] to rescue his surrogate brother. When Fire Rodan arrived, BabyGodzilla was being airlifted via helicopter to the Ogasawara Island, where [[G-Force]] hoped to lure Godzilla so he could be killed by [[Mechagodzilla/Heisei|Mechagodzilla]]. Fire Rodan intercepted the chopper while it was still flying over Japan, destroying it and grabbing the canister holding BabyGodzilla and his surrogate human mother [[Azusa Gojo]]. Fire Rodan touched down in a nearby city and attempted to break open the canister with his beak. G-Force deployed Mechagodzilla and the [[Garuda]] to defeat Fire Rodan. Fire Rodan took flight and managed to bring down the Garuda by slamming his chest spikes into it, sending it crashing into a nearby building. Fire Rodan turned his attention to Mechagodzilla, firing his new uranium heat beam at the mecha and attacking it up close with his beak. Fire Rodan managed to destroy Mechagodzilla's right eye with his beak, but Mechagodzilla used the plasma it had absorbed from Fire Rodan's beam to blast him with its plasma grenade, shredding Rodan's chest and sending him flying into several buildings.  


As a children's choir sang to [[Godzilla Junior|Baby Godzilla]], Rodan heard the song miles away on the island where he was killed. He absorbed the nuclear energy from [[Godzilla]] and transformed into Fire Rodan, and he took off to save his surrogate brother. He caught the capsule that was carrying the baby, and flew it off towards a city. He was attacked by the [[Garuda]] and then by [[MechaGodzilla (Heisei)|MechaGodzilla]], who made him fly into a building. The humans' attention was then turned to the arriving Godzilla, and they battled him. Godzilla was defeated and paralyzed by Super MechaGodzilla, and Fire Rodan acted to save the life of his surrogate brother, and flew on top of Godzilla's body. He gave his life force and melted into Godzilla, healing his damaged second brain and giving him the power of the Spiral Beam. With Fire Rodan's power, Godzilla destroyed Super MechaGodzilla, and took Baby Godzilla out to sea.
With Fire Rodan seemingly dead, Godzilla unexpectedly appeared in the city and engaged Mechagodzilla in battle. Mechagodzilla combined with the Garuda to form [[Mechagodzilla/Heisei#Super Mechagodzilla|Super Mechagodzilla]], and crippled Godzilla by destroying his secondary brain with its G-Crusher system. At this point, BabyGodzilla broke free of the canister and cried out, gaining the attention of the wounded Fire Rodan. Fire Rodan took flight, only to be shot down by Super Mechagodzilla's mega buster. Fire Rodan fell on top of Godzilla, and began transferring his life force into him. As Fire Rodan faded away, Godzilla's secondary brain was regenerated, and he rose back to his feet. Empowered by Fire Rodan's energy, Godzilla destroyed Super Mechagodzilla and left Japan with BabyGodzilla.
====''[[Godzilla Island (Series)|Godzilla Island]]''====
====''[[Godzilla Island (Series)|Godzilla Island]]''====
[[File:Cast_rodan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in ''[[Godzilla Island (Series)|Godzilla Island]]'']]
[[File:Cast_rodan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in ''[[Godzilla Island (Series)|Godzilla Island]]'']]
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===[[Millennium era|Millennium Series]]===
===[[Millennium era|Millennium Series]]===
====''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''====
====''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''====
[[File:RodanGFW.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[FinalRado|Rodan]] in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'']]In ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', Rodan is used as a weapon of destruction by the Xiliens via mind control. He first appears wreaking havoc in the city of New York, utilizing his famed supersonic abilities to destroy buildings and evade attacks from the [[Rumbling]], a high-tech warship, before devastating the city of [[New York]]. Later, as Godzilla neared [[Tokyo]], Rodan, [[Anguirus]] and [[King Caesar]] were deployed in the Japanese countryside by the [[Xilien UFOs α, ß and γ]]. Despite putting up an impressive effort against Godzilla, Rodan was eventually knocked unconscious like both his allies. Rodan, [[Anguirus]] and [[King Caesar]] were the only monsters Godzilla did not kill. Originally, Toho planned to film a scene where Godzilla destroyed them, but it was cut due to the fact that the fight scene was one of the first scenes filmed. Toho needed the costumes to film in other parts of the movie, and destroying them and making new costumes would interfere with the movie's budget, so the sequence was never filmed.
[[File:FINALrADO.gif|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'']]
==={{Legendaryera}}===
In the year 20XX, Rodan was taken control of by the [[Xiliens]], along with many of [[Earth]]'s monsters. The Xiliens unleashed Rodan upon [[New York|New York City]]. Rodan first destroyed the [[United Nations]] Secretary General's plane, then descended into the city. Rodan ravaged the city with his supersonic abilities and battled the [[Earth Defense Force]] warship [[Rumbling]], but was suddenly teleported away by the Xiliens, who were pretending to "save" mankind from the monsters. When their true colors were discovered by the EDF, the Xiliens redeployed their monsters, with Rodan resuming his attack on New York. Rodan destroyed the Rumbling when it attacked him again, and continued his destruction of New York unopposed.
====''[[Godzilla 2]]''====
 
On July 26, 2014, Rodan was confirmed to be appearing in ''[[Godzilla 2]]'', along with [[Mothra]] and [[King Ghidorah]].<ref name="GOD2">[http://www.mtv.com/news/1880162/godzilla-2-confirmed-mothra-rodan-ghidorah/ Holy Mothra: Gareth Edwards Reveals ‘Godzilla 2′ Monsters At Comic-Con]</ref>
When the EDF's remaining warship, the [[Gotengo]], freed [[Godzilla/Final Wars|Godzilla]] from his [[Area G|prison]] in [[Antarctica]], the Xilien leader [[X]] unleashed his monsters one after another to try and defeat the King of the Monsters. Godzilla defeated the Xiliens' pawns, and eventually reached [[Mount Fuji]]. X unleashed Rodan, [[Anguirus]] and [[King Caesar]] all at once, who proceeded to attack Godzilla. When Anguirus curled into a ball and tried to ram into Godzilla, Godzilla hit him with his tail, sending him slamming into Rodan as he was flying overhead. Rodan fell from the sky and was knocked unconscious upon striking the ground. Godzilla then defeated both Anguirus and King Caesar, knocking them unconscious and stacking them on top of Rodan. Rather than destroy his helpless foes, Godzilla simply roared victoriously and continued on his way, leaving Rodan and his allies unconscious on the ground.
==Abilities==
===[[MonsterVerse]]===
Rodan's most noticeable trait is his flying speed, which has allowed him to effortlessly outmaneuver and outrun supersonic jets. Aside from his impressive speed and agility, Rodan possesses a variety of special abilities. He is capable of creating destructive shockwaves when flying, which he has used to demolish major cities such as Tokyo and Moscow.  In addition, Rodan can cause powerful winds while on the ground by simply flapping his wings. He also uses his beak and talons effectively in battle (as shown in ''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]'', where his beak was powerful enough to crush boulders), and his wings, despite their delicate appearance, are quite durable. Rodan can lift creatures several times his weight, for instance, Godzilla. Rodan also usually has spikes on his head and chest, which he may use in battle.
====''[[Kong: Skull Island]]''====
[[File:Kong Skull Island Rodan cave painting.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A cave painting of Rodan in ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'']]
After their adventure on [[Skull Island]], [[Monarch]] members [[Houston Brooks]] and [[Lin San]] showed [[James Conrad]] and [[Mason Weaver]] a cave painting of Rodan, along with paintings depicting [[Godzilla/Legendary|Godzilla]], [[Mothra/Legendary|Mothra]] and [[King Ghidorah/Legendary|King Ghidorah]], as proof that the inhabitants of Skull Island were not the only monsters in the world.
{{Clear}}
====''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]''====
After awakening [[King Ghidorah/Legendary|King Ghidorah]] from [[Antarctica]], [[Emma Russell]] awakened Rodan from Outpost 56 in Isla de Mara. An explosion burst from the volcano's crater, and Rodan emerged from the erupting volcano. In order to prevent Rodan from attacking the civilians still evacuating the village, [[Monarch]]'s G-Team opened fire on Rodan with fighter jets, drawing his attention. Rodan took flight and pursued the [[USS Argo|USS ''Argo'']] and its complement of fighter jets. As he flew over the Isla de Mara village, Rodan tore the buildings from the ground below and launched huge amounts of debris into the air. Rodan brought his wings together and propelled himself higher into the air, generating a sonic boom that took out several jets. He then descended and caught two jets in his talons, tearing them apart. Rodan began to spin through the air, destroying the remaining jets with his wings. With only the ''Argo'' left, Monarch realized that Ghidorah was approaching the location and decided to lure Rodan directly into him. Upon entering the storm surrounding Ghidorah, the ''Argo'' dove out of the way and the two [[Titan]]s collided in the air. Ghidorah quickly gained the upper hand, restraining Rodan's wings with his right and left mouths and firing a gravity beam from his central mouth that blasted Rodan into the water below. After Ghidorah landed atop the Isla de Mara volcano and awakened Titans all around the world with his roar, Rodan landed at the foot of the volcano and submitted to Ghidorah.


Rodan could emit a blast of wind from his mouth in his [[Rodan (1956 film)|first appearance]], but this ability has never been used again. In ''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]'', Rodan, as Fire Rodan, develops the ability to emit a radioactive heat beam from his mouth called the uranium heat beam, following exposure to Godzilla and radioactive waste on [[Adonoa Island]]. In the manga adaptation of the aforementioned film, Fire Rodan can absorb any nearby small animals such as birds, and fish, among others, into his body in order to restore his health and vitality. Rodan is also shown to withstand Godzilla's atomic breath, as seen in ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]''. In the Gameboy Advance video game ''[[Godzilla: Domination!]]'', Rodan can release a radioactive mist from specialized glands located in his torso area for two seconds, which, if it connects, can score up to three hits against the opponent. It can also be noted that in this game Rodan also sports an "atomic heat ray" which in fact, resembles a fireball rather than an actual ray.
Rodan accompanied Ghidorah to Washington D.C., assisting him in battling the military. He later followed Ghidorah to Boston and intercepted [[Mothra/Legendary|Mothra]] on his behalf so she could not help [[Godzilla/Legendary|Godzilla]] against him. Rodan and Mothra fought across the city, slamming each other into buildings and tearing at each other with their claws. Rodan finally pinned Mothra against a skyscraper, but she used her claws to push him off. However, Rodan circled back and landed on top of Mothra, trying to stab her with his beak. Mothra extended a stinger from her thorax and impaled Rodan through the chest. Immobilized by the sting, Rodan fell backward and plunged into the burning city below, screeching in rage.


Once Godzilla destroyed Ghidorah, Rodan regained his ability to move and confronted Godzilla along with [[Behemoth]], [[Methuselah]], [[Scylla]], and a [[MUTO]]. Rodan looked up at Godzilla and roared in challenge, but Godzilla returned a look that caused Rodan to submit to him. The others followed suit, all "bowing" to the new King of the Monsters. After this, Rodan began nesting in a volcano near Fiji, with spectators gathering around to catch a glimpse of him.
===[[Reiwa era|Reiwa Series]]===
====''[[Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters|GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters]]''====
[[File:Planet of the Monsters - Rodan's Skeleton.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rodan's skeletal remains in ''[[Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters|GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters]]'']]
Rodan attacked [[Beijing]] in November 2005, causing 8.2 million deaths in tandem with [[Anguirus]]. Both monsters were eventually killed by the [[China|Chinese]] bioweapon [[Hedorah]], which left behind their skeletal remains and proceeded to lay waste to the surrounding area.<ref name="Jimpluff translation">[http://jimpluff.tumblr.com/post/158814461159/whether-theyll-appear-in-the-film-or-not-i-cant]</ref><ref name="Apocalypse 1"/>
{{Clear}}
==Abilities==
===Supersonic Flight===
[[File:RodanGFW.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rodan flies at supersonic speed in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'']]
Rodan's most noticeable trait is his flying speed, which has allowed him to effortlessly outmaneuver and outrun supersonic jets. Aside from his impressive speed and agility, Rodan possesses a variety of special abilities.
{{Clear}}
===Shockwaves===
Rodan is capable of creating destructive shockwaves when flying, which he has used to demolish major cities such as [[Fukuoka]] (in ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'') and [[Moscow]] (in ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'').
===Gusts===
Rodan can create powerful gusts of winds while on the air or in the ground by flapping his wings deliberately.
===Melee attacks===
Rodan also uses his beak and talons effectively in battle (as shown in ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]'', where his beak was powerful enough to crush boulders), and his wings, despite their delicate appearance, are quite durable. Rodan can lift creatures several times his weight, for instance, Godzilla. Rodan also usually has spikes on his head and chest, which he may use in battle.
===Wind Breath===
In Rodan's [[Rodan (film)|first appearance]], the two Rodans could fire jets of compressed air from their mouths, capable of demolishing buildings and sending military vehicles flying. This ability has not been seen since Rodan's debut.
===Uranium Heat Beam===
[[File:Fire_Rodan's_Uranium_Beam.png|thumb|right|200px|Fire Rodan fires his uranium heat beam in ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]'']]In ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]'', Rodan, as Fire Rodan, develops the ability to emit a radioactive heat beam from his mouth called the uranium heat beam, following exposure to Godzilla and radioactive waste on [[Adonoa Island]].
{{Clear}}
===Revitalization===
In the [[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (Kodansha manga)|Kodansha ''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II'' manga adaptation]], Fire Rodan can absorb any nearby small animals such as birds, and fish, among others, into his body in order to restore his health and vitality.
===Resistance===
Rodan was one of the few monsters not affected by Godzilla's atomic breath. In ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'', Godzilla uses his breath against Rodan several times but Rodan seemed unaffected by it at all, only shaking his head in an annoyed manner. Rodan also shrugged off King Ghidorah's gravity beams in ''Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster'' and ''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]''. He was struck several times on his wings but showed no pain or reaction.
Rodan was one of the few monsters not affected by Godzilla's atomic breath. In ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'', Godzilla uses his breath against Rodan several times but Rodan seemed unaffected by it at all, only shaking his head in an annoyed manner. Rodan also shrugged off King Ghidorah's gravity beams in ''Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster'' and ''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]''. He was struck several times on his wings but showed no pain or reaction.
===Miscellaneous===
In the Game Boy Advance video game ''[[Godzilla: Domination!]]'', Rodan can release a radioactive mist from specialized glands located in his torso area for two seconds, which, if it connects, can score up to three hits against the opponent. It can also be noted that in this game Rodan also sports an "atomic heat ray" which in fact, resembles a fireball rather than an actual ray.
==Filmography==
==Filmography==
*''[[Rodan (1956 film)|Rodan]]''
*''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'' (1956)
*''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]''
*''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]'' (1964)
*''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]''
*''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]'' (1965)
*''[[Destroy All Monsters]]''
*''[[Destroy All Monsters]]'' (1968)
*''[[All Monsters Attack]]'' (Mentioned)
*''[[All Monsters Attack]]'' (1969) [mentioned]
*''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]'' (Stock Footage)
*''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]'' (1972) [stock footage]
*''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'' (Stock Footage)
*''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'' (1973) [stock footage]
*''[[Terror of MechaGodzilla]]'' (Stock Footage)
*''[[Terror of Mechagodzilla]]'' (1975) [stock footage]
*''[[Bye-Bye Jupiter]]'' (Stock Footage)
*''[[Bye-Bye Jupiter]]'' (1984) [stock footage]
*''[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]''
*''[[Adventure! Godzilland|Adventure! Godzilland 2]]'' (TV 1993) [animated segments]
*''[[Godzilla Island (Series)|Godzilla Island]]''
*''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]'' (1993)
*''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''
*''[[Get Going! Godzilland]]'' (1994, 1996)
*''[[Godzilla 2]]''
*''[[Godzilla Island (Series)|Godzilla Island]]'' (TV 1997-1998) [74 episodes]<ref name="GI Episode List" group="note">Episodes 1, 6-7, 9-11, 18, 21, 25, 27-30, 36, 38-41, 43-44, 46, 58-61, 63, 66-67, 72-73, 83-84, 90-93, 102, 111-113, 119, 125, 127, 129-130, 132-134, 137-138, 140-141, 144-146, 149, 160-161, 169, 181, 184, 190-192, 194, 199, 201-208, 212, 217, 224, 226-229, 233, 251, and 256.</ref>
==[[Toho monsters in video games|Video Game Appearances]]==
*''[[Rebirth of Mothra III]]'' (1998) [video game sprite]
*''[[Gojira-kun]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' (2004)
*''[[Godzilla (Gameboy)]]''
*''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' (2017) [cave painting]
*''[[Battle Soccer]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters|GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters]]'' (2017) [skeletal remains]
*''Circus Caper'' (Cameo)
*''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]'' (2019)
*''[[Rodan (NES)]]'' (Unmade)
*''[[Godziban]]'' (TV 2019-) [episodes 10, 12; silhouette]
*''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Gameboy)]]''
 
*''[[Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters]]''
==Attractions==
*''[[Godzilla (Arcade)]]'' (Cameo)
*''[[Monster Planet of Godzilla]]'' (1994)
*''[[Godzilla: Giant Monster March]]''
==Video Games==
*''[[Godzilla: Battle Legends]]''
*''[[Gojira-kun]]'' (1985) - Microsoft MSX
*''[[Godzilla: Archipelago Shock]]''
*''[[Godzilla (Game Boy)|Godzilla]]'' (1990) - Game Boy
*''[[Godzilla: Heart-Pounding Monster Island!!]]''
*''Circus Caper'' (1990) - Nintendo Entertainment System
*''[[Godzilla: Trading Battle]]''
*''[[Rodan (NES)|Rodan]]'' (1991) [cancelled]
*''[[Godzilla Generations]]''
*''[[Battle Soccer: Champion of the Field]]'' (1992) - Nintendo Super Famicom
*''[[Godzilla: Domination!]]''
*''[[Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters]]'' (1992) - Nintendo Entertainment System
*''[[Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee]]''
*''[[Battle Baseball]]'' (1993) - Nintendo Famicom
*''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]''
*''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Game Boy)|Godzilla, King of the Monsters]]'' (1993) - Nintendo Game Boy
*''[[CR Godzilla 3S-T Battle]]''
*''[[Godzilla (arcade)|Godzilla]]'' (1993) - Arcade
*''[[Godzilla: Unleashed]]'' (Wii and PlayStation 2)
*''[[Godzilla: Battle Legends]]'' (1993) - NEC/Hudson Soft TurboDuo / PC Engine Duo
*''[[Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Giant Monster March]]'' (1995) - Sega Game Gear
*''[[CR Godzilla: Descent of the Destruction God]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Archipelago Shock]]'' (1995) - Sega Saturn
*''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Heart-Pounding Monster Island!!]]'' (1995) - Sega Pico
*''[[Godzilla: The Game]]''
*''[[Godzilla: Trading Battle]]'' (1998) - Sony PlayStation
===[[Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters]]===
*''[[Godzilla Generations]]'' (1998) - Sega Dreamcast
*''Collect Godzilla: Giant Monster Assembly'' (1998) - Sega Dreamcast VMU
*''[[Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee]]'' (2002) - Nintendo GameCube and Microsoft Xbox
*''[[Godzilla: Domination!]]'' (2002) - Nintendo Game Boy Advance
*''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]'' (2004) - Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox
*''[[CR Godzilla 3S-T Battle]]'' (2006) - Pachinko
*''[[Godzilla: Unleashed]]'' (2007) - Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 2
*''[[Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash]]'' (2007) - Nintendo DS
*''[[CR Godzilla: Descent of the Destruction God]]'' (2010) - Pachinko
*''[[Godzilla (2014 video game)|Godzilla]]'' (2014) - PlayStation 3 and 4
*''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]'' (2015) - Android and iOS
*''Pocoron Dungeons'' (2016) - Android and iOS
*''[[CR True King of the Monsters Godzilla]]'' (2018) - Pachinko
*''[[Godzilla Defense Force]]'' (2019) - Android and iOS
===''[[Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters]]''===
Rodan is one of the monsters encountered in the game.
Rodan is one of the monsters encountered in the game.
===''[[Battle Soccer]]''===
===''[[Battle Soccer: Champion of the Field]]''===
Rodan is in the SNES game as a goalie for the Godzilla Team.
Rodan is in the SNES game as a goalie for the Godzilla Team.
===''[[Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee]]''===
===''[[Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee]]''===
Line 134: Line 212:


"Fire Rodan is [[Earth]]'s largest flier. His element is the air, the clouds, and the wind-swept mountain peaks that scrape against them. Nesting in the tops of active volcanoes, Fire Rodan is virtually immune to heat and lava-based attacks. Rodan is the fastest of all monsters while in the air, and prefers to confront challenges from a lofty height. His great speed also makes him a fierce hand-to-hand combatant, with savage claw, talon, and beak attacks. Fire Rodan defends the Earth's atmosphere - eliminating all airborne threats to the planet's well-being."
"Fire Rodan is [[Earth]]'s largest flier. His element is the air, the clouds, and the wind-swept mountain peaks that scrape against them. Nesting in the tops of active volcanoes, Fire Rodan is virtually immune to heat and lava-based attacks. Rodan is the fastest of all monsters while in the air, and prefers to confront challenges from a lofty height. His great speed also makes him a fierce hand-to-hand combatant, with savage claw, talon, and beak attacks. Fire Rodan defends the Earth's atmosphere - eliminating all airborne threats to the planet's well-being."
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
gu fire rodan bio.png|Fire Rodan's bio from page 25 of the ''Godzilla: Unleashed'' instruction manual booklet
</gallery>
===''[[Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash]]''===
===''[[Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash]]''===
Rodan appears in ''[[Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash]]'' as one of the flyers.
Rodan appears in ''[[Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash]]'' as one of the flyers.
===''[[Godzilla: The Game]]''===
===[[Godzilla (2014 video game)|''Godzilla'' (PlayStation 4)]]===
[[File:Rodan (PS4).png|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in ''[[Godzilla: The Game]]'']]Rodan appears exclusively in the PlayStation 4 version of ''[[Godzilla: The Game]]'' as a playable monster. He is based on his [[ShodaiRado|1956 appearance]] from ''[[Rodan (1956 film)|Rodan]]''. Rodan has the ability to fly around the map far faster than the other flying monsters in the game, and can produce powerful sonic booms by clapping his wings together.
[[File:Rodan (PS4).png|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in [[Godzilla (2014 video game)|''Godzilla'']]]]Rodan appears exclusively in the PlayStation 4 version of [[Godzilla (2014 video game)|''Godzilla'']] as a playable monster. He is based on his 1956 appearance from ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]''. Rodan has the ability to fly around the map far faster than the other flying monsters in the game, and can produce powerful sonic booms by clapping his wings together.
====Moveset====
====Moveset====
*Square
*Square
Line 158: Line 239:
**Tap: Area Shockwave
**Tap: Area Shockwave
====Kaiju Guide====
====Kaiju Guide====
'''[[Rodan|Rodan, the Giant Monster of the Skies]]'''
{{Main|Godzilla (2014 video game)/Kaiju Guide#Rodan}}
[[File:Godzilla.jp_-_5_-_SanDaikaijuRado_Rodan_1964.jpg|200px|right]]
{{small|A monster hatched from the spontaneously-mutated egg of a Pteranodon that lay dormant at the foot of Mt. Aso. First debuting in the film "[[Rodan (1956 film)|Rodan]]" (1956), Rodan was branded as one of Toho's major three giant monsters along with [[Godzilla]] and [[Mothra]], but it only made its second appearance in "[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]" 8 years later (1964). It boasts combat abilities rivaling those of Godzilla, flapping its wings to create powerful gusts of wind and lift its enemy high into the sky before dropping it to the ground. In its duel with the space monster [[King Ghidorah]], it demonstrated its proficiency in combat by charging in the air with Mothra on its back spraying silk from the skies. In cooperation with Godzilla, it became a savior of the earth.}}
 
{{small|The version in "[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]" (1993) took the form of a descendant of a pteranodon that hatched and mutated from its egg after lying in a dormant state since the Mesozoic era on the Island of Adonoa in the Bering Sea. Stimulated by the wavelengths of ancient lotus japonicus plants that were amplified by a chorus of girls from the ESP Research Institute, it spit heat rays and mutated into "Fire Rodan".}}
 
{{small|The Rodan in "[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]" (2004) was controlled by the [[Xiliens]], invading New York and wreaking mass destruction. It also took down the [[Earth Defense Force]] (EDF)'s airship "[[Rumbling]]", subsequently attacking Godzilla at the foot of [[Mount Fuji|Mt. Fuji]] along with [[King Caesar]] and [[Anguirus]], but it found itself in an ambush instead.}}
 
■ '''Specifications'''<br>● '''Second Generation'''<br>
'''Height:'''<br>50 meters<br>
'''Wingspan:'''<br>120 meters<br>
'''Weight:'''<br>15,000 tons<br>
'''Abilities:'''<br>Shockwaves<br>Wind gust<br>
'''Appearances:'''<br>"[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]"<br>"[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]"<br>"[[Destroy All Monsters]]"
 
● '''"[[HeiseiRado|Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II]]"'''<br>
'''Height:'''<br>70 meters<br>
'''Wingspan:'''<br>150 meters<br>
'''Weight:'''<br>16,000 tons<br>
'''Abilities:'''<br>Spits uranium heat rays (as Fire Rodan)<br>
'''Appearances:'''<br>"[[Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2]]"
 
● '''"[[FinalRado|Godzilla: Final Wars]]"'''<br>
'''Height:'''<br>100 meters<br>
'''Wingspan:'''<br>200 meters<br>
'''Weight:'''<br>30,000 tons<br>
'''Abilities:'''<br>Crushing supersonic wave<br>
'''Appearances:'''<br>"[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]"
{{Clear}}
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
Gojira-Kun_-_Rodan.png|Rodan in ''[[Gojira-Kun]]''
Gojira-Kun_-_Rodan.png|Rodan in ''[[Gojira-Kun]]''
Rodan_Ripped_By_Space_Hunter_M.gif|Rodan's Sprite  in ''[[Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters]]''
Rodan_Ripped_By_Space_Hunter_M.gif|Rodan's Sprite  in ''[[Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters]]''
File:02b_rodan.png|Rodan's sprite in Collect Godzilla: Giant Monster Assembly
Gojira Kaiju Dairantou Advance - Character Sprites - Rodan.png|Rodan in ''[[Godzilla: Domination!]]''
Gojira Kaiju Dairantou Advance - Character Sprites - Rodan.png|Rodan in ''[[Godzilla: Domination!]]''
Gojira Kaiju Dairantou Advance - Character Icons - Rodan.png|Rodan's icon in ''[[Godzilla: Domination!]]''
Gojira Kaiju Dairantou Advance - Character Icons - Rodan.png|Rodan's icon in ''[[Godzilla: Domination!]]''
Line 195: Line 249:
Gojira Kaiju Dairantou Advance - Battle Sprites - Rodan.png|Rodan's battle sprite in ''[[Godzilla: Domination!]]''
Gojira Kaiju Dairantou Advance - Battle Sprites - Rodan.png|Rodan's battle sprite in ''[[Godzilla: Domination!]]''
Godzilla_Save_The_Earth_RODAN.png|Fire Rodan in ''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]''
Godzilla_Save_The_Earth_RODAN.png|Fire Rodan in ''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]''
GKC Rodan 1956.jpg|[[ShodaiRado|Rodan 1956]] in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
GKC Rodan 1956.jpg|Rodan 1956 in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
GKC Rodan 1964.jpg|[[SanDaikaijuRado|Rodan 1964]] in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
GKC Rodan 1964.jpg|Rodan 1964 in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
GKC Fire Rodan.jpg|[[Rodan#Fire Rodan|Fire Rodan]] in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
GKC Fire Rodan.jpg|Fire Rodan in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
GKC Rodan.jpg|Scrapped 1993 Concept Art Rodan in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
GKC Rodan.jpg|Scrapped 1993 Concept Art Rodan in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
GKC Rodan 2004.jpg|[[FinalRado|Rodan 2004]] in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
GKC Rodan 2004.jpg|Rodan 2004 in ''[[Godzilla: Kaiju Collection]]''
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Books==
*''[[Godzilla Saves America: A Monster Showdown in 3-D!]]'' (1996)
*''[[Godzilla on Monster Island]]'' (1996)
*''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan and the Smog Monster]]'' (1996)
*''[[Godzilla 2000 (Book)|Godzilla 2000]]'' (1997)
*''[[Godzilla at World's End]]'' (1998)
*''[[Godzilla: Journey to Monster Island]]'' (1998)
*''[[Godzilla Likes to Roar!]]'' (1998)
*''[[Godzilla vs. the Robot Monsters]]'' (1998)
*''[[Godzilla vs. the Space Monster]]'' (1998)
*''[[Who's Afraid of Godzilla?]]'' (1998)
*''[[Godzilla: Monster Apocalypse|GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse]]'' (2017)
*''[[Godzilla: Project Mechagodzilla|GODZILLA: Project Mechagodzilla]]'' (2018)
*''[[Do Your Best Chibi Godzilla]]'' (2018)
*''[[Close Friends Chibi Godzilla]]'' (2019)
===''[[Godzilla Saves America: A Monster Showdown in 3-D!]]''===
[[Godzilla]] encountered Rodan's nest atop Mount Rushmore as he traveled across the [[United States]] to confront [[King Ghidorah]]. Rodan cautioned Godzilla to stay out of its way, and Godzilla continued on his way.
===''[[Godzilla on Monster Island (Children's Book)|Godzilla on Monster Island]]''===
Rodan and [[Anguirus]] were [[Monster Island]]'s first line of defense when [[Mechagodzilla]] arrived to extract a mysterious cocoon on the beach. Rodan launched a series of pecks at the robot's head, but was knocked aside with a swing of its fists. After Godzilla drove Mechagodzilla off, Rodan was among the monsters who watched in awe as [[Mothra]] emerged from the cocoon.
===''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan and the Smog Monster]]''===
When [[Hedorah]] attacked Los Angeles, Rodan swooped in once again to repel him. He was quickly overpowered by the Smog Monster's toxic attacks, but [[Godzilla]] arrived just in time to save him with a few blasts of his atomic breath. When Godzilla struggled against [[Gigan]], Rodan returned the favor, driving the cyborg out of the city with a sonic boom. After Godzilla prevailed, the two monsters returned to their homes as the grateful citizens of LA saw them off.
===''[[Godzilla Likes to Roar]]''===
Rodan was one of the residents of [[Monster Island]]. He is named once in the book, as [[Anguirus]] "nudges [him] with his snout."
===''[[Who's Afraid of Godzilla?]]''===
Like the other [[Monster Island]] denizens, Rodan was terrified of Godzilla, fleeing as the King of the Monsters bounded down to the beach to join their merriment. After Godzilla left and [[Gigan]] and [[Megalon]] took over, Rodan flew away. He returned after Godzilla rescued Anguirus from the two bullies and proved that he wasn't as scary as he looked.
===''[[Godzilla: Monster Apocalypse|GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse]]''===
The first Rodan emerged from Paektu Mountain in November [[2005]] and flew southwest to [[Beijing]], where it was joined by [[Anguirus]]. Both monsters were exterminated by the [[China|Chinese]] bioweapon [[Hedorah]],<ref name="Apocalypse 1">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla: Monster Apocalypse|GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse]]|author=Ōki, Renji|publisher=[[Kadokawa]]|date=October 25, 2017|pages=19-111}}</ref> however after [[Godzilla Earth|Godzilla]] attacked the Eurasian continent flocks of Rodans appeared and preyed on European refugees fleeing through Siberia alongside [[Megaguirus]].<ref name="Apocalypse 2">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla: Monster Apocalypse|GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse]]|author=Ōki, Renji|publisher=[[Kadokawa]]|date=October 25, 2017|pages=151-185}}</ref>
===''[[Godzilla: Project Mechagodzilla|GODZILLA: Project Mechagodzilla]]''===
Following the death of the first Rodan at the hands of [[Hedorah]], a second individual designated "Rodan II" passed through Kyushu, [[Japan]] sometime later. After [[Godzilla Earth|Godzilla]] passed through western Europe in the latter half of the 2030's, multiple Rodans were present in Rome and claimed the Italian peninsula as their feeding ground.<ref name="Project Mechagodzilla">{{cite book|author=Oki, Renji|title=[[Godzilla: Project Mechagodzilla|GODZILLA: Project Mechagodzilla]]|publisher=[[Kadokawa]]|date=25 April 2018|pages=|isbn=9784041063453}}</ref>
==Comics==
==Comics==
===''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansya Manga Series)|Godzilla, King of the Monsters]]''===
*''[[Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters]]'' #2-3, 5, 7, 10-12 (2011-2012)
[[File:Divebombing Rodan.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Rodan attacking [[Godzilla]] in [[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansya Manga Series)|Kodansya's ''Godzilla, King of the Monsters'' manga]]]]
*''[[Godzilla: Gangsters and Goliaths]]'' #1, 4-5 (2011)
In this manga, Rodan appears under the control of Doctor Oniyama, flying across Tokyo and dropping large bombs from his talons. He later attacks Godzilla while he is out at sea and carries him off, only to get slammed into the ground and get his wing torn off by Godzilla. One of his extra bombs was later used by Godzilla as a weapon to kill Anguirus.
*''[[Godzilla: Legends]]'' #2-3 (2011-2012)
*''[[Godzilla: Ongoing]]'' #1-4, 10-13 (2012-2013)
*''[[Godzilla: The Half-Century War]]'' #3 (2012)
*''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'' #1, 5, 9, 13, 19, 20, 21, 25 (2013-2015)
*''[[Godzilla: Cataclysm]]'' #4 (2014)
*''[[Godzilla in Hell]]'' #2 (2015)
*''[[Godzilla: Oblivion]]'' #1, 4 (2016)
*''[[Godzilla: Rage Across Time]]'' #5 (2016)
===''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansha manga series)|Godzilla, King of the Monsters]]''===
[[File:Divebombing Rodan.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Rodan attacking [[Godzilla]] in [[Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Kodansha manga series)|Kodansha's ''Godzilla, King of the Monsters'' manga]]]]
Rodan appeared under the control of Doctor Oniyama, flying across [[Tokyo]] and dropping large bombs from his talons. While Rodan was flying out at sea, [[Godzilla]] tried to shoot him down with his atomic breath, but Oniyama commanded Rodan to catch Godzilla instead and take him away to be frozen and dropped into the ocean. After Godzilla was revived by two submarines, the two fought again, but this time Godzilla had the upper hand, ripping one of Rodan's wings off and burning him to death.
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}
===''[[Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters]]''===
===''[[Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters]]''===
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In [[Godzilla: Ongoing Issue 4|''Godzilla: Ongoing'' #4]], Rodan battles [[Titanosaurus]] in Tokyo. Though Titanosaurus is captured after the battle, Rodan escapes. In [[Godzilla: Ongoing Issue 10|issue #10]], Rodan and [[Anguirus]] battle [[Gigan]] in Hong Kong. In [[Godzilla: Ongoing Issue 13|issue #13]], Rodan appears in New York and plays an integral role in helping Godzilla defeat [[Monster X|Keizer Ghidorah]].<gallery widths="200" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">Rodan Ongoing.jpg|Rodan attacking [[Monster X|Keizer Ghidorah]] in ''[[Godzilla: Ongoing]]''</gallery>
In [[Godzilla: Ongoing Issue 4|''Godzilla: Ongoing'' #4]], Rodan battles [[Titanosaurus]] in Tokyo. Though Titanosaurus is captured after the battle, Rodan escapes. In [[Godzilla: Ongoing Issue 10|issue #10]], Rodan and [[Anguirus]] battle [[Gigan]] in Hong Kong. In [[Godzilla: Ongoing Issue 13|issue #13]], Rodan appears in New York and plays an integral role in helping Godzilla defeat [[Monster X|Keizer Ghidorah]].<gallery widths="200" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">Rodan Ongoing.jpg|Rodan attacking [[Monster X|Keizer Ghidorah]] in ''[[Godzilla: Ongoing]]''</gallery>
===''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]''===
===''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]''===
[[File:RoE_Rodan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in ''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'']]Rodan appeared in the ''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'' comic series, suddenly attacking [[Varan]] and fighting him in a military base. Rodan kept to the air, but the spikes on Varan's back shredded Rodan's wing, forcing him to retreat. Rodan was later seen in a flashback explaining the natural order of monsters, sleeping in a hillside cave. He is also seen on the mural in Infant Island's cave among other flying {{kaiju|s}}. Rodan was later transferred to the [[Monster Island]]s, his wing healed, and lived in peace there until the [[Trilopod]]s attacked. Rodan fell, had his DNA copied by a Trilopod, and was taken to the Trilopod hive along with the other residents of the islands. Much later, King Caesar rampaged through the Trilopod hive, freeing the imprisoned Earth monsters, and Rodan flew to Los Angeles to assist [[Godzilla]] in battle. Rodan managed to kill the Anguirus-Trilopod, and fought against [[Magita]], though he was easily swatted aside by the massive Trilopod. After the battle, Rodan, along with the other {{kaiju|s}}, followed Godzilla out to sea.
[[File:RoE_Rodan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rodan in ''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'']]Rodan appeared in the ''[[Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'' comic series, suddenly attacking [[Varan]] and fighting him in a military base. Rodan kept to the air, but the spikes on Varan's back shredded Rodan's wing, forcing him to retreat. Rodan was later seen in a flashback explaining the natural order of monsters, sleeping in a hillside cave. He is also seen on the mural in Infant Island's cave among other flying [[kaiju]]. Rodan was later transferred to the [[Monster Island]]s, his wing healed, and lived in peace there until the [[Trilopod]]s attacked. Rodan fell, had his DNA copied by a Trilopod, and was taken to the Trilopod hive along with the other residents of the islands. Much later, King Caesar rampaged through the Trilopod hive, freeing the imprisoned Earth monsters, and Rodan flew to Los Angeles to assist [[Godzilla]] in battle. Rodan managed to kill the Anguirus-Trilopod, and fought against [[Magita]], though he was easily swatted aside by the massive Trilopod. After the battle, Rodan, along with the other [[kaiju]], followed Godzilla out to sea.
===''[[Godzilla in Hell]]''===
===''[[Godzilla in Hell]]''===
A demonic version of Rodan appeared in [[Godzilla in Hell Issue 2|the second issue]] of the IDW mini-series ''[[Godzilla in Hell]]'', where he confronted Godzilla in a city in [[Underworld|Hell]]. The demon Rodan charged at Godzilla and dodged his atomic ray. The demon Rodan then soared into the clouds to try a sneak attack on Godzillla, but Godzilla defeated the demon by slamming his tail into him, causing him to crash into the doomed cities of Hell.
A demonic version of Rodan appeared in [[Godzilla in Hell Issue 2|the second issue]] of the IDW mini-series ''[[Godzilla in Hell]]'', where he confronted Godzilla in a city in [[Underworld|Hell]]. The demon Rodan charged at Godzilla and dodged his atomic ray. The demon Rodan then soared into the clouds to try a sneak attack on Godzillla, but Godzilla defeated the demon by slamming his tail into him, causing him to crash into the doomed cities of Hell.
===''[[Godzilla: Oblivion]]''===
===''[[Godzilla: Oblivion]]''===
Several small Rodans appear in the [[Godzilla: Oblivion Issue 1|first issue]] of ''[[Godzilla: Oblivion]]'', where they live in an extra-dimensional version of Earth. One of them rose up from a pile of rubble and killed a soldier with his heat beam. He was then confronted by [[Kiryu]], who easily overwhelmed the Rodan until more of his kind showed up and gained the upper hand. Two Rodans were then seen fighting two [[Mothra]] larvae when the human team decided to head back to their own dimension.  
Several small Rodans appear in the [[Godzilla: Oblivion Issue 1|first issue]] of ''[[Godzilla: Oblivion]]'', where they live in an extra-dimensional version of Earth. One of them rose up from a pile of rubble and killed a soldier with his heat beam. He was then confronted by [[Kiryu]], who easily overwhelmed the Rodan until more of his kind showed up and gained the upper hand. Two Rodans were then seen fighting two [[Mothra]] larvae when the human team decided to head back to their own dimension.


A Rodan appeared in [[Godzilla: Oblivion Issue 4|issue #4]] alongside [[Anguirus]], [[Biollante]], [[Zilla]], [[King Caesar]] and Mothra as they crossed through an interdimensional portal while [[Mecha-King Ghidorah]] was fighting [[Godzilla]].
A larger Rodan appeared in [[Godzilla: Oblivion Issue 4|issue #4]] alongside [[Anguirus]], [[Biollante]], [[Zilla]], [[King Caesar]] and Mothra as they crossed through an interdimensional portal while [[Mecha-King Ghidorah]] was fighting [[Godzilla]]. In the [[Godzilla: Oblivion Issue 5|following issue]], where the monsters were also joined by [[Hedorah]], Rodan first turned his attention towards Godzilla and attacked him from behind while Mothra attacked him from the front. Later, after Mecha-King Ghidorah was defeated by Godzilla, all of the monsters were left behind as the humans left the [[Earth]] as it became covered by tiny robotic cells that served as interdimensional doorways.
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Main|Rodan/Gallery}}
{{Main|Rodan/Gallery}}
==Sightings==
*Along with a few other {{kaiju|s}}, Rodan appeared in a occasion in [[Dragon Ball|Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump series]].
*In the anime ''Fairy Tail'', during the Edolas arc, dragon-like creatures known as Legions have Rodan's roar.
==Roar==
==Roar==
Rodan's roar was reused for many of the {{kaiju|s}}, such as the [[Heisei era|Heisei]] [[King Ghidorah]] and [[Battra]].
Rodan's roar was reused for several other [[kaiju]], such as the [[Heisei era|Heisei]] [[King Ghidorah]] and [[Battra]].
<gallery widths="120" position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
 
Rodan's Cry (Raw Materials)
{{videos|
ShodaiRado (1956-1998)
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">FByILOt1fqc</youtube>|Rodan's roars in ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'' (Raw Materials)}}
DaisensoRado - Rodan (1964-1965)
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">ajfqwcXMcYI</youtube>|Rodan's roars in ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]''}}
Rodan Roars
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">JqPe5xknNQ4</youtube>|Rodan's roars from [[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster|1964]] to [[Destroy All Monsters|1968]]}}
FinalRado (2004)
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">-AyVC7r8Rck</youtube>|Rodan's roars in ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]''}}
</gallery>
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">fgrrAi7Eodk</youtube>|Rodan's roars in ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''}}
==Gallery==
}}
{{Main|Rodan/Gallery}}


==In Other Languages==
==In Other Languages==
*Russian: Родан
{{Other languages
*Chinese: 拉顿(Lā Dùn)
|ru=Родан|rumeaning=Transliteration of English name
 
|zh_yue=拉顿 ''Laai1 deon6''
|zh_yuemeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
|zh_cmn=拉顿 ''Lā Dùn''
|zh_cmnmeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
}}
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*[[Koichi Kawakita]], special effects director for the [[Heisei era|Heisei]] Godzilla series, made the decision to reduce Rodan's size to smaller than Godzilla, thereby avoiding the previous series' tendency of having every monster Godzilla fights be his size.
*[[Koichi Kawakita]], special effects director for the [[Heisei era|Heisei]] ''Godzilla'' series, made the decision to reduce Rodan's size to smaller than Godzilla, thereby avoiding the previous series' tendency of having every monster Godzilla fights be his size.
*Rodan, [[Gyaos]], and [[w:c:ultra:Chandora|Chandora]] all resemble bat-like creatures with large wings, although Rodan is more bird-like.
*Rodan, [[Gyaos]], and [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Chandora|Chandora]] all resemble bat-like creatures with large wings, although Rodan is more bird-like.
*Strangely, despite being referred to as 'Fire Rodan' in the game ''[[Godzilla: Unleashed]]'', and keeping the use of the form's Uranium Beam, Rodan is still represented in his normal form's appearance. This was most likely made as an excuse to give Rodan a beam weapon since, in ''[[Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee]]'' and ''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]'', he is normal Rodan but was given the Uranium Beam, which is an ability that Rodan never uses in his regular form. As a result of this, Fire Rodan's copyright icon is utilized in ''Godzilla: Unleashed'', but Rodan's regular icon is not.
*Strangely, despite being referred to as 'Fire Rodan' in the game ''[[Godzilla: Unleashed]]'', and keeping the use of the form's Uranium Beam, Rodan is still represented in his normal form's appearance. This was most likely made as an excuse to give Rodan a beam weapon since, in ''[[Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee]]'' and ''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]'', he is normal Rodan but was given the Uranium Beam, which is an ability that Rodan never uses in his regular form. As a result of this, Fire Rodan's copyright icon is utilized in ''Godzilla: Unleashed'', but Rodan's regular icon is not.
*In Katakana, Rodan's English name is written as ロダン{{Whijcs}} (''Rodan'').
*Rodan is one of a select few monsters to appear in all three series of ''Godzilla'' films, along with [[Mothra]], [[King Ghidorah]], [[Mechagodzilla]], [[Minilla|Godzilla's]] [[Godzilla Junior|son]], and Godzilla himself.
*"Radon" (Rodan's Japanese name) is also the name of a noble gas discovered in 1898.
==Videos==
*Rodan is one of a select few monsters to appear in all three series of Godzilla films, along with [[Mothra]], [[King Ghidorah]], [[MechaGodzilla]], [[Minilla|Godzilla's]] [[Godzilla Junior|son]], and Godzilla himself. Rodan is also confirmed to be appearing in [[Legendary era|Legendary's Godzilla series]] along with Mothra and King Ghidorah.
{{Videos|
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">https://youtu.be/v7VCz0EIf3s</youtube>|{{WZYT|Kaiju Profile: Showa Rodan}}}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG_eACsQNvE</youtube>|{{WZYT|Kaiju Profile: Heisei and Millennium Rodan|Kaiju Profile: Rodan<br>(Heisei & Millennium)}}}}
}}
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{TohoMonsters}}
{{Toho Monsters}}
==Poll==
{{Comments}}
<poll>
{{Era|TOH|SHO|HEI|MIL|MV|KAI|ROD|FR}}
Do you like Rodan?
<seo metakeywords="rodan, wikizilla, godzilla, wiki, monsterverse, kong skull island, confirmed, planet of the monsters, kaiju, radon, ghidorah, monster zero, invasion of astro monster, final wars, mechagodzilla, destroy all monsters" />
Yes!
No.
Kind of.
</poll>
{{Era|TOH|SHO|HEI|MIL|KAI|ROD|FR}}
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Revision as of 12:57, 25 October 2019

Template:Ktab

Rodan™ trademark icon Fire Rodan™ Copyright Icon
Rodan
Rodan in Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Name information
null
Alternate names Radon, Monster Zero-Two,IoAM
Fire Rodan, Fire Demon,G:KotM
Titanus RodanG:KotM
Subtitle(s) Giant Monster of the Sky
(空の大怪獣,   Sora no Daikaijū)[1]
Crimson Monster Bird
(紅蓮怪鳥,   Guren Kaichō)ROD, G:TB
Airborne Monster
(空中怪獣,   Kūchū Kaijū)DAM[2]
Pterosaur Monster
(翼竜怪獣,   Yokuryū Kaijū)GvMG2[3]
The Flying BattleshipG:BL
Atomic Monster Bird
(原子怪鳥,   Genshi Kaichō)G:TB
The One Born of Fire,G:KotM[4]
A Titan of Winged FuryG:KotM[5]
Physical information
null
Species Irradiated Pteranodon
Height Showa: 50 meters[6][7]
Heisei: 70 meters[6][7]
Millennium: 100 meters[7]
MonsterVerse: 46.9 meters[5][8]
Wingspan Showa: 120 meters[6][7]
Heisei: 150 meters[6][7]
Millennium: 200 meters[7]
MonsterVerse: 265.5 meters[5][8]
Weight Showa: 15,000 metric tons[7]
Heisei: 16,000 metric tons[6][7]
Millennium: 30,000 metric tons[7]
MonsterVerse: 39,043 tons[4]
Forms Fire Rodan, Power Up RodanTMT
Affiliation information
null
Controlled by XiliensIoAM, GFW, KilaaksDAM
Relations BabyGodzilla (Surrogate Brother)
Allies Godzilla, Mothra, Anguirus, Varan, Gorosaurus, Kumonga, Baragon, Manda, Minilla, BabyGodzilla, King Caesar, MechagodzillaGI, MOGUERA, Jet Jaguar, BattraGKM, Kiryu, SandaGRoE, GairaGRoE, ZillaGRoE, TitanosaurusGRoE
Enemies King Ghidorah, Meganulon, Mechagodzilla, Destoroyah, Megalon, Battra, Neo Hedorah, Mecha-King Ghidorah, Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah, Titanosaurus, GodzillaGFW, VaranGRoE, TrilopodGRoE, MagitaGRoE, KiryuObliv, MothraObliv, HedorahG:MA, MegaguirusG:MA
Real world information
null
Played by ShowaHaruo NakajimaROD,
Koji UrukiGTHM,
Masaki ShinoharaIoAM,
Teruo AragakiDAM
Heisei: Puppet
MillenniumNaoko Kamio
MonsterVerse: Jason Liles (motion capture)
Other information
null
First appearance Latest appearance
Rodan Godziban
Roar(s)
1956:1964-1968:Heisei:Millennium:MonsterVerse:More roars
The last of their kind, masters of the air and earth, the strongest, swiftest creatures that ever breathed... now they sank against the earth like weary children. Each had refused to live without the other, and so they were dying together. I wondered whether I, a 20th century man, could ever hope to die as well.
„ 

Shigeru Kawamura (Rodan)

Rodan (ラドン,   Radon) is a giant Pteranodon kaiju who first appeared in the 1956 Toho film, Rodan, and made his first appearance alongside Godzilla in the 1964 Godzilla film, Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster.

Two individual Rodans, a male and a female, were featured in the character's debut film. Awakened by nuclear radiation, the Rodans emerged from Mount Aso in Kyushu and wrought havoc across the globe, eventually annihilating the city of Fukuoka. The JSDF tracked the beasts to their nest in Mt. Aso, and triggered an eruption using artillery, seemingly causing the two Rodans to perish together. However, in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, a single Rodan rose from the crater of Mt. Aso and immediately did battle with Godzilla. Mothra convinced Rodan and Godzilla to put aside their differences and help her drive off King Ghidorah, a malevolent space monster. Rodan went on to become a trusted ally of Godzilla in the Showa series, aiding him twice more in battle against King Ghidorah in the films Invasion of Astro-Monster and Destroy All Monsters.

Rodan was reintroduced for the Heisei series in the film Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, where he was found on Adonoa Island guarding over BabyGodzilla's egg. After being defeated by Godzilla, Rodan transformed into a new form dubbed Fire Rodan (ファイヤーラドン,   Faiyā Radon) and flew to Japan to retrieve BabyGodzilla from G-Force. Rodan was mortally wounded in battle by Mechagodzilla, and gave up his life force to revitalize Godzilla so that he could overcome Mechagodzilla and raise BabyGodzilla in his place.

Rodan's next film appearance came in the final film of the Millennium series, Godzilla: Final Wars, where he was a mind-controlled pawn of the Xiliens in their invasion of Earth. Rodan also exists in the continuity of the GODZILLA anime trilogy, with multiple members of the species featured in the two official prequel novels, GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse and GODZILLA: Project Mechagodzilla. The skeletal remains of the first Rodan in this continuity, killed by the bioweapon Hedorah, are visible during the opening of GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters, along with those of Anguirus. Rodan was teased through a cave painting in Kong: Skull Island, the second film of Legendary Pictures' MonsterVerse, and appeared in full alongside Mothra and King Ghidorah in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the sequel to Legendary's Godzilla.

This is an overview page. To view information on specific incarnations of Rodan, please visit the Rodan incarnations subpages.

Name

Rodan's Japanese name, Radon (ラドン,   Radon), is a truncation of "Pteranodon." It may also have been chosen to suggest radiation. The katakana spelling of Radon is identical to that of Ladon, a dragon-like monster present in Greek mythology, though this may be nothing more than a coincidence. The name was changed to "Rodan" in English-speaking markets,[9] in order to avoid confusion with the element Radon.[10] Toho eventually trademarked the name "Rodan," making it the monster's official English name. However, the name "Radon" was used in English-language materials for Invasion of Astro-Monster,[11][12] and in the English dubs for Terror of Mechagodzilla and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II.

Design

Rodan resembles a large pterosaur that walks upright on two legs. Rodan generally has either brown or burgundy skin with a spiky chest and two to three horns on the back of his head.

Personality

In the original Rodan, the two Rodans are depicted as horrific and dangerous creatures who, despite their destructive nature, care deeply for each other and are unwilling to live without the other. In Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, Rodan displays a great deal of personality, openly mocking Godzilla when the latter is covered in Mothra's silk, and shakes his head in an irritated fashion after Godzilla's atomic breath has no effect on him. According to the translation of the monsters' conversation by the Shobijin, Rodan agrees with Godzilla's sentiment that he only hates humans because they hate him. Rodan claims he has no obligation to protect human beings and prefers to continue his pointless fight with Godzilla. However, upon seeing Mothra bravely take on King Ghidorah by herself, Rodan joins with Godzilla to battle the extraterrestrial creature. In subsequent films in the Showa series, Rodan is seen as a loyal ally of Godzilla who assists him and the other Earth monsters in fighting off King Ghidorah.

In Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Rodan sees BabyGodzilla as his brother and will go to great lengths to protect him, nearly being killed by both Godzilla and Mechagodzilla. After seeing that BabyGodzilla is a Godzillasaurus and not a pteranodon like him, Rodan willingly sacrifices himself to save Godzilla from Mechagodzilla so he can raise BabyGodzilla.

Origins

In the Showa series, Rodan is a Pteranodon that lived deep underground and was mutated from exposure to radiation and grew to gigantic size. In Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, it is explained that Rodan was a Pteranodon living on Adonoa Island who was mutated due to nuclear dumping on the island by the Russians. Rodan's origins are never elaborated upon in Godzilla: Final Wars, but according to chief monster modeler Shinichi Wakasa he is the same character as before and has been encountered in that film's continuity in the past, explaining why the characters recognize him.

In the MonsterVerse, Rodan is a colossal ancient creature designated as a Titan by Monarch, who was discovered in pyrostasis within the volcano on Isla de Mara, Mexico, in 1991. Rodan's exact species is not known, although he is described as a "reptilian firebird" and still resembles a giant pterosaur.

Incarnations

History

Showa Series

Rodan

Rodan in Rodan

While assisting the JSDF in exterminating the Meganulon in the mine in Kitamatsu, Shigeru Kawamura was sent falling into a cavern underneath Mount Aso by a sudden avalanche. When Shigeru regained consciousness, he found himself in front of a colossal egg, and surrounded by countless Meganulon. Suddenly, the egg began to crack, and from it emerged the hatchling Rodan. The creature broke the rest of its eggshell with its wings and roared loudly before grabbing the Meganulon in its beak and eating them. Horrified by the sight, Shigeru went into shock, and was rescued sometime later by a group of villagers. Shigeru was left in a catatonic state, and the authorities could not gain any information from him regarding what he saw. In the meantime, Rodan began an aerial prowl across the Pacific Ocean, being sighted above China, the Philippines and Hong Kong. Eyewitnesses couldn't make out what they saw, labeling it simply a UFO. The JASDF tried to take down the UFO when it was sighted over Japan, but Rodan used its supersonic flight to evade its attackers and destroy them. As Rodan's rampage continued, it attacked a young couple near Mt. Aso, though its victims did take a partial photograph of the beast before they were killed. When Shigeru emerged from his catatonic state and told his story to the authorities, Dr. Kashiwagi cross-referenced his story with the photograph and a piece of eggshell found near Mt. Aso, and determined that the UFO was actually a giant Pteranodon. Rodan emerged from the crater of Mt. Aso shortly afterward, and began flying to the city of Fukuoka. The JASDF engaged the beast in a dogfight, during which a F-86 Sabre crashed into the beast's wing, injuring it and causing it to lose its supersonic flight. Rodan touched down in Fukuoka, blowing away buildings and vehicles by flapping its wings. The JSDF deployed all its forces to attack Rodan, but they were blown away by the powerful winds. A second Rodan soon appeared over the city, and assisted its mate in fighting off the JSDF before escorting it back to their nest inside Mt. Aso.

As the two Rodans entered hibernation inside the mountain, the JSDF formed a last-ditch plan to destroy them: they would bombard the volcano with missiles, triggering an eruption and hopefully incinerating both monsters. Several Honest John Missile Launchers were stationed around Mt. Aso, and opened fire on the slopes of the volcano. The missiles triggered a small earthquake, which brought forth lava from the volcano and caused it to erupt. The two Rodans broke out of the mountain and began to fly away, but the intense heat caused one Rodan to fall into the lava below, where it began to burn alive. Unwilling to live without its companion, the other Rodan flew down into the lava flow next to its mate, where the two Rodans appeared to die together.

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster

In 1964, eight years after the two Rodans seemingly perished in the eruption of Mount Aso, a mysterious woman claiming to come from Venus appeared in Japan and warned that a terrible disaster would soon occur at the volcano. While seismologists claimed that Mt. Aso showed no danger of erupting, the Venusian arrived at the volcano's crater and warned all the people there to flee. She claimed that accumulated volcanic gases would soon resurrect Rodan, only for the spectators to laugh at her. The Venusian's prediction came true however, when Rodan emerged from the volcano's crater and let out a terrifying roar. Rodan took flight and rose from the crater, causing the crowds to scatter and flee. Rodan flew over a nearby bridge, causing it to collapse into the water below. Rodan then flew to Yokohama, where Godzilla had just surfaced from the harbor. When he saw Rodan flying overhead, Godzilla roared and followed him to the foot of Mount Fuji, where the two monsters began a titanic battle. Meanwhile, a meteor that crashed in Kurobe Valley split open and unleashed King Ghidorah, an evil space monster that had previously destroyed the civilization of Venus. As King Ghidorah terrorized Japan while Godzilla and Rodan battled, humanity turned to the Shobijin for aid. The Shobijin claimed that Mothra stood no chance against any of those monsters, but if she worked together with Godzilla and Rodan they may have a chance to fend off King Ghidorah. Mothra left Infant Island and arrived at Mt. Fuji, where she interrupted Godzilla and Rodan's ongoing battle. Mothra tried to convince Godzilla and Rodan to aid her, but the two monsters stubbornly insisted that the other apologize, and refused to assist humanity because humanity had always attacked them. Mothra tried to tell them that the Earth belonged to all creatures, and that it was their duty to defend it, but the monsters still refused. Mothra tried to take on King Ghidorah by herself, but was brutally overpowered by the space monster. Godzilla and Rodan were inspired by the larva's courage, and decided to put aside their differences to help her. Together, the three monsters gained the upper hand against their extraterrestrial foe. Rodan allowed Mothra to ride on his back and spit silk at King Ghidorah while Godzilla held King Ghidorah still from behind. Godzilla threw King Ghidorah off a cliff and pelted him with boulders, finally leading the beast to retreat back to outer space. Godzilla and Rodan then watched Mothra and the Shobijin swim back to Infant Island.

Invasion of Astro-Monster

In 196X, astronauts Kazuo Fuji and Glenn arrived on the newly-discovered Planet X, where they encountered an intelligent alien race known as the Xiliens. The Xiliens' leader, the Controller of Planet X, informed the astronauts that their planet was under constant attack by a space monster known as Monster Zero, which was revealed to be none other than King Ghidorah. The Controller asked to "borrow" Godzilla and Rodan from Earth, knowing they successfully drove away King Ghidorah in the past. Glenn and Fuji said they would consider the offer, then returned to Earth. In secret, several Xiliens traveled to Earth and discovered the locations of Godzilla and Rodan. When the Xiliens' presence was discovered, they met with several of Earth's leaders and stated that they had the capacity to retrieve and transport both monsters to Planet X. After the Xiliens gained permission to take the kaiju, one Xilien UFO blasted away the side of a mountain, revealing Rodan sleeping inside. The UFO then brought Rodan to Planet X, with another carrying Godzilla. The monsters were released on the planet's surface, after which King Ghidorah arrived. Godzilla and Rodan worked together and eventually drove King Ghidorah off. The Controller thanked Glenn and Fuji, and provided them with a tape he claimed contained the cure for cancer. When the astronauts returned to Earth, they found that the tape was an ultimatum from the Xiliens, demanding that the Earth surrender and become a colony of Planet X. When humanity would not yield, the Xiliens released Godzilla, Rodan and King Ghidorah, all of whom were under their control, to attack Earth's major cities. Thankfully, Fuji discovered that the Xiliens' mind-control rays could be severed by special light rays, and the JSDF constructed several A-Cycle Light Ray Guns to break the aliens' control over the monsters. In addition, the humans broadcast a sound that was lethal to the Xiliens, allowing them to be easily defeated by the JSDF's forces. After the Xiliens were defeated, the monsters regained consciousness, and Godzilla and Rodan again joined forces against King Ghidorah. After a brief battle, Rodan grabbed hold of Godzilla and flew into King Ghidorah, sending all three monsters toppling off a cliff into the ocean. King Ghidorah surfaced and flew back into space after a few moments, but Godzilla and Rodan disappeared. However, humanity was fairly certain neither monster had been killed.

Destroy All Monsters

By the end of the 20th century, Rodan and most of Earth's other monsters had been captured and contained on Monsterland, a human-monitored island in the Ogasawara chain. Rodan lived peacefully on the island, restrained only by a magnetic barrier that extended slightly past the island. As such, Rodan was able to freely fly over Monsterland and even over the surrounding waters, where he could catch and eat his fill of sea creatures. However, the peace would be disturbed when the Kilaaks seized Monsterland, taking control of the monsters and sending them to attack the Earth's major cities. Rodan first attacked Moscow, then later appeared in Tokyo alongside Godzilla, Mothra and Manda. After destroying Tokyo, Rodan reappeared in the area around Mount Fuji, where he attacked the Moonlight SY-3 before it escaped into outer space. When the Kilaaks' mind control over the monsters was severed, the monsters assembled near Mt. Fuji, ready to destroy the Kilaaks' base of operations. The Kilaaks then unleashed their trump card, King Ghidorah, and sent him to attack the monsters. Rodan did not directly take part in the battle, but merely watched as the other monsters overpowered and finally killed King Ghidorah. The Kilaaks then unleashed the Fire Dragon, which flew past Rodan and set him on fire before heading to Tokyo. The Moonlight SY-3 destroyed the Fire Dragon, and Rodan and all the other monsters were subsequently returned to Monsterland to live in peace.

Godzilla vs. Gigan

In 1972, Rodan was living on Monster Island alongside Godzilla, Anguirus, Mothra, Minilla, Kamacuras, Kumonga and Gorosaurus. The M Space Hunter Nebula Aliens were planning to wipe out the monsters on the island, but their plans to invade Earth were foiled by Godzilla and Anguirus after they escaped the island.

Godzilla vs. Megalon

In 197X, an underground nuclear test conducted near the Aleutian Islands produced far-reaching seismic anomalies. In addition to damaging the capital of Seatopia, the detonation caused an earthquake that tore apart Monster Island, causing Rodan to fall from his perch onto Anguirus, causing both kaiju to fall into an underground fissure.

Terror of Mechagodzilla

To try and dissuade her father from giving Titanosaurus' services to the Black Hole Planet 3 Aliens, Katsura Mafune reminded him of the destruction wrought by other kaiju, such as Rodan, King Ghidorah and Manda.

Heisei Series

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

When a team of scientists led by Hiroshi Omae arrived on Adonoa Island and discovered an intact egg in a Pteranodon nest, they prepared to load it onto a helicopter so they could bring it back to Japan. As they were doing so, Rodan flew overhead and destroyed their campsite. Omae stated that Rodan was an irradiated Pteranodon that must have hatched from another egg in the same nest. Rodan landed on a cliff overlooking the sea, which began to suddenly flash. Rodan stared into the water, only for a beam of Godzilla's atomic breath to shoot out of the water and strike the cliff. Rodan took flight and flew out over the water, producing shockwaves on the surface of the water. Godzilla fired his atomic breath at Rodan, with one blast striking his wing. Godzilla came ashore on the island, only for Rodan to fly behind him and strike him with the spikes on his chest. Rodan began pecking Godzilla in the back of the head with his pointed beak. Godzilla's dorsal plates began to flash, leading Rodan to fly away as Godzilla fired his atomic breath at him. Rodan circled around Godzilla, then flew directly at him and knocked him to the ground with his wing. Rodan dove onto Godzilla and began pecking at his face, but Godzilla managed to grab Rodan by the throat, choking him until blood began to pour from Rodan's mouth. Godzilla threw Rodan off of him and blasted him with his atomic breath, only for Rodan to fly back at him and knock Godzilla headfirst into a mountain, which collapsed onto Godzilla and buried him in rubble. Rodan flew overhead, but Godzilla's tail knocked Rodan out of the sky. Godzilla rose from the rubble and blasted Rodan with his atomic breath, then stomped on his back. Rodan tried to take flight, but Godzilla blasted him twice at point-blank range with his atomic breath, sending Rodan crashing into a rocky slope and leaving him seemingly dead. In the confusion, the scientists had managed to escape the island with the egg, with Godzilla following after them, intent on recovering the egg for himself.

Fire Rodan

When a choir of psychic girls sang a song to BabyGodzilla, the creature that hatched from the egg found in Rodan's nest, Rodan heard it all the way back on Adonoa Island. Rodan was revived as Fire Rodan (ファイヤーラドン,   Faiyā Radon) and immediately flew to Japan to rescue his surrogate brother. When Fire Rodan arrived, BabyGodzilla was being airlifted via helicopter to the Ogasawara Island, where G-Force hoped to lure Godzilla so he could be killed by Mechagodzilla. Fire Rodan intercepted the chopper while it was still flying over Japan, destroying it and grabbing the canister holding BabyGodzilla and his surrogate human mother Azusa Gojo. Fire Rodan touched down in a nearby city and attempted to break open the canister with his beak. G-Force deployed Mechagodzilla and the Garuda to defeat Fire Rodan. Fire Rodan took flight and managed to bring down the Garuda by slamming his chest spikes into it, sending it crashing into a nearby building. Fire Rodan turned his attention to Mechagodzilla, firing his new uranium heat beam at the mecha and attacking it up close with his beak. Fire Rodan managed to destroy Mechagodzilla's right eye with his beak, but Mechagodzilla used the plasma it had absorbed from Fire Rodan's beam to blast him with its plasma grenade, shredding Rodan's chest and sending him flying into several buildings.

With Fire Rodan seemingly dead, Godzilla unexpectedly appeared in the city and engaged Mechagodzilla in battle. Mechagodzilla combined with the Garuda to form Super Mechagodzilla, and crippled Godzilla by destroying his secondary brain with its G-Crusher system. At this point, BabyGodzilla broke free of the canister and cried out, gaining the attention of the wounded Fire Rodan. Fire Rodan took flight, only to be shot down by Super Mechagodzilla's mega buster. Fire Rodan fell on top of Godzilla, and began transferring his life force into him. As Fire Rodan faded away, Godzilla's secondary brain was regenerated, and he rose back to his feet. Empowered by Fire Rodan's energy, Godzilla destroyed Super Mechagodzilla and left Japan with BabyGodzilla.

Godzilla Island


Fire Rodan
Fire Rodan in Godzilla Island


Millennium Series

Godzilla: Final Wars

In the year 20XX, Rodan was taken control of by the Xiliens, along with many of Earth's monsters. The Xiliens unleashed Rodan upon New York City. Rodan first destroyed the United Nations Secretary General's plane, then descended into the city. Rodan ravaged the city with his supersonic abilities and battled the Earth Defense Force warship Rumbling, but was suddenly teleported away by the Xiliens, who were pretending to "save" mankind from the monsters. When their true colors were discovered by the EDF, the Xiliens redeployed their monsters, with Rodan resuming his attack on New York. Rodan destroyed the Rumbling when it attacked him again, and continued his destruction of New York unopposed.

When the EDF's remaining warship, the Gotengo, freed Godzilla from his prison in Antarctica, the Xilien leader X unleashed his monsters one after another to try and defeat the King of the Monsters. Godzilla defeated the Xiliens' pawns, and eventually reached Mount Fuji. X unleashed Rodan, Anguirus and King Caesar all at once, who proceeded to attack Godzilla. When Anguirus curled into a ball and tried to ram into Godzilla, Godzilla hit him with his tail, sending him slamming into Rodan as he was flying overhead. Rodan fell from the sky and was knocked unconscious upon striking the ground. Godzilla then defeated both Anguirus and King Caesar, knocking them unconscious and stacking them on top of Rodan. Rather than destroy his helpless foes, Godzilla simply roared victoriously and continued on his way, leaving Rodan and his allies unconscious on the ground.

MonsterVerse

Kong: Skull Island

A cave painting of Rodan in Kong: Skull Island

After their adventure on Skull Island, Monarch members Houston Brooks and Lin San showed James Conrad and Mason Weaver a cave painting of Rodan, along with paintings depicting Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah, as proof that the inhabitants of Skull Island were not the only monsters in the world.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters

After awakening King Ghidorah from Antarctica, Emma Russell awakened Rodan from Outpost 56 in Isla de Mara. An explosion burst from the volcano's crater, and Rodan emerged from the erupting volcano. In order to prevent Rodan from attacking the civilians still evacuating the village, Monarch's G-Team opened fire on Rodan with fighter jets, drawing his attention. Rodan took flight and pursued the USS Argo and its complement of fighter jets. As he flew over the Isla de Mara village, Rodan tore the buildings from the ground below and launched huge amounts of debris into the air. Rodan brought his wings together and propelled himself higher into the air, generating a sonic boom that took out several jets. He then descended and caught two jets in his talons, tearing them apart. Rodan began to spin through the air, destroying the remaining jets with his wings. With only the Argo left, Monarch realized that Ghidorah was approaching the location and decided to lure Rodan directly into him. Upon entering the storm surrounding Ghidorah, the Argo dove out of the way and the two Titans collided in the air. Ghidorah quickly gained the upper hand, restraining Rodan's wings with his right and left mouths and firing a gravity beam from his central mouth that blasted Rodan into the water below. After Ghidorah landed atop the Isla de Mara volcano and awakened Titans all around the world with his roar, Rodan landed at the foot of the volcano and submitted to Ghidorah.

Rodan accompanied Ghidorah to Washington D.C., assisting him in battling the military. He later followed Ghidorah to Boston and intercepted Mothra on his behalf so she could not help Godzilla against him. Rodan and Mothra fought across the city, slamming each other into buildings and tearing at each other with their claws. Rodan finally pinned Mothra against a skyscraper, but she used her claws to push him off. However, Rodan circled back and landed on top of Mothra, trying to stab her with his beak. Mothra extended a stinger from her thorax and impaled Rodan through the chest. Immobilized by the sting, Rodan fell backward and plunged into the burning city below, screeching in rage.

Once Godzilla destroyed Ghidorah, Rodan regained his ability to move and confronted Godzilla along with Behemoth, Methuselah, Scylla, and a MUTO. Rodan looked up at Godzilla and roared in challenge, but Godzilla returned a look that caused Rodan to submit to him. The others followed suit, all "bowing" to the new King of the Monsters. After this, Rodan began nesting in a volcano near Fiji, with spectators gathering around to catch a glimpse of him.

Reiwa Series

GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters

Rodan's skeletal remains in GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters

Rodan attacked Beijing in November 2005, causing 8.2 million deaths in tandem with Anguirus. Both monsters were eventually killed by the Chinese bioweapon Hedorah, which left behind their skeletal remains and proceeded to lay waste to the surrounding area.[13][14]

Abilities

Supersonic Flight

Rodan flies at supersonic speed in Godzilla: Final Wars

Rodan's most noticeable trait is his flying speed, which has allowed him to effortlessly outmaneuver and outrun supersonic jets. Aside from his impressive speed and agility, Rodan possesses a variety of special abilities.

Shockwaves

Rodan is capable of creating destructive shockwaves when flying, which he has used to demolish major cities such as Fukuoka (in Rodan) and Moscow (in Destroy All Monsters).

Gusts

Rodan can create powerful gusts of winds while on the air or in the ground by flapping his wings deliberately.

Melee attacks

Rodan also uses his beak and talons effectively in battle (as shown in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, where his beak was powerful enough to crush boulders), and his wings, despite their delicate appearance, are quite durable. Rodan can lift creatures several times his weight, for instance, Godzilla. Rodan also usually has spikes on his head and chest, which he may use in battle.

Wind Breath

In Rodan's first appearance, the two Rodans could fire jets of compressed air from their mouths, capable of demolishing buildings and sending military vehicles flying. This ability has not been seen since Rodan's debut.

Uranium Heat Beam

Fire Rodan fires his uranium heat beam in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

In Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Rodan, as Fire Rodan, develops the ability to emit a radioactive heat beam from his mouth called the uranium heat beam, following exposure to Godzilla and radioactive waste on Adonoa Island.


Revitalization

In the Kodansha Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II manga adaptation, Fire Rodan can absorb any nearby small animals such as birds, and fish, among others, into his body in order to restore his health and vitality.

Resistance

Rodan was one of the few monsters not affected by Godzilla's atomic breath. In Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, Godzilla uses his breath against Rodan several times but Rodan seemed unaffected by it at all, only shaking his head in an annoyed manner. Rodan also shrugged off King Ghidorah's gravity beams in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster and Invasion of Astro-Monster. He was struck several times on his wings but showed no pain or reaction.

Miscellaneous

In the Game Boy Advance video game Godzilla: Domination!, Rodan can release a radioactive mist from specialized glands located in his torso area for two seconds, which, if it connects, can score up to three hits against the opponent. It can also be noted that in this game Rodan also sports an "atomic heat ray" which in fact, resembles a fireball rather than an actual ray.

Filmography

Attractions

Video Games

Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters

Rodan is one of the monsters encountered in the game.

Battle Soccer: Champion of the Field

Rodan is in the SNES game as a goalie for the Godzilla Team.

Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee

Rodan was playable in both the Nintendo Game Cube and the Xbox versions.

Godzilla: Save the Earth

Rodan re-appears in the sequel again with the same design in both of the games for PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

Godzilla: Unleashed

Fire Rodan in Godzilla: Unleashed

Rodan returns in Godzilla: Unleashed but under the name "Fire Rodan," to coincide with the use of his Uranium Beam. Rodan is part of the Earth Defender Faction and is one of the fastest flyers in the game.

Height: 70 meters
Height: 24,000 tons

"Fire Rodan is Earth's largest flier. His element is the air, the clouds, and the wind-swept mountain peaks that scrape against them. Nesting in the tops of active volcanoes, Fire Rodan is virtually immune to heat and lava-based attacks. Rodan is the fastest of all monsters while in the air, and prefers to confront challenges from a lofty height. His great speed also makes him a fierce hand-to-hand combatant, with savage claw, talon, and beak attacks. Fire Rodan defends the Earth's atmosphere - eliminating all airborne threats to the planet's well-being."

Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash

Rodan appears in Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash as one of the flyers.

Godzilla (PlayStation 4)

Rodan in Godzilla

Rodan appears exclusively in the PlayStation 4 version of Godzilla as a playable monster. He is based on his 1956 appearance from Rodan. Rodan has the ability to fly around the map far faster than the other flying monsters in the game, and can produce powerful sonic booms by clapping his wings together.

Moveset

  • Square
    • One tap: Peck
    • Two taps: Peck
    • Three taps: Multi-Peck
  • Triangle
    • Tap: Kick Up
    • Tap (Mid-Air): Double Kick
  • X
    • Tap: Jump
    • Hold: Hover
    • Roar + Tap: Swooping Shockwave
    • Tap (Mid-Air): Land
  • Circle
    • Tap: Wing Shockwave
    • Roar + Tap: Sonic Ram
    • Tap (Mid-Air): Wing Shockwave
  • R2
    • Tap: Area Shockwave

Kaiju Guide

Main article: Godzilla (2014 video game)/Kaiju Guide#Rodan.

Books

Godzilla Saves America: A Monster Showdown in 3-D!

Godzilla encountered Rodan's nest atop Mount Rushmore as he traveled across the United States to confront King Ghidorah. Rodan cautioned Godzilla to stay out of its way, and Godzilla continued on his way.

Godzilla on Monster Island

Rodan and Anguirus were Monster Island's first line of defense when Mechagodzilla arrived to extract a mysterious cocoon on the beach. Rodan launched a series of pecks at the robot's head, but was knocked aside with a swing of its fists. After Godzilla drove Mechagodzilla off, Rodan was among the monsters who watched in awe as Mothra emerged from the cocoon.

Godzilla vs. Gigan and the Smog Monster

When Hedorah attacked Los Angeles, Rodan swooped in once again to repel him. He was quickly overpowered by the Smog Monster's toxic attacks, but Godzilla arrived just in time to save him with a few blasts of his atomic breath. When Godzilla struggled against Gigan, Rodan returned the favor, driving the cyborg out of the city with a sonic boom. After Godzilla prevailed, the two monsters returned to their homes as the grateful citizens of LA saw them off.

Godzilla Likes to Roar

Rodan was one of the residents of Monster Island. He is named once in the book, as Anguirus "nudges [him] with his snout."

Who's Afraid of Godzilla?

Like the other Monster Island denizens, Rodan was terrified of Godzilla, fleeing as the King of the Monsters bounded down to the beach to join their merriment. After Godzilla left and Gigan and Megalon took over, Rodan flew away. He returned after Godzilla rescued Anguirus from the two bullies and proved that he wasn't as scary as he looked.

GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse

The first Rodan emerged from Paektu Mountain in November 2005 and flew southwest to Beijing, where it was joined by Anguirus. Both monsters were exterminated by the Chinese bioweapon Hedorah,[14] however after Godzilla attacked the Eurasian continent flocks of Rodans appeared and preyed on European refugees fleeing through Siberia alongside Megaguirus.[15]

GODZILLA: Project Mechagodzilla

Following the death of the first Rodan at the hands of Hedorah, a second individual designated "Rodan II" passed through Kyushu, Japan sometime later. After Godzilla passed through western Europe in the latter half of the 2030's, multiple Rodans were present in Rome and claimed the Italian peninsula as their feeding ground.[16]

Comics

Godzilla, King of the Monsters

Rodan appeared under the control of Doctor Oniyama, flying across Tokyo and dropping large bombs from his talons. While Rodan was flying out at sea, Godzilla tried to shoot him down with his atomic breath, but Oniyama commanded Rodan to catch Godzilla instead and take him away to be frozen and dropped into the ocean. After Godzilla was revived by two submarines, the two fought again, but this time Godzilla had the upper hand, ripping one of Rodan's wings off and burning him to death.

Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters

Godzilla: Legends


Godzilla: The Half-Century War

Godzilla: Ongoing

In Godzilla: Ongoing #4, Rodan battles Titanosaurus in Tokyo. Though Titanosaurus is captured after the battle, Rodan escapes. In issue #10, Rodan and Anguirus battle Gigan in Hong Kong. In issue #13, Rodan appears in New York and plays an integral role in helping Godzilla defeat Keizer Ghidorah.

Godzilla: Rulers of Earth

Rodan appeared in the Godzilla: Rulers of Earth comic series, suddenly attacking Varan and fighting him in a military base. Rodan kept to the air, but the spikes on Varan's back shredded Rodan's wing, forcing him to retreat. Rodan was later seen in a flashback explaining the natural order of monsters, sleeping in a hillside cave. He is also seen on the mural in Infant Island's cave among other flying kaiju. Rodan was later transferred to the Monster Islands, his wing healed, and lived in peace there until the Trilopods attacked. Rodan fell, had his DNA copied by a Trilopod, and was taken to the Trilopod hive along with the other residents of the islands. Much later, King Caesar rampaged through the Trilopod hive, freeing the imprisoned Earth monsters, and Rodan flew to Los Angeles to assist Godzilla in battle. Rodan managed to kill the Anguirus-Trilopod, and fought against Magita, though he was easily swatted aside by the massive Trilopod. After the battle, Rodan, along with the other kaiju, followed Godzilla out to sea.

Godzilla in Hell

A demonic version of Rodan appeared in the second issue of the IDW mini-series Godzilla in Hell, where he confronted Godzilla in a city in Hell. The demon Rodan charged at Godzilla and dodged his atomic ray. The demon Rodan then soared into the clouds to try a sneak attack on Godzillla, but Godzilla defeated the demon by slamming his tail into him, causing him to crash into the doomed cities of Hell.

Godzilla: Oblivion

Several small Rodans appear in the first issue of Godzilla: Oblivion, where they live in an extra-dimensional version of Earth. One of them rose up from a pile of rubble and killed a soldier with his heat beam. He was then confronted by Kiryu, who easily overwhelmed the Rodan until more of his kind showed up and gained the upper hand. Two Rodans were then seen fighting two Mothra larvae when the human team decided to head back to their own dimension.

A larger Rodan appeared in issue #4 alongside Anguirus, Biollante, Zilla, King Caesar and Mothra as they crossed through an interdimensional portal while Mecha-King Ghidorah was fighting Godzilla. In the following issue, where the monsters were also joined by Hedorah, Rodan first turned his attention towards Godzilla and attacked him from behind while Mothra attacked him from the front. Later, after Mecha-King Ghidorah was defeated by Godzilla, all of the monsters were left behind as the humans left the Earth as it became covered by tiny robotic cells that served as interdimensional doorways.

Gallery

Main article: Rodan/Gallery.

Roar

Rodan's roar was reused for several other kaiju, such as the Heisei King Ghidorah and Battra.

Rodan's roars in Rodan (Raw Materials)
Rodan's roars in Rodan
Rodan's roars from 1964 to 1968
Rodan's roars in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II
Rodan's roars in Godzilla: Final Wars

In Other Languages

Language Name Meaning
Chinese Flagicon Hong Kong.png Cantonese 拉顿 Laai1 deon6 Transcription of Japanese name
China and Taiwan Flags.png Mandarin 拉顿 Lā Dùn Transcription of Japanese name
Flagicon Russia.png Russian Родан Transliteration of English name

Trivia

  • Koichi Kawakita, special effects director for the Heisei Godzilla series, made the decision to reduce Rodan's size to smaller than Godzilla, thereby avoiding the previous series' tendency of having every monster Godzilla fights be his size.
  • Rodan, Gyaos, and Chandora all resemble bat-like creatures with large wings, although Rodan is more bird-like.
  • Strangely, despite being referred to as 'Fire Rodan' in the game Godzilla: Unleashed, and keeping the use of the form's Uranium Beam, Rodan is still represented in his normal form's appearance. This was most likely made as an excuse to give Rodan a beam weapon since, in Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee and Godzilla: Save the Earth, he is normal Rodan but was given the Uranium Beam, which is an ability that Rodan never uses in his regular form. As a result of this, Fire Rodan's copyright icon is utilized in Godzilla: Unleashed, but Rodan's regular icon is not.
  • Rodan is one of a select few monsters to appear in all three series of Godzilla films, along with Mothra, King Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla, Godzilla's son, and Godzilla himself.

Videos

Wikizilla: YouTube Kaiju Profile: Showa Rodan
Wikizilla: YouTube Kaiju Profile: Rodan
(Heisei & Millennium)

Notes

  1. Episodes 1, 6-7, 9-11, 18, 21, 25, 27-30, 36, 38-41, 43-44, 46, 58-61, 63, 66-67, 72-73, 83-84, 90-93, 102, 111-113, 119, 125, 127, 129-130, 132-134, 137-138, 140-141, 144-146, 149, 160-161, 169, 181, 184, 190-192, 194, 199, 201-208, 212, 217, 224, 226-229, 233, 251, and 256.

References

This is a list of references for Rodan. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]

  1. Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia. Shogakukan. 23 July 2014. p. 117. ISBN 4-096-82090-3. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. Ultra Books: Destroy All Monsters. Asahi Sonorama. 1968. Check date values in: |date= (help)
    Ultra Books Kaiju Soshingeki Rodan.jpg
  3. Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia. Shogakukan. 23 July 2014. p. 86. ISBN 4-096-82090-3. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Specimen: Titanus Rodan". Toho Kingdom on Twitter. 16 May 2019.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "SPECIMEN: TITANUS RODAN" - Monarch Sciences
    TITANUS RODAN - Monarch Sciences.png
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 J.D. Lees, Marc Cerasini (24 March 1998). The Official Godzilla Compendium. Random House. p. 138. ISBN 0279888225 Check |isbn= value: checksum (help). Check date values in: |date= (help)
    Compendium28.png
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Godzilla Completely Deciphered. Takarajimasha. 26 June 2014. pp. 76, 102, 111. ISBN 4800228964.
  8. 8.0 8.1 MonsterVerse Rodan Japanese stats.jpg
  9. Rodan 57.jpg
  10. Harry Edmundson-Cornell (March 24, 2015). "Tsuburaya Does Colour: Rodan". Sequart Organization.
  11. Astro-monster 66.jpeg
  12. Radon trailer.png
  13. [1]
  14. 14.0 14.1 Ōki, Renji (October 25, 2017). GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse. Kadokawa. pp. 19–111.
  15. Ōki, Renji (October 25, 2017). GODZILLA: Monster Apocalypse. Kadokawa. pp. 151–185.
  16. Oki, Renji (25 April 2018). GODZILLA: Project Mechagodzilla. Kadokawa. ISBN 9784041063453.

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