Monster Discussion #48: Rodan (Heisei)

[HayesAJones]

Why did Rodan try to save Godzilla even though they were enemies?

It didn't seem like a sacrifice at all to me. Rodan was just trying to get to Baby and Mechagodzilla blasted him on top of Godzilla.

And even if it was intentional, both were trying to save Baby in the end, so why not?

[Gojira21]

Alright, makes sense. Did not know Godzillasaurs laid their eggs in other nest i must have missed that information in the movie

[Captain Aktion]

A minor point, but it bugs the hell out me; WHY did they give him 3 horns???

Aesthetically, I don't mind it from certain angles. Close-up shots of it are hideous, though. As far as redesigns for appearances, Rodan's was the second worst, behind Mothra's 'plush toy' look.

For truth.

Although Heisei Ghidorah really, really bothers me. The heads are to big and make the necks look immobile and gangly.

[zilla103192]

I think the atari games execute Heisei Rodan PERFECTLY.

But I do prefer showa rodan.

[Inferno Rodan]

I think the atari games execute Heisei Rodan PERFECTLY.

Yes they do. They really show how cool the design is when it's not restricted by piss-poor puppetry.

[tymon]

^The only Atari game I've played is DAMM, but man, it's a blast to play as Rodan on that one. The controls are smooth and intuitive (moreso than most kaiju on the game IMO) and the design looks good too. I'm gonna play some tonight now that I'm reminded..just gotta turn off that awful in-game soundtrack and blast some Ifukube instead.

[Gojira21]

that was the only one i played also, it was pretty fun game

[HeiseiGodzilla117]

I actually prefer the look of Heisei rodan to showa rodan. But that's really the only good thing I can say about him. I don't mind the beam, I kinda like it, but it's just so unnecessary. Rodan should have been able to fight up close and personal without resorting to using his beam. His showa counterpart was able to duke it out with Godzilla, why couldn't this one?

[Gojira21]

Thats how it should have been. Rodan should of had his Showa era counterpart strength and ability to match Godzilla.

[Inferno Rodan]

His showa counterpart was able to duke it out with Godzilla, why couldn't this one?

Heisei Rodan did a damn fine job in his fight with Heisei Godzilla, considering he's not only comparatively much smaller than his Showa counterpart but also Heisei Godzilla is comparatively stronger than Showa Godzilla.

[edgaguirus]

Rodan was doing a fierce job against Godzilla. Even without a beam, he was holding his own in the fight.

[Gwargalo]

Really disliked what was done with Rodan in the Heisei series. I felt that Rodan should have remained a suit. As a puppet, Rodan is stiff, and not much can be done with him. On film, it always looks like he's moving slowly because the puppetry is executed so poorly. As a suit, Rodan is a much more robust creature. You have the model for flying, and the suit for cool melee brawls. Cutting Rodan's size down and keeping him a model really ruined the character for me in Mechagodzilla II. It reduced him to pecking at Godzilla's head and flying around him in circles. I consider it to be a lame fight scene.

Aesthetically, no real complaints. I prefer the Showa and Millennium Rodans to the Heisei incarnation, but I don't find any true flaws in the Heisei Rodan. I simply have a preference for the other versions.

[shinmattiathekaiju]

I don't mind Rodan being smaller since i don't like when sidekicks are taller than the main hero.

[Lord Gappa]

I'm gonna jump in the bandwagon and say that i prefer a shorter Rodan compared to the towering Showa version. It just feels natural for Godzilla to be taller then his sidekicks, lol.

[Gojira21]

Yea, dont want to distract attention away from the big man himself. Have Rodan smaller, faster and fierce for his size. that could really give Godzilla a run for his money

[HeiseiGodzilla117]

I wasn't under the impression that Rodan was a "sidekick" in Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla.

[Gojira21]

He wasnt, i think some how we came back to idea of Rodan being a sidekick to Godzilla in the movie

[MothraRocks]

Well, maybe towards the very end of his life, when he knew the only way to save Jr was to save Godzilla.

[Gojira21]

Well i dont think that exactly made him a sidekick.

[MothraRocks]

Well, a temporary ally. Temporary as in 3-5 seconds.