Yet another pawn in the Xiliens' plans, Rodan was unleashed during the aliens' primary global assault. New York City was the terrible pterosaur's destination, and the flying horror easily annihilated everything in its path with its destructive sonic booms. The Earth Defense Force was quick to respond to the threat, as they soon released their aerial war-machine, The Rumbling, to fend off the invader. The battle was fierce, but Rodan dodged every category of ammunition that the advanced aircraft could muster. When the war-machine was about to meet a calamitous end at the hand of this beast, Rodan was summoned back to the Xiliens, for they wanted the Earth to believe that they had saved the world from this flying menace.

The Xiliens were deceitful, however, and it turned out that they were in truth seeking to dominate the planet. When this plan was uncovered, Rodan was set loose yet again on New York City. The Rumbling returned for a rematch, but this round saw the quick and merciless destruction of the craft. With no opposition left, the crimson creature continued its awful assault.

When Godzilla was released from his Antarctic tomb, Rodan, Anguirus, and King Caesar were summoned to attack the monster at Mt. Fuji. Godzilla slammed his tail into Anguirus, sending the spiked reptile soaring into the sky. Anguirus collided with Rodan, and the latter quickly fell to the Earth below. Rodan was knocked unconscious on impact. Its allies, Anguirus and King Caesar, also felt the full force of Godzilla's onslaught, as both were rendered unconscious. Godzilla let out a roar proclaiming his success, as he continued his long voyage toward Tokyo.