Complete Rodan: Giant Monster Movies
The supersonic beast Rodan was unleashed on the world in 1956's Rodan (Toho Studios). Like studiomates Godzilla and Anguirus (Godzilla Raids Again), it was imagined as a type of prehistoric reptile mutated by radiation. The Japanese name for the monster, "Radon," is both a shortened version of "pteranodon" as well as suggesting its radioactive origins.
“Rodan is the next step to the growing number of kaiju films. It serves more like a continuation of the genre and pushes filmmaking limits in 1956 toward bigger and better monsters to come.”--Film Threat
Following the events of the original film, Rodan reappeared in several Godzilla films, as both ally and enemy. IGN ranked Rodan #6 on their list of “Top 10 Japanese Movie Monsters.” Complex placed Rodan at #15 on its “The 15 Most Badass Kaiju Monsters of All Time.”
Rodan Film Appearances
Rodan (1956)
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)
Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)
Destroy All Monsters (1968)
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993)
Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)
RELATED LINKS
Godzilla 3 Needs To Provide Justice For The MonsterVerse's Rodan (Screen Rant)
Rodan is Godzilla: the King of the Monsters' best frenemy (Syfy Wire)
Toho in America: Rodan--Comparing the Japanese and American Versions of the Films (History Vortex)
The One Born of Fire: a pterosaurological analysis of Rodan | Journal of Geek Studies
Film Review: Rodan (1956) | Talking Pulp
Complete Mothra: Giant Monster Movies (Monster Complex)
Godzilla Monsters Ranked Weakest To Strongest [Video] (Monster Complex)
Godzilla Novels by Marc Cerasini (Monster Complex)
QUIZ: Did These Monsters Fight Godzilla, Gamera, or Kong? (Monster Complex)
Godzilla: Monster Music [Videos]
Student Film: Godzilla vs Maijin and Ultraman (Monster Complex)
10 Myths About Godzilla (Monster Complex)
Godzilla: King Of Board Games (Monster Complex)
