8.31.2024
Christmas 1980 was one to remember! That year I saw Godzilla triple feature at the Academy of Natural Sciences and Star Wars Empire Strikes Back in the theater. Topping that was the epic Christmas. It was what I call my Star Wars Christmas. I got the SnowSpeeder, Tauntaun, Hoth Rebel Base and Dabogah playsets and figures. Most of these I still have stowed away. But it was also a Godzilla Christmas when I found the Mattel “World’s Greatest Monsters” Rodan under the tree!
Mattel added to their Shogun Warrior line released from 1977 to 1980. It included seven 24-inch Japanese anime robots and tokusatsu characters: Daimos, Dragun, Gaiking, Godzilla, Great Mazinga, Raydeen and Rodan. They were licensed from the Japanese company Popy and their Jumbo Machinders line. The Shogun were equipped with spring-loaded features, weapons such as missiles and battle axes.
Mattel Godzilla and Shogun Warrior commercial
Godzilla and Rodan were added to the series to battle the Shogun Warriors. Godzilla had a hand that fired and a mouth that emitted a fiery tongue. Rodan was the last release in the series. He was not a reproduction on any Japanese prototype, but an original design like Godzilla. Here is the description of Rodan in the 1980 JCPenney Catalog (see above): “Rodan—The Big, Bad Bird. Rubber-band activated wings make a flapping, flying-motion—push lever at the back of his head, and his mouth opens and closes as he makes a squawking-type sound. Mouth and claws pick up enemies as large as 3 in. tall, or even a toy car! Neck moves from side to side. Wing-span is a full 41 in.! Plastic. Not fully assembled—no tolls required. Ages 5 to about 12.” Rodan’s retail price was $16.88 USD). My parents removed the price because it was a Christmas present. They purchased Rodam from Lionel Kiddie City. Although Rodan is the shortest in the line, his wingspan is a whopping 38 inches.
Rodan joined Godzilla and Great Mazinga who arrived the year before. My Rodan has survived despite breaks and falls over the years. The rubber bands are long gone along with the clips that held them. But Rodan still stands with his wings loosely in place. Even more remarkable is that I still have his box after all these years. A few months ago, to my surprise I found my Rodan box stowed in a basement container like it was Christmas. The box is in great condition considering that it’s 44 years old. Note the discrepancy of the wingspan. On the front the wingspan is 38 inches (96.5 cm), but on the back and side panels it is 41 inches (104.14cm).
Front: “World’s Greatest Monsters Rodan” | Giant “flying” creature! Wings flap! He squawks! Claws grab like a skyhook! Beak can carry small objects! Wingspan 38 inches! (96.5 cm) Unassembled. Does not fly. | Bottom Panel: Make his great wings flap! Make his claws grab! Work his beak! He squawks! Suspend him from the ceiling! Fix his wings & claws with rubber bands! No batteries! No electricity! Content: World’s Greatest Monster “Rodan” creature with wings that flap, workable beak and claws that grab. Wings & claws assemble with rubber bands included: No special parts or tools required. Assembly required.” | Side Panels: “Wingspan 41 inches! (104.14cm)
Back: “No batteries! No electricity! Flap his wings! Make him “fly”! His beak opens & closes! He squawks! His claws grab! Wingspan 41 inches (104.14cm)
Like Godzilla and the other Shogun Warriors Rodan is highly desirable and sought after. I’m so fortunate to get him for Christmas and to still have three in my collection. For those who had them and those who missed out on them, Super7 has masterfully recreated the Shogun Godzilla and Rodan in their ReAction figure line along with recreations of their classic boxes. The nostalgia is strong with these ones and will make you feel like it’s 1980 again.
