Template:Tabber2Showa Template:Infobox Monster Baragon (バラゴン Baragon?) is a reptilian kaiju created by Toho that first appeared in the 1965 Toho film, Frankenstein vs. Baragon.
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Name
Baragon's name comes from from the Japanese word bara (バラ?), meaning rose, and ragon (ラゴン?), from "dragon." This name refers to the ridges on his back, which supposedly resemble rose petals.
In Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, the guardian monster Baragon's name is spelled in kanji but pronounced the same: 婆羅護吽? (Baragon).
Appearance
Baragon is a four-legged mammal-like reptilian creature with reddish-brown skin, a horn on his forehead, and large, floppy dog-like ears.
Roar
In Baragon's two appearances during the Showa era, his roar was a slightly modified version of Varan's roar. The only difference being that Baragon's version has a little more of a growling added to the mix. This growling Varan voice would give Baragon's roar a more "guard-dog" tone. Some parts of the roar comes from Godzilla.
In the Millennium era, the character's roar was completely changed. The "modified Varan" roar was discarded and replaced with a new original sound. This version of the roar starts of with a growl followed by a gurgling high pitched wail. The higher voice in the character gave it a more benevolent voice which would help with the audiences appeal to its protagonistic role, and the roar was also enhanced with leopard growls and snarls.
Origins
In the Showa series, Baragon burrowed underground and survived the Cretaceous extinction event while most other dinosaurs died.
In the Millennium series, Baragon is one of the ancient Guardian Monsters of Japan.
History
Showa era
Frankenstein vs. Baragon
Baragon in Frankenstein Conquers the World
Baragon was first seen in Frankenstein vs. Baragon where he was awakened by sound from a nearby factory. He attacked the factory, and burrowed to a Shirane Village and attacked it. He then attacked a farm to feed on the livestock.
Baragon was not seen during these attacks, so Frankenstein was blamed for them. A worker at the factory says it was not Frankenstein, but another monster. When a group of scientists looked for Frankenstein, they caused an explosion that woke up Baragon from his sleep. He tried to eat the scientists, but he was stopped by Frankenstein. Frankenstein and Baragon battle, but Frankenstein wins when he breaks Baragon's neck. The ground then cracks and the two fall down the hole.
Destroy All Monsters
Baragon in Destroy All Monsters
Baragon appeared briefly in Destroy All Monsters, where he is present during the battle between the Earth monsters and King Ghidorah, but doesn't fight. Baragon was supposed to attack Paris and destroy the Arc de Triomphe under the control of the Kilaaks, but because his suit was heavily damaged from use as other monsters in Tsuburaya Productions' Ultra Q and Ultraman, he was replaced with Gorosaurus. Baragon can very briefly be seen observing the other monsters fight King Ghidorah from a distance with Manda, and is later seen on Monsterland when all the monsters return home. Baragon's suit was given a new head for this brief appearance due to damage it had sustained.
Recommend! Godzilland
Baragon in Recommend! Godzilland
Baragon appears in all four Recommend! Godzilland OVAs. In each OVA, he is one of Godzilla's closest friends, alongside Anguirus and Rodan.
In the addition OVA, Baragon saw Mechagodzilla kidnap Anguirus and went to tell Godzilla and Gojirin. Despite having recently fought with Anguirus, Godzilla decided to go rescue his friend, with Gojirin, Baragon and Mothra assisting him. Along the way, they were intercepted by a group of ants, who stabbed Godzilla with spears. After Mothra convinced the ants to not attack them, the monsters reached the cave where Mechagodzilla was keeping Anguirus. Mechagodzilla forced Godzilla, Gojirin and Baragon to answer addition problems, which they successfully did, causing Anguirus to be set free. Afterwards, Mothra convinced Baragon and the others to accept Mechagodzilla as one of their friends, and they all played together.
In the subtraction OVA, Baragon was present with the other monsters for Gojirin's birthday party. When Anguirus arrived late with a basket of fruit in an attempt to impress Gojirin, both Godzilla and Baragon became jealous and tried to collect more fruit. Mothra convinced the kaiju to stop fighting for Gojirin's affections, and they all continued to celebrate her birthday. Later, after Gojirin was kidnapped by Mechagodzilla and subsequently rescued by Godzilla and Anguirus, Baragon played jump rope with them. Mothra arrived with Mechagodzilla, who apologized. Baragon and the others then allowed Mechagodzilla to play with them.
Godzilla Island
Baragon in Godzilla Island
Millennium series
Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack
Baragon in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack
Baragon was featured in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, where he was the guardian monster of the element of earth, and later became a model of Komainu (狛犬?, Wolf-like animal or Korean Dog (Koma) and Dog (Inu)), guardian creatures of shrines in Japan.
Baragon (婆羅護吽?, Baragon) was first seen causing earthquakes near Mount Myoko and throughout Japan. He fought Godzilla, but he was quickly killed by him. Later on, when all three guardian monsters were killed, he along with the other two guardian spirits, Mothra and Ghidorah, entered Godzilla's body when he was at sea which stunned him long enough to allow General Tachibana to burrow his way out of Godzilla after internally firing a D-03 missile, an explosive drill. This eventually destroyed him when he tried to use his atomic beam again after it burst out the inflicted hole in his shoulder and finally caused Godzilla to vaporize himself from within.
Abilities
Baragon has undiscovered origins, but has shown some of his powers in his Showa era.
Flame ray
He can fire a flame ray from his mouth that is extremely weak and it didn't even hurt the frankenstein monster. The horn on his snout occasionally glows and crackles. He has the aforementioned burrowing ability, and can jump very far. He also has natural teeth and claws.
In the Atari titles, he can breathe fire, though it's short-ranged, but can still get in beam locks.
Ear shields
Concept art displaying Baragon's use of his ears
The distinctive notches in Baragon's ears originally had an unused function. Baragon could fold his ears over his eyes, with the notches interlocking with his horn. Baragon would then charge at the opponent, whilst protecting his eyes from physical blows.
Durability
In the Millennium era he gained strong jaws and limitless perseverance. He was able to withstand Godzilla's own heat ray.
Rage attack
In the Atari video games, Baragon can cause earthquakes and lava eruptions beneath his feet when he uses a rage attack.
Natural healing
He can replenish his energy as long as he is in contact with the earth. In addition, he is one of the few monsters in the games who can use physical attacks in mid-air.
Video games
Gojira-kun
Godzilla: Monster of Monsters
Baragon appears as a villain in Godzilla: Monster of Monsters.
Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters
Baragon later appeared as a villain in its sequel Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters.
Godzilla
Finally, he appeared as a villain once more in the Gameboy Godzilla game. Baragon would usually remain on all fours, preventing many attacks from hitting him, and would stand on his hind legs only to fire his heat beam. Another attack was to pounce at Godzilla or Mothra and pin them against the side of the screen. While rare to come across, during the fight with him, Baragon will sometimes look at the camera and tilt his head to the side as if he is mocking the player. This move allows the player to get in some free hits.
Godzilla: Save the Earth
Baragon then appeared in Godzilla: Save the Earth. Baragon is a fast and agile fighter with decent power and great combo abilities. He shares many of the strengths of Anguirus such as immunity to high attacks on all fours and beam/projectile weapons doing only half-damage. He can dig like Megalon, though for longer and not be tired when he emerges, and his rage attack is to dig down and unleash a volcanic eruption. Baragon's fire ray attack can also be used while he's running or jumping and cannot be charged.
Godzilla: Unleashed
When not in the air, Baragon constantly replenishes his energy so long as contact is maintained with the earth. Baragon emits streams of fire from his mouth, and can cause eruptions and earthquakes beneath his feet. When firmly planted with all four legs upon the ground, Baragon is almost impossible to push aside, despite his small stature.
Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash
Baragon appeared in the title Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash.
Godzilla (2014 video game)
Although it was killed by the artificial life-form Frankenstein when it first appeared in "Frankenstein Conquers the World" (1965), Baragon was later discovered below Mt. Amagi and protected in Monsterland in the film "Destroy All Monsters" (1968). The second-generation Baragon is controlled by the Kilaaks, entering the fight with King Ghidorah after Paris is attacked.
In "Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack" (2001), Baragon the Guardian Monster of Earth appeared on Mt. Myoko as one of the Three Guardian Monsters protecting Japan, later confronting Godzilla in Hakone.
Godzilla: Kaiju Collection
Baragon also appeared within the title Godzilla: Kaiju Collection with all three of his incarnations.
Comics
Godzilla, King of the Monsters
- Main article: Sea Baragon.
In Kodansya's Godzilla, King of the Monsters manga, although Baragon himself doesn't appear directly, the mad Doctor Oniyama genetically altered Baragon's corpse with the DNA of a walrus and a narwhal to create a monster called Sea Baragon.
Godzilla: Ongoing
Baragon is briefly teased at the end of the final issue of IDW's Godzilla: Ongoing.
Godzilla: Rulers of Earth
Baragon appears in Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #9. In the comic, he appears in Paris, much like he was supposed to in Destroy All Monsters and fought Kiryu. Baragon started out in a flashback of the main character however, burrowing into the Earth. After his fight with Kiryu, he was brought to the Monster Islands. When the Trilopods invaded the Monster Islands, one of the Trilopods gained Baragon's DNA. Baragon was then captured and imprisoned in the Trilopod hive, along with the other residents of Monster Islands. King Caesar allowed himself to be captured as well, then freed Baragon and all of the other monsters inside the hive. Following King Caesar, the monsters charged into battle to help the severely outnumbered Godzilla in the battle against the Trilopods. Baragon attacked and successfully killed the Kumonga-Trilopod, before joining the other monsters to fight Magita. After Godzilla destroyed Magita, Baragon and the other monsters followed him out to sea.
In other languages
- Russian: Барагон
Trivia
- Baragon is one of the monsters in the kaiju multiverse that appeals to female fans because of his "cuteness."
- Baragon, like his kaiju cohorts has appeared in and been referenced in external media outside of the movies and series' he's featured in.
- Baragon made a cameo appearance in Dragon Ball.
- The Pokémon Nidoking bares a strong resemblance to Baragon.
- In the Activision game Skylanders, the character Warnado is strongly based on Baragon's appearance.
- "Baragon" is the name of a character in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
List of appearances
Films
Showa era
- Frankenstein vs. Baragon (First appearance)
- Destroy All Monsters
Heisei era
- Adventure! Godzilland (Animated segments)
- Recommend! Godzilland
- Godzilla Island
Millennium series
- Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack
- Godzilla: Final Wars (Stock Footage)
Video games
- Gojira-kun
- Godzilla (Gameboy)
- Godzilla: Monster of Monsters
- Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters
- Godzilla: Heart-Pounding Monster Island!!
- Godzilla Movie Studio Tour
- Godzilla: Trading Battle
- Godzilla Generations
- Godzilla: Save the Earth
- Godzilla: Unleashed
- Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash
- Godzilla (2014 video game) (Kaiju Guide)
- Godzilla: Kaiju Collection
Comics
References
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