Gorou Suda
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Quest? You brought us here to defend Japan, not partake in a fool's errand.
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— Gorou Suda questioning Daichi's orders (Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1) |
Gorou Suda (須田 悟郎 Suda Gorō) is a major human character in IDW Publishing's 2016 comic Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1. A conservative and proud samurai of the Suda clan, Gorou Suda waged battle with the ninja Akio, but was forced to ally with her against the Nebulan-led Mongols and their monster pawns Gigan and Megalon. The two embarked on a quest to summon Yamata no Orochi, but came into conflict with Godzilla in the process.
Personality
Gorou Suda is a brave and fierce samurai who was initially defined by his support of Japan's societal system in which the common folk serve the warrior class and shogun in exchange for their protection. Early on, this ideal put Gorou in conflict with the ninja Akio, who found his clan self-serving. Gorou initially scoffed when Daichi proposed that he and Akio embark on a quest to save Japan rather than fight the invaders directly, only agreeing out of respect for his master. Even with their feud set aside, Gorou was angered by having to work with a female warrior, even declaring that "Daichi was a fool to send a woman" when she initially struggled to pull him off a cliff's edge. After she furiously hurled him to safety, however, they began to fight and strategize together seamlessly. He quickly followed the Shobijin's order to follow them, though not without asking them what their motives were. He took pride in commanding Yamato no Orochi and could only despair when Godzilla quickly killed the monster, forcing Akio to take the initiative in luring Godzilla to their true enemies. As Godzilla routed the Mongols, Gorou kneeled in the presence of the Suda shogun, but was quick to explain to him that the artifact that controlled Orochi could not do the same to Godzilla, shattering it in frustration. Nonetheless, he accepted Akio's proclamation that they would fight together if the Mongols returned.
History
- Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1 (2016)
Godzilla: Rage Across Time
"Feudal Japan"
In the year 1274, Gorou Suda was locked in battle with the liberation-seeking Akio, crossing blades with the ninja on a roof and defending the Suda shogunate from her accusations that it was self-serving. Just as an arrow from Akio shattered the faceplate of his battle mask, the warriors' elder, Daichi, interrupted the fight with a scroll ordering all able-bodied warriors to Hakata Bay in the defense of Japan. Promptly putting his "petty feud" with Akio on pause, Gorou stood down and followed Daichi on horseback to a spot overlooking the bay, where 900 ships carrying 40,000 Mongol troops were arriving. Led by the ruthless Zhenjin Khan and his two kaiju pawns Gigan and Megalon, the Mongols threatened not just to conquer Japan but to completely wipe it out. Daichi instructed Gorou and Akio, as the two most skilled warriors in Japan, to let their love for their country unite them on a quest. Beginning to spitefully unsheathe his blade, Gorou objected to Daichi's task, declaring that he "brought them here to defend Japan, not partake in a fool's errand." Akio reached for her sword as well, but Daichi halted them by stressing that neither could destroy the monsters under the Khan's control. Akio removed her hat and mask, revealing herself to be female, which disgusted Gorou. In spite of his prejudice towards Akio and his pride, Gorou yielded to Daichi's wisdom, agreeing to partake in the quest.
While the Japanese forces at Hakata Bay held off the invaders, Gorou and Akio hastily rode across the countryside to reach the Shobijin temple at the summit of Mount Purotekuta, where they were to summon a being capable of fending off the invasion. Slaying numerous monsters and traversing harsh terrain, Gorou and Akio eventually found themselves climbing up Mount Purotekuta just as an earthquake suddenly occurred. Losing his grip, Gorou began to fall, only for Akio to catch his hand. Displeased with Akio's struggle to pull him up, Gorou spitefully declared that "Daichi was a fool to send a woman," aggravating Akio into flinging him onto the summit of the mountain. Faced with Akio drawing an arrow pointed towards him, Gorou drew his blade under the belief that Akio intended to attack him for his prejudice. Instead, Akio corrected that she was infuriated by his disrespect of their elder, and that her arrow was not for him but rather the oncoming monsters behind him. Faced by the Heikegani, the crab-like guardian monsters of the temple, Gorou sliced away at the swarming creatures. After the creatures were vanquished, Akio questioned if they were the temple's sole guardians, which Gorou doubted. His suspicions were quickly justified by the emergence of the temple's mighty eight-headed dragon guardian, Yamato no Orochi. Questioning how they were to overcome the beast, Gorou and Akio were suddenly met by the Shobijin, who explained that they were to control him, not defeat him. As Akio held off the dragon with her now-enchanted arrows, Gorou promptly ran inside the temple, during which he questioned the divine fairies about their reason for their aide. They answered that Japan was their home to defend as well. They reached an altar upon which sat a green artifact in the image of Yamata no Orochi. Promptly taking it, Gorou ran back outside to assume command over Orochi. Just as Akio was about to loose another arrow, Gorou arrived in time to stop her and stood before the great dragon. Just as he was bestowing their mission upon Yamata no Orochi, a blue fiery blast of energy suddenly struck and knocked down the eight-headed dragon. The two warriors witnessed the arrival of Godzilla, who Akio recognized from legend as "Gojira". With Yamata no Orochi swiftly slain by the indomitable King of the Monsters, Gorou despairingly questioned what he and Akio were to do then.
Akio fired an arrow at Godzilla's neck, evoking his rage, and she and Gorou hastily took off on their horses, leading their ferocious accomplice across Japan back to Hakata Bay. As Godzilla confronted Gigan and Megalon, Gorou complimented Akio for her cunning gambit before proudly agreeing to cover her attempt to sever the Khan's control over his monsters. Cleaving many Mongols by his blades, Gorou brought Akio in range of Zhenjin Khan and his mind control device in hand. After Akio obliterated the device with one of her Shobijin-enchanted arrows, Gorou watched with his allies as Godzilla sent the intimidated Gigan and Megalon into retreat before massacring the entirety of the Mongol forces. Triumphant, Gorou obediently bowed down before the Suda Shogun, who commemorated him and Akio before demanding that they hand over the relic so that the Suda clan could conquer the world. With regret, Gorou explained that Yamata no Orochi was gone and that the uncontrollable Godzilla was as immovable as a typhoon, with which Akio agreed in dismay. Deeming the artifact in his hand useless, Gorou brutally shattered it just as Akio declared that if the Mongols returned, they would face them together.
Abilities
Physical abilities
Gorou shattered the relic used to assume mastership over Yamata no Orochi in his hand with no apparent injury or pain.
Swordsmanship
Gorou Suda is a highly capable samurai, with his sensei Daichi deeming him and Akio to be "the most skilled warriors in Japan." His weapons of choice are two katana, which he wielded skillfully against Akio, demonic bandits, Heikegani, and Mongol troops.
Armor
As a samurai, Gorou Suda is adorned with body armor composed of much plating and sharp protrusions. It did not sustain any visible damage over the course of his adventure. He additionally wore a battle mask with a red oni-inspired face plating design, though he abandoned it entirely after Akio shattered the face plate with an arrow.
Gallery
Concept art
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Gorou Suda concept art by Matt Frank
Scans
Comments
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