Hardship

Hardship is a Category I Kaiju that attacked in 2016 and the second Kaiju killed by a Jaeger.^[1]

Biology

Hardship's appearance is similar to Mutavore, its main distinction being the huge knife-like protrusion in its head. It also possesses a yellow bioluminescence in the eyes, mouth, and across the rest of the body.

Hardship's behavior is somewhat similar to Leatherback's, being extremely fierce and clinging onto its opponents in the fight, not letting go even with punches to the face.^[3]

History

2nd Jaeger Win

Hardship emerges from the Breach in 2016, making landfall in an unknown city during the night.^[1]

During its assault on the city, Hardship is engaged in a fierce battle by the American Mark-1 Romeo Blue, where the Kaiju grabs onto the Jaeger's fin and attempts to rip off its Conn-Pod, but Romeo Blue eventually breaks free and slams the creature's face with a chunk of a beltway bridge, giving it the opportunity to finally kill the creature.^[1][3][4]

Aftermath

The battle between Romeo Blue and Hardship resulted in the second victory of a Jaeger over a Kaiju, finally cementing the image of the Jaeger Program as humanity's greatest line of defense. The epic confrontation was was the focus of the May 2016 issue of Rolling Stone magazine.^[1][5]

A line of shoes and toys featuring Hardship and Romeo Blue was released as propaganda for the PPDC, in return, the second Kaiju killed by a Jaeger became a sort of saint for Kaiju Cultists, with churches and idols dedicated to it.^[1]

Trivia

• Hardship is the second Category I Kaiju and the sixth Kaiju overall.^[1][2]
• According to Travis Beacham, the original concept for Mutavore was used for Hardship's final design in the film.^[6][7]
• Hardship has similar facial characteristics as the earlier Kaiju, Hundun. In place of Hundun's blunt head, Hardship gains a bladed skull.
• "Hardship" is a noun referring to something difficult to bear, or a condition that is too difficult to endure.
• During production, Hardship was nicknamed "Bowser", but the name was changed later^[8].

Gallery

Notes

References

Kaiju in Pacific Rim Undetermined Trespasser • Hundun • Kaiceph • Scissure • Kame-san Category I Karloff • Hardship • Hammerjaw • Ceptid • Tengu Category II Onibaba • Itak • Ragnarok • Raythe • Clawhook Category III Yamarashi • Knifehead • Huo Da Category IV Gyakushu • Spinejackal • Mutavore • Otachi • Leatherback • Raiju • Scunner Category V Slattern Category Unknown Verocitor • Belobog • Reckoner • Baby Kaiju • Ceramander • Tentalus • Hidoi • Biantal • Tailspitter • Insurrector • Taranais • Taurax • Kojiyama • Bonesquid • Atticon • Fiend • Hound • Rachnid • Vodyanoi • Unnamed Kaiju Anteverse Precursors • Anteverse • Breach • Kaiju Blue • Kaiju Skinmite Culture Kaiju Cultists • BuenaKai • Sisters of the Kaiju • Kaiju organ Harvesters • Kaiju Groupie Events K-DAY • Kaiju Attack on Sydney • Kaiju War • Double Event PPDC Anti-Kaiju Wall • Kaiju Emergency Alert System • War Clock