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4[[quoteright:350:[[Franchise/{{Godzilla}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/signature_roar_4.jpg]]]]
5[[caption-width-right:350:Usually followed by [[BreathWeapon SHUWAAAAAA]].]]
6
7While many characters have a catchphrase, it's difficult for a monster, animal, or other kind of non-intelligible creature to have one. As such, they'll often have a recurring noise they make that serves as their calling card: a signature roar.
8
9This is not just a roar that a monster happens to make; it is unique to that creature, or in the very least hearing it will instantly remind one of it, thus making it RecognizableBySound.
10
11A Signature Roar is usually [[RoarBeforeBeating followed by beating]]. Compare HellIsThatNoise, SignatureSoundEffect and MightyRoar. When the signature roar comes out of an obviously different creature as a comedic ShoutOut to the original monster, see SillyAnimalSound.
12
13----
14!!Examples:
15
16[[foldercontrol]]
17
18[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
19* Chopper's Monster Point in ''Manga/OnePiece''.
20* When [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Unit-01]] goes berserk, she frequently lets out a chilling howl.
21* ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'' has the Titan [[spoiler:Eren]]'s roar, which he bellows [[RoarBeforeBeating right before doing something incredibly awesome]].
22* ''Anime/YuGiOh'' has the Blue-Eyes White Dragon roar, which is oddly high-pitched for such a large monster. Several other monsters also have recognizable roars.
23* ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'' has Kurama the Nine-Tailed Fox, who in addition to using stock monster roars has a shrill, rasping howl that contrasts sharply with its deep, gruff speaking voice.
24[[/folder]]
25
26[[folder:Comic Books]]
27* In more recent comics, ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'' has one. It's often rendered in green, sound-effect text, regardless of the color of the other sound cues.
28[[/folder]]
29
30[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
31* The climax of Disney's ''WesternAnimation/{{Dinosaur}}'' features an epic combination of Signature Roar, StaringDownCthulhu, and ThePowerOfFriendship when Aladar inspires the herd to [[https://youtu.be/ID_tTF2aip4?t=74 stand togather]] against the charging carnotaurus with his signature roar.
32* ''WesternAnimation/IceAgeDawnOfTheDinosaurs'': Rudy’s roar and the blue pterodactyls screeches are repeated.
33* ''Franchise/TheLionKing'':
34** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d94hU-gzdM4 Mufasa's roar when he charges in to rescue Simba and Nala]] is just as impressive as you'd expect from arguably the greatest king ever to rule the Pride Lands.
35** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5KcAf0JxQM Simba gets an epic one, as well, upon his ascension]].
36* ''Franchise/{{Shrek}}'s'' roar is so iconic that he even gets [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWbaDmzCu8g pestered until he performs it]], and is emblematic of his general disdain of social interaction.
37* Surprisingly, Disney's take on ''Westernanimation/{{Tarzan}}'' only uses his distinctive yell thrice: when he kills Sabor, when he leads the attack on Clayton and the hunters, and at the end of the movie, announcing himself as the Lord of the Jungle.
38[[/folder]]
39
40[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
41* Both Franchise/{{Alien}}s (aka Xenomorphs) and Franchise/{{Predator}}s have distinctive roars or screeches that are instantly recognizable.
42* Film/{{Gamera}}’s very [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iXdq210dMSE unique and trademarked screech/roar]]
43* Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'s [[https://youtu.be/ihd_uzrX2Bw iconic and trademarked roar]] (written as "'''''SKREEEEEEEEOOOONK!!'''''") is heard at least OncePerEpisode. It was originally produced by rubbing a glove coated with pine-tar across a double-bass. Other monsters in the franchise have their own distinctive roars.
44** Ghidorah’s [[HellIsThatNoise stuttering, cackling scream]] which is meant to evoke the EvilLaugh. It’s written as either '''''”BIDIBIDIBIDIBI!”''''' or '''''”REEEEEKIKIKIKIKIKIIIIII!”''''', depending on continuity.
45** Mothra’s is a [[SugarWiki/MostWonderfulSound high-pitched, musical, chiming screech or cry]], usually written as '''''“CHEEEEEERNT!” '''''.
46** The Franchise/MonsterVerse version of Godzilla's iconic roar (i.e. "'''''SKREEEEEEEEEEEEE-*EEEEEEEEEEEEE*'''''''...OOOOONK...!!!''") is quite the exaggerated upgrade, as it was designed to sound realistic and ''very'' loud. On top of that, the first half of his roar is (usually) longer than the original's, to the point where it rises in pitch before gurgling a menacing groan in a similar vein to the original.
47* The live-action versions of the Hulk has the title character rarely speaking. He does, however, have a distinctive roar since Creator/LouFerrigno played him in [[Series/TheIncredibleHulk1977 the TV show]] and voiced him in the [[Film/{{Hulk}} movie]], the other [[Film/TheIncredibleHulk2008 movie]], ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}'', and [[WesternAnimation/TheIncredibleHulk1996 the cartoon from the 90's]].
48* The ''[[UsefulNotes/TyrannosaurusRex T. rex's]]'' roar in ''Film/JurassicPark'' is impossible to mistake for anything else and [[StockSoundEffects has frequently been recycled]]. Interestingly, the iconic high-pitched, almost pinched sound in the Rex's roar was provided by a baby elephant's first attempts at trumpeting. The rest of it was built out of a lion, a tiger and an alligator. Ardent fans of the film series will be able to recognize the sounds of the other dinosaurs just as well; some of the notable ones are ''[[GentleGiant Brachiosaurus]]'' and ''[[RaptorAttack Velociraptor]]''. WordOfGod has it that the T-Rex's [[HellIsThatNoise distinctive tenor]] was influenced by the above Franchise/{{Godzilla}}, a very young Creator/StevenSpielberg having seen (and been terrified by) [[Film/Godzilla1954 the original installment]] in theaters.
49* The lion in Creator/MetroGoldwynMayer's VanityPlate. Which, ironically, has usually been a ''tiger'' roar. (See the Real Life folder below.)
50* ''Franchise/StarWars''
51** Chewbacca's gargling roar is quite distinctive and a trademark of the character.
52** The Sand People have a whooping war cry that sounds like a roar.
53* ''Film/TheGrey'''s alpha wolf, alone among the generic howling of the other wolves, has a distinctive snarl so loud and resonant that it qualifies for this.
54* Franchise/{{Tarzan}}:
55** Creator/JohnnyWeissmuller's iconic and trademarked Tarzan yell, first heard in ''Film/TarzanTheApeMan1932''.
56** ''Film/GreystokeTheLegendOfTarzanLordOfTheApes'' didn't use that yell, instead giving this Tarzan a more realistic, raspy victory roar.
57* The Nazgûl in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' film trilogy have a distinctive screech that is often the first sign of their presence. The scream is a mix of Fran Walsh (Peter Jackson's wife) screaming into the microphone mixed with pig and horse cries. The Balrog was apparently voiced by the sound of a lump of concrete dragged on the ground, then slowed down.
58* ''Film/{{The Thing|1982}}'': The alien's otherwordly [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3dfqTSQePQ wail]], made even scarier by having an almost human looking being emit a sound that should be impossible for a human to do. Apparently, it's supposed to be an amalgamation of all the beings the Thing had ever consumed.
59[[/folder]]
60
61[[folder:Literature]]
62* ''Literature/{{Tarzan}}'s'' yell qualifies, as despite being a human, he's known for his famous jungle cry.
63* ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'': Aslan is known in-story for his signature roar.
64* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'': The red-tailed hawk's distinctive cry (usually written as "tseeer") for Tobias, and the "keee-row" shrieks of the aptly-named Howlers.
65* In ''Literature/MaledictionTrilogy'' sluag (a kind of huge, poisonous snails) have their signature BAROOOM! roar.
66[[/folder]]
67
68[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
69* Shadow ships in ''Series/BabylonFive'' have a high-pitched inhuman screech as their signature sound.
70* All the dragons from ''Series/GameOfThrones'' and ''Series/HouseOfTheDragon'' have unique and unforgetful roars, but special mention goes to Caraxes and his CreepyHighPitchedVoice-like roar.
71* The cat in MTM Productions' VanityPlate is a parody of the MGM lion.
72* ''Series/ThePrisoner1967''. Rover (the giant white bouncing ball) has a horrible roar that it uses when pursuing a victim. Listen to it [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6Ffr1U7KMY here]].
73[[/folder]]
74
75[[folder:Video Games]]
76* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' has ''dragons''. They're the only enemies whose voices are given multiple recorded sounds to accommodate for the Doppler effect. The sound of a distant dragon's roar carried to you on the wind is both incredibly subtle and yet simultaneously unmistakable. Much closer to earth, and arguably more terrifying is the roar of the many [[BearsAreBadNews Bears]], [[PantheraAwesome Sabre Cats]] and [[AllTrollsAreDifferent Frost Trolls]], each one unique and each one spelling doom for a low level dragonborn. Hope you have a companion or a summon spell!
77* The Cleric Beast of ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'' constantly roars at you, unlike most examples, he is screaming in agony.
78* In ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', Lavos has a very well-recognized [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfb_n7wjb5k Sreeeeeeaaaaach-sounding roar.]]
79* Ganon's screech in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime''.
80* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
81** All Pokémon have a distinctive cry; while the anime [[PokemonSpeak has them say their own names]], the video games have them making digital noises (often being more advanced and realistic sounding the farther along you go). The earlier games had a tendency to reuse sound clips for multiple species with some modulation, though, with some Pokemon sharing cries as a result (Charizard and Rhyhorn's are basically the same, for example, as are Pidgeot and Chansey). As of ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'', almost all of the cries have been redone, making many of them more distinct and/or realistic, as well as giving each Pokemon numerous variations of their cry that are used in Pokemon Amie for the sake of expressing different emotions like joy, anger, and sorrow.
82** Going further, Pikachu had its iconic anime cry in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Pokemon Yellow]]'' ("Pikachu!") and now has a similar cry in ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY''. ("Pika Pika!")
83** The Ultra Beasts, which hail from [[AnotherDimension Ultra Space]], have alien cries that all feature the same distinct metallic "hwoo" sound towards the end. [[OlympusMons The Cosmog line and Necrozma]], which also come from Ultra Space, feature the exact same sound (though Cosmog's is trunciated).
84* The Tank's roar in ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'' is always a signal for disaster.
85* Bowser of the ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' games has two different well-known roars from separate eras: the more bestial, hissing roar first heard in ''VideoGame/MarioKart64'' and also prominently used in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'' and ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Melee'', and the deeper, more human-like roar first heard in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' and featured in every subsequent game in which Kenny James provides Bowser's voice.
86* Most bosses from ''VideoGame/{{Terraria}}'' use the same roar sound effect when transforming into their second form. Whenever you hear this, you know something bad is about to happen.
87** While most bosses use the same roar or no roar at all, the Wall of Flesh has a completely unique roar used for no other boss in the game.
88** Yharon from the ''VideoGame/TerrariaCalamity [[GameMod Mod]]'' has his [[https://youtu.be/qfptiSXxAaQ own distinct, harsh roar]] that also features a distinct, high-pitched whining sound laid over top.
89* ''Franchise/MassEffect'': the Reapers' distinctive '''BWOOOOORNGGGGG''', which is generally the point when everyone both in and out of universe has to go and change pants. Also, Banshee screams.
90* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', the cries of the ''Planet'' are pretty distinctive and, while kind of beautiful like whale song, a bit heart-breaking.
91--> '''Bugenhagen:''' "Didn't you hear it? As if to say... I hurt, I suffer..."
92* Almost every monster in ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' has a distinctive roar and other vocalizations, to the point where it'd be easier to list the monsters who do ''not'' have unique sounds.
93* In ''VideoGame/{{Evolve}}'', each of the monsters has a unique and distinctive roar, most of which seem to incorporate multiple sounds. Goliath has the standard throaty roar overlapping a steady howl, Kraken's roar has a burbling pattern to it, Wraith has a clacking hiss, Behemoth has a [[VocalDissonance high pitched shriek]] combined with some standard dinosaur sounds, and Gorgon has insectile chittering layered over more typical roaring.
94* ''VideoGame/DawnOfWar'' has the inimitable BOOM of a Baneblade's main cannon firing.
95* Each of the four [[AnimalMecha Divine Beasts]] from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' has a unique 'cry' that rings out when the player first encounters them, and whenever the player manipulates an aspect of them to assist with navigating their interiors and solving the puzzles within.
96* The ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' series kind of zigzags this, seeing as the jumpscare noise changes every game, though for the most part a scream is connected to a certain character; ''FNAF 1's'' scream for Freddy himself, ''FNAF 2's'' for The Marionette, ''FNAF 3's'' belongs to Springtrap, ''FNAF 4's'' for Nightmare Fredbear, ''Sister Location's'' for Ennard, and ''Pizzeria Simulator's'' is split between the four main enemies.
97** The main outlier (and a closer take on this trope) is Golden Freddy. Whenever he appears in a game, his jumpscare sound is unique in some manner; slowed down in ''1'', louder and clipped in ''2''. ''Ultimate Custom Night'', however, gives him a totally unique jumpscare sound, [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/freddy-fazbears-pizzeria-simulator/images/c/c0/Fredbear-jumpscare.oga/revision/latest?cb=20180708174531 a Raptor-like demonic screech]].
98* One of the most beloved and feared of Azeroth's aggressive creatures is the murloc in ''Franchise/{{Warcraft}}''. They have a distinctive gargling sound. Although quite cute, their tendency to come in packs earned them a fearsome reputation. Many longtime players will still flinch when they hear the noise. It turns out the sound is created by gargling (unfiltered) yogurt.
99** The distinctive mechanical roar of a Fel Reaver in Hellfire Peninsula has sent many a player scrambling to escape before they get squished.
100* While playing ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'' you might notice a few bosses that have a similar and chilling opening cry. The bosses that let out these screams are [[spoiler: your siblings, who have been possessed by The Radiance, the true final boss of the game. You only realize it's her scream when you fight her at the end of the game]].
101* Although most [[Website/SCPFoundation SCP's]] haven't had much representation beyond written form, there are a few exceptions. Although not actually seen in ''VideoGame/SCPContainmentBreach'', SCP-682 can be heard within the Site, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrgKmTy9-Qg roaring loudly]] followed by gunfire, and will even cause the facility to briefly shake as the player progresses, contributing to games the ominous atmosphere.
102* In ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'', Draco does a girlish dragon's growl ("Gao!") whenever she is angry or frustrated.
103[[/folder]]
104
105[[folder:Web Animation]]
106* A powerful Grimm stalking the world in ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'', the Nuckelavee, can be identified from far away by a signature, horrifying, and painful [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RRyGfgpMTE shriek]].
107[[/folder]]
108
109[[folder:Western Animation]]
110* Let's face it, you know that [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUL5w91dzbo this]] is WesternAnimation/{{Goofy}} from audio alone.
111[[/folder]]
112
113[[folder:Real Life]]
114* Many animals have a distinctive roar that is impossible to mistake for anything else, such as lions, elephants, bears, and so on. Hollywood creative license, however, can often give people the wrong idea of what animals actually sound like.
115** A good example of this is the [[NobleBirdOfPrey Bald Eagle]]. Most films actually use the sound of a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33DWqRyAAUw Red-tailed Hawk]]. The Bald Eagle actually has a ''very'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RArGl2vkGI high-pitched call]], to the point of seeming like VocalDissonance for such a large bird.
116** Most lion roars in works are actually edited tiger roars because their roars are considered fiercer and more dramatic.
117[[/folder]]

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