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Episode 29: ‘War of the Gargantuas’ (feat. Ben Chaffins)

Hello, kaiju lovers!

In this episode, Nathan is joined by Sci-Fi Japan writer Ben Chaffins to discuss what is, honestly, an overrated classic: War of the Gargantuas. This “pseudo-sequel” to Frankenstein Conquers the World outdoes its predecessor in only one way: the kaiju. Sanda and Gaira are the best characters in the movie, which is sad given that it stars Toho staples Kumi Mizuno, Kenji Sahara, and Nobuo Nakamura. Unfortunately, it also features a belligerently apathetic Russ Tamblyn walking around like a disinterested robot—on purpose. You’ll hear Ben and I discuss the farfetched but interesting interpretations of what, no joke, is apparently Brad Pitt and Quentin Tarantino’s favorite monster movie, and those interpretations include connections to Cain & Abel, “The Sea Boy and the Mountain Boy,” the Vietnam War, and Japan’s national identity. Also, Jimmy was on “paid leave,” so everyone’s favorite superhero robot, Jet Jaguar, filled in for him in the producer booth this episode.

Check out the Shin Godzilla and GMK article by Jack “GMan” Hudgens that Ben and Nathan mentioned here.

Episode image created by Michael Hamilton.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our Patreon patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio), and Bex from Redeemed Otaku! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can support us on Patreon and get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

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