Jimmy may have secretly recaptured Yonggary (aka “Double G”) by his sheer awesomeness, but that victory is short-lived. The nefarious (and rubbery) Galaxions return and unleash an upgraded Cykor protected by an energy shield projected by their ship. Now, only the combined might of Jimmy with a jetpack and Elijah’s powers of argumentation can save Seoul and the world!
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
Nate and Jimmy fly Uber-Moguera to Panmunjom intent to recapture Yongary, but the Korean kaiju scores a couple lucky hits that disable the mecha’s weapons system. Desperate to find a new tactic, they get unlikely help from an unlikely source: Neil Riebe! His solution: a dance-off! Shenanigans ensue.
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
Happy Halloween, Kaiju Lovers! The Kaiju Krypt returns—but not Kenny Kappa! No, due to some…impropriety, he has been replaced by a new host, Vinnie Kami. (However, Kenny’s cousin, Kappa Joe, is Vinnie’s butler). Mr. Kami is sure to bring some much-needed dignity back to the Krypt, especially since today’s story is modern literature: “The Fog Horn” by Ray Bradbury. It only inspired The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, which inspired Godzilla (1954), which inspired the entire kaiju genre! To say it’s a milestone would be an understatement. Unfortunately, a new reader had to be found for the story at the last second—and it fell to the overworked Old Janitor! So, gather around the campfire in your new costume with your favorite candy and enjoy some literary scares.
Guest Cast
Kim Lacanilao as Amy
Damon Noyes as Vinnie Kami
Daniel DiManna as Kappa Joe and the Old Janitor
Host segments written by Nathan Marchand
Additional music:
“Ahh!! The Zombies Ate John Carpenter!” by HoboKa and Usa
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander; Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), and Jonathan Courtright! Thanks for your support!
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In a fun little “sequel” to MIFV’s glorious Pacific Rim episode, Nate is joined by the co-host of The Drift Space podcast, Jack “GMan” Hudgens, to discuss a sequel Nate has hated since seeing it in a theater: Pacific Rim: Uprising. Nate didn’t want to have an episode on this film, but when he saw an opportunity for a Fifth Wednesday Bonus Episode, he decided to bring Jack, a stalwart defender of the film, to convince him it has merit. And he makes a valiant effort, going so far as to compare it to Jun Fukuda’s Godzilla films! Does Jack succeed at changing Nate’s mind? Listen to find out!
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander; Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, and Brad “Batman” Eddleman! Thanks for your support!
Hello…kaiju…lovers…. The only reason this episode is long as it is because Nate’s guest, Daniel DiManna (creator/author of the Godzilla Novelization Project) is the most talkative introvert ever of all time. But even if “Danny Boy” was Superman with a Beta Capsule, he couldn’t save this week’s Year of Gamera movie, the infamous Gamera: Super Monster. This 1980 cash-grab from a barely-alive Daiei Film is easily the Guardian of the Universe’s lowest point. On paper, Nate should love this movie because it has three of his favorite things—spaceships, superheroes, and kaiju—but he doesn’t. From public access channel special effects to a nonsensical plot with everything but the kitchen sink to the truckloads of stock footage—this must’ve been a plot by the Board of Directors to break Nate. Meanwhile, Danny keeps MIFV’s intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA, quiet by getting him to bet his Pteranodon-bot that he can’t interrupt them during the broadcast. The Toku Topic, fittingly, is the rise and fall of Daiei Film, the studio that introduced the world to Akira Kurosawa and Gamera but dug itself into a financial hole it couldn’t escape. It’s a crazy story, to say the least.
Before the broadcast, Nate and Jimmy are visited by the Board’s executive assistant, Ms. Perkins. She tells Nate that she made arrangements for him to interview Spacewoman Kilara from Gamera: Super Monster on MIFV, much to his chagrin, and then fangirls over her. But the more Nate asks Ms. Perkins questions about her past, the stranger she acts.
Flower, James. “A Guide to English Language Gamera” (Arrow Video Gamera: The Complete Collection).
Galbraith IV, Stuart. Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis and Filmography of 103 Features Released in the United States 1950-1992.
Gamera: The Complete Collection, Disc Four Special Features.
Gamera: Super Monster Commentary by Richard Pusateri (Arrow Video’s Gamera: The Complete Collection).
Hello, kaiju lovers! After calling in a favor at the last second to get a replacement guest, Nate sits down with Kaiju Weekly’s Travis Alexander and kaiju author Neil Riebe to discuss one of Gamera’s lowest points: Gamera vs. Zigra. Yes, before Jaws, the Friend to All Children battled a giant alien shark who couldn’t decide if he wanted to enslave humanity or eat them. Ziggy also has a bad habit of recruiting beautiful ladies as hench-people (your new PC term of the day), but they forget everything they knew before being mind-controlled—like that parading around in nothing but a bikini might not be the most inconspicuous disguise unless you’re in an exploitation film for kids. Let’s just say, Nate almost loses his mind in this episode. The Toku Topic is Kamogawa Sea World, because this movie is a terrible, overgrown commercial for the resort.
Afterward, Nate has to pull some Board-mandated overtime and is contacted in secret by Gary, Raymund Martin’s paralegal. Nate thinks he’s found a new friend in Gary in his quest to out the Board.
Flower, James. “A Guide to English Language Gamera” (Arrow Video Gamera: The Complete Collection).
Galbraith IV, Stuart. Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis and Filmography of 103 Features Released in the United States 1950-1992.
Gamera: The Complete Collection, Disc Four Special Features.
Gamera vs. Zigra Commentary by Sean Rhodes and Brooke McCorkle (Arrow Video’s Gamera: The Complete Collection).
LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 1: 1954-1982.
Macias, Patrick. “A History of Gamera: Gamera vs. Zigra” (Arrow Video’s Gamera: The Complete Collection).
Milner, David. “Interview with Noriaki Yuasa” (Arrow Video’s Gamera: The Complete Collection).
Rhodes, Sean, and Brooke McCorkle. “Chapter 9: Gamera vs. Zigra: A Tale of Space Invaders and the Sea.” Japan’s Green Monsters: Environmental Commentary in Kaiju Cinema.
The intro in the first episode begins like a fairy tale. It even has “once upon a time…”
Jet Jaguar is a company mascot for Otaki Factory. Ha! (Now he’s my garage’s mascot. –Jimmy)
This first episode throws A LOT at you.
I already love Pero 2. (I’m hoping to work on a project with Mei and Pero 2 at some point—making Nate green as a Messiah 13 Alien with jealousy. 😛 –Jimmy)
They say “Ja-gwar.” 😛 (As any good English speaker would. –Jimmy)
How dare those kids mock JJ! (Indeed! Be glad he likes kids, or else he’d be the first robot arrested for murder. –Jimmy)
Ep1 ends with Godzilla march and Godzilla skeleton. Lots of intrigue. (The scientists on the Island want to study that skeleton quite badly, but it’s been a chore to get it moved here. Raymund Martin is waist-deep in litigation over it. –Jimmy)
We don’t get the proper theme song until ep2.
The old man’s speech when he launches JJ is very Darkwing Duck. JJ’s stubby legs are so funny! In this, he starts out as a small mech with a pilot. Then he has a mind of his own after a reboot. (Piloting Jet sounds kinda fun. Hmm…. –Jimmy)
JJ vs. Rodan!
Rodan crawls! (Like a certain Ghidorah…. –Jimmy)
I love this crazy, cranky old man.
I love Mei’s kawai kaiju phone cover.
What the–?! Who the heck is Hot Topic lady here? (Your new girlfriend, Nate? 😛 –Jimmy)
Oh my gosh! They’re merchandizing Rodan REALLY fast! (And those dolls are being sold at the Island’s gift shop. –Jimmy)
These early episodes feature a lot of researching. Reminds me of grad school and my job here on the Island.
Ep3 starts with narration again.
Mei never has the same outfit from one episode to the next.
Otaki Factory’s company car is a Cadillac?! (I approve. –Jimmy)
Mei has clothes on a clothesline? People still do that? (Apparently. –Jimmy)
“I’m afraid your laundry is no longer with us.” Ha!
Why are Rodans dropping dead?
Mei’s major is biologica fantastica. Interesting. (But does she go for English majors, Nate? 😛 –Jimmy)
Mei and Yun would’ve been natural fits at my alma mater. (We get it, Nate. You’re in love. 😛 –Jimmy)
“Godzilla” appears at the end of ep3. You know because of the music.
EE: Godzooki sticker?!
How can Mei afford to fly to Dubai? (Student loans. Lots of them. –Jimmy)
Yun just guessed there were bones in the basement?
Anguirus! He has the ability to defelct bullets. Named by a child who couldn’t say “ankylosaurs.” And is a fortune teller?
This show likes to end episodes with kaiju appearances.
Ep5 has Not-Gabara (Salunga).
The 3D and 2D animation actually integrate pretty well.
There are a lot of news reports.
Manda appears. (Mammoth snake).
JJ’s lower body was built in a hurry.
So, we have not-Titanosaurus replicating a scene from Reigo by jumping over the ship.
Godzilla’s arrival in ep7 reminds me of Shin Godzilla. (Varan?)
Asks the obvious question of whether future means anything if the future is set.
We have title drop in ep7!
The gelatin illustration is very Star Trek.
Does Revelation say 1/3 of the waters turn red? (It is one of the Ten Plagues, though).
“That puts the “oo” in “Cool.’”
Gojira or Godzilla?
Jet Jaguar can talk now—and he sounds like a kid. (I removed that feature from him. It was a bit creepy. –Jimmy)
Godzilla’s breath attack and “death” in ep8 is very Shin Godzilla.
Now the kids think JJ is cool. (#Irony. –Jimmy)
The story in this very much like Shin Godzilla: characters are trying to unravel and decipher a puzzle left by a scientist.
Not-Gabara isn’t dead?!
Lena must be adopted. She looks nothing like her dad.
Godzilla Ultima appears in ep10.
The Red Dust around Godzilla is basically radiation. He’s a walking disaster.
JJ rode a Rodan. I’ve seen everything. (It’s the most metal thing I’ve seen in a while. –Jimmy)
Shiva fits with the Stoic story about the gods covering up the inadequacies of man and starting over. (God and the Flood?)
I love that most of the creatures in this series are the more obscure kaiju in the Toho pantheon.
The Octagonal Diagonalizer is the Oxygen Destroyer.
INN News? Did Fox and CNN merge? (That’d be a confusing disaster. –Jimmy)
I get it. Jet’s AI reverted because everything is working backward.
The old man quotes Jurassic Park in the dub: “Hold on to your butts!” (I’m sure our competition loved it. –Jimmy)
Where’s the JJ with propellers toy?
Godzilla has fleas?! (He did in 1984. –Jimmy)
Jet Jaguar vs. Godzilla?! (Madness, I tell you! –Jimmy)
Atsushi Takahashi (director), Toh Enjoe (sci-fi writer and ex-physicist)
ENJOE: The first thing we were aiming for was to formulate a Godzilla story that is shown in animation through 13 weekly episodes. I originally joined not as the screenwriter but as a consultant for the science fiction aspects, so I mainly thought about how Godzilla could be actualized as a living creature. People are right when they say that Godzilla is symbolic of something, but I wanted to try reexamining what could be reexamined through the perspective of modern biology.
ENJOE: I suppose it might be the attitude of attempting an internally consistent work of fiction based on a hypothesis. In physics, you first start with a hypothesis, and if the results you end up with don’t match reality, the hypothesis is discarded. In fiction, you start with a concept, and if the story you end up with doesn’t match it, the concept is discarded.
ENJOE: I suppose it might be the attitude of attempting an internally consistent work of fiction based on a hypothesis. In physics, you first start with a hypothesis, and if the results you end up with don’t match reality, the hypothesis is discarded. In fiction, you start with a concept, and if the story you end up with doesn’t match it, the concept is discarded.
TAKAHASHI: I think there are many people who are aware of Godzilla, but there are surprisingly few who have sat down and watched a Japanese Godzilla film, much less all of them. I do wonder how many people have seen them all. If you’re one of the people who says you have, you’re a nerd in the minority. I hope that watching Godzilla SP gives you the motivation to sit down and watch the older Godzilla films. (In other words, you’re all a bunch of uber-nerds. –Jimmy)
ENJOE: I’m sure that there will be many people who say they can’t understand the sci-fi elements, but we’ve made it so that even if you don’t understand, you’ll be fine. Actually, the characters are smarter than me, so there are plenty of times when the logic they espouse is lost on me.
As I wrote in my previous blog:
The “Year of Gamera” continues next week with Gamera vs. Zigra, which will feature Kaiju Weekly co-host/MIFV MAX member Travis Alexander and now (because our previous guest vanished off the internet), kaiju author Neil Riebe. Nate isn’t a fan of this movie, but again I remind you a beautiful woman parades around in a bikini for a while! How can you complain? Then we have another first on the show: a Patreon-sponsored episode. Not only that, but that generous MIFV MAX member is joining us on the air: Eli Harris. The topic will be three episodes of Godzilla: The Series, specifically “New Family” parts one and two and his favorite episode, “Deadloch.”
This past Sunday, I was interviewed by Kaiju Kim, who makes the most wholesome kaiju content you’ll see on YouTube. It was Father’s Day, so the chat was relatively quiet, but we still had a good time discussing kaiju literature–including books and short stories I’ve written and published myself. Give it a watch!
The “Year of Gamera” reaches its midpoint in an episode that’s the answer to life, the universe, and everything. Well, not really. But you will hear Nate and returning guest/multi-podcaster Ben Avery discuss 1970’s Gamera vs. Jiger. This movie, which shockingly opened the year the Japanese film industry crashed, serves as a (sorta) big budget travelogue/commercial for Expo ’70, the first world’s fair held in Asia. Both “Cornjob” and a yellow submarine return, but outer space is replaced with “innerspace” as the Kennys travel inside Gamera to cure him of his “impregnation” by Jiger, an ancient female demon beast. I’m not making this up. It’s a movie that may have anticipated The Exorcist and Alien. The Toku Topic, naturally, is Expo ’70. I mean, what else would it be?
Afterward, Nate and Jimmy get a surprise visit from Monster Island’s resident mad scientist and mushroom enthusiast, Dr. Dante Dourif, who’s been sent on a mission to “stabby-stabby” Nate with a syringe filled with his mushroom-enhanced COVID-19 vaccine. Oh my….
Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD Follow the Raymund Martin and the MIFV Legal Team on Twitter: @MIFV_LegalTeam Follow Crystal Lady Jessica on Twitter: @CystalLadyJes1
Flower, James. “A Guide to English Language Gamera” (Arrow Video Gamera: The Complete Collection).
Galbraith IV, Stuart. Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis and Filmography of 103 Features Released in the United States 1950-1992.
Gamera: The Complete Collection, Disc Four Special Features.
Gamera vs. Jiger Commentary by Edward L. Holland (Arrow Video’s Gamera: The Complete Collection).
