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Episode 110: ‘Ultraman Zearth 1&2’ vs. Nick Hayden | The Ultra Journey

Published March 13, 2026

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! You’re not only getting a double feature in this episode of “The Ultra Journey” but also the long-awaited return of one of MIFV’s first guests, Nick Hayden. Nate also returns to one of MIFV’s original conceits: showing a kaiju/tokusatsu movie to someone who hasn’t seen it. This time, it’s the Ultraman Zearth duology. These quirky parodies feature an Ultraman trying to conquer his own trauma and phobias more than the deliciously evil alien supervillains. No, Zearth’s true archenemies are mud and a volleyball. Strap in for Nate having too much fun with his new equipment and for discussions of strangely “NSFW” scenes in kids’ superhero movies. The Toku Topics are mysophobia (aka “germophobia”) and hypochondria, because the former plagues poor Zearth in his first cinematic outing.

Check out Nick’s podcast, Let’s Finally Watch This: https://derailedtrainsofthought.com/index.php/show/lets-finally-watch-this/.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

We’d like to give a shout-out to our free MIFV MAX patrons on Patreon: Cordell Stevens, John Pannozzi, Jacob Heron, Cool Cat Videos, Bransbow, Sean Sullivan, Frankie Wolf, Russel Hale, FRIEN Jadge, Bob Hard, ArtsieSteph, Robert O’Brien, DD Chief, Kaye, Nobody, The Indiscrite One, Clayton Warden, Enigma, Dave Blanken, Patrick Greenlaw, Mikki, Josh Baughan, Shane Cochran, and Francis Chopin.

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Timestamps:

  • Introduction: 0:00-13:10
  • Entertaining Info Dump – ‘Ultraman Zearth’: 13:10-21:57
  • Toku Talk – ‘Ultraman Zearth’: 21:57-1:03:12
  • Entertaining Info Dump – ‘Ultraman Zearth 2’: 1:03:12-1:11:51
  • Toku Talk – ‘Ultraman Zearth 2’: 1:11:51-2:00:51
  • Culture Box Ad – The Rushmore Show: 2:00:51-2:02:15
  • Toku Topic – Mysophobia and Hypochondria: 2:02:15-2:24:25
  • Outro (listener feedback and housekeeping): 2:34:25-2:47:44
  • Credits: 2:47:44-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #Podcast, #kaiju, #MIFV, #ultraman, #theultrajourney, #tsuburayaproductions, #ultramanzearth

© 2025, 2026 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Ultraman Nu: An Unofficial Audio Drama ANNOUNCEMENT TRAILER

Published February 28, 2026

Coming soon from MIFV and Moonlighting Ninjas Media: Ultraman Nu: An Unofficial Audio Drama! A 12-episode saga coinciding with MIFV’s season five theme, “The Ultra Journey,” with episodes written by Nathan Marchand and special guest writers. Featuring the voice talents of Shane Cochrane, Jenessah Schlatter, Ryan “The Omni Viewer” Collins, and more! Coming soon to a podcatcher near you!

Ryan “The Omni Viewer” Collins as the announcer. (https://www.youtube.com/@omniviewer2115).

Ultraman Nu theme song by SilvrSage (https://silvrsage.com/).

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

We’d like to give a shout-out to our free MIFV MAX patrons on Patreon: Cordell Stevens, John Pannozzi, Jacob Heron, Cool Cat Videos, Bransbow, Sean Sullivan, Frankie Wolf, Russel Hale, FRIEN Jadge, Bob Hard, ArtsieSteph, Robert O’Brien, DD Chief, Kaye, Nobody, The Indiscrite One, Clayton Warden, Enigma, Dave Blanken, Patrick Greenlaw, Mikki, Josh Baughan, Shane Cochran, and Francis Chopin.

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #Podcast, #kaiju, #MIFV, #Ultraman, #UltramanNu, #audiodrama, #superhero

© 2025, 2026 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Episode 109: ‘Terror of Mechagodzilla’ | Ft. Jack “GMan” Hudgens and Elijah Thomas | Godzilla Redux

Published February 25, 2026

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! “Godzilla Redux” kicks off with not one but two “gatekeepers” in the kaiju fandom: Jack “GMan” Hudgens and Elijah Thomas (Kaiju Conversation). They along with Nate spend nearly four hours(!) talking about why they effing love the final Showa series film, Terror of Mechagodzilla. It was Nate and Elijah’s first G-film and is one of Jack’s perennial favorites. While many regard it as Ishiro Honda’s weakest Godzilla film and barely give it more credit than the rest of the 1970s G-films, your hosts unpack a laundry list of deep themes and potent symbols. They sing the praises of the wonderful script by Yukiko Takayama (the only woman to write a full Godzilla screenplay), the exciting explosions of Teruyoshi Nakano (who considered this some of his best work), the grossly underrated kaiju Titanosaurus, and the nuanced performance of Akihiko Hirata as Dr. Mafune, among many other things. No stone is left unturned in this epic discussion! Then in the most entertaining Patreon shout-outs segment ever of all time, a certain Mr. Trump (by way of Elijah) appears….

Additional Music: “Main Title [Terror of Mechagodzilla]” by Akira Ifukube

“Meister Titano’s Counterattack”: https://www.tohokingdom.com/blog/2075-meister-titanos-counterattack-story-translation/ 

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

We’d like to give a shout-out to our free MIFV MAX patrons on Patreon: Cordell Stevens, John Pannozzi, Jacob Heron, Cool Cat Videos, Bransbow, Sean Sullivan, Frankie Wolf, Russel Hale, FRIEN Jadge, Bob Hard, ArtsieSteph, Robert O’Brien, DD Chief, Kaye, Nobody, The Indiscrite One, Clayton Warden, Enigma, Dave Blanken, Patrick Greenlaw, Mikki, Josh Baughan, Shane Cochran, and Francis Chopin.

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Timestamps:

  • Introduction: 0:00-18:25
  • Main Discussion (synopsis, background, analysis): 18:25-3:44:22
  • Culture Box Ad (Geek Devotions): 3:44:22-3:45:29
  • Outro (listener feedback and housekeeping): 3:45:29-3:58:34
  • Credits: 3:58:34-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #Podcast, #kaiju, #MIFV, #Godzilla, #GodzillaRedux, #TerrorofMechagodzilla

© 2025, 2026 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • Barr, Jason. The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. 2016.
  • Brothers, Peter H. Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda. AuthorHouse, 2009.
  • Commentary by Keith Aikan and Bob Thomas (Classic Media DVD).
  • 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. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. 1994.
  • Kalat, David. A Critical History and Filmography of Toho’s Godzilla Series (2nd edition). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. 2017.
  • Lees, J.D. and Marc Cerasini. The Official Godzilla Compendium. Random House. 1998.
  • LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies, Volume 1: 1954-1982 (2nd edition). Bicep Books, 2017.
  • LeMay, John. Writing Japanese Monsters. Bicep Books. 2020.
  • Ryfle, Steve, and Ed Godziszewski. Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa. Wesleyan University Press, 2017.
  • Skipper, Graham. Godzilla: The Official Guide to the King of the Monsters. Welbeck Publishing Group. 2022.
  • “Terror of Mechagodzilla.” IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073373/.
  • “Terror of Mechagodzilla.” Toho Kingdom. https://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/terror_of_mechagodzilla.htm.
  • “Terror of Mechagodzilla.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_of_Mechagodzilla.
  • “Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975).” Wikizilla. https://wikizilla.org/wiki/Terror_of_Mechagodzilla.

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Episode 108 – ‘Ultraman: The Adventure Begins’ vs. The Cel Cast | The Ultra Journey

Published February 12, 2026
Version 1.0.0

Hello, Kaiju Lovers, and welcome season five! It kicks off with the appropriately-titled Ultraman: The Adventure Begins, an animated movie produced in 1987 by Hanna-Barbera. Yes, the studio that brought you Superfriends and Scooby-Doo made the first all-original Ultraman movie! Nate could think of no better guests for this than Drew Dodgen and Jacob Heron (who also created the cover art for this episode) from The Cel Cast. Given that this episode officially marks MIFV’s induction into the Culture Box Network, it’s even more appropriate. While Nate battles weird headaches all episode, he and them Cel Cast boys dive deep into this failed TV pilot and discuss…“diabeetus.” Yeah, it confused Jimmy From NASA, too. To celebrate the Ultra Series’ 60th anniversary and get the uninitiated up to speed, the Toku Topic is a crash course in the history of the Ultraman franchise. Take your first step on The Ultra Journey!

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

We’d like to give a shout-out to our free MIFV MAX patrons on Patreon: Cordell Stevens, John Pannozzi, Jacob Heron, Cool Cat Videos, Bransbow, Sean Sullivan, Frankie Wolf, Russel Hale, FRIEN Jadge, Bob Hard, ArtsieSteph, Robert O’Brien, DD Chief, Kaye, Nobody, The Indiscrite One, Clayton Warden, Enigma, Dave Blanken, Patrick Greenlaw, Mikki, Josh Baughan, Shane Cochran, and Francis Chopin.

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Timestamps:

  • Introduction: 0:00-15:20
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 15:20-26:40
  • Toku Talk: 26:40-2:06:03
  • Culture Box Ad (The Cel Cast): 2:06:03-2:07:12
  • Toku Topic (A Crash Course in the Ultra Series): 2:07:12-3:10:17
  • Outro (listener feedback and housekeeping): 3:10:17-3:22:50
  • Credits: 3:22:50-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #Podcast, #kaiju, #MIFV, #ultraman, #theultrajourney, #tsuburayaproductions

© 2025, 2026 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Episode 107.5: MIFV Season 5 – “The Ultra Journey” | PROMO TRAILER

Published February 11, 2026

The Ultra Series is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and MIFV is throwing a year-long own party! Join Nate Marchand as he gives on friends new and old to discuss the greatest cinematic outings of Japan’s favorite superhero, Ultraman. Not only that, you get more “Godzilla Redux” and an amazing assortment of Patreon-sponsored episodes! Now, if only Nate can figure out what’s giving him such a headache….

Check out the full list of (tentative) season 5 episodes on the MIFV website: https://monsterislandfilmvault.com/index.php/episode-list/season-5-the-ultra-journey-coming-soon/.  

This trailer’s music was “Ultraman Rap” (artist unknown).

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

We’d like to give a shout-out to our free MIFV MAX patrons on Patreon: Cordell Stevens, John Pannozzi, Jacob Heron, Cool Cat Videos, Bransbow, Sean Sullivan, Frankie Wolf, Russel Hale, FRIEN Jadge, Bob Hard, ArtsieSteph, Robert O’Brien, DD Chief, Kaye, Nobody, The Indiscrite One, Clayton Warden, Enigma, Dave Blanken, Patrick Greenlaw, Mikki, Josh Baughan, Shane Cochran, and Francis Chopin.

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #Podcast, #kaiju, #MIFV, #giantmonsters, #ultraman, #henshinheroes

© 2025, 2026 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV Season 5 Prelude: “I Should Be Dead” | Storyline Season Premiere

Published February 11, 2026

Nate finds himself floating in oblivion. Terror’s teeth tear into his very soul. A bright silhouette reaches for him, and he takes his hand—and wakes up surrounded by Uber-Moguera’s burning wreckage, unscathed. His rescuer, Jet Jaguar, takes him to the Island’s infirmary. Aside from piercing headaches, he has a clean bill of health. But something haunts him. Something that saved him…something that shares his body…something…or someone?

Ultraman Nu theme song by SilvrSage (https://silvrsage.com/).

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

We’d like to give a shout-out to our free MIFV MAX patrons on Patreon: Cordell Stevens, John Pannozzi, Jacob Heron, Cool Cat Videos, Bransbow, Sean Sullivan, Frankie Wolf, Russel Hale, FRIEN Jadge, Bob Hard, ArtsieSteph, Robert O’Brien, DD Chief, Kaye, Nobody, The Indiscrite One, Clayton Warden, Enigma, Dave Blanken, Patrick Greenlaw, Mikki, Josh Baughan, Shane Cochran, and Francis Chopin.

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #Podcast, #kaiju, #MIFV, #giantmonsters, #ultraman, #henshinheroes

© 2025, 2026 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV Interview Series: A Chat with Rebecca Reynolds, Author of The Ultra Academy Book Series

Published January 28, 2026

Rebecca Reynolds is living the life, as far as I care: she gets to write middle grade books about Japan’s favorite superhero, Ultraman. Book 1 of The Ultra Academy, entitled Beware the Baleful Baltan, was published last fall by Sky Turtle Press as part of Tsuburaya Productions push to make the Ultra Series an international brand. I discuss the writing process and why Ultraman is more important than ever with Rebecca and her publisher, the Eisner Award-winning Steve Smith.

Intro music by Kairi (Shun Yogei).

Buy the book: https://a.co/d/4NpSRe1.

Watch the original video version of this interview on the MIFV YouTube (link).

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, Sam Allred, and Devin Torrence! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #Podcast, #kaiju, #MIFV, #giantmonsters, #books, #booktube, #ultraman, #ultraacademy

© 2025, 2026 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Episode 107 Epilogue: “Ignoble Sacrifice” | Season 4 Storyline Finale

Published January 21, 2026

Jimmy From NASA breaks out of Uber-Moguera’s last escape pod, which floats in the Pacific near Monster Island. He is rescued by Kaguya on the HEAT Seeker. She tells Jimmy his mecha crashed on the Beta Site, and he demands to be taken there—to find Nate.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, Sam Allred, and Devin Torrence! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #Podcast, #kaiju, #MIFV

© 2025. 2026 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV Interview Series: Eugene Alejandro, Author/Editor/Publisher of The Gamera Sourcebook (Video Exclusive)

Published January 13, 2026

In this video exclusive interview, Nathan sits down with Eugene Alejandro, the mastermind behind The Gamera Soucebook Compendium. Published to commemorate the Guardian of the Universe’s 60th anniversary, it explores the titanic turtle’s storied history in film and anime and beyond. Eugene discusses how the book came about and its many contributors.

Buy the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2ZjkmOt

Buy the book on Lulu: https://tinyurl.com/2v8u2942.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, Sam Allred, and Devin Torrence! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #Podcast, #kaiju, #MIFV, #gamera, #giantmonsters, #books, #booktube

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV Interview Series: Dr. Jeffrey Angles on ‘The Luminous Fairies and Mothra’

Published January 13, 2026

Nathan sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Angles for a conversation on his next upcoming kaiju novel translation: The Luminous Fairies and Mothra. This short three-part book was the world’s introduction to the “Queen of the Monsters,” and it has a potent place in Japanese history and literary tradition. Learn about this and more in this interview!

Order the book: https://a.co/d/016Tybg.

Watch the original video version of this interview on the MIFV YouTube (https://youtube.com/live/NPwJ0zTjPGk?feature=share) or The Worlds of Nathan Marchand YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/live/7IYvHjV2YKA?feature=share).

Listen to Nathan and Becky “Bex” Smith discuss Mothra (1961): https://tinyurl.com/MIFV-59-Mothra-1961.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3!

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, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, Sam Allred, and Devin Torrence! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #Podcast, #kaiju, #MIFV, #Mothra, #LuminousFairiesAndMothra, #giantmonsters, #books, #booktube

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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