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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 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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Godzilla Day 2025 Special: Ranking the Godzilla Franchise | MIFV MAX #36 (Dec. 2024)

Published November 3, 2025

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! To celebrate the end of Big G’s 70th anniversary on Godzilla Day, I’m publishing an episode of the Patreon-exclusive podcast, MIFV MAX, where I ranked all the Godzilla movies and TV series on a tier list. With Godzilla Minus Zero coming soon, it’s a great way to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly in this incredible franchise. Feel free to leave comments on the YouTube version of this bonus episode or hit MIFV up on the socials to share your agreements and disagreements with my list. What does yours look like?

YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/qiFh9-77QpI?si=dTl6N2DqJDNSJu5A

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, #godzilla, #gojira, #tierlist, #daikaiju, #giantmonster, #MIFV

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV 6th Anniversary Livestream | Ft. MIFV Jeopardy with Damon Noyes, Drew Dodgen, and Jake Hambrick

Published October 3, 2025

Join Nathan, executive producer Damon Noyes, Drew Dodgen (The Cel Cast), and Jake Hambrick (Henshin Power V3) to celebrate six years of kaiju/tokusatsu podcasting! Stay tuned for giveaways to audience members in the chat, and watch as Nathan’s guests compete to prove who’s the biggest MIFV fan with MIFV Jeopardy!

Watch the original live video: https://youtube.com/live/GaRJBb6EPt4.

Featuring “10 Minutes of Hypothermia” by Metal Man.

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

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV Interview Series – A Chat with Kurt Carley, the Godzilla ’98 Suit Actor

Published September 30, 2025

In the second of the new interviews being released to the podcast feed today, Nathan sits down and, for the first time, interviews a Godzilla suit actor—but not the one you’d expect! Today, he chats with Kurt Carley, for a hot second in the infamous Godzilla (1998), directed by Roland Emmerich, played the divisive “G.I.N.O.” (“Godzilla In Name Only”) as a man in a rubber suit. Not CGI. Not mocap. But the conversation won’t stop there. Nathan will ask Mr. Carley about what got him into acting and his many other iconic roles. You’ve probably seen him and didn’t know about it!

Watch the original video interview: https://youtube.com/live/c5bTwOA_-iQ.

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      #Godzilla1998                        #Godzilla #KurtCarley           #SuitActor

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV x Kaiju Kim x Donny Winter x Autistic Lizard Productions: The Epic G-Fest XXX Megastream!

Published July 23, 2025

And there came a day unlike any other. When your favorite kaiju podcasters and YouTubers found themselves united to discuss G-Fest XXX. On that day became…uh, what’s their team name? Join us for a MASSIVE livestream event that’s going out to multiple YouTube channels! Also features appearances by kaiju authors Neil Riebe and Danile DiManna (Godzilla Novelization Project).

Watch the live video version on the MIFV YouTube channel!

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    #GFestXXX     #GFest30            #GFest

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV MAX #40 (Abridged): ‘Reptisaurus’ (2009) | Ft. Damon Noyes

Published July 16, 2025

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! If you’re joining us just after G-Fest, welcome! In this abridged episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast, you’ll hear Nathan and executive producer/MIFV MAX “prime” member Damon Noyes discuss (or rather, riff) a “pseudo-remake” (and by that, we mean “second cousin twice removed”) of Reptilicus with the 2009 SyFy movie Reptisaurus. It claims to be based on the Charlton comic, which was a Reptilicus comic for two issues, but the $15 CGI creature looks nothing like it. And there’s no alien named Bob. What about Bob?! Instead, we get a cadre of 35-year-old college students, two bumbling soldiers, and Buck Rogers in his living room, er, office. It may look like an Asylum movie and quack like an Asylum movie, but it isn’t an Asylum movie, no matter what Grok may tell you. (Yes, Nathan experimented with X’s AI assistant to research this and had to fact-check the robot). Strap in, Kaiju Lovers!

Join MIFV MAX on Patreon to hear the uncut version and read Nathan’s research notes:

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, and Sam Allred! 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    #Reptilicus       #SyFy

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV Interview Series: Shawn Pryor – Author of Kaiju Unleashed, The Gamer and Power Rangers Comics

Published July 3, 2025

Nathan sits down with a fellow another fellow author! This time it’s the writer of the new book Kaiju Unleashed, Shawn Pryor. Not only did he write this crash course in all things tokusatsu, he’s also created his own toku-inspired comic book, written for Boom Studios’ Power Rangers comics, and written children’s books. We have a lot to talk about!

Watch the original version here: https://youtube.com/live/rVsEXm5XBoM.

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, and Sam Allred! 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    #PowerRangers            #BoomStudios

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Bonus Episode #20: ‘The Giant Behemoth’ | The Monster Island World Tour

Published June 13, 2025

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In this solo bonus episode, which also features the return of the intrepid Jimmy From NASA to the producer booth, Nate discusses one of the lesser British kaiju movies, The Giant Behemoth (1959). This biblically-titled flick, which was directed by Eugene Lourie (The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Gorgo), while pretty average, was the last film to feature special effects by the legendary Willis O’Brien of King Kong (1933) fame. However, some studio interference changed the story from one about extraterrestrial goo to a more “traditional” monster movie. Behemoth also had a screenplay by a blacklisted writer. Yeah, none of these were on Nate’s bingo card, either! Then Nate answers some long-overdue listener feedback.

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, and Sam Allred! 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.

Timestamps:

  • Introduction: 0:00-1:28
  • Main Discussion: 1:28-26:09
  • Outro (housekeeping, etc.): 26:09-37:43
  • Credits: 37:43-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault    #kaiju   #daikaiju            #giantmonsters           #MonsterIslandWorldTour     #Britain           #England

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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