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Episode 36: The MSTies vs. ‘Gamera vs. Gyaos’ (feat. Michael Hamilton and Damon Noyes)

Published March 10, 2021

Hello, kaiju lovers!

Nate and his guests, MIFV MAX members Michael Hamilton (co-host of Kaiju Weekly and The Kaiju Groupie) and Damon Noyes, reach the peak of the Showa Gamera series—which isn’t as high as Nate wants it to be. (Or does he just want to get high?) Once again as part of the Board-mandated “Year of Gamera,” the Tourists get to watch the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode featuring this film while Nate must view the original Japanese version to compare notes. Even so, Nate riffs his way through the episode so the Stockholm syndrome doesn’t set in. Michael sighs almost as much as he talks with all the jokes Nate and Damon drop about “gassy Gyaos nipples” and “plane murder.” You’d almost think Nate was enjoying himself. It’s a great act.

The Toku Topic for this episode is the Sanrizuka Struggle, which was a movement against the construction of Narita Airport. It inspired a key plot element in this movie and helped Nate prove to Michael and Damon that there was a social commentary in the film. It’s also the last social commentary in a Gamera movie for years, so enjoy it while it lasts.

Before the broadcast, Nate tries to tell his intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA, how he plans to be a small thorn in the Board’s side only to be interrupted by Raymund Martin, the head of the Monster Island Legal Action Team, who promptly tells Nate why he can’t do that.

Raymund Martin was created and voiced by Damon Noyes.

Prologue written by Nathan Marchand with Damon Noyes.

Music:
-“Perry Mason Theme” by Buddy Morrow
-“Phoenix Wright – Pursuit Cornered | Epic Rock Cover” by Friedrich Habetler
-“Here We Go” by Chris Classic

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX 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); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; and Damon Noyes! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

Check out Michael podcast, The Kaiju Groupie, and Damon’s puppetry work on AllThingsZ.

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

Timestamps:
Prologue: 0:00-4:45
Intro: 4:45-13:04
Entertaining Info Dump: 13:04-22:03
Toku Talk: 22:03-1:13:10
Ad: 1:13:10-1:14:09
Toku Topic: 1:14:09-1:47:19
Housekeeping & Outro: 1:47:19-end

Podcast Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

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

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Episode 34: The MSTies vs. ‘Gamera vs. Barugon’ (feat. Joe and Joy Metter)

Published February 10, 2021

Hello, kaiju lovers!

The Year of Gamera continues. (Yay?) Nate is joined by his friends Joe and Joy Metter to discuss the outlier of the Showa Gamera series, Gamera vs. Barugon. It’s the one that was actually aimed at an adult audience—and it flopped. As usual, the Tourists get to see the MST3K episode—which has Nate’s favorite line of those episodes—while Nate has to watch the original Japanese version. Even with Joel and the Bots’ riffs, Joe and Joy say they would’ve preferred to watch it subtitled! Thanks to a combination of a “monster mic” and the ORCA, Jimmy was able to get Barugon himself to interrupt a few times, but Nate thinks the ORCA’s translations were dubious, at best. The Toku Topic is the New Guinea Campaign because several characters in the film fought during that and the film takes place partly on that island.

Beforehand, Nate, Jimmy, and Jet Jaguar are visited by William H. George III, Esquire, the special envoy to the Monster Island Board of Directors (MIBOD). It is he, and not Ms. Perkins, who brings the Board’s latest press release for Nate to read on the air. He also makes it abundantly clear the Board didn’t appreciate Nate’s “shenanigans” at the Gamera: King of the Monsters Banquet a few weeks ago.

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Featuring Michael Hamilton as the voice of William H. George III.

Prologue written by Nathan Marchand and Michael Hamilton.

Music:
-“Rondeau” by Jean-Joseph Mouret
-“Opening the Way” by Pablo Coma

Sound effects were sourced from Freesound.org.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX 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); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; and Damon Noyes! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

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

Timestamps:
Prologue: 0:00-5:26
Intro: 5:26-10:10
Entertaining Info Dump: 10:10-19:10
Toku Talk: 19:10-1:07:27
Ad: 1:07:27-1:08:47
Toku Topic: 1:08:47-1:36:50
Outro: 1:36:50-end

Podcast Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

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

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Episode 33: ‘Submersion of Japan’ (feat. Adam Noyes)

Published January 27, 2021

Hello, kaiju lovers!

Nate is joined by podcaster/YouTuber/filmmaker Adam Noyes to cover something a bit different this week: the original 1973 tokusatsu disaster film Submersion of Japan (aka Japan Sinks). Think of it as a kaiju film without a kaiju. It’s based a novel by Sakyo Komatsu, who Adam describes as “the Japanese Michael Crichton.” The novel was a blockbuster, and this film was an even bigger hit. You can tell this was what Toho invested most of their money into and not Godzilla vs. Megalon that year. Adam and Nate discuss the film’s better-than-Hollywood special effects, the horribly truncated and re-edited U.S. version called Tidal Wave made by Roger Corman, and the film’s wrestling with Japanese national identity, among other things.

Also, Nate’s “pseudo-sister” magical girl superheroine clone, Jessica, meets him just before the broadcast to let him know she just moved back to Monster Island. He’s…overjoyed.

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Featuring Sarah Marchand as the voice of Jessica Shaw.

Prologue script by Nathan Marchand.

Music: “A weird thing” by Chiro.
Sound FX sourced from Freesound.org.

The episode thumbnail was created by Michael Hamilton.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX 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); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; and Damon Noyes! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

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

Timestamps:
Prologue: 0:00-2:45
Main Discussion: 2:45-51:54
Outro: 51:45-end

Podcast Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy
Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD
Follow the Raymund Martin on Twitter: @MIFV_LegalTeam

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Jimmy’s Notes on ‘Episode 32: The MSTies vs. Gamera the Giant Monster’

Published January 18, 2021

Welcome to 2021—which has been a lot like 2020 so far. (Long story I’m not at liberty to tell).

Regardless, here’s my first “Jimmy’s Notes” blog for season two and the Year of Gamera. While the movie was “freakishly mediocre,” as Nate said, the episode itself was good…despite some all-too-convenient Board mandates. That being said, I did make a few notes, as I always do.

  • The Mysterian invasion was in 1957, not 1956, Nate.
  • I’m happy to report that Toshio “Kenny” Sakurai is still alive. In fact, he was a guest of honor, along with Asagi Kusanagi, at the recently-held Gamera: King of the Monsters Banquet here on the Island.
  • According to Wikipedia, “Chibi is derived from the verb 禿びる (chibiru), which means ‘to wear out and become shorter’ (the tip of something). Chibi-debu (ちびデブ or チビデブ) is used to describe something or someone that is both short and chubby. Chibi can be translated as ‘little’ (e.g. Chibi Maruko-chan, which means Little Miss Maruko), but it is not used the same way as chiisana [小さな] and chiisai [小さい] (‘tiny’, ‘small’, ‘little’ in Japanese), but rather ‘cute.’”
  • Michiko Sugata, who played “Kenny’s” sister, was actually 20 when she was in this movie, so it wasn’t unreasonable to pass her off as a teenager.
  • “Precocious adult,” am I? I guess that’s how you get labeled when you’ve been in the U.S. Air Force and NASA and built two giant robots. Don’t be hatin’! 😛
  • Oh, that kid who teamed with Gamera to pull pranks on the other kaiju was annoying! I think his name was Kevin.
  • Actually, yes, turtles and tortoises can flip themselves off their backs without using inexplicable jets in their shells. Read here.
  • I did a little digging and consulted John LeMay, but I can’t find anything anywhere that says “Commander Curly” and the other American soldiers were played by real U.S. servicemen stationed in Japan. That was sometimes done by Toho, though.
  • Nate, we only yell at each other every other workday. 😛
  • According to my sources, the “freeze bombs” were cadmium, which isn’t quite the same. Sorta.
  • But freeze bombs are cool!

And now for Nate’s first batch of leftover notes in 2021:

The Movie

  • Director Noriaki Yuasa was rotund, jolly, and “cuddly” and relatively untested. (Throw a beard on him, and he could be Santa Claus. –Jimmy)
  • Starts in North Pole like Beast (from 20,000 Fathoms). Nuclear test awakens monster like Beast. The difference is there are natives (Eskimos), which was a common trope in kaiju films, and the bombing came from Cold War issues. Implicitly Soviet bomb.
  • I can see the wires on the planes quite easily. (The drawbacks of hi-def. –Jimmy)
  • They waste no time and have Gamea show up in five minutes.
  • I don’t understand why the Eskimos speak English. Interestingly, the chief is wearing a crucifix. Implied Catholic?
  • The kids run when Gamera is mentioned. Not bad. “We’re being jammed!’ says the radio operator. By who? Gamera? Soviets? Aliens? (All of the above? –Jimmy)
  • The foreign newspapers all say, “Gamela.” (Japanese swaps L’s and R’s. –Jimmy)
  • Old drunk says Gamera is a “will-o-wisp.” His scene is too dark (lighting).
  • Gamera is a ninja. He magically disappears for a second. (He is the true fifth Ninja Turtle. But is he a teenager? Maybe that’s why he never got in. That and not being named after a Renaissance artist. –Jimmy)
  • Don’t worry, Toshio, you won’t get cancer from the radioactive turtle! (Actually, he didn’t! –Jimmy)
  • Toshio built Chibi a little rock house. And pseudo-beach music plays. Oh yeah. Chibi is totally a mutant turtle now. Yep. (Nope. The scientists have confirmed Gamera isn’t Chibi. -Jimmy).
  • The airplane pilot has radio trouble. Is this one of Gamera’s superpowers? Radio interference?
  • “By boring.” Describes the movie.
  • That’s great. Shoot the big turtle in his shell. Definitely his weak spot.
  • What a wonderful name for a hot springs resort: Hell’s Rock. Is it run by a Mr. Morningstar? (As in the comic book character? –Jimmy)
  • Oh, Tokyo Tower. A kaiju’s favorite target.
  • Toshio says Gamera attacks because he’s lonely and has no friends. So, he’s the goth kid in high school? (More like the nerd in high school. I should know. –Jimmy)
  • So, Gamera was eating radiation before it was cool. Take that, Godzilla?
  • Gamera says, “I’m crashing your party! No fun for you!” (Now he’s a party animal! –Jimmy)
  • “Gamera, don’t do anything bad!” Kid, he already has! Toshio bought a lot of stock in an Egyptian river.
  • Oh, yeah. These reporter characters are still here. I forgot about them because the movie forgot about them.
  • How is this kid getting access to this military operation? (This happened a few times when I was in the Air Force. It was part of a short-lived “kid consultant” program inspired by Gamera kids. I may or may not have played a part in forming it. –Jimmy)
  • Gamera is going to smash those bath toys.
  • “Yummy fire!”
  • Toshio may have gotten Gamera to leave. Then the crazy reporter starts lighting up buildings to get Gamera to come back. Then everyone goes full-tilt arsonist!
  • A countdown in English. Like Luke said, it must be a thing in Japan.

Toku Topic: Energy Consumption in Japan

Energy use and energy independence in Japan

  • Currently, Japan gets 10% of its energy from renewables, with the Fourth Strategic Energy Plan setting the goal of increasing that to 24% by 2030. Japan intends to invest over $700 billion in renewables over the next decade or so. Their primary renewable is hydroelectricity, with 1,198 small hydropower plants supplying 6.6% of the total hydropower. Unfortunately, these small plants are expensive to operate.
  • In addition, Japan has also explored wind power and waste/biomass energy mas well as experimental tidal and wave power plants in coastal regions.
  • Interestingly, unlike most industrial countries, Japan has two national grids instead a unified grid. One in the east and one in the west.

There were fewer leftover notes from the Toku Topic section than I expected. Nate is getting better about not overdoing it.

Join us next week for as Nate continues his series on Toho classics with a very different film (well, compared to what we normally cover): Submersion of Japan (aka Japan Sinks) from 1973. He was joined by Adam Noyes (pronounced like “noise”) of AN Productions, who jumped at the chance to talk about this film, which was a massive hit in Japan but is largely overlooked in the States. Then the Year of Gamera continues next month with Gamera vs. Barugon. Nate’s friends Joe and Joy Metter are returning—and once again Nate won’t get the chance to watch the MST3K episode of a Gamera movie. He has my sympathies.

Follow me on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

Follow the Board on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives

#WeShallOvercome

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Episode 32: The MSTies vs. ‘Gamera the Giant Monster’ (feat. Nick Hayden and Timothy Deal)

Published January 13, 2021

Hello, kaiju lovers! And welcome to MIFV season two!

Much to Nate’s chagrin, the Board-mandated “Year of Gamera” begins with the “freakishly mediocre” 1965 movie Gamera the Giant Monsters (or Daikaiju Gamera). So saddened by this is Nate that he visits the Monster Island Chapel and speaks with Rev. Mifune, the Island’s chaplain. The reverend suggests watching the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes that featured Gamera films so Nate could at least get a good laugh watching them. But when Nate meets up with his friends, first season two Tourists Nick Hayden and Timothy Deal of the Derailed Trains of Thought podcast, they receive a voicemail from the Board’s executive assistant, Ms. Perkins, saying the Tourists can watch the MST3K episodes but Nate must watch the original Japanese cuts so they can compare notes. Talk about a buzzkill! The first Toku Topic of 2021 is energy consumption in Japan because Nate read an essay that argues Gamera represents that in this movie.

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Featuring the voices of:
-Nate Chen as Rev. Mifune
–Celeste Mora as Ms. Perkins

Prologue and voicemail scripts by Nathan Marchand.

Music: “A Maiden’s Prayer” by RebeccaETripp (OCRemix)

Sound FX sourced from Freesound.org, including “Running Loud” by dersuperanton.

The episode thumbnail was created by Michael Hamilton.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX 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 join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

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

Timestamps:
Prologue: 0:00-2:59
Intro: 2:59-14:05
Entertaining Info Dump: 14:05-23:42
Toku Talk: 23:42-1:03:01
Advertisement: 1:03:01-1:03:54
Toku Topic: 1:03:54-1:31:42
Outro: 1:31:42-end

Podcast Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy
Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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

Published November 25, 2020

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.

Podcast Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy
Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2020 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Jimmy’s Notes on ‘Episode 26: The Metters vs. Daimajin Strikes Again’

Published October 19, 2020

So…let me explain.

This all started as good-natured ribbing between me and Joy. I was just cracking jokes. However, the more she talked about how good she was with a sword, the more I wanted to test that theory. I’m an engineer, after all. Not to mention this sort of thing happened all the time when a new recruit walked onto base when I was in the Air Force. That’s why I unleashed the Dorats on her. If they scared her, I knew she lacked the courage of a swordfighter. I could’ve tried something a bit more…aggressive (I considered a Meganuron), but I knew that would be too dangerous. In retrospect, something that cute was probably bound to fail as a test of mettle. Obviously, we need to feed those flying gremlins radiation after midnight to unlock their killer instincts.

As for quarantining their dogs…okay, I admit I took advantage of an Island rule to annoy Joy. Her slapping me with a glove and challenging me to a duel was unexpected. Although, not nearly as unexpected as getting my butt kicked by Daimajin. If I believed in karma, I’d say I had it coming. I spent a good three days recovering in the infirmary. The soreness only subsided yesterday. I get a little nervous walking through Serizawa Memorial Park. I swear that statue is watching me. Now I know how Whovians feel around angel statutes.

Anyway, I do have some notes from the episode. I had to listen to the second half after it was published last week since I wasn’t there. It’s the usual stuff, as you’ll see.

My Notes:

  • It’s “Tsuruchiki,” Nathan. Admittedly, it’s a bit of a tongue twister name.
  • Irony would be a great source of renewable energy. Almost as good as plugging Marchand into one of my mechas. He’s practically a human dynamo.
  • Yes, I am proud of my haircut, Marchand, but no, I won’t exchange shampoo recommendations with Joy.
  • It was the Sengoku period, Nathan. After only a few episodes, that info slipped out of your big head. 😛
  • (I confess I got so frustrated with Joy, I broke several pencils points and stopped writing about her).
  • Tamashii is a Japanese toy company.
  • Midi-chlorians don’t exist. 😛
  • Nathan discussed bon festivals briefly for episode 9, which was on The Mysterians. (I liked that one).
  • No, Nathan, it was Emperor Hirohito. Akihito was his son (Emperor Heisei). If only I was there to correct you on that. I lived under Emperor Showa for a while, so I know.

Now for Nathan’s leftover notes. He’s gotten better about remembering that every episode isn’t a doctoral thesis. 😛

The Film

  • Daimjain is similar to the Hebrew legend of the golem.
  • This film is unique in the trilogy in that it stars children. It’s kaiju Stranger Things (or Stand by Me). It’s also like a traditional fantasy story because it’s a journey. They meet strange people (old lady), cross rivers, climb mountains. The mochi are like the elvish bread. (Reminds me of my childhood. –Jimmy)
  • I don’t get the sandal flip for checking on his brother. (Like a coin flip, maybe? I had friends at the Japanese school I attended for a while who did it. What’s weird is a few of my Japanese friends did it while building Gohten. Weird. –Jimmy)
  • Sugi is the least impressive in terms of acting.
  • The Daimajin statue appears 27 minutes in (87 minute movie).
  • The boys ask Daimajin’s forgiveness for entering his mountain. They say they just want to save their dads. He sends his hawk and a small dust storm as a reply, which seems to be affirmatory.
  • No explanation for why this statue is in the middle of nowhere on this mountain.
  • The bad guys use guns again.
  • “Heightened sense of smell.” Okay, Wolverine.
  • Sugi has a dream where he’s running on the mountain and a hawk sort of attacks him. He falls and cries out for his father.
  • Broken posts look like crosses.
  • The villains show no respect to Daimjain when they step on his mountain.
  • Tsuruchiki buries it in snow and prays over it.
  • Daimajin’s shoulder pads still shake.
  • He smashes through a cliff like he did the wall in previous film. (Must be made of paper. –Jimmy)
  • During the finale it becomes quite apparent that the actors are wearing skull caps.
  • Wait…he stomps on the cave but his hand reaches in on impact?
  • How appropriate that Daimjain punishes evildoers in Hell’s Valley.
  • When Sugi calls to Daimajin at the end, is he hoping he will resurrect Kinta?
  • This film actually has credits! Probably because it didn’t have any at the start. Very modern. Ahead of its time.

The Toku Topic: Kami

  • Sources: Encyclopedia of Shinto, “Kami: The Evolution of Japan’s Native Gods” by Hashizume Daisaburō, “Meet the Gods: 13 Japanese Kami” by John Spacey, https://www.ancient.eu/Kami/, “Kami” (Wikipedia), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vai%C5%9Brava%E1%B9%87a
  • It’s best to think of “God” and kami as three different concepts.
    • “The written Japanese form, 神, is influenced by the Chinese meaning of the character. Common words in both languages using this character, such as 精神 (pronounced seishin in Japanese), meaning “spirit” or “mind,” and 神経 (shinkei), meaning “nerves,” are related to human mental qualities. Pronounced shen in Chinese, the character 神 carries some divine attributes, but they are of a decidedly low rank and far below those of the highest power in Chinese theology, termed 天 (tian) or 上帝 (shangdi) in Chinese.”
  •  “Kami were believed to possess human-like predilections in other ways as well, enjoying music, dance, and poetry, and disdaining behavior disruptive of natural or social order, together with pollutions (kegare) such as filth, blood, and death.”
  • “Heavenly bodies further include the sun, moon, and planets, while deified meteorological phenomena would include things like the kami of wind (kaze no kami), and kami of thunder (raijin). Kami related to geological formations include kami of earth (jigami or jinushigami); kami of mountains; kami of mountain passes; kami of thickets, forests, and groves; kami of rocks and boulders; kami of the sea (umi no kami); kami of rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes; kami of islands; and so forth.
  • “So called “culture kami” can be broadly divided into the three categories (1) ‘community kami,’ namely those worshiped by particularistic social groups; (2) ‘functional kami,’ which are related to specific aspects or occupations in human life; and (3) ‘human kami,’ namely historical human beings treated as kami.
    Community kami may include yashikigami (kami of dwellings) buraku kami (kami of geographical communities); familial kami (tutelaries of consanguineous families); dōzokushin (kinship group tutelaries); and dōsojin and sai no kami (kami which stand at the entryways or borders of villages and protect residents from the intrusion of baneful outside forces).”
  • Speaking of which: “While studying to achieve enlightenment, Amida had vowed that he would strive to have all living things be reborn in this realm, which he reached upon becoming a Buddha. Rebirth in the superior realm of the Western Paradise meant being just one step from Buddhahood and was considered extremely important. The idea that people could become Buddhas after death spread through the doctrine that death could lead to the pure land, which in turn was a stage on the way to Buddhahood.”
  • “The new Shintō movement of Hirata Atsutane (1776–1843) triggered a great change in the way Japanese people thought about kami from the waning years of the Tokugawa shogunate through the early Meiji era (1868–1912). Hirata professed to be a disciple of Motoori, and his study of Shintō led him to proclaim that when people died, they did not become Buddhas or go to Yomi, the land of the dead, but instead became spirits (rei). In particular, those who died for Japan suffered no defilement and became eirei, “glorious spirits,” who would protect future generations. The revolutionary idea that people became spirits after death, maintaining their individuality throughout eternity, leads some to think Hirata had studied the Christian concept of the soul by secretly reading a Chinese translation of the Bible (then banned in Japan).” This paved the way for state Shinto. It also meant that the dead could be enshrined, which led to the construction of the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in 1869.

That does it for today.

Join us next week to hear our Halloween special when Nathan was joined by Kaiju Weekly co-host (and raging Kamen Rider fan) Travis Alexander for an extended mini-analysis to discuss Frankenstein Conquers the World (or as we like to call it here on the Island, “Frankie v. Barry”). (#Justice4Baragon)

Then we cover our first Ray Harryhausen film on the show with Nathan’s friend and returning Tourist Nick Hayden with The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need two aspirin and a nap. Marchand is busy reminding me of my comeuppance.

Follow me on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

Follow the Board on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives
#WeShallOvercome

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Episode 26: The Metters vs. ‘Daimajin Strikes Again’

Published October 14, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

The “Daimajin Days” come to a close with Joe and Joy Metter returning to discuss Daimajin Strikes Again. The final film of the Daimajin trilogy, while it has the same basic set-up with an evil lord oppressing the people, focuses on four boys who set out to rescue their commoner fathers and brothers from slavery. The Metters’ dogs Teddy Kong and Bitzilla make more cameos as they and Nathan make frequent comparisons between this film and Lord of the Rings, Naruto, and even X-Men! All the while MIFV’s intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA, continues to antagonize Joy—which comes to a head in an epic post-credit scene!

Today’s Toku Topic builds on the previous one by discussing kami (Japanese spirits and gods).

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 perks like this starting at only $3 a month!

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

Episode epilogue written by Nathan Marchand with Joe and Joy Metter.

Episode image created by Michael Hamilton.

This episode features the following music tracks:
-“Daimajin’s Ferocity” by Akira Ifukube
-“Kozasa’s Prayer” by Akira Ifukube
-“Jet Jaguar” by Heavy Melody Music

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Timestamps:
Intro: 0:00-4:42
Entertaining Info Dump: 4:42-10:16
Toku Talk: 10:16-54:42
Toku Topic: 54:42-1:19:36
Outro: 1:19:36-1:29:19
Epilogue: 1:29:19-end

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© 2020 Nathan Marchand & Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Jimmy’s Notes on ‘Episode 24: The Metters vs. Return of Daimajin’

Published September 15, 2020

Well, if I was a supervillain, this is the part where I would say,

I learned a valuable lesson during the episode 24 broadcast. Apparently, Dorats aren’t as aggressive as I thought they’d be. And I even fed them some gamma rays before unleashing them on Nathan’s friend Joy Metter. (However, I didn’t feed these little winged gremlins any radiation after midnight because we know how that turns out). Her dogs’ good vibes must’ve calmed them or something.

Perhaps I do need to try something “scarier” next time, as Joy joked, to truly test her mettle since she keeps acting like she’s a master swordsman (“swordswoman”? “swordsperson”? Damn you, political correctness!) Sadly, anything else would probably get me in trouble with the Board for endangering a tourist, but I’ll think of something.

Anyway, let’s get on to my notes from the episode:

  • I will admit, the new Board-mandated uniforms are growing on me. Pink is the new orange.
  • I neglected to include the IMDB scores for the first two Daimajin films in the Entertaining Info Dump. Oops. They’re 6.7 and 6.4, respectively.
  • It’s “Sama-no-suke,” not, “Sama-na-suke.” But hey, none of you grew up in Japan like I did.
  • I’ll give Joy credit for one thing: we can agree that Anakin Skywalker is as charming as a brick in Attack of the Clones.
  • It’s “Dodohei,” not, “Todohei,” Nathan. You think he’s a dog from Kansas?
  • Yes, Joe, Ryuta does have an arm. Two of them, in fact.
  • I can make an argument that Frozen is a kaiju movie: the big snowman. If Half Human counts….
  • Nathan, it’s “Iwamatsu” not “Imatsu.”
  • I’m pretty sure “Heian” is pronounced, “hay-on.” You know, like “Heisei” (“hay-say”).
  • It’s “kami” not “gami,” Joy.
  • Yawns, last I checked, were by definition audible, Joe.
  • I didn’t realize this until now because I liked the Star Wars reference, but the third film is Daimajin Strikes Again not Back. Also, Nathan used the wrong title for the DVD cover he used on the blog post just like ADV did. Oh well.

And now, in fulfillment of my contractual obligations, here’s Nathan’s leftover notes:

The Film

  • Barr says it “explores the clash between tradition and modernity, between peacefulness and warmongering.”
  • The first two films put a premium on the “old ways” of worship. Are we supposed to sympathize with the persecuted nobles, villagers, and Daimajin?
  • Interesting that the characters don’t bow before passing through the torii gate.
  • We get some foreshadowing with Daimajin’s face glowing red. Said to be a sign of misfortune and his anger.
  • In this, the priestess is also the dead lord’s daughter. The characters are combined.
  • Daimajin is fond of mountains. (I would correct him by saying he’s on an island in this one, but it’s at least mountainous. –Jimmy)
  • Ifukube’s music shines in this score.
  • The priestess calls Daimjain “Kamisama.” Is this the Japanese word for the Christian God? (That’s what most westerners think. It makes sense since it would translate as “Lord God” or “lord of the gods.” Or at least “lord of the kami.” –Jimmy)
  • “They have taken our statue but not our soul.” –Sayuri (Probably the best line in the film. –Jimmy)
  • I think Juro would’ve been better off killing Danjo. (Actually, he kept him alive for leverage. –Jimmy)
  • “Juro’s in the well?!” (Call Lassie! Or Teddy Kong! –Jimmy)
  • There is some added suspense thanks to the statue being shattered.
  • Another divine warning with the soldier in a boat stabbed with a rock. This gives a kid the chance to set Katsushige free.
  • Sayuri hanging on the cross and praying—offering her life to Daimajin—echoes the Christ story. Then she cries and her tears awaken him. The wind extinguishes the fire.
  • The statue emerges whole from the water. He appears 61 minutes into the 78-minute movie.
  • This reminds me a bit of the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
  • They try to blow up Daimajin again, and this time it doesn’t work. The shot of him in the smoke is great.
  • His footsteps are ominous.
  • Sayuri’s tears fall from her face to her praying hands to the lake water, and Daimajin dissolves into water.

Toku Topic

  • SHRINES: “The etymology of the early word for shrine, yashiro 社 is thought to have meant a temporary structure (yashiro 屋代) erected for worship, in the same way that nawashiro meant a hut for raising seedlings, and an ajiro meant a spot for drying fishing nets.” Festivals would be held there. “Accordingly, the concept of the sacred also changed from one in which kami were thought to be visiting deities (raihōshin) that descended at set times each year, to one in which the kami resided permanently in the shrine as a tutelary of its parishioners.”
  • SHRINES: “By contrast, another term denoting a shrine, miya 宮, is believed to derive from the honorific expression for a building (miya 御屋). Until the early Heian period, however, few shrines were permitted the status of miya, and of the 2,861 shrines listed in the Engishiki’s “Register of Divinities,” only eleven are included in this category.”
  • SHRINES: “The earliest type of shrine architecture is seen in the shinmeizukuri style of the Shōden (honden) of the Grand Shrines of Ise, and the taishazukuri style of the Izumo Shrine’s honden. The former originates in the style of grain storehouse used to store rice, while the latter is based on the style of ancient dwellings in the Izumo area. Both styles are reflected in ancient palace architecture, and eventually they were used in permanent shrine buildings, becoming the source for more complicated styles….”
  • SHRINES: While governors got more involved with the festivals centered around kami worship in medieval Japan, this system dissolved as warrior families arose, and “ancient imperially granted shrine lands (shinryō) and other lands commended by secular houses were gradually transformed into the system of estates known as shōen. Under this system, powerful shrines tried to ensure their territorial integrity by commending their lands to the imperial house or other power clans who acted as ‘rights holders’ (honjo) for the land. … “At the outset of Hōjō Yasutoki’s Jōei shikimoku (1232) appears an exhortation to keep shrines in good repair and to be diligent in worship, and this became a maxim for future generations. This pattern was also incorporated and continued in the Edo shogunate’s laws regulating shrines and their priests, the Shosha negi kannushi hatto of 1665. On this basis the shoguns and daimyō bestowed “vermilion-seal” or “black-seal” land grants upon important shrines and diligently contributed to the rebuilding or repair of shrine buildings.”
  • SHRINES: 70% of Japanese people visit a shrine at least once a year at New Year. This is called Hatsumōdë.
  • TORII: Most are made of wood and painted red, but a few are black or made of stone. (This was brought up in the episode, but I left it in this blog to explain why they’re red. While torii were once white for sacredness, they are painted red because to the Japanese that is the color of vitality and protection against evil. It had a practical reason, too. Red paint contains mercury, which preserves the gate. –Jimmy)

I’m glad that was easier than in past weeks. Thanks, Nathan!

Next Wednesday, you’ll hear an episode featuring my former online nemesis Michael “The Kaiju Groupie” Hamilton (MIFV Patron and co-host of the Kaiju Weekly podcast, among other things), who discusses Dogora, the Space Monster with Nathan. Then the Metters return to finish the “Daimajin Days” with Daimajin Strikes Again.

Also, this month is our first anniversary (hoo-ah!), so Nathan will be joined by Danny DiManna of the Godzilla Novelization Project for a special bonus episode to celebrate.

Join us!

Follow me on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

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