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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 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 Interview Series: Linda Jo Miller | King Kong Escapes | The Green Slime

Published July 2, 2025

Nathan sits down to talk with former model/actress (and now everyone’s favorite grandma) Linda Jo Miller, who famously starred alongside Akira Takarada and Rhodes Reason in King Kong Escapes (1967). Nathan asks her what it was growing up as a military brat in Japan and what life was like after she was in King Kong Escapes.

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

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    #KingKong

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Episode 104: ‘Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla’ (1974) | Ft. Robert Kelly of Record All Monsters | Godzilla Redux

Published June 4, 2025

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! This episode marks the final “Godzilla Redux” of season four, and it’s a low-key banger! Robert Kelly, who managed to escape capture by the British police after episode 103, returns to discuss his first G-film, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974), and share what Nate says is the most unique take he’s ever heard on this film. Namely, Robert says Godzilla is his friend, because Godzilla’s monstrousness is a virtue in the vein of G.K. Chesterton. No kidding! But it isn’t the only take they discuss—and some are hotter than Big G’s nuclear breath! They get into the so-called “alien apes as Americans allegory,” the history and culture of Okinawa as it relates to this film (which is to that island what Lord of the Rings is to New Zealand), and more! King Caesar’s ghost!

“Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode COMING SOON!

Additional Music:

Buy Robert’s book, Record All Monsters: The Book of the Essays from the Podcast (https://a.co/d/gFq6W2U).

Listen to the Record All Monsters’s episode on Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974): https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2e20-godzilla-vs-mechagodzilla-with-my-mom-wooo-and-aubrey–51852549.

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: 0:00-8:14
  • Main Discussion: 8:14-2:28:22
  • Outro (housekeeping, etc.): 2:28:22-2:47:14
  • Credits: 2:47:14-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault    #Godzilla            #Mechagodzilla #kaiju           #Okinawa        #GodzillavsMechagodzilla            #Toho  #GodzillaRedux

© 2024, 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • Barr, Jason. The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. 2016.
  • 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.
  • “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.” IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071565/.
  • “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.” Toho Kingdom. https://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_mechagodzilla.htm.
  • “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla_vs._Mechagodzilla.
  • ”Godzilla vs. Mechacgodzilla (1974).” Wikizilla. https://wikizilla.org/wiki/Godzilla_vs._Mechagodzilla.
  • Kaijuvision Radio, Episode 19: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) (The Reversion of Okinawa: History and Culture) (https://youtu.be/LODiyjrAb68?si=tG7N_cB0Xdu5ZEVo).
  • 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).
  • LeMay, John with Ted Johnson. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: The Lost Films – Mutated Edition.
  • LeMay, John. Writing Japanese Monsters.
  • Skipper, Graham. Godzilla: The Official Guide to the King of the Monsters. Welbeck Publishing Group. 2022.

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MIFV Interview Series: Alyssa Charpentier

MIFV Interview Series: Alyssa Charpentier

Published February 26, 2025

I sit down with the multitalented Alyssa Charpentier, who wears enough proverbial hats to fill a warehouse. She’s a writer, a musician, a Navy sailor, a former Godzilla YouTuber, and hardcore nerd girl, among other things. We discuss her past and current creative projects, her best advice for aspiring writers, and more, including her serialized Godzilla fanfiction, Strange Flesh, which is exclusive to her Patreon page.

Watch the uncut livestream on Nathan’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/live/HzZHNtk-RuE?feature=share.

Join Alyssa’s Patreon page to read Godzilla: Strange Flesh!

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, Redeemed Otaku Podcast, 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:

© 2025 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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MIFV MAX #33 (Abridged): Let’s Talk About…Godzilla Minus One Sequels | Ft. Matt Walsh (But Not That Matt Walsh) (Plus: State of the Podcast Nov. 2024)

Published November 27, 2024

You might wondering, “What’s with all the bonus episodes? Where’s episode 100?” Nathan addresses those questions in this “state of the podcast” discussion, laying out all the reasons for the delays. Before that, though, he shares an excerpt from a recent episode of the Patreon-exclusive podcast, MIFV MAX (see links below to join our Patreon), wherein he and Matt Walsh (But Not That Matt Walsh) discuss pitches for potential sequels to Godzilla Minus One in light of the news that Takashi Yamazaki is returning to direct (and presumably write) Toho’s next Godzilla film. What do you think of their ideas? Send us 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, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, Edwin Gonzalez, Erik Pearl, 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    #Godzilla            #GodzillaDay #GodzillaMinusOne

© 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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