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)
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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:
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Bibliography/Further Reading:
- Derendorf, Kevin. Kaiju for Hipsters: 101 “Alternative” Giant Monster Movies. Maser Press, 2018.
- Fritscher, Lisa. “What Is Mysophobia?” Verywell Mind. 25 Aug. 2025. https://www.verywellmind.com/all-about-msyophobia-fear-of-germs-2671871.
- Guo, Lily. “Mysophobia: What Is It, Causes, Symptoms, and More.” Osmosis. Modified 6 Jan. 2025. https://www.osmosis.org/answers/mysophobia.
- Harvey, Ryan. “Ultraman Zearth (1996).” The Ultra Project. 16 Nov. 2024. https://the-ultra-project.com/2024/11/16/ultraman-zearth-1996/.
- Harvey, Ryan. “Ultraman Zearth 2 (1997).” The Ultra Project. 19 April 2025. https://the-ultra-project.com/2025/04/19/ultraman-zearth-2-1997/.
- “Hypochondria.” Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/hypochondria.
- “Hypochondriasis.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochondriasis.
- LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies, Volume 2: 1984-2017. Bicep Books, 2017.
- Mobley D, Baum NH, Beattie A, Nemeroff C. “When Imagination Becomes a Disease: Dealing With Hypochondriacal Patients in Clinical Practice.” Ochsner J. 2019 Summer;19(2):70-73. doi: 10.31486/toj.18.0123. PMID: 31258417; PMCID: PMC6584190.
- “Mysophobia.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysophobia.
- Sanz, Elena. “Hypochondria and Nosophobia: Two Manifestations of the Fear of Illness.” Exploring Your Mind. 5 Aug. 2022. https://exploringyourmind.com/hypochondria-and-nosophobia-two-manifestations-of-the-fear-of-illness/.
- Silberner, Joanne. “Hypochondria Is a Real and Dangerous Illness, New Research Shows.” Scientific American. 19 Nov. 2024. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-hypochondria-can-be-deadly-and-how-newer-treatments-help/.
- “Ultraman Zearth.” IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0183933/.
- “Ultraman Zearth.” Ultraman Wiki. https://ultra.fandom.com/wiki/Ultraman_Zearth_(film).
- “Ultraman Zearth.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraman_Zearth.
- “Ultraman Zearth 2.” IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0183934/?ref_=tt_mlt_i_1.
- “Ultraman Zearth 2: Superhuman Big Battle – Light and Shadow.” Ultraman Wiki. https://ultra.fandom.com/wiki/Ultraman_Zearth_2:_Superhuman_Big_Battle_-_Light_and_Shadow.
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