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Tag: Tsuburaya Productions

Bonus Episode #21 – ‘Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo’ & ‘The Last Dinosaur’ | Patreon

Published October 16, 2026

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In this Patreon-sponsored double feature solo episode, Nate analyzes two completely unrelated movies. Well, sorta related movies. One is animated, and the other was made by a studio famous for animation. Both are TV movies. One features superheroes, and the other was a co-production with a studio that made a famous superhero. These are, of course, Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo (2006) and The Last Dinosaur (1977). The former features a pair of kaiju and many tokusatsu references. The latter is a co-production between Rankin-Bass (the studio that gave us Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer) and Tsuburaya Productions (which makes this Ultra Journey adjacent). Both were more interesting than Nate expected, especially Last Dinosaur. If only the book he read on the making of the film wasn’t so pretentious. Listen to hear more!

This episode was edited by Nick Adam with Nathan Marchand.

Additional Music: “Teen Titans Theme Song” by Puffy AmiYumi, “The Last Dinosaur” by Nancy Wilson.

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, Francis Chopin, and Geek 3D Art.

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:

  • 0:00-2:30: Introduction
  • 2:30-23:48: ‘Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo’ Analysis
  • 23:48-58:15: ‘The Last Dinosaur’ Analysis
  • 58:15-1:00:34: Culture Box Ad – Henshin Power V3
  • 1:00:34-1:17:54: Outro (listener feedback, housekeeping, etc.)
  • 1:17:54-end: Credits

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #kaiju, #daikaiju, #giantmonsters, #teentitans, #thelastdinosaur, #tsuburayaproductions, #dinosaurs, #dccomics, #rankinbass

© 2026 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

“Brushogan.” Teen Totans Wiki. https://teentitans.fandom.com/wiki/Brushogun.

“Deka-Mido.” Teen Titans Wiki. https://teentitans.fandom.com/wiki/Deka-Mido.

Derendorf, Kevin. Kaiju for Hipsters: 101 “Alternative” Giant Monster Movies. Maser Press, 2018.

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.

Homenick, Brett. “CHASING ‘THE LAST DINOSAUR’! A Candid Conversation with Joan van Ark!” Vantage Point Interviews. 19 Aug. 2018. Updated 19 March 2021. https://vantagepointinterviews.com/2018/08/19/chasing-the-last-dinosaur-a-candid-conversation-with-joan-van-ark/.

Homenick, Brett. “ON THE TRAIL OF ‘THE LAST DINOSAUR’! A Candid Conversation with Rankin/Bass Associate Producer Benni Korzen!” Vantage Point Interviews. 13 June 2022. https://vantagepointinterviews.com/2022/06/13/on-the-trail-of-the-last-dinosaur-a-candid-conversation-with-rankin-bass-associate-producer-benni-korzen/.

“Kazuo Sagawa.” Wikizilla. https://wikizilla.org/wiki/Kazuo_Sagawa.

“Last Dinosaur, The.” IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076294/.

“Last Dinosaur, The.” Ultraman Wiki. https://ultra.fandom.com/wiki/The_Last_Dinosaur.

“Last Dinosaur, The.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Dinosaur.

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.

Smith, B. Harrison. Making The Last Dinosaur. BearManor Media, 9 June 2023.

“Teen Titans.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Titans.

“Teen Titans (TV Series).” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Titans_(TV_series).

“Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo.” IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816671/?_ssoLoop=1.

“Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo.” Teen Titans Wiki. https://teentitans.fandom.com/wiki/Teen_Titans:_Trouble_in_Tokyo.

“Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Titans:_Trouble_in_Tokyo.

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Episode 112: ‘Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Dyna: Warriors of the Star of Light’ vs. Rob Buck | The Ultra Journey

Published June 12, 2026

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! Hello, MIFV MAX members! First-time guest Rob Buck of The Power Chamber Podcast joins Nate for “The Ultra Journey” to discuss the first of its kind in the Ultra Series: Ultraman Tiga & Ultraman Dyna: Warriors of the Star of Light. This was the first wholly original tie-in film for a then-current Ultraman show on TV. While the title promises a crossover, behind-the-scenes shenanigans kept it from being as epic as it could’ve been. That being said, as a “midquel” for Dyna, it’s a solid piece of tokusatsu. The film explicitly expresses the franchise’s vehement anti-nihilism worldview and shows why the TDG Trilogy era is beloved. Since one of the main antagonists, the amazingly named Deathfacer, is an evil giant robot programmed with the memories of the Super GUTS team, this episode’s Toku Topic is a (sorta) brief history of artificial intelligence (A.I.). Enjoy!

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, Francis Chopin, and Geek 3D Art.

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: 0:00-21:21
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 21:21-30:18
  • Toku Talk (main discussion): 30:18-1:38:57
  • Culture Box Ad – The Untold Podcast: 1:38:57-1:39:48
  • Toku Topic – A Brief History of Artificial Intelligence: 1:39:48-2:55:56
  • Outro (listener feedback and housekeeping): 2:55:56-3:11:20
  • Credits: 3:11:30-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

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

© 2026 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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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

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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

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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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BONUS – Ultraman 101 (JAFAX 2023 Panel)

Published June 14, 2023

In this JAFAX panel, you’ll take a crash course in the Ultraman series with Nathan Marchand! This required a bit of tweaking because it angered the automated YouTube overlords that Nathan dared show the trailer for Ultraman Blazar, which is why it cuts off at the end. You can hear a similar version of this presentation by listening to episode 48 of Henshin Men, which features Daniel DiManna, and in a recent issue of Kaiju Ramen Magazine.

Check out www.KaijuRamenMedia.com.

Watch the video version here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Ad8ZYkKzXw0?feature=share.

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

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander; Michael Hamilton; Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, and The Indiscrite One! 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)

Podcast Social Media:

  • Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheMonsterIsla1)
  • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MonsterIslandFilmVault/)
  • Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/monsterislandfilmvault/)
  • Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy (https://twitter.com/nasajimmy?lang=en)
  • Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD (https://twitter.com/MonsterIslaBOD)
  • Follow the Raymund Martin and the MIFV Legal Team on Twitter: @MIFV_LegalTeam
  • Follow Crystal Lady Jessica on Twitter: @CystalLadyJes1 (https://twitter.com/CrystalLadyJes1)
  • Follow Dr. Dourif on Twitter: @DrDorif (https://twitter.com/DrDoriff)

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault                 #kaiju  #ultraman            #tsuburayaproductions           #eijitsuburaya             #JAFAX

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A Compassionate Ultraman | One Monstrous Moment: Alpha Edition

Published March 28, 2021

As part of Ryan “The Omni Viewer” Collins’ “One Monstrous Moment: Alpha Edition” to celebrate our favorite moments in kaiju media in anticipation of Godzilla vs. Kong, I’m submitting an entry featuring an unlikely scene from an unlikely series. In this case, from episode eleven of Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero (aka Ultraman Powered). What happens when a henshin hero battles a truly innocent monster? What can we learn about co passion and empathy from this oft-derided Ultra series? Listen to find out!

Music:
–Ultraman Powered/Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero BGM (by Suzuki Kisaburo?)

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.

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       #OneMonstrousMomentAlphaEdition            #Ultraman

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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