A podcast seeking entertainment and enlightenment through tokusatsu.
Origin Story: After vacationing on the Monsterland Resort, professional writer/raging nerd Nathan Marchand got a job as the curator of the Vault containing the films about Monster Island’s many kaiju residents. Now he and his intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA (who miraculously survived the infamous War in Space), record a bi-weekly podcast critically and academically examining each of the films in the prestigious Vault with one to four guest hosts chosen from Monster Island’s many tourists.
Philosophy: Kaiju and/or tokusatsu fans will tell you these genres are undeniably fun. What’s often missed, though, are the deeper meanings below the sensational surface. Meanings entrenched in the story’s original historical and cultural context. That’s why this podcast believes in film appreciation. What’s that? It’s studying a movie’s script, direction, cinematography, and other aspects of filmmaking. It’s learning how and why it was created since movies aren’t made in a vacuum. This is especially true with foreign films. Non-native audiences are separated by both time and culture with them. There are things that will go over their heads that the original audience intrinsically understood. Listening to this podcast, listeners will gain a greater appreciation of the films and the respective cultures in which they were made.
Format: The podcast alternates between full-length film discussions with one to four guest hosts and “mini-sodes.” Full episodes are divided into three segments: The Entertaining Info Dump (plot and production details), Toku Talk (discussion with one to four guest hosts chosen from Monster Island’s Tourists), and Toku Topics (deeper analyses of issues brought up by the films). “Mini-sodes” include audio essays, comedy sketches, and interviews. Expect surprises!
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A podcast seeking entertainment and enlightenment through tokusatsu.
Origin Story: After vacationing on the Monsterland Resort, professional writer/raging nerd Nathan Marchand got a job as the curator of the Vault containing the films about Monster Island’s many kaiju residents. Now he and his intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA (who miraculously survived the infamous War in Space), record a bi-weekly podcast critically and academically examining each of the films in the prestigious Vault with one to four guest hosts chosen from Monster Island’s many tourists.
Philosophy: Kaiju and/or tokusatsu fans will tell you these genres are undeniably fun. What’s often missed, though, are the deeper meanings below the sensational surface. Meanings entrenched in the story’s original historical and cultural context. That’s why this podcast believes in film appreciation. What’s that? It’s studying a movie’s script, direction, cinematography, and other aspects of filmmaking. It’s learning how and why it was created since movies aren’t made in a vacuum. This is especially true with foreign films. Non-native audiences are separated by both time and culture with them. There are things that will go over their heads that the original audience intrinsically understood. Listening to this podcast, listeners will gain a greater appreciation of the films and the respective cultures in which they were made.
Format: The podcast alternates between full-length film discussions with one to four guest hosts and “mini-sodes.” Full episodes are divided into three segments: The Entertaining Info Dump (plot and production details), Toku Talk (discussion with one to four guest hosts chosen from Monster Island’s Tourists), and Toku Topics (deeper analyses of issues brought up by the films). “Mini-sodes” include audio essays, comedy sketches, and interviews. Expect surprises!
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.
In this journal entry, Nate is lost in his dark thoughts as he checks his e-mail and finds yet another message from Jimmy asking where he is. Nate throws it into the growing pile in his inbox—and suddenly Jimmy bursts through the door to confront him.
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!
Nate follows his suddenly oppressed nose to Uber-Moguera’s back room and discovers he has a stowaway--Dr. Dante Dourif! The mad scientist needed a place to stay while he was at a “xeno-botany” conference in London. But before Nate can chew him out too much, Konga, who’s kaiju-sized again, is taking his inferiority complex out on Big Ben (unlike in 1961), but even Jet Jaguar’s heroics can’t halt the big ape’s raging rampage. Then Dr. Dourif says he has an idea on how to stop Konga....
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! Nate and Jet move on to jolly ol’ England for the penultimate stop on the Monster Island World Tour, but it’s to discuss the sleaziest of the 1961 European kaiju movies: Konga. Thankfully, Nate is joined by the co-hosts of the podcast Record All Monsters (and...fugitives...?), who un-ironically like this movie. While it’s a King Kong ”knockoff,” the studio paid RKO $25,000 for the rights. Not to mention, aside from featuring a giant gorilla (for 15 minutes) who carries humans in his hand, it has almost nothing in common with Kong. But hey, it has Michael Gough (aka Alfred Pennyworth) in it! The Toku Topic, appropriately, is the mad scientist archetype.
With Regina and Reggie, the Reptilicus pair, flying and/or slithering through Tivoli Gardens, Nate and Damon try and fail to concoct a plan to halt their “romantic” rampage and recapture the serpentine monsters. Then the Markalite Lounge’s owner, the singer Kevin Gomora, calls Nate to say he needs to take refuge in Uber-Moguera, because Regina is chasing him. This gives Damon a crazy idea that just might the kaiju couple back to the Island.
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! This episode was five years in the making for executive producer Damon Noyes—so he talked for five hours! He’s been clamoring for all his favorite podcasts to cover the infamous Danish kaiju movie, Reptilicus (1961/1962), which became something of an icon in spite of itself. But good things come to those who wait, because now Vinegar Syndrome has released a new 4K blu-ray that includes both the American and Danish versions—complete with the notorious “Tilicus” song! Yes, Reptilicus was a pseudo-musical in Denmark! Nate and Damon had so much to get into, including a Toku Topic on biological regeneration, that this now holds the record for longest MIFV episode. This stop on the Monster Island World Tour was so long, your hosts almost missed the rest of a convention for Reptilicus fans in Tivoli Gardens called Repti-Con!
PART 2: Hello, Kaiju Lovers! This episode was five years in the making for executive producer Damon Noyes—so he talked for five hours! He’s been clamoring for all his favorite podcasts to cover the infamous Danish kaiju movie, Reptilicus (1961/1962), which became something of an icon in spite of itself. But good things come to those who wait, because now Vinegar Syndrome has released a new 4K blu-ray that includes both the American and Danish versions—complete with the notorious “Tilicus” song! Yes, Reptilicus was a pseudo-musical in Denmark! Nate and Damon had so much to get into, including a Toku Topic on biological regeneration, that this now holds the record for longest MIFV episode. This stop on the Monster Island World Tour was so long, your hosts almost missed the rest of a convention for Reptilicus fans in Tivoli Gardens called Repti-Con!
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! This episode was five years in the making for executive producer Damon Noyes—so he talked for five hours! He’s been clamoring for all his favorite podcasts to cover the infamous Danish kaiju movie, Reptilicus (1961/1962), which became something of an icon in spite of itself. But good things come to those who wait, because now Vinegar Syndrome has released a new 4K blu-ray that includes both the American and Danish versions—complete with the notorious “Tilicus” song! Yes, Reptilicus was a pseudo-musical in Denmark! Nate and Damon had so much to get into, including a Toku Topic on biological regeneration, that this now holds the record for longest MIFV episode. This stop on the Monster Island World Tour was so long, your hosts almost missed the rest of a convention for Reptilicus fans in Tivoli Gardens called Repti-Con!
With Jimmy and Kaguya away on their honeymoon on a “lunar safari,” Nate makes a journal entry bemoaning how they have everything going for them and he doesn’t. This leads to him steeling his resolve to prove everyone wrong—by making a rash decision.
Hello, Kaiju Lovers…and welcome, Listeners with Attitude! Nate takes advantage of his short time back on the Island to produce a Patreon-sponsored episode requested by first-time MIFV MAX member Andrew Wynja “The Ninja,” who picked the Power Rangers: Time Force VHS “Clash for Control.” So, naturally, Nate couldn’t do this without his former Power Trip co-host Michael Hamilton. These episodes feature the first appearance of Wynja’s favorite Zord, the amazing mecha-dinosaur Quantasaurus Rex (or Q-Rex), and Nate’s Power Ranger “man crush,” Eric Myers, in an epic time travel adventure. But the reason Wynja chose this VHS edition of the episodes is because this was before they were censored in light of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Tune to hear about this and more! “Time for…Time Force!”
That wisecracking duo is back--at least on the MIFV podcast feed. The infamous Rito Revolto (or Rito Bandora, depending on who you talk to) and his cohort, some dude named Wade, go over the latest news on Monster Island. Then they take a request for some ultra-good music from Kevin Gomora, owner of The Markalite Lounge. All the while, they drive each other to the point of insanity before letting Nate get back on the air. What else is new?
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In this little epilogue to episode 100, Michael Hamilton, a frequent guest host on MIFV and former co-host of Nate’s on The Power Trip, takes a break from the reception for Jimmy and Kaguya’s wedding by going to Nessie’s Brasserie—and meets a depressed William H. George III! The two of them have a strange heart-to-heart until Nate comes in. Comedic drama ensues.
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! We’re celebrating not one but two momentous occasions! First, MIFV has reached triple digits, baby! But more importantly, Jimmy and Kaguya are finally getting married after a whirlwind courtship. All of MIFV’s past guest hosts were cordially invited, and you’ll get to hear highlights like the couple’s vows, Nate’s emotional best man speech, and interviews from guests at the reception. However, before Jimmy can get to the chapel, he and his groomsmen have overcome one last hurdle during the bachelor party—a mysterious device that projects the dreams of the (in)famous Ichiro Miki onto the entire Island! The only way to shut it down is to watch the uncut Destroy All Planets (aka the original dubbed version of Gamera vs. Viras). Not only is it one of only two Showa Gamera movies not riffed on Mystery Science Theater 3000, it’s the most important chapter of Jimmy’s life. Well, before his wedding day, anyway.
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.
In this first episode of a Patreon-exclusive review series for the remaining 31 episodes of Godzilla: The Series not covered on the show, Nate analyzes episodes three and four of the superior Saturday morning cartoon sequel to the infamous 1998 movie. One episode lets him talk about a prolific screenwriter and novelist, Kurt Vonnegut, and artificial intelligence. The second invites comparisons to most Ultraman series and Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019). That’s just a taste of fascinating places Nate goes in his discussion!
Merry Christmas, Kaiju Lovers! While this bonus episode was originally meant to end the season, with the delays in production and its hard deadline, it’s coming out before the season is over. In a rare of instance of breaking character, Nathan and his guests, Bex and her husband ”Encyclo” from Redeemed Otaku, are all appearing as themselves and not the MIFV versions (although, this is Encyclo’s first appearance on MIFV). But since Christmas kaiju media is scarce, they’re bending the definition of ”kaiju” to discuss a holiday sharksploitation movie: Santa Jaws. If ”kaiju” literally means ”strange beast,” the titular creature here certainly qualifies!
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!
Happy Godzilla Day, Kaiju Lovers! To celebrate, Nate once again participates in Ryan “The Omni Viewer” Collins’ series “One Monstrous Moment: 7/70 Edition.” In this one, Nate goes full-tilt nostalgic and analytical by selecting his favorite moment in his first G-film, Terror of Mechagodzilla. Specifically, Godzilla’s epic entrance. It’s more than just payoff and cool factor—it’s the coalescence of two decades of his creative teams’ sensibilities.
Happy Halloween, Monster Children! Your host Vinnie Kami (and his butler, Kappa Joe) return for another frightful tale of monster mayhem. They try something a bit different this time with an excerpt from a novel—or rather, a novelization. Did you know the world was introduced to the Eighth Wonder, King Kong, in a book three months before the classic film released? Mr. Kami has the Legal Action Team’s founder, Raymund Martin, who claims to have received a first edition copy of the book as a gift from a lovelorn secretary (and to have tried to save the book from falling into public domain in the 1960s) read the harrowing chapter where beauty comes face-to-face with the beast. All the while, Kappa Joe demands a raise. Grab your trick-or-treat candy and cozy up to the radio, Kaiju Lovers, for a scary good time!
A podcast seeking entertainment and enlightenment through tokusatsu.
Origin Story: After vacationing on the Monsterland Resort, professional writer/raging nerd Nathan Marchand got a job as the curator of the Vault containing the films about Monster Island’s many kaiju residents. Now he and his intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA (who miraculously survived the infamous War in Space), record a bi-weekly podcast critically and academically examining each of the films in the prestigious Vault with one to four guest hosts chosen from Monster Island’s many tourists.
Philosophy: Kaiju and/or tokusatsu fans will tell you these genres are undeniably fun. What’s often missed, though, are the deeper meanings below the sensational surface. Meanings entrenched in the story’s original historical and cultural context. That’s why this podcast believes in film appreciation. What’s that? It’s studying a movie’s script, direction, cinematography, and other aspects of filmmaking. It’s learning how and why it was created since movies aren’t made in a vacuum. This is especially true with foreign films. Non-native audiences are separated by both time and culture with them. There are things that will go over their heads that the original audience intrinsically understood. Listening to this podcast, listeners will gain a greater appreciation of the films and the respective cultures in which they were made.
Format: The podcast alternates between full-length film discussions with one to four guest hosts and “mini-sodes.” Full episodes are divided into three segments: The Entertaining Info Dump (plot and production details), Toku Talk (discussion with one to four guest hosts chosen from Monster Island’s Tourists), and Toku Topics (deeper analyses of issues brought up by the films). “Mini-sodes” include audio essays, comedy sketches, and interviews. Expect surprises!
