The Energon Pub

[Duke of Luns]

Over the weekend I got to see Gamera: Guardian of the Universe(first part of the critically acclaimed trilogy, hope to see the other two someday), and it put me into a bit of a giant monster mood. So I saw a couple music videos on youtube, which got me into even more of a monster mood, with some questions:

1. Anyone actually seen Zone Fighter, and is there a place to watch it without downloading anything? I only have 56K at home, but I have time at school, and would like to see some of it. For those who don't know, Zone Fighter is a 26 episode live action TV show put out by Toho in the 70's. King Ghidorah appears in a couple episodes, Gigan in one(in which he apparently gets killed), and Godzilla in five episodes. From what I've seen in a couple videos, the effects seem to be on par with that of the Godzilla movies of that era. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I thought they looked good though.

2. Is Gamera the Brave, which came out last year, gonna come out in the U.S. soon? I saw a trailer, and even though it looks to target a younger audiance, the plot looked pretty interesting.

3. What's up with Ultraman? I've never seen an episode, but he's had quite a number of series. Are they all generally the same, or are they only the same on the surface, with continuity between series?

Well, those are all the questions I got. Feel free to comment on any other monster movies, for discussions and such. As for me personally, I've seen most of the Godzilla movies, cept for Godzilla Raids Again, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 3, and Tokyo SOS. I've also seen a few other Kaiju movies, but none match up to Godzilla for me. Gamera is a close second, cause he's a turtle.

[Cyber Bishop]

I love Kaiju movies!! Me and Chosen used to talk Kaiju all the time.

My favorite Kaiju is Anguirus followed closely by Jet jaguar.
Fav Godzilla movie is Godzilla vs Hedorah.

I have a bunch of the Japanese Bandai vinyl Godzilla figs at home as well.

Of course these pix are not updated as now I have the 6" Bandai Godzilla island Hedorah and the original Gorosaurus

[Duke of Luns]

My fave monster is Anguris as well! I guess it's cause I thought for the longest time he was a mutated turtle instead of an ankylosaurus. Too bad he gets beat up a lot though.

I should really get Godzilla Raids again when it comes out on DVD. It's a bit expensive for my tastes,but is this a U.S. release? http://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Raids-Again-Hiroshi-Koizumi/dp/B000MV8AJU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1309575-0145518?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1173901123&sr=8-1

And one of the oddest Kaiju movies ever made was Frankenstein Conquers the World. First appearance of Baragon though, and it was pretty good too.

[Venomous Prime]

Isn't the last MechaGodzilla flick just called Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla?

Anyway, among other things, Godzilla, Ultraman, and Inframan were huge parts of my child hood

Anyone else dig Inframan?

[Cyber Bishop]

Isn't the last MechaGodzilla flick just called Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla?

Actually the sequel to Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla is titled Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. and it is the last MechaGodzilla movie.

[The Happy Locust]

I used to be pretty big on Kaiju flicks. I've got all the godzilla movies from the 2nd (heisei) series up to Final wars, plus a couple of classics. Gamera didn't appeal to me until I saw that new trilogy. Trust me, the 2nd two are even better than the first.

[Venomous Prime]

Isn't the last MechaGodzilla flick just called Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla?

Actually the sequel to Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla is titled Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. and it is the last MechaGodzilla movie.

I didn't know MechaGodzilla was in Tokyo SOS, I haven't seen either of them.

[Grendel]

I'm just happy I finally saw Final Wars, Godzilla Vs. GINO fight lasted all of 2 seconds lol

I'm slowely replacing all my old godzilla VHS with DVD's, been a painful process though

[Cyber Bishop]

Isn't the last MechaGodzilla flick just called Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla?

Actually the sequel to Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla is titled Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. and it is the last MechaGodzilla movie.

I didn't know MechaGodzilla was in Tokyo SOS, I haven't seen either of them.

Yeah, the Mothra larva twins are also in it.

[The Happy Locust]

Isn't the last MechaGodzilla flick just called Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla?

Actually the sequel to Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla is titled Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. and it is the last MechaGodzilla movie.

I didn't know MechaGodzilla was in Tokyo SOS, I haven't seen either of them.

Yeah, the Mothra larva twins are also in it.

best of the new Big G movies is "Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant all-out monsters attack". Not coincidentally directed by the same guy who did the Gamera flicks.

[Cyber Bishop]

best of the new Big G movies is "Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant all-out monsters attack". Not coincidentally directed by the same guy who did the Gamera flicks.

I agree, that is one of the best of the new series.
My daughter loves Baragon.. She says he looks like a big puppy.

[The Happy Locust]

best of the new Big G movies is "Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant all-out monsters attack". Not coincidentally directed by the same guy who did the Gamera flicks.

I agree, that is one of the best of the new series.
My daughter loves Baragon.. She says he looks like a big puppy.

He acts like one too. Kinda reminds me of my chihuahuas actually. Although he stood about the same Chance against Godzilla.

[DeathBlast]

Godzilla against Mechagodzilla,and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. in my opinion are the best to feature MechaGodzilla. You should see them both.

[Duke of Luns]

Godzilla against Mechagodzilla,and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. in my opinion are the best to feature MechaGodzilla. You should see them both.

There's actually a box set out there I'm strongly considering getting(since I have't seen either movies as well), and it also has Son of Godzilla in it, which I saw many years ago, once, and only the second half. It seems like that box set was made for me. Plus, it's probably not gonna be on TV ever(I'm cheap ), and even if it was, I'm really really really starting to notice how much better DVD is.

Anyway, I like all the newer Godzilla movies I've seen, except Godzilla 2000, which was a humongous let down. I think it's the only Godzilla movie I was exceptionally disapointed with. Orga didn't do much, and got taken down rather quickly. What's your alls most disaponting Kaiju movie?

I have a question about the official Final Wars DVD: does it actually include the cut scenes as a special feature? They show some at the end, and it would be nice to see more of Heddorah, cause he got very little screen time. Also, I've read that a cut scene that was in the original script was Godzilla killed King Seaser, Rodan, and Anguris! Luckily, the fight against those three was one of the earlier ones shot, and they couldn't afford to destroy the suits. Good thing too, cause those three were friends of Godzilla, and all he was doing was giving them a friendly beat down. Final Wars is one of my favorite Godzilla movies, cause it's unlike any other movie, and I felt it was a fun send off to Godzilla.

Speaking of cut scenes in Kaiju movies, I've read that in Frankenstein Conquers the World, there was an alternate ending where a giant octopus comes out of the water, strangles Frankenstein, and takes him into the ocean and presumably drowns him. I think this was actually shot, but I'm glad it didn't make it in, cause that would have been a shocking ending, but it wouldn't make sense in the grand scheme of things.

Also, when Godzilla come back from his hiatus, who would you like to see him face? A new monster, an old foe? I think a new Godzilla vs. King Kong is in order. What was it, 1963 that the original was made? A 2013(be here before ya know it) 50th anniversery movie would be great.

And Titanasaurus needs to make a come back. He was overshadowed in Terror of Mechagodzilla, in my opinion.

[Dr Buffalo]

Hey guys, it's been awhile. Anyway, I found this nifty little website that kind of ties in with the topic:

http://www.studio-rama.com/jen/etc/kaiju/namegon/index.html

Apparently I'm Black Meteorito... which sounds like a delicious treat.

[The Happy Locust]

I have a question about the official Final Wars DVD: does it actually include the cut scenes as a special feature? They show some at the end, and it would be nice to see more of Heddorah, cause he got very little screen time. Also, I've read that a cut scene that was in the original script was Godzilla killed King Seaser, Rodan, and Anguris! Luckily, the fight against those three was one of the earlier ones shot, and they couldn't afford to destroy the suits. Good thing too, cause those three were friends of Godzilla, and all he was doing was giving them a friendly beat down. Final Wars is one of my favorite Godzilla movies, cause it's unlike any other movie, and I felt it was a fun send off to Godzilla.

Speaking of cut scenes in Kaiju movies, I've read that in Frankenstein Conquers the World, there was an alternate ending where a giant octopus comes out of the water, strangles Frankenstein, and takes him into the ocean and presumably drowns him. I think this was actually shot, but I'm glad it didn't make it in, cause that would have been a shocking ending, but it wouldn't make sense in the grand scheme of things.

Also, when Godzilla come back from his hiatus, who would you like to see him face? A new monster, an old foe? I think a new Godzilla vs. King Kong is in order. What was it, 1963 that the original was made? A 2013(be here before ya know it) 50th anniversery movie would be great.

And Titanasaurus needs to make a come back. He was overshadowed in Terror of Mechagodzilla, in my opinion.

Godzilla's on hiatus for at least a few more years. Final Wars was meant as an end to the series, for now. But I wouldn't be surprised if 2013 is the revival year.

as for the final wars scenes, they're actually used as background shots during the end credits.

[Duke of Luns]

Hmm, I thought there might be more scenes than the ones in the credits. Oh well, it was cool of them to put them in there.

And my Ultra-Name is...

Black Geroton for my real name,

Red Geokuras for Duke of Luns .

[Symos]

I enjoyed watching Godzilla vs Megalon and Godzilla vs the seamonster on MST3K.

[Chosen]

Gamera the Brave currently has no plan for release in the US at all. Which is odd, but there's still a good chance for that to change later on.

Godzilla Raids Again (and Mothra vs. Godzilla) is already on DVD, primarily available direct from Classic Media. You can order it directly from their website, in advance of its current retail released date. Do not purchase it from eBay or used from Amazon, as most of the copies are likely ones with the production error (freezing and skipping a few minutes into the film, lasting for a few minutes) that were replaced for free by Classic Media later on. None of the discs they now sell on their online store should have the problem. Or, wait until the official store release in a couple of months.

Ultraman could be a topic all on its own, as there is so much that can be different from series to series, and generally so little that anybody knows about it. The original shows, from Ultra Q (not actually including an Ultra being) to Ultraman 80, are considered to be part of a single continuity, with the characters generally known as "Ultra Brothers." From Ultraman Great onward, the trend was to have series mostly unrelated to each other and exist outside the Showa continuity, with minor exceptions. What makes Ultraman Mebius unique is its direct tie to the old continuity, as it's the 40th Anniversary series. Mebius himself is actually considered one of the Brothers now.

Frankensten Conquers the World, also coming out on DVD soon, does have an alternate ending where Oodako, the giant octopus, kills Frankenstein. This ties into Gaira's appearance in War of the Gargantuas, where he fights against Oodako. The alternate ending should appear on the FCTW DVD.

Supposedly, the Godzilla hiatus will last an absolute minimum of seven years, generally stated to last 10 to 15 years. As with Godzilla 2000, there's always the option for it to occur sooner. Daikaiju eiga is not doing very well these days...

[Duke of Luns]

Thanks for the heads up about Godzilla Raids Again. Since I've waited so long already to see it, I can wait a while longer.

And gosh dangit, I made a mistake! I remember some months ago being at FYE and finding the three pack that had Tokyo SOS, Son of Godzilla, and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla to be so exciting, and I thought it had the new Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, but it has the 1974 one. D'oh. Is there any major continuity between SOS and Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla? I might not buy the boxset now, cause it only has one movie I haven't seen, and I wouldn't mind watching them in order. Plus, I don't have a job(last semester of college, unpaid internship=no time for one, I live at home though), so I kind of have to research what I get with my money.

Still though, it's nice to see that a lot of Kaiju movies are getting DVD releases for when I do get a job and have disposable income. And it's been a few years since I saw War of the Gargantuas, I forgot Oodako was even in it.

[Duke of Luns]

I've been looking around a little, seeing what Kaiju movies they've been putting out on DVD, and I'm quite surprised by the amount of them available! Since I like Godzilla, I also seek out other Toho properties, and it looks like almost all of them have been made, some of which I haven't seen yet.

For example, Varan The Unbelievable(this monster had a VERY brief cameo in Destroy all Monsters), Atragon(first appearance of Manda), Space Amoeba(this creature is actually a villain in the Godzilla NES game, which I watched a review of on youtube), Mantango(Attack of the Mushroom People! They actually have a cameo in Godzilla: Final Wars), The Mysterians(first appearance of Moguera, who appears in Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla. Also a boss in the NES Godzilla game, in his original form), and finally Dogora(another cameo in Final Wars, I think. Otherwise, another monster movie).

Heck, even though Godzilla is on hiatus, I have no shortage of movies to track down. I think they are even in their uncut Japanese format too boot! Which is great, cause I've read Varan got a horrible English cut.

Also, just cause Godzilla is on hiatus doesn't rule out the possibility of Toho releasing other kaiju movies. They released the decent Rebirth of Mothra trilogy between Godzilla vs. Destroyah and Godzilla 2000. Even though they target a younger audiance, I still enjoyed the three movies, and I like them a lot better than Godzilla 2000. I watched it last week for the heck of it, still think it's the worst Godzilla movie I've ever seen.

[Chosen]

I told you specifically about the Media Blasters releases like Space Amoeba and Varan at least a year ago! Dogora and Mantango appeared in Final Wars? Where? As toys maybe, in that scene with the chunky kid, but actual kaiju?

Tokyo SOS is a direct sequel to Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla. You'll only get a full appreciation for SOS after you see the previous film.

Classic Media's going to release Rodan and War of the Gargantuas on DVD as well, in 2009 I believe, after they're done with the Godzilla DVDs.

[Venomous Prime]

Classic Media's going to release Rodan and War of the Gargantuas on DVD as well, in 2009 I believe, after they're done with the Godzilla DVDs.

One of my favorite movies of ALL TIME

[Duke of Luns]

I told you specifically about the Media Blasters releases like Space Amoeba and Varan at least a year ago! Dogora and Mantango appeared in Final Wars? Where? As toys maybe, in that scene with the chunky kid, but actual kaiju?

Tokyo SOS is a direct sequel to Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla. You'll only get a full appreciation for SOS after you see the previous film.

Classic Media's going to release Rodan and War of the Gargantuas on DVD as well, in 2009 I believe, after they're done with the Godzilla DVDs.

To be fair, you enlightend me about The Mysterians. It wasn't meant as disrespect, I was also just kind of listing other Toho movies that other people didn't know about. Varan I'm sure I didn't know about, or otherwise I forgot.

Ok, so Dagora wasn't in there(for some odd reason I thought it was), but Mantango at least had an action figure cameo. I swear I can see it in my mind, but perhaps I was confusing it with something else. And it would have been as stock footage. And Varan got just about as much screen time in Final Wars as stock footage as he did in Destroy all Monsters! Poor Varan, Toho advertises this guy as part of the Godzillaverse, but he's probably the least shown guy. He's also a boss in the NES Godzilla though, and appears in Godzilla 2000 the book, which was written well before the movie.

And since I'm not going to get Tokyo SOS till I see Godzilla Against Mecha G(thanks for the info), I'm now extremely interested in Space Amoeba for some reason. So, is that a good movie, sub-par, horrible?

Either that, or Space Godzilla/vs. Desroyah 2-pack. Does it have Japanese language? I only have half of Space Godzilla on tape, the sound is not the greatest on vs. Destroyah.

And why isn't the original Mothra on DVD? I've never seen that either.

[Chosen]

It's not about disrespect, just forgetting stuff told in the first place. Plus, it just happened to be easier to remember a discussion with you than, say, some noob being told or retold something about TFs. Heh.

Space Amoeba is the first of the Media Blasters discs I got, and I love it. Gezora, Ganime, and Kamoeba are very unique kaiju, the storyline has that excellent 70s Toho charm to it, and it includes many familiar faces from the 60s movies. If you like stuff like Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, you'll like Space Amoeba.

The double-feature discs (Mothra/Ghidorah and Space Godzilla/Destoroyah) don't include the original Japanese.

Mothra's lack of DVD release is one of the saddest situations out of all the Toho classics. No real idea why it's not out, though it's suspected because a monster film without Godzilla "won't sell" in the eyes of... whoever has it now.