Episode 12 of the Japan Station podcast is here and this time we’re stomping our way into the world of kaiju.
Kevin Derendorf is an expert on the world of giant monster movies and the author of the recently published book Kaiju for Hipsters: 101 “Alternative” Giant Monster Movies. In this episode we discuss:
- What the word kaiju means
- The origins of the word kaiju
- The difference between the more commonly used 怪獣 (kaiju) and its homophone 海獣
- What qualifies as a kaiju movie to Kevin
- The difficulties of finding obscure kaiju movies
- Director Nobuhiko Obayashi and his many interesting connections to kaiju movies
- Nobuhiko Obayashi’s unmade and totally bizarre Godzilla movie, A Space Godzilla
- Hideaki Anno and his intense love of Ultraman
- Sion Sono’s 2015 film Love & Peace
- And much more!
It’s non-stop kaiju on this episode of Japan Station!
Japan Station on Apple Podcasts
Extra Stuff
Kaiju for Hipsters: 101 “Alternative” Giant Monster Movies is available for purchase on Amazon.
To check out more of Keven Derendorf’s work, you can visit the Master Patrol blog and listen to the Maser Patrol podcast.
Maser Patrol Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Here is a Japanese trailer for the 1985 North Korean kaiju film, Pulgasari.
Here is a trailer for Nobuhiko Obayashi’s cult classic 1977 psycadelic horror film, House.
If you would like to read the translation of the treatment for Nobuhiko Obayashi’s unmade (and absolutely crazy) Godzilla film, then check out the links below.
A Space Godzilla Chapter 1: Farewell Earth
A Space Godzilla Chapter 2: Return to the Planet
Here is Hideaki Anno’s infamous Return of Ultraman with English subtitles.
Here is the video Kevin mentions in the podcast in which he explains many of the things that influenced Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Here is the trailer for the 1987 film Twilight of the Cockroaches.
And, just in case you haven’t seen it yet, here is the trailer for 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi)
To listen to more of Yunomi’s music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.
Image: Courtesy of Kevin Derendorf
