Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

I hope it's alright to bump a thread this old.

The way Atragon discusses Japan's wartime history really struck me the last time I watched it. It reminded me of what GMK would do decades later concerning Japan's past directing its future. It's quite the mashup of Godzilla's somber, thoughtful tone and the all-out invasion spectacle of The Mysterians, although in this instance the invaders are human. I'd quite like for the Mu empire to return someday in place of yet another alien invasion.

A lot of Godzilla fans are probably only aware of this film as the debut of Manda, but it doesn't have much to do... much like Maguma in Gorath. More than anything this is Jun Tazaki's movie as captain of the Gotengo - one of Toho's most iconic genre creations.

I love this film, great characters and story. Also I love how much trash the Mu Empire talks before they get completely annihilated. This is one of Toho's best films imo.

While Manda is used I still tend to lump this in with Mysterians and Battle in Outer Space as Toho's alien invasion stuff. (War in Space would go here too I suppose) Of the three I mentioned, though, this is my favorite. Kenji Sahara's character is a lot of fun here.

I like the movie, but I like the Super Atragon anime movie a bit more.

Both were based on a series of popular boys novels called "Kaitei Gunkan" (Underwater Warship).
In fact the movie is called Kaitei Gunkan in Japan.

This is one I really need to rewatch, but I think I can safely see that this was the best of the three 'humanity against alien invasion' movies Honda did.

... admittedly, these aliens aren't exactly 'aliens,' but I think it counts.

One of the more underrated Toho movies, and to me, one of Jun Tazaki's best performances.