Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

Who are some of your favorite actors and/or human characters in Toho's science fiction films?

I'll mention mine, and although the examples I give are both from Showa Godzilla movies, feel free to discuss anyone appearing in any of Toho's genre films from any era.

Mothra vs Godzilla
Good lord, just about everyone in this fantastic film is at the top of their game. Akira Takarada, Yuriko Hoshi and Hiroshi Koizumi have wonderful chemistry as Sakurai, Junko and Professor Murai and are probably the most appealing human protagonists to ever appear in any Godzilla movie. Emi and Umi Ito (as Mothra's fairies of course) are great here, and this is probably my favorite of their three appearances. Their rendition of The Sacred Spring and Mothra's Song are hauntingly beautiful.

Speaking of appealing, Yoshibumi Tajima and Kenji Sahara as Kumiyama and Torahata are two of the best bad guys in any Godzilla movie, second only to the extraterrestrial I'm going to mention in a bit. Even all the actors with secondary or bit parts play their parts well. There really isn't a bad character in this movie.

Monster Zero
I never got into Akira Kubo's Tatsuo character, but everyone else puts in another fine performance. Nick Adams as Glenn is a performance that's so memorable and classic that even his dialog is something every Godzilla fan knows and has no doubt referenced many times. Adams has good chemistry with Takarada (Fuji) and they play off each other well. But no one this movie beats Kumi Mizuno as Miss Namikawa and especially Yoshio Tsuchiya as the Controller. Mizuno is just incredibly hot in the movie and Tsuchiya just relishes his role making him the most iconic bad guy from any Toho film.

So, discuss...

JIMMY!

Dr. Serizawa is certainly my favorite Godzilla character. The weight of the knowledge he carries and the tragedy of his ultimate decision strike a strong emotional chord with me, and Akihiko Hirata does magnificent work with the role, turning in a near-perfect performance as far as I'm concerned. The character and the way he's presented are just wonderful. And while I'm on that movie, it would be foolish not to mention Takashi Shimura, one of my all-time favorite actors, turning in a memorable performance as Dr. Yamane, the film's voice of scientific reason. His attitude toward the situation also resonates with me very much.

I definitely agree with Legion's assessment of most of the characters in "Monster Zero," though I'll have to say that I find Tetsuo to be just as likeable as the rest of them. He's rather goofy but endearing, and very nerdy, which I'm sure a lot of us can relate to.

While the characters in "Sea Monster" aren't particularly deep, I find most of them to be interesting enough to carry the story. Heck, even if there weren't any monsters, I'd still like that movie because of the characters.

Katsura in "Terror of Mechagodzilla" is another favorite of mine. Her inner conflict is portrayed well and serves the story quite effectively. It's easy to sympathize with her, and I end up respecting her all the more when she sacrifices herself in the end.

Honorable mention has to go to the genuinely funny Tako in "King Kong vs. Godzilla." Ichiro Arishima brings him to life very much in the manner of a cartoon character, which suits the film and works wonderfully.

And I know I'm probably going to be barraged with rotten fruit and rusty cans for this, but I really like Kazuma Aoki in "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla" '93. Sure, there's nothing to him, but he makes me smile and his dorkiness just makes me like him that much more. His initial meeting with Azusa honestly makes me chuckle. One of the bright spots in an otherwise bland assortment of characters in the '90s films.

EDIT: I can't believe I forgot Nanbara in "Mechagodzilla" '74. Seriously, he's just awesome. And pretty much the entire cast of "Gigan" as well. Man, I love that bunch.

I also agree, Dr Serizama is great character in series. Also Nick Adams in Invasion of Astro Monster is my second favorite character.