Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

Just to set the record straight, Jun Tazaki's character is called "Captain Jinguji" -- this is a derived from the Japanese "Jingu," or "shrine," and "ji" meaning "temple."

The name of the original novel and film is "Kaitei Gunkan." In the film, the ship is referred to as such by the Mu people and the characters trying to learn the secret of the "Great Naval Mystery." But, once the characters make it to Jinguji's island fortress, the name of the Undersea Battleship is revealed -- The Goten (Goten-go), pronounced "Go Ten."

There is no character name close to "goh-ten-ho" -- the named characters on the Goten are Amano (Yoshifumi Tajima), Yamada (Haruya Sakamoto) and Shindo (Hisaya Ito).

Peace!

Were there any major differences between the film and the novel?

What strikes me about Honda's movies is the consistent message of world unity. In GOJIRA, the characters don't specifically call out America for the H-bomb tests that brought out Godzilla. It's humanity's fault, not one specific country's. His many portrayals of the United Nations and inclusion of gaijin actors. Then in ATRAGON, Jinguji is to end his jingoism (pun intended because it is an interesting connection) and fight for the entire world.

So I'm wondering if Honda chose the book because it called for world unity, which fit well with his views, or if he changed the plot into being about that.

Since Honda was in the military (a platoon captain in Manchuria during the war), I'm sure that he fully understood the difference between the people and the military, and wouldn't harbor any ill-feelings towards Americans in general. He was a gracious man, who adored fans, and was very forthcoming with many interesting stories about the development and production of his science fiction and kaiju pictures.

When I received the news that Honda had passed, I immediately went to a bar and had a drink in his honor. He was a genuine human being, if there ever was one.

Peace