Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

Jirass isn't an inside joke in my opinion; Eiji Tsuburaya amd pals just needed a monster suit and a Godzilla one was handy. Really no different from the situation with tons of similar characters, like Sudar / Giant Octopus, Todola / Magma of Gorath, and the multiple monsters made from Baragon.

And unlike the decent job done with Gomess from Ultra Q's first episode, not a good cover-up at that. However, because it is an obvious Godzilla, the episode and Jirass gets way more attention then they both really deserve. I like the episode as well, but they're were stronger ones still.

What amazes me more that almost everyone neglects the one true unique tidbit about Jirass's character; he's the son of the blooming Loch Ness Monster!

The monsters from Ultraman always had some of the craziest origin stories; Gesura is a giant mutant of an already fictional coco-bean eating lizard. Bullton is a living mineral from the fourth dimension and knows it. Gyango is one of several mental projections / psychical forms of a wise granting space rock (unless that cute bride was ALSO Gyango!?!). Keronia is a highly evolved carnivorous plant from the Amazon whose race also owns an armada or flying ships...and so on, and so fourth.

And Jirass is no different, as its one thing to be the lake-dwelling creation of a mad scientist. But to also be an offspring of the legendary Scotland monster, who was brought back to Japan and raised by a mad scientist is just an extra douse of welcomed wackiness! And that's what makes Jirass stand out for me, even more so then the Godzilla connection.

I remember this being one of the few eps where I went "woah, Ultraman, that a bit much?" When he rips off the frill, and taunts Jirass with it.
Poor Jirass.

This is one of my favorite episodes, as it seems to be an Ultraman episode with a message. Which to be honest, is rare in the first series. And as to the whole Jirass situation, like others have said, I find him to be neat.