The Kaiju Transmissions Podcast

Neo Ultra Q (2013)

Byrd, Matt, Tom and resident Ultra superfan Connor discuss 2013's series Neo Ultra Q.  This 12 episode update of the series brings a diverse and more heady science fiction spin on Ultra Q, with some of the best genre talents behind the camera.  Listen as we discuss each of the 12 episodes and our favorite moments from the series!  But first, we deliver some news on the next Godzilla project and a thank you to everyone who tuned in for the Kaiju Masterclass online convention!

Ultra Q The Movie: Legend of the Stars (1990)

Byrd and Matt are joined by frequent guest Kevin Derendorf (Kaiju For Hipsters), as well as first time guests Jared Foust (Xenofauna) and translator Amanda Whalen to discuss 1990's Ultra Q the Movie: Legend of the Stars!  This film update of the classic 60s television series has languished in obscurity for decades.  Frustrated with the lack of a translation, this group of friends threw in money to have the film translated so this lesser discussed piece of Ultra history could finally be seen in the West.  We discuss our efforts to get the film subtitled, and our overall impressions of the film itself.  We'll also give our usual history, trivia and more!  Relax and enjoy the discussion!

Kaiju Masterclass: Online Convention Announcement!

In April of 2020, author Steve Ryfle approached us about being involved in organizing an online tokusatsu convention he wanted to hold in the wake of the pandemic.  Of course we said yes, and joined the rest of the team, which also includes Patrick Galvan, John DeSentis, Erik Homenick, and Kyle Gilmore.  Here we have the whole team (minus Kyle Gilmore) discussing who we are, what this convention is, our amazing guest lineup, and what to expect!  Kaiju Masterclass will be a free online convention that will be held on October 2-4th, 2020. 

The iDol (2006)

Byrd, Matt and Tom review Norman England's 2006 science fiction film, the iDol!  This film features a lot of tokusatsu veterans both in front of and behind the camera.  The film follows Ken, a toy collector who quite literally ends up being controlled by his hobby.  We'll get into the film's commentary on collector culture in fandom, the new blu-ray release from SRS Cinema and more!

Notzilla- Interview with Director Mitch Teemley!

Byrd and Matt welcome writer/director Mitch Teemley to the show to discuss his new kaiju comedy, Notzilla!  This loving send up of classic kaiju films had a rocky path to being made.  We discuss the original script, how it had interest from Hollywood studios and stars, and the decision to rework the film and complete it as an independent feature years later.  We also get into the special effects techniques and challenges, filming in Matt's town of Cincinnati, what makes a good spoof movie, how the fandom has received the film, and Ohio chili preferences!  Tune in and enjoy.

Japan Sinks 2020 (Spoiler Review)

Byrd and Matt are joined by frequent guest host Kevin, as well as Justin Mullis (the Man Creates Dinosaurs blog) to talk about the recent Netflix anime series, Japan Sinks 2020.  This new adaptation of the Sakyo Komatsu disaster novel (which got two tokusatsu adaptations from Toho) takes a new approach to the material with a new storyline, new characters, and a lot of commentary on the current state of Japan.  We'll review the series, as well as discuss how the themes relate to the current climate.  We talk about neo-religions, Fukushima, nationalism, and much more!

The Great Yokai War- 15th Anniversary Retrospective (Live at Kaiju Con-Line)

Live streamed as part of Kaiju Con-Line, Byrd and Kevin held a panel on Takashi Miike's 2005 Yokai epic.  Before Kadokawa rebooted Gamera to be more Brave or gave Daimajin a brand new Kanon, they revived their third most-popular monster franchise: Yokai Monsters. The resulting picture, The Great Yokai War, has an interesting history tying together Japanese mythology, manga, and popular culture in a way that hasn’t been replicated before or since. Join Kaiju Transmissions’ Kyle Byrd and Kaiju for Hipsters’ Kevin Derendorf as they unpack this maze of monsters, Miike, Mizuki, and Megolopolises.

Starship Troopers Super Spectacular!

Byrd and Matt are joined by Trev (Days of Future Podcast/Failure to Franchise) to take a deep dive into Starship Troopers, a Western series with many ties to Japanese sci-fi.  We discuss the original novel, the 1980s anime mini-series, the three live action films, and the two recent Japanese-American animated sequels.  We will examine the novel's influence on Japanese science fiction, how the subtext of Paul Verhoeven's film differs from the novel, our favorite giant bugs, and just how the franchise stacks up as a whole.  Would you like to know more?

Return of Ultraman (1971-1972)

Byrd and Matt are joined by author John LeMay (Jaws Unmade/The Lost Films) and Connor Anderson (Easter's Kaiju Kompendium blog) to discuss and review the fourth show in the Ultra series, the Return of Ultraman!  We discuss the show's early concepts, Ishiro Honda's involvement, our favorite and least favorite episodes, why the MAT are terrible at their jobs, and more!  Tune in and join the conversation!

Tremors- Series Discussion

Byrd and Matt are joined by artists Nick Shev and John Bellotti to take a detour into an American monster franchise and discuss all six (!) Tremors films (to date).  We start with the origins of the classic original film and go through the entire series, including some brief talk about the canceled television series, the actual television series, the problem with Shriekers, the OTHER canceled television series, and more!  Get on top of the nearest rock and tune in!