Episode 3: The Godzilla Anime Trilogy (Mini-Analysis)

(Originally published Oct. 23, 2019).

Hello, kaiju lovers!

Welcome to our first minisode! (Well, our second, according to my intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA). This is the first of a series of episodes where I’ll be analyzing films I was unable to cover on my previous podcast. In this one, I’m discussing the divisive Godzilla Anime Trilogy. Fans either love it or hate it. Me? I like it—a lot. I debunk some of the unfair criticisms of the trilogy, but the meat of my analysis is focused on how each of the four races in the trilogy—the Humans, the Bilusaludo, the Exif, and the Houtua—each exemplify different philosophies and how most of them take their worldviews to the extreme.

There’s a lot of material here—so much that Monster Island’s Board of Directors calls to say I violated my contract! Listen as Jimmy acts as my agent to keep me from being shot into space (he deserves a bonus for practically being my agent).
Here are the podcast episodes I mentioned in the episode. I recommend listening to them—especially the Redeemed Otaku episodes—if you want to hear a review of this trilogy from me.

Kaijuvision Radio Episodes
-Episode 47 (1/3): Godzilla Anime Trilogy (2017-18) - General Reflections
-Episode 47 (2/3): Godzilla Anime Trilogy (2017-18) - Main Discussion
-Episode 47 (3/3): Godzilla Anime Trilogy (2017-18) - Bigger Than Human Existence

Redeemed Otaku Episodes
-Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters
-Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle
-Godzilla: The Planet Eater

© 2019 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading
-American Humanist Association: “Definitions of Humanism”
-“Godzilla back as anime has human drama, fewer monsters” by Associated Press
Humanity +: “Philosophy”
-“Max More - Transhumanism and the Singularity” (YouTube)
-Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: “Nihilism”
-“There is no sharp distinction between cult and regular religion” by Tara Isabella Burton (Aeon Magazine)
-“Transhumanist Values” by Nick Bostrom
-“Updated Charts: Screen Time, First Appearance, Attendance” by Joker Cluster
-“What is a Cult?” by James M. Rochford
-“What is Transhumanism?”
Wikipedia Articles:
-Aum Shinrikyo
-Clarke’s three laws
-Humanism
-Jonestown
-Mass suicide
-Transhumanism