Godzilla Island – Story Arc 22

1997

Directed by Shun Mizutani

It’s the Final Countdown! Du-de-du du, Du-de-du-du-du! The last Story Arc of them all! The return of the whole cast, the Secret of Godzilla Island is out and the Xiliens will do anything to get their grubby paws on it! Giant Dark Emperor gets mad, Torema gets sad, and less than a few seconds transpires between this story and the previous one. We get a new monster, but not the giant monsterfest I was hoping for with the final story arc. Oh, well. Things are still good, so let’s get the good goings on going, shall we? New readers, Start here at the beginning of the series, and everyone else get ready for the final chapter. Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow there is no tsuzuku!

G-Guard Commander (Jiro Dan) – G-Guard Commander runs the Godzilla Guard unit on Godzilla Island. He’s all alone except for sassy robot Lucas, so of course he’s bored out of his skull normally. He seems to have been stationed there because it’s a low-priority assignment they could dump someone who can’t work under pressure, because that’s exactly what he is. Luckily Torema shows up to save his pants. I do not know if he has a name but it may be Oji. Torema (Maimi Okuwa) – A mysterious young girl who shows up one day on Godzilla Island right when the dastardly Xiliens begin to attack. She repels the attack, joins the G-Guard, and begins her fight against Zaguresu the Xilien because Xiliens destroyed her home planet (I think that’s what happened – she may have been from future Earth.) Has psychic powers and her own spaceship called the Panatolute. Zaguresu (Naoko Aizawa) – Evil Xilien woman who invades Earth using giant monsters and her giant Independence Day/V rip-off spaceship. Enjoys laughing evilly while contemplating the latest diabolical schemes. Follows the Xilien leader Giant Emperor’s orders, because that’s what they do on Planet X. Sheep! Or not, as she becomes defiant. Her spaceship is named the Vabaruda. Misato (Kaori Aso) – The new monster doctor who is dedicated to her craft. Works hard, argues with G-Guard Commander, and flies Medical Jet Jaguar around all the time. Now has her own spaceship, the Tart-coupe. Landes (Kaoru Ukawa) – The new Xilien assigned by Giant Dark Emperor to take over Godzilla Island. She has crazy eyes. Always using a pink fluffy fan. Her ship is another Vabaruda. Nao (Sho Sawamura) – The latest cast addition to Godzilla Island, and the most mysterious because she came out of nowhere and seems obsessed with food. Who is she? Why does G-Guard Commander seem to know her and get annoyed at her constant talk of food? Will we ever get answers? I sure hope so, because otherwise you have to put up with this explanation for the remainder of the series. At this point I think she is G-Guard Commander’s daughter. I translated Sho Sawamura’s name myself so hopefully it is right. Lucas (Kenichiro Shimamura) – Annoying robot, Godzilla Island-style! Makes sarcastic remarks, and seems to be even mean at times. An annoying Kenny kid in floating metal sphere form. He must be destroyed! Translates from monster language to Japanese. Camero (???) – Landes’s floating robot, sounds bored when he talks. Just what we needed, another annoying Lucas. Hopefully he can be the entertaining Meowth to the lame Pikachu. Looks suspiciously like MST3K’s Cambot (Last design)! Narrator – (Yutaka Aoyama) – He’s not a character but the guy who recaps the previous episode in the beginning of the episode. That means thirty seconds of each three minute episode is Narrator recounting events, padding running time beyond levels I want to think about. He’s a typical Japanese male announcer, amazingly excited and epic about even the most mundane things. Giant Dark Emperor (???) – Giant flaming head who commands the Xiliens and Planet X. Do not look behind the curtain. The great and powerful Giant Emperor commands you, and can hear your sarcastic backtalk! Still, being a flaming head in space has got to be pretty boring.

Different monster feature in each episode, so we’ll keep track of them in each story arc. The complete Godzilla Island Daikaiju List is located here. We’ll also list any new monster match-ups that weren’t in any film but now exist thanks to this series, such as Mecha-King Ghidorah fighting Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah or something. The R2 Japanese DVD release is unsubtitled, so most of what is going on will be educated guesses thanks to our limited Japanese speaking ability. But here at TarsTarkas.NET we don’t need no stinking subtitles!

Featuring the monsters –

Anguirus – Godzilla’s first foe and now a close friend. His only power is a spiky back but he’s brave on the battlefield. One of the usual residents on Godzilla Island who shows up to watch the action as stories progress. Baragon – Big ears, big horn on the nose, likes to dig underground. One of the usual residents on Godzilla Island who shows up to watch the action. Godzilla – The King of Monsters. Godzilla is pure awesome in giant fire-breathing lizard form. Everyone who comes to Godzilla Island wants a piece of Godzilla. And they all get kicked to the curb. Godzilla Junior – Godzilla’s lamest son is here also. Looks likes some sort of lizard squirrel or something. Give me Minya! I’ll even take nephew Godzooky! Gorosaurus – Old foe of King Kong who spends most of his days watching whatever happens on Godzilla Island. His special move was to do kangaroo kicks. Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah – This upgrade of Mecha-King Ghidorah is Hyper because it has Hyper-power, as explained in the show. Hyper Maser powers. Hyper has to be the most overused prefix in science fiction. Has a freezing breath attack, and quick-repair head reattachers. Both King Ghidorah and Space Godzilla must get their upgrade names from the same place, as they both have the stupid mass of prefix additions put on them. Available in a vending machine. King Caesar – King Caesar is King of Zen as well. He’s a Samurai Lion who will kick your behind! He is some sort of Taoist/Shinto priest or something in addition to being a giant monster. Mechagodzilla – This is the second Mechagodzilla, which was created by humans to fight Godzilla. Now stationed on Godzilla Island as one of its defenders. Usually automated, but can be piloted at times (and has been by G-Guard Commander.) Usually paired with Moguera. Moguera – The Mobile Operation Godzilla Universal Expert Robot Aero-Type, or MOGUERA, was also built to fight Godzilla, and is also stationed on Godzilla Island to defend it now. In one episode we see Torema pilots Moguera, but other episodes it is unclear who is in control. Moguera can separate into Star Falcon and Land Moguera pieces in the movies, but doesn’t here. Mothra Leo – a boy Mothra who has extra powers, from the Rebirth of Mothra series. Can zap things with antenna and wing blasts. No one has a good explanation on how male Mothra Leo is supposed to continue the Mothra line. But don’t worry, as an egg magically appears anyway. Rodan – A prehistoric monster awakened in modern day, Rodan is a former foe of Godzilla who has learned to work with him to fight off the evil monsters. Has some hot springs named after him on Godzilla Island. Will eventually become Fire Rodan, because he did so in the Heisei movie series that was still recent, in addition to giving Bandai another toy.

Episode 234 – A Mysterious Electric Wave
In outer space, a small ship flies over to the often seen kaiju vending machine and buys a Mecha-King Ghidorah (which is really the Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah), while back on Earth Misato attempts to land the Gyotengo on Godzilla Island, for this is taking place mere seconds after the ending of the last episode. Misato reads a screen in the Gyotengo that mentions “Zaguresu”, but then the Gyotengo gets caught in a tractor beam by Landes in her ship the Vabaruda. Tsuzuku. Why is the Gyotengo mentioning Zaguresu?

Episode 235 – Landes is Dismissed
Landes takes off for space, still carrying the Gyotengo in a tractor beam, and throws Misato in her ship’s brig, also taunting her on the telescreen. Then Giant Dark Emperor gives Landes a call. She’s fired. “WTF?” goes Landes, but then a Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah flies over piloted by Zaguresu, who now sports lots of rings that give her cool powers or something. So Zaguresu is the Mandarin? Or is her cool powers just being rich? Tsuzuku.

Episode 236 – Zaguresu’s Restoration
Zaguresu shows off her rings, then taunts Landes before flying to Earth in Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah to attack Godzilla Island. 236 episodes in and Zaguresu is still doing the same basic attack plan involving only one invading monster. Pathetic. On Earth, G-Guard Commander is upset over Misato’s kidnapping, but not enough to get off of his seat and chase after her. Then Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah attacks. His day just went from bad to worse. Tsuzuku.

Episode 237 – Sudden Insanity
The anti-animal laser gun is no match for Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah, who blows it up with his hyper laser. That’s the last we will see of that anti-animal laser gun. Zaguresu then encases the G-Guard HQ in ice by Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah’s ice breath, with the bonus of freezing Mechagodzilla and Moguera inside the base. And presumably the Jet Jaguar models, who won’t be showing up in this final arc. BOOO!! Godzilla shows up to beat up some Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah, and Big G is frozen as well! Tsuzuku. Hey, Godzilla, Ice to see you! Ha! Thanks to Batman and Robin there are millions of ice puns I can use here.

Episode 238 – The Threat of Zaguresu
Zaguresu reveals herself to G-Guard Commander and demands control of Godzilla Island. G-Guard Commander and Lucas send a signal to Torema, who soon appears in the skies flying her ship the Panatolute and threatening Zaguresu. Torema’s hair has changed as well, but is just longer instead of styled. Tsuzuku.

Episode 239 – Torema has Returned
Yes, she returned at the end of the last episode, thank you late episode title. Here she starts blasting Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah just as Zaguresu was to use him to blast the frozen Godzilla to smithereens. Something she should had done earlier, but Zaguresu is a loser. Torema gets off some good shots on the Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah, but her vessel is eventually shot down by Zaguresu. Did they bring Torema back just to kill her off in one episode? I think not! Hyper Mecha King Ghidorah advances on the crashed Panatolute stomping all the way, looking like Empire Strikes Back. Torema talks to Godzilla, who uses his breath to melt the ice and break free, tsuzuku.

Episode 240 – Godzilla, Revived!
Another episode title where the event happened in the episode prior. Hm… The next episode title will announce the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Godzilla grabs Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah and tosses him to the ground, then atomic breath blasts him in the back. Zaguresu panics and escapes by flying Mecha-King Ghidorah away. Torema beams into G-Guard HQ to meet G-Guard Commander again and it is reunion time! Meanwhile, Camero goes into the cave Misato found the Gyotengo in, and reports to Landes, who forces Misato to drive the Gyotengo down to Earth at gunpoint. Having a gun means you never have to drive your own car. Tsuzuku.

Episode 241 – Save Misato!
Torema is told that Misato, who she hasn’t met, is kidnapped. Nao walks in and meets Torema, then asks for her autograph. The group is alerted to the Gyotengo flying into the cave, so Torema beams into her ship and flies after them. Tsuzuku.

Episode 242 – The Mural of the Giant Emperor
Misato and Landes find a carving in the wall of people worshiping the Giant Dark Emperor. This upsets Landes, and Camero says there is something behind the wall, so they blast the carving. Think of how many ancient carvings would be around today if cultures didn’t make them where they should have put doors! Tsuzuku.

Episode 243 – Warp Gate
A warp gate is on the other side of the carving. Landes and Misato get out of the Gyotengo go tango, I mean look around. Landes forces Misato to activate the warp gate at gunpoint. Just then Landes is shot in the stomach by Torema. Misato recognises Torema from photos and runs to escape with her, while the warp gate’s energy starts tearing the cave around it apart. Debris falls on Landes and she’s appeared crushed, and we tsuzuku. This is too early in the story arc for her to be dead, so don’t cry just yet.

Episode 244 – Usurpation of Zaguersu
Torema and Misato each escape the cave in their respective ships, while the Warp Gate rises to the surface of the island. Misato and Torema look at it, but then Torema’s ship loses power and begins to crash. This time, Junior rushes forth and grabs it in the nick of time, and Torema and Junior have a reunion to sappy music. Feel the love, monster love. But then Zaguresu steals the warp gate by tractor beam as she is now flying Landes’s ship! Tsuzuku for changing vehicles.

Episode 245 – The Treason of Zaguersu
Zaguresu is congratulating herself when Giant Dark Emperor calls, wanting the warp gate, but she refuses and demands a bunch of stuff for it. So he zaps her ship with electricity, electrifying her as well, and the ship drops the warp gate. Misato takes off for space to try to catch Zaguresu and get the warp gate back as we tsuzuku.

Episode 246 – Hurry! Gyotengo
Misato has taken off, but Torema is still stuck as her ship is stil broken. Then Nao shows up in Moguera to lend a hand. Next, the Gyotengo bursts through the ground piloted by a disheveled but not dead Landes. It heads to space as well. Misato finds the warp gate, but Giant Dark Emperor zaps her ship as well. Then the Gyotengo arrives, Landes now looks beautiful again (she is shown applying the last bit of makeup in one of the better jokes of this series) and the Gyotengo is immune to Giant Dark Emperor’s attacks. Zaguresu’s ship is repaired and she flies over just as Landes starts blasting Giant Dark Emperor with the Gyotengo‘s weapon. Tsuzuku.

Episode 247 – It Appears! The True Form of the Giant Emperor
Landes blasts Giant Dark Emperor, who dies. Not really, but the image is destroyed and all that is left is a damaged transmitter. Because he wasn’t really there and just projected. That’s his true form. What a letdown, I was hoping it was G-Guard Commander’s evil twin brother H-Guard Commander. But, no. Landes explains everything to Zaguresu, including the mural, the warp gate, and other stuff I can’t understand, then beams over to the Vabaruda. Her and Zaguresu start talking, but quickly devolve into CHICK FIGHT!!!! The CHICK FIGHT!!!! is cut short as they hit the self-destruct code for the ship, and we go to tsuzuku.

Episode 248 – Suicidal Explosion, Vabaruda
The two Xiliens are frantic to turn off the self-destruct, while Misato in the Tart-coupe tries to tow the warp gate away. Her ship isn’t powerful enough so the gate ain’t moving, and the Xiliens fail to stop the self-destruct. Torema arrives just in time to see escape pods launching from the Xilien ship, and recognizes it will blow, telling Misato to run for it. They both do, and their vessels escape as the Vabaruda explodes with both the evil Xilien women onboard. The warp gate is caught in the explosion and pushed towards Earth. Tsuzuku. And I don’t believe for a minute the Xiliens are dead yet.

Episode 249 – The Truth Revealed
The Warp Gate lands back on its platform, and Misato and Torema go back to G-Guard HQ. Everyone argues with G-Guard Commander, who won’t let the Warp Gate be destroyed for some reason, and Torema is very upset and storms out. Tsuzuku.

Episode 250 – Torema’s Feelings
Misato grabs G-Guard Commander’s lunch from Nao and goes to talk to Torema, and the two girls bond while watching Godzilla and Junior stomp around. Then Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah appears by the warp gate. Tsuzuku. So everyone is friends again or something?

Episode 251 – Misato’s Decision
Zaguresu is piloting Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah, and tries to tractor beam the warp gate away, but Rodan slams into the back of Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah and disables the beam. Godzilla, Mothra Leo, King Caesar, Gorosaurus, Angurius, and Baragon all come to fight. Misato and Torema come up with a plan, which involves their ships flying in to attack, and G-Guard Commander finally gets off his duff and into the Mechagodzilla as we tsuzuku. Everyone is here to fight, when last time all it took was Godzilla thawing himself out to defeat Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah. Maybe Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah is now more Hyper.

Episode 252 – The Final Battle
Kaiju are hyper-blasted left and right, then Zaguresu sees Torema and Misato flying in on their ships. Combined attacks from Torema, Misato, and G-Guard Commander in Mechagodzilla result in Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah losing one head. Godzilla blows up a second head that was trying to freeze him. This causes Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah to fall forward, useless. Zaguresu pleads for Mercy, but Torema starts blasting away anyway. Yeah, murder the villain in cold blood! Tsuzuku.

Losing your head over it
[FLOWPLAYER=http://tarstarkas.net/movies/godzillaislandstory22_clip1.flv,480,390]

Episode 253 – Landes Lives
Torema keeps shooting, but Misato knocks the Panatoluteship with her ship, bringing Torema back to her senses. Zaguresu is relieved and tries to prepare and escape, but then everyone hears the voice of Landes laughing, and she flies in onboard the Gyotengo. Everyone is prepped to fight her now. Then, the probe that was Giant Dark Emperor’s transmitter calls Camero, and Giant Dark Emperor tells him how to turn on the warp gate. So Camero flies to the control panel and does so as we tsuzuku.

Episode 254 – It Appears! The Dark Giant Emperor
The warp gate turns on, much to Landes’s surprise, she turns her ship around and sees Giant Dark Emperor heading towards her. Looking really mad. So she starts firing. He fires his electrical attack, which now hurts Landes as well. The two duel as Zaguresu secretly reattaches Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah’s head and tries to shoot Torema down. Misato figures out how to reverse the warp gate and does so as we tsuzuku.

Episode 255 – Warp Gate Reversal!
The warp gate is reversed! It has gone from suck to blow (Or blow to suck, as the case is here!) Giant Dark Emperor is sucked away! Landes and Zaguresu are sucked away (in the Gyotengo and Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah!) But now Torema, Misato, and G-Guard Commander are starting to get sucked in! This sucks! They must destroy the gate! Torema, Misato, G-Guard Commander, Mothra Leo, Godzilla, and Junior all combine attacks to take out one of the poles of the gate, and do so just as everyone is being sucked in! The day is saved! Yaya! The final Tsuzuku!

Episode 256 – Goodbye Godzilla Island
Well, say goodbye to Torema who goes home, then Misato leaves as well, and her and G-Guard Commander admit they will miss each other. Also, G-Guard Commander and Lucas leave Godzilla Island, to let it be just a home of kaiju. So everyone leaves, and we end? What about all the underground secrets of Mu? Who will watch over Godzilla? Lame. Oh, well, it’s an ending. Owari! No tsuzuku anymore. The closing credits have candid photos of the cast!

Hey, what happened to Camero?

Were leaving together,
But still its farewell
And maybe well come back,
To Godzilla Island, who can tell?
I guess there is no one to blame
Were leaving ground
Will things ever be the same again?

Well, not as epic as I expected, it needed to have practically every monster who appeared in the series show up. But good enough. Casts return, evil is punished, secrets revealed, and the storyline is concluded. Plus, one last new monster. It could be worse.

New Monster Matchups: Godzilla vs. Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah; Godzilla, Rodan, Mechagodzilla, Baragon, Anguirus, Mothra Leo, King Caesar vs. Hyper Mecha-King Ghidorah.

Owari!

Rated 9/10 (zappy eyes, getting zapped, Ka-BOOM!, One ring to rule them all…, Camero again, control panel, heads will roll, Shake it up baby, Twist and Shout!)

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