The Mysterians: 1957 Sci-Fi Space Invaders in Postwar Japan

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In 1992 Ishiro Honda sat down for his final interview with journalist David Milner. When asked about which of his own films were his favourite Honda listed Godzilla (1954), Gorath (1962) and The Mysterians from 1957.

The Mysterians is a visually beautiful film full to the brim with sci-fi tropes. A technologically advanced but desperate alien race, affected by radiation, is invading earth and wants to take our healthy women for breeding purposes. There's also a groovy space station and the first mecha-kaiju in the form of Moguera. A film made at a time when Japan seems to be wrangling with what it means to be a post imperial, post nuclear tragedy country with a growing economy and a booming film industry.

I have two wonderful experts to help shed light on the context of this trope laden sci-fi classic.

Jay Telotte is Professor Emeritus of film and media studies at Georgia Tech. He has written/edited numerous books and articles about science fiction film including the 2023 book Selling Science Fiction Cinema.

Yuki Miyamoto is Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Humanities Center at DePaul University. Her work focuses on the ethics around nuclear discourse.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:56 Japanese Golden Age of Cinema: censorship, art vs big budget & the USA

08:47 Pacifism and militarism

14:04 Toho studios

15:36 Glorious colour, Toho-scope and cinema culture

19:57 Tradition, science and military might

27:55 Taking our women: occupation, war & marketing

36:55 Message of collaboration

39:50 The US market

44:51Battle of the Planets

45:55 Shout outs: Akira Ifukube and Eiji Tsuburaya

48:10 Legacy and Recommendations

NEXT EPISODE!

In two weeks we will be speaking about a film that shocked me with its striking visual style. The Fabulous World of Jules Verne (1958), also known as Invention for Destruction or in its original Czech: Vynález zkázy. You can look to find the film on Just Watch but people in mainland and central Europe may find it easier to find with mainstream streaming services. The Criterion Channel also has the film available and there may be some Central and Eastern European services that you may be able to sign up to. I believe there may be a copy on YouTube but I am unsure of its quality or validity.

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