Godzilla: The Series

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Godzilla: The Series
Godzilla The Series.jpg
Title card
Genre Action
Adventure
Kaiju
Science fiction
Based on Godzilla
by Toho
Developed by
Written by
Directed by
  • David Hartman
  • Sam Liu
  • Frank Squillace
  • Audu Paden
  • Alan Caldwell
  • Nathan Chew
  • Brad Rader
  • Christopher Berkeley
  • Sean Song
Voices of
Theme music composerJim Latham
Opening themeGodzilla: The Series theme song
Country of originUnited States
Japan
Germany
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes40 (2 unaired)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerAudu Paden
Editors
  • C.K. Horness
  • Adam Weiss
  • Richard C. Allen
Camera setupMyung Soo Song
Running time23 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Fox Kids
ReleaseSeptember 12, 1998 (1998-09-12) 
April 22, 2000 (2000-04-22)
Related
Godzilla

Godzilla: The Series is an animated television series developed by Jeff Kline and Richard Raynis. The series originally aired on Fox Kids in the United States between September 12, 1998 and April 22, 2000, and is a sequel to Godzilla (1998). [1] Malcolm Danare, Frank Welker, Kevin Dunn and Michael Lerner reprise their roles from the film. [2]

Contents

Plot

The series follows the Humanitarian Environmental (or Ecological, in "Area 51") Analysis Team (or HEAT for short), a research team led by Dr. Nick Tatopoulos (voiced by Ian Ziering) as they battle giant mutant monsters that frequently appear in the wake of the events depicted in the 1998 film Godzilla . [3] Dr. Tatopoulos accidentally discovers an egg that survived the aerial bombardment before it hatches, in a minor change from the ending in the 1998 film. The creature hatches after Nick Tatopoulos stumbles onto it and it assumes him to be its parent. Subsequently, Dr. Tatopoulos and his associates form a research team, investigating strange occurrences and defending mankind from dangerous mutations. [4]

Godzilla, the only hatchling of its species to survive in the movie, imprints on Nick and becomes the main weapon summoned against the other mutations encountered by the human characters.

The series also introduces two new characters: Monique Dupre, a French secret agent assigned by Philippe Roache to keep an eye on Godzilla and H.E.A.T., and Randy Hernandez, an intern of Nick's who specializes in computer hacking.

Characters

H.E.A.T.

Godzilla on the Empire State Building as depicted in the opening to Godzilla: The Series. Gd78.jpg
Godzilla on the Empire State Building as depicted in the opening to Godzilla: The Series.

Supporting

Villains

Mutations

Season 1

Season 2

Machines

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 21September 12, 1998 (1998-09-12)August 14, 1999 (1999-08-14)
2 19September 18, 1999 (1999-09-18)April 22, 2000 (2000-04-22)

Season 1 (1998–99)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
11"New Family: Part 1"Audu Paden Robert N. Skir & Marty Isenberg September 12, 1998 (1998-09-12)#101
While scouring the sewers of New York, Nick Tatopoulos discovers one of Godzilla's eggs has survived. The hatchling that emerges escapes and by the time the team finds him again he has grown into a massive adult. Godzilla recognizes Nick's scent and imprints on him as his parent. As the team tries to study the new Godzilla, the U.S. military, responding to a series of disappearances in Jamaica, attack and seemingly kill Godzilla.
22"New Family: Part 2"Audu PadenRobert N. Skir & Marty IsenbergSeptember 19, 1998 (1998-09-19)#102
With Godzilla seemingly dead, the team journey to Jamaica to help the U.S. military investigate the ongoing disappearances in Jamaica. The team discover that a group of giant squids and a hideous mutant crustacean — Crustaceous Rex — are responsible and Godzilla, who has survived the military attack, arrives to fight the beast off. Nick must now battle to help Major Hicks defeat C-Rex, and then convince him that Godzilla is more useful alive than dead.
33"D.O.A."Frank SquillaceRichard MuellerSeptember 26, 1998 (1998-09-26)#104
H.E.A.T. are called to help the Central America Republic of Costo Rojo to deal with "El Gusano Gigante", a mutant worm that is devouring untold amounts of crops. The country's ruler, General Albondiga, uses an experimental bioweapon against the worm and Godzilla, but the worm is only strengthened by the attack. Mendel must synthesize an antidote for the poisoned Godzilla, then find a way to defeat El Gusano Gigante without Albondiga interfering.
44"Talkin' Trash"Tim Eldred Steve Perry October 3, 1998 (1998-10-03)#103
In response to a sanitation workers' strike, a colony of petroleum-eating microbes, controlled by nanotechnology, are released to try to curb New York's garbage problem. Unfortunately, the microbes quickly grow out of control and now the team and Godzilla must find a way to stop the colony before it devours Manhattan.
55"The Winter of Our Discontent"Sam LiuRobert N. Skir & Marty IsenbergOctober 10, 1998 (1998-10-10)#105
After Godzilla battles robotic insects, the team encounter their creator: Cameron Winter, a powerful technology mogul and an old rival of Nick's from college. He wants H.E.A.T. to work with him, but Nick refuses, suspecting his old enemy has ulterior motives. But can he find out what they are before Winter's schemes have fatal consequences for Godzilla?
66"Cat and Mouse"Frank SquillaceSteve MelchingOctober 31, 1998 (1998-10-31)#106
The team not only have to contend with a plague of large mutant rats roaming the sewers of New York, but a trio of redneck hunters named Dale, Bill, and Hank who are seeking to make Godzilla the ultimate hunting trophy.
77"What Dreams May Come"Frank Squillace Len Wein November 7, 1998 (1998-11-07)#108
When a strange electrical creature known as the Crackler attacks seemingly random locations in Manhattan, the team investigate. But the Crackler is not behaving like the mutations H.E.A.T. have fought before, and what is its connection to mild-mannered insomniac Sidney Walker? (voiced by Steve Susskind)
88"Leviathan"Tim Eldred Michael Reaves November 14, 1998 (1998-11-14)#107
The team are called to help a rescue mission for xenobiologist Alexander Preloran (voiced by Kenneth Mars), who disappeared while on a mission to explore the Leviathan, an alien spacecraft buried at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean for 65 million years. But once they go down, the team discovers that the ship's alien crew is very much alive...and they have plans for Earth.
99"Hive"Sam Liu Marv Wolfman November 21, 1998 (1998-11-21)#109
H.E.A.T. investigates the tropical island of Santa Marta in the wake of a devastating volcanic eruption. But what they find on the island is that, due to irradiated lava, a hideously mutated ecosystem has developed, including carnivorous plants and gigantic bees. As the volcano begins to erupt again and Godzilla confronts the bees' queen, the team must find a way to escape the island alive.
1010"Bird of Paradise"Alan CaldwellNeil RuttenbergDecember 5, 1998 (1998-12-05)#110
When villages in Mexico are attacked by a strange winged creature, ornithologist and Elsie's old fiancé Lawrence Cohen (Tate Donovan) calls H.E.A.T. for help. They quickly discover the beast is Quetzalcoatl, an evolutionary hybrid of bird and dinosaur capable of breathing fire and protected by impenetrable feathers. The team must find a way to stop the creature, but matters worsen when Quetzalcoatl takes Elsie to feed to its hungry young.
1111"DeadLoch"Sam LiuSteve HayesFebruary 6, 1999 (1999-02-06)#112
H.E.A.T. heads for Scotland after Dr. Hugh Trevor (voiced by Roddy McDowall in his last role before his death) of the Pisces Marine Research Institute claims his facility was attacked by the Loch Ness Monster. Once Nick is convinced of Nessie's existence, he discovers that the facility is hiding a terrible secret: Trevor has captured Nessie's baby and plans to sell it on the black market. Now the team must convince Godzilla to work with Nessie if they are to save her young and ensure her safety in Loch Ness.
1212"Monster War: Part 1"Christopher BerkeleyRobert N. Skir & Marty IsenbergFebruary 13, 1999 (1999-02-13)#115
As tension threatens to break up the H.E.A.T. team for good, major problems arise: a Giant Bat is terrorizing the countryside of Nigeria, the U.S. military has dredged the Leviathan ship from the bottom of the Pacific, and worst of all, the aliens are back, with an army of mutations under their control and plans to conquer Earth.
1313"Monster War: Part 2"Sam LiuSteve MelchingFebruary 20, 1999 (1999-02-20)#116
From their secret base on Isle del Diablo, the aliens assemble their forces. H.E.A.T. desperately fights to resist, but are easily defeated. Once captured and brought to the aliens, they are told that the mutation army — including a brainwashed Godzilla — will be used to attack major cities across the world in preparation for a full-scale invasion of Earth. At its head marches the aliens' ultimate weapon: Cyber-Godzilla, a reborn cyborg version of the first Godzilla.
1414"Monster War: Part 3"Alan CaldwellMichael ReavesFebruary 27, 1999 (1999-02-27)#117
As the aliens and their mutation allies attack Earth, H.E.A.T. escapes captivity. They battle to defeat the alien onslaught and free the mutations from their control to help humanity fight back and save the planet from conquest.
1515"Competition"Frank Squillace Harry "Doc" Kloor March 6, 1999 (1999-03-06)#113

A trip to Japan to investigate a number of mysterious disappearances leads to a battle of wills between H.E.A.T. and the Japanese military, who perceive Godzilla to be a threat. However, the real threat is revealed to be an ophidiaphobic's nightmare: a mutant King cobra. Things lead to a climactic showdown in Tokyo between the King Cobra and Godzilla.

Note: this episode is chronologically the King Cobra's first appearance, but it was broadcast after the "Monster War" trilogy-its chronologically second appearance-had aired.
1616"Freeze"Christopher BerkeleyBarry HawkinsMarch 13, 1999 (1999-03-13)#111
H.E.A.T. are dispatched to aid investigation into the disappearance of a search party looking for oil in Antarctica. The team must now not only battle against the monsters responsible — a pack of mutant "Ice Borers" — but also against the energy company who employed the men, who are determined to brush all record of the incident under the rug.
1717"Bug Out!"Frank SquillaceBrooks WachtelMarch 20, 1999 (1999-03-20)#114
Godzilla is throwing infantile tantrums and H.E.A.T. are growing worried about their ability to control him. When Audrey lets this slip on live TV, despite being told in confidence by Nick, their relationship looks set to be torn apart. Meanwhile, when called in to investigate extensive deforestation in the Amazon rain forest, they discover that a mutant termite colony is devouring the forest at an alarming rate. H.E.A.T. must find a way to destroy the voracious insects before they devour the entire rain forest.
1818"Web Site"Christopher BerkeleyMarsha F. GriffinMay 1, 1999 (1999-05-01)#120
H.E.A.T. is charged by the Pentagon to investigate the growing population of spiders near an Army base in the Canary Islands. The team quickly discover that a massive mutant female black widow spider has been laying millions of eggs. They must find a way to destroy the baby spiders and help Godzilla defeat the mother.
1919"An Early Frost"Sam Liu Craig Miller May 8, 1999 (1999-05-08)#118
When Godzilla is accused of attacking New York, the military call in H.E.A.T. to help contain him. But Phillipe Roache has returned from France...with orders to terminate Godzilla. However, H.E.A.T. discovers the real culprit is a hideous mutation called the Chameleon, genetically engineered by Cameron Winter (who has escaped from jail) to frame Godzilla. Can they stop Winter and reveal the truth before it is too late?
2020"Juggernaut"Frank SquillaceTom Pugsley & Greg KleinJuly 31, 1999 (1999-07-31)#122
The Techno-Sentient, an alien piece of technology, falls to Earth and begins to bond with all manner of human technology, growing to gargantuan proportions. Worst of all, it taps into the Internet and learns of the location of humanity's weapons of mass destruction. The team and Godzilla must find a way to stop the Techno-Sentient before it takes control of an arsenal of nuclear missiles.
2121"Trust No One"Nathan ChewGreg PincusAugust 14, 1999 (1999-08-14)#124
Acting on confidential information from Phillipe, H.E.A.T. investigate an abandoned lab in the Amazon rain forest where, 50 years before, French scientists succeeded in creating a creature made of pure DNA. The creature is capable of mimicking the shape of any living creature it touches and soon the team are put on edge, uncertain whom to trust. They must find a way to aid Godzilla and destroy the creature before it can reproduce and go on to create a new master race of monsters.

Season 2 (1999–2000)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
221"Future Shock"Alan CaldwellTom Pugsley & Greg KleinSeptember 18, 1999 (1999-09-18)#136
While pursuing a mutant jellyfish, a mysterious storm propels the H.E.A.T. team into the year 2022. There, they discover a post-apocalyptic future where Godzilla and the other mutations are all dead, humanity is all but extinct, and the world is overrun by terrifying creatures known as Dragmas. As the team battle for survival alongside future versions of Craven and Hicks, they discover that the Dragmas was created by the scientist Johnathan Insley (voiced by Nick Jameson). After narrowly making their way back to the past, they decide to stop him before he can create the monster race. But Insley's Democratic Resurgence Against a Global Mechanized Armageddon (D.R.A.G.M.A.) project is ready to be activated, and now the team must battle to destroy Insley's work before the Dragmas are unleashed and the bleak future they saw becomes a reality.
232"Cash of the Titans"Sean SongAndrew DeutschSeptember 25, 1999 (1999-09-25)#140

In the middle of an attack on H.E.A.T. headquarters by a giant water beetle, the team is shocked to find Godzilla is not responding to their distress call. After fending off the beetle, the team discovers that the billionaire Maximillian Speil (voiced by Clancy Brown) is hosting a monster fighting ring - with Godzilla as his new main attraction. Now with Audrey and Animal in tow, the team must save Godzilla from a brutal fight to the death against other mutations.

Note: the Shrewster, a mutation from the episode "The Twister", makes its chronologically second appearance in this episode, but again, like the previous season's episodes with the King Cobra, it was broadcast before the aforementioned chronologically first appearance had aired.
243"S.C.A.L.E."Christopher Berkeley Scott Lobdell October 2, 1999 (1999-10-02)#135
Told in a documentary style and from the point of view of cameras (either Animal's video camera or Monster Island's security cameras), the H.E.A.T team are called to Miami to deal with Skeetera, a giant mutant female mosquito, when they come under attack from S.C.A.L.E. (Servants of Creatures Arriving Late to Earth), an eco-terrorist group - led by Alexandra Springer (voiced by Linda Blair) - who believe that mutations are the next stage of evolution. After capturing the rampaging insect, H.E.A.T transports Skeetera to Monster Island so she can be studied by the U.S. military. But unknown to them, they have unwanted guests: Animal and Audrey have stowed away on board the 'Heat-Seeker' hoping for a good story and S.C.A.L.E. has tracked them to Monster Island. When the terrorists take over Monster Island with plans to release the mutations that are already held there, the only hope lies in the combined forces of Godzilla, H.E.A.T, Major Hicks and his troops, and Audrey and Animal.
254"Protector"Christopher BerkeleyMark HoffmeierOctober 9, 1999 (1999-10-09)#128
Archaeologists in Egypt accidentally reawaken Norrzug the Iron Lion, a gargantuan Sphinx-like monster that once served as the guardian of the ancient city of Amon-Ra. H.E.A.T. discovers from ancient texts that the people of the city deliberately rusted the creature to stop its rampage after it turned on them. Now the team must find a way to repeat the feat before this mythological terror devours every last drop of oil in the Middle East.
265"Freak Show"Nathan ChewSteve L. HayesDecember 11, 1999 (1999-12-11)#130
When circus ringmaster Tobias Wilson (voiced by Dorian Harewood) brings his "Weird World of Wonders" mutation circus to Manhattan, things go terribly wrong when a mutant sea anemone called Medusa escapes her tank and goes on the rampage. When the team discovers the creature is sucking water out of her victims, as she needs the electrolytes found in water to survive, the race is on to stop Medusa before she drains every drop of water on the planet.
276"End of the Line"David HartmanSteve MelchingDecember 18, 1999 (1999-12-18)#137
While on a romantic cruise to Alaska, Nick and Audrey's ship is attacked by a mutant turtle, but they are saved - not by Godzilla, but by Komodithrax, a mutant Komodo dragon. When Godzilla heads for Alaska to find Nick and H.E.A.T. follows, they make a shocking discovery: Godzilla and Komodithrax are in love and Godzilla has become the surrogate father to an egg laid by Komodithrax. The menacing turtle is still nearby, however, and the U.S. military is ordered to destroy all monsters in the area, leading to Nick and the team to try to protect the two gargantuan reptilian lovers. During the battle, the airstrike causes the giant turtle as well as Komodithrax and her egg to fall into a fissure. All three are presumed dead. Saddened, Godzilla retreats. Nick wants to propose marriage to Audrey, but she misunderstands. Heartbroken, Nick heads back to New York.
287"What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been"Brad RaderJanna King KalichmanJanuary 15, 2000 (2000-01-15)#119
While fighting a giant mutant bacteria named the Bacillus, Godzilla is infected by it along with Mendel and are left fighting for their lives. While Elsie and Randy create an antibiotic to weaken the bacterium, Nick and Monique must enter Godzilla's body and destroy the infection at its source before Godzilla and Mendel die.
298"Wedding Bells Blew"Alan Caldwell Steve Cuden January 22, 2000 (2000-01-22)#121

When Elsie's estranged parents come to New York for her spoiled sister's wedding, she is forced to attend as maid of honour instead of helping H.E.A.T capture a mutant manta ray. When the military's battle with the creature ends up interrupting the wedding, Elsie is determined not only to catch the creature but also to prove to her parents that she is not the screw-up that they think she is.

Note: Robert Forster voices Elsie's father: Jack Chapman and Alice Hirson voices Elsie's mother: Peg Chapman
309"Metamorphosis"Alan CaldwellGeorge MelrodJanuary 29, 2000 (2000-01-29)#131
Shortly after receiving an anonymous check for $5 million, H.E.A.T. are called to Illinois, where a gigantic mutant chilopod, the Megapede, is devouring thousands of dollars worth of crops. The team is unable to stop the creature when they first encounter it and upon finding it again, they discover it has metamorphosed into a Giant Cicada. The insect's mating call is disrupting all radar in Chicago and now H.E.A.T must find a way to silence the creature long enough to launch a counterattack.
3110"Area 51"Alan CaldwellJeff WynneFebruary 5, 2000 (2000-02-05)#138

Just as H.E.A.T has had it with Randy, Elsie convinces the rest of the team to investigate a possible mutation sighting at Area 51, where they discover the real secret of Area 51 is not aliens but mutations, created by underground nuclear testing. When one of the captive mutations - a mutant thorny devil (a species of lizard) - breaks out of its cage, the team and Godzilla must stop the creature from escaping the base and destroying nearby Las Vegas.

Note: Doug Savant starred in Godzilla (1998) as Sgt. O'Neil, but he voices a different character in this episode.
3211"The Twister"Andy ThomLara Runnels & Patti CarrFebruary 12, 2000 (2000-02-12)#134
During a nice relaxing day at the beach, the team is caught off-guard by a twister. They trace its origins to an experimental energy experiment at a local power plant, as well as discovering strange tracks near the plant. When the twister strikes again, H.E.A.T. discovers that a giant mutant shrew has been bonded to the twister, creating a "Shrewster", and now the race is on to defeat it before its ravenous metabolism drives it to eat everything in New York. The Shrewster scratches and pierces Godzilla's skin using its claws and bites his neck, but Godzilla recovers and defeats it.
3312"Shafted"Sean Song Robin Russin February 19, 2000 (2000-02-19)#123
On their way to an expo in an attempt to win a research patent in Wyoming, the team meets a lost young girl named Meg (voiced by Mae Whitman). She asks the team to rescue her two brothers Steven (voiced by Mikey Kelley) and Kevin (voiced by Robbie Rist), who went into a silver mine where a gang of miners disappeared without trace fifty years before. While Monique is left babysitting Meg (much to her displeasure), the rest of the team encounters the Silver Hydra: a monster capable of encasing anyone unfortunate enough to meet it in silver and able to regenerate itself every time it is harmed. Now the race is on to defeat the Hydra before Kevin, Steven, Elsie, and Godzilla end up as lifeless silver statues.
3413"Where Is Thy Sting?"Frank Squillace William Stout February 26, 2000 (2000-02-26)#132
While tracking Godzilla to Fort Armstrong, New Mexico, the team discovers that a gigantic mutant scorpion, called Ts-eh-go by the locals, is on the rampage. But when they try to contain the mutation, they come under fire from the U.S. military under the command of Colonel Charles Tarrington (voiced by Michael Chiklis), an old friend of Hicks, who is out to destroy both Ts-eh-go and Godzilla. When H.E.A.T discover Ts-eh-go was created by the army's "First Wave" program, and that Tarrington is planning to use the creature's offspring - codenamed the "Second Wave" - as bioweapons, H.E.A.T and Hicks must convince Tarrington to abort the mission when the scorpions get out of control. Godzilla protects Major Hicks and Colonel Tarrington by stepping in front of them and being sprayed with the scorpion's acid. Tarrington then orders Godzilla to be killed and Hicks is aghast, pointing out that Godzilla took a hit for him.
3514"Lizard Season"Alan CaldwellRobert N. SkirMarch 11, 2000 (2000-03-11)#125
Cameron Winter springs Dale, Bill, and Hank, the redneck hunters from "Cat And Mouse", from jail and uses them to pilot the "Lizard Slayers": three extremely well-armed battle mechas (a giant robot, a tank, and a jet plane) programmed with one mission: to destroy Godzilla. When Cameron takes control of H.E.A.T.'s computer systems to stop them from intervening, Nick and the others must get rid of Cameron, then find a way to save Godzilla from the three hunters.
3615"Vision"Sam Liu Carl Ellsworth March 18, 2000 (2000-03-18)#129
The team are called to San Francisco, where a flock of giant mutant hummingbirds are attacking aircraft. The creatures move too fast for the naked eye to see them, making them impossible for Godzilla to fight them. Now Craven must rig up a special set of goggles that will allow Godzilla to see the birds, giving him a chance to fight back.
3716"Underground Movement"Sam LiuMarsha F. GriffinApril 1, 2000 (2000-04-01)#133
The team is split up due to a lawsuit by the city of Miami (over damages caused by a giant mutant vampire bat). While Nick, Monique, and Elsie deal with the lawsuit, Randy and Craven decide to deal with a mutation (without Nick's permission) in Michigan. The mutation in question is Armillaria , a giant fungus with the ability to suck the amino acids out of any living thing. It swiftly proves too much for the duo, who end up trapped in the wilderness with nothing but their wits and the clothes on their backs. Once the others hear of their antics, the race is on to rescue the duo and defeat Armillaria before it sucks Godzilla dry.
3817"Ring of Fire"Sean Song & Brad Rader Rodney GibbsApril 22, 2000 (2000-04-22)#127
The FireFly, a strange creature made of living flame, attacks an oil rig platform off the coast of Texas. When H.E.A.T. and Godzilla arrive to stop it, Randy and Craven sense a chance to make a lot of money if they can exploit the monster's ability to regenerate energy. Once H.E.A.T has taken the creature out, Randy and Mendel sneak it back to headquarters for study, but things go terribly wrong when the FireFly regains consciousness and starts burning down everything in its path.
3918"The Ballad of Gens Du Marais"Sam LiuAngel Dean LopezUnaired (Unaired)#126

While in New Orleans covering Mardi Gras, Audrey hears rumors of a strange "Swamp Beast" and decides to call in H.E.A.T.. The creature swiftly proves itself a match for Godzilla and the team begin to suspect something is afoot when the locals claim the beast is the swamp's revenge against a corrupt local politician, Paul Dimanche (voiced by Jesse Corti), who wants to mine oil in the bayou. But can they prove it before the Swamp Beast destroys New Orleans?

Note: This episode did not air, but it was shown at the 2001 Asian Fantasy Film Expo in New Jersey.
4019"Tourist Trap"Nathan ChewMarty IsenbergUnaired (Unaired)#139

The Deep-Dweller, a huge mutant frogfish, begins to attack boats and fishing ships off the coast of New Jersey. H.E.A.T. must help Godzilla drive the creature back to deeper waters and also deal with the interference of the sleazy and obnoxious tour promoter Milo Sanders (voiced by Stuart Pankin), who runs a mutation boat tour called the Manhattan Mutant Line and hopes to make even more money by getting good footage of Godzilla.

Note: This episode did not air, but it was shown at the 2001 Asian Fantasy Film Expo in New Jersey.

Home media

Columbia TriStar Home Video released two separate episode collections on VHS: Trouble Hatches, composed of the two-part pilot episode (which was actually titled "New Family" when it first aired), and Monster War, featuring the three-part episode of the same name. [4] In 2004 and 2006 respectively, Sony released nine episodes on DVD, spread out onto three separate volumes: The Monster Wars Trilogy (2004), consisting of the same three-part episode previously released on the VHS version, Monster Mayhem (2006), which included "What Dreams May Come", "Bird of Paradise", and "Deadloch", and Mutant Madness (2006), which contained "S.C.A.L.E.", "The Twister" and "Where Is Thy Sting?". [5]

In 2006, Sony released the "Monster Edition" DVD of Godzilla (1998), featuring three episodes of the TV series: "What Dreams May Come", "Monster War: Part 1" and "Where Is Thy Sting?". [6] In 2014, Mill Creek Entertainment released the complete series on DVD in North America, including the two unaired episodes. The episodes were released in chronological order, not the broadcast order. [7]

Reception

The series did well during Fox Kids' Saturday morning line-up. Ultimately, however, it was overshadowed by the late 1990s Pokémon / Digimon war between Kids' WB and Fox Kids during the 1999–2000 at the time. As a result, Godzilla: The Series was placed in different timeslots on Saturdays to accommodate many of the Digimon marathons and back-to-back episodes (this would affect other Fox Kids shows as well). For a brief period of time, episodes of Godzilla: The Series were either never repeated, or skipped over and rescheduled. There was a brief period where the show was taken off the schedule to accommodate new shows for midseason, resulting in two episodes that were never broadcast in the U.S.

The series was more positively received by critics and fans than the film on which it was based, being considered more faithful to the original Godzilla.

Video games

Two video games were released for the Game Boy Color. They were developed by Crawfish Interactive and published by Crave Entertainment. Godzilla: The Series was released in 1999 and Godzilla: The Series - Monster Wars was released in 2000. [8] [9]

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Zilla is a fictional monster, or kaiju, in Toho Co., Ltd.'s Godzilla media franchise. The character first appeared in Godzilla (1998), released by TriStar Pictures. It was initially created as a reimagining of Godzilla but was later re-branded as a separate character appearing alongside Toho's Godzilla. Patrick Tatopoulos designed it after iguanas with a slim theropod appearance rather than the thick, bipedal designs of Toho's Godzilla. TriStar's Godzilla, both the film and character, were negatively received by fans and critics. In 2004, it was featured in Toho's Godzilla: Final Wars as "Zilla". Afterwards, Toho trademarked new incarnations as Zilla, with only the iterations from the 1998 film and animated series retaining the Godzilla copyright and trademark.

<i>Frankenstein vs. Baragon</i> 1965 Japanese film

Frankenstein vs. Baragon is a 1965 kaiju film directed by Ishirō Honda, with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya. The film stars Nick Adams, Kumi Mizuno and Tadao Takashima, with Koji Furuhata as Frankenstein and Haruo Nakajima as Baragon. An international co-production of Japan and the United States; it was the first collaboration between Toho Co., Ltd and Henry G. Saperstein. In the film, scientists investigate the origins of a mysterious boy and his resistance to radiation that makes him grow to monstrous size, while a second monster ravages the countryside.

<i>King Kong Escapes</i> 1967 film directed by Ishirō Honda

King Kong Escapes is a 1967 kaiju film directed by Ishirō Honda, with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya. The film was a Japanese–American co-production between Toho and Rankin/Bass, and stars Rhodes Reason, Linda Miller, Akira Takarada, Mie Hama, Eisei Amamoto, with Haruo Nakajima as King Kong and Hiroshi Sekita as Mechani-Kong and Gorosaurus. The film is loosely based on Rankin/Bass' series The King Kong Show, and was the second and final Toho-produced film featuring King Kong, until its 2021 collaboration with Warner Bros on Godzilla vs. Kong. King Kong Escapes was released in Japan on July 22, 1967, and released in the United States on June 19, 1968. It is the fourth entry in the King Kong franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Fernandez</span> American actor

Peter Fernandez was an American actor, voice director, and writer. Despite a career extending from the 1930s, he is probably best known for his roles in the 1967 anime Speed Racer. Fernandez co-wrote the scripts, was the voice director, and translated the English-language version of the theme song. He was instrumental in introducing many Japanese anime series to English-speaking audiences. He is also the narrator in the audio version of It Looked Like Spilt Milk.

Kong: The Animated Series is an animated television series that follows King Kong, the title character based on the 1933 film of the same name. The series was a co-production between BKN International, Ellipsanime and M6, and premiered in France on the latter network on May 2, 2001.

Patrick Tatopoulos is a Greek-French production designer and director who lives and works in the United States. His designs have appeared in numerous motion pictures, including Pitch Black, Underworld, I, Robot, The Chronicles of Riddick, Independence Day, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Stargate, Spawn, Godzilla, Stuart Little, 300, I Am Legend, Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, 10,000 BC and Live Free or Die Hard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miki Saegusa</span> Fictional character

Miki Saegusa is a recurring fictional character from the Heisei series of Godzilla films. She is a psychic who uses her powers to communicate with and, in some instances, control the mutant dinosaur Godzilla, and is credited for being the most frequently recurring human character in any kaiju series.

The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. the Monster Army, known in Thailand as Hanuman Meets 7 Supermen, is a Thai-Japanese tokusatsu superhero kaiju film produced in 1974 by Tsuburaya Productions of Japan and Chaiyo Productions of Thailand. It was released theatrically in Thailand on November 26, 1974, and in Japan on March 17, 1979.

<i>Mighty Mutanimals</i> TMNT comic book-spinoff

Mighty Mutanimals, a superhero group within the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise, emerged in the comic book series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures. Composed of various mutated animals, the team collaborated with the TMNT and has been featured in multiple iterations of the franchise since its inception.

<i>Zevo-3</i> 2010 American TV series or program

Zevo-3 is an American animated television series co-produced by Maslen Entertainment, MoonScoop Entertainment and Skechers Entertainment for Nicktoons. It premiered on October 11, 2010 and ended on May 7, 2011 after one season. It is based on the fictional superheroes Z-Strap, Kewl Breeze, and Elastika, characters that previously appeared in Skechers commercials.

<i>Zone Fighter</i> 1973 Japanese TV series or program

Zone Fighter, known in Japan as Meteor Human Zone, is a tokusatsu science fiction superhero television series. Produced by Toho Company Ltd., the show aired on Nippon Television from April 2 to September 24, 1973, with a total of 26 episodes. This was Toho's answer to not only the popular Ultra Series, but the Henshin Hero phenomenon started by shows like Kamen Rider and Android Kikaider. The previous year, Toho had just made their first successful superhero show, Rainbowman. The series was also notable for its guest appearances by Toho's own Godzilla, as well as two other Toho monsters, King Ghidorah and Gigan. Supplementary materials published by Toho have confirmed Zone Fighter to be part of the Showa era of the Godzilla series, taking place in between Godzilla vs. Megalon and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.

Malcolm Danare is an American actor, known for his role of Caesar in the 1985 film Heaven Help Us and Dr. Mendel Craven in the 1998 film Godzilla and its animated series followup. He is also known for voicing Kipling in Monster High and voicing Tiny of Ever After High.

The extensive and persistent impact on media and popular culture of Creature from the Black Lagoon began even before it was seen in theaters. To publicize the release of the film in 1954, Ben Chapman, in costume, introduced the Gill-Man to the public on live television in The Colgate Comedy Hour with Abbott and Costello.

References

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  2. Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 379–383. ISBN   978-1476665993.
  3. Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 247–251. ISBN   978-1538103739.
  4. 1 2 Johnson, Bob; Aiken, Keith (March 28, 2006). "The Ultimate Guide to Godzilla: The Series". SciFi Japan. Archived from the original on April 19, 2007. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  5. Aiken, Keith (March 24, 2006). "DVD Reviews: Godzilla: Monster Edition and Godzilla: The Series". SciFi Japan. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  6. Jacobson, Colin (April 25, 2006). "Godzilla: Monster Edition (1998)". DVD Movie Guide. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
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