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Episode 10 of the Forgotten Kaiju Project brings us to Toho Studio's 1956 science fiction film "The Mysterians". This is the fourth true Kaiju film, following Gojira, Gamera: the Giant Monster, and Rodan.  It introduces us, however briefly, to Moguera the giant robot monster, which is seen in several later Godzilla films. This movie has decent technical work in terms of good set design, good pyro, decent model work etc, and it has interesting story elements.  We discuss its impact on the kaiju genre, its good and bad story elements, and the things that make this movie both a success and a failure simultaneously.

Episode 9 of The Forgotten Kaiju Project brings us to an amazing movie and an all time favorite of the Nerds Who Say NI:Gamera: Advent of LegionThis movie is the direct sequel to Gamera, Guardian of the Universe, and features not only a continued storyline, but returning cast members as well.  Hands down, this is the best story, acting, design, and effects of any Gamera movie thus far. Join as as we share our thoughts on a rare treat of the Kaiju genre.

Day 8 of the 31 Day Forgotten Kaiju Project.Today's movie is "Inframan", from 1975.  This was China's first foray into the concept of superhero/science fiction filmmaking, and included China's first giant monster.This movie cribs from a LOT of other intellectual properties, such as Kamen Rider, Ultraman, and even Mazinger.  In fact, you can see the roots of most super-sentai movies in this film.This movie is hilarious, and is the best snark-fodder we've seen in some time.

Day 7 of our 31 days of the Forgotten Kaiju Project brings us to 1957's great flapping flop, "RODAN".As giant kaiju bird movies go, this one's a colossal turkey.  So much so, Toho never gave it a sequel.  True, Rodan showed up in cameos in some Godzilla movies, but it was not nearly popular enough to ever warrant a solo movie again.There is some discussion that the caterpillar monster may have been related to Mothra, but there is no conclusive connection between the two.We give our thoughts on Rodan, even weighing against that most hated of all Kaiju movies: Frankenstein Conquers the World.

Day 6 and still rolling! This brings us to possibly the best Kaiju movie we've watched thus far, and a personal favorite for all of us at Nerding Instinct Studios:Gamera, Guardian of the Universe!This is something of a reboot, so pretty much out of the continuity of the previous films.  But the story is great, the effects are the best yet, and the new Gamera look is spot on.  Seriously, do your inner fan a favor and watch this one!  In the interim, we'll spend the next half hour getting you hyped.Intro by Powerglove "Birth of a God".

Day 5 of the 31-day Forgotten Kaiju Project brings us to one of our favorites. 1965's "Gamera- the Giant Monster".This is the first movie of the Gamera franchise, and it started things off with a bang.  This moving was influenced by both 1933's "Beast from 20,000 Fathoms" and 1954's "Gojira".  In fact, several of Gamera's scenes are direct homages to Beast From 20,000 Fathoms.  However, Gamera presents a wholly original monster design, a whole different take on human/kaiju relations (Gamera is known in his later films as "The Friend to All Children"), and avoids the weird transition that Godzilla made.  Instead of staring hyper-serious and tragic, then going campy and kiddy, Gamera starts out with kids as a target demographic, and just barrels down that road in its later films.  Want a good entry level example of why we love kaiju films? This is a great place to start.

Day 4 of the Forgotten Kaiju Project brings us the cinematic crapsterpiece that is "Frankenstein Conquers the World".Someone owes us beer for watching this one.This in the top 5 most painfully bad movies we have ever watched.  Seriously, this is bad on the level of Cathy's Curse, and Plan 9 from Outer Space.First off there is the title; "Frankenstein Conquers the World".  However, there is no Doctor Frankenstein. The monster, you say? No, it isn't even Frankenstein's Monster.  Instead, Nazi German sends the undying heart of Frankenstein's Monster in a crate to a lab in Hiroshima, on the day the USA bombs Japan. The now irradiated heart is then eaten by a small homeless boy, and he starts to mutate and become a giant caveman. You know, like one does.   Then, he protects the human population of Japan from giant lizard (aka Barugon, a rejected Godzilla enemy later to be seen in the Gamera franchise).Can we also point out that all of this is set in the (wait for it) Japanese Alps?  This movie will require radical brain surgery to get over. It even made the list of the 50 worst movies of all time. Oddly, only at #43.  (Note: I've seen #1. It definitely wins.)

Day 3 of the Forgotten Kaiju Project. Today brings us to "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms". This 1953 classic has behind it such Kaiju movie greats such as Ishiro Honda going for it, along with being Ray Harryhausen's first film as the lead of special effects.  This movie directly influenced practically every Japanese kaiju  movie, including Gojira itself.  This is a splendid movie, and already one of our favorites.

Day 2 of the Forgotten Kaiju Project brings us  "Garuda".This one took us by surprise, being a kaiju film from Thailand.  It is in a lot of ways exactly not what you'd expect in a kaiju film, with a surprisingly rich theme.  Garuda is the tale of a recently unearthed ancient bird-beast, imprisoned aeons ago by his own kind for being too evil and a threat to all humankind.  This is in many was one of the worst movies we've seen, but manages to be thoroughly entertaining, with a surprisingly great monster design.  Definitely one worth a watch.

We're kicking off the Forgotten Kaiju Project with the great-grandaddy of the all, The Great Ape himself, KING KONG!Many folks may not consider King Kong a Kaiju, but it has all the hallmarks; giant monster rampaging through town, in direct conflict with humanity, military and police powerless to stop it, and more.  Face it folks, this Great Depression era masterpiece is where it all began, and we discuss it for all its beauty and its warts.

Oh no! IT'S COMING THIS WAY!!This October, the Nerding Instinct Studios is going to bring you the Forgotten Kaiju Project: 31 Days of Non-Godzilla Kaiju movies!  We'll bring you the best, and worst, the Kaiju genre has to offer.  Starting October 1st, 2015!

This week on the Nerding Instinct your Nerds Who Say NI discuss some things to do (and not do) when live tweeting your favorite shows.  We discuss how to engage your community, grow your fandom and your place in it, and how not to be a douche in the process.

Hello Nerdherd! This week the Nerds Who Say NI gather 'round the mics to discuss what's on TV.  We talk about the new season of a mutual favorite Faceoff, as well as two new shows: Game Show Network's "Steampunk'd" and AMC's "Fear the Walking Dead". We discuss what we love, what we hate, and just how badass Thomas Willeford is. Speaking of Steampunk'd, here's an important public service regarding gear-gluing and the abuses thereof: "Just Glue Some Gears on It (And Call it Steampunk)" by Reginald PikedevantCredits to Asylum Street Spankers for their song "TV Party".

As promised, we're bringing you more awesomeness from San Japan 8-Bit!  So much Win that we couldn't put it all in one episode, so we're finishing up here.  We discuss the Mega Ran interview and concert, the awesomeness that is Vitamin H, plus the amazing cosplay crossplay, and the overall culture of acceptance and celebration this amazing convention brings.Music Credit: "Epoch" by Random aka Mega Ran

Myke Hritz had the opportunity to sit down with Jenna, who was not only a first time con-goer, but a first time con-volunteer.  Con volunteers work hard to bring everyone, guests and attendees alike, has an amazing experience.  When they do their jobs well, they make things so smooth and seamless that people tend to forget how hard the volunteers had to work to make it happen.  So the Nerds Who Say NI decided to show some love for these unsung convention heroes.Note: this was a spur of the moment opportunity. We didn't have our equipment handy, nor did we have the best acoustics. Please forgive the audio.

The Nerds Who Say NI are back with a 8-bitful episode for you!It has been a good week us here at Castle Nerdheim, with not one but two consecutive 8-Bit themed conventions back to back:  Classic Game Fest in Austin July 25-26th, followed by San Japan: 8-Bit July 31-August 2nd.  We share our thoughts and experiences at both convention in this extra-long episode, and still could not cover half of what we wanted to express, so expect to hear more in upcoming eps as well.  We talk about Richard Garriott, meeting Mega Ran, Professor Shyguy, game nostalgia, cosplay, the convention community and more!For upcoming convention goodness in Texas, check out:Anime Overload- August 14-16, 2015, Austin TXDeltaHCon- Auguts 28-30, Houston TXMonster-ConRealms Con- October 2-4, Corpus Christi TX

Hello Nerd Herders!Your Nerds Who Say NI are here with some quick news! We're fresh back from #ClassicGameFest and are heading this weekend, July 31- August 2nd to San Japan: 8-Bit! We're in a new studio, new equipment, with some nerd hotness coming soon.  Thanks for sticking with us; we're about to make it worth the wait!

This week the Nerds Who Say NI go back to our video gaming roots, with "The Joy of the Stick: Retro Gaming"!We discuss the history of home video gaming, including Pong, Atari 2600, NES, Super Nintendo, Genesis, emulation, and more!  Hear a bunch of aging gamers tell you all about what it was like in the days of TV/Game switch boxes, joysticks, arcades, and cartridges.Our 15Mb of Fame is Little V Mills, a madman rocker who creates amazingly epic remixes of favorite video game music. Be sure to check out his channel on Youtube.Music credits this week to John Williams, and to MC Frontalot for "It is Pitch Dark".

Yay! A topical episode this week! No more sad memorial tributes.In this episode the Nerds Who Say NI discuss one of the perpetually hottest topics in geekdom: canon.  We discuss what it is, whether or not it matters, why, and how much.  This of course brings up Star Wars, the questionable decision making processes of Lucasfilm, comics versus the animated and cinematic Marvel DC universes, and more.Related story:Disney releases the full (and nearly empty) "Star Wars Official Canon" listWhat we wish was true:Music props this week to Dethklok and DJ Z Style

his week we mourn the passings and celebrate the lives of two of the greatest legends in science fiction and fantasy history.  Leonard Nimoy left us on February 27th, 2015, with Sir Terry Pratchett shortly behind on March 12, 2015. We discuss not only Nimoy's work on Star Trek as Spock, but also his photography including his Full Body Project, and his massive body of other acting works. We also explore Sir Terry's much beloved Discworld, his other books, and his advocacy of assisted death.Some links to share:The origin of the Vulcan greetingThe Ballad of Bilbo BagginsHighly IllogicalShaking Hands with Death- Sir Terry speaking on assisted death at The Royal College of Physicians