"In a Hair's Breadth: The Roar of Godzilla!"

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Zone Fighter episodes
"Zone Fighter, Destroyed!"
"In a Hair's Breadth: The Roar of Godzilla!"
"The Terror-Beast Base: Invade the Earth!"
"In a Hair's Breadth:
The Roar of Godzilla!"
In a Hair's Breadth: The Roar of Godzilla!
Series Zone Fighter
Episode # 11
Directed by Jun Fukuda
Written by Kazuhisa Hattori
Special effects Teruyoshi Nakano
Air date June 11, 1973

"In a Hair's Breadth: The Roar of Godzilla!" (間一髪 (かんいっぱつ) ゴジラの (さけ)び!,   Kan Ippatsu: Gojira no Sakebi!) is the 11th episode of Zone Fighter. Written by Kazuhisa Hattori and directed by Godzilla series veterans Jun Fukuda (human drama) and Teruyoshi Nakano (special effects), it aired on June 11, 1973. It is the first and only appearance of Gigan in the series, as well as the third and final episode to star an antagonist from the Godzilla series. It notably depicts Gigan's death, following his escapes in Fukuda and Nakano's films Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) and Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973).

Plot

The episode opens with a professional racer dying in a car accident. Hikaru talks to his father about this incident after reading about it in the newspaper, suspecting the Garogas were responsible. Raita suggests they should investigate before coming to any conclusions. Coincidentally, the accident happened to a test driver of Daito Motors, the company Hikaru is competing for. And in order to test a new car engine, the company will pick a new driver. The contenders being Hikaru and his co-worker and friend, Sasaki.

Hikaru heads over to where the crash took place, he makes contact with his father after suspecting it was a Garoga trap, due to an empty missile next to the wreckage. Unbeknownst to him, a Garoga soldier was spying him. After reporting to his master, he tells the spy that it's too soon to activate the trap.

Once he leaves the scene, Hikaru heads over to Daito Motors. And after a race, he and his co-workers are summoned by the company president to announce who shall test the new engine they've developed. Hikaru is chosen, much to Sasaki's disappointment.

While testing the car, the Garogas activate their trap. Sasaki calls his family and informs them about the situation, intending to take their bait in order to be sent to their base. Using it as an opportunity to destroy their headquarters.

Hikaru finds himself at a wrecking yard operated by the Garogas, unable to transform and escape. He receives a call from Sasaki, who confesses he helped the Garogas kidnap him out of envy, and begs for his forgiveness. Hikaru tells him he would've let him drive the car, knowing how much this meant for him, had he not betrayed him. Moved by regret, Sasaki tries to rescue Hikaru, only to be shot to death by a Garoga soldier.

Meanwhile, the Sakimori siblings, Hotaru and Akira, head out to rescue their older brother. Hikaru is inches away from being killed however, and out of desperation, he begs his father to call Godzilla to help them. As his siblings confront the Garoga soldiers, the monster appears, making the evil aliens run away in panic. A Terror-Beast Missile is sent towards Godzilla, from which Gigan bursts, flying downwards with drogue parachutes. Despite being upgraded with claws containing explosive charges, Godzilla manages to deliver a humiliating beating to Gigan once more, and cuts the power of the wrecking yard, allowing Hikaru to escape and reunite with Hotaru and Akira. The three of them head out to confront the Garogas, and find Sasaki's corpse. The Sakimori's scare away the Garogas by shooting them.

Meanwhile, Gigan uses the revival technique he learned from studying ninja arts. Hikaru transforms into Zone Fighter and confronts the monster. Eventually, Hikaru comes out on top. Foam comes out of the dying Gigan's mouth before exploding.

The episode ends with the Sakimori siblings paying their respects at Sasaki's grave, lamenting how the Garogas took advantage of him and swearing that he will be avenged.

Cast

Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.

Appearances

Monsters and heroes

Weapons, vehicles, and races

Comments

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