The Luminous Fairies & Mothra - A Conversation With Dr. Jeffrey Angles

The Japanese novella The Luminous Fairies and Mothra—the original inspiration for Toho’s iconic 1961 film Mothra—is being published in English for the very first time. Thanks to the University of Minnesota Press and award-winning translator Dr. Jeffrey Angles, fans will finally be able to experience this foundational kaiju tale as it was first imagined.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Angles to discuss the art and challenge of translating this classic, the extensive research behind his brand-new critical essay, and more.

The Luminous Fairies & Mothra arrives January 2026 and is available now for pre-order at major booksellers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the University of Minnesota Press.