A 1956 Japanese Toku Sci-Fi Drama directed by Koji Shima that has the residents of Tokyo encountering UFOs filled with starfish-like aliens who try to warn the natives of the planet of the incoming threat of a rogue planet that threatens to wipe them out, as well as help them destroy it to save them. In order to do so, one member of their kind, Ginko, disguises as a human in order to properly convey the message.
The movie stars Keizo Kawaski, Toyomi Karita, Bin Yagisawa, Shozo Nanbu, Bontaro Miake, Mieko Nagai, Kiyoko Hirai, and Isao Yamagata.
It was released on January 29, 1956.
Tropes for the film:
- Benevolent Alien Invasion: The Pairans are not actually alien invaders, but rather benevolent beings trying to save Earth from destruction, even their infiltration attempts by sending a disguised member of their kind is done just so they can ensure Earth is made aware of the threat before it's too late.
- Counter-Earth: "Planet R" is on a collision course with Earth. One-eyed, starfish-shaped aliens from the Counter-Earth Paira take on human forms to warn the Earth about the impending disaster.
- Covers Always Lie: Posters for the film exclusively present the movie as being about a starfish kaiju that attacks Japan. The story is actually about a friendly race of literal Starfish Aliens who came to Earth to warn them about a collision with a rogue planet called Planet R.
- Starfish Aliens: The movie has literal Starfish Aliens. They're quite aware of this too, so they transform themselves into humans to communicate with Earthlings. May be a borderline case of this, as they speak Japanese/English from the onset. Also the inverse is true with the aliens more than a little weirded out by the human form when they encounter humans.
- Tagline: "SECRET AGENT: Seductive android woman...MISSION: Earn Earth of Planet X's time for its bloody conquest!".
