An American actor in a Toho production can feel like a fish out of water. There are so many cultural differences that it could feel overwhelming to work on a Japanese set. Many American actors who have appeared in Godzilla movies speak unkindly of their time, usually because of how isolating and confusing the experience felt.

But, Nick Adams, who appeared in American productions like Rebel Without a Cause and Giant, felt right at home when he showed up in Japanese movies. He led the cast in Godzilla vs. Monster Zero and even wrote an article in The Los Angeles Times about his great experience. 

"The Japanese have a high regard for monsters because they had some dillies in their folklore," Adams wrote in 1965.

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"They had one that was as cold as a statue and walked around in jerky movements, bumping into everything. It had eyes but couldn't see. A brain, but it couldn't think. It scared the kimonos off the Japanese, but I told them that in Hollywood, we are used to pedestrians."

Adams immersed himself in the culture, rising to the occasion to use the opportunity to learn. He was fascinated by Japanese mythology and respected the differences between Japanese and American culture. 

He also held his coworkers in high regard. Adams praised the special effects teams as "geniuses" and "wizards," saying the filmmakers he worked with "have earned the well-deserved title of the world's greatest directors of science-fiction films."

"Having them on your side," wrote Adams, "was like having two aces in your hand and another two up your sleeve. So I scribbled my scrawl on a contract and was on my way to Tokyo!"