Toni leads Vrai and Peter on a watchalong through the first 8 episodes of the late ‘00s collaboration between NIsioisin and Studio SHAFT that was as infamous as it was influential, Bakemongatari!0:00:00 Intros0:00:54 Toni’s justification for doing this0:02:53 Bakemonogatari in the anime zeitgeist0:10:34 Copycats0:14:22 Visual style0:22:53 Hanekawa0…

Vrai, Cy, and Chiaki return to cover the conclusion of the Black Rose arc, the beginning The End of the World, and Akio being both the worst and relentlessly sexy on convertibles.0:00:00 Intros0:01:03 Content warnings0:02:08 Feelings0:05:59 Keiko0:09:46 Mikage0:22:45 End of the World0:29:02 Akio0:32:36 Cycles of abuse0:35:49 Kozue and Daddy Longleg…

Cy, and Chiaki, and Vrai return and dive into the Black Rose Saga, the importance of the secondary cast, and Anthy's deepening characterization. 0:00:00 Intros0:02:34 Content Warnings0:03:09 Note on translation0:05:05 Catching Up0:07:00 The economic bubble0:08:37 Filler0:11:52 Nanami episode0:14:22 Anthy0:24:15 Symbolism0:26:52 Adult content0:29:12…

Vrai, Alex, and Peter check-in on the 2024 Winter season where quite a few titles with a lot of potential have a lot riding on their second halves!0:00:00 IntrosRed Flags0:01:30 The Foolish Angel Dances with the Devil0:02:09 The Witch and the BeastYellow Flags0:02:29 BUCCHIGIRI?!Neutral Zone0:11:47 The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic0:14:25 Villaine…

We're celebrating 200 episodes! And what better way than for mega Utena fan Vrai to talk Cy and Chiaki through their very first viewing of the series?0:00:00 Intros0:04:02 Past experience0:10:08 Utena in modern culture0:12:26 Series info0:17:55 Favorite character0:19:20 Sub vs Dub0:25:18 Abuse of Anthy0:32:30 Saionji0:35:31 Incest0:41:53 Learning h…

Caitlin, Toni, and Peter wrap-up another Fall season with a few hidden gems, a few series that failed to stick the landing, and a bunch of sequels!0:00:00 IntrosPit of Shame0:01:37 A Girl and Her Guard DogYellow Flags0:03:06 Protocol: Rain0:06:03 KamiErabi GOD.app0:07:34 The 100 Girlfriends Who Really Really Really Really REALLY Love YouNeutral Zon…

Vrai, Cy, and Toni discuss Hayao Miyazaki’s latest (last?) movie, its callbacks to his career and themes, and Robert Pattinson.0:00:00 Intros0:01:50 Favorite Ghibli film0:07:08 Sub or dub0:12:18 The title0:15:52 SPOILER WARNING0:16:57 Summary0:18:06 It’s an isekai0:22:33 What is this sekai?0:27:39 WWII0:29:22 Takahata0:30:58 Goro0:33:20 The birds0:…

Alex, Caitlin, and Toni talk the new Scott Pilgrim Takes Off anime and how it matches up as a new take on the decades old comic and movie!0:00:00 Intros0:01:14 Backgrounds with the franchise0:05:41 The franchise’s background0:07:25 The vibes0:09:39 The plot0:12:53 The twist0:16:43 Different Scotts0:18:11 Comic vs movie0:21:31 Casting0:24:08 Manic p…

Toni, Caitlin, and Peter try and fail to check-in on the biggest anime season ever in a reasonable amount of time.0:00:00 Intros0:02:06 A Girl and Her Guard Dog0:03:26 The Kingdoms of Ruin0:05:16 Protocol: Rain0:07:52 100 Girlfriends Who Really Really Really Really REALLY Love You0:15:08 The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons0:17:33 Tearmoon Empire0:19:22 S…

Toni, Caitlin, and special guest Annie discuss the themes of nonviolence, abolition, and meaning in part 2 of our 2-part retrospective on VINLAND SAGA!0:00:00 Intros0:01:15 Hot boys0:12:20 Lief0:23:06 The myth of the good enslaver0:33:53 Olmar0:37:50 Arnheid and the experiences of enslaved women0:44:27 Slavery rooted in hate vs love0:48:14 Portraya…

Toni, Caitlin, and special guest Annie discuss the themes of nonviolence, abolition, and meaning in part 1 of our 2-part retrospective on VINLAND SAGA!0:00:00 Intros0:01:13 Background0:13:03 Emptiness vs meaning0:24:01 Askeladd0:28:08 Forgiveness vs compassion0:39:04 Love as a form of discrimination0:40:54 Models of leadership0:45:32 Ideals vs mate…

Alex, Toni, and Peter wrap-up the small and disappointing Summer season…0:00:00 IntrosRed Flags0:02:20 Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room HeroYellow Flags0:04:42 Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead0:16:14 Dark GatheringNeutral Zone0:19:43 Reign of the Seven Spellblades0:28:45 Reborn as a Vending Machine0:32:29 Helck0:33:07 BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!It's C…

Tony, MoBlack, and Danny return for the 2nd part of their discussion of abolitionism in anime featuring the work of Sadiya Hartman and Joy James in Fujiko Mine, Stone Ocean, Deca-Dence and Michiko & Hatchin!0:00:00 Intros0:02:22 Centering sexual assault survivors0:12:05 A Woman Called Fujiko Mine0:20:28 Stone Ocean0:28:37 Sadiya Hartman and prisons…

Tony, MoBlack, and Danny discuss the state's monopoly on violence 2-part discussion on abolitionism in anime!0:00:00 Intros0:03:03 Abolitionism0:15:06 History with abolitionism0:25:42 Full abolition0:32:10 Death Note0:38:49 Chainsaw Man0:41;58 Akudama Drive0:52:47 My Hero Academia0:58:02 Chainsaw Man spoilers0:59:37 OutroTony: twitter.com/poetpedag…

Vrai, Megan, and Maddie return to cap off our retrospective on the tragically short but triumphant run of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury!0:00:00 Intros0:01:50 We got Sam-Flammed0:11:54 Should’ve/could’ve been 4 cour0:16:57 *Slaps hood of Gundam* “This baby can hold so much Utena”0:18:29 Guel0:20:18 The time-out room0:23:48 Shaddiq0:25:5…

Alex, Tony, and Peter review a relatively… light summer season?0:00:00 IntrosRed Flags0:02:16 Level 1 Demon Lord & One Room HeroYellow Flags0:07:57 Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead0:15:16 Dark GatheringNeutral Zone0:21:56 Reign of the Seven Spellblades0:28:03 Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon0:36:44 HelckIt’s Complicated0:37:49 …

Vrai, Alex, and Peter (with a guest appearance by Tony) try to cover the wealth of excellent titles in the 2023 Spring season!0:00:00 Intros/Content warning0:03:25 Heavenly Delusion0:11:32 My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lvl9990:14:33 Dead Mount Death Play0:17:38 The Dangers in My Heart0:20:58 Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion0:24:19 Ota…

Alex, Vrai, and Toni shine a spotlight at the 2023 Spring seasons’ standout series playing in the Class S genre space, Yuri Is My Job!0:00:00 Intros0:01:53 Background0:03:11 Spoiler Warning0:03:56 Summary0:12:22 Parody? Satire? Deconstruction?0:23:56 Hime0:28:32 Mitsuki0:33:46 Hime AND Mitsuki0:37:12 Kanoko0:40:22 Sapphism, voyeurism, and femininit…

Part two of our two-part retrospective on the Yuzuru Tachikawa classic that just turned 10 years old, Death Parade, with Caitlin, Toni, and Cy!0:00:00 Intros0:00:13 Harsher punishments for women0:18:47 Portrayal of motherhood0:27:11 Carceral Feminism0:35:42 Reform (or lack thereof)0:44:23 Buddhism: Transformative justice and cycles of abuse0:57:17 …

Part one of our two-part retrospective on the Yuzuru Tachikawa classic that just turned 10 years old, Death Parade, with Caitlin, Toni, and Cy!0:00:00 Intros0:02:51 Content warnings0:04:23 Summary0:05:45 Background0:06:57 Deca-Dence0:09:40 Mob Psycho 1000:12:58 Tachikawa’s themes0:15:40 Personal experiences with Death Parade0:22:42 That OP0:27:07 D…

Vrai, Toni, and Peter try and fail to keep their discussion of a packed-to-the-gills season to a reasonable duration!0:00:00 IntrosRed Flags0:01:59 KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World Yellow Flags0:03:46 Heavenly Delusion (Tengoku Daimakyo)0:11:56 The Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts0:18:40 My Live Story with Yamada-kun at Lvl9…

Dee, Chiaki, and Peter look back on a season with a lot of mixed bag recommendations!0:00:00 IntrosPit of Shame0:02:01 ONIMAIYellow Flags0:08:47 TRIGUN STAMPEDE0:09:56 Tomo-chan Is a Girl!0:17:05 Revenger0:18:24 Reborn to Master the Blade: From Hero-King to Extraordinary Squire0:21:57 Chillin’ in My 30s After Getting Fired from the Demon King’s Arm…

Dee, Alex, and Cy return to discuss asexual and aromantic coding and representation in the works of Uta Isaki!0:00:00 Intro0:00:35 Mine-kun is Asexual and sex-repulsed vs non-sex-repulsed0:18:06 Ace stereotypes0:20:55 Is Love the Answer?0:22:58 Allosexual social and societal pressure0:31:56 Ishi, mentorship, and aromantic relationships0:35:26 Ume a…

Dee, Alex, and Cy discuss asexual and aromantic coding and representation in anime and manga!0:00:00 Intros0:02:14 Ace/Aro 1010:10:05 Conflation with frigidity/prudishness/trauma0:12:18 Linguistic differences between Japanese and English0:15:50 Koisenu Futari and recognition and evolution of terminology0:19:52 Ace coding in anime and manga0:28:30 F…

Cy, Caitlin, and Peter check-in on a season with way too many series that warrant some kind of discussion, Winter 2023!0:00:00 IntrosPit of Shame0:02:06 Sugar Apple Fairy Tale0:09:27 ONIMAI: I’m Now Your Sister!Yellow Flags0:10:50 TRIGUN STAMPEDE0:17:55 Tomo-chan Is a Girl!0:27:58 REVENGER0:32:19 Reborn to Master the BladeNeutral Zone0:33:17 UniteU…

Vrai calls in Gundam experts Maddie and Megan to discuss the too-dense-to-for-a-round-up-episode first cour of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury!0:00:00 Intros0:01:35 Background0:04:19 The Gundam franchise and Universal Century0:10:15 Gundam: The Origin0:10:58 Suletta as Gundam’s first female pilot protagonist0:13:37 The novelty of a two c…

Chiaki, Vrai, and Cy return to complete their watchalong of Haibane Renmei with episodes 8-13!0:00:00 Intros0:04:37 Reactions0:07:10 The ending first0:10:00 What are the haibane?0:14:20 Christian? Buddhist?0:16:43 Absolution0:19:06 Rakka0:28:31 True name0:33:25 Portrayal of suicide0:43:57 Suicide in Japanese culture0:46:15 Personal reactions0:53:16…

Chiaki, Vrai, and Cy as they look back on episodes 1-7 of Yoshitoshi Abe’s second landmark series, Haibane Renmei!0:00:00 Intros0:02:46 Production info and Abe0:07:28 Personal histories0:12:07 What we expected vs what we got0:16:56 The haibane0:24:44 The Town0:30:27 The wing scene0:33:16 Reki0:37:35 Trans readings0:42:30 The day of flight0:51:27 Ra…

Vrai, Peter, and Dee try their best to wrap-up the thematically dense 2023 Fall season! 0:00:00 IntrosNeutral Zone0:01:58 My Master Has No Tail0:06:37 Do It Yourself!0:10:41 Raven of the Inner PalaceIt’s… Complicated0:18:25 Chainsaw ManFeminist Potential0:23:19 Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury0:31:11 I’m the Villainess so I’m Taming the F…

Dee, Vrai, and Alex talk about the sexual education comedy manga Sex Ed 120% and how it compares to real-world sex education.0:00:00 Intros0:00:27 Sex ed in Japan0:12:24 The importance of Sex Ed 120%0:15:52 Portrayals of various sexual orientations0:19:00 Sexual terminology in Japan0:24:21 Portrayals of abortion in media0:26:26 Abortion and prophyl…

Dee, Vrai, and Alex talk about the sexual education comedy manga Sex Ed 120% and how it compares to real-world sex education. 0:00:00 Intros0:00:28 Background0:02:15 Content warnings0:04:54 Personal impressions0:08:17 Would you recommend it?0:09:04 What did we learn?0:15:31 Favorite line0:20:08 Comparison to our sex ed experiences0:32:24 Asexual-fr…

Vrai, Caitlin, and Peter check in on the absolutely stacked Fall season! 0:00:00 IntrosPit of Shame0:01:52 More than a Married Couple, But Not LoversRed Flags0:04:20 Urusei YatsuraYellow Flags0:08:50 The Little Lies We All Tell0:15:02 BLUELOCKNeutral Zone0:20:34 My Master Has No Tail0:22:07 Do It Yourself!!It’s Complicated0:28:58 Reincarnated as a …

Caitlin, Dee, and Meru complete their watchalong of GAINAX-produced shojo anime, His and Her Circumstances AKA Kare Kano with episodes 20-26 plus some manga discussion! 0:00:00 Intros0:01:53 The… End?0:10:16 Kano and some Class-BS0:17:00 Tonami’s fatphobic arc0:28:57 Arima’s unresolved red flags0:49:39 *MANGA SPOILER/CONTENT WARNING SECTION*0:58:53…

Vrai, Chiaki, and Peter finally put one of the top contenders for most disappointing season we’ve covered to rest. 0:00:00 IntrosRed Flags0:01:30 When Will Ayumu Make His Move?Yellow Flags0:02:48 Uncle from Another World0:05:17 Parallel World Pharmacy0:07:40 Call of the NightNeutral Zone0:14:55 The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting0:17:29 TEPPEN!0:18:0…

Caitlin, Dee, and Meru return for part 3 of their watchalong of GAINAX-produced shojo anime, His and Her Circumstances AKA Kare Kano with episodes 14-19! 0:00:00 Intros0:04:39 Arima’s depression0:13:52 Love vs codependency0:18:43 Maho’s dentist0:24:38 Yukino’s parents0:29:47 Just ‘90s dad things0:32:24 The red flag parade0:39:01 Mental illness and …

Caitlin, Dee, and Meru return for part 2 of their watchalong of GAINAX-produced shojo anime, His and Her Circumstances AKA Kare Kano with episodes 8-13! 0:00:00 Intros0:01:42 Impressions0:04:35 Iconic segments0:06:09 Sub vs dub (again)0:11:11 Sex stuff0:16:37 Anno’s influence (it’s depression)0:23:14 Yukino and the bullying arc0:36:36 The friends0:…

Vrai, Chiaki, and Peter check-in on perhaps the most unremarkable season of anime since the inception of this podcast! 0:00:00 IntrosRed Flags0:02:19 Black SummonerYellow Flags0:03:48 Uncle from Another World0:08:07 Parallel Word Pharmacy0:10:16 My Stepmom’s Daughter is My Ex0:12:33 My Isekai Life0:13:35 Call of the NightNeutral Zone0:19:17 The Yak…

Caitlin, Dee, and Meru begin their watchalong of the GAINAX-produced shojo anime, His and Her Circumstances AKA Kare Kano! 0:00:00 Intros0:01:19 Background, production, and distribution0:12:26 Personal history0:17:50 Dubs vs subs0:22:42 Plot synopsis0:24:39 Yukino and Arima0:30:29 Their families0:33:19 Romance0:36:05 Japanese academic culture0:42:1…

Vrai, Chiaki, and Meru look back at the proto-TRIGGER irreverent comedy, Panty & Stocking! 0:00:22 Intros0:01:38 Why?0:05:36 Background and Western influence0:10:49 First impressions0:14:27 Sub vs dub0:23:06 The vibe of the time0:26:42 Chris Sabat playing black man0:31:09 Fatphobia0:34:58 Garterbelt0:37:52 Portrayal of women and sexuality0:42:36 Th…

Play Don’t Know What You Got as Caitlin, Alex, and Peter look back on the 2022 Spring season! 0:00:00 Intros0:03:04 The Greatest Demon Lord is Reborn as a Typical Nobody0:04:34 Ya Boy Kongming!0:10:45 SPY x FAMILY0:17:00 Love After World Domination0:19:37 Aharen-san wa Hakarenai0:22:18 Fanfare of Adolescence0:23:22 Executioner and Her Way of Life0:…

Vrai, Mercedez, Chiaki, and special guest Diana complete their watchalong with episodes 32-39 of the quintessential anime melodrama, Dear Brother! 0:00:00 Intros0:01:45 Did you cry?0:02:19 Content warnings0:03:18 So Rei died0:12:51 Suicide in culture and media0:16:32 Contrast against Kaoru’s fate0:21:37 The pronoun game0:22:48 Mariko’s thumbnails0:…

Vrai, Mercedez, Chiaki, and special guest Diana continue their watchalong with episodes 24-31 of the quintessential anime melodrama, Dear Brother! 0:00:00 Intros0:03:08 Content warnings0:06:10 Fukiko’s damage0:11:45 Rei is baby0:13:42 Is Hemni real?0:16:38 Nanako and the illegal kiss0:20:19 Sapphic/queer elements0:23:02 Mariko and her dad0:28:12 On…

Caitlin, Alex, and Peter check in on an absolutely packed Spring season and it’s many good dads, rap battles, and games of volleyball! 0:00:00 Intros0:02:45 Skeleton Knight in Another World0:03:35 Trapped in a Dating Sim0:05:27 Tomodachi Game0:06:42 The Greatest Demon Lord is Reborn as a Typical Nobody0:07:59 Ya Boy Kongming!0:13:36 SPY x FAMILY0:2…

Dee, Vrai, and Peter look back at Winter 2022’s hidden gems and many disappointing endings! 0:00:00 Intros0:02:47 Love of Kill0:03:29 Akebi’s Sailor Uniform0:05:47 Miss KUROITSU from the Monster Development Department0:06:10 Life with an Ordinary Guy Who Reincarnated as a Total Fantasy Knockout0:10:23 Salaryman’s Club0:17:25 ORIENT0:19:16 Tokyo 24t…

Vrai, Mercedez, Chiaki, and special guest Diana continue their watchalong with episodes 16-23 of the quintessential anime melodrama, Dear Brother! 0:00:00 Intros0:03:23 Content/seizure warnings0:04:29 Flower language check-in0:07:03 Henmi0:10:22 Prediction0:12:01 Everyone is gay and Class S origins0:15:32 Translation issues0:17:36 Mariko0:21:58 Nan…

Vrai, Mercedez, Chiaki, and special guest Diana continue their watchalong with episodes 8-15 of the quintessential anime melodrama, Dear Brother! 0:00:00 Intros0:01:50 Mariko apologia0:02:45 Content and photosensitivity warnings0:04:32 Nanako and Tomoko0:07:37 More Mariko apologia0:14:08 Food0:15:33 Kaoru0:17:38 Where is this school?0:21:00 Flower …

Vrai, Mercedez, Chiaki, and special guest Diana begin their watchalong of the quintessential anime melodrama, Dear Brother! 0:00:00 Intros0:02:34 Epilepsy and content warnings0:06:00 Licensing issues0:09:17 Summary0:10:51 Riyoko Ikeda0:16:00 Diana’s anime origin story0:18:52 The European boarding school phenomena0:22:43 Nanako and Tomoko0:29:46 Mar…

Dee, Mercedez, and Peter check in on the Winter 2022 season. 0:00:00 IntrosPit of Shame0:02:27 Police in a PodRed Flags0:06:22 Love of Kill0:08:35 Akebi’s Sailor UniformYellow Flags0:10:37 Slow Loop0:11:36 Miss KUROITSU from the Monster Development Department0:16:11 Life with an Ordinary Guy Who Reincarnated into a Total Fantasy Knockout0:17:15 In …

Vrai, Chiaki, and Samantha look back on the 2006 genderswap romcom Kashimashi Girl Meets Girl! 0:00:00 Intros0:01:07 Background and personal experiences0:08:47 Hazumu0:13:49 Anime Works subtitles0:16:21 Hazumu’s dad0:18:49 Asuta0:21:02 The alien0:22:01 Yasuna0:24:57 The polycule arc0:26:11 Hazumu’s false dichotomy0:28:21 Alternate endings, broader …

Caitlin, Vrai, and Dee wrap up the last 11 episodes of their Soul Eater rewatchalong with big themes and final thoughts! 0:00:00 Intros0:01:55 Recap0:05:53 Reactions0:07:55 Anime ending vs manga context0:14:23 Kids vs adults0:24:10 Madness and evil0:33:42 Romance0:37:33 Baby’s first cosmic horror0:43:03 Gender dynamics0:49:19 Igurashi, shonen, and …