A-1 Pictures has produced a wide variety of anime, from series designed for mass appeal to more experimental works where creators are allowed to push the boundaries of the stories they tell. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's connection to Aniplex as well as its reputation within the anime community. Then, they pick their top five A-1 Pictures a…

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Andrew Liptak, a historian and member of the 501st Legion, to discuss the history of cosplay. They break down 'Cosplay: A History,' his book detailing how cosplay became a mainstream force and what it says about the relationships fans have with the stories they love. Then, they talk about the intersection of cosplay a…

Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the anime adaptations of two works by Taiyo Matsumoto: 'Tekkonkinkreet' and 'Ping Pong the Animation.' They discuss Matsumoto's career as a mangaka, including the broad range of topics he covers and how he crafts narratives that are simultaneously grounded in reality and remarkably imaginative. Then, they explore the…

Ionatan and Ravi discuss Ionatan's weekend at Anime NYC 2024! They cover panels for 'Dandadan' with Kensuke Ushio and 'Haikyu!!' as well as a screening of 'Macross Plus' with Shoji Kawamori. Then, they have a broader conversation about what they look forward to most when attending anime conventions and plans for future live podcast appearances.…

What makes an original work stand out as opposed to an adaptation? Ionatan and Ravi discuss their love of original projects where artists can creatively express themselves before giving their personal recommendations for the best original anime that the medium has to offer. They cover various original titles including popular entries such as 'Death…

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this summer! They discuss a surprisingly deep season full of incredible productions, from the return of 'Oshi no Ko' and 'Monogatari' to romantic comedies like 'Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian' and 'Too Many Losing Heroines!' to adaptations that elevate their source ma…

Science fiction makes use of futuristic concepts in order to deliver prescient stories about humanity and the trajectory of society. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the history and development of science fiction both globally and in Japan. Then, they dive into three series that highlight the diversity of the genre, including explorations of the intersecti…

Ionatan and Ravi are back for another tournament arc, this time filling out a couple ship bracket! They discuss what aspects of romantic relationships in anime resonate with them and why shipping can be a contentious topic among many fandoms before debating which of the top 32 couples deserves to come out on top.…

Production I.G is a prolific studio known for its extensive catalog of works in the science fiction and sports genres. Ionatan and Ravi discuss how roots at Tatsunoko Production combined with the unprecedented success of 'Ghost in the Shell' enabled a unique company structure compared to the rest of the industry. Then, they pick their top five Prod…

'Vinland Saga' is a modern classic that uses the historical setting of the Viking Age to tell a thought-provoking epic. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, breaking down each season in the anime adaptation of Makoto Yukimura's manga by discussing the meticulous crafting of the world, the wide variety of compelling characters, and how the na…

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this spring! They discuss how varied this anime season is, from studio changes for the 'KonoSuba' and 'Yuru Camp' sequels as well as the 'Spice and Wolf' remake to new series such as 'Kaiju No. 8' and 'Wind Breaker' to the return of Kyoto Animation's 'Hibike! Euphonium.'…

Bones is synonymous with a high level of quality, whether that is showcased in action sequences in popular battle shounen or in bringing to life creative original works. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's founding by Sunrise staff members and how their early works like the 'Cowboy Bebop' movie and 'Fullmetal Alchemist' laid the foundation for fu…

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Zach Logan, host and founder of The One Piece Podcast, to discuss anime podcasting. They cover the early days of the podcast and how it's grown over the past 15 years to now have a wide variety of guests, related podcasts, and even a documentary filmed in Japan. Then, they talk about what makes 'One Piece' such a belo…

Mari Okada is one of the most prolific writers in the anime industry, known not only for screenplay and series composition roles but also for her work as a mangaka and director. Ionatan and Ravi discuss Mari Okada's personal story as told in her autobiography before giving some overarching thoughts on her extensive writing credits. Then, they explo…

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Aurélie Petit, a doctoral candidate in film studies at Concordia University, to discuss the intersection between technology, gender, and sexuality as it relates to anime. They break down her research on the history of animated pornography, how online anime communities have developed exclusionary practices towards wome…

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this winter! They discuss the popularity of 'Solo Leveling,' the combination of classic fantasy and cooking in 'Dungeon Meshi,' the continuation of their shoujo adventures with 'A Sign of Affection,' and why 'Metallic Rouge' has been such a disappointment.…

Ionatan and Ravi prepare for the season of love with a Valentine's Day anime special! They begin by discussing their dislike of the consumerism surrounding Valentine's Day and giving some background on how the holiday is celebrated in Japan. Then, they pick their favorite anime episodes to watch this time of the year from series such as 'Toradora!'…

Ionatan and Ravi take a look back at anime in 2023! They give their final thoughts on each season from the previous year, engage in their annual rant about the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, and pick their winners for each award category from best opening to anime of the year.

What makes for a particularly compelling anime movie? Ionatan and Ravi discuss how they approach critically watching films compared to television series before giving their personal recommendations for the best standalone movies that the medium has to offer. They cover a pair of Satoshi Kon works in 'Tokyo Godfathers' and 'Perfect Blue,' Mamoru Hos…

Ionatan and Ravi round out 2023 by answering listener questions from the mailbag. They discuss the differences between original works and manga adaptations, the best and worst casts in anime, their favorite first episodes in the medium, and much more! Then, they take a look back at the third year of the podcast.…

Ionatan and Ravi discuss highlights from Ionatan's recent trip to Japan! They first cover Ravi's weekend at Anime NYC 2023, including spending time with the podcast community and attending panels for series like 'Lycoris Recoil' and 'Great Pretender.' Then, they break down the cultural experiences, food, and encounters with anime content from three…

CloverWorks is a relatively new studio that has established itself quickly within the anime industry over the past few years. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's origins at A-1 Pictures and subsequent combination of co-productions, adaptations, and original works. Then, they pick their top five CloverWorks anime, from the massively successful 'Bo…

'Attack on Titan' is one of the most important anime franchises of the modern age, telling a dark fantasy epic that is responsible for bringing anime into global mainstream culture. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, breaking down each season in the anime adaptation of Hajime Isayama's manga from the Fall of Shiganshina to the War for Para…

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this fall! They discuss a pair of anime of the year contenders in 'Frieren' and 'The Apothecary Diaries,' whether 'Spy x Family' needs constant plot progression and character development, and the visually stunning but otherwise lackluster 'Undead Unluck.'…

Ionatan and Ravi prepare for the spooky season with a Halloween anime special! They begin by discussing their own Halloween memories and giving some background on how the holiday is celebrated in Japan. Then, they pick their favorite anime to watch this time of the year, from 'Soul Eater' and 'Hellsing Ultimate' to 'Mononoke' and 'Devilman: Crybaby…

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Roland Kelts, a writer and professor at Waseda University, to discuss the global influence of Japanese pop culture. They break down 'Japanamerica,' his book detailing the American experience with anime and other Japanese cultural exports. Then, they talk about his recent book 'The Art of Blade Runner: Black Lotus' as …

'Akira' is one of the most important science fiction films of all time, with an unmatched cultural impact that changed the anime industry and paved the way for the growth of Japanese culture in the west. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the movie, breaking down its animation and production as well as its themes such as the cyclical nature of destruc…

Ionatan and Ravi are back for another tournament arc, this time filling out a seiyu bracket! They discuss what stands out to them from their favorite voice acting performances and the history of the industry in Japan before debating which of the top 32 anime voice actors deserves to come out on top.

'Haikyu!!' uses volleyball to expertly showcase what draws people to participate in sports and how athletic competition can lead to personal growth via hard work, being part of a team, and overcoming adversity. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, breaking down each season of the anime adaptation by discussing the training arcs and matches t…

White Fox is known for the quality of its visual and light novel adaptations, often demonstrating an understanding of the source material and its appeal to fans. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's founding as well as its success with two massively popular franchises in 'Steins;Gate' and 'Re:Zero.' Then, they pick their top five White Fox anime, …

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this summer! They discuss sequels for 'Jujutsu Kaisen' and 'Mushoku Tensei,' the return of 'Horimiya,' and pleasant surprises such as 'Zom 100' and 'Undead Girl Murder Farce.'

Soundtracks are one of the most important but often underappreciated parts of anime production, having the ability to underscore scenes and characters in an adaptation while evoking strong emotions in the audience. Ionatan and Ravi break down the technical process for score composition as well as the historical context for music in the anime indust…

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Shawn Gann, a voice director and actor at Crunchyroll, to discuss anime dubbing. They talk about Shawn's advocacy for diversity in the industry, the process for voice directing from getting assigned a series to working with actors in the studio, and particularly memorable experiences directing titles such as 'Fruits B…

Ionatan and Ravi prepare for the upcoming months with a summer anime special! They begin by discussing their own summer memories growing up and giving some background on the seasonal customs in Japan. Then, they pick their favorite summer anime episodes and movies to watch this time of the year that make use of tropes like beach and fireworks scene…

Mamoru Oshii is one of the most influential anime directors of all time whose dense and layered works constantly pose thought-provoking questions and touch on philosophical concepts such as dreams and reality, the illusion of peace, and identity. Ionatan and Ravi dive into Mamoru Oshii's filmography, ranging from his early career working on 'Urusei…

'Spice and Wolf' is a unique fantasy that blends adventure and romance with a focus on historically accurate economics in the medieval period. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, breaking down each season of the anime adaptation in terms of Lawrence and Holo's relationship development and the trading concepts that drive the plot of each arc…

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this spring! They discuss their opinions on Makoto Shinkai's 'Suzume' at the top of the episode before diving into a stacked season that includes new standouts like 'Oshi no Ko,' 'Heavenly Delusion,' and 'Skip to Loafer' as well as the return of series like 'Demon Slayer' and 'Kono…

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Lynzee Loveridge, executive editor at Anime News Network, to discuss the role that news sources play in the anime industry. They talk about Lynzee's career trajectory in different departments at Anime News Network, how news sources serve the broader anime community, and her other work writing, covering conventions, an…

What does it mean for anime to be labeled as trash? Ionatan and Ravi discuss the term before giving their personal recommendations for anime that they concede are lacking from a critical perspective but like anyways, from the magical girl Fate spinoff 'Prisma Illya' to isekai like 'No Game No Life' to various ecchi like 'Food Wars!' and 'Prison Sch…

Music anime deliver emotional stories about human relationships and character development tied together by vivid and memorable sound. Ionatan and Ravi describe their personal connection to instruments and music before looking at what common themes underlie anime about music and make it resonate with people so deeply. Then, they dive into three seri…

MAPPA has become one of the biggest powerhouses in the modern anime landscape, growing rapidly from a studio founded for creative freedom to a corporate site for large franchises. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's varied productions as well as its reputation for tight schedules, egregiously low pay for animators, and a culture of overwork that …

'Hunter x Hunter' is a standout battle shounen that blends unique worldbuilding, endearing characters, and one of the best power systems in all of anime. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, discussing each arc in the 2011 anime adaptation of Yoshihiro Togashi's manga from the Hunter Exam to the 13th Hunter Chairman Election. Along the way, …

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this winter! They discuss the return of 'Vinland Saga,' the production issues plaguing 'NieR:Automata,' and the revitalization of a classic in 'Trigun Stampede' before debating whether or not this is a slow start to the year for the anime industry.…

Ionatan and Ravi take a look back at anime in 2022! They give their final thoughts on each season from the previous year, engage in their annual rant about the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, and pick their winners for each award category from best opening to anime of the year.

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by CHEFPK to discuss the intersection of food and anime. They cover CHEFPK's journey from culinary school to cooking on YouTube as well as how traveling to and eating in Japan shaped his career. Then, they dive into CHEFPK's creative process, including the methodology for making recipes based on anime and other projects …

Ionatan and Ravi round out 2022 by answering listener questions from the mailbag. They discuss animation industries outside of Japan, video game anime adaptations, their favorite characters in the medium, and much more! Finally, they take a look back at the second year of the podcast.

Ionatan and Ravi ring in the holiday season with a Christmas anime special! They begin by discussing their own Christmas memories and giving some background on how the holiday is celebrated in Japan. Then, they pick their favorite Christmas anime episodes and movies to watch this time of the year including Kyoto Animation's 'The Disappearance of Ha…

Ionatan and Ravi share their convention stories from Anime NYC 2022! They discuss the exciting events they were able to attend this year, from Hajime Isayama's interview about 'Attack on Titan' to various Studio Trigger, Wit Studio, and Studio Orange panels to a special 'Kaguya-sama' preview screening. Then, they break down their first live podcast…

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Colleen's Manga Recs to discuss shoujo and josei anime and manga. They cover the rapid rise of Colleen's YouTube channel, lessons that audience members can learn from shoujo, and misogyny in the anime and manga community. Then, they dive into why 'Chihayafuru' is such a special series and what other shoujo and josei p…

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this fall! They begin by discussing 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' and 'Tatami Time Machine Blues,' two series that already finished airing. Then, they dive into an incredibly stacked season of anime, from the highly anticipated 'Chainsaw Man' and 'Mob Psycho 100' to the return of 'Bleac…