Japanimation Station Season 6 - TOMINO-THON!

S6E4 - TOMINO-THON! The Revolutionary Creation of MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM (1979)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Considering Japanimation Station started its life in 2019 as Weekly Suit Gundam – which itself started with a six-part podcast miniseries following Sean and Jonathan discussing every aspect of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series from 1979 – it’s safe to say we’ve already reviewed the legendary ‘First Gundam’ on this show. So for today’s episode, we’re doing something a bit different to celebrate the most crucial turning point in the career of Tomino Yoshiyuki: Narrating the history of the series from its conception through the release of the Gundam movie trilogy, which heralded the dawn of a ‘New Anime Era.’ It’s our most scripted episode to date, as we share original research and writing on the creation and historical impact of Gundam, while also making space to discuss how we see the show itself in the light of our ongoing ‘Tomino-thon’ project. Even if you’ve heard us talk about Gundam many times before, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we look at the original 39 episodes of 1980’s Space Runaway Ideon!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:37

The Making of Gundam ‘79: 0:01:37 – 1:39:41

Eyecatch Break: 1:39:41 – 1:40:27

Dawn of the New Anime Era: 1:40:27 – 2:10:38

End Theme: 2:10:38 – 2:12:47

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Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Follow Japanimation Station on Instagram and Threads @JapanimationStationPodhttps://www.instagram.com/japanimationstationpod/

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

“Tominoson-G Mk. V” – Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku & KAITO. “The World You See” – Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S6E3 - TOMINO-THON! Invincible Steel Man DAITARN 3 (1978) History & Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

“Exhilaration, humor, and pathos” – these are the three pillars Tomino Yoshiyuki outlined in a pre-production memo for the series that became 1978’s Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3. And the 40-episode show that followed very much fulfilled those goals, as this blend of super robot and Kamen Rider-style super hero action – also taking copious influence from the worlds of Star Wars and James Bond – is a fun and, in the end, surprisingly impactful series. It’s also the show where Tomino drilled down and learned how to perfect an episodic TV formula, telling a different and distinct story every week. While it gets off to a slow start, Daitarn 3 gets better and better as it goes on, building to a finale that proves to be one of Tomino’s finest directorial efforts, and which signals the full artistic flourishing of the man who would create Gundam.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we arrive at the dawn of the new anime era: 1979’s legendary Mobile Suit Gundam!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:37

Intro and History: 0:01:37 – 1:27:25

Eyecatch Break: 1:27:25 – 1:28:10

Daitarn 3 Review: 1:28:10 – 2:41:53

End Theme: 2:41:53 – 2:44:02

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Follow Japanimation Station on Instagram and Threads @JapanimationStationPodhttps://www.instagram.com/japanimationstationpod/

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S6E2 - TOMINO-THON! Invincible Super Man ZAMBOT 3 (1977) History & Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Our Tomino-thon reaches its first full review of the season with 1977’s Invincible Super Man Zambot 3, the debut series from a newly independent Sunrise, and the first original show directed in full by Tomino Yoshiyuki. Combining fantastical, episodic ‘super robot’ action with traces of the darker, more psychologically dense storytelling Tomino would eventually be known for, Zambot 3 also sees several members of the future Mobile Suit Gundam team working together for the first time, including character designer Yasuhiko Yoshikazu, mechanical designer Okawara Kunio (who drew the Bandok fortress, the series’ most striking design), and musical composers Watanabe Takeo and Matsuyama Yuji. And it’s the show that would, with its legendarily brutal finale, birth the legend of ‘Kill ‘em All’ Tomino.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we meet the suave Haran Banjō in Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:37

Intro and History: 0:01:37 – 0:51:57

Eyecatch Break: 0:51:57 – 0:52:41

Zambot 3 Review: 0:52:41 – 2:24:13

End Theme: 2:24:13 – 2:26:22

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Follow Japanimation Station on Instagram and Threads @JapanimationStationPod https://www.instagram.com/japanimationstationpod/

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S6E1 - Tomino-thon Begins! The Origins of Tomino Yoshiyuki, including MIGHTY ATOM and TRITON OF THE SEA

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Our Tomino-thon kicks off with a history-focused episode exploring the origins of Tomino Yoshiyuki leading up to the creation of his first full original series, Zambot 3 (which we’ll be reviewing next week). Where did this mad creative genius come from, and what was he up to in the years before he earned his ‘Kill ‘em all’ moniker? This episode takes us from the political climate in Japan during Tomino’s college years, to Tomino’s time at Mushi Pro becoming one of the most prolific episode directors on Tezuka Osamu’s Mighty Atom (aka Astro Boy), to his first directorial project, a (very loose) adaptation of Tezuka’s Triton of the Sea manga. We explore how he became known as the anime industry’s ‘wandering storyboard man’ in the 1970s, and end with the creation of the studio that became Sunrise, Tomino’s creative home for the bulk of his career. It’s a very fun, extremely informative episode that lays the foundation for the season to come.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review Invincible Super Man Zambot 3, the show which first earned Tomino his ‘kill ‘em all’ moniker!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:37

Intro and Tomino Origins Part 1: 0:01:37 – 0:16:30

Mighty Atom/Astro Boy: 0:16:30 – 0:59:04

Tomino Origins Part 2: 0:59:04 – 1:09:25

Eyecatch Break: 1:09:25 – 1:10:37

Triton of the Sea: 1:10:37 – 1:48:23

Wrap-up: 1:48:23 – 1:54:54

End Theme: 1:54:54 – 1:57:03

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Follow Japanimation Station on Instagram and Threads @JapanimationStationPodhttps://www.instagram.com/japanimationstationpod/

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Season 6 Preview - Japanimation Station Returns for our TOMINO-THON on March 15th, 2026

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Sun, 1 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Japanimation Station returns on March 15th, 2026 for its 6th season, and it’s one listeners have been demanding for a long time: our Tomino-thon! Throughout 2026, we’ll be peering into the delightfully deranged mind of Tomino Yoshiyuki, creator of Mobile Suit Gundam, which kicked off this entire podcast journey with our ‘Weekly Suit Gundam’ series back in 2019. Now, we’ll be returning to the world of Tomino with deep dives into every TV series and film he’s ever directed. In this special preview episode, we outline the season’s first half, “The New Anime Era,” in which we’ll be analyzing each of Tomino’s shows from 1977’s Invincible Super Man Zambot 3 through 1984’s Heavy Metal L-Gaim. Season 6 Part 1 will run for 12 episodes uninterrupted through May. After a summer break, we’ll then return in the fall for a second half picking up with 1985’s Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. Will you be able to survive?

Enjoy, and we hope to see you here for the season premiere on March 15th. Episodes will premiere on YouTube on Sundays at 6pm CT, and release on Mondays on podcast platforms everywhere.

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

“Welcome to Japanimation Station” – Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku. “Ice” – Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E34 - MISS KOBAYASHI’S DRAGON MAID: A LONELY DRAGON WANTS TO BE LOVED Movie Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 3 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000

We’re back in Kyoto again to look at another new work from our friends at Kyoto Animation: Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants To Be Loved, the feature film sequel to the beloved (and bizarre) slice-of-life TV comedy. Originally directed by Takemoto Yasuhiro in its first season before his tragic death in the 2019 arson attack, the series originally returned for a second season directed by KyoAni stalwart Ishihara Tatsuya, who again takes the helm for this film sequel. But with a more focused and bombastic story centering on the character Kanna, with much of the action taking place in the dragon realm, A Lonely Dragon Wants To Be Loved proves an even better fit for Ishihara’s talents than the TV series was, making for a surprisingly exciting and affecting film that delivers astonishing animation and some big emotional reactions. With the film now having screened in the US thanks to Crunchyroll, we break it all down, and look forward to the next era of Kyoto Animation as this one draws to a close.

Enjoy!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:12 – 0:52:17

Eyecatch Break: 0:52:17 – 0:53:01

Movie Review: 0:53:01 – 2:04:08

End Theme: 2:04:08 – 2:05:09

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

“Welcome to Japanimation Station” – Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku. “Happily Ever After” – Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E33 - CITY: THE ANIMATION Review & Discussion - Another KyoAni Masterpiece

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 05:00:00 +0000

After spending a full year chronicling the history of Kyoto Animation in 2024, we’re back for a brief return trip to review CITY: THE ANIMATION, the latest anime series from the renowned studio. Directed by Violet Evergarden helmer Ishidate Taichi and based on the manga Nichijou author Arawi Keiichi, CITY is one of the absolute greatest series KyoAni has produced to date, a return not only to Arawi’s zany comic stylings, but to the bold, experimental spirit of KyoAni’s early work. Seamlessly blending wild, anarchical comedy with heartfelt, shockingly rich storytelling about friendship, nostalgia, and community, CITY isn’t just a triumph: it’s an outright masterpiece, and we couldn’t be happier to talk about it at length on today’s show.

Enjoy!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:12 – 1:03:52

Eyecatch Break: 1:03:52 – 1:04:37

City the Animation Review: 1:04:37 – 3:29:08

End Theme: 3:29:08 – 3:30:10

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S2.5E6 - DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA THE MOVIE – INFINITY CASTLE Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Demon Slayer is back in theaters with its second original movie after the record-breaking success of 2020’s Mugen Train, and the latest installment – Part I of the planned Infinity Castle trilogy, adapting the final arc of Gotouge Koyoharu’s manga – is proving every bit as popular, breaking box office records in Japan and now in America. That’s for good reason: Infinity Castle is an incredible film, depicting three major battles across its 155-minute runtime, and executing on all of it at the same insanely high level we’ve come to expect from ufotable over the years. This is a film with some of the most jaw-dropping animated spectacle you’ll ever see in a theater, but as always, its heart is with the characters, their backstories, and their interiority, and this film’s focus on the villain Akaza proves to be some of the most effective material in the life of the entire series. We talk about all of it and more, including the terrific vocal performances and killer soundtrack, as Kimetsu no Yaiba truly kicks off the beginning of the end.

Enjoy! We will be back with more special one-off episodes soon, with our next major season – Tomino-thon – currently in the works behind the scenes!

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

“Welcome to Japanimation Station” – Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku. “Rolled Into One” – Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

Weekly Suit Gundam #63 – Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 1 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000

The latest Gundam TV series, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, wrapped up its 12-episode run this week, which means Weekly Suit Gundam is back to break it all down! A collaboration between Sunrise and the Otaku madmen at Studio Khara – including director Tsurumaki Kazuya, writer Enokido Yoji, and Evangelion creator Anno Hideaki himself – GQuuuuuuX returns to the Universal Century for an alternate-history story in a world where Char Aznable, not Amuro Ray, got in the Gundam; but it’s also a brand new tale about three kids living in the aftermath of this revised history on Side 6. Those two impulses – Gundam fan service and telling an all-new story – don’t always sit naturally together within this short run, and while GQuuuuuuX is an undeniably gorgeous production, with outstanding character designs, animation, music, and action, we’re not sure whether or not it holds together as its own fully realized corner of the Gundam universe.

Enjoy, and be sure to join us later this year for the next season of Japanimation Station, where we will be surveying all the works in the career of original Gundam creator Tomino Yoshiyuki!

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Original Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/

S5E13 - DRAGON BALL DAIMA Review: The Delightful 2024 Dragon Ball Isekai Anime

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 9 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Our Grand Tour comes full circle for its final stop, as we return to the world of Dragon Ball – and the premise of Goku becoming a kid again – for the latest installment in the franchise, and the last supervised by Toriyama Akira himself: Dragon Ball Daima! Like other recent Dragon Ball stories overseen by the original author, Daima revisits concepts from earlier anime-original works – in this case, Dragon Ball GT’s broad premise of Goku being turned into a kid and going on a big journey to reverse it – but now with Toriyama’s authorial touch. In the case of Daima, that means a ton of great character-driven humor, an extremely rich setting in the Demon Realm, and a handful of wonderful new characters. All of it is brought to life with some of the best animation, voice acting, music, and action to ever grace the franchise, from a big group of Dragon Ball veterans and artists new to the series. The result is one of Dragon Ball’s finest hours in animation, and a perfect final tribute to the singular work of Toriyama Akira.

Enjoy, thanks for listening throughout this season, and we will see you all again this fall for Season 6!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Intro and History: 0:01:15 – 1:33:27

Eyecatch Break: 1:33:27 – 1:34:07

Dragon Ball Daima Review: 1:34:07 – 2:58:43

Season 5 Wrap-up: 2:58:43 – 3:19:28

Season 6 Preview: 3:19:28 – 3:27:16

End Theme: 3:27:16 – 3:29:07

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

“Romantikku Ageru Yo” – Composed by Ike Takeshi, Lyrics by Yoshida Takemi, Original Arrangement by Tanaka Kōhei; cover Arranged and Produced by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S5E12 - BERSERK: THE SWORD WIND ROMANCE Review: OLM’s 1997 Anime Masterpiece

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 2 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Our Grand Tour finally arrives at one of the most-requested shows in the history of Japanimation Station: the 1997 adaptation of Miura Kentaro’s seminal manga masterpiece, Berserk! Created by OLM – best known for their decades of work on the Pokémon anime – this 25-episode series adapts the Golden Age arc of Miura’s manga, brilliantly employing a ‘limited animation’ style reminiscent of the works of Dezaki Osamu. With outstanding scripts, inspired direction, and some of the best voice acting we’ve ever had the pleasure to discuss, the series is a truly remarkable feat of adaptation, doing Miura’s work justice in so many ways.

Enjoy, and come back next week for the final installment of our Grand Tour, as we come full circle back to the world of Toriyama Akira for this year’s incredible DRAGON BALL DAIMA!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Intro and History: 0:01:15 – 1:52:44

Eyecatch Break: 1:52:44 – 1:53:28

Berserk Review: 1:53:28 – 3:51:09

End Theme: 3:51:09 – 3:52:39

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

“Welcome to Japanimation Station” – Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku. “ice” – Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com

S5E11 - DIRTY PAIR 2 & PROJECT EDEN Reviews: The Sequel OVA & Film by Sunrise

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 26 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Our dirty pair of Dirty Pair episodes continues this week with a look at the theatrical feature film and cavalcade of OVAs that followed in the wake of the original TV series. Dirty Pair was so popular on the home video market that it got two feature-length OVAs – 1985’s Affair of Nolandia and 1995’s Flight 005 Conspiracy – and an entire ‘second season’ of 10 TV-length episodes, known as Dirty Pair 2. There is some fantastic stuff among these home video releases, but the real highlight today is the 1986 feature film, Project Eden, one of the most spectacularly produced anime of the 1980s that feels a lot more like a feature-length music video than it does a conventional narrative. Whether it truly works as a Dirty Pair story is something we debate, but there’s no disagreement that’s an absolutely eye-popping tour-de-force of synesthesia.

Enjoy, and come back next week for something completely different, as we look at the classic 1997 adaptation of Miura Kentaro’s seminal Berserk! At least it is true that podcasters have no control, even over their own will…

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Intro and History: 0:01:15 – 0:18:44

Affair of Nolandia OVA: 0:18:44 – 0:44:55

Eyecatch Break: 0:44:55 – 0:45:34

Project Eden Movie: 0:45:34 – 2:10:24

Dirty Pair 2 OVA: 2:10:24 – 3:11:27

Flight 005 Conspiracy OVA: 3:11:27 – 3:29:28

End Theme: 3:29:28 – 3:30:29

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S5E10 - DIRTY PAIR Review: The Outrageous Original 1985 Series by Sunrise

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 19 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Our Grand Tour takes us back to outer space for the irreverent sci-fi comedy classic Dirty Pair! Produced by the amazing talent at Sunrise and inspired by the light novels by Takachiho Haruka, Dirty Pair chronicles the adventures of Kei and Yuri, two 19-year-old ‘trouble consultants’ for the WWWA, who travel the galaxy solving problems, sometimes so aggressively they create many new ones. The original 26-episode TV series is a model of great episodic storytelling, with a series of stories that are fun, zany, clever, and sometimes even a little bit heartfelt. It’s also one of the most insanely 1980s shows ever made, from the fashion to the music to the animation, and while it bears certain similarities to other caper-driven franchises like Lupin the Third, there’s truly nothing else quite like Dirty Pair!

Enjoy, and come back next week as we continue our Dirty Pair adventures with the 1986 film Project Eden, the 1987 OVA series Dirty Pair 2, and more!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Intro and History: 0:01:15 – 1:24:02

Eyecatch Break: 1:24:02 – 1:24:41

Dirty Pair Review: 1:24:41 – 3:56:13

End Theme: 3:56:13 – 3:57:15

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S5E9 - GUNBUSTER: AIM FOR THE TOP! Review: The Classic 1988 Anime OVA by Gainax

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 12 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Before Anno Hideaki and the team at Studio Gainax changed the course of anime history with Neon Genesis Evangelion, they produced Gunbuster, aka Aim for the Top!, a 6-episode OVA with some of the era’s most spectacular animation, and an overwhelming amount of personality. A mash-up of sports shows, mecha anime, high-concept sci-fi, and American 80s movies like Top Gun, there’s nothing else quite like Gunbuster, and across its 6 episodes, the series showcases a huge range of ideas, themes, tones, and even styles, with the finale shifting to a truly astounding use of widescreen, black-and-white imagery. Join us as we dive into not only this great series, but the fascinating history of Anno and Gainax up to this point.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we begin a two-week journey through the wild and wacky world of the 80s classic DIRTY PAIR!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Intro and History: 0:01:15 – 1:06:22

Eyecatch Break: 1:06:22 – 1:07:07

Gunbuster Review: 1:07:07 – 2:14:18

End Theme: 2:14:18 – 2:15:49

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S5E8 - AZUMANGA DAIOH: THE ANIMATION Review: The Slice-of-Life 2002 Anime by J.C. Staff

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 5 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Our Grand Tour now takes us to the turn of the century, and the dawn of modern comedy anime, with the classic series Azumanga Daioh: The Animation! Based on the celebrated four-panel manga by Azuma Kiyohiko, which has proven itself one of the most influential series to the last 25 years of comedy manga, the TV series is a landmark in its own right, helping to crack the code of how anime can adopt short, gag-driven, mostly plotless comedy manga, and in so doing helping to birth the ‘slice-of-life’ genre now beloved around the world. Historical import aside, the show is also just a ton of fun, with a memorable group of characters we follow throughout their high school years, and a tremendous vocal cast giving consistently hilarious performances. It makes for an episode where we ourselves can’t stop laughing as we talk about the show – and that’s always a good sign.

Enjoy, and come back next week as our Grand Tour takes us back out into space for the classic Studio Gainax OVA Gunbuster: Aim for the Top!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Intro and History: 0:01:15 – 1:01:34

Eyecatch Break: 1:01:34 – 1:02:18

Azumanga Daioh Review: 1:02:18 – 3:01:13

End Theme: 3:01:13 – 3:02:15

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S5E7 - YU-GI-OH! ‘Season Zero’ Review: The Forgotten 1998 Anime by Toei Animation

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Takahashi Kazuki’s Yu-Gi-Oh! is a worldwide phenomenon that needs no introduction, since the anime has been airing in one incarnation or another every week for the past 25 years, and the card game is still going strong. But this week, our Grand Tour takes us to the most mysterious corner of the Yu-Gi-Oh! kingdom, and one many listeners probably haven’t seen before: The original 1998 anime by Toei Animation, which ran for 27 episodes and one short film, adapting the first 7 volumes of Takahashi’s manga. After airing on Japanese TV and releasing on VHS, the series has never been re-released, re-aired, dubbed, or distributed in any form, meaning it only survives through fan preservation efforts. And that preservation is very much worthwhile, because while this Yu-Gi-Oh! is an uneven, aesthetically wonky, and frequently bizarre series, it’s also a deeply endearing one with a lot worth recommending, especially for fans of Takahashi’s original manga and the material that never made it into the second, more famous anime adaptation. It also has an absolutely killer voice cast, both in the main ensemble and for the weekly guest stars, with a line-up of absolutely legendary seiyuu doing fantastic work. Like Yugi himself, this little show packs a whole lot of heart.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Intro and History: 0:01:15 – 1:42:06

Eyecatch Break: 1:42:06 – 1:42:51

Welcome to the N.H.K. Review: 1:42:51 – 3:32:41

End Theme: 3:32:41 – 3:33:42

Enjoy, and come back next week as we return to the dawn of the slice-of-life comedy anime with 2002’s Azumanga Daioh: The Animation!

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S5E6 - WELCOME TO THE NHK Review: The Paranoid 2006 Anime by Gonzo

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000

This week, our Grand Tour takes us to one of the most unique series we’ve ever covered: Gonzo’s 26-episode cult classic Welcome to the N.H.K.! Based on the 2002 novel by Takimoto Tatsuhiko, this 2006 series explores Japan’s hikkikomori (social withdrawal) phenomenon, modern Otaku culture, internet-era suicide pacts, and many more contemporary issues, doing it all with startling clarity, immense empathy, and a whole lot of very wacky humor. It’s a finger-on-the-pulse series for Japan in the mid-2000s, but one with many resonances for viewers all over the globe, leading to a rich and engaging conversation between our hosts. There is no other show out there quite like Welcome to the N.H.K. – it almost feels like a conspiracy…

Enjoy, and come back next week as we watch the Yu-Gi-Oh! series The Man doesn’t want you to see: the original 27-episode Toei anime from 1998 (a.k.a. “Season Zero”).

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Intro and History: 0:01:15 – 1:09:15

Eyecatch Break: 1:09:15 – 1:10:01

Welcome to the N.H.K. Review: 1:10:01 – 3:43:42

End Theme: 3:43:42 – 3:45:12

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S5E5 - The ANIMERAMA Trilogy: A Thousand & One Nights, Cleopatra, and Belladonna of Sadness Reviews

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Our Grand Tour reaches one of its strangest destinations this week as we complete our trilogy of Tezuka Osamu-themed episodes with a look at the Animerama Trilogy, a collection of three experimental animated films for adults created by Mushi Productions between 1969 and 1973. Coinciding with the Japanese New Wave movement and the rise of ‘Pink Films,’ these movies are stylistically anarchic, occasionally graphic, and range from irreverent and immature to startlingly sophisticated. Consisting of 1969’s A Thousand & One Nights, 1970’s Cleopatra, and 1973’s Belladonna of Sadness, all directed by Yamamoto Eiichi, these films were part of a global wave of efforts to make elaborate feature animation aimed squarely at adults, and while none were successful enough to pull Mushi Pro out of bankruptcy, they have endured as a fascinating experiment from a time when anime was still finding itself – and the last film, Belladonna of Sadness, is absolutely a masterpiece within its own right.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we put on our tin-foil hats, get paranoid, and watch the classic 2006 anime Welcome to the N.H.K.!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Intro and History: 0:01:15 – 0:31:21

A Thousand & One Nights Review: 0:31:21 – 1:26:29

Eyecatch Break 1: 1:26:29 – 1:27:14

Cleopatra Review: 1:27:14 – 2:09:43

Eyecatch Break 2: 2:09:43 – 2:09:59

Belladonna of Sadness Review: 2:09:59 – 3:25:21

End Theme: 3:25:21 – 3:26:22

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S5E4 - MAPPA's DORORO Review – The 2019 Modern Anime Remake

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 7 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Fifty years after the original Dororo aired on TV, MAPPA brought Tezuka Osamu’s Dororo roaring into the 21st century with a radically different take – and it’s the next stop on our exciting Grand Tour! With a reimagined conception of Hyakkimaru, expanded roles for characters like Daigo Kagemitsu and Tahomaru, and a striking modern animation style, MAPPA’s Dororo is a worthy reinterpretation of a classic, and a fascinating point of comparison to the original. While our hosts disagree slightly on how effective they found the series’ overall approach, it comes highly recommended from both, and we enjoyed breaking it all down on today’s episode.

Enjoy, and come back next week as look at one of the strangest corners of Tezuka Osamu’s empire, and of anime in general: The Animerama film trilogy, consisting of 1969’s A Thousand & One Nights, 1970’s Cleopatra, and 1973’s Belladonna of Sadness.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:16

Intro and History: 0:01:16 – 1:12:03

Eyecatch Break: 1:12:03 – 1:12:50

Dororo 2019 Review: 1:12:50 – 3:06:10

End Theme: 3:06:10 – 3:07:11

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S5E3 - Tezuka Osamu’s DORORO Review: The 1969 Original Mushi Pro Anime

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Our Grand Tour now takes us back to the first decade of anime, and to the work of the ‘God of Manga’ himself, the one and only Tezuka Osamu! The creator of series like Mighty Atom, Black Jack, and Princess Knight, Tezuka’s Mushi Productions pioneered TV anime as we know it today, and Dororo is one of the towering achievements of their 1960s output. Based on the unfinished manga by Tezuka, and directed by the great Sugii Gizaburō, Dororo is a singular samurai drama about a wandering swordsman, Hyakkimaru, who battles demons to restore the 48 missing parts of his body sacrificed by his warlord father. Along the way, he meets a young thief named Dororo, and their many adventures make for some of the earliest manga and anime to directly engage with adult themes and imagery. Like the manga, Dororo on TV had some production shake-ups, essentially changing directions halfway through when Sugii departed the series amidst disagreements with Tezuka, but make no mistake: this is one anime you do not want to miss.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we leap 50 years ahead to 2019 to talk about MAPPA’s recent re-interpretation of Dororo!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Intro to Tezuka Osamu: 0:01:15 – 0:55:24

Eyecatch Break: 0:55:24 – 0:56:09

Dororo History & Review: 0:56:09 – 3:32:24

End Theme: 3:32:24 – 3:33:54

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S5E2 - DRAGON BALL GT Review Part 2: Super 17 & Shadow Dragon Sagas (Eps. 41-64)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Our Grand Tour continues with the second half of Dragon Ball GT, which marked the end of the 18-year ‘Toriyama Block’ on Fuji TV, and the end of new Dragon Ball stories on TV until Dragon Ball Super nearly 20 years later. The first few episodes here cover the ‘Super Android 17’ Arc, which is probably the very worst bit of Dragon Ball ever created, but the ‘Shadow Dragons’ Saga has always had more mixed reception, including some vocal defenders. What do Sean and Jonathan make of it? Well, we aren’t so hot on that one either, despite some good ideas and individual strong moments throughout. Still, diagnosing what ails Dragon Ball GT continues to make for a fascinating and fun conversation.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we return to the dawn of anime with one of the great works by Japan’s ‘God of Manga,’ Tezuka Osamu, and the 1969 series Dororo!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:16

Intro and History: 0:01:16 – 0:51:03

Eyecatch Break: 0:51:03 – 0:51:50

Dragon Ball GT Review: 0:51:50 – 2:53:33

End Theme: 2:53:33 – 2:54:34

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

S5E1 - DRAGON BALL GT Review Part 1: Black Star Dragon Ball & Baby Sagas (Eps. 1-40)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Our new season begins with a blast from the past, as we return to the 90s for an in-depth look at Dragon Ball GT, the 64-episode, anime-only extension of Toriyama Akira’s classic series. While GT has always proven divisive among Dragon Ball fans, Sean and Jonathan have never made it all the way through – and doing so turns out to be a bit of a challenge, because as much as we both love all things Dragon Ball, this particular entryis not our cup of tea. Despite the regularly fantastic vocal cast, strong animation including character designs from the great Nakatsuru Katsuyoshi, and a promising premise with a miniaturized Son Goku travelling the universe in search of Dragon Balls, the series is a creative mess, with frequently threadbare storytelling, terrible background music, and disappointing action. In this first episode, we discuss the Black Star Dragon Ball and Baby Arcs, which takes us through a few creative high points on our way to Super Saiyan 4 – but this is not, suffice it to say, our favorite stop on our Grand Tour.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the rest of Dragon Ball GT with episodes 41-64 and the Super 17 and Shadow Dragon Sagas.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:12

Intro and History: 0:01:12 – 1:33:34

Eyecatch Break: 1:33:34 – 1:34:19

Dragon Ball GT Review: 1:34:19 – 3:53:18

End Theme: 3:13:54 – 3:54:21

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Weekly Suit Gundam #63 – Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 3 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Gundam is back, which means Weekly Suit Gundam returns once more, thanks to this weekend’s release of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- in American theaters. The film, which collects the first few episodes of the upcoming GQuuuuuuX TV series, is the result of an exciting, long-awaited collaboration behind the Otaku madmen at Studio Khara, including Neon Genesis Evangelion creator Anno Hideaki and Gainax veterans Tsurumaki Kazuya and Enokido Yoji. The result is every bit as exciting as one would expect, a spectacular production that radically reworks Gundam history even as it forges a bold new path for the franchise. -Beginning- is a fantastic theatrical experience that bodes very well for the show to come, and after seeing these 80 minutes, we are extremely excited to see more in April.

Enjoy, and be sure to join us for Season 5 of Japanimation Station, our anime ‘Grand Tour,’ when it premieres on March 16th, 2025!

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Original Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/

Bonus - THE COLORS WITHIN (Kimi no Iro) Film Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

The latest film from Kyoto Animation veteran Yamada Naoko – known for K-On!, A Silent Voice, and Tamako Market – arrived in American theaters courtesy GKids this weekend, and both Sean and Jonathan made trips to the theater to check it out. Now working with Science SARU, Yamada’s voice is as singular as ever, and while The Colors Within returns to some familiar narrative territory for the director – high-school students forming a band – the way this story is told is singular. It’s an aggressively low-key, gentle narrative about quiet but profound emotions, and it builds to a musical climax that is an absolute knockout – one we couldn’t resist recording a podcast about.

Enjoy! And please look forward to Season 5 of Japanimation Station, our ‘Grand Tour’ of anime, which we are excited to announce will be premiering Sunday, March 16th, 2025!

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

“Welcome to Japanimation Station” – Original Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Thomas Lack and Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku; “ICE” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2.5E5 - Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 4: Hashira Training Arc Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 05:00:00 +0000

The fourth and potentially final TV season of the hit anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba aired its fourth season this summer, adapting and expanding on the “Hashira Training Arc” of Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga. We weren’t able to review this season right when it finished due to work on our massive Kyoto Animation project, but now that we’re between seasons we thought it was time to talk once more about one of our favorite ongoing anime. These episodes adapt a very short slice of the manga, expanding on it in really wonderful ways to give us a final stretch of in-depth character development before the chaos of the Infinity Castle Arc, which will be produced as a film trilogy in the coming years. As always, ufotable’s adaptational choices are really smart and interesting to talk about, and it all builds to a season finale that’s one of the best episodes in the show’s history.

Enjoy! We’ll be going on a bit of a hiatus for now as we work on SEASON 5 of Japanimation Station, our ‘Grand Tour’ through a variety of anime, which will be premiering later this winter.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Hashira Training Arc Review Part 1: 0:01:15 – 1:06:24

Eyecatch Break: 1:06:24 – 1:06:47

Hashira Training Arc Review Part 2: 1:06:47 – 2:19:08

End Theme: 2:19:08 – 2:20:09

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

“Welcome to Japanimation Station” – Original Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Thomas Lack and Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku; “Rolled Into One” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

Weekly Suit Gundam #62 – Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM Movie Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Weekly Suit Gundam makes its triumphant return to review the long-awaited Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, the film sequel to the first Gundam anime of the 21st century: Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny. We are big fans of the original SEED on this podcast, and were driven slightly insane by Destiny, so seeing director Mitsuo Fukuda and the original cast and crew come back together for a final adventure, based on story material left behind by the late Chiaki Morosawa, is extremely cathartic, especially since the film they made is so astonishingly great. Now that it’s finally dropped in the US on Netflix (albeit in a strange dub-only release – we would encourage listeners to, uh, *search elsewhere* for the original Japanese), we’re free to talk about the film at length, diving into the incredible action, surprisingly potent storytelling, and how the movie finally does right by Kira, Lacus, Shinn, and all the other great characters left in tatters by Destiny.

Enjoy, and join us next week for another bonus episode of Japanimation Station, where we’ll be reviewing the Hashira Training Arc season of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.

Read Jonathan Lack’s movie reviews and stay up to date with all our podcast projects at https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to PURELY ACADEMIC, our monthly variety podcast about movies, video games, TV, and more: https://purelyacademic.simplecast.com

Read Jonathan’s book 200 Reviews in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Subscribe to our YouTube channels!

Japanimation Station: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Purely Academic: https://www.youtube.com/@purelyacademicpodcast

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

S4E32 - Kyoto Animation Tier List and Reflecting on our Kyoto Vacation

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 2 Sep 2024 05:00:00 +0000

It’s the final episode of our Kyoto Vacation season, an incredibly, unexpectedly long journey that’s lasted almost a full year! For this Season Finale, we thought we’d take stock of all the incredible anime we’ve seen from the incredible artists at Kyoto Animation. We make a Tier List of all the TV series and movies we watched this season, create a KyoAni drinking game based on the most common visuals and tropes we noticed across the studio’s work, and declare our favorite shows, characters, episodes, and more. And at the end of the episode, we announce not one, but two new seasons of Japanimation Station: Season 5, premiering this winter, and Season 6, premiering in 2025. What will they be? You’ll have to listen to find out!

Enjoy, and come back next week for the long-awaited, one-week-only return of Weekly Suit Gundam, as we finally review MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Reflections: 0:01:30 – 0:31:14

Tier List: 0:31:14 – 1:02:53

Picking Favorites & KyoAni Drinking Game: 1:02:53 – 1:52:50

Season 5 Announcement: 1:52:50 – 2:05:38

Season 6 Announcement: 2:05:38 – 2:07:55

End Theme: 2:07:55 – 2:09:09

Make your own Kyoto Animation Tier List here https://tiermaker.com/create/japanimation-stations-kyoto-vacation-17327185

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Welcome to Japanimation Station” – Original Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Thomas Lack and Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E31 - MISS KOBAYASHI’S DRAGON MAID Review (2017/2021 Kyoto Animation TV Series)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

It’s the penultimate episode of our Kyoto Vacation season, and while we wait to board the plane back to America, we’ve got one last show to review: Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, which aired two seasons in 2017 and 2021. A delightfully silly and surprisingly sweet slice-of-life comedy an office worker and the extra-dimensional dragon who’s infatuated with her, the first season was directed by the great Yasuhiro Takemoto, before his tragic death in the 2019 arson attack that took the lives of so many Kyoto Animation artists. The second season, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S, was finished by the studio’s other stalwart veteran director, Tatsuya Ishihara, as the first series the studio had back on the air after the attack. It’s a great show in both incarnations, different in some notable ways based on the personalities of the two directors, but more than anything, the series attests to the artistry and humanity of Kyoto Animation, and their resilience in continuing to create in the wake of such overwhelming loss.

Enjoy, and come back next week for the FINAL episode of the season, as we take a look back at our entire Kyoto Vacation, create a tier list of KyoAni shows, and announce Seasons 5 and 6 of Japanimation Station!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro & History: 0:01:30 – 0:44:12

Eyecatch Break: 0:44:12 – 0:44:49

Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid Review: 0:44:49 – 2:34:28

End Theme: 2:34:28 – 2:35:59

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “ice” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E30 - VIOLET EVERGARDEN: THE MOVIE Review (2020 Film)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

The 7th and final part of our epic Kyoto Vacation is titled“Through Rain or Shine: The Life and Times of Violet Evergarden,” and in today’s episode we reach the end of that story with Violet Evergarden: The Movie. And what a movie it is. Here is a film that made at least one of our hosts ugly cry, and deeply affected both of us. An outstanding masterpiece of a movie on its own terms, and a tremendous conclusion to the Violet Evergarden story, director Taichi Ishidate and screenwriter Reiko Yoshida both outdo themselves here, telling a tale about guilt, death, love, and acceptance, and doing it with nearly unparalleled artistry. It is as profound a work as Kyoto Animation has ever created, and one of the best animated films we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing on this show.

Enjoy, and come back next week for the penultimate episode of the season, where we’ll be discussing Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, the other major KyoAni series that straddles the horrific arson attack that devastated the studio.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro & History: 0:01:30 – 0:57:45

Eyecatch Break: 0:57:45 – 0:58:23

Violet Evergarden The Movie Review: 0:58:23 – 3:29:57

End Theme: 3:29:57 – 3:31:26

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“re:CAPTURE” and “ice” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E29 - VIOLET EVERGARDEN GAIDEN: ETERNITY AND THE AUTO-MEMORY DOLL Review (2019 Film)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

The 7th and final part of our epic Kyoto Vacation continues with the first Violet Evergarden film, Eternity and the Auto-Memory Doll! It is a ‘Gaiden’ side-story that plays like a longer, lusher episode of the TV series, where Violet comes into a client’s life and not only helps them write the perfect letter, but in so doing helps them make a major personal breakthrough. And this time, she does it twice, as the film takes the surprising step of resetting halfway through with a major time jump, and the flipside of the story we see in the first half. It’s a remarkable film, boldly and beautifully directed by Haruka Fujita in her feature directorial debut, and the first KyoAni production animated in 2.35:1 widescreen, making for one of the most overwhelmingly gorgeous things we’ve reviewed so far.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of the final piece of the Violet Evergarden saga, the aptly but confusingly named second film Violet Evergarden: The Movie!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro & History: 0:01:30 – 0:34:57

Eyecatch Break: 0:34:57 – 0:35:34

Violet Evergarden Gaiden Review: 0:35:34 – 2:35:27

End Theme: 2:35:27 – 2:36:58

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“re:CAPTURE” and “ice” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E28 - VIOLET EVERGARDEN Review (2018 Kyoto Animation TV Series)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 5 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

The 7th and final part of our epic Kyoto Vacation is titled“Through Rain or Shine: The Life and Times of Violet Evergarden,” which means we finally get to dive into an anime we’ve wanted to review for years: Violet Evergarden, the 2018 series based on the acclaimed novels by Akiko Takase. It is, as you’ve probably heard, a masterpiece, a departure in setting and storytelling from many KyoAni works, but tonally and emotionally something a return to their early Key adaptations like Air and Clannad. A mix of anthological storytelling about different characters in need of letter-writing and a serialized narrative about the eponymous child soldier turned auto-memory doll, Violet Evergarden is a powerful, profound, and stupendously beautiful triumph that leads to one of our longest episodes ever – but if any series deserves this much discussion, it’s this one.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of the first Violet Evergarden movie, Eternity and the Auto-Memory Doll!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro & History: 0:01:30 – 1:26:03

Eyecatch Break: 1:26:03 – 1:26:41

Violet Evergarden Review: 1:26:41 – 4:17:08

End Theme: 4:17:08 – 4:18:39

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

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“re:CAPTURE” and “ice” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E27 - SOUND! EUPHONIUM 3 Review (Season 3, 2024 Kyoto Animation TV Series)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Part 6 of our Kyoto Vacation comes to an end today with the third and final season of Sound! Euphonium, which also happens to be the most recent production from Kyoto Animation, having finished airing just a few weeks ago! This season (and the accompanying Ensemble Contest OVA) tells the story of Kumiko’s final year in High School and the Kitauji Band’s last shot at taking the Gold at Nationals, and it proves to be a divisive set of episodes amongst our hosts. Sean loved it just as much if not more than the previous seasons, finding it a thoughtful and touching portrait of the cyclical realities of high school life as a teacher, while Jonathan found it mostly frustrating in its thematic gaps, narrative repetition, and lack of focus on the music or performance. Our in-house composer and musical expert Thomas Lack joins to help moderate, and it makes for a really engaging, deep discussion that goes beyond just talking about the anime itself.

Enjoy, and come back on August 4th for the premiere of the seventh and final part of our Kyoto Vacation, “Through Rain or Shine: The Life and Times of Violet Evergarden,” the last set of episodes for this season of the podcast.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro, History, and Ensemble Contest OVA: 0:01:30 – 0:43:32

Eyecatch Break: 0:43:32– 0:44:09

Sound! Euphonim the Movie Review: 0:44:09 – 2:44:36

End Theme: 2:44:36 – 2:46:06

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Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

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Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “ice” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E26 - SOUND! EUPHONIUM THE MOVIE: OUR PROMISE – A BRAND NEW DAY Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 8 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Part 6 of our Kyoto Vacation continues with the second Sound! Euphonium movie, and the one that directly follows on the events of the TV show to continue the story of Kumiko in her 2nd year at Kitauji. And it may be the most divisive episode of the season so far, as although Sean loved the film and found it a compelling exploration of Kumiko moving into her role as senpai to a new group of first-years, Jonathan was mostly unmoved, finding the film narratively insubstantial and awkwardly structured. But it makes for a really great conversation that helps us arrive at what the core of Sound! Euphonium is, the differences between the source material and Kyoto Animation’s adaptation, and what exactly it is we do – or don’t – respond to in this series.

Enjoy, and come back next week for the final episode of Part 6, as we review the just-completed Sound! Euphonium season 3, including the Ensemble Contest OVA.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro & History: 0:01:30 – 0:21:33

Eyecatch Break: 0:21:33– 0:22:09

Sound! Euphonim the Movie Review: 0:22:09 – 2:00:54

End Theme: 2:00:54 – 2:02:25

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Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

“re:CAPTURE” and “ice” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E25 - LIZ AND THE BLUE BIRD Review (2018 Kyoto Animation Film)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 1 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Part 6 of our Kyoto Vacation is titled ‘Yamada Naoko Strikes Back; or, I Have no Voice and I Must Sound! Euphonium,’ and in this week’s episode, both halves of that title meet, and then some. We are discussing the 2018 film Liz and the Blue Bird, a spin-off/side story to the main Sound! Euphonium narrative, focusing on the oboe and flute players Mizore and Nozomi as they navigate their unusual, fraught friendship while rehearsing a major solo for the Kansai competition. With an entirely different visual aesthetic and Yamada Naoko’s unmistakable voice shining through in every frame, Liz and the Blue Bird stands tall all on its own as a singular masterpiece, and to fully break down just how great the film is, we’ve brought in Jonathan’s concert-band-veteran brother, Thomas – also Japanimation Station’s in-house composer – as a guest on today’s episode.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we dive into Kumiko’s second year at Kitauji High with the awkwardly titled 2019 film Sound! Euphonium: The Movie – Our Promise: A Brand New Day.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro & History: 0:01:30 – 0:47:16

Eyecatch Break: 0:47:16– 0:47:52

Liz and the Blue Bird Review: 0:47:52 – 3:06:29

End Theme: 3:06:29 – 3:07:59

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “ice” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E24 - SOUND! EUPHONIUM Season 2 Review (2016 Kyoto Animation TV Series)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Part 6 of our Kyoto Vacation continues with Sound! Euphonium 2, the aptly titled second season of Kyoto Animation’s beloved adaptation of Takeda Ayano’s novels. This batch of episodes picks up right where the first left off, with the students of the Kitauji High Concert Band working hard to make it to Nationals, but this time working through a lot more interpersonal drama. Where the first season focused on protagonist Kumiko’s relationship with trumpet prodigy Reina, Season 2 follows Kumiko’s encounters with estranged oboe and flute players Mizore and Nozomi, and the fraught journey of the mysterious third-year Euphonium player Asuka. It’s another great set of episodes, and while Jonathan was very slightly less impressed than Sean, his concert band veteran brother Thomas writes in with a sternly-worded letter to set him straight.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of the Sound! Euphonium spin-off film, Naoko Yamada’s Liz and the Blue Bird!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro & Review Part 1: 0:01:30 – 0:44:32

Eyecatch Break: 0:44:32 – 0:45:10

Sound! Euphonium 2 Review: 0:45:10 – 3:03:40

End Theme: 3:03:40 – 3:05:10

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

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Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “ice” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E23 - SOUND! EUPHONIUM Season 1 Review (2015)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Part 6 of our Kyoto Vacation is titled ‘Yamada Naoko Strikes Back; or, I Have no Voice and I Must Sound! Euphonium.’ And from here on, we’re looking at the second half of that title, as we review Kyoto Animation’s beloved adaptation of Takeda Ayano’s Sound! Euphonium novels (co-directed, of course, by the one and only Yamada Naoko). In today’s episode, we’re looking at the 13 episodes (and 1 OVA) of the show’s first season, from 2015, a spectacular stretch of television that sees KyoAni taking on perhaps its biggest animation challenge yet: Meticulously, lovingly, and accurately drawing an entire concert band’s worth of instruments as they are practiced and performed. They rise to the challenge, of course, while also delivering a huge ensemble of characters with an extremely intense relationship at the show’s core, making for a very special season of TV indeed.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we make our way to Nationals with the second season of Sound! Euphonium!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro & History: 0:01:30 – 1:10:15

Eyecatch Break: 1:10:15 – 1:10:52

Sound! Euphonium Review: 1:10:52 – 2:46:59

End Theme: 2:46:59 – 2:48:29

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

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“re:CAPTURE” and “ice” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E22 - A SILENT VOICE (Koe no Katachi) 2016 Movie Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome back for Part 6 of our Kyoto Vacation, entitled ‘Yamada Naoko Strikes Back; or, I Have no Voice and I Must Sound! Euphonium.’ And while most of this part will deal with the second half of that title, today’s subject is all about the aforementioned Yamada Naoko, the Kyoto Animation wunderkind behind K-On! and Tamako Market, and the director of what might well be the best thing we’ve watched all season: The 2016 movie A Silent Voice – aka The Shape of Voice – based on the manga by Ōima Yoshitoki. It’s an absolute masterpiece, a stunningly animated story tackling some very intense subject matter – including bullying and suicidal ideation – with incredible amounts of empathy, sensitivity, humor, and humanity.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of the first season of Sound! Euphonium.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro & History: 0:01:30 – 0:54:31

Eyecatch Break: 0:54:31 – 0:55:09

A Silent Voice Review: 0:55:09 – 3:24:29

End Theme: 3:24:29 – 3:25:59

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “ice” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E21 - LOVE, CHUUNIBYO & OTHER DELUSIONS! TAKE ON ME Movie Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 6 May 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Part 5 of our Kyoto Vacation, “Kyoto Animation’s Splendid Isolation,” comes to a close with one last adventure with the characters of Love, Chuunibyo, and Other Delusions, in their 2018 movie, Take on Me! The film finds Rikka and Yuta off on a journey across Japan as they ‘elope’ after Rikka’s big sister Toka plans to move her to Italy for her final year of high school. Many hijinks ensue, and while Sean and Jonathan are again slightly divided on how effective the storytelling is, as they were with season 2, we enjoy celebrating just what a funny, lively production the film is, and the strong ending it delivers this great group of characters.

Enjoy, and come back in June for the premiere of Part 6 of our Kyoto Vacation, where we’ll be reviewing the film A Silent Voice before leaping into the world of Sound! Euphonium.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Review Part 1: 0:37:18

Eyecatch Break: 0:37:18 – 0:37:55

Review Part 2: 0:37:55 – 1:53:47

End Theme: 1:53:47 – 1:54:48

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Rolled Into One” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E20 - MYRIAD COLORS PHANTOM WORLD Review (2016 Kyoto Animation TV Anime)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000

We are back for a particularly ‘colorful’ episode of Part 5 of our Kyoto Vacation, “Kyoto Animation’s Splendid Isolation,” with our review of 2016’s Myriad Colors Phantom World. While this series isn’t one of KyoAni’s ‘masterpiece’ shows, it might just be their most underrated. A madcap comedy packed with wall-to-wall creativity, vivid characters, and a smarter and more emotionally engaging structure than viewers might first realize, Myriad Colors is a consistent delight, with its second half in particular delivering one great episode after another. Sadly, the show flopped upon release and has been unfairly dismissed as a major creative misfire, meaning it’s due a real re-evaluation, which we hope today’s show kicks off!

Enjoy, and come back next week for the end of Part 5 with our review of the Love, Chuunibyo, and Other Delusions ‘finale’ movie, Take On Me!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:30 – 0:44:54

Eyecatch Break: 0:44:54 – 0:45:32

Myriad Colors Phantom World Review: 0:45:32 – 2:58:15

End Theme: 2:58:15 – 2:59:16

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Rolled Into One” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E19 - LOVE, CHUUNIBYO & OTHER DELUSIONS! ~HEART THROB~ Review (Season 2, 2014)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000

We are back for Part 5 of our Kyoto Vacation, “Kyoto Animation’s Splendid Isolation,” and today we return to the wacky world of Love, Chuunibyo, and Other Delusions for its second season, Heart Throb! This second batch of episodes sees Rikka and Yuta struggling with what it means to be a couple when another chuunibyo friend from Yuta’s past enters the picture, and while both Sean and Jonathan agree it’s an extremely funny, well-directed set of episodes with plenty of laughs and memorable moments, there’s a bit of a divide between how effective we think the core plotline is, with Jonathan loving it all the way through and Sean finding it lacking. Either way, this remains a delightful show, and a very enjoyable one to talk about.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of all 13 episodes of Myriad Colors Phantom World!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro, History, and Rikka’s Version Movie: 0:01:30 – 0:40:01

Eyecatch Break: 0:40:01 – 0:40:39

Chuunibyo Season 2 Review: 0:40:39 – 2:45:53

End Theme: 2:46:53 – 2:46:53

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Rolled Into One” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E18 - BEYOND THE BOUNDARY Review (2013 Kyoto Animation TV Anime + Movie)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000

We are back for Part 5 of our Kyoto Vacation, entitled “Kyoto Animation’s Splendid Isolation,” and today we’re discussing what might be the worst series the fine folks at KyoAni have ever made: 2013’s Beyond the Boundary, a show that is as beautifully animated as anything the studio has ever produced, but suffers from generic (and sometimes incoherent) storytelling, flat characters, and a frustratingly repetitive and off-putting sense of ‘comedy.’ It also has a feature film follow-up, 2015’s I’ll Be Here, which is even more stunningly animated, but also somehow even more maddening as a piece of storytelling. It’s a strange show, but a fascinating one to talk about.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of the second season of Love, Chuunibyo, and Other Delusions – Heart Throb!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Beyond the Boundary Review: 0:01:30 – 1:30:13

Eyecatch Break: 1:30:13 – 1:30:51

I’ll Be Here Movie Review: 1:30:51 – 2:23:26

End Theme: 2:23:26 – 2:24:28

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

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Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Rolled Into One” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E17 - TAMAKO MARKET (2013 TV Series) & TAMAKO LOVE STORY (2014 Movie) Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 8 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000

We are back for Part 5 of our Kyoto Vacation, entitled “Kyoto Animation’s Splendid Isolation,” and today we’re discussing the next series made by the ladies behind K-ON!, 2013’s Tamako Market! An entirely original creation by Naoko Yamada and Reiko Yoshida, Tamako Market is a strange, singular, and sweet slice-of-life series about the daughter of a mochi-shop owner and the many oddballs she encounters in daily life, including a talking bird from a mysterious island kingdom named Dera. Sean and Jonathan are split on just how effective the TV show itself is – Sean loves it, while Jonathan found it a little hit-or-miss – but we are in complete agreement about the 2014 film follow-up, Tamako Love Story, which adopts a slightly different tone and focus and delivers a true directorial tour-de-force from Naoko Yamada. It’s one of the best things we’ve watched this season, and that’s saying something.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of 2013’s Beyond the Boundary and its feature film sequel, I’ll Be Here!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Tamako Market Review: 0:01:30 – 1:43:36

Eyecatch Break: 1:43:36 – 1:44:14

Tamako Love Story Review: 1:44:14 – 3:07:45

End Theme: 3:07:45 – 3:08:46

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

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Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E16 - LOVE, CHUUNIBYO & OTHER DELUSIONS! Review (Season 1, 2012)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 1 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000

We are back for Part 5 of our Kyoto Vacation, entitled “Kyoto Animation’s Splendid Isolation,” where we will be looking at the period in the 2010s when KyoAni took complete control of their source material and began creating anime based on light novels they themselves published! That effort began with 2012’s Love, Chuunibyo & Other Delusions!, a series that starts out as a very funny, very silly odd-couple comedy between a boy trying to leave his youthful obsessions behind and a girl still embroiled in playing pretend, before gradually becoming a startlingly rich, incredibly touching story about how fiction and fantasy help us process grief. It’s another Kyoto Animation home run, one that sneaks up on the viewer but lands its punches with startling power. We discuss the 12-episode first season from 2012 in today’s episode, but will be back later in Part 5 to discuss the show’s second season and movie sequel.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of Tamako Market and its feature film follow-up, Tamako Love Story!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:30 – 0:45:52

Eyecatch Break: 0:45:52 – 0:46:29

Chuunibyo Season 1 Review: 0:46:29 – 2:40:53

End Theme: 2:40:53 – 2:41:55

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

Special Episode - Remembering Akira Toriyama & Ranking Dragon Ball Story Arcs

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Akira Toriyama, creator of Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, and illustrator of the Dragon Quest franchise, passed away this week at the age of 68. His influence on our lives, like those of millions around the world, has been incalculable, so we’re devoting today’s entire show to discussing his incredible body of work and the way it changed anime, manga, video games, and global popular culture. We discuss how we first discovered Dragon Ball, why he was such a peerless mangaka, read some of the statements that have poured in from other manga authors and Dragon Ball collaborators, and respond to some listener comments. And after that, we bring back a segment from 2022 in which Sean and Jonathan rank all the story arcs in the Dragon Ball franchise, giving us a chance to dive into and celebrate his most famous work.

Enjoy.

Time Chart (JS)

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:15

Remembering Akira Toriyama: 0:01:15 – 2:12:41

Ranking Dragon Ball Story Arcs: 2:12:41 – 3:12:07

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Subscribe to JAPANIMATION STATION, our sister series about the wide, wacky world of anime: https://www.youtube.com/c/japanimationstation

Explore our archives and subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcasting platforms:

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Music by Thomas Lack https://www.thomaslack.com/

S4E15 - HYOUKA Review (2012 Kyoto Animation TV Anime)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Part 4 of our Kyoto Vacation is called “My Ordinary Life is a Mystery to be Lived,” and today’s second part tackles the ‘Mystery’ part of that title with 2012’s singular slice-of-life mystery anime HYOUKA! Adapted from the ‘Classic Literature Club’ novels by Honobu Yonezawa, Hyouka follows ‘energy conservationist’ Hotaro Oreki as he tries to glide through high school without giving anything much effort, only to be drawn into the orbit of the perpetually curious Eru Chitanda, with whom he begins solving low-stakes mysteries left and right. It’s an amazing and very unique story, and it’s brought to life with perhaps the most beautiful animation in the history of TV anime – which sounds like hyperbole until one lays eyes on this amazing series, which is another certified masterpiece from Kyoto Animation.

Enjoy, and come back in two weeks on March 10th for Part 5 of the season, and our review of the 2012 anime Love, Chunibyo, and Other Delusions!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:30 – 0:49:30

Eyecatch Break: 0:49:30 – 0:50:08

Hyouka Review: 0:50:08 – 3:26:51

End Theme: 3:26:51 – 3:27:53

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E14 - NICHIJOU: My Ordinary Life Review (2011 Kyoto Animation TV Anime)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Part 4 of our Kyoto Vacation is called “My Ordinary Life is a Mystery to be Lived,” and we begin with one of Kyoto Animation’s most beloved cult classics, and also perhaps the weirdest show ever made: Nichijou, based on the manga by Keiichi Arawi, which follows three high-school girls, a genius child inventor, the robot big sister she invents for herself, a talking cat, and many more increasingly strange characters in a very bizarre world of madcap, gorgeously-animated comedy. Nichijou is purely gag-focused, more than any show we’ve reviewed here before, but it's also incredibly creative and wildly accomplished as an animation production, and gives us a ton to talk about. We go over the show’s history, discuss what makes it so special, and each count down our Top 10 Favorite Nichijou Segments!

Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of Hyouka, the equally-singular slice-of-life mystery show from 2012!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:30 – 0:46:47

Eyecatch Break: 0:46:47 – 0:47:22

Nichijou Review: 0:47:22 – 1:43:44

Top 10 Nichijou Segments: 1:43:44 – 3:00:22

End Theme: 3:00:22 – 3:01:24

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E13 - K-ON! The Movie Review (2011 Kyoto Animation Film)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Part 3 of our Kyoto Vacation is‘Moe Money, Moe Problems: After School Tea-Time with the Girls of K-On!’ And today, we’re finishing our journey with Hokago Tea Time by following the girls to London for an overseas adventure in K-On! The Movie. Released in 2011 to more or less unprecedented success for this type of anime, the feature film continuation of the series is one of the franchise’s finest hours, lushly animated, absolutely hilarious, and incredibly heartfelt, revisiting the events of the series finale to deepen the perspective of the original four club members – Yui, Ritsu, Mio, and Mugi-chan – on a bigger scale than we ever saw in the TV series. It's a fantastic movie, and a great way to close our After School Tea Time adventures.

Enjoy, and come back on February 11th for the start of Part 4 of our Kyoto Vacation, with our review of the comedy classic Nichijou: My Ordinary Life!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:30 – 0:35:47

Eyecatch Break: 0:35:47 – 0:36:22

K-On! The Movie Review: 0:36:22 – 2:28:28

End Theme: 2:28:28 – 2:29:29

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E12 - K-ON!! Season 2 Review (2010 Kyoto Animation TV Series)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Part 3 of our Kyoto Vacation is‘Moe Money, Moe Problems: After School Tea-Time with the Girls of K-On!’ And today, we’re discussing the 27-episode second season from 2010, which follows Yui, Ritsu, Mio, and Mugi-chan in their third and final year of high school, with second-year Azusa facing the prospect of being left behind after they all graduate. It’s an incredible season of TV, filled not only with outstanding episodes, but telling a deeply-felt, beautifully observed story about the transitional moment that is graduation, and how people balance becoming adults while maintaining childhood friendships and passions.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we say goodbye to the light music club with our review of the feature film, K-On! The Movie.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:30 – 0:57:38

Eyecatch Break: 0:57:38 – 0:58:15

K-On!! Review: 0:58:15 – 3:06:28

End Theme: 3:06:28 – 3:07:30

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E11 - K-ON! Season 1 Review (2009 Kyoto Animation TV Series)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Part 3 of our Kyoto Vacation is‘Moe Money, Moe Problems: After School Tea-Time with the Girls of K-On!’ And for the next three weeks, we’re reviewing what may be Kyoto Animation’s most popular series to date: K-On!, the musical slice-of-life anime sensation following the girls of the Sakuragaoka High School light music club! The 14-episode 1st season follows Yui Hirasawa as she learns the guitar and joins bassist Mio Akiyama, drummer Ritsu Tainaka, and keyboardist Tsumugi Kotobuki, ostensibly to play and practice music, but mostly to drink tea and eat snacks. The season follows the characters’ first two years of high-school, with another guitarist, Azusa Nakano, joining in their second year, and of course includes the greatest teacher in the history of fiction, Sawa-chan-sensei, as their unorthodox club leader. It’s a beautifully animated, stupendously funny, extremely sweet season of television with some great music, and the debut directorial work of the great Naoka Yamada – and an absolute pleasure to talk about on the podcast.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the second season – with two exclamation points – K-On!!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:30 – 0:52:29

Eyecatch Break: 0:52:29 – 0:53:04

K-On! Review: 0:53:04 – 3:13:54

End Theme: 3:13:54 – 3:14:56

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://www.jonathanlack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E10 - THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA Movie Review (2010)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

It’s December 25th, and Christmas has finally come to Otaku Town – and with it, the final episode of Part 2 of our Kyoto Vacation. For today’s very special episode, we are finishing our journey through the world of Haruhi Suzumiya with the 2010 film The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, the nearly-three-hour climactic story in Kyoto Animation’s beloved adaptation of Nagaru Tanigawa’s light novels. It’s an absolute masterpiece of a film, telling its story of Kyon waking up in a world without the SOS Brigade patiently and tenderly, and building to a series of incredibly powerful emotional climaxes. It is also a truly beautiful Christmas movie in the vein of A Christmas Carol or It’s a Wonderful Life, and one of the very best of its kind, making it the perfect film to celebrate the holiday and ring out what has been a very big 2023 for Japanimation Station!

Have a Happy New Year, and we will see all of you in 2024 for Part 3 of our Kyoto Vacation, “Moe Money, Moe Problems: After School Tea Time with the Girls of K-On!”

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:31

Intro and History: 0:01:31 – 0:38:17

Eyecatch Break: 0:38:17 – 0:38:54

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya Review: 0:38:54 – 3:12:20

End Theme: 3:12:20 – 3:13:22

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

「コイノMIKUルデンセツ」- Music by Satoru Kosaki, Lyrics by Yutaka Yamamoto, Arranged by Thomas Lack feat. Hatsune Miku

“Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E09 - THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA Season 2 Review (2009 Chronological Order)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Part 2 of our Kyoto Vacation chronicles ‘When Christmas Came to Otaku Town,’ and that holiday is drawing ever nearer with Season 2 of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Aired in 2009, this season collected the 14 episodes originally produced in 2006, re-arranges them in the story’s chronological order, and then intersperses 14 new episodes amidst them, to make for a new 28-episode version of the series. We already talked about 8 of those episodes in last week’s in-depth, extra-long breakdown of the infamous ‘Endless Eight’ arc, and in this episode, we look at the one-off episode “Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody,” the 5-part “Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya,” and discuss how this series plays viewed in chronological order in this specific 28-episode package. One thing’s for sure: When it comes to Haruhi Suzumiya, nothing happens exactly as expected, and there are surprises around every corner.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the final chapter of the Haruhi saga, the 2010 film The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:31

Intro, History, and Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody: 0:01:31 – 0:47:37

Eyecatch Break: 0:47:37 – 0:48:12

The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya Review: 0:48:12 – 2:02:40

End Theme: 2:02:40 – 2:03:42

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

S4E08 - The Endless Eight Diaries: THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA Season 2

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Part 2 of our Kyoto Vacation chronicles ‘When Christmas Came to Otaku Town,’ and in this episode, we do an extremely deep-dive into the single craziest experiment ever attempted in commercial anime: The infamous ‘Endless Eight’ arc from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Season 2. We will be talking about the rest of that show’s second season from 2009 in next week’s episode, but as we worked our way through these episodes, we realized the Endless Eight were something special, and needed a different approach. Often dismissed as “the same episode repeated eight times,” the Endless Eight is actually a collection of Kyoto Animation’s best directors independently tackling the same basic story, but with completely different animation, voice acting, and music, with a constantly varying tonal and thematic approach, and it makes for a fascinating, perspective-altering work of avant-garde art. To do it justice, we recorded once a day for eight days, watching each of the eight episodes individually and then discussing each at length before moving on to the next one. The result is one of the longest episodes we’ve ever recorded, but also one of the best – and if you haven’t dived into the full ‘Endless Eight’ experience before, we hope this episode makes for the perfect viewing companion.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the rest of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Season 2, in the story’s chronological order!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:31

Intro: 0:01:31 – 0:07:29

Endless Eight I: 0:07:29 – 0:23:17

Endless Eight II: 0:23:17 – 0:43:29

Endless Eight III: 0:43:29 – 1:19:20

Eyecatch Break: 1:19:20 – 1:19:57

Endless Eight IV: 1:19:57 – 2:01:10

Endless Eight V: 2:01:10 – 2:41:24

Endless Eight VI: 2:41:24 – 3:10:09

Endless Eight VII: 3:10:09 – 3:40:42

Endless Eight VIII: 3:40:42 – 4:37:14

End Theme: 4:37:14 – 4:38:16

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

S4E07 - LUCKY STAR Review (2007 Kyoto Animation TV Series)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 6 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Part 2 of our Kyoto Vacation chronicles ‘When Christmas Came to Otaku Town,’ and following the wild success of Haruhi Suzumiya, Kyoto Animation moved on to one of the defining slice-of-life anime comedies, 2007’s Lucky Star! Simultaneously a very dry, down-to-earth ‘atmospheric’ show and an absolutely absurd slice of post-modern anime surrealism, Lucky Star is a singularly entertaining show. Based on the 4-panel manga by Kagami Yoshimizu, Lucky Star in anime form quickly takes on a life of its own as the artists at Kyoto Animation find themselves reacting to the Haruhi Suzumiya phenomenon and the changing shape of anime fandom within the text of the show, and also saw some behind-the-scenes turmoil as original director Yamamoto Yutaka was fired after just 4 episodes. We dive into all of that history, discuss our favorite jokes and characters, and celebrate the delirious insanity that is Lucky Channel on this jam-packed episode!

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the infamous ‘Endless Eight’ episodes from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Season 2!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:30 – 0:38:59

Get F’d Yamamoto Yutaka: 0:38:59 – 1:08:20

Eyecatch Break: 1:08:20 – 1:08:55

Lucky Star Review: 1:08:55 – 3:16:12

End Theme: 3:16:12 – 3:17:14

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E06 - THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA Season 1 Review (2006 Shuffle Order)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Part 2 of our Kyoto Vacation chronicles ‘When Christmas Came to Otaku Town,’ beginning with a look at the first season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Based on the light novels by Nagaru Tanigawa, Haruhi is a seminal work of 21st century anime, with the first 14 episodes from 2006 creating an absolute sensation with major impacts on the future of the industry. It’s also an incredible set of episodes, presented in an out-of-chronology ‘shuffle order’ mixing stories from all over the Haruhi timeline in with a 6-part adaptation of the eponymous first light novel. It’s a structure that throws the viewer in the deep end, but also leads to a deeply compelling engagement with these off-beat characters and their very strange world, one that pays emotional dividends by the end. We talk about all of that, the history of the series, and the idea behind ‘moe’ on this very exciting episode!

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the 2007 ‘slice of life’ comedy Lucky Star!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:31

Intro and History: 0:01:31 – 1:05:34

Eyecatch Break: 1:05:34 – 1:06:12

Haruhi Season 1 Review: 1:06:12 – 3:15:44

End Theme: 3:15:44 – 3:16:46

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

BONUS! Persona 3 The Movie #4 – Winter of Rebirth 10th Anniversary Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

This week marks the 10th anniversary of the first movie based on Persona 3, a game that is one of our all-time favorites here at Japanimation Station. We reviewed each of those films as they released over on The Weekly Stuff Podcast, and hold them in extremely high regard as some of the greatest video game adaptations of all time, in any medium – and an undeniably great work of anime. So this week, as a special Thanksgiving bonus, we’re bringing back our original Persona 3 movie reviews, re-edited and remastered, for Japanimation Station.

That continues today with the fourth and final film, Winter of Rebirth! This conversation was originally recorded on August 21st, 2016. We dive in great depth not only into this final film itself, but also to the series as a whole, and how vastly it has surpassed whatever expectations we initially had. Persona 3 was, is, and shall always be a great game – but this four-part film series has, miraculously, earned a place on the shelf alongside it, something that is a welcome surprise indeed.

Enjoy, happy thanksgiving, and we will be back next week to resume our Kyoto Vacation with our review of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro: 0:01:14 – 0:06:04

Eyecatch Break: 0:06:04 – 0:06:40

Persona 3 Movie 4: 0:06:40 – 1:38:22

End Theme: 1:38:22 – 1:39:25

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station” Original Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku.

“Happily Ever After” Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

BONUS! Persona 3 The Movie #3 – Falling Down 10th Anniversary Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

That continues today with the third film, Falling Down! This conversation was originally recorded on February 16th, 2016, and it finds our investment in these films only growing deeper, as Falling Down tackles one of the trickier stretches of the game to adapt, and finds an incredibly effective lens through which to view the story via the character of Ryoji. If anything, these movies just keep getting better.

Enjoy, and come back tomorrow for our review of the fourth and final Persona 3 movie, Winter of Rebirth!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro: 0:01:14 – 0:04:04

Eyecatch Break: 0:04:04 – 0:04:38

Persona 3 Movie 3: 0:04:38 – 0:52:56

End Theme: 0:52:56 – 0:53:58

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station” Original Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku.

“Happily Ever After” Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

BONUS! Persona 3 The Movie #2 – A Midsummer Knight’s Dream 10th Anniversary Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

That continues today with the second film, A Midsummer Knight’s Dream! This conversation was originally recorded on April 11th, 2015, and the movie left us absolutely shaken, both by its pitch-perfect delivery of one of the most devastating moments from the original game, and by the incredible animation and direction throughout. If the first film was surprisingly great, this is where the Persona 3 film series starts to play its hand as a true anime masterpiece.

Enjoy, and come back tomorrow for our review of the third Persona 3 movie, Falling Down!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro: 0:01:14 – 0:03:32

Eyecatch Break: 0:03:32 – 0:04:07

Persona 3 Movie 2: 0:04:07 – 1:06:12

End Theme: 1:06:12 – 1:07:14

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

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Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station” Original Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku.

“Happily Ever After” Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

BONUS! Persona 3 The Movie #1 – Spring of Birth 10th Anniversary Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

That begins today with the first film, Spring of Birth, originally released this week 10 years ago! This conversation was originally recorded on May 22nd, 2014, and as you’ll hear, the movie took both of us by surprise for just how strong its adaptational choices, animation, and direction were across the board, setting the stage for a 4-part film series that punches far above its weight.

Enjoy, and come back tomorrow for our review of the second Persona 3 movie, A Midsummer Knight’s Dream!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro: 0:01:14 – 0:07:15

Eyecatch Break: 0:07:15 – 0:07:49

Persona 3 Movie 1: 0:07:49 – 1:02:38

End Theme: 1:02:38 – 1:03:40

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

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Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station” Original Music by Thomas Lack, Lyrics by Sean Chapman, featuring Hatsune Miku.

“Happily Ever After” Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E05 - CLANNAD AFTER STORY Review (2008 Kyoto Animation TV Series)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Part 1 of our Kyoto Vacation, ‘Crying is the Key to Happiness,’ comes to a close with Clannad After Story, the second and final season based on the legendary visual novel by Key VisualArts. And after speaking for 3.5 hours about the first season, we somehow go even longer on the second, which follows Tomoya and Nagisa progressing into adulthood and becomes an ever-deeper, richer, and more emotionally impactful experience as it goes along. These are, simply put, some of the finest episodes of anime ever made, from storytelling through all aspects of the production, and it takes a full four-hour podcast to really start sinking our teeth into all of it.

Enjoy! We will be off next week for Thanksgiving, and returning on November 28th for Part 2 of our Kyoto Vacation with our review of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Season 1 in its original ‘shuffle’ broadcast order!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and Review Part 1: 0:01:30 – 1:09:16

Eyecatch Break: 1:09:16 – 1:09:52

Review Continued: 1:09:52 – 3:48:02

End Theme: 3:48:02 – 3:49:04

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E04 - CLANNAD Review (2007 Kyoto Animation TV Series)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 8 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Part 1 of our Kyoto Vacation, ‘Crying is the Key to Happiness,’ continues with 2007’s Clannad, the first entry in a two-series journey adapting the legendary visual novel by Key VisualArts. And it is, immediately, a major artistic leap for Kyoto Animation, a stunningly animated, beautifully written, alternatingly hilarious and poignant portrait of high school friendship and romance. Before we even arrive at the darker, bolder narrative turns of the second season, Clannad After Story, the series’ first half has us wondering if we’re watching one of the greatest anime ever made. This one is the complete package, and we break it all down in detail, sharing the history behind the visual novel and the team at Kyoto Animation behind the anime, breaking down the story, characters, and animation, and generally gushing about a truly incredible work of art.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the second half of the Clannad saga with Clannad After Story!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:30 – 0:50:11

Eyecatch Break: 0:50:11 – 0:50:48

Clannad Review: 0:50:48 – 3:33:36

End Theme: 3:33:36 – 3:34:38

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

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Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E03 - KANON Review (2006 Kyoto Animation TV Series)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 1 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Part 1 of our Kyoto Vacation, ‘Crying is the Key to Happiness,’ continues with our review of Kanon, a fascinating snapshot of two groups of storytellers finding their way: The team at Key VisualArts, for whom Kanon was their first original visual novel, and the artists at Kyoto Animation, who had already made Air the year before, and were now working with double the episode order and an even more confident sense of style. Sean and Jonathan disagree on exactly how effectively it all comes together, but there’s no doubt there’s a lot of artistry and passion on display, and that Kanon is – pardon the pun – a key stepping stone in the Kyoto Animation legend.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the first season of Clannad, one of the most beloved anime of all time!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:30 – 0:52:13

Eyecatch Break: 0:52:13 – 0:52:47

Kanon Review: 0:52:47 – 3:14:09

End Theme: 3:14:09 – 3:15:11

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E02 - AIR Review (2005 Kyoto Animation TV Series)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Part 1 of our Kyoto Vacation kicks off with ‘Crying is the Key to Happiness,’ a series of episodes on Kyoto Animation’s adaptations of the acclaimed visual novels by Key VisualArts. We begin with 2005’s Air, the strange, sad, and surprising tale of a wandering boy, a girl obsessed with dinosaurs, an empathetic crow, and a winged girl in the sky. Air is a hard show to describe, but it’s a powerful watch, adapting the hit visual novel into 12 episodes (and 2 OVAs) that put Kyoto Animation firmly on the map. We discuss the history of Key VisualArts leading up to the creation of Air and tell you all about the KyoAni staff that created the show before diving deep into one of the weirdest, most beautiful, and most devastating shows we’ve ever reviewed.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review Kanon, the 24-episode series based on Key’s first visual novel!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:30

Intro and History: 0:01:30 –

Eyecatch Break: 0:56:43 – 0:57:19

Air Review: 0:57:19 – 3:08:40

End Theme: 3:08:40 – 3:09:42

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S4E01 - The History of Kyoto Animation & Intro to Season 4

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 05:01:00 +0000

Welcome to Japanimation Station’s Kyoto Vacation, the fourth season of our podcast and our biggest adventure yet! We are taking a journey through the works of Kyoto Animation, one of the most respected and beloved anime studios in Japan, reviewing shows like Clannad, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, K-On!, Nichijou, Sound! Euphonium, Violet Evergarden, and much more. But before we talk about any specific works, we wanted to take a step back and discuss the history of Kyoto Animation itself, because it’s a fascinating story stretching back to the earliest days of anime, and one that explains a lot about how the studio came to have the style and structure it is known and respected for. Even if you’ve never watched one of these shows before, this is a story you’ll definitely want to hear, and a great way to kick off our Kyoto Vacation.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review Kyoto Animation’s first original, solo production, 2005’s Air!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:29

Intro and Preview to Season: 0:01:29 – 0:37:35

Eyecatch Break: 0:37:35 – 0:38:11

The History of Kyoto Animation: 0:38:11 – 1:54:12

End Theme: 1:54:12 – 1:55:15

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Read the book 200 Reviews by Jonathan R. Lack in Paperback or on Kindle – https://a.co/d/bLx53vK

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content! https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“re:CAPTURE” and “Happily Ever After” – Original Music & Lyrics by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S3E8 - Lupin III In Live-Action! Strange Psychokinetic Strategy & Jonathan’s Guide to Lupin Music

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 05:00:37 +0000

“Leave it to my psychokinesis.”

The third season of Japanimation Station comes to a close with the jam-packed final installment of The Classic Adventures of Lupin the 3rd! We start by taking a look at Lupin’s first live-action adventure, 1974’s Strange Psychokinetic Strategy. This is one of the earliest Lupin adaptations period, created between the first and second anime before the franchise had become enduringly popular, and it’s a surprisingly creative, if narratively scattershot, madcap comedy, putting Lupin in a white jacket and throwing him into a series of increasingly ludicrous scenarios. Then, Jonathan gives us an exhaustive (maybe even obsessive) guide to the best Lupin the 3rd soundtrack albums and the wide world of Yuji Ohno’s Lupin the 3rd Jazz releases. And finally, Sean and Jonathan play a game drafting all our favorite Lupin characters for a hypothetical heist!

Thanks so much for listening to Season 3 of Japanimation Station. We’ll see you later this fall for the debut of Season 4, Japanimation Station’s Kyoto Vacation, where we’ll be looking at the output of one of anime’s greatest studios, Kyoto Animation!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:20

Strange Psychokinetic Strategy: 0:01:20 – 1:09:05

Eyecatch Break 1: 1:09:05 – 1:09:38

Jonathan’s Guide to Lupin Music: 1:09:38 – 1:50:51

Eyecatch Break 2: 1:50:51 – 1:51:22

Season 3 Wrap-up: 1:51:22 – 2:12:21

Eyecatch Break 3: 2:12:21 – 2:12:49

Lupin Family Draft: 2:12:49 – 2:35:17

Season 4 Preview: 2:35:17 – 2:39:49

End Theme: 2:39:49 – 2:41:04

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S3E7 - Lupin III Before the Millennium: Reviewing Films & Specials 1996-2002

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 05:00:38 +0000

“I guess we do battle tonight, Pops!”

For the penultimate episode of Japanimation Station Season 3, we’re looking at a selection of Lupin the 3rdfilms and specials from the brink of the new millennium! Starting with 1996’s Dead or Alive, a theatrical feature directed by Lupin creator Monkey Punch himself, which sees our favorite thief embroiled in a narratively messy but visually stunning adventure on a very strange island. 1997’s Island of Assassins is a lesser Lupin special, weirdly violent but without any particular bite, while 1998’s Tokyo Crisis is one of our absolute favorites, a Zenigata-led, uproariously funny comedy with fantastic guest performances by Megumi Hayashibara and Kōichi Yamadera. And finally, we end our examination of Lupin the 3rd anime with 2002’s Episode 0: The First Contact, an origin story caper for the entire Lupin gang that sees the franchise taking its early steps into digital animation, with mixed results.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our season 3 finale, where we’ll be reviewing the 1974 live-action Lupin adaptation, Strange Psychokinetic Strategy, and celebrating all this season’s Lupintic adventures!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:20

Intro: 0:01:20 – 0:15:04

Dead or Alive: 0:15:04 – 1:15:59

Eyecatch Break 1: 1:15:59 – 1:16:33

Island of Assassins: 1:16:33 – 1:45:56

Eyecatch Break 2: 1:45:56 – 1:46:18

Tokyo Crisis: 1:46:18 – 2:32:12

Eyecatch Break 3: 2:32:12 – 2:32:37

Episode 0 First Contact: 2:32:37 – 3:08:44

End Theme: 3:08:44 – 3:09:59

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S3E6 - Lupin III in Transition: Reviewing Films & Specials 1987-1995

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 9 Aug 2023 05:00:53 +0000

“I can’t just ignore a lovely lady with a big Diamond.”

As Lupin the 3rd rounded the corner of the 1980s into the 1990s, the character and the series was in a period of transition. The 1987 OVA film The Fuma Conspiracy featured some of the franchise’s greatest animation, but also had a completely different voice cast than Japanese fans had come to know and love. The series went back to the tone and style of Part II for the 1989 Osamu Dezaki-directed TV special Bye Bye Lady Liberty, with Yasuo Yamada, the original voice cast, and the red jacket in tow, and it was a huge success, creatively and commercially, kicking off an annual string of feature-length TV specials that continued through 2013, including 1993’s Voyage to Danger, which saw the one-time-only return of Part I director Masaaki Osumi to the franchise. Sadly, Yasuo Yamada grew ill and passed away in 1995, just before the release of the first theatrical film in 10 years, Farewell to Nostradamus, with Kanichi Kurita stepping into those impossibly large shoes as his replacement, and doing such an amazing job that he continues to voice Lupin to this day! We cover all 4 of these feature-length Lupin experiences in today’s episode, analyzing a period where everything is in flux for Lupin III, and the possibilities are endless!

Enjoy, and come back next week as we look at Lupin’s adventures on the brink of the new millennium with a selection of films and specials from 1996 to 2002 – Dead or Alive, Island of Assassins, Tokyo Crisis and Episode 0: First Contact!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:20

Intro: 0:01:20 – 0:06:57

The Fuma Conspiracy: 0:06:57 – 0:49:06

Eyecatch Break 1: 0:49:06 – 0:49:38

Bye Bye Lady Liberty: 0:49:38 – 1:51:46

Eyecatch Break 2: 1:51:46 – 1:52:10

Voyage to Danger: 1:52:10 – 2:35:28

Eyecatch Break 3: 2:35:28 – 2:35:54

Farewell to Nostradamus: 2:35:54 – 3:27:49

End Theme: 3:27:49 – 3:29:04

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

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Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S3E5 - The Pink Jacket Adventures: Lupin the 3rd Part III Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 2 Aug 2023 05:00:11 +0000

“Nobody said I’m not in. We’re just out of cognac.”

With Lupin the 3rd Part III, Lupin officially the enters the 1980s and he’s got a new attitude, a new look, and a new jacket – a pink one! The Pink Jacket Adventures, as this series has come to be known, is one of the weirder and wilder chapters in Lupin history, with Yuzo Aoki leading a talented team of animators to create a take on Lupin that’s both uniquely stylish and highly varied, with character designs shifting from episode to episode and sometimes scene to scene, and the series’ second half employing a particularly cartoon-y, Looney Tunes-esque approach to motion and mayhem. Meanwhile, iconic Japanese New Wave director Seijun Suzuki wrote one of the boldest and most bonkers Lupin episodes of all time, and co-directed The Legend of the Gold of Babylon, the Part III film released in 1985, which we also discuss on today’s show alongside 20 episodes from Part III (see the full list below). It’s one of the most memorable periods for Lupin the 3rd, and also one of the most rewarding.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we look at a transitionary period in the history of Lupin with a selection of films and specials from 1987 to 1995 – The Fuma Conspiracy, Bye-Bye Lady Liberty, Voyage to Danger, and Farewell to Nostradamus!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:20

Intro & History: 0:01:20 – 0:10:44

Lupin VIII: 0:10:44 – 0:22:46

History Continued: 0:22:46 – 0:50:06

Eyecatch Break 1: 0:50:06 – 0:50:38

Episode-by-episode Review: 0:50:38 – 3:01:47

Eyecatch Break 2: 3:01:47 – 3:02:14

The Legend of the Gold of Babylon: 3:02:14 – 3:52:09

End Credits: 3:52:09 – 3:53:24

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

Full list of episodes watched:

1 - "The Gold Is Beckoning Lupin"

3 - Greetings to Hell’s Angel

7 - The Man Called Death Gurve

11 - The Ruby Sheds Bloody Tears

13 - Variations on Getting Carried Away

18 - Showtime Reeks of Death

23 - Operation: Beirut Mobile Bank Robbery

24 - Sleep Peacefully, Friend

27 - Codename: Star of Alaska

28 - The Star of Alaska is a One-way Ticket to Hell

30 - A Cocktail Named Revenge

31 - A Turnabout, a Comeback, and a Reversal

34 - "Manhattan Crisis"

37 - "Pops Boils over with Rage"

38 - Leticia who Loved Lupin

40 - A Lotto Ticket to Riot

44 - "Our Papa’s a Thief"

46 - Soaring on Scrap Wings

49 - The Day Pops Got Adopted

50 - "Orders to Destroy the Atomic Sub Ivanov"

S3E4 - When Lupin III met Hayao Miyazaki: The Castle of Cagliostro & Greatest Capers Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 05:00:27 +0000

“Believe in the power of the thief.”

Before he left the world of Lupin behind and went off to change the course of anime history forever with Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Hayao Miyazaki returned to TMS for a final set of Lupin the 3rd projects that have become iconic anime classics: The 1979 feature film The Castle of Cagliostro, and episodes 145 and 155 of Part II, “Albatross – Wings of Death” and “Farewell, O Dearest Lupin!”, distributed in the US in the 1990s as Lupin III’s Greatest Capers. These were the first pieces of Lupin media commercially available in America, and Cagliostro in particular is the most frequent entry point for Lupin newcomers. While Miyazaki’s more heroic, chivalric vision of the character is a bit of an outlier, there’s a reason Cagliostro has such magnetic appeal, as it’s one of the single greatest animated films ever made, a perfectly paced action adventure fueled by some of the most virtuosic animation to ever grace the silver screen. An influence for all sorts of movies all around the world, it’s a true classic, and so are Miyazaki’s two episodes of Part II, with “Albatross” in particular taking the director’s love of airplanes to astonishing new heights, and setting an impossibly high bar for how good TV animation can be.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we enter the Pink Jacket era and review Lupin the 3rd Part III and the 1985 film The Legend of the Gold of Babylon!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:20

Intro: 0:01:20 – 0:11:32

Eyecatch Break 1: 0:11:32 – 0:12:03

The Castle of Cagliostro: 0:12:03 – 2:27:07

Eyecatch Break 2: 2:27:07 – 2:27:39

Greatest Capers Episodes: 2:27:39 – 3:16:35

End Theme: 3:16:35 – 3:17:50

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://weeklystuff.substack.com

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S3E3 - The Red Jacket Adventures: Lupin the 3rd Part II Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 05:00:45 +0000

“Lupin, our manly drama ends today!”

Airing from 1977 to 1980, the second Lupin the 3rd TV anime – retroactively titled “Part II” – produced a whopping 155 episodes, and with the iconic red jacket and the entire five-person crew (Lupin, Jigen, Fujiko, Goemon, and Zenigata) in tow for every adventure, this is the series that firmly cemented Lupin III as an enduring anime icon, and set the tone for many of his future capers. For today’s episode, we watched a selection of 27 episodes – see the full list below – and experienced a wide range of adventures, from Lupin and company stealing a vintage bottle of wine on Christmas, to Jigen helping a ballerina defect to the West, to ‘Pops’ Zenigata springing a daring trap for Lupin on the highway, to Goemon surviving a shockingly violent bout of torture, to two whole episodes devoted to an extremely surprising (and very funny) alternate history of Jesus Christ himself! Part II is truly a wild ride, with some absolute masterpiece episodes displaying some of the greatest animation in TV history, and almost always providing a big dose of fun.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review Lupin’s most famous adventure with Hayao Miyazaki’s 1979 classic The Castle of Cagliostro, and look at the two episodes Miyazaki directed for Part II, Albatross – Wings of Death and Farewell, O Dearest Lupin!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:20

Intro, History, and Part II Overview: 0:01:20 – 0:57:57

Eyecatch Break 1: 0:57:57 – 0:58:30

Episode-by-episode review, part 1: 0:58:30 – 2:22:00

Eyecatch Break 2: 2:22:00 – 2:22:29

Episode-by-episode review, part 2: 2:22:29 – 3:45:25

End Theme: 3:45:25 – 3:46:40

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

Full list of episodes watched (Japanese title/English title)

1 - "Lupin the Third's Gallant Appearance" / "The Return of Lupin the 3rd"

12 - "A Gift for the President" / "The Sleight Before Christmas"

13 - "The Great Chase in San Francisco" / "I Left My Mind in San Francisco"

20 - "Cornered Lupin" / "Hell Toupee"

21 - "Goemon's Revenge" / "The Last Mastery"

25 - "Encounter With the Deadly Iron Lizard" / "The Lair of the Land-Shark"

26 - "A Rose and a Pistol" / "Shot Through the Heart"

27 - "Where Did the Cinderella Stamp Go?" / "The Little Princess of Darkness"

30 - "The Wind in Morocco is Hot" / "Morocco Horror Picture Show"

32 - "Lupin Dies Twice" / "Lupin the Interred"

34 - "Lupin Who Turned Into a Vampire" / "But your Brother was Such a Nice Guy"

36 - "Uncover the Secret of Tsukikage Castle" / "The Riddle of Tsukikage Castle"

38 - "The Sweet Trap of ICPO" / "Happy Betrayals to You"

48 - "Lupin Laughs at the Alarm Bell" / "Vault Assault"

57 - "Computer or Lupin?" / "Alter-Ego Maniac"

58 - "The Face of Goodbye at the National Border" / "Gettin' Jigen with It"

66 - "Order: Shoot to Kill!!" / "Beauty and the Deceased"

69 - "The Woman Pops Fell in Love With" / "Zenigata Getcha into My Life"

85 - "The ICPO's Secret Plan" / "The Secret Order of ICPO"

94 - "Lupin vs. Superman" / "Lupin Vs. Superman"

97 - "Find Lupin the First's Treasure" / "Searching for Lupin I's Treasure"

99 - "The Scattered Magnum" / "Fighting Jigen"

112 - "Goemon's Close Call" / "Danger! Goemon"

114 - "The Secret of the First Supper" / "The Secret of the First Supper"

129 - "In Jigen, I Saw the Gentleness of a Man's Soul" / "The Kindness Of Jigen is Seen"

148 - "The Target Is 555 Meters" / "The Target is Five Hundred and Fifty Five Meters Away"

151 - "The Arrest Lupin Highway Operation" / "To Arrest Lupin, the Mission at Highway"

S3E2 - Lupin III Takes the Big Screen: The Mystery of Mamo Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 05:00:48 +0000

“Wherever he goes, he’ll be chased. That is his destiny.”

In 1978, Lupin the 3rd made the leap to the big screen with his first animated feature film, and while the second Lupin movie, 1979’s Hayao Miyazaki-directed The Castle of Cagliostro, is the more famous film, The Mystery of Mamo is arguably the single piece of Lupin animation that cuts closest to the heart of the character and the tone, humor, and storytelling style that makes Lupin the 3rd so enduring. It’s a globetrotting adventure that takes the audience all around the world, makes fantastic use of all five regular characters, has a wonderfully anarchic sense of humor, and is spectacularly animated from start-to-finish, a virtuosic feat from franchise stalwarts like Yuzo Aoki and Yasuo Otsuka. And it even has a thoughtful thematic core saying something surprisingly profound about Lupin as a character and the way he moves through the world, making for a movie that isn’t just uproariously funny and consistently surprising, but actually kind of poignant. It’s an absolute classic, and one that’s a delight to discuss on today’s episode.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we dive into Lupin’s longest-running and most successful anime, Lupin the 3rd Part II.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:20

Intro, History, and Review Part 1: 0:01:20 – 0:57:23

Eyecatch Break: 0:57:23 – 0:58:08

Review Part 2: 0:58:08 – 2:26:58

End Theme: 2:26:58 – 2:28:13

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

Weekly Suit Gundam #61 – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Season 2 Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

“I’m a greedy person. There’s so much I want to do with Mom and all of you.”

Weekly Suit Gundam is back to review the second and final season of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury, which brings the story to a close with a rousing, jam-packed set of episodes that’s darker, richer, and more action-filled than the first season. This is the first mainline Gundam series besides Reconguista in G to tell its story in just 2 cours, but that doesn’t mean it’s a thinner or less complicated show, as our super-sized conversation in today’s episode attests to. With so many amazing characters, stellar animation and music, and a story that revisits classic Gundam scenarios and iconography while also challenging and moving beyond them, Witch From Mercury is a show with a lot on its mind, and a lot to break down.

Enjoy, and be sure to tune in for Japanimation Station Season 3, “The Classic Adventures of Lupin the 3rd,” airing Tuesday nights at 7pm CT on YouTube!

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

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“Tobe! Gundam” performed by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Band in Shinjuku, Tokyo, February 2016. Originally composed by Takeo Watanabe with lyrics by Rin Iogi and performed by Koh Ikeda.

“Gundam Stands its Ground” originally composed by Takeo Watanabe & Yushi Matsuyama. “Mobile Suit Gundam” Arcade (1993) arrangement composed by Nadya Doi.

S3E1 - The Green Jacket Adventures: Lupin the 3rd Part I Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 5 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

“Lupin. He’s a nice man. But he’s cool.”

Welcome to Season 3 of Japanimation Station: The Classic Adventures of Lupin the 3rd! This season, we will be exploring the countless capers of one of the most enduring icons of anime from his very first animated appearance in 1969 up through the dawn of the 21st century. In today’s season premiere, we go through the history of Monkey Punch’s original Lupin the 3rd manga, the creation of the 1969 pilot film, and finally do a deep dive on Lupin’s first anime TV series, 1971’s Lupin the 3rd, retroactively referred to as Part I. It is one of the most fascinating, unique, and compelling shows we’ve ever seen, a series essentially divided in half between early episodes helmed by Masaaki Osumi, which are more adult and irreverent a la Monkey Punch’s manga, and the later caper-centric episodes directed by the men who would go on to found Studio Ghibli, Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki! Both visions of the series are equally accomplished, and the series sees a wide range of animation giants pass through its doors – including Yasuo Otsuka and Osamu Dezaki – and by the end, Lupin the 3rd has started to settle on a template that will serve it well for decades to come.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review Lupin’s first animated theatrical film, the 1978 classic The Mystery of Mamo!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:20

Intro to Season and History of Lupin: 0:01:20 – 0:42:14

Lupin the 3rd Part 1 History and Review: 0:42:14 – 2:06:15

Eyecatch Break: 2:06:15 – 2:07:03

Episode-by-episode Review: 2:07:03 – 3:22:59

End Theme: 3:22:59 – 3:24:14

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2.5E4 - Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 3: Swordsmith Village Arc Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

“For the sake of someone other than yourself, you can exert infinite strength.”

The third season of the hit anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba recently wrapped up its hotly anticipated third season, adapting the “Swordsmith Village Arc” of Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga, and as big fans of the series who have reviewed all the prior arcs, we’re here for a deep dive with another amazing season. This set of episodes introduces us to a cast of largely new (or previously briefly seen) characters, including two Hashira with Tokito Muichiro and Mitsuri Kanroji, a mysterious demon slayer named Genya, and two ferocious upper rank demons; it’s also where the story fully starts to lay out some of its biggest themes and ideas, before arriving at a pivotal turning point leading to the start of the series’ endgame. It’s a great season of television, and it produces what is easily our most in-depth, interesting conversation about this series so far.

Enjoy, and we’ll see you again soon for Japanimation Station Season 3: The Classic Adventures of Lupin the 3rd, premiering July 4th!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Swordsmith Village Review Part 1: 0:01:14 – 0:43:34

Eyecatch Break: 0:43:34 – 0:44:03

Swordsmith Village Review Part 2: 0:44:03 – 2:37:18

End Theme: 2:37:18 – 2:38:33

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

PREVIEW - The Classic Adventures of Lupin the 3rd | Japanimation Station Season 3 Premieres July 4th!

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 7 Jun 2023 05:00:38 +0000

Hosts Sean Chapman and Jonathan Lack give you a special look at Season 3 of Japanimation Station, THE CLASSIC ADVENTURES OF LUPIN THE 3RD, premiering July 4th, 2023! In this 8-episode season, we will be surveying 30 years of anime history through the exploits of the infamous thief Lupin III and his friends Daisuke Jigen, Fujiko Mine, Goemon Ishikawa, and Inspector Zenigata! From the original anime in 1971 to the “Episode 0” origin-story special in 2002, we’re looking at many of Lupin’s biggest, best, weirdest, and most memorable heists, learning and laughing a lot along the way. In this preview, we give you the details on everything we’re watching and where exactly you can find it! Season 3 premieres July 4th, 2023, and will air Tuesday nights at 7pm CT for 8 uninterrupted weeks.

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

Season 3 Viewing Guide:

Lupin the 3rd Part I (1971) – All 23 episodes – Available on Blu-ray from Discotek, streaming on HiDive (better quality) and Crunchyroll
The Mystery of Mamo (1978) – Film – Available on Blu-ray from Discotek
Lupin the 3rd Part II (1977) – Episodes 1, 12, 13, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 48, 57, 58, 66, 69, 85, 94, 97, 99, 112, 114, 129, 145, 148, 151, 155 – Available on DVD from Discotek, streaming on HiDive (better quality) and Crunchyroll
The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) – Film – Available on Blu-ray from Discotek, and to rent/buy on digital platforms like Amazon, Apple, YouTube, Vudu, etc.
Lupin the 3rd Part III (1984) – Episodes 1, 3, 7, 11, 13, 18, 23, 24, 27, 28, 30, 31, 34, 37, 38, 40, 44, 46, 49, 50 - Available on Blu-ray from Discotek, streaming on HiDive (better quality) and Crunchyroll
The Legend of the Gold of Babylon (1985) – Film – Available on Blu-ray from Discotek, streaming free (English dub only) on Amazon’s Freevee, Tubi, and the Roku Channel
The Fuma Conspiracy (1987) – Film – Out of print. See Carvioso + Jet Force torrent release for best available version
Bye Bye Lady Liberty (1989) – TV Special - Available on Blu-ray from Discotek, streaming free (Japanese with subtitles) on Amazon’s Freevee
Voyage to Danger (aka Orders to Assassinate Lupin, 1993) – TV Special – Available on Blu-ray from Discotek,streaming free (Japanese with subtitles) on Amazon’s Freevee, Tubi, and Pluto TV
Farewell to Nostradamus (1995) – Film – Available on Blu-ray from Discotek
Dead or Alive (1996) – Film – Available on Blu-ray from Discotek
Island of Assassins (aka Walther P-38, 1997) – TV Special – Blu-ray out-of-print, streaming free (English dub only) on Tubi; available to rent or buy (English dub only) on Amazon Prime Video
Tokyo Crisis (1998) – TV Special – Available on Blu-ray from Discotek, streaming free (English dub only) on Tubi; available to rent or buy (English dub only) on Amazon Prime Video
Episode 0: First Contact (2002) – TV Special – Available on Blu-ray from Discotek, streaming free (Japanese with subtitles) on Tubi
Strange Psychokinetic Strategy (1974) – Live-action movie – Sail the high seas for this one…

S2E13 - Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family & Witch on the Holy Night Reviews

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 10 May 2023 05:00:26 +0000

“Getting to know someone is all about little moments like that, wouldn’t you agree?”

In this super-sized season finale of Japanimation Station, we close out ufotable/Moon Works with two reviews: First, we discuss Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family, the 2018 original net animation spin-off of Fate/stay night that sees Shirou and all his friends making food and enjoying each other’s company. Animated by Ufotable and based on the manga by TAa, it’s a delightful and remarkably well-produced slice-of-life alternative to the action of Fate/stay night, but one that sacrifices none of the sharp characterization that makes this cast so wonderful.

Second, we dive deep with Witch on the Holy Night (aka Mahoutsukai no Yoru), the visual novel based on Kinoko Nasu’s first unpublished novel, originally released in Japan in 2012 and released worldwide in a 2022 remake. The remake landed right as we started recording ufotable/Moon Works, and we wound up making references to the visual novel throughout the season, as Witch on the Holy Night is something of a ‘Rosetta Stone’ for the Nasu-verse, featuring all of his character types and major themes in a single, smaller-scale story, and we felt we had to devote some extra time to it here at the end of the season. And since ufotable will in fact be animating the story for an upcoming feature film, it will soon be another ufotable/Moon work!

Thanks for listening to Season 2 of Japanimation Station, and be sure to listen through to the end of the episode to hear first details about the next two seasons, both premiering in 2023!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro: 0:01:14 – 0:03:36

Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family Review: 0:03:36 – 1:18:46

Eyecatch 1: 1:18:46 – 1:18:56

Witch on the Holy Night Review: 1:18:56 – 3:00:02

Eyecatch 2: 3:00:02 – 3:00:16

Closing Thoughts: 3:00:16 – 3:07:16

Season 3 and 4 Reveal: 3:07:16 – 3:14:49

End Credits: 3:14:49 – 3:16:04

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E12 - Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel III. Spring Song Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 3 May 2023 05:00:02 +0000

“I’ll show you a miracle.”

The journey of Fate/stay night comes to a close with the third and final chapter of the Heaven’s Feel trilogy, Spring Song, and Sean and Jonathan are both in absolute awe at what this film achieves. Bringing the stories of Shirou, Sakura, Rin, Ilya, and the other surviving characters to a surprising, incredibly emotional conclusion, this final film is a true tour-de-force, with the full weight of ufotable’s animation abilities brought to bear on some of Kinoko Nasu’s best storytelling. Few stories close with as immense a sense of pay-off as Heaven’s Feel, bringing us circling back not only to prior Fate/Zero and Fate/stay night discussions, but also The Garden of Sinners – all of it was leading to this point. Add in some jaw-dropping fight scenes, more incredible music by Yuki Kajiura and Aimer, and a heaping helping of everybody’s favorite evil priest, Kirei Kotomine, and you’ve got an animated masterpiece for the ages.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our Season 2 finale, as we dive deep with the recently re-released visual novel Witch on the Holy Night, aka Mahoutsukai no Yoru, and head on over to Shirou’s house for a tasty meal with the anime mini-series Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Heaven’s Feel III Review: 0:01:14 – 1:13:23

Eyecatch: 1:13:23 – 1:13:37

Heaven’s Feel III Review (Cont.): 1:13:37 – 3:02:14

End Credits: 3:02:14 – 3:03:30

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Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E11 - Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel II. Lost Butterfly Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 05:00:35 +0000

“She’s all I want to protect.”

The dark saga that is Heaven’s Feel enters its especially dark middle chapter with Lost Butterfly, the second film in the trilogy, and one that delivers an enormous, eventful, complicated slice of movie for us to break down. Filled to the brim with surprising revelations, major plot turns, and huge character moments, the film sees Shirou and Sakura becoming more and more entwined in each others’ lives, and presents the viewer with a bracing, challenging depiction of abuse and the cycles of violence and pain it creates. It also sees ufotable at the top of their production game, with some of the most stunning animation ever committed to film, not just in the bravura action sequences, but in intense character moments that are rendered here so beautifully and powerfully that it’s hard to imagine anyone making it through this film without a tear or two. It’s another outstanding movie, and one that leaves us on the edge of our seats to finish the entire Fate/stay night project next week.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the third and final film in the Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel trilogy, Spring Song!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Heaven’s Feel II Review: 0:01:14 – 1:23:40

Eyecatch: 1:23:40 – 1:23:50

Heaven’s Feel II Review (Cont.): 1:23:50 – 2:32:19

End Credits: 2:32:19 – 2:33:34

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E10 - Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel I. Presage Flower Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 05:00:17 +0000

“If I ever did something bad, would you forgive me?”

We enter the final phase of ufotable/Moon Works with the first part of the Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel trilogy, Presage Flower, the first of three films adapting the third and final route of the original Fate/stay night visual novel. And whether you’re experiencing the story in its original visual novel setting or coming to it through ufotable’s anime adaptations, Heaven’s Feel is meticulously designed to throw you off balance, with a Holy Grail War that quickly becomes corrupted by dark forces unlike anything we’ve seen before, and a violent, horror-tinged tone more reminiscent of The Garden of Sinners than Fate/Zero or Unlimited Blade Works. This time around, the story focuses on Shirou Emiya’s relationship with Sakura Matou, an extremely different character than Rin Tohsaka, and one whose mysterious, trauma-filled past brings out new shadings in our would-be hero. It’s a terrific film, boasting ufotable’s finest production values thus far and a tremendous score by Yuki Kajiura, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg, as we still have two films to go.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the second film in the Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel trilogy, Lost Butterfly!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Heaven’s Feel I Review: 0:01:14 – 1:12:25

Eyecatch: 1:12:25 – 1:12:42

Heaven's Feel I Review (Cont.): 1:12:42 – 2:16:11

End Credits: 2:16:11 – 2:17:26

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E09 - Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works Season 2 Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 05:00:56 +0000

“That’s Hell you’re walking into.”

Where the first season of Unlimited Blade Works provided a lot of essential character work, the second season – episodes 13 through 25 – is where the plot kicks into high gear, and there’s a lot to break down on this episode, as the show doles out revelations about Archer and Shirou, brings Gilgamesh and his monstrous narcissism into the fray, and delivers twists, betrayals, and surprise alliances aplenty. It’s a terrific, instant-classic stretch of anime that’s left a major impact on pop culture, and offers us plenty to discuss as we cut to the heart of Fate/stay night and what Kinoko Nasu’s story is doing with the many intertwined themes and characters. And as always, it’s a magnificent production from ufotable, as the studio continues to hone its craft and forge its identity as one of Japan’s most accomplished and cutting-edge anime studios.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the first film in the Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel trilogy, Presage Flower!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:52

Unlimited Blade Works Season 2 Review: 0:01:54 – 1:41:59

Eyecatch: 1:41:59 – 1:42:12

Unlimited Blade Works Season 2 Review (Cont.): 1:42:12 – 2:41:36

End Credits: 2:41:36 – 2:42:51

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

Additional music by Thomas Lack, from the album Foundations.https://music.apple.com/us/album/foundations-a-journey-original-score-ep/1652362921

S2.5E3 - Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 2 – Entertainment District Arc Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Fri, 7 Apr 2023 14:00:55 +0000

“Starting now, things are gonna get real flashy!”

The premiere of the Swordsmith Village Arc is just two days away – on April 9th – and we’re finishing out our reviews of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, ufotable’s extraordinary anime adaptation of Kyoharu Gotouge’s hit manga, with a look at the show’s singular second season. Fresh off the unprecedented success of the Mugen Train film, Season 2 is shaped unlike just about any other anime season out there: An original episode with fan favorite Kyojuro Rengoku, then a 6-episode TV edit of Mugen Train complete with a new theme song and end credits, and finally an all new 11-episode adaptation of the manga’s Entertainment District Arc, featuring a double-length premiere and a 1.5x length finale. It’s all fantastic, of course, particularly the new material of the Entertainment District Arc, the point in the manga where Gotouge’s sense of staging action really comes into focus, giving ufotable more than enough to craft some of the most incredible images ever aired on television. With sound hashira Tengen Uzui, his three wives, and an upper-rank demon split across two separate bodies along for the ride, the Entertainment District Arc is an edge-of-your-seat adventure, and more than worthy of another look ahead of Season 3.

We will be back to review the entire Swordsmith Village arc when it finishes airing this summer, and be sure to continue listening to Japanimation Station Season 2 – ufotable/Moon Works – premiering every Tuesday night at 7pm CT on YouTube!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro: 0:01:14 – 0:03:48

Eyecatch 1: 0:03:48 – 0:03:56

Mugen Train Arc: 0:03:56 – 0:23:45

Eyecatch 2: 0:23:45 – 0:23:55

Entertainment District Arc: 0:23:55 – 2:28:30

End Credits: 2:28:30 – 2:29:45

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://weeklystuff.substack.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E08 - Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works Season 1 Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 5 Apr 2023 05:00:36 +0000

“I am the bone of my sword.”

After the breakout success of Fate/Zero, ufotable returned in 2014 with an adaptation of the second route in the Fate/stay night visual novel: Unlimited Blade Works. And it’s a big series, released in two seasons, with the first including three hour-long episodes, and the entire production showcasing some of the highest-quality animation ever featured on television. It’s a spectacular show, and while ufotable did not adapt the first route of the visual novel, we find that Unlimited Blade Works operates surprisingly perfectly as a direct sequel to Fate/Zero. Today’s podcast discusses the first season, from the ‘0th’ episode on through episode 12, as we break down all the major characters like Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka, the featured Servants including Archer, Saber, Caster, and Lancer, and the incredible direction and production values on display throughout.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the second season of Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, episodes 13 through 25!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:54

Unlimited Blade Works Season 1 Review: 0:01:54 – 1:28:37

Eyecatch: 1:28:37 – 1:28:50

Unlimited Blade Works Season 1 Review (Cont.): 1:28:50 – 2:45:54

End Credits: 2:45:54 – 2:47:10

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

Additional music by Thomas Lack, from the album Foundations.https://music.apple.com/us/album/foundations-a-journey-original-score-ep/1652362921

S2.5E2 - Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie – Mugen Train Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 14:00:59 +0000

“Set your heart ablaze.”

Ahead of the premiere of the Swordsmith Village Arc on April 9th, we’re revisiting a series of reviews of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, ufotable’s extraordinary anime adaptation of Kyoharu Gotouge’s hit manga. This time, we’re talking all about the 2020 feature film sensation Mugen Train, which set historic box-office records in Japan and around the world – and is just an utterly stupendous film all around. Taking one of the shorter arcs of the manga and crafting it into a well-rounded, hard-hitting, tragic film adventure, Mugen Train features some of ufotable’s finest animation to date, boasts a killer score by Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina, and turned Kyujuro Rengoku into a worldwide anime icon. This is just about as good as it gets.

Come back next Friday for our last Demon Slayer review before Season 3, with our thoughts on Season 2’s Entertainment District Arc! And be sure to continue listening to Japanimation Station Season 2 – ufotable/Moon Works – premiering every Tuesday night at 7pm CT on YouTube!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro: 0:01:14 – 0:03:39

Eyecatch: 0:03:39 – 0:03:48

Mugen Train Review: 0:03:48 – 2:05:00

End Credits: 2:05:00 – 2:06:15

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://weeklystuff.substack.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E07 - Fate/Zero Review Part 2 – Full Series Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 05:00:22 +0000

“Glory lies beyond the horizon.”

After covering just the double-length first episode last week, we’re back to discuss the full run of Fate/Zero, the Fate/stay night prequel that became a breakout anime hit all over the world, and given the run-time of today’s podcast, you can probably guess our thoughts on it. This is a tremendous show, whether you’re seeing it for the first time (like Jonathan) or the fifth time (like Sean), working equally well as either a prequel or the first chapter of the larger Fate story, with a giant ensemble of rich, compelling characters, a ridiculously deep bench of vocal talent, some stellar music and animation, and a tragic storyline that barrels towards its wrenching conclusion with unstoppable momentum. There is an almost endless well of amazing material to talk about here, and it leaves us more excited than ever to get into Fate/stay night itself in the weeks to come.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the first season of Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, episodes 0 through 12.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Fate/Zero Review: 0:01:14 – 1:40:18

Eyecatch: 1:40:18 – 1:40:29

Fate/Zero Review (Cont.): 1:40:29 – 3:20:12

End Credits: 3:20:12 – 3:21:27

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2.5E1 - Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 1 – Unwavering Resolve Arc Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:00:18 +0000

“The bond between Nezuko and me can’t be severed by anyone.”

With Season 3’s Swordsmith Village Arc of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba right around the corner – it premieres April 9th – we are re-releasing a series of episodes from our sister series, The Weekly Stuff Podcast, in which Sean and Jonathan review all of ufotable’s extraordinary anime adaptation of Kyoharu Gotouge’s hit manga up to now. In this first episode, we break down the first season of Demon Slayer, episodes 1 through 26, now known as the Unwavering Resolve Arc. From Tanjiro discovering his family slain and sister Nezuko turned into a demon, to training with Urokadaki and taking on the Final Selection, to the adventures in Asakusa and at the Tsuzumi Mansion, to the incredible, instant-classic battle with Rui on Mount Natagumo, this is the season that started at all, and cemented ufotable’s status as one of the most popular and beloved anime studios all around the world.

Come back next Friday for our review of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train, and continue listening to Season 2 – ufotable/Moon Works – premiering every Tuesday night at 7pm CT on YouTube!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro: 0:01:14 – 0:04:23

Eyecatch: 0:04:23 – 0:04:32

Season 1 Review: 0:04:32 – 3:04:43

End Credits: 3:04:43 – 3:05:58

Support the show at Ko-fi ☕️ https://ko-fi.com/weeklystuff

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://weeklystuff.substack.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E06 - Fate/Zero Review Part 1 – Episode 1 & Intro to Fate/stay night

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

“The Holy Grail will save you.”

After finishing up The Garden of Sinners last week, we are taking our first steps into the larger world of Fate/stay night, the most iconic of Kinoko Nasu and Type-Moon’s creations, with Fate/Zero, the prequel anime based on the light novel series by Gen Urobuchi. On today’s episode, Sean gives us an in-depth introduction to the original Fate/stay night visual novel, all the ways it’s been adapted over the years, and tells us how Fate/Zero came about and where it fits into things. Then we discuss the first, double-length episode of the anime, and find that it’s not just a great hour of TV, but an excellent stand-alone introduction for anyone (like Jonathan!) who hasn’t previously experienced Fate/stay night.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the rest of Fate/Zero, episodes 2 through 25!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro to Fate/stay night: 0:01:14 – 0:27:17

Eyecatch: 0:27:17 – 0:27:26

Fate/Zero Episode 1 Review: 0:27:26 – 1:16:12

End Credits: 1:16:12 – 1:17:27

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E05 - The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai) Epilogue and Part 8 Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

“Your dream will live on.”

After adapting the original seven chapters of Kara no Kyoukai, ufotable returned in 2011 to animate the novel’s Epilogue chapter as a half-hour short, and in 2013 for Future Gospel (also known as Recalled Out Summer), based on an additional chapter Kinoko Nasu wrote in 2008, 10 years after the original serialization. Both turn out to be essential parts of the experience, with the Epilogue complicating and adding depth to the major themes of the series – alongside the most stunning imagery in the entire production – and Future Gospel offering a nostalgic, thought-provoking set of stories that works both as a Garden of Sinners reunion and a pitch-perfect coda. We also discuss the OVA released alongside Future Gospel – Extra Chorus – which adapts three manga chapters telling small one-off stories, and look back on the entire experience of watching and reviewing this incredible magnum opus.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we dive into the world of Fate/stay night and review the first episode of Fate/Zero!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro: 0:01:14 – 0:07:20

Epilogue: 0:07:20 – 1:02:26

Eyecatch: 1:02:26 – 1:02:40

Part 8 – Future Gospel: 1:02:40 – 1:50:14

Extra Chorus: 1:50:14 – 2:03:32

End Credits: 2:03:32 – 2:04:47

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://weeklystuff.substack.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E04 - The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai) Parts 6 - 7 Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 8 Mar 2023 06:00:01 +0000

“I won’t let you go, as long as I live.”

The original 7-part run of The Garden of Sinners comes to an end with these last two installments, Oblivion Recording and A Study in Murder: Part 2, the former providing a lighter, more comical one-off case where Shiki teams up with Touko’s apprentice (and Kokutou’s little sister) Azaka, while the decidedly-not-light latter chapter returns us to the mystery of the serial killings that first brought Shiki and Kokutou together. Oblivion Recording is a joy in its own way, and a welcome eye-in-the-storm between the series’ two longest, densest installments, but A Study in Murder II is the star here, as we learn the truth about Shiki, cut to the heart of who Kokutou is underneath his still exterior, and find out what these two characters mean to one another, and what choices they will make in the face of death.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the final pieces of The Garden of Sinners – the Epilogue short film, the eighth film, Future Gospel (aka Recalled Out Summer) and the Extra Chorus OVA.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro: 0:01:14 – 0:06:34

Part 6 – Oblivion Recording: 0:06:34 – 1:06:05

Eyecatch: 1:06:05 – 1:06:19

Part 7 – A Study in Murder II: 1:06:19 – 2:47:21

End Credits: 2:47:21 – 2:48:36

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

Follow The Weekly Stuff Wordcast newsletter for regular updates and extra content!

https://weeklystuff.substack.com

“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E03 - The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai) Part 5 Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 1 Mar 2023 06:00:40 +0000

“You know, high rises are strange.”

We are only reviewing one installment of The Garden of Sinners this week, but since that installment is Paradox Spiral, we basically have no choice, and it’s not even because this is one of the only Kara no Kyoukai films that runs a full two hours. It’s because Paradox Spiral is one of the best and most artistically audacious things we’ve ever reviewed in our many years of podcasting, a dense and complicated story told in even more dense and intricate fashion by Ufotable, with stunning animation, disturbing and provocative imagery, and maybe the most complex editorial schema we’ve ever seen in a commercial feature, animated or live-action. And it’s all in service of an incredibly powerful story arranged around themes of duality, of division and reflection, that builds to one of the single most impactful endings in the history of the medium.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the end of the original Kara no Kyoukai story with Parts 6 and 7– Oblivion Recording and A Study in Murder: Part 2.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Part 5 – Paradox Spiral: 0:01:14 – 1:19:44

Eyecatch: 1:19:44 – 1:20:04

Part 5 – Paradox Spiral (Cont.): 1:20:04 – 2:32:48

End Credits: 2:32:48 – 2:34:03

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E02 - The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai) Parts 3 - 4 Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 06:00:59 +0000

“My eyes allow me to see death.”

Our journey through The Garden of Sinners continues with the third and fourth installments – Remaining Sense of Pain and The Hollow Shrine – as we learn (most of) the story behind Shiki, their powers, and how they, Kokutou, and Touko all came together. Remaining Sense of Pain sees the trio tackle one of the darkest cases in the series with the abused Fujino Asagami – and a content warning is definitely in order for this one, given the episode’s depiction of sexual assault – while The Hollow Shrine gives us a full tour through Shiki’s recovery and their mastery of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. It’s a striking, challenging set of films that ultimately leave us with a firmer understanding of this universe and its stakes, as we head into the series’ home stretch in the weeks ahead.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review the landmark 5th part of The Garden of Sinners – Paradox Spiral.

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro: 0:01:14 – 0:05:09

Part 3 – Remaining Sense of Pain: 0:05:09 – 0:53:44

Eyecatch: 0:53:44 – 0:54:00

Part 4 – The Hollow Shrine: 0:54:00 – 1:33:22

End Credits: 1:33:22 – 1:34:37

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

S2E01 - The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai) Parts 1 - 2 Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 06:00:55 +0000

“The overlooking view is a breathtaking sight.”

For Season 2 of Japanimation Station – ufotable/Moon Works – we will be discussing all of the animated adaptations of Type-Moon’s books and visual novels produced by renowned studio ufotable. The best-known of these are related to Kinoko Nasu’s groundbreaking visual novel Fate/stay night, but the story of ufotable and Type-Moon’s creative partnership actually starts with an earlier work: Kara no Kyoukai, known in English as The Garden of Sinners, a light novel written by Nasu in 1998, and adapted into a series of films by Ufotable starting in 2007. We’ll be spending the first five episodes of this season working through these films, starting today with the first two installments: Overlooking View and A Study in Murder: Part 1. It’s a dense, intentionally confusing, and immediately gripping introduction to the world of Kara no Kyoukai and the Nasu-verse in general, with Sean coming in as a long-standing Type-Moon veteran and Jonathan as a newcomer to all of this. As we quickly learn, The Garden of Sinners is nothing if not a powerful conversation starter, and there is an almost endless well of things to talk about, both here and in the weeks to come.

Enjoy, and come back next week as we review parts 3 and 4 of The Garden of Sinners – Remaining Sense of Pain and The Hollow Shrine!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:01:14

Intro to Season and Nasu-Verse: 0:01:14 – 0:42:31

Eyecatch: 0:42:31 – 0:42:41

Part 1 – Overlooking View: 0:42:41 – 1:47:30

Part 2 – A Study in Murder I: 1:47:30 – 2:26:46

End Credits: 2:26:46 – 2:28:01

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

Japanimation Station Season 2 - ufotable/Moon Works - Preview! Coming February 14th!

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 1 Feb 2023 15:00:35 +0000

Hosts Sean Chapman and Jonathan Lack give you a special look at Season 2 of Japanimation Station, premiering Valentine's Day 2023. This season is called UFOTABLE/MOON WORKS, and we'll be reviewing all of anime studio extraordinaire Ufotable's adaptations of Type-Moon stories, including Fate/Stay Night and The Garden of Sinners (and in this preview, we tell you where you can watch everything we're reviewing!). The new season, which will run 13 episodes uninterrupted, begins February 14th, 2023.

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

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“Welcome to Japanimation Station!” Lyrics by Sean Chapman, Music by Thomas Lack, featuring Hatsune Miku. https://www.thomaslack.com

Weekly Suit Gundam #60 – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Season 1 Review & Analysis

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 06:00:47 +0000

“Nice to meet you, my groom.”

Weekly Suit Gundam makes its triumphant return as Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury has wrapped up its fantastic 12-episode 1st season, and we’re here to dive deep on every facet of this so-far wonderful show: from our first female Gundam protagonist in Suletta Mercury, to the complex and seemingly sinister motivations of her mother/resident Char-clone Lady Prospera, to Suletta’s surprise fiancée Miorine Rembran and all the characters she meets at the Asticassia School of Technology, to the big questions like how in the world Chuatury Panlunch – aka ChuChu – fits those crazy hair globes in her pilot’s helmet. Even with just these first 12 episodes to work with, The Witch From Mercury delivers a huge amount of plot, big ideas, and stand-out moments, giving us more than enough to work with as we wait for Season 2, starting in April.

Enjoy, and be sure to tune in for Japanimation Station Season 2 – ufotable/Moon Works – premiering February 14th, Valentine’s Day!

Time Chart:

Theme Song: 0:00:00 – 0:58:13

Intro & Spoiler-Free Thoughts: 0:58:13 – 0:20:55

Eyecatch 1: 0:20:55 – 0:21:03

Spoiler Review Part 1: 0:21:03 – 1:48:44

Eyecatch 2: 1:48:44 – 1:48:50

Spoielr Review Part 2: 1:48:50 – 3:06:49

Will You Be Able to Survive? 3:06:49 – 3:07:11

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeeklyStuffPodcast

Visit our website and subscribe to Japanimation Station on all podcast platforms: http://japanimationstation.com/

Subscribe to The Weekly Stuff Podcast on all podcast platforms: http://www.weeklystuffpodcast.com

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“Tobe! Gundam” performed by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Band in Shinjuku, Tokyo, February 2016. Originally composed by Takeo Watanabe with lyrics by Rin Iogi and performed by Koh Ikeda.

“Gundam Stands its Ground” originally composed by Takeo Watanabe & Yushi Matsuyama. “Mobile Suit Gundam” Arcade (1993) arrangement composed by Nadya Doi.

S1E10 – Fullmetal Alchemist Movie Round-up! The Sacred Star of Milos & Live-Action Trilogy

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 05:00:51 +0000

In our 1st-season finale, we conclude our series of Fullmetal Alchemist reviews by rounding up the remaining theatrical feature films. First, there’s 2011’s The Sacred Star of Milos, an animated spin-off of Brotherhood made by the same crew, but with entirely different creative leadership, leading to a radically different aesthetic and the best animation Fullmetal Alchemist has ever seen. It’s a bit narratively messy in integrating Hiromu Arakawa’s characters into an otherwise original and unrelated story, but it’s also an entertaining and memorably weird experience that’s an essential watch. The live-action Fullmetal Alchemist trilogy is entertaining in its own way, but far less essential. With three films – 2017’s Fullmetal Alchemist and this year’s The Revenge of Scar and The Final Alchemy, all streaming worldwide on Netflix – this series, directed by Fumihiko Sori and starring Ryosuke Yamada as Ed, is a surprisingly faithful recreation of the manga (maybe too much so at times). Bouncing between hilarious B-movie oddity, boring recitation of the original story, and a few genuinely affecting performances and scenes, these movies are uneven but extremely interesting, and more than worth taking the time to discuss here.

Enjoy, and come back next year for Season 2 of Japanimation Station, where we will be reviewing Ufotable’s Type-Moon adaptations, including their Garden of Sinners and Fate/stay Night series!

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S1E09 – FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD – Part 2 (Episodes 33-64) Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 05:00:31 +0000

Our journey through Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood comes to an end with the second half of the second anime, now in fully uncharted territory as it adapts the final stretch of Hiromu Arakawa’s original manga. Diving deep into the Briggs and Promised Day story arcs that conclude the series, we discuss all the many ups and occasional downs of this last run. The manga is probably at its most uneven during this portion, but Brotherhood fully comes into its own as an anime, its pacing finally relaxed enough to fully tell the story, its ludicrously stacked voice cast fully in place, and its animation and aesthetics frequently on point as it approaches the end. As we go through the good, the bad, and everything in between, we find no shortage of topics worth discussing, and Brotherhood proves extremely rewarding to talk about all the way up to its all-time great ending.

Enjoy, and come back next time for our first season finale, as we wrap up all things Fullmetal Alchemist with reviews of the 2011 animated movie The Sacred Star of Milos and the live-action film trilogy currently streaming on Netflix!

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S1E08 – FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD – Part 1 (Episodes 01-32) Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 05:00:07 +0000

Our Fullmetal Alchemist series enters its ultimate phase as we review Brotherhood, the 2009 anime that starts fresh to adapt Hiromu Arakawa’s original manga in full. With a new crew, a new animation style, many new cast members, and a largely new story, Brotherhood is extremely different than the 2003 anime – and in many ways, it’s also a different beast than the manga, especially in this first half. While the show has come to be canonized as one of the very best anime ever made by Western fans, initial reception was more mixed, and this first half certainly shows some growing pains, with some poor structural and adaptational decisions and inconsistent animations. But it also has one of the best voice casts ever assembled, with A-list Seiyuu from top to bottom, and while it fumbles in some moments, it soars quite high indeed in others, and even in this first half delivers several iconic episodes that have already proven to stand the test of time. It’s a lot to talk about, and with a whole half of the series left to go, we’re only just scratching the surface.

Enjoy, and come back next time for Part 2 of our Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood review, where we’ll finish the 2009 anime with episodes 33 – 64!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #59 – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Prologue Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 6 Sep 2022 05:00:08 +0000

The Witch From Mercury, the first mainline Gundam show since Iron-Blooded Orphans ended in 2017 is premiering this October, but Sunrise has given us all quite the treat with a full episode-length Prologue special, now available worldwide on YouTube. Sean & Jonathan dust off the Weekly Suit Gundam mobile to discuss this outstanding first look at the new series, which introduces some fascinating and unique world-building combining certain elements from prior Gundamclassics and introducing many new ones, while simultaneously telling a tragic character-driven story culminating in an instant-classic Gundam death. With gorgeous animation and impressive voice acting, this Prologue has us more excited for The Witch From Mercury than ever – it looks like Gundam is in very good hands, and we look forward to reviewing the full show when the time comes!

Enjoy!

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S1E07 – Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Movie Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 05:00:59 +0000

Nearly 4 years after Broly, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero – the 21st Dragon Ball film overall, and 4th of the modern era – opened this weekend in North American theaters, playing in both English and Japanese for the first time in franchise history, and with the widest opening for an anime film ever in the United States, playing on nearly 4,000 screens! It’s also the first Dragon Ball film to be produced completely in 3D CGI, with a new team led by director Tetsuro Kodama bringing Akira Toriyama’s script to life in a very different style than we’ve seen before. And the movie turned out to be well worth the wait and the hype, telling a compelling character-driven story centered on Piccolo, Gohan, and Pan, with several wonderful new characters, a lot of incredible action, plenty of big laughs, and even a few surprisingly touching pay-offs at the end! It’s a great Dragon Ball movie, and a big step forward for CGI anime, and it makes for an incredible fun discussion between Sean and Jonathan.

Enjoy, and come back next time for Part 1 of our Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood review, where we’ll be covering Episodes 1-32 of the 2009 anime!

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S1E06 – Dragon Ball Super: Broly Movie Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 17:00:58 +0000

Ahead of the release of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in North American theaters this Friday, we’re bringing you three special bonus episodes all about Dragon Ball, originally recorded in 2019 for The Weekly Stuff Podcast. In today’s episode, we review the spectacular 2018 film Dragon Ball Super: Broly, which saw Akira Toriyama taking all the most popular ‘non-canonical’ pieces from various Dragon Ball movies and TV specials – Broly, Bardock, and Gogeta – and reinvent each into a shockingly compelling new package. Brilliantly directed by Tatsuya Nagamine and with a gorgeous new animation style from Naohiro Shintani, Broly is an aesthetic tour-de-force, with the best production values the franchise has ever seen – all of which gave Sean and Jonathan a lot to gush about on this episode. And we’re glad to resurrect this review of the last Dragon Ball Super movie just as the new one opens today in theaters across North America!

Enjoy, and come back Monday for our next all-new episode where we’ll be reviewing the latest Dragon Ball film, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero!

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S1E05 - Dragon Ball Z Broly Trilogy Retrospective (Movies 8, 10, 11)

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 17:00:51 +0000

Ahead of the release of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in North American theaters this Friday, we’re bringing you three special bonus episodes all about Dragon Ball, originally recorded in 2019 for The Weekly Stuff Podcast. In today’s episode, we look back on the three Dragon Ball Z movies from the 90s that introduced the iconic – if not always entertaining – character Broly, the legendary Super Saiyan. Before he was successfully reinvented by Akira Toriyama himself for the 2018 Dragon Ball Super film, Broly was a monosyllabic buff dude who mostly shouted “KAKAROTTO!!” and punched things before being beaten in an 11th-hour deus ex machina, and his films – DBZ Movies 8, 10, and 11 – are mostly duds, albeit ones that are very entertaining to talk about. It’s a conversation we very much enjoyed having back in the day, before we knew how much we’d love Broly coming out of the Dragon Ball Super film, and we’re happy to share it with Japanimation Station listeners today.

Enjoy, and come back tomorrow for our final Dragon Ball bonus as we review the Dragon Ball Super: Broly film and see how Broly got his groove back!

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S1E04 – Dragon Ball Super TV Series Review

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 17:00:44 +0000

Ahead of the release of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in North American theaters this Friday, we’re bringing you three special bonus episodes all about Dragon Ball, originally recorded in 2019 for The Weekly Stuff Podcast. In today’s episode, we’re talking all about Dragon Ball Super, the TV series that aired between 2015 and 2018, building off the Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’ films to expand the world of Dragon Ball into whole new Universes! In this podcast, Sean and Jonathan break down all the major Super arcs, from the rough early episodes retelling the prior films, to the big three anime-original arcs: the Universe 6 vs Universe 7 tournament, the Future Trunks arc, and the giant ‘Universe Survival’ arc that pitted all 12 universe’s best fighters against one another in a crazy battle royale. It’s an imperfect series, but one we really enjoyed, especially in its outstanding second half, and it’s such a blast to talk about.

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S1E03 – Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa (2005) Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 05:00:44 +0000

This is the last episode of JAPANIMATION STATION we'll be sharing in the Weekly Suit Gundam feed for now, so be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the new podcast feed on your platform of choice. All links can be found at JapanimationStation.Com or by searching in your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening!

The first Fullmetal Alchemist anime comes to its ultimate conclusion in the 2005 feature film Conqueror of Shamballa, a narratively messy but beautifully made movie that showcases the best and the worst that this ‘alternate’ version of Fullmetal Alchemist has to offer. With Edward Elric lost in ‘our’ world on the other side of the gate, Conqueror of Shamballa is set primarily in 1923 Germany on the eve of the Nazi Party’s ‘Beer Hall Putsch,’ with Ed navigating a society on the brink of collapse into genocidal fascism. It’s a fascinating and often quite effective setting, while the action back in Amestris – where Alphonse Elric, back in his human body, is searching for a way to get back to his brother – feels pretty threadbare. The worlds eventually collide, and we see how Seiji Mizushima and company bring this version of the story to a close, with Sean and Jonathan giving their final thoughts on how the 2003 version of Fullmetal Alchemist stands the test of time nearly 20 years later.

Enjoy, and come back throughout the week for a series of Dragon Ball bonus episodes leading up to the American release – and our review of – the new film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero!

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S1E02 - FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST (2003) Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 9 Aug 2022 05:00:14 +0000

We're sharing the first few episodes of JAPANIMATION STATION here in the Weekly Suit Gundam feed, but be sure to subscribe to the new podcast feed on your platform of choice. All links can be found at JapanimationStation.Com or by searching in your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening!

For our first anime subject, we’re diving into the world of Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist, starting with the 2003 anime that partially adapted the then-young manga before branching off into an increasingly divergent anime-original story. While it was a huge and acclaimed hit, in Japan and abroad, at the time of release, the show has a more controversial reputation now, years after Arakawa’s manga was completed and faithfully re-adapted as Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. Sean and Jonathan are coming at the 2003 series from wildly different directions – Jonathan a lifelong fan who started with this anime as a kid, and Sean only recently having read the manga without ever seeing either anime – so our perspectives inherently diverge. But if there’s one thing we clearly agree on, it’s that this is a fascinating show very much worth talking about. Whether one loves it or hates it, it’s clearly more than an outdated curio, and we think you, like us, will come away from this conversation with a greater appreciation for all versions of Fullmetal Alchemist.

Enjoy, and come back next week as our journey through Amestris continues with our review of the Fullmetal Alchemist movie sequel, Conqueror of Shamballa!

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S1E01 - Welcome to Japanimation Station! Our Anime History & Desert Island Shows

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 2 Aug 2022 05:00:07 +0000

For the debut episode of Japanimation Station, Sean Chapman and Jonathan Lack introduce themselves and host a spirited discussion about how they got into anime, how their fandoms and interests have evolved over the years, what makes animation special in the first place, and why anime in particular is the thing we find so interesting we had to make a whole podcast about it. You’ll learn about our backgrounds, our philosophies, our anime likes and dislikes, and much more as we introduce you to the foundational ideas of our show! And at the end, we share which 5 anime we would each take to a desert island if such a strange fate were to befall us.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our first anime review with Fullmetal Alchemist, the original 2003 anime based on Hiromu Arakawa’s classic manga! Subscribe at JapanimationStation.Com to make sure you don’t miss a single episode!

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Japanimation Station THEME SONG REVEAL!

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 17:00:19 +0000

Jonathan Lack and Sean Chapman, hosts of the upcoming anime podcast Japanimation Station, speak with musician Thomas Lack, composer of the original theme song to Japanimation Station!

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Original Music composed and produced by Thomas Lack

Weekly Suit Gundam #58 – Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island Movie Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 05:00:56 +0000

Both Gundam as a franchise and Weekly Suit Gundam as a podcast come full circle this week by returning to the world of First Gundam, with the brand-new movie set in the timeline of the original show, Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island! A remake of the infamous 15th episode of Mobile Suit Gundam – an episode with such a troubled production that creator Yoshiyuki Tomino has never allowed it to be distributed outside Japan – original Gundam character designer and animation supervisor Yoshikazu Yasuhiko returns as director to redeem this story of a Zeon deserter protecting war orphans on a deserted island. It’s an absolutely wonderful movie, as beautifully animated as one would expect from the great Yasuhiko, but also incredibly smart and soulful in its themes and storytelling, finding a particularly compelling story for original Gundam protagonist Amuro Ray, played again here – possibly for the last time – by a never-better Tōru Furuya. This is a great movie, and an absolute pleasure to discuss for our final Weekly Suit Gundam before the launch of Japanimation Station.

Enjoy, and we’ll see you on the other side with the premiere of Japanimation Station on August 1st. Be sure to subscribe at http://japanimationstation.com

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Japanimation Station Trailer - Launching August 1st

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 18:00:23 +0000

Hosts Jonathan Lack and Sean Chapman introduce you to the world of JAPANIMATION STATION, a new anime podcast from the creators of Weekly Suit Gundam and The Weekly Stuff Podcast.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #57 – Reviewing the Original SD Gundam Shorts!

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 05:00:31 +0000

When our other, ‘mothership’ podcast, The Weekly Stuff, turned 10 years old last month, we celebrated with a whopping 10-hour podcast celebration, each hour devoted to a different topic we’ve covered over the years. One of those, of course, was Gundam, and we wanted to share that segment with Weekly Suit Gundam listeners as a standalone episode, because it’s a very fun conversation about a corner of the Gundam world we’ve never discussed before: SD Gundam! That’s right – on today’s show, we’re talking all about the super-deformed world of chibi Gundam comedy by looking at the original theatrical shorts from the late 80s and early 90s, including SD Gundam Mk. 1, Mk. 2, Mk. 4, and SD Gundam Counterattack! Do they hold up 30 years later? Are they funny? Are they weirdly offensive? Are they kind of boring and annoying? It depends! We talk all about it before finishing up the episode with a look at the insanely surreal FMV cutscenes from Gundam 0079: The War for Earth, an obscure but also kind of iconic ‘video game’ from 1996.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of the new Gundam movie, Cucuruz Doan’s Island!

Time Chart:

Intro: 0:00:00 – 0:02:31

SD Gundam Mk. 1: 0:02:31 – 0:18:41

SD Gundam Mk. 2: 0:18:41 – 0:28:51

SD Gundam Counterattack: 0:28:51 – 0:33:07

SD Gundam Mk. 4: 0:33:07 – 0:45:39

Gundam 0079 – The War for Earth: 0:45:39 – 1:03:11

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Weekly Suit Gundam #56 – 3-Year Anniversary Celebration & Rankings Part 3: Top 10 Mobile Suits, Characters & Everything Else!

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 5 Jul 2022 05:00:03 +0000

In the 3rd and final part of our 3rd Anniversary ranking celebration, we’re ranking…well, almost everything! We start by listing our Top 10 favorite Mobile Suits from the last year’s worth of shows, our Top 10 Mobile Suits overall, our Top 10 favorite characters from across the franchise – and then it’s party time, as we deliver all the rankings requested by YOU, the listeners, including the best Gundam Boys, the best Captains, the best Char clones, the best Haros, the best deaths, and so much more! It’s a veritable cornucopia of Gundam rankings, and a great way to celebrate and close out 3 fantastic years of Weekly Suit Gundam.

Enjoy, and listen to the end to hear exciting details about the future of Weekly Suit Gundam and our big plans for covering even more anime in the years to come!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #55 – 3-Year Anniversary Celebration & Rankings Part 2: Top 10 Gundam Soundtracks & Top 40 Gundam Songs!

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 05:00:34 +0000

In Part 2 of our 3rd Anniversary ranking celebration, we’re diving deep into the amazingly rich waters of Gundam music! The songs and soundtracks for Gundam have always been one of our favorite parts of this franchise, and a ubiquitous topic of conversation with every show we cover, and having reviewed all the Gundam, it’s time to rank all the music! First we count down our Top 10 favorite Gundam Soundtracks – the scores, or background music, composed for the various shows and movies – and then it’s time to talk about songs. We rank our Top 10 favorite songs from the shows we reviewed over the last year, and then update our list of all-time favorite Gundam songs with our own individual Top 40 Songs lists! (Which we have made playlists of on YouTube, so you can listen to our lists like we’ve DJ’d our own Gundam radio stations!)

Enjoy, and come back soon for Part 3, where we’ll be ranking the best Mobile Suits, characters, and MUCH more, including fun and silly lists suggested by YOU the listeners!

Jonathan’s Top 40 Gundam Songs – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk08eaY2eGd991aJ6BmqzsYIDEnUba-ZM

Sean’s Top 40 Gundam Songs – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk08eaY2eGd9UwNYWBVQOMh4pS2HpDFL1

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Weekly Suit Gundam #54 – 3-Year Anniversary Celebration & Rankings Part 1: Ranking All the Gundam Series!

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 17:00:18 +0000

It’s been three whole years since we started this podcast, watching just two episodes of the original Mobile Suit Gundam for our first show – and three years later, we’ve watched over 800 episodes of Gundam and reviewed every series in the pantheon. So for this year’s celebration, we’re not just ranking the shows we reviewed in the past year – though we do that as well – but ranking every Gundam show, with Sean and Jonathan sharing their individual lists before debating and coming to a consensus on an official Weekly Suit Gundam ranking of all 33 Gundam shows/OVAs/movies we’ve covered on this show. It’s the moment you’ve been waiting three whole years for. What’s the best Gundam show? What’s the worst? By the end of today’s podcast, you’ll have the definitive answers on these questions and more!

Enjoy, and come back soon for Parts 2 and 3 of our 3rd anniversary festivities, where we’ll be ranking the best Gundam songs, soundtracks, Mobile Suits, characters, and MUCH more, including fun and silly lists suggested by YOU the listeners!

And be sure to check out the very special 10th anniversary special of our other long-running podcast, The Weekly Stuff, which is premiering Monday, June 13th at 10:00 am and has a special Gundam component! https://youtu.be/21eM2T-63Vs

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Weekly Suit Gundam #53 – Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt & Twilight Axis Reviews & Discussions

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 24 May 2022 05:00:31 +0000

Today we settle all Gundam business by reviewing two ONA (original net animation) series that are the last mainline Gundam titles we’ve yet left un-reviewed. Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt, based on the manga by Yasuo Ohtagaki, aired from 2015 to 2017 and was collected into 2 films, December Sky and Bandit Flower, and it’s a fascinating, frequently rousing production, if also one that’s messy and incomplete. With detailed over-the-top action scored to incredible jazz music by Naruyoshi Kikuchi and a series of faux-pop oldies representing rival protagonists Io Fleming and Daryl Lorenz, Thunderbolt is a synesthetic marvel – but it’s also barreling through 7 volumes of manga in a scant 2.5 hours, and with no new episodes in 5 years, it’s an entirely unfinished project. Twilight Axis, on the other hand, is finished – but it’s very slight, a series of short ONA episodes collected into a 26-minute movie, loosely adapting a series of light novels into an impressionistic-at-best, confusing-and-vestigial-at-worst short film.

Enjoy, and come back on June 10th for our Weekly Suit Gundam 3rd Anniversary celebration, where we’ll be ranking ALL the shows in the Gundam franchise.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #52 – Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 17 May 2022 05:00:17 +0000

In the most pleasantly surprising qualitative whiplash we’ve ever seen, Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE follows the franchise low-point of Gundam Build Divers with a smart, soulful, exciting, and all-around excellent anime that is nearly as great as the original show is bad. Following a new group of characters – the BUILD DiVERS, distinguished by one lowercase ‘i’ – Re:RISE immediately distinguishes itself with a deeply human and compelling protagonist, Hiroto Kuga, and a fantastic group of supporting characters, all on a wild adventure that combines the video game isekai tropes the first show tried but failed at, a more traditional fantasy isekai journey to another world, and even dashes of other non-Build Gundam shows with heroes, villains, and major life-and-death stakes. Along the way, it tackles issues of grief, trauma, identity, and how we mediate relationships and experiences between the virtual and ‘real’ worlds, all in a handsome package that is equal parts entertaining and moving. Re:RISE is the last full Gundam show made to date, and we couldn’t ask for much more of the series that catches this podcast up to the franchise’s present day.

Enjoy, and come back next week for our review of the Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt anime with the movies December Sky and Bandit Flower!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #51 – Gundam Build Divers Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 3 May 2022 05:00:23 +0000

After the highs of Gundam: The Origin, we’re going very far in the opposite direction to scrape the bottom of the Gundam barrel with 2018’s Gundam Build Divers, in contention with G-Saviour as the worst thing we’ve yet discussed on Weekly Suit Gundam. Capitalizing on the Sword Art Online-inspired Isekai craze of the 2010s, Gundam Build Divers takes the Gunpla action out of the real world and into a very boring virtual reality, without really understanding what makes Isekai shows or the prior Build Fighters series fun in the first place. With amazingly low stakes, wildly inconsistent world building, nary an interesting character in sight, and a final arc that goes from zero to bananas in record time (and not in a good way), Gundam Build Divers is the nadir of animated Gundam. It’s a show you absolutely shouldn’t watch, but it makes for a fun podcast you should listen to even if you haven’t.

Enjoy, and come back in two weeks for our review of the follow-up series – which you’ve all promised us is better – Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #50 – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – The Manga by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 05:00:00 +0000

After breaking down all six episodes of the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin OVA series, we’re back for one more Origin discussion to talk all about the manga by the legendary Yoshikazu Yasuhiko. Serialized over a full decade, Yasuhiko’s manga is a virtuoso ‘comicalization’ of the original Gundam anime, realized in loving detail with some of the most incredible art one will ever lay eyes on. The ‘flashback arc’ from the middle of the manga was adapted for the OVA, but there’s much more material here, and for this episode, we talk about how Yasuhiko’s telling compares to the original TV series, what changes we like or dislike, and why Yasuhiko’s heavily ‘decompressed’ style is so immersive and involving. This manga is one of the best and most singular corners of the entire Gundam universe, and is more than deserving than the episode we devote to it here.

Enjoy, and come back in April as we journey forth to the next Gundam TV series, Gundam Build Divers!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #49 – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin VI – Rise of the Red Comet Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Gundam: The Origin comes to a spectacular end with its sixth and final installment, “Rise of the Red Comet,” in which Zeon decimates the Earth Federation at the Battle of Loum, Char Aznable becomes a legend, and General Johann Ibrahim Revil delivers a speech that will change the course of human history. It’s a great episode, one part space naval epic, another part political espionage thriller, with a rousing closing act that brings us right to the doorstep of the original Mobile Suit Gundam with unforgettable aplomb. And along the way, there’s plenty to discuss, debate, and gush over as we bring our journey through this outstanding OVA series to a close.

Enjoy, and come back next week for one more Gundam The Origin chat, as we discuss our thoughts on the rest of the Yoshikazu Yasuhiko manga!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #48 – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin V – Clash at Loum Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0000

With Part V of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Clash at Loum – this outstanding OVA delivers not only its finest episode, but one of the single most memorable and powerful installments in the 40-year history of Gundam. Dramatizing Zeon’s disastrous colony drop operation, Sayla Mass making a stand at Side 5, Ramba Ral and Crowley Hamon bemoaning the loss of a world that’s passed them by, and Char Aznable taking the final, ultimate step towards becoming the legendary Red Comet, this episode is absolutely overflowing with pantheon-level sequences that are among the greatest Gundam has ever given us, all combining to paint a deeply affecting portrait of a world spun entirely out of control. This is as good as it gets.

Enjoy, and come back next week for the dramatic conclusion to Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin – Rise of the Red Comet!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #47 – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin IV – Eve of Destiny Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 8 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Eve of Destiny, Part IV of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, is a messier installment than others in this series, failing to find as clear or compelling a through-line as prior or upcoming episodes, and taking a weird jump in the middle that feels like a key piece of story is missing. That said, it’s still a highly entertaining part of this terrific series, featuring the first meeting between Char and Lalah, a powerful ending scene with Amuro and Fraw Bow, and an absolutely dynamite centerpiece action sequence on the moon, where mobile suits go into combat for the first time in the history of the Universal Century. There’s more than enough here to discuss and enjoy, even if it’s all something of a stepping stone to some of The Origin’s best material yet to come.

Enjoy, and come back next week for Part V of The Origin, Clash at Loum!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #46 – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin III – Dawn of Rebellion Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 1 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0000

A legend is born in Part III of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Dawn of Rebellion, which sees Casval Rem Deikun adopt – er, violently steal – the identity of Char Aznable, and gradually develop the colorful, calculating persona made so iconic in Gundam ’79. It’s one of the most entertaining episodes in the history of Gundam, an archetypal military academy story built on the foundation of Char’s twisted friendship with Garma Zabi, and all leading inexorably towards the horrors of the One-Year War. This is an hour full of moments we’ve been waiting literal years to talk about, and it couldn’t be more satisfying to finally discuss the installment in which Gundam’s greatest character fully steps into his own destined role in history.

Enjoy, and come back next week for Part IV of The Origin, Eve of Destiny!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #45 – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin II – Artesia’s Sorrow Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Our journey through the past of the Universal Century continues with Part II of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Artesia’s Sorrow. Picking up three years after Casval and Artesia fled their homeland of Munzo, the action picks up on Earth in 0071, where a young Edouard and Sayla Mass live peacefully with Don Teabolo Mass and Jimba Ral…for a time. Events conspire to rip peace away from the siblings time and again, and Sayla watches her brother harden into a cold man with the demeanor of a drawn knife. One of the most heart-wrenching installments in the Origin OVA series, Artesia’s Sorrow is a fantastic hour with more than enough to make it worth the full podcast treatment, and we once again find countless things to talk about breaking it down.

Enjoy, and come back next week for Part III of The Origin, Dawn of Rebellion!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #44 – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin I – Blue-Eyed Casval Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +0000

To kick off 2022, we’re starting our journey through Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, the 6-part theatrical OVA created between 2015 and 2018, based on Yoshikazu Yasuhiko’s manga of the same name. And to give this great series the royal treatment it deserves, we’re covering it one episode at a time! For this week, we’re discussing Part I: Blue-Eyed Casval, where we return to Universal Century 0068 in the Republic of Munzo, where a young Casval Rem Deikun and his sister Artesia see the world thrown into chaos after the death of their father, the revolutionary leader Zeon Zum Deikun. With the scheming Zabi family angling for power, the Deikun children are taken in by Jimba Ral and his son Ramba, and Casval’s journey to become the Red Comet, Char Aznable, begins. It’s a great debut episode for one of the best prequel stories ever told, and a really fun way to kick off another year of Gundam podcasts.

Enjoy, and come back next week for Part II of The Origin, Artesia’s Sorrow!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #43 – A Very Weekly Suit Gundam Christmas Special

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all! At The Weekly Stuff Podcast, we have an ongoing tradition of extremely silly Christmas special episodes – from reviewing the hilariously terrible Pokemon Christmas Bash album in 2018 to performing an entire Western-themed Evangelical Christian rendering of A Christmas Carol in 2019 – and this year, we’re bringing that tradition to Weekly Suit Gundam! To celebrate the season, Jonathan has found several pieces (out of a surprisingly large sea of options) of Christmas-themed Mobile Suit Gundam fanfiction, set in the worlds of Gundam Wing, Gundam SEED, and Mobile Fighter G Gundam, and he surprises Sean on air by inviting him to read them out loud. A festive, flabbergasted, and altogether confusing time is had by all.

Enjoy, have a very happy holiday, and come back in the new year as we begin our next voyage through the fantastic OVA Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin, one episode at a time!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #42 – Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Season 2 (Episodes 26 – 50) Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0000

It’s safe to say we were big fans of the first season of Iron-Blooded Orphans here at Weekly Suit Gundam, and as the length of this podcast can attest, we are even more invested in the big thematic, narrative, and emotional swings the show takes in its second and final season. As it traces the fall of Tekkadan, Iron-Blooded Orphans challenges its characters and audience with a story that’s richer, more complicated, and intentionally structured very differently than the first season, with an absolutely knockout set of final episodes that cross many lines Gundam has never ventured past before, and somehow comes out on the other side seeing more hope in the world than the franchise has seen in its darkest hours. It’s an all-time great finish to a truly tremendous show, and even with an extra-long 4-hour podcast, there’s still so much that could be said about this modern masterpiece.

Enjoy, and come back in the new year as we begin our next voyage through the fantastic OVA Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin, one episode at a time!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #41 – Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Season 1 Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0000

We finally arrive at the most recent mainline Gundam TV series – 2015’s global smash hit Iron-Blooded Orphans, created by the “Super Peace Busters” team of director Tatsuyuki Nagai and writer Mari Okada. Tackling the theme of child soldiers more directly than Gundam ever had before, Iron-Blooded Orphans is one of Gundam’s darkest and most violent hours, but also one of its richest and most rewarding, a unique blend of daily life coming-of-age storytelling with hard-edged military fiction that leaves a huge impact. Season 1, which we’re discussing today, follows the formation of the child-mercenary group Tekkadan – the eponymous Orphans with Iron in their Blood – and their journey to bring Martian independence activist Kudelia Aina Bernstein to Earth. It’s a stupendous season of television with tons to talk about, and a pleasure to finally reach and discuss on Weekly Suit Gundam.

Enjoy, and come back in two weeks for our review of Iron-Blooded Orphans Season 2!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #40 – Reconguista in G Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 05:00:00 +0000

For the 35th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam, franchise creator Yoshiyuki Tomino returned for what is, as of now, his latest installment in the series: Reconguista in G, perhaps the strangest and unquestionably the most formally daring of all Gundam series. Dense, complicated, wildly fast-paced, and persistently challenging, Reconguista is a divisive entry among the global Gundam fandom, but here at Weekly Suit Gundam, we are in awe of it. There is simply nothing quite like Reconguista in G, which sees Tomino turning up all his thematic and stylistic interests to 11, resulting in one of the purest auteur statements in modern mainstream media. With the best action sequences in the history of Gundam, arguably franchise-best TV animation, amazing and vibrant characters, and a structure that practically re-invents the language of anime before your eyes, Reconguista in G is an endlessly rewarding artistic gauntlet, and one of the very finest shows we’ve had the pleasure of discussing in 40 episodes of Weekly Suit Gundam.

Enjoy, and come back next time for Season 1 of the global hit Iron-Blooded Orphans!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #39 – Gundam Build Fighters OVA Round-Up! Gunpla Builders Beginning G, GM’s Counterattack, Try Island Wars & Battlogue

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 05:00:00 +0000

After reviewing the original Gundam Build Fighters and its sequel series Gundam Build Fighters Try on our last two episodes, it’s time to round out the original Build Fighters run by rounding-up the many OVAs related to this corner of the franchise. We begin with Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G, the 2010 OVA that first introduced the concept of a Gunpla Battle-based anime, and holds up surprisingly well on its own, with great animation and mecha designs and a whole lot of heart. Then there’s the 5 Battlogue episodes, providing quick bite stories set in the Build Fighters world, and apart from one memorable episode involving Bearguys getting crucified, there’s not much to talk about. Finally, Build Fighters Try gets a 30-minute sequel in Island Wars, and the original Build Fighters gets its own half-hour follow-up in GM’s Counterattack, which is an absolute delight. Discussing all of these and more makes for a very fun capper to our Build Fighters journey.

Enjoy, and come back next time for the return of original Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino to the franchise with Reconguista in G!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #38 – Gundam Build Fighters Try Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 05:00:00 +0000

After the huge success of the original Gundam Build Fighters, Sunrise turned around and produced a sequel in just six months – Gundam Build Fighters Try, set 7 years after the original with a new cast of Gunpla battlers. It’s a divisive show in the Gundam fandom, and on this podcast! Jonathan loves it, though not without some reservations, and Sean is mostly unmoved by it, despite liking certain things quite a bit. It makes for an interesting and dynamic discussion, as we break down the ways the show doesn’t live up to its predecessor and fails to follow through on its own interesting ideas, while also celebrating what’s genuinely good here. We also give our thoughts on the recent announcement of both the first new mainline Gundam series since Iron-Blooded Orphans, The Witch from Mercury, and a new film by original Gundam character designer Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, Cucuruz Doan’s Island, both of which ensure the Weekly Suit Gundam train won’t be stopping anytime soon.

Enjoy, and come back next week when we review all the Gundam Build Fighters OVAs: Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G, Try Island Wars, GM’s Counterattack, and Battlogue!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #37 – Gundam Build Fighters Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 05:00:00 +0000

With 2013’s Gundam Build Fighters, Gundam leaves the world of life-and-death warfare and science-fiction (mostly) behind, and instead settles in for a slice-of-life sports anime centered around the Gunpla plastic models that have long been one of the most beloved and popular parts of the franchise’s legacy. And in a wonderful surprise, it winds up being one of the franchise’s finest hours, a practically perfect 25-episode series chock full of great, vibrant characters, big laughs, awesome Gunpla designs, and truly rousing, get-on-your-feet-and-cheer caliber mobile suit duels. Whether you’re a Gundam novice or a grizzled veteran, Gundam Build Fighters has something for everyone. It’s as entertaining an anime as you’re likely to find, and maybe the most crowd-pleasing installment in the franchise’s stories history – and because of that, it’s a real treat to get to talk about here.

Enjoy, and come back in two weeks for Gundam Build Fighters Try!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #36 – Rebuild of Evangelion Film Tetralogy Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Almost two years ago, we took a little detour from Gundam to review Neon Genesis Evangelion upon its Netflix streaming debut, and promised that we’d come back to discuss Eva again if and when the 4-film Rebuild of Evangelion project was ever finished. And with the final film in Hideaki Anno’s lifelong passion project, Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0: Thrice Upon a Time, now streaming worldwide (alongside the first three films) on Amazon Prime, we’re keeping our word and then some, with our longest Weekly Suit Gundam episode to date! We discuss all four films in the Rebuild project, diving deep into how these masterpieces fully realize the magic that was always there in Evangelion, but for us at least was held beneath the surface by frustrating and limiting creative choices in the original series. These are great, beautifully told, stunningly animated productions that give Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Misato, and everyone else the fully realized character arcs they’ve always deserved, and ends in a place that feels like Evangelion has finally found the conclusion it was always searching for. And that’s more than enough to fill a super-sized podcast.

Enjoy, and come back in two weeks for GUNDAM BUILD FIGHTERS!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #35 – Mobile Suit Gundam AGE Arcs 3 and 4 (Episodes 29-49) Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 2 Aug 2021 05:00:00 +0000

It’s the end of an Age on today’s show as we finish reviewing Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, covering the 3rdand 4th arcs and episodes 29 through 49 of this severely underrated gem. This half of the show sees another jump to a new generation, as we join young Kio Asuno on his journey to learn the true nature of the Vegan and their world, reunite with his pirate father, and to bring his grandfather Flit back from the brink of his vengeful vendetta. It all builds to an outstanding conclusion, with a truly terrific set of final episodes that brings the series full circle in powerful fashion, and along the way we have all sorts of fun and interesting things to talk about, making for a great discussion about a Gundam series that deserves a much better reputation than it’s previously enjoyed.

Enjoy, and come back in two weeks for a detour back to the world of Neon Genesis Evangelion as we review all 4 Rebuild of Evangelion movies!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #34 – Mobile Suit Gundam AGE Arcs 1 & 2 (Episodes 1-28) Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Continuing on to the next full-length Gundam series, we reach Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, Sunrise’s 2011 collaboration with video game giant Level-5, whose lead creative Akihiro Hino conceived of and wrote this child-friendly Gundam series that spans 3 protagonists over 3 successive generations in a century-long space conflict. AGE did poorly upon its initial airing in Japan, and has suffered a quiet and often negative reputation in years since. But we don’t think that reputation is deserved – through its first two arcs, at least, AGE is an imperfect but extremely compelling show, with a really cool central narrative conceit, great characters, and some really interesting ideas that take Gundam to places it had never been before. At the very least, it’s a show worth giving a serious shot, and in this first part, covering Arcs 1 & 2 and episodes 1 through 28, we aim to do just that.

Enjoy, and come back in two weeks for Part 2 of Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, with episodes 29 – 49!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #33 – Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash Movie Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 5 Jul 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Premiering worldwide on Netflix this week after its debut in Japanese theaters last month, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash is the first film in a planned trilogy adapting original Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino’s trio of novels from 1989-1990, following the exploits of Hathaway Noa 12 years after the events of Char’s Counterattack. And it’s a terrific start to this new film series, offering some of the best animation, music, set pieces, and writing in the history of the franchise. From Tomino’s characteristically rich writing to the complex and nuanced vocal performances to how this story fits into the larger cycle of Tomino’s original Gundam saga, Hathaway’s Flash offers so many rich avenues for discussion, making for a podcast that’s an hour longer than the film itself, and could have gone on much longer still.

Enjoy, and come back in two weeks for Part 1 of our Mobile Suit Gundam AGE review, where we’ll cover Episodes 1 – 28!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #32 – Two-Year Anniversary Celebration & Rankings

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Two years ago today, Weekly Suit Gundam was born, and what a wild ride it’s been! Just as we did on its first anniversary, we’re using the show’s birthday to take stock of everything we’ve reviewed up to now. With a particular focus on the “Year Two” shows – namely G Saviour, 0080: War in the Pocket, 0083: Stardust Memory, The 08thMS Team, Gundam SEED, Gundam SEED Destiny, Gundam 00, and MS IGLOO – we rank the best mobile suits and best songs from the series we reviewed this year, and adjust our master rankings for those topics from last year’s anniversary show. For the main event, we each rank all 21 Gundam shows and movies we’ve reviewed these past two years, and then come together to create our complete, unified, official Weekly Suit Gundam series rankings thus far. With listener feedback, lots of reflections on the show’s second year, and a roadmap for year 3, today’s episode is a really fun trip down memory lane and a great start to the next, climactic phase of the series, as we inch closer to Gundam’s present day.

Enjoy, and come back Monday, July 5thfor our review of Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway after it’s July 1st debut on Netflix!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #31.5 - Gundam SEED Movie & Hathaway on Netflix News

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

This week, we have a quick little bonus episode for you, with an excerpt from this week’s Weekly Stuff Podcast, where we talked about two major pieces of Gundam news from the past few weeks: The announcement that Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway will be debuting worldwide on Netflix very soon, on July 1st, and the reveal of a brand new Gundam SEED movie coming from the original creative team. We knew both of these items would be of interest to listeners, so we thought we’d throw this excerpt in the podcast feed for those who don’t listen to the mothership show. And just to clarify the schedule for the immediate future, our next episode of Weekly Suit Gundam will be on Thursday, June 24th, and it’ll be our 2nd Anniversary Spectacular episode, where we’ll be adding all the shows we reviewed this part year to our official ongoing rankings, and list some of our favorite songs and mobile suits and more. It’ll be a lot of fun. And then the next episode after that will be our review of the Hathaway movie, which will come out on Monday, July 5th. And after that, we’re moving on to Gundam AGE. So lots of good stuff to come – and we hope to see you there for all of it. Enjoy!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #31 – MS Igloo and MS Igloo 2 Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 24 May 2021 06:00:00 +0000

This time, we’re taking a detour into one of the most obscure corners of Gundam animation, with the 6-episode CGI OVA MS IGLOO and its 3-episode sequel series MS IGLOO 2: Gravity Well. Originally produced for the Bandai museum in Japan, the first series suffers from repetitive storytelling, thin plotting, and some of the worst 3D CGI animation the early 2000s had to offer, and on its own, there’s not a ton worth saying about it. But the sequel series, produced in 2008, isn’t just a huge step forward in the quality of the CGI production – it’s also a wonderfully unique, compellingly told set of ground-level war stories that make for essential viewing for anyone interested in the One-Year War period of Universal Century Gundam, and is a lot of fun to talk about.

Enjoy, and come back in June for our 2-year anniversary podcast celebration!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #30 – Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

With both seasons of Mobile Suit Gundam 00 reviewed, it’s time for the third and final piece of the 00 tapestry: Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer, the 2010 feature-film follow-up/finale that brings a close to the world of Gundam 00 and introduces the world of Gundam to extraterrestrial life for the first time. It’s a wild, strange, defiantly singular movie, and one of the stranger corners of the Gundam universe – but also one of the most rewarding, especially when you break it down in a long-form conversation as we do here. Operating on the levels of symbolism, metaphor, and myth-making, A Wakening of the Trailblazer isn’t quite like any other piece of Gundam, and it isn’t quite like anything we’ve discussed before; but it’s got a lot of fascinating, rich ideas on its mind, some of the most startling imagery in the entire franchise, and brings the Gundam 00 saga to an unexpected but wholly satisfying close. Gundam 00 has been one of our favorite series to discuss so far, and the film is no exception.

Enjoy, and come back next time for the CGI OVA series, MS Igloo!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #29 – Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Season 2 Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

After its stupendous first season, Gundam 00 has a lot to live up to in its back half, and we find it more than rises to the challenge with an incredibly smart, exciting, affecting, and entertaining second season, bringing the TV portion of this Gundam experience to a rousing close. Set 4 years after the first season, in a world that increasingly resembles some of Gundam’s most recognizable archetypes, Gundam 00 Season 2 reconfigures and interrogates some of the franchise’s longest-running ideas for the 21st century, not just applying issues of 21st-century geopolitics to its own fiction, but asking where Gundam belongs, and how it must evolve, as the franchise goes forward. With amazing animation, outstanding mobile suit designs and action, tremendous characters, and one of the best voice casts the franchise has ever assembled – including the very surprising return of one of Gundam’s most iconic voice actors – Gundam 00 truly is one of the franchise’s finest hours, and we had even more fun talking about it the second time.

Enjoy, and come back next time for Gundam 00 The Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #28 – Mobile Suit Gundam 00 - Season 1 Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Gundam moves boldly into the era of HD, widescreen, and 21st century geopolitics with Mobile Suit Gundam 00, an absolutely terrific installment that’s wickedly smart, wildly exciting, and features some of the best characters and world-building of the entire franchise. It’s also the first Gundam series to split itself into seasons, so on today’s episode we’re covering Season 1 – Episodes 1-25 – which work pretty splendidly on their own, as the story of the rise and fall of Celestial Being, a stateless military organization aiming to eradicate war through armed intervention. We discuss the story, world, themes, characters, and so much more, including the incredible production values and remarkable batch of theme songs, for a Gundam show that’s definitely worth the deep dive treatment.

Enjoy, and come back next time for Season 2 of Gundam 00!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #27 - Zeta Gundam: A New Translation Trilogy Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0000

This time, we’re taking a look at a curious oddity in the history of Gundam – Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation film trilogy from 2005 and 2006, which saw the Gundam creator returning to the classic sequel series and compiling it into three feature films, just as he had done for the original series in 1981, but now 20 years later, with much shorter run times, and, due to the inevitable passing of time, a much starker difference in new and recycled animation. There’s probably no Gundam series more difficult to condense in to three 90-minute movies than Zeta Gundam, with its enormous cast of characters, heady and challenging themes, and dense, complicated storytelling, but A New Translation is nothing if not a valiant effort, worth examining even if it never quite overcomes the sheer weight of factors working against it. We discuss the pace, the animation, the music, which characters make a strongest impression in this format, and are consistently reminded, at every turn, of just what a masterpiece Zeta Gundam itself truly is.

Enjoy, and come back next time as we move into the HD era of Gundam with Mobile Suit Gundam 00 – Season 1!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #26 – Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +0000

The day of reckoning has arrived – at last, it is time to review perhaps the most controversial show in the Gundam pantheon: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, the baffling, confounding, infuriating, utterly fascinating sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Set two years later with both new and returning characters, Destiny tries to be two different, contradictory shows at once: a challenging sequel questioning the assumptions and characters from the original, a la Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, and a straight-up sequel to SEED – Gundam SEED: Here We Go Again – and in the shuffle, somehow makes us hate the entire returning cast even while it buries and repeatedly does dirty its interesting new characters. The result is one of the most inept sequel stories ever told – but undeniably one of the most compelling to talk about.

Enjoy, and come back next time as Gundam revisits its canonical sequel series with Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation film trilogy!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #25 – Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 9 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Weekly Suit Gundam continues into the bold new world of the 21st century with Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, the first Gundam of the 2000s and one of the most broadly popular entries in the history of the franchise. It’s also a hell of a series – even if it took one of us a while to start enjoying it! – and builds to one of the best runs of episodes we’ve had the pleasure of discussing so far. It makes for one of our longest and most in-depth episodes, as we break down the characters, music, digital animation, and so much more, including how the series starts by reconstituting the structure of the original Mobile Suit Gundam before exploding into something new, vibrant, and incredibly compelling, both for the time in which it was made and the world in which we’re watching it now. This has long been one of our most requested episodes, and it was a real pleasure to try doing it justice.

Enjoy, and come back next time for our last episode of 2020 with Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #24 – The 08th MS Team Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Our OVA-a-thon concludes with one of the most universally beloved and undeniably entertaining series in the Gundampantheon, The 08th MS Team. Taking a ‘boots on the ground’ approach with no newtypes or ace pilots as heroes, the OVA follows a mobile suit team in a Vietnam-esque setting during the One-Year War, and provides some of the best action, animation, and mobile suit designs in the series. We gush over the lush production values and incredible set pieces, discuss the vibrant cast of characters, puzzle over how best to categorize the bewildering 12th episode (and why this should really be considered an 11-episode series), and also touch on the compilation movie Miller’s Report. The 08th MS Team is one of those works it’s impossible for any Gundam fan not to love, and getting to celebrate it at length here is a lot of fun.

Enjoy, and come back next time as we move forward into the 2000s with Mobile Suit Gundam SEED!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #23 – Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 05:00:00 +0000

After an unplanned two-month hiatus, we’re finally back to continue exploring the wide and wonderful world of Gundam, continuing our OVA-a-thon with Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, the 1991 OVA chronicling the adventures of Ensign Kou Uraki and his encounter with Zeon loyalist Anavel Gato. It’s a series that provides some of the highest highs but also many of the lowest lows in the entire Gundam franchise, with stupendous animation, great music, a few really strong episodes, and outstanding voice acting, but also some really shaky storytelling and character work and a final episode that may the single worst Gundam half-hour we’ve talked about so far. It makes for one of the best critical discussions about Gundam we’ve had on the podcast, and it’s an episode you won’t want to miss!

Enjoy, and come back next time for our next OVA review with The 08th MS Team!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #22 – Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Before continuing on to 21st-century Gundam, we’re doubling back for deep dives with the OVA series we’ve mentioned in passing but never reviewed in depth, starting with Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. Released in six installments in 1989, War in the Pocket marked the first time creator Yoshiyuki Tomino wasn’t involved in a Gundam production, and is widely regarded as one of the franchise’s finest hours, expanding and deepening the series’ themes and perspective by focusing in on the small-scale story of a boy growing up amidst the backdrop of the One-Year War. It is one of the greatest and most powerful anti-war stories ever told, on similar footing as Isao Takahata’s 1988 Grave of the Fireflies, and began a rich tradition of Gundam taking some of its best artistic leaps on home video.

Enjoy, and come back next time for our next OVA review with Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #21 - G-Saviour The Movie Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +0000

To close out our anniversary month celebrations, we’ve got a surprise review of a (rightfully) forgotten piece of the Gundam universe: G-Saviour, the live-action Canadian TV movie from 2000 that brought Gundam to live-action for its 20th anniversary, in spectacularly awful fashion. Boasting awful production values, bargain bin acting, a script straight of the Hallmark channel recycling bin, and almost nothing to distinguish itself as part of the larger Gundam franchise, G-Saviour is a morbid curiosity that is, at least, worth some laughs, as we pick apart the mostly nonsensical story, watching and reporting so you don’t have to!

Enjoy, and come back next time for the start of our series of OVA reviews with Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #20 – One-Year Anniversary Celebration and Rankings

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +0000

With one year of Gundam podcasts under our belt, we thought now would be a good time to take a look back at everything we’ve discussed so far. We’ve reviewed 11 Gundam shows or movies to date – Gundam 79, Zeta, ZZ, Char’s Counterattack, Unicorn, F91, Victory, G Gundam, Gundam Wing, After War, and Turn A – and on today’s anniversary celebration episode, we rank the best Songs, Musical Scores, Mobile Suits, and Characters from that pool of 11 works, before making our official Weekly Suit Gundam ranking of everything we reviewed in our first year. It’s a very fun episode, getting into the minutiae with music, mechs, and characters in ways we don’t always have time for in our various reviews, and these are lists we intend to revisit and update as Weekly Suit Gundam continues and we watch, review, and discuss more of this incredible franchise.

Enjoy, and be prepared for a special surprise episode of Weekly Suit Gundam next week on June 30th to finish our anniversary month!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #19 - Turn A Gundam Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +0000

It’s been one year to the day since we started our podcast journey through the wide, wonderful world of Gundam, and to celebrate our one-year anniversary milestone, we’re diving deep into one of the single greatest works the franchise has ever produced: Turn A Gundam, Yoshiyuki Tomino’s return to, and revolution of, the series he created. Set on a pre-industrial Earth in the very distant future, Turn A looks, sounds, and feels like nothing that’s come before, a punch drunk act of endlessly creative world-building that is so impossibly rich with ideas and dense with fascinating themes and characters that even though this is our longest episode yet, it feels like we only scratch the surface. Turn A is essential viewing for anyone even vaguely interested in Gundam, and talking about it makes for one of our richest conversations yet.

Enjoy, and come back later this month for our 1-year anniversary special, where we’ll be ranking the best songs, characters, mobile suits, and series from our first year of Gundam reviews.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #18 – After War Gundam X Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 1 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +0000

After War Gundam X is one of the least known and most underrated corners of the Gundam universe, running for only 39 episodes, with its shortened run marking the end of four continuous years of the franchise holding the same time slot on Japanese television. But it’s also a special, woefully underappreciated show, a smart and soulful return to and commentary on the major tropes and archetypes of Yoshiyuki Tomino’s original Gundam cycle, serving as something of an alternate sequel to the original Mobile Suit Gundam wherein Amuro becomes a dejected, sunglass-wearing Captain mentoring a new Gundam Boy. Full of great characters, excellent storytelling, and thoughtful, bold ideas about Gundam’s past and future, After War Gundam X deserves a greater reputation, and we hope this in-depth podcast conversation is a step in the right direction.

Enjoy, and come back throughout the month of June as we celebrate one full year of the Weekly Suit Gundam with a review of Turn A Gundam, an anniversary celebration special, and more!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #17 – Gundam Wing Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 06:00:00 +0000

It’s a big moment for our journey through the world of Gundam, as we finally reach New Mobile Report Gundam Wing – aka Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, or just Gundam Wing – the 1995 anime that finally brought Gundam to the mainstream in the West when it premiered on Cartoon Network’s Toonami block in 2000. At once a throwback to many iconic pieces of Yoshiyuki Tomino’s original Gundam formula and a bold break with the structure of every Gundam series up to this point, Gundam Wing is a very different experience than anything we’ve talked about before. Initially exhilarating before growing increasingly frustrating, the show is one of the messier entries in the Gundam canon, but nevertheless fascinating to talk about. And the OVA/movie sequel, Endless Waltz, is a real treat for those who stick with it all the way to the end.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #16 – Mobile Fighter G Gundam Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 6 Apr 2020 06:00:00 +0000

The time has finally come for us to dive into the wacky and wonderful world of Alternate Universe Gundam, and to start this new phase in the life of the podcast, we’re going back to where AU Gundam began with 1994’s bizarre Shonen soap-opera classic Mobile Fighter G Gundam, one of the strangest, coolest, and most endearingly heartfelt entries in the entire Gundam franchise. With an awesome cast of characters, great storytelling, an astounding command of its own silly, soapy tone, and one of the best soundtracks in anime history, G Gundam isn’t much like any other Gundam show before or after – but it’s absolutely worth taking the time to fall in love with.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #15 – The End of Evangelion Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 06:00:00 +0000

On the second part of our special Neon Genesis Evangelion detour, we dive deep with The End of Evangelion, the influential 1997 film that redoes…well, the end of Evangelion. Replacing the famously under-budgeted episodes 25 and 26 of the original TV series, The End of Evangelion is an epic production with incredible direction and animation, and it may be the purest expression of what Evangelion is – for good and for bad. There’s a lot to discuss with this film, from its mind-bending avant-garde stylings, to how it expands upon and wraps up the story that went unresolved in the television series, to the extreme Freudian psychoanalytic themes on display and the film’s frequently problematic treatment of women.

Enjoy, and join us next time when we return to the wonderful world of Gundam with Mobile Fighter G Gundam!

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Weekly Suit Gundam #14 – Neon Genesis Evangelion Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 2 Mar 2020 06:00:00 +0000

On this special episode, we’re taking a brief detour from Mobile Suit Gundam to talk about another of the most infamous, influential mecha anime of all time: Hideaki Anno’s Neon Genesis Evangelion, the mid-90s sensation that helped to revitalize the anime industry and became a major worldwide sensation. It’s a significant work in the history of anime, and a really interesting point of comparison to the world of Gundam, which Anno was intimately familiar with and drew a lot of inspiration from. On this episode, we are specifically discussing the original 26 episodes of the TV series (we’ll be doing End of Evangelion in a few weeks), and find that, while it has frequently magnificent direction, animation, and voice acting, the story, structure, and themes are a lot more undercooked and problematic. It’s certainly a fascinating show to talk about, and hopefully worth the wait, since we’ve been promising this for a while (though big Eva fans might hate us by the end).

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Weekly Suit Gundam #13 – Japan Quest! Jonathan’s Great Adventure!

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 06:00:00 +0000

In this very special episode, we take a break from talking about Mobile Suit Gundam itself to talk all about the place where Gundam is made: Japan! Jonathan just spent three weeks travelling in the land of the rising sun, and has tons of great stories to share – more than a few of them Gundam related, including visiting the life-size Unicorn Gundam in Odaiba, getting a drink at the Gundam Café, and discovering some very cool Gundam snacks in a convenience store. Beyond that, you’ll also hear about the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, the Hello One Piece exhibit in Yokohama, cool details about all sorts of famous temples like Zenkoji, Kinkakuji, and Matsumoto Castle, and the infamous Snow Monkeys of Nagano. There were so many incredible experiences on the trip, and this podcast is bursting at the seams with great memories. You’ll also hear all about a wide assortment of Japanese books, magazines, candies, food dishes, and so much more – and even hear a few clips from Karaoke, various shop songs, and the incredible Japanese dub of The Lord of the Rings.

And if you want the best experience possible, make sure to watch this episode of the podcast on our YouTube channel, where we have a special video version with thousands of pictures, dozens of videos, and so much more to accompany all the stories told throughout the episode.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #12 – Victory Gundam Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 06:00:00 +0000

Our first year of Weekly Suit Gundam comes to a close as we reach the end of the Universal Century with 1993’s Mobile Suit Victory Gundam, the final full series set in the Universal Century and the last before creator Yoshiyuki Tomino took a break from the franchise and Sunrise branched out into Alternate Universe stories. Victory Gundam is famously one of the darkest installments in the series, with a large cast, a shockingly high mortality rate, and the youngest protagonist so far in 13-year-old Uso Ewin. It’s also one of Gundam’s most commonly underrated achievements, an imperfect but frequently brilliant series that contains some of the best moments, characters, action sequences, and episodes, and which lingers long after one finishes watching. We dive deep with the series, but also reflect on our first year of the Weekly Suit Gundam podcast, look towards the future, and discuss Fathom Events’ recent theatrical screening of Char’s Counterattack to celebrate Gundam’s 40th anniversary.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #11 - Gundam F91 Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Our journey through Universal Century Gundam continues with one of the strangest and most rewarding corners of the franchise, the 1991 theatrical feature Mobile Suit Gundam F91. Written and Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino and reuniting him with Gundam’s original character designer, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, and original mecha designer, Kunio Okawara, Gundam F91 was the first attempt to move beyond the original Universal Century saga that had reached its culmination in Char’s Counterattack. Set 30 years later, with an all-new cast of heroes and antagonists, F91 was originally intended to be a full 50-episode TV series, before plans fell through and Tomino and company were left scrambling to fit their story into a 2-hour feature. The result is, indeed, a mess, albeit a fascinating one, filled with some of the richest and most affecting material the franchise has ever conjured, brought to life with some of the best animation ever committed to film. There’s no doubt it’s an oddity and outlier in the history of Gundam, but it’s also essential viewing for fans of the series – and it leads to one of our most enjoyable conversations so far.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #10 – Unicorn Gundam & Narrative Gundam Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Released in seven parts from 2010 to 2014, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn is an extravagant OVA sequel to the original saga of Universal Century Gundam, set three years after Char’s Counterattack and engaging in a direct, deeply thoughtful dialogue with the major themes and ideas of the franchise’s 70s and 80s output. It’s also a spectacular production, with movie-caliber animation, an all-time great score by Hiroyuki Sawano, and some of the greatest mobile suit action the franchise has ever seen. We dive deep with the series on this week’s show, while also touching upon Unicorn’s own movie sequel, Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative, the 2018 film that stands as the most recent entry in the Universal Century canon.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #09 – Char’s Counterattack Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 06:00:00 +0000

The original saga of Mobile Suit Gundam reaches its spectacular climax with Char’s Counterattack, the 1988 theatrical film that reunites Char Aznable and Amuro Ray for one final conflict, and sees Yoshiyuki Tomino and company bringing these characters, their story, and the major themes of the series up to now home with astonishing aplomb. As the first original movie in the franchise’s history, Char’s Counterattack boasts incredible production values and some of the greatest animation we’ve ever seen, but it’s also a deeply intelligent, incredibly thoughtful capper to all the big ideas, character arcs, and interpersonal conflicts broached in the original three TV series. And after spending so much time talking about the ingenious character creation that is Char, this movie gives us ample opportunity to put the character and his complex evolution in context, leading to one of the best conversations we’ve had about Gundam so far.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #08 - Gundam ZZ Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 2 Sep 2019 05:00:00 +0000

After the abject darkness that was the ending of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, we come out on the other side to review and discuss its immediate successor, Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, a show that appears lighter at first glance…but is it? ZZ has a bad reputation among Western fans, but we’d argue it’s a deeply misunderstood and underappreciated gem, an essential follow-up to Zeta Gundam that masterfully shifts the franchise’s POV, boasts stunning visuals from start to finish, and is chock full of great characters, both heroes and villains alike. As the final TV entry in the initial Gundam trilogy, it wraps up the first saga of the Universal Century with aplomb, challenging much of what we thought we know and taking the series to bold, compelling new places along the way. It’s not one to miss, and this jam-packed discussion is a lot of fun.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #07 - Zeta Gundam Review & Discussion

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Weekly Suit Gundam goes beyond its original missive of reviewing the original 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam by jumping ahead for a deep dive with the second series in the Gundam franchise, and one of the most beloved: Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, the sequel set in 0087 that sees new protagonist Kamille Bidan joining forces with the AEUG – and several familiar faces, including the mysterious, sunglass-wearing Quattro Bajeena – to fight against the fascistic takeover of the Earth Federation by the evil Titans. Now that Jonathan’s binged the entire 50-episode series in just over a week, we have a lot to talk about, from how beautifully this series functions as a bold, thoughtful sequel to the original, to its blend of new and returning characters, to how impactfully its political content resonates with our current moment. It’s one of the greatest anime series of all time – with as dark an ending as you’re ever likely to see – and that’s more than enough for a packed episode’s worth of discussion.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #06 – Gundam Film Trilogy & One-Year War Wrap-up

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 6 Aug 2019 20:17:13 +0000

Our first ‘season’ of Weekly Suit Gundam comes to a close with a big, fun, celebratory ‘wrap-up’ episode. For our main topic, we discuss the series of theatrical films, released between 1981 and 1982, that compiled and reworked the original Mobile Suit Gundam into a surprisingly effective film trilogy that saved the series from its initial lack of popularity and helped launch the franchise into the stratosphere. That’s a great discussion in and of itself, but it’s not all! We also briefly review all the other One-Year War series – Gundam: The Origin, War in the Pocket, The 08thMS Team, and Thunderbolt – talk about some Gundam manga and books, and count down the Top 10 Best Mobile Suits, Best Character Names, and Greatest Episodes of the original series. It’s a fun, jam-packed episode saluting one of the best anime series of all time, and a fitting celebration for Gundam’s 40thanniversary.

Enjoy, and stick around to the end, because while this may be the end of what we planned to do with Weekly Suit Gundam, it’s certainly not the last you’ve heard of our Gundam talks.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #05 - Reviewing Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Episodes 39-43

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 6 Aug 2019 20:11:34 +0000

It’s the final stretch of Mobile Suit Gundam – episodes 39 through 43 – and if you thought a mere five episodes wouldn’t be enough to fill a full installment of this podcast, you clearly haven’t seen the absurdly jam-packed final push of this incredible show. With the strange, metaphysical concept of ‘Newtypes’ taking center stage, Gundam’s closing episodes are both its most action-packed and its most boldly experimental, as Amuro comes fully into his new abilities and Char tries to harness the powers of the mysterious Lalah Sune. It wasn’t exactly the ending creator Yoshiyuki Tomino and company had in mind – the series was cut from 52 to 43 episodes, with these final five installments having to tell a much-condensed version of a longer original game plan – but as we argue here, it’s nonetheless a stirring, pitch-perfect ending to this all-time great anime, and one worth the deep dive we give it here.

Enjoy, and come back next time for our final episode (for now!) of Weekly Suit Gundam, where we’ll be talking the compilation movie trilogy from 1981-1982 that sent Gundam’s popularity into the stratosphere.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #04 - Reviewing Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Episodes 26-38

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 6 Aug 2019 20:07:55 +0000

The end is near for Mobile Suit Gundam, as this set of episodes – #26-38 – find the crew of the White Base becoming fully integrated into the Federation’s forces, visiting the military’s biggest base of operations, and returning to space for an assault on the Zeon stronghold of Solomon and, finally, a duel…in Texas! It’s another sterling set of episodes, this bunch more action-packed than ever, but also dense with revelations and major plot developments, culminating in a series of major reveals that reshape the stakes of the conflict and where our major characters stand, with just five episodes left to go. We’ll get to those next time, but for now, this is an incredibly juicy, wildly entertaining, and as always shockingly sobering set of episodes worth diving deep with.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #03 - Reviewing Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Episodes 14-25

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 6 Aug 2019 20:02:38 +0000

As we hit the middle stretch of Mobile Suit Gundam and discuss episodes 14 through 25, the show gets increasingly dark, with the challenges faced by the crew of the White Base growing ever more perilous. We’re introduced to new foes like M’quve and Kycilia Zabi, alongside the inimitable Ramba Ral and his companion Hamon, enemies who present Amuro and Bright their fiercest opponents yet, but are also perhaps the most honorable and upstanding characters on the series to date. As the lines between ‘good’ and ‘evil’ grow ever blurrier, the body count starts piling up, and series creator Yoshiyuki Tomino more than earns his nickname, “Kill ‘Em All Tomino.” It’s another terrific, if frequently depressing, set of episodes, as we round the halfway point of the series and head into the back half full steam ahead.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #02 - Reviewing Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Episodes 03-13

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 6 Aug 2019 19:59:26 +0000

After giving an overview of the Mecha genre and talking about the first two episodes last time, we dive deep into the meat of Mobile Suit Gundam on this week’s episode, discussing Episodes three through thirteen, a stretch which sees Amuro struggling with the surmounting stress of piloting the Gundam, Bright navigating his unexpected leadership, and Char deliciously manipulating supposed friend Garma Zabi to mysterious ends. It’s a terrific set of episodes that establishes the show’s episode structure and major themes, culminating in a brutally dark episode that makes it clear this is no lighthearted space opera – and why this show deserves the thorough look-back we’re giving it on this podcast.

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Weekly Suit Gundam #01 - Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Episodes 01-02 & Intro to Mecha Anime

dinochow@jonathanlack.com (Jonathan Lack & Sean Chapman) — Tue, 6 Aug 2019 19:54:10 +0000

In the 40 years since its 1979 debut in Japan, Mobile Suit Gundam has grown into one of the most pervasive and beloved franchises in anime history – and this summer, we’re taking a look back at the series that started it all, by watching, reviewing, and discussing in depth all 43 episodes of the original Mobile Suit Gundam (aka Gundam 0079). Sean has been a big Gundam fan for years, but Jonathan’s never seen a single episode before, giving us two unique perspectives on the series as we set out on this journey. This week, we go into the history of bothGundam itself and the Mecha genre at large, before diving into the first 2 episodes of the anime, one of the most confident and compelling introductions we’ve ever seen to a TV series. And over the next four parts of this podcast miniseries, we’ll continue through to the end of the series.

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