Flowtaku Podcast- Anime, Arts & Lifestyle: Recent Episodes
Lamar Ramos
The funnest anime podcast around! Hosted by Lamar (FKA Twizzie Ramos). Featuring guests who are "professional otakus", creatives in and outside the industry, entrepreneurs, cosplayers, athletes, and more. Safe space, non filtered, free from gatekeepers and your usual weeb toxicity.
Spy X Family, the series that swept our hearts in the past year with because of it’s complicated, yet almost sitcom plot and characters. I invite Mae Claire out of Philly, a returning guest from season 1 to cover this anime as well as the ridiculously over the top Akihabara Maid Wars!
She is an actress, singer, Vtuber who also works in a maid café. So we dive into her BTS experience of working at one in North America. Later on the show, we discuss both of our journey to accepting our weeb selves and using it fully to create really unique content!
Plug:
Mae Claire
MaeClaire.com
Lamar
https://linktr.ee/flowtaku
Did we finally get a TV game adaption that’s actually.. good?! Joined by gaming editor who’s coveredthe The Last of Us having interviewed the director and a few of the casts ofthe show, Brad Shankar, we review the latest HBO adaptation. From comparing itto the games, highlighting easter eggs to predicting season 2.
Later on the session, I interview him about his work as he talks about a few of coolest things he’s gotto be a part of in the gaming industry!
**note- due totechnical difficulties during the recorded call, some footage was unfortunatelylost.
Plug:
Brad
https://linktr.ee/bradshankar
Lamar
https://linktr.ee/flowtaku
It really is the “ultimate guide” as we talk all things One Piece, my current favourite anime (and I’m not even a Shonen guy). This episode covers the series so far including the latest movie; One Piece Film Red. From what pulled us into its lore, how it still captivates us even after 1051 episodes (as of recording), recalling the best villains/arcs and predicting how it all ends!
I had to have Anime Sundays back as a guest to cover an anime with such a rich history with me. He is a content creator, event host & Twitch streamer out of Atlanta who’s known for his anime skits, and his knowledge for Shonen.
Later on the hour we chat about how consumption stays changing for short and long form content, and how he adapts as a creator.
Plug:
Anime Sundays
https://linktr.ee/animexsundays
Lamar
https://linktr.ee/flowtaku
Video games was crazy in 2022, from Elden ring to Xenoblade 3, we talk about the ones we played the most! We also go into some of our all-time best franchises from JRPGS to Zelda. What we love about them but also criticizing what needs re-inventing to keep gamers invested.
Featuring Quinton aka Geak out of Los Angeles. He is a youtuber and content creator who specializes in JRPGs and Nintendo games, who is also in development of his own indie game!
Plug:
Geak show
https://linktr.ee/thegeakshow
Lamar
https://linktr.ee/flowtaku
Breaking the tradition of having a new guest every episode, this season debut one is about the host, me!
The saying goes, " There's nothing lonelier than being surrounded with a room full of people, and not being able to be yourself".
.. and on this episode I talk about how starting this podcast was the first step into the journey of learning to create for myself. How it's helped me come out as a proud geek. This journey which goes deep into mental health, self-discovery, finding new inspirations, and leaving things behind to be able to achieve the best version of one's character.
We also get into how its rebranded in the past year and the big elephant in the room, letting go of the "Twizzie" moniker from season 1.
A backstory which is very anime protagonist (or in my case, villain) like!
On our Season 2 Finale, I talk to gaming and Japanese pop culture journalist Brianna Fox-Priest about her adventures on becoming a writer for geek fandom magazines such as Otaku USA! As an upcoming writer myself, I couldn’t help but ask plenty of questions about getting into the business of freelance and her writing process.
Our anime topic is the HILLARIOUS “The way of the house husband”. We chat our favourite moments and how we need more slice of life not always focused around teenagers, but grown working folks like us. We also get into some Jrock bands we love and recommending music from Japan!
Plug:
Brianna: Twitter: @bfoxpriest
web: briannafoxpriest.com
Lamar Ramos:
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
My Dress-up Darling & Ranking of Kings, two of the best anime this year that I was caught off guard by. I am joined by a returning guest Shanice Penn aka Nana who is a digital artist out of LA. We go into detail as to what make these two shows are so unique. From the character depth and writing of Ranking of Kings, to the wholesome relationships and Marin being THE waifu of this generation.
On some random talks we get into being a foodie in California, changing hairstyles and more. Ya’ll know it’s always a LIVE session when Nana and me are talking!
Plug:
Nana - https://linktr.ee/Nanadesign
Lamar Ramos:
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
On this episode, we rate some of our favourite (and least) anime fits! I am joined by Miranda a costume designer, cosplayer and fashionista out of New York City.
We also talk about some of her amazing designs from JJBA masks, Faye Valentine cosplay, Bucci Jacket and more. The process, as well as what she plans to make in the future!
Miranda:
https://linktr.ee/Raimentsbymiranda (Linktree) & https://www.raimentsbymiranda.com/
Lamar Ramos:
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
How come male anime watchers are expected to only like Shonen and action amines? I talk to another fellow shojo/harem/ slice of life fan who’s considered himself a closet one, Raph Tigno.
That’s our hot topic as we fanboy on the “Rent a Girlfriend” series as an example, Chizuru as top waifu, and what we how comfortable we would be with the idea renting a girlfriend in real life!
Raph is also an NFT curator at Satoshipup and the founder/creative director of VIBEANT, community hub for Filipino-Canadian musicians. He talks to me about what inspired him to start VIBEANT and host its own awards show celebrating Fil-Can artists!
Raph:
https://vibeant.com
https://opensea.io/vibeant
Lamar Ramos:
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
We bring back Rob, creator of Shonen Showdown to talk about one of our favourite sports anime Kuroko no Basket!
Rob has been playing ball in the NY area since he was a kid. He talks about his come up finding basketball and compares which parts of the anime is real of impossible on court. Which characters compare to today's NBA players.
We also mix in chats about content creating, coming up with anime skits for youtube, and give our thoughts/predictions on the 2022 NBA All Star Game. Make sure you give him a sub and help him reach that 100k on youtube!
Lastly, thank you for all your support on getting me to 20 episodes gang.
Plug:
YouTube: Shonen Showdown
Instagram: @shonenshowdown
Twitter: @shonen_showdown
TikTok: @theshonenshowdow
Lamar Ramos:
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Discussion on the latest JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime “Stone Ocean”. Breaking down Jolyne as the new Joe-STAR and how this arc ranks with the rest.
I am joined by cosplayer Ness, who’s done an array of JJBA characters as well as JRPG favourites like Tifa, Jade and more! Our 2nd topic discusses some of our favourite JRPGs and the hobby of collecting retros.
We also dive into a little bit of Covention life as a cosplayer or guest.
Disclaimer - I had a cold during the recording of this episode. So pardon the pitchy voice change and dry cough.
Plug:
Ness
Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok: @nesswedge
https://linktr.ee/nesswedge
Lamar Ramos:
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
On the first episode of the year, I am joined by New York Rapper/Realtor and Pokemaster Highrow (HGRF). Sit back and listen to grown men talk Pokemon fandom originating since our early gameboy days and what we love about the franchise till today- a well as compare Poke ink! We both do a little freestyle to a sampled Gym Battle beat prod. by NEET later on the episode so stick around for that. On other topics, we of course discover more about his music, being a realtor as profession by day and hilarious stories on how weird some fans can be on social media!
Plug:
Highrow - https://linktr.ee/highrowglyphfix
Lamar Ramos
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
IG - @ Flowtakuanime
Tiktok - @ flowtakuanime
Happy holidays! On the final episode of the year, I talk to Bree (anime tiktoker) out of SAn Antonio,Texas about how Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood hits different watching it as an adult. She is a mom of 2 and talks about naming them “Akira” and “Gohan”! We have a little fun challenging ourselves to listing different animes and analyzing which type of people would put those titles in their #1. More for our BS and amusement than a serious study though so don’t get offended haha. Bree- Tik tok @bb.gon IG @bb.gon Twizzie Ramos- https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos Follow my socials IG/ - @ Flowtakushow Tiktok - @ flowtakuanime
Miss Kobayashi Dragon Maid is one of the most over the top and every bit delightful series I’ve seen, and we break down every good thing about it! I am joined by Shanice Penn aka Nana Design, who is a professional digital artist and creator out of Los Angeles.
We also cover topics like living in Japan, speaking different languages, Art and more in what’s our longest episode yet but for the best reasons!
Plug
Nana - https://linktr.ee/Nanadesign
Twizzie Ramos- https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Follow my socials IG/ - @ Flowtakushow
Tiktok - @ flowtakuanime
I get to talk to amateur Mixed Martial Artists,Bryan Francisco, on combat sports anime like Megalobox! How anime like these along with Hajime no ippo, Baki the grappler, captures real life fight mentality and how they throw in different concepts to the story telling wheel. His in-ring experience and how he relates to the characters in the anime when in the ring.
We also chat a bit about Neon Genesis Evangelion series and our thoughts on it before seeing the final movie which recently dropped.
Plug:
Bryan, Community advocate - @antyxarts + @distresscentreyyc
Twizzie Ramos-
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Follow my socials IG/ - @ Flowtakushow
Tiktok - @ flowtakuanime
Who would outsmart who? Kira vs Lelouch. Some of the most complicated anime protagonist/antagonist characters to date. Which of their allies will help them the most in a war between Death Note vs Code Geass worlds?
We break down villains with heroes complex, mind control and shinigamis in this episode!
Joined by the Gracia aka Grit, is a Canadian Kurmp Dancer. We also talk about the Krump world and his mentality going into battles. How he was introduced and how its culture differs from other types of dance scene.
Plug:
Gracia - Instagram: @graciadinzau
Twizzie Ramos- https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Follow my socials IG/ - @ Flowtakushow
Tiktok - @ flowtakuanime
It’s a Halloween episode! We talk about our fave shorts from the Junji Ito collection anime, horror video games, to slashers like Child's Play, Texas Chainsaw Massacre series.
I am joined by a sisterly duo singers, Yuwen & Weiwen (The New Cinematic). We chat about horror culture as well as their come up in music which started out from blowing up youtube with their pop/emo covers which started when they were Jr.High! How to carry an image in the industry, and using techniques learnt from doing covers to creating your original pieces.
Plugs:
Instagram - @thenewcinematic, @yuwennc, @weiwennc
Twizzie Ramos:
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
IG - @ Flowtakushow
Tiktok - @ flowtakuanime
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is the main inspiration to my 2020 synthpop album “Star Crusader”, and my guest Timothonius is the one who put me on the anime! He is a pianist and producer that I happen to always be on the same wave with whether it be musical collaborations or weeb topics. We go through our favourite JJBA moments as well as sleepr anime “Space Dandy” Later on convo, we talked about what it’s like being a performing musician while also being proudly introverted, in a profession where you're expected to be the opposite. What it’s like for us to love doing gigs and meeting people, but needing a longer time to recharge away to be at our best!
Timothonius: @timothonius Twizzie Ramos https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos Follow my socials IG/ - @ Flowtakushow Tiktok - @ flowtakuanime
Water Sports Anime. Today's hot topic is the laugh out loud ridiculousness of "Keijo!", and the new series "Re-Main" which is based on the sport of Water polo.
My guest is no stranger to The sport being a former player, and having a sister who recently competed for the 2021 Canadian Olympic team at Tokyo! Conner Christmas is stand up comic and Interdisciplinary performing artist. I pick his brain on the anime's realism to the sport, what would happen if Keijo! actually existed irl, before interviewing him on doing stand up comedy during the pandemic compare to being in front of a live audience.
Links:
Conner
https://www.instagram.com/co_christmas/
connerchristmas.com
Twizzie Ramos
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Follow my socials IG/ - @ Flowtakushow
Tiktok - @ flowtakuanime
We discuss school anime from the likes of “The Disastrous world of Saiki” to the legendary “School Rumble” and their charm that can make us adults relive those moments again! I am joined by School Teacher by day, Cosplayer off the clock, Jai. We also get into our love for the “Tales of” JRPG series from comparing our favourites, to our early thoughts on their newest game, “Arize”.
Later on the convo, we tell tales from our teaching experiences on how expressing our passion for anime or music can help us relate to the shyer kids!
Plugs:
Jai:
https://rawrjair.bio.link/
Twizzie Ramos:
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Follow my socials IG/ - @ Flowtakushow
Tiktok - @ flowtakuanime
We debate (Shonen Showdown style!) which new album is better, Kanye's "Donda" or Drake's "Certified Lover Boy". The highlights (..and the lowlights) of each album, back stories, theories, beefs, then ultimately conclude as to which comes out on top for us!
I had the honour of interviewing my guest who is the creator of Shonen Showdown, Rob (NY, US), on how his channel got its massive following of from a passionate community discussing Shonen Anime came about. He talks about the mentality and research that comes with preparing for each debate, the influences he took from basketball and more.
... as for me, I get to cover all my favourite topics all in one episode. BASKETBALL, ANIME, and MUSIC. So you know I was extra on this haha
===============================
Links:
Shonen Showdown
YouTube: Shonen Showdown
Instagram: @shonenshowdown
Twitter: @shonen_showdown
TikTok: @theshonenshowdown
Twizzie Ramos
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
IG - Flowtakushow
Tiktok - Flowtakuanime
Ever wonder how a story format of heroes vs villains be told millions of times through out history and still feel fresh? From our favourite anime as well as video games, we discuss how writers keeps it fresh in this day an age. We mention shows like Hajime no Ippo, Eye Shield 21 to today's most popular Shonen as well as JRPG giants like the Final Fantasy series.
My guest, Zacarias is a singer/producer. A long time friend, collaborator and recording artist who've worked with me on a few songs on the past. We talk about his past and upcoming projects, and give some details on our most recent unreleased collab!
Plug: Zacarias
https://imzacarias.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/zacarias4real
Twizzie Ramos
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Follow my socials IG/FB/TikTok - @ Twizzie Ramos
We rank all 20 My Hero Academia 1A students in a Sports style Draft! Joined by Mr. Anime Sunday, renown content creator, tik toker and youtuber. Together we create a scenario with a mission to infiltrate an unknown villain camp. We analyze each student’s skills from their quirks, chemistry with each other, roles and potential.
(I messed up the order a little bit late in the convo my bad lol)
We also dive into Sunday’s journey to his craft from his days in film school. We dive into how he creates his skits, to participating in power scale battles with “Shonen showdown”, a community where they pit up different characters from different anime in battle and debate who would come out on top!
Plugs:
Mr. Anime Sunday
https://linktr.ee/animexsundays
Twizzie Ramos
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Follow my socials IG/FB/TikTok - @ Twizzie Ramos
Our pick in order:
1 – Deku
2 – Todoroki
3 – Bakugo
4 – Tenya
5 - Tokayama
6 – Momo
7 – Kirishima
8 – Mina
9 – Jiro
10 – Asui
11 – Mezo
12- Ochako
13 – Denki
14- Sero
15- Koda
16 – Ojira
17 – Sato
18 – Yuga
19 – Mineta
20 – Toru
I've been having only long-time anime heads on the show, so I thought we'd try something different and invite one who just recently jumped into the platform! Kathy, Digitial/sketch artist and Gothic cat lover, has been more of a Marvel & DC universe fan her whole life. We talk about her first impressions and her new found love with anime after seeing shows like Food Wars, HxH and One Piece, as well as how it compares to the comic world.
We also talk about her lifestyle as a Goth and how the community is in reality despite how people outside people think it's all blood sacrifices and rituals!
==================
Plug: Kathy
Instagram @katasstrophicarts
Twizzie Ramos
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Follow my socials IG/FB/TikTok - @ Twizzie Ramos
TRESE, the new Netflix original/anime based on the city of Manila got us proud and excited! I chat with Actress/Entrepreneur from Philadelphia, Mae Claire, about the meaning and its representation of Filipino culture to North American mainstream. We also dive deep on the Mythology used on the show and how they relate to some of the spooky stories we were told as kids!
This multi-hyphenate artist gives us tips on branding, finding your niche and just doing whatever best express you from her experience of owning social media agency “My Pocket Partner”
Plug:
Mae-Claire
https://msha.ke/maeclaire/
Twizzie Ramos
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Follow my socials IG/FB/TikTok - @ Twizzie Ramos
I review Space Jam: New Legacy and compare it with the 90's original with someone who worked with the animation team for the movie. Thomas, a friend whom I found through the community of people who love Cowboy Bebop! We talk about how the anime inspired him in his quest to becoming a professional 2D animator, and what his work was like behind the scenes of Space Jam 2.
Plug:
Twitter: @KampenThomas
Instagram: Scrawnydutchman
Twizzie Ramos:
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Follow my socials IG/FB/TikTok - @ Twizzie Ramos
Fantastic Frankey and I discuss new hit titles Tokyo Revengers and To Your Eternity.
We look at the impressive time travel lore and fashion of "Tokyo Revengers", give our predictions, as well as the heavy tearjerker moments from both anime. She talks about the movement she created as a “Fanboy Fighter” and her goal of normalizing Black Female voices in the space of anime, Comics & pop culture!
Fantastic Frankey
https://linktr.ee/fantasticfrankey
Twizzie Ramos
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos
Follow my socials IG/FB/TikTok - @ Twizzie Ramos
Front man of the band Natural Twenty talks about "BECK", the anime that made him want to start his own band! We dive into other Music anime essentials and their sound tracks from the likes of "Carole & Tuesday" to "Kids on the Slope" and how they inspired musicians of today.
We also chat about his food channel Kain Bang specializing in combining Korean and Filipino dishes. drool
Plugs:
@naturaltwentymusic on IG. Natural Twenty on socials.
@kainbang on IG. Kain Bang on youtube, facebook, etc
Twizzie Ramos:
https://linktr.ee/Twizzieramos