Anime Roundtable: Recent Episodes
Anime Roundtable
Anime fandom with a Toronto flavour. The talk starts with anime, but can go many different places
Web - www.animeroundtable.com Twitter and Instagram - @animeroundtable Email - animeroundtable@gmail.com
Yeah Mike, James, Kevin, and (maybe) Moh, talked about the World Cup, and buying manga, and the stuff upcoming in the Toronto Area. But we finally had our chance to talk about all the Sony stuff on the Playstation and Crunchyroll ends that's been simmering for sometime. Why don't you hear our take on it. And who knows, you may hear Moh talk
Anime Trending’s William Moo sits down with Mike to talk about his time on the judging panel for the recent Crunchyroll Anime Awards and the future of anime awards in general. Another angle on the “Physical vs Digital” debate, light novels and manga with respect to anime seasons. And then Mike gives some quick thoughts after seeing the live action version of Five Centimeters Per Second, and the lack of opportunity to see more Japanese live action movies outside of Japan.
Producer's Note: We realize that much of this discussion might actually be out of date now. But we do feel (like with a lot of things we talk about), it'll find a way to become a conversation again
William's Queue:
Japan's Anime Revolution by Jonathan Clements
Daemons of the Shadow Realm
Eren the Southpaw
This week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when you hear Mike and William shifting in their chairs
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We begin day two of our annual Anime North visit by looking back on day two…and the rain. And you know the autographs for the Japanese Guests of Honour would be a story
00:48:10 - We quickly recap the Crunchyroll Anime Awards and give a thought on a brewing discussion about how much it matters
01:08:42 - Assistant Programming Director Norm McEvoy makes his annual appearance and actually answers some of the concerns of Day 2 and specifically how Japanese Guests can be different from other guests at anime conventions. Then of course the weather, and thoughts on the 30th Edition of Anime North, along with thoughts for the organizing members who passed away, most notably Cathy Schutt (Graphics Coordinator)
01:41:40 - Mike’s Final Insult. What’s in the number 30?
Tonight’s Drinking Game: Take a shot everytime you hear Kevin tapping the table
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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We begin our annual visit to Anime North by catching up with Lawrence and make our usual initial observations on the grounds, especially the Toronto Congress Centre side. Then talk anime merchandise, streaming on service not called Crunchyroll, and use all of that to look forward to tomorrow
Tonight’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Norm comes in to check in
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, and Lawrence Black
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Of course Mike and James had to start with a lot of video game talk (we believe in fandom’s overlap). Then Mike wonders how much AI help would be needed for the socials in the future, and how much video should figure into the podcast side. We come back to Toronto and look ahead to Anime North and beyond to the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, and the Toronto Japanese Film Festival. The first English voice of Sailor Moon is running for Toronto City Council this fall. Then, in memoriam we remember Ted Turner, Tatsuo Sato, and Koji Suzuki and their impact on our fandom over the years. And it’s Mother’s Day, so we talk about our Moms in our fandom.
And the Queues:
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Your Castle’s Little Helper
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Cat’s Eye
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Petshop of Horrors
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Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku
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Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
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The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses
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I Made Friends With the Second Prettiest Girl in Class
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Mike or James make a joke that goes over the other’s head
Mike Nicolas and James Austin
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And we start it with a story about Neil and one of his favourite subjects…hentai. And the others give their 20 year reflections of the Roundtable and the Toronto fan community
00:33:10 - We give the latest update to the Pokemon Centre stabbing murder. Along with an overview of shops based on specific IPs
01:06:20 - We finally weigh in on the Shogakukan cover up controversy and wonder about the past competence of its editorial department
01:28:00 - And the nominees for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards are…
And the Queues
Is It My Fault That I Got Bullied?
One Piece Live Action
Hagenai
Geppy-X
The Darwin Incident
Oshi Uplink
Tim Horton's Korea and Anne of Green Gables
This Week’s Drinking Game - Pour one out to the victims of the stories we talked about this week
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy-Lynn Greig
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Mike and James do a space heater for the first time with the wireless mics…and you can hear it. And we start by looking back on 20 years of the Roundtable, and what has changed in terms of how we keep up with any of this (hint: social media and life). And then we look ahead to episode 100
This Week’s Drinking game: Take a shot when you hear Mike taking a TUMS, or use the word “efficency”
Mike Nicolas and James Austin
What was mentioned
Gachiakuta
Kaho Shibuya becomes a Twitch ambassador
Afroman Lawsuit
The Shogakukan controversy
Seven Seas Publishing is purchased by Media Do
Right Stuf warehouse is for sale
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We start the Valentines episode by recapping Mike’s space heater review of Scarlet
00:15:22 - We look at the latest crackdown in manga piracy and try and make some sense out of it
00:49:38 - Kodansha expands their Print on Demand program. Of which Crunchyroll is part of?
00:56:00 - We crack the whip on the obligatory Crunchyroll stuff. Let’s start with the store…
01:13:30 - Then the streaming subscription prices…going up
01:32:00 - Fandom kept the receipts from Viz. And a quick history of limbo titles from them
01:53:35 - What’s on our queues?
James - Lupin III: The Immortal Bloodline
Moh - Scarlet (maybe)
Kevin - Stray Kids: The DominATE Experience
Mike - Falling For Her Secret Side (LN), Otonari Asobi (LN)
02:11:55 - The community calendar, Fruits Basket Prelude, Oshi Uplink V-Tuber Convention
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Mike goes on his rant
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Kevin Ng (eventually)
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Mike and Moh were talking on the phone the day after the former went out to see Scarlet in IMAX. So the former hit the record button so everyone can know if it's worth seeing in IMAX...
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As we settle in and spill a few drinks (this week’s drinking game), we welcome Amy back around the table and get her thoughts on the last number of months
00:12:05 - We start with the Toronto goings on with the official start of the countdown to Anime North, The Artist Alley Shop, local sweets, the follow up to AniRevo Toronto (and what it might overlap with), the predatory nature of the Gaming Card side, and the Nerd Market
00:46:10 - Another angle on the Amazon AI Dubbing story and the scenarios
00:54:40 - An update over the battle between Netflix and Paramount for the soul of Warner Bros/Discovery, and a thought for series being released for binge vs week to week
01:14:30 - Hideaki Anno on Japanese creators adapting to international markets…let’s dig here a little bit, there’s some nuance to talk about
01:45:50 - And what’s on our read, watch, and play lists…with some further therapy for Mike and his growing Light Novel addiction
Moh: Rental Family, Frieren
James: Wash It All Away
Kevin: Another Code: Recollection
Amy: My Hero Academia, Sanda, Spy x Family, Rica ‘tte Kanji, My Journey to Her, With You Our Love Will Make It Through
Mike: My Stepmom’s Daughter is My Ex, Catch Me at the Ballpark, Days With My Stepsister, Falling for Her Secret Side
And finally a possible idea for a future stream...
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Amy-Lynn Greig, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Kevin lives to tell about his experience working retail the day after Christmas (one of the busiest shopping days of the year). Kevin lives to tell about his trip to Asia (which did include Japan). Kevin gives us his takes on the last few Space Heaters (because he was living). Then Kevin wonders what our reading and watching lists say about him and Mike (and tries to survive telling that)
It's the final podcast recording of 2025. Hope you like it
more links to be added
Mike Nicolas and Kevin Ng
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Mike and Mohamed go on and off topic wondering what was the bigger garbage fire this week. Was it the FIFA World Cup Draw, or Amazon's anime AI Dub attempt? And then we went on and off topic one more time with Netflix/WB and Crunchyroll ending winding down their ad tier.
And then we end with our usual "What are we watching and reading" segment. Here's one of Mike's hints: Happy Birthday Mahiru Shiina!!
This Week's Drinking Game: Take a shot for Mike when he realizes Moh got disconnected...
Mike Nicolas and Mohamed Sharmarke
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TLDR: It was better than the microphones for this taping…and you can hear it
Mike and James give their review on the first Anime Revoution Toronto the previous weekend, and in particular the Japanese guests. With a few thoughts on the Toronto Game Expo which was also the same weekend. With a longer conversation about the convention scene for Toronto. And a throw away thought on Amazon’s AI Dubbing attempt
Remind Mike to do a mic check next time
Mike Nicolas and James Austin
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Mike and James finally go back to the podcast mics. And James talks watching Virgin Punk in theatres, XSEED, and Crunchyroll subtitles. Mike talks his first impressions of using the Manga UP service. We look ahead to Anime Revolution Toronto. And end with a tribute to an Anime North original
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Our first regular episode since Anime North begins by looking back on the Demon Slayer movie talk in last week’s Space Heater. And a question about how much Sony’s recent form has been a win
00:31:40 - Crunchyroll announces an opening for their returning manga service. And there is an extra charge for it and…
Mike seeks therapy after going anime window shopping visit to Chinatown for the first time in years
01:09:20 - The AnimeMen youtube channel has made some news lately
01:34:50 - Kevin went down to AnimeNYC
01:53:00 - The Toronto Community calendar. Anime Revolution Toronto, and Anime Festa
This week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot everytime you hear Mike tapping his pen
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Amy-Lynn Greig, and Mohamed Sharmarke (eventually)
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
——
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Taped after the successful opening weekend of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle in North American theatres. Mike hasn’t seen it, but Kevin and Moh have. So we talk about that and “a few” things surrounding it
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The short answer is yes...as James catches up with the Mike. Gives his view last week's chat on the VShojo controversy, his thoughts on manga, light novels, and how they roll into anime. And then he talks about what caught his attention, namely the Animeigo and Discotek panels at Otakon and how they're a throwback to anime announcements from a by gone time
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Mike finally returns on the podcast side and catches up with Kevin for a talk around the space heater. We get Kevin's take on recent manga announcements from Anime Expo and San Diego, as well as his take on Mike's recent thoughts on manga and light novels. Then, Kevin did see BlackPink when they were in Toronto a few weeks back. So we get his thoughts on that and the Ado concert which took place last night. And finally under the "What the hell man?" heading, VShojo...
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Day two from Anime North always starts with impressions of it. Especially the weather and cosplay, what we saw in the TCC, and the panels seen and even done
0:49:40 - We talked about Matt Alt’s article about the resilience of the popularity of Japanese Pop Culture in comparison to Western…perhaps it’s a focus issue. And maybe the west’s influence in Asian Pop Culture
1:20:55 - Anime North Assistant Program Director Norm McEvoy makes his annual walk on with his thoughts on the convention so far
1:32:20 - Headlines in brief. Crunchyroll now at 17M subscribers. Anne Shirley’s all American cast. And watching 1100 One Piece episodes in 24hr??!
1:52:28 - What’s on our reading and watch lists (Beastars, Blue Box, The Makani, Summer Pockets, Kowloon Generic Romance, Anne Shirley, Apothicary Diaries, Catch Me at the Ballpark, Gundam GQuuuax, Pikman 4, Haganai, Vigilantes MHA, Dr Stone, Red Ranger Isikai)
2:03:10 - Mike’s Final Insult
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Amy Lynn Greig, with Norm McEvoy
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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We look back on Day 1 of AN. We talk initial impressions, how the AN compound looks, the weather, then some thoughts on the foreign film tariffs and wonder how this either ties into anime in North America and how it makes any sense
Then we look ahead to Day 2, and Mike's special presentation before the evening taping
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Lawrence Black
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Editors Note: This was taped just before Switch 2 preorders were also delayed in Canada. Which means a chunk of this aged about as well as milk...
A very long conversation about the ongoing Ghibli/ChatGPT controversy, the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, and V-Tuber Mint Fantome speaks as herself to explain her world to the rest of it
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
Opening Theme: Fubuki - Snowstorm by Pico Misaki
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James finally gets a little time away from work again to visit Mike for a Space Heater. After a quick overview of shopping options in Toronto, they decided to talk about the Animeigo documentary series “The Anime Business”, the upcoming Anne of Green Gables anime and the hopes for it in Canada, and James’ thoughts on Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and how he feels it’s not enough to save Ubisoft
Mike Nicolas and James Austin
Opening Theme: “Fubuki-Snowstorm” by Pico Misaki
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We start with Mike looking back on 19 years (on and off) of the Roundtable. And then current events with the Oscars, a followup to Space Heater and Ontario politics (with the election earlier in the week)
18:25 - Everyone around the table tonight has seen Gundam GQuuuux Beginning in theatres. And we have thoughts from Gundam watchers, and newcomers
57:12 - On the anniersary of Akira Toriyama’s passing, the Japan Foundation New York is doing an online panel about Dragon Ball’s popularity (on YouTube now)
And coming back full circle, Mike looks back on 19 years of the Anime Roundtable, and ahead to kicking the Twitch stream into high gear. Cheers to all that
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
Opening Theme: “Speed Demon” by Simon Holland (Greetings and Saluations)
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Kevin gives a Mike quick lecture to Mike as feedback on the first gaming stream. Then we talk Japanese Music with his thoughts on seeing Nano and MADKID in concert, Cloud Nine CEO Takuya Chigira’s thoughts on the state of JPOP internationally. How the downfall of a former member of SMAP is proving to be an issue for the TV network he was an anchor of, and some possible ramifications. Then we unwind with by looking back on Animeigo’s Valentine’s town hall
Mike Nicolas and Kevin Ng
Anime Roundtable playlist on Spotify
Opening Theme: “Fubuki-Snowstorm” by Pico Misaki
Landing Page: animeroundtable.com
Mike and Moh sat down for a space heater. We started by looking back on the first gaming stream on Twitch the night before, and the ongoing Playstation Network outage, which at the time of taping had gotten to 25 hours. But at the heart of the matter, Mike and Moh wanted to talk about The Colors Within, and why you should check it out in theatres before its run likely ends in less than a week
Mike Nicolas and Mohamed Sharmarke
Anime Roundtable playlist on Spotify
Opening Theme: “Fubuki-Snowstorm” by Pico Misaki
Landing Page: animeroundtable.com
We just had to talk about the reveal of the Switch 2 and take a quick trip down recent Nintendo history and how it rebounded from the Wii U almost 15 years ago. And wonder about the future of the handheld gaming console world as a whole. Then we dive into some anime headline with Diamond Distributor's Chapter 11, Discotek's latest reveals, Crunchyroll's latest issue (add it to the pile please), and James giving a thought on an anime title this season that doesn't have a North American pickup...when its manga does, and a business reason as to why you should be disappointed that's the case
Couldn't you tell Mike wanted to meet quota for the month?
Mike Nicolas and James Austin
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We begin 2025 with Mike and James doing a live video space heater where James goes on a rant about the issues with the Phantom Trigger Grisaia anime Kickstarter and looks back on similar anime and manga crowdfunds over the years. Then, some CES news with Crunchyroll looking to restart their digital manga service (hot off the heels of the increased stake in Kadokawa), do some Ghosts of Tsushima live action, and VLC looking to get into the AI subtitle space. Then we come home as the pre-reg for Anime North memberships and hotels begin, and Anime Revolution makes its move on Toronto
Mike Nicolas and James Austin
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Aside from talking about the fallout from the Video Game Awards, you know we just had to talk about every piece of Sony and anime related news over the last few weeks (00:17:00)
00:22:00 - Sony becomes the largest major shareholder in Kadokawa. And a little more about how we got to here
00:37:42 - Bloomberg’s expose on the inner workings of Crunchyroll as their recent numbers don’t look great
00:55:50 - Former Funimation man Lance Heiskel speaks
01:28:35 - NHK noting how big the anime business is this year. And CNN arguing for the upside for Sony
And finally, Kevin was late because he was returning from a shopping trip, the Gashapon pop up at Union Station, and the first of Mike’s New Years Resolutions (01:45:07)
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Mike thought it was already 2025
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Mike, James, and Kevin catch up after a month and a half off. We talked about Black Friday shopping in Canada (especially video games and some from the store formerly known as Right Stuf) before talking about Sony’s pursuit of Kadokawa and VISA of all things
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We finally get in for the first time in a few months. But Mike and James kept it simple and just talked more of the ups and downs of Playstation’s last bit, then the busy week Toho has had, remember a few more voices that have been silenced, and James’ further issues with Crunchyroll taking over Nozomi’s Kickstarter campaigns
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Mike and Moh test out some new equipment by talking a little Playstation. A little bit of Pro, 30th Anniversary, and maybe a new portable as the 6 comes out?
Hope the new equipment passed the test
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After completely missing out on August, Mike quickly gets the first episode of September out of the way. And we quickly talk about Kevin’s brief experience at this year’s FanExpo Canada and how it fit in with our fandom this year
00:30:30 - Then we talk about Toronto’s Union Station and Amy’s experience at a Gashopon pop up there earlier today
01:05:35 - James goes through some of the summer company announcements made during convention season. Which gets into a talk about extras on physical media releases
01:22:50 - Mike remembers Tanaka Atsuko and Rachael Lillis
This Week’s Drinking Game: Here’s to the ones that we got. Cheers to the wish you were here but you’re not
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy Lynn Greig
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
*Note: This was taped just before the Euro Final
James is English, Moh has relatives in England, we had to talk soccer to start, before getting the former caught up on the space heaters
00:12:19 - We finally talk at some length about the demise of Gainax. Maybe time gives us a little perspective and lessons
00:25:55 - Crunchyroll getting rid of their comments functions, we discuss how this happened and other motivations behind it
00:46:35 - Let’s go to Los Angeles. First we talked about the Dodger x Hololive promotion. And then Anime Expo and the line between artist alley and dealers room
01:17:47 - The Community Calendar. Back to the two Muv Luv bundles on Humble. Oh and the Revue Theatre in Toronto is doing a 20th anniversary showing of Place Promised in Our Early Days (which will probably be done by the time this goes up). And Flow is coming to Toronto
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Bluelock is referenced
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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It’s been two weeks since the ITZY concerts. Mike and Kevin were on site for the ITZY concerts in Toronto. So they talk about their observations from different angles, from Kevin’s previous experiences at KPOP concerts, to Mike soaking in the atmosphere around the concert hall. And how it reminded them of Anime North
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Other links coming soon
Mike, Kevin, and Mohammed give a few thoughts on Anime North almost three weeks after, the City Hunter live action almost three weeks after Mike was supposed to have watched it, a conversation with a friend and listener sparking another thought on merchandise, and maybe three headlines as we settle back into the mics
Not necessarily in that order
Toronto Japanese Film Festival
Gainax Goes Bankrupt
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We actually got a few people in the audience, it didn’t last long though. As always we started with impressions of the con so far. First with the new layout again, then the actual panels and events we saw
Then we get to the news
00:53:50 - Matt Alt talked about the potential and pitfalls of AI in the fine art of translation, so we did too
01:19:20 - Norm McEvoy takes a break from his rounds to make his annual visit to the podcast and explains a few of the changes that happened to Anime North this year, and talk about its DNA
01:35:06 - Norm gives his thoughts on Akira Toriyama as the tributes continue at AN, and then goes on his usual pro wrestling fandom for Terry Funk, and remembers some AN staff who passed away
Then some headlines in brief
01:45:15 - Wanna watch Miku Expo on TV? Pretty sure those who’ve gone to the concert in person weren’t interested
01:48:05 - Toru Furuya, say it ain’t so!? Another in a list of voice actors and bad behaviour
01:51:59 - Best wishes to Rachale Lillis as her Breast Cancer battle reaches a difficult point
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot of sake when someone in the audience adds to the conversation
P.S. We’ll hopefully figure out the buzzing sound by next year
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Amy Lynn Greig, with Norm McEvoy
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
Other Links
Lawson's and Mt Fuji
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Mike, James, and Lawrence make their observations as day one of Anime North winds down. Also we revisit some of the conversations from last year after the Nominoichi, and James and Lawrence give their thoughts on Akira Toriyama
Give it a listen before day two begins
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Mike’s voice and well being has recovered enough for him, James, and Kevin to sit around and talk about the world that has passed by in the last two months. After looking back on the Leafs’ season, we actually look forward to TCAF and Anime North (but watch your cellphones), and other things headlines that caught our attention
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a pint when Mike finally realizes that we’ve talked about Dokibird already this year
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We spend most of the episode sharing our memories and giving a toast to Akira Toriyama after news of his death broke
But we did also talk about these too on the community calendar
Humble Bundle: Japanese Language, Culture, and Travel
Momo Anime Market at The Momiji Centre
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy Lynn Greig
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Mike, James, Kevin, and Moh briefly got together over coffee and each talked about one thing that caught their attention this week
Moh: Initial reactions to the Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender live action
Kevin: The latest on the Ninjisanji controversy
James: Some titles people thought would never see an english release (from titles like Tsukihime and Fate/Stay Night to Ashita no Joe) will see one
Mike: Animego’s sale to MediaOCD
And in case you missed it in the community calendar, 100 Yen the Documentary, and another recommendation Living the Game
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We are able to return two weeks after the last time we taped (and less than a week after said episode was posted). Too bad Mike was still half asleep through it
00:05:15 - Changes abound at Anime Toronto. We try to make sense of that and what it means for the anime convention scene in Toronto
00:28:00 - Sony is finally winding down the Funimation streaming service. Of course there’s going to be an issue there. So the Sony bashing continues as we talk more about the kicking and screaming move from physical media to digital consumption of content
01:06:05 - The conflict between V-Tuber Selen Tatsuki and former agency Ninjisanji/ANYCOLOR has been the talk of that part of fandom, Kevin gives us a quick summary there and how it parallels the rest of the fandom
01:22:40 - And Japan Foundation Toronto and Humble Bundle have some stuff going on
This Week’s Drinking Game: Pour one out for Funimation. Then pour one more for the creator of the World of Narue who passed away this week
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, with “long time listener first time caller” Mohamed Sharmarke
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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The first episode of 2024 (which was taped a week before it was published) starts with us catching up with James. He’s been playing some games. So we talk games
00:28:35 - James gives another eye roll in talking about his latest shopping experience on the Crunchy store. Another lesson about being a Canadian fan
00:52:10 - We look back on the verdict in the Kyoto Animation arson tragedy
01:04:50 - We look back at the beginning of Anime North season, and the traditional scramble for early spots of any sort at the convention later this year
01:15:06 - The community calendar (of items that may have already passed as of publishing). A Japan Foundation Toronto discussion on Japanese Arcades. And KPop group ITZY is coming to Toronto
And more shopping at the end
This week’s drinking game: Take a shot of espresso when you realize Mike wants to finish the episode
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Mike, Kevin, and Moh gather around the table for the final time in 2023 and talk more Miyazaki, Mike and Moh’s Netflix watches, streaming services Mike should take a longer look at, defining titles of various generations of fandom, and Kevin’s little exercise. We then make our new years resolutions and debate how fast we’ll break them
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SPOILER WARNING
Mike and Kevin talk about and try to wrap their heads around every aspect of The Boy and the Herron, Miyazaki’s latest (final) film. And I mean EVERY POSSIBLE ASPECT
After looking back on the Space Heater Chat and some purchases in the latest Indigo Books sale. We focus on Crunchyroll on a few fronts this time around
00:09:45 - The retail side of CR with the end of Right Stuf. James gives his experience ordering from the revamped retail site
00:37:03 - New mobile games to Crunchyroll services, and manga service winds down. And James puts up an arguement as to why that’s not a totally good thing
00:51:07 - So what about the Crunchyroll’s current anime season?
And then on to other things
01:04:14 - AnimeNYC will have its 2024 edition on August 23-25th, the same weekend as FanExpo Canada. Aside from other news coming from this year’s edition
01:10:20 - Japan Foundation has a discussion on video games and trauma recovery
01:13:50 - James and Kevin go fanboy on Daigo
01:23:30 - Kevin talks a little more about his time watching V-tubers
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot of Espresso when you realize Mike really wants to go to sleep soon
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
After Mike recovers from yet another illness, he, Kevin and Moh have a morning coffee to talk about the last month to settle back around the table. Like Halloween and Anime North, thoughts on the Overwatch League Finals as Championship Season in various eSports wind down, and the uncomfortable story and latest developments in the Johnny Associates scandal
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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A rare time we decided to get right to the main topic and talk at length about PLANETES and Vinland Saga creator Makoto Yukimura’s appearances this past weekend in Toronto
01:20:32 - Then in brief, more Haruhi to celebrate 20 years, and One Piece with Jamie Lee Curtis is very possible
01:21:39 - Studio Ghibli sold to TV Nippon. We go through the coles notes version, how it came to this and what to expect in the near future. And Miyazaki gives up driving
01:30:16 - And longer than usual thought on Sony winding down the Right Stuf store, and how James saw the announcement coming over the last week or two
01:46:38 - Wow Paru Itagaki got married?!
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot everytime James says “Stuff Like That”. Even more impressive, try and count how many shots you take before passing out
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Amy finally returns and starts with some of her watching over the summer and we follow up from last week’s epsode on Anime Toronto with a thought on the poplarity of Hololive and other types of virtual idols
00:23:55 - So we decide to do a few headlines in brief in relation to live action adaptations. We start with a Japanese Drama based on Pokemon and its life lessons
00:36:22 - The GTO live action is returning…WITH ITS ORGINAL STAR!!
00:41:30 - We take a long look at what surrounds the renewal of the One Piece live action for a second season. What has helped it, and is it sustainable?
01:43:54 - We look ahead to Makoto Yukimura’s Toronto appearances at the end of the week
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Kevin attempts to sing again
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Amy-Lynn Greig, Mohamed Sharmarke
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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James returns to the table for the first time since Anime North. So we start by recaping his take on the anime summer
00:06:22 - A thought on anime on physical media
00:10:25 - The original Sailor Moon TV series is leaving streamer Crave on September 17 as Kevin finally shows up!!
00:17:25 - Discotek will bring back the original Digimon dub cast for their release of the second movie among other things from them
00:24:05 - On Anime Expo, James does go at length on the Tsukihime visual novel release on consoles, and attendance
00:37:40 - Crunchyroll having a presence at FanExpo Canada made James and Mike reminisce about the on and off history of anime programming there (which predates the use of the name “FanExpo”)
00:49:20 - We begin our long review of Anime Toronto (Formerly IFF Toronto), and how did being on Labour Day weekend a week after FanExpo affect things
00:53:40 - So how about autographs from the guests of honour?
01:18:40 - A quick word on TIFF and the international premier of The Boy and the Herron
01:24:25 - Kevin talks about the Anime Toronto Discord and the Hololive and Yukana presentations
01:43:26 - Makoto Yukimora (creator Planetes and Vinland Saga) is coming to Toronto. And then we look ahead
This week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot whenever you hear Kevin’s keyboard, or when you realize this was taped a day before the 22nd anniversary of 9/11
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
Would you believe we taped this more than three weeks ago? Mike, Kevin, and Moe decided to shoot the breeze and talk sports, esports, the convention news to that point, the (at the time) convention look ahead, anime movies, movie festivals, and a thought for those who are no longer with us. Not necessarily in that order
Would you believe we taped this more than three weeks ago? Mike, Kevin, and Moe decided to shoot the breeze and talk sports, esports, the convention news to that point, the (at the time) convention look ahead, anime movies, movie festivals, and a thought for those who are no longer with us. Not necessarily in that order
Mike, Moh, and Kevin just had to talk about Toronto politics throughout the chat (we taped it as the city elected its new mayor). Mike, Moh, and Kevin also had to ask again about “appointment viewing” vs binging. Mike, Moh, and Kevin also just had to update the Kenshin reboot controversy (with some thoughts about how adapted titles are better with most of its source material straightened out). Then Mike, Moh, and Kevin just had to bring up the first impressions of the One Piece Live Action trailer
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As day two of Anime North ended, Kevin and Amy finally sat around the table to give their impressions of the show so far. Kevin and Amy talk the panels, and Mike talks the general atmosphere…and the parking
Then, we have a serious discussion…
51:22 - With the reboot of the Rurouni Kenshin anime now on the horizon, we revisit the discussion that has simmered in light of the issues of its creator some years back. Can you separate the art from the artist here?
After we tried to lighten the mood with a game of Yes or No, but then…
1:33:15 - Anime North’s Co-programming head, Norm McEvoy joined us for his annual visit and gave his take on the Kenshin issues and looks back at the weekend to this point. And looks back on the lives of Leiji Matsumoto, Ichiro Mizuki, and Antonio Inoki
1:59:57 - Hey Kevin. What do you really think about Kodansha’s K-Manga?
2:09:49 - Great Pretender has been picked up for physical media. And a Final Insult from Mike
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot for a job well done
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Amy Lynn Greig, with Norm McEvoy
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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10:45am Editors Note: Mike was so sleepy while putting up the episode this morning, he put up the wrong one. It's now corrected. To the both of our listeners, enjoy!!
Mike is joined by James, Moh, and Lawrence and make observations on the first night of Anime North 2023 and the Nominoichi. James talks about Jun Miyuzuki’s appearance at TCAF and her creation process. Then the others give their take on the evolving media mix in fandom. And look ahead to Saturday
We’re off and running at Anime North
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Kevin and Mike start off by talking about the core items in otaku fandom’s eco-system (and define what a core item is). And then we update manga and graphic novels at this stage of the pandemic in light of the belief that manga sales may have plateaued. Talk some more Kodansha and Drops of God
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Still settling down from episode 81, Kevin and Moh visit Mike for the first in person taping since August. And Moh brought mochi donuts to boot. After settling down with the donuts, talking Sakura season in the Toronto area, the to do list on our social media, and even Kevin’s love for Certain Scientific Rail Gun, we really settle down and talk at length about every surrounding Makoto Shinkai’s latest film Suzume
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We carve out time for the first time in a month to gather around the table and talk about the Super Mario Bros movie to start and wonder how other Nintendo IPs would work as movies
0:23:15 - We give a brief thought on Suzume and preview the Space Heater Chat coming up later this week
0:36:35 - James brought up the Polygon article about the staying power of anime on physical media. And how important that is. Straddling the line between collectable and consumable
Then we talk some live action
1:12:00 - The test screening for the One Piece live action didn’t go all that well did it?
1:27:50 - The Drops of God live action on Apple TV+. This is different, but it might be good
1:38:30 - The hottest anime right now is not streaming on Crunchyroll
The Community Calendar
1:47:22 - Looking ahead to this weekend’s Toronto Comic Arts Festival. And a reminder to always support the independent artists (or in this case, one of Moh’s friends)
1:58:51 - The latest Anime North news, with the first Japanese Guests announced
2:04:03 - RADWIMPS comes to Toronto this week!!
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot everytime Mike says the word “facetious”
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy Lynn Greig
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Only hours after Mike put up the Space Heater Chat recorded ten days before, we return for the 80th regular episode with the entire gang who give their thoughts on the recent past, like the Oscars (and specfically the Best Animated Feature)
Then what did we miss?
17:45 - The Crunchyroll Awards, what stuck out to us. And a guide on how to start long running titles now…a few decades later. Usual suspects apply. And some talk about Crunchyroll in the greater Sony family
39:02 - The end of an era in Canadian television with the rebranding of Teletoon into Cartoon Network. We look back on Teletoon’s impact on the fandom in the 90s. A very Canadian discussion here
53:00 - Some thoughts on Sentai Filmworks and the things going on there. With an AI thought for the future
58:30 - ICv2’s annual manga week came and went so we look at a few of the numbers coming from that
01:04:10 - We finally talk about Kondansha’s online online service K-Manga. And give our own initial thoughts on where this could go
01:36:20 - In Toronto convention news, IFF Toronto is now Anime Toronto. And will happen the weekend after FanExpo Canada on Labour Day weekend. And of course an Anime North update two months out. And Kevin talks a little Man with a Mission
01:48:30 - Karyu Pamyu Pamyu gets married to a former Terrace House commentator
01:50:20 - The final Ash/Satoshi episode of Pokemon aired today. In commemoration Rika Matsumoto did a viral video singing the original Pokemon theme, and Amy quickly summarized and lamented the finale
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot for 80 episodes down
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy Lynn Greig
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Mike, Moh, and Kevin spend Pi Day going a little off the beaten path, and back to the movies as we talk about the Oscars and the evolution of Michelle Yeoh, her path compared to Jackie Chan’s, and Asian representation in Hollywood and North American pop culture
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Mike and Kevin spent over an hour talking about every possible angle after watching the Kaguya-Sama movie a few days before (on Valentines Day of all days)
Sadly we had to end it off on this note…
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We begin the Super Sunday episode by getting Moh and Amy’s thoughts on the last episode two Sundays ago. And then going a little local
00:16:45 - Canada’s biggest book retailer might also be the biggest seller of manga in Canada. So imagine what would happen if it got cyber attacked and the long term. Oh yeah, and (outgoing) Toronto Mayor John Tory
00:38:50 - In anime fashion news…Astro Boy boots and the gacha machine backpack
00:42:23 - Boise Anime convention looking for Anime Cosplay only (Mike should have asked about Afro Samurai)
00:52:25 - We talked about James Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe and how it wants to be different from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And then we try to take that thinking to the Anime and Manga ecosystem (I think that’s an ongoing discussion)
Then in brief
01:28:00 - Netflix finally comes down on password sharing
01:32:00 - The top ten most pirated TV seasons from streaming services in 2022. Anime made the list. And which services we’re on
01:47:03 - Looking ahead on the Anime Community calendar, the Kaguya-sama Movie, RADWIMPS, Japan Society NYC
01:53:35 - And finally some thoughts on the Discotek and Viz Media announcements
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot before doing your Valentines Day shopping on the 15th
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy-Lynn Greig, Kevin Ng
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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We begin this week’s Roundtable by talking our Toronto Area roots and the death of former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion (Anime North takes place very close to the Toronto/Mississauga border)
11:30 - James gives his thoughts on last episode, and his recent video gaming
27:12 - It’s Awards Season!!! And anime is no exception (within itself), so we look at both the Reddit and Crunchyroll awards and how they’re trying to take the exercise a little more seriously
1:06:25 - James and Kevin talk at length about delayed anime productions and how an almost perfect storm (pandemic, Lunar New Year, studio workloads) has impacted that
1:23:45 - Kevin did a field trip this week. He watched the “Reincarnated as Slime” movie and went manga hunting uptown
1:27:20 - Mike also took a field trip this week. And visited his old university anime club and the location where the first epsiodes of Roundtable were recorded. And wonders about the future relavance of anime clubs and their place in the current fandom
1:41:45 - And finally the Anime Community Calendar featuring online presentations by the Japan Society and Discotek (both featuring Mike Toole). And the next Sword Art Online movie too and lets look forward to TCAF
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot whenever sleep is mentioned (chances are it’ll knock you out)
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Editor’s Note: This episode was taped before other developments in the stories mentioned happened
As we settle in, Amy gets caught up on last week’s episode before we talk about this week’s stuff
38:58 - We fill in our duty as an Official Podcast of Anime North for the first time in 2023, by talking about the opening of hotels and registrations…and the headaches involved. So we walk through the timeline of events this week
1:16:04 - Kodansha USA pulling digital simulpubs from other services. Kevin puts on his manga hat and goes into detail. And of course we take our guesses as to what’s next
1:41:19 - What’s on Amy’s list. And isn’t it cool to relate to younger fans?
This weeks Drinking Game: Take a shot whenver you get the sense there’s a reality check
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy-Lynn Greig
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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We begin the first episode of 2023 by looking back on the last episode of 2022, with the talk about the Pokemon anime
14:55 - Mike remembers Pele’s contribution to North American pop culture
Then we start on the things that have caught our attention as 2023 begins
23:50 - James brings up Media Blasters founder John Sirabella’s YouTube Channel
33:17 - Then James brings up Shinchosha’s experiment into an AI drawn manga
38:05 - Moh and Kevin talk Bleach and Chainsaw Man with a conversation about pacing an anime in relation to its source material
52:50 - A Wired article in the aftermath of the Netflix cancellation of 1899 caught Mike’s attention on the streamer’s ongoing content pivot, and tries to relate the questions from this article to Anime
1:02:40 - And Miyazaki is coming out with something new. And a talk about Romantic Killer and how Viz is promoting the manga
1:23:00 - So what are we enjoying as of late?
1:25:00 - Vinland Saga and Trigun Stampede has James’ attention. The latter of which sparks a discussion about the recent trend of going back to older titles
1:33:07 - James also recommends Buddy Daddies and his playing of Witch of the Holy Night (with a look ahead to uFotable’s next feature)
1:41:10 - Moh’s choice is Salaryman’s Club. Then Kevin mentions Bocci The Rock, and how its popularity was a little much for its creator at the recent Comiket. Gagant as well
2:01:48 - Mike’s read, Kaguya-Sama (with thoughts about going to the library). And he’s still behind on the anime he has been watching in the past. And he’s been playing Hot Wheels Unleashed
2:05:50 - We start to look ahead to Anime North with registration beginning on Jan 13. And New Years resolutions for the Roundtable in 2023
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot for Mike forgetting to properly hook up his microphone to his MacBook
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Really we only talk about two (and a half) things this time around
You knew we were going to talk Blue Lock with the FIFA World Cup ending a few hours before. So Mike gives Amy and Kevin a quick synopsis of Blue Lock, and how sometimes anime and manga can both imitate real life, and question it
32:50 - Mike gives an update on the Hana Kimura story
34:50 - We digest on the news of the ending of the Ash and Pikachu story in the Pokemon anime, and the end of an era in our fandom. With Amy giving a quick history of how the anime has “evolved”
This weeks drinking game: Take a shot when you realize we will have to explain Blue Lock again…
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Amy-Lynn Greig
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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Please note that we talked a little World Cup before the Sunday games happened. We’re pretty sure after those games, some brackets were broken. So you knew that Mike and Moh had to give some first impressions of Blue Lock
23:55 - What stuck out from Anime NYC…and how we got it confused with New York Comic Con and Big Apple Anime Fest, the different ways titles get licensed, and the tweaks coming to J-Novel Club
50:10 - In talking J-Novel Club, Mike talks about one of the recent anime adaptations of one of the titles and wonders if the dynamic of the media mix is changing
1:00:02 - What stuck out in the interview with Christopher MacDonald, the CEO and Publisher of Anime News Network
1:07:35 - James and Kevin talks about the issues with the new Pokemon games. They still sold well
1:21:50 - Netflix stuff, Cooking for the Maiko House trailer, and NHK’s issues with the advertising tier
1:28:45 - The blocking of the Simon and Shuster and Penguin RandomHouse merger, and looking ahead to the arguements concerning Microsoft and Blizzard
1:36:45 - Some thoughts on the passings of Kevin Lillard and Jason David Frank (this week’s toasts are to them)
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, and Kevin Ng (eventually)
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
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The Kadokawa acquisition of Anime News Network is no doubt the big news of the week. So we take a long look at it, and the potential that sits there. Along with a few asides like Canadians getting their notice on Crunchyroll’s price increase, and James’ take on the Discotek presentation a few weeks back
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Amy Lynn Greig
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We settle in as championship week in three major e-sports begins (DOTA2, LOL, and Overwatch) 7:40 - Kevin went to the Anime North Halloween Event at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and does a quick recap, with a version of the Nominoichi (obviously his specialty)
30:10 - Looking back at the Discotek presentation and what caught our attention there
Then Moh finally gets into the conversation
34:11 - Netflix changes their anime focus, and how that clashes with the culture of fandom both past and present
54:50 - Some social media thoughts and what’s been in our queues
1:07:08 - Kevin and Moh look back on James’s last appearance in last week’s Space Heater Chat and we update it
1:13:26 - Finally we talk Halloween, first on the Simpsons, then the tragic events in the Itaewon district of Seoul and revisit Halloween in East Asia again
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when someone says the word “charming”. And take another when it’s Mike who says it
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
We settle in as championship week in three major e-sports begins (DOTA2, LOL, and Overwatch) 7:40 - Kevin went to the Anime North Halloween Event at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and does a quick recap, with a version of the Nominoichi (obviously his specialty)
30:10 - Looking back at the Discotek presentation and what caught our attention there
Then Moh finally gets into the conversation
34:11 - Netflix changes their anime focus, and how that clashes with the culture of fandom both past and present
54:50 - Some social media thoughts and what’s been in our queues
1:07:08 - Kevin and Moh look back on James’s last appearance in last week’s Space Heater Chat and we update it
1:13:26 - Finally we talk Halloween, first on the Simpsons, then the tragic events in the Itaewon district of Seoul and revisit Halloween in East Asia again
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when someone says the word “charming”. And take another when it’s Mike who says it
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
James returns to the table and chats with Mike as they update the Bayonetta voice controversy. Plus James gives a few thoughts on Bleach and Disney+ from a business standpoint Mike Nicolas and James Austin
Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA
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Amy returns and sparks a discussion about her grade nine students being fans of a show that came out before any of them were born, and similar benchmarks in recent fandom history, and the key things that facilitated those benchmarks 16:58 - Disney gets the streaming rights for Bleach for Disney+ and Hulu, and Urusei Yatsura on HiDive
26:25 - What have we been watching lately
39:29 - We revist the Kyle McCarley story and get Amy’s take on it with some follow up details
1:23:33 - The Bullets. Some Hunter x Hunter and Card Captor manga news. Tokyo Olympics bribary scandal
1:26:44 - Hey someone put out a list of “Starter Anime”
1:54:05 - A final kind word for the late Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of Yu-Gi-Oh
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when you realize that the word Mike was looking for was “acrimony”, or confused both Bleach and Naruto
Mike Nicolas, Amy-Lynn Greig, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
Moh returns to the table and we start with his thoughts from last episode. Especially on upselling out of print, hard to find manga, Japanese guests at FanExpo, Moh’s movie watching, and Kevin, James, and Shin Megami Tensei 39:52 - We talk at length about the Kyle McCarley situation concerning losing his role in Mob Psycho 100 and try to read between the lines with Crunchyroll’s movements in it
In the bullets segment
1:11:55 - What caught our attention from Aniplex Fest. Mainly Urusei Yatsura’s North American streaming rights going to Sentai and HiDive, Chainsaw Man, and the Rurouni Kenshin anime
1:24:09 - Netflix…TaDummmmm. And how Cyberpunk Edgerunner gives a new angle to the industry’s media mix
1:32:00 - Is there any Nippon TV stuff on Disney+ in Canada? Mike wants to get that return on his $2 investment (or about $1.50 US)
1:37:10 - What’s Kevin reading in a new segment we will call, “Kevin’s Culture Corner”. And finally what’s in all our queues
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a sip whenever we hint Wu Tang CREAM, then a shot when we do
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
Visit our website for more information and links:
Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
Moh returns to the table and we start with his thoughts from last episode. Especially on upselling out of print, hard to find manga, Japanese guests at FanExpo, Moh’s movie watching, and Kevin, James, and Shin Megami Tensei 39:52 - We talk at length about the Kyle McCarley situation concerning losing his role in Mob Psycho 100 and try to read between the lines with Crunchyroll’s movements in it
In the bullets segment
1:11:55 - What caught our attention from Aniplex Fest. Mainly Urusei Yatsura’s North American streaming rights going to Sentai and HiDive, Chainsaw Man, and the Rurouni Kenshin anime
1:24:09 - Netflix…TaDummmmm. And how Cyberpunk Edgerunner gives a new angle to the industry’s media mix
1:32:00 - Is there any Nippon TV stuff on Disney+ in Canada? Mike wants to get that return on his $2 investment (or about $1.50 US)
1:37:10 - What’s Kevin reading in a new segment we will call, “Kevin’s Culture Corner”. And finally what’s in all our queues
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a sip whenever we hint Wu Tang CREAM, then a shot when we do
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
Visit our website for more information and links:
Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
We begin the 70th episode of version two off topic with thoughts on the 21st anniversary of 9/11 and the death of Queen Elizabeth 10:10 - We look back on last week’s Space Heater Chat. With a long thought on anime programming in FanExpo and further IFF and AN comparisons,“culture”, live Overwatch League in Toronto, and the Nintendo Switch in mid-life
39:25 - We weigh in on the current Shojo Beat reprinting discussions and a general discussion about reprinting out of print translated manga titles
And in brief
1:32:50 - Netflix and NTV come to an agreement on older anime titles. And then compare it with NTV’s agreement with Disney+
1:42:55 - On the topic of Nintendo, Switch games being the most profitable physical media in the UK (Long Live the Queen). So what about traditional physical media for moving pictures?
This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Mike has “tip of the tongue” moments Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
Kevin helps Mike fill the first part of his September quota since he missed out on filling out the August one. We look back on Kevin’s mature game last episode. Then look back on the actual festivals around the Toronto area missed in August (Japan Festival Toronto, CNE, FanExpo). A look ahead to things going on in Toronto in September (Overwatch League Summer Showdown). What’s on our queues, how you get hooked into buying mulitple editions of the same thing (manga edition), and a few headlines we might talk about in the next episode
Our first in person episode at the Six Points Studio in more than two years!! We begin by getting everyone elses thoughts on the recent past conventions and the announcements that came out of them. With Mike reposing his Yes/No question from last week’s Space Heater, Kevin’s true thoughts on Manga Up, and the issues of putting EVERYTHING into English
47:40 - We have to take on the Crunchyroll purchase of Right Stuf from different angles. Most notably the adult one (Kevin en fuego here)
1:35:04 - In the spirit of both the fall out of the purchase and of episode 69…Kevin plays a cultured game of know your…well...Anime North Game Shows, what do you think? And how’s Kevin’s pronounciation?
2:07:38 - Looking ahead to events on the community calendar
This weeks drinking game: Take a shot when you either hear a ramune bottle marble, or a discord alert, or moments when you realize it would have been good for Mike to have his pop filter on
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
James visits the studio for the first time in over two years to help Mike test out the new mics. In it he gives his view on Anime North despite not being able to attend it, then we talk about the three anime conventions happening this weekend (neither of us are attending those either). But then we talk about the further frustrations of being a Canadian consumer, some manga industry news, and a discussion on actual things... Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
We begin by following up on the big headline this weekend, the lineups 9:00 - We follow up on Thursday’s On My Mind and fully introduce Amy
Then we look at our own Anime Norths so far
15:15 - The Nominoichi
21:10 - Amy talks seeing Katsura Sunshine talking the Decending Stories anime
26:00 - Then Amy talks the YTV panel hosted by Martin Hsu
39:29 - Mike talks a little bit about his morning panel
41:26 - We talk about the aftermath of the drowning death of Yu-Gi-Oh creator Kazuki Takahashi
53:17 - Ken Akamatsu gets elected to the Upper House of the Japanese Diet
1:01:04 - And clear the deck, Anime North lead Norm McEvoy makes his regular appearance during the AN episodes. He does look back at some of the history of Anime Fandom in Toronto, including where AN did begin
1:11:28 - Mike brings back his game of “Yes or No” to unpack and play with the others
1:33:24 - The wrap up (Mike tries to summarize the panel)
This Week’s Drinking Game - an either/or as well Either, take a shot everytime you hear someone breathing on the mics… Or, take one everytime Mike is on the verge of saying “Anime Roundtable” instead of “Anime North”, and visa versa
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Amy-Lynn Greig, with guest Norm McEvoy
Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
Mike goes flying without his usual wingmen. But in the process hears again from regular con-goer Lawrence and AN’s social media head Chris. We look back on the ups and downs of day one with Lawrence’s shopping spree and others just hoping for that chance. Then Mike looks ahead to day two, and looks forward to telling his story in the morning to help celebrate the 25th anniversary. And then Mike ends it off by looking back on Amy’s On My Mind from the day before
On the eve of Anime North (and the afterglow of PRIDE), one of the regulars has a very important message for the Roundtable listeners and hopefully Anime North attendees too
Kevin visits Mike to dust off the old microphones and to check their Anime North worthiness. In the process they talk about going into Mike’s vault to find things that might be Nominoichi worthy, and immediate thoughts as Anime Expo begins to wrap up This might have been taped last week, but for sure there’s more to come this week
We start by getting Canadian political as we do every so often from Bill C-11 and Canadian Content to the Ontario General Election (which does have an Anime North link) 9:35 - We talk about the Toronto Comic Arts Festival and the controversy surrounding the invite given to, and then taken away from Pink Cat creator Saba Moeel 46:31 - A year after Kentaro Miura’s death, Beserk’s fate has been determined, and will continue with the help of Miura’s assistants and close friend Kouji Mori in charge And briefly… 1:11:30 - It’s old news, but what about the latest on the One Piece live action, the Robotech live action, and the new Urusei Yatsura anime 1:19:38 - So what is our plan going into Anime North a month from now? And just when we were about to finish up.. 1:32:06 - Some video game stuff. James and Kevin are trying to get Xenoblade 3 digitally on the Switch store, Mike looking at the Playstation Days of Play sale, and some esports thoughts 1:34:37 - And an update on the union push at Seven Seas This week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot for when you can spot every technical issue that happened this week…just pace yourself Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
We settle back into our first recording of any sort in about a month 7:08 - James and Geoff give their take on the Netflix issues and the current streaming landscape. With a longer discussion about the past and present way of consuming content (both anime and mainstream). Netflix hasn’t been all bad has it? Well… 36:22 - Worker in the North American dub industry is looking to do what a lot of other industries these days, put a union label on it. Netflix hasn’t been all bad has it? Then headlines in brief (can’t call them the Bullets anymore can we?) 1:01:55 - Hunter x Hunter about to come out of hiatus. And what has changed during the hiatus 1:10:13 - The Iron Chef reboot coming to Netflix is more based on the American version than the original Japanese version. So we talk about the significance of Fuji transfering the license from Food Network to Netflix 1:20:20 - Collider’s “Seven Greatest Anime Films Worth Watching Twice” 1:26:51 - Should we really be surprised as to who has picked up Shinkai’s latest movie? So can Sony do it justice with its promotion? The likely answer is probably better than Disney and Miyazaki 1:30:40 - The latest Anime North news just before the online Virtual Preshow happens this weekend with an announcement for the Podcast this year This week’s Drinking Game: Take a sip of water whenever there is even a remote reference to any Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki
We’re back with the first regular episode in more than a month (and a few weeks since the last time we chatted). And we talk just a little more about Kevin’s LA trip, ice cream there, vacations in general, and a COVID update 26:40 - Yes we had to talk Netflix and their recent downturn. But of course we tried to put some sort of Anime view on it 1:05:17 - So what have you been watching or reading lately? (PS: the phrase Mike was looking for was “Grasping at Straws”) 1:15:24 - The Bullets. GKids picking up Nadia Secret of Blue Water. Netflix giving a shot reviving the Japanese Iron Chef. Pop up Maid Cafes in the Toronto East End. Anime North relaxing attendance caps. And the Toronto Japanese Film Festival This weeks Drinking Game: Take a shot whenever the word “nosedive” is said, and then one more for the state of the world Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Maski
Mike talks with Kevin a few days removed from his Los Angeles vacation. With some thoughts on KPOP and spots that would be of interest to Asian pop culture junkies, and of course relate it to Toronto and the pandemic Mike Nicolas and Kevin Ng Editor’s Note: This isn’t Kevin’s first one on one space heater chat. He did one on Halloween night too
Mike and James again go off topic talking about early Spring in Toronto (which is very much like winter), and some sports. Then we talk Discotek’s twitch stream of announcements, Sentai titles leaving the Crunchyroll streaming service (and staying on their own HiDive service), how Sony actually looks at their Crunchyroll brand and ad supporting. Then we end coming home with some Anime North observations and some house cleaning here
Mohamed and Geoff return to the table this week after successful Batmen pursuits. So we’ll get their takes and follow up on the CR and AN stories before getting everyone elses takes on Disney+ expanding into more Japanese programming, Megumi Ogata and gender in the seiyuu industry, and Makoto Shinkai’s earlier works finding a new home. We’ll end by looking back on a bunch of things as well Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
Mike, James and Kevin continue the conversation started a few days back. This time we talk Anime North (we are official podcast after all), and a bullets segment full of Anime YouTube adn Manga thoughts Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
Mike, James and Kevin on impulse decided to sit down and hit the record button, and ended up giving their thoughts on Sony’s formal announcement merging the Funimation and Crunchyroll streaming services into a single one under the CR name Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
After spending almost 40 minutes talking about the long weekend in various parts of Canada, COVID, Winter Olympics, and somehow connecting all of those dots to anime, manga, and graphic novels (trust us, it worked out better than you thought), we talked about a Japan Society online presentation on the topic, and Nintendo doing its best Sony impression when it comes to their older online game stores And don’t forget the Anime Community Calendar at the end Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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And here we thought we’d start doing weekly episodes… On the first weekend of the Winter Olympics, and a week after Canada’s latest successful games in FIFA World Cup Qualifying (and the usual jokes about the organizations who run them), we react to the latest in the aftermath of the Microsoft Activision-Blizzard acquisition, the latest in the Totally Not Mark fair use story, and react to the other stuff that we’ve been playing and watching Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke
Visit our website for more information and links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2022/02/17/anime-roundtable-v2-0-61-february-7-2022-weekly-shows-pffft/
Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
Let’s be honest, Microsoft’s announced acquisition of Activision/Blizzard is the big story this week (it took almost an hour of the show). So we’ll talk about it, and try to tie it into the anime sphere. Around that though, we do also talk about Anime North being pushed into July, and take a crack at Project Anime’s 2022 predictions (since we did them last year too) Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
It’s a very Seinfeld-ish episode. Or at least one that wasn’t prepared. Geoff adds his two cents on the NFT and Scott Pilgram talk from last week, Moh shakes his head on the Netflix price increase news. Then after we look at the latest Anime North news, Mike poses a question on one of the great male protagonists of the medium before finally looking ahead to next week…and a plot Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig Visit our website for more information and links:
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We begin 2022 with some significant stories already with the acquisitions of Sentai and Retrocrush and what could the future hold. Then we talk about a manga episode that’s not coming soon to a digital device near you…kind of like a COVID update. We end of the real talk by mentioning some Lum and Netflix New stories, New Theme Music, New Year. Hopefully new good luck too. Something to lounge to while enjoying your evening matcha Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
Visit our website for more information and links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2022/01/11/anime-roundtable-v2-0-58-january-8-2022-a-big-bang-to-start-the-new-year/
Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
In our final 2021 episode, we decided to take a peek at anime’s gossip column and talk about Runa Narumi. After we look at the changes at the winter Comiket which was set to happen. Then we wind down the year by looking back on the things that made an impression on us after a tough second pandemic filled holiday season Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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The rest of the Roundtable join Mike and James for a live Space Heater Chat for Christmas Eve. After talking about hunting for PS5s (and the let down of a successful one), we try to talk at length about some of the buzz surrounding the new Rurouni Kenshin anime series, as the past its creator Nobuhiro Watsuki comes back out of the shadows again and becomes a major part of the discussion and possible success. With Mike as a known Kenshin fan, he tries to reconcile his love of the series and the sins of its creator and balance why he should and shouldn’t care about it Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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On the happy side we talk Ken Akamatsu’s political ambitions, Discotek, and Jump Festa on the bookends. Sandwiched in between is the depressing stuff like COVID, Sayaka Kanda, and Hana Kimura in the second last Roundtable of 2021 Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3
We look back on the first live-stream a few days back both on the presentation, and content. We talk the Totally Not Mark/Toei situation, the cancellation of Cowboy Bebop, and the deaths of both the Bebop anime’s screenwriter (among other things), and the lead man behind the NES and SNES Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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Anime Roundtable v2.0 Space Heater Chat - December 8 2021: Faces for Radio Mike and James gave a live-stream a try for the first time…AND IT FAILED MISERABLY. Care to see how so? But we taped this the evening after the Totally Not Mark/Toei situation publicly broke. So we check the nuts and bolts of it, as well as give our usual thoughts
How did we look? Oh wait, you're listening to the audio version of this. Well why not check out our channels then
Visit our website for more information and links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2021/12/11/anime-roundtable-v2-0-space-heater-chat-december-8-2021-faces-for-radio/
Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com Twitch: www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA
We begin December shorthanded. But somehow we do get in a good length episode. We talk more Cowboy Bebop a couple weeks after the live action has come out, and we’ve seen more of it. Then we have a pandemic conversation as it takes another twist, as talk a little Anime NYC and Anime North in the midst of that. Geoff talks Jojo’s on Netflix, James talks video games, and Mike talks about stuff to check out and announces programming coming to YouTube and Twitch Mike Nicolas, James Austin, and Geoff Greig
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Some quick analysis from Mike, Moh, and Geoff after seeing a few episodes of the Cowboy Bebop live action series on Netflix, and then compare it with their blurry memories of the anime series. And how it sets the table for future live action adaptations Kevin is just along for the ride… Oh yeah, spoiler alerts in our talk concerning Cowboy Bebop (anime or liveaction???…yes) Visit our website for more information and links:
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In our first regular episode in more than a month, we finish off the conversation that started with the Halloween Space Heater Chat. Then since Netflix talked this week, we talked Netflix, before ending off with stuff we think you should check out Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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Mike and Kevin wanted to at least get a second recording in October before it ended (so we saved it until the final hours). So we talked Halloween, Yomacon and Scans, EVA fashion, more Cowboy Bebop, some actual Japanese headlines, supply issues affecting manga, and things coming on to the Crave streaming service that caught Mike's attention Visit our website for more information and links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2021/11/11/anime-roundtable-v2-0-space-heater-chat-october-31-2021-showing-life-on-the-night-of-the-dead/
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The Canadian Thanksgiving episode was a cornucopia of little appetizers of headlines that came together for a big meal. James and Kevin talked about NYCC and the fall season. Some streaming news concerning Demon Slayer and Lupin III, a few notable (rightful or wrongful) figures passing, the new Japanese PM and his take on the country’s soft power industries, NPR talks anime, Right Stuf kickstarts a Dirty Pair project, and Squid Game I’m stuffed…
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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Mike started off talking about venturing into someone else’s fandom (being a casual eSports watcher), and that leads to a conversation about a trio of articles that highlight the industry’s current crossroads as its fandom increases. And that leads to talk again about upcoming live actions and Hollywood Adaptations. And that leads to Kevin finally making it... Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig, and Kevin Ng (eventually)
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We begin the 50th episode of 2.0 by sharing our memories on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Then with summer ending, we look back on it by revisiting some of the stories coming from there in a pretty much all bullets rewind Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Geoff Greig
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So how do we spend the 50th recording of the Pandemic Series…well it isn’t a proper Roundtable SPOILER WARNING!! We do talk a fair amount about the plot of the movie. So if you haven’t seen it yet and don't want to be surprised…
Yup we saw Shang Chi. Yup we have thoughts on it. We’ll talk about it in terms of certain plot specifics, the dynamics of the two lead characters, how this will fit in the context of stage four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe both in plot and marketing, thoughts on Asian representation in Hollywood with Mike giving a quick history lesson, and the music
Then we actually go a little anime side by coming back to John Cho’s thoughts on the live action Cowboy Bebop and how fans might be too hung up on how certain characters look…to a possible One Piece live action? Before ending with the Anime Community Calendar
It’s tangential, it’s raw, it’s uncensored and unedited. It’s a back to school, post Labour Day Space Heater Chat
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James returns to the table for the first time in almost a month for a chat. So we talk video game stores, COVID, Olympics and Paralympics and scandals, Sony ruling the world, EVA ruling the world, an industry thought with Comic Con and Sentai, before finally talking about what’s presently in our queues with a thought on NHK World at the end Visit our website for more information and links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2021/08/29/anime-roundtable-v2-0-space-heater-chat-august-27-2021-the-return-of-the-industry-observer/
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We quiz Geoff on last week’s Space Heater chat, which he didn’t listen to, and still passed. Then we talked about the Crunchyroll/Sony deal which had been examined by the US Department of Justice, and still passed. Moh experiments with a new gameshow idea, and Mike failed it miserably. And we acknowledge the passing of pioneer Fred Ladd Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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Anime Roundtable v2.0 Space Heater Chat - August 7 2021: We’re Talking Manga Mike, Moh, and Kevin decided to sit around the space heater and give their takes on what the manga industry said at their Comic Con Panel a few weeks ago. Really they tried to tie in what was said at the panel with many of the other stories and themes that have already been talked about on the Roundtable during the Pandemic Series
See how many you can spot
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We talk Olympics one week in and look for more pop culture references within it. Then we talk the French in relation to Japanese Pop Culutre. In brief we talk about the head of Kadokawa and stuff he said, and GameStop and what they said about their Canadian presence. Then we encourage you on some panels to watch, convention to attend, and eBooks to buy. All that with one of us asleep through half of it. Although we all kinda sleep our way through this podcast in general Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Geoff Greig
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Mike and Moh shoot the breeze and talk Olympics and some of the Japanese and Pop Cultural reference noticed as its first weekend winds down in this very tangental, unvarnished, and unedited chat Corrections: Mike gave the wrong name of CBC’s Japanese Cultural contributor, author and lawyer Mark Sakamoto. He apologizes for the error, and encouages listeners to check out his Sugoi Tokyo features he’s been doing for CBC
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We begin by looking back on Anime Lockdown and the parts of it which caught our attention. Then we look back on what happened during the Anime Tube Kickstarter controversy and compare it with other companies that tried to come into the Japanese Pop Culture space. Among the items we talk about in brief, weapon plushies, Judgement, and Demon Slayer and Miyazaki (although this time separately) It’s a laggy episode, if you know what I mean…
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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This week we start to look at how the second summer convention season in pandemic times is shaping up. Then we take a brief look at Olympic promotions; the latest on Gundam, Robotech, and Evangelion on various streaming services; Rumiko Takahashi’s work habits as an anniversary comes for one of her earlier titles, Hikaru Utada, and some manga items in brief Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig Visit our website for more information and links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2021/07/07/anime-roundtable-v2-0-july-4-2021-the-second-annual-covid-convention-season-cometh/
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We wanted to do just an episode full of Bullet headlines, but it got cannonballed by a thread of Demon Slayer headlines, anchored by an article by Friend of the Show Matt Alt on the phenomenon and how it can shake things up in the future. When we finally got off the Demon Slayer train, we talked about another manga digital service, and the sex drives of both fictional comic book/animation characters, and the people who voice them Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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We stick with a music theme in our Anime North hangover episode. We talk about what was on Mike’s mind a few days back with his story about Kozo Murashita and his 1983 pop classic Hatsukoi. Then try to help Mike understand Hatsune Miku. Then we quickly talk Yoko Kanno, the Kenshin movies on Netflix, and Discotek’s presentation on Twitch. Before ending off recaping the community calendar Like I said, a music theme with six degrees of separation from it
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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Mike makes a guarantee that by the end of this, he’ll make you sick of one specific song. This time he tells the story of that song, its appearance in multiple anime titles (and how it got him to watch one of them), its original artist from almost 40 years ago, and how another song he performed was in one of the most beloved anime love stories from back then In many ways its the story of how one song can adapt and ultimately stand the test of time, a holy grail for any pop song and perhaps the only one to accomplish it in anisong form Visit our website for more information and links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2021/06/10/on-mikes-mind-june-9-2021/
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The Knights of the Anime Roundtable made its live stream debut as part of the recent Anime North Stay at Home Edition. So in the 70 or so minutes we were given, we looked back on the legacy of the late Kentaro Miura and wonder what’s to become of his beloved title Berzerk. Then we play a full edition of Yes or No, with thoughts on Yasuke, Miyazaki, Demon Slayer, and Macross. Before winding it down with a little streaming news and a final story about a common tie between Anime Roundtable and Anime North’s past Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig with introduction by Andrew Kaidaj
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In the final episode before the live edition at the Anime North Stay at Home Edition, we look back on last week’s Space Heater Chat by recaping TCAF and trying to explain Canadian Parliament Bill C-10 in fifteen minutes or less (big fail), then we do some bullet headlines on what Japanese want in terms of live actions, what Yen Press wants in terms of audio books, what Studio Kiara and Hideki Anno want after recieving threats over Evangelion (which is to be left alone), and what a BL title looks like near the top of Amazon’s popular lists. Then we look ahead to the things the pandemic hasn’t cancelled in Toronto Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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Mike and James return in another unvarnished and unedited talk. We tried to rush this in mainly because Mike wanted to get back to watching the final of the first Overwatch League tournament of the season. But you know that’s wishful thinking We come back to the Sony and their backtrack on their decision to close their legacy Playstation Stores with further thoughts on archiving and remastering and how that trend seems to be coming to video games after having similar moments with TV and movies (of course anime too). Then we talked about the other things Sony’s video game side has been dragged into. Like the Epic/Apple conflict, and selling specific games through cards
Then we talk about Yakuza, more specifically the next game in the Judgement series, its same time worldwide release (a first for a Yakuza universe game), and the move to keep the main Yakuza series a more turn based RPG format
After, our attention goes to two Kickstarters. Wit Studio’s Girl From the Other Side feature and Animeigo’s Maddox 01 Blu Ray (and the story of both that and an upcoming Discotek re-release)
As we finish up, Mike and James save a world for things they were watching over the last week, Megazone 23, the Animerama trilogy (A Thousand and One Nights, Cleopatra, Belladonna of Sadness), and Yasuke. With a final acknowledgement of other headlines we missed and may talk about in the future
This weeks Drinking Game: Take a shot everytime the word “posterity” is said
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This week, after looking back on some lingering thoughts between fan and industry convention post pandemic, we look at the latest Asian battle lines in the evolving competition between video streaming services at length. Then in brief we talk the North American Box Office, WWE getting into the anime game, J-Novel Club having a new majority owner, the chase to make a live action version of one of Ghibli’s most famous works, and the passing of a key person from 80s past. Before ending as we continue to look ahead in May Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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JP from Anime Lockdown pays the Roundtable a visit to talk at length about the future of the online convention one year later and how things have changed in that time. Then he sits in on the bullets, where we talk about company moves on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and manga print runs in Japan during the pandemic
That’s the quick summary, of course it’s more detailed than that. We encourage digging?
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, with guest JP from Anime Lockdown
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We start this week by talking Anime North with Social Media Coordinator Chris Nebelsky as he helps peel back the curtain a little bit behind the scenes. We talk about the move away from in person conventions during the pandemic, to the online versions that took place last year and the upcoming one in May Then the rest of the Roundtable gathers with reactions to Nebelsky’s appearance and last week’s Space Heater Chat before a round of bullets. In the bullets, Macross, Netflix, and Sony (naturally). Along with the latest entries in the Anime Community Calendar Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig, with guest Chris Nebelsky
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Mike and James go unvarnished and unedited again, with the thinking that this will now be a regular feature We start by talking the latest in the local COVID fight (spoiler: on the ropes, with a possible TKO coming), which leads into Canadian movie theatre plans for things like the upcoming Violet Evergarden and Demon Slayer movie runs. With a thought on Violet Evergarden being a tribute to those lost in the Kyoto Animation tragedy back in 2018.
Then our attention turns to Sony and how the closings of their legacy video game stores are consistent with their announced ending of movie and TV show downloads. And wonder if there’s a future for legacy titles after the store closures that wouldn’t require the original consoles themselves, and how third party publishers might be convering themselves in all of this. Then we turn to the untimely passing of Mario…or the sealing of his past adventures into a Disney like vault. And a brief chat about the evolution of formats during the history of video games
Mike revisits the Hana Kimura story and the conviction of one of her bullies who was sentenced…to a small fine. And what about Terrace House now?
Finally Mike tells the story of his best friend asking if it’s okay for his two tween daughters to watch Promised Neverland, and asks for James’ opinion. In the process gives a thought on the merits of a good opening theme song
Happy second pandemic Easter!!
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After acknowledging both Atlanta and COVID, we talk about Canadian movie theatres preparing to sell tickets for the Violet Evergarden and Demon Slayer movies this week. Then we talk about the US DOJ wanting to take an extended anti trust investigation into the Sony/Crunchyroll deal. Then we talk at length about the Japan America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth’s online discussion on Japanese Pop Culture in the pandemic before ending it off with some headlines in brief Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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We seriously begin by looking back on both the tenth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the verdict in the deadly Yonge Street Van Attack before asking the others to look back on the podcast’s 15th anniversary When we finally start talking anime, we end up talking Discotek, take aways from Icv2’s manga week interviews, Playstation Network ending download to own movies, some items in the Anime Community Calendar worth checking out, and trailers before the usual “what we’re watching” ending in what might be the longest episode since the 2018 return…you’ve been warned Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig Visit our website for more information and links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2021/03/16/anime-roundtable-v2-0-37-march-13-2021/
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There have been many people who have been in and out sitting around the Anime Roundtable throught the years, but two guys have remained a constant Mike Nicolas and James Austin sit down and reminisce on the Roundtable’s fifteen year journey. From its beginnings at a university anime club, to the highs of Official Status at Anime North, to the lows of the eight year hiatus. Returning to a very different landscape a few years ago. And having to relearn old things, and learn new ones in order to navigate the changed podcast world
Listen in as the two talk about where the podcast has been, and what they’re thinking as the podcast moves forward into the future in this honest, unvarnished, unedited special edition
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We didn’t realize that this would be the 15th anniversary episode until we were almost done taping it. But we do celebrate like we always have. First we reserve some kind words for My Hero Academia translator Caleb Cook, who’s been receiving some backlash for reaching a breaking point with certain segments of its English fandom. Then we talk Anime North being postponed again this year in favour of an online edition, an eSports stadium in Toronto and how it may shape things entertainment wise in the long term, Awards Season Crunchyroll and Reddit Style, and the queues. Then we’ll end off talking a little bit about some anniversaries to come in the next few weeks Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig Visit our website for more information and links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2021/03/02/anime-roundtable-v2-0-36-february-27-2021/
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In our Valentine’s/Lunar New Year special, we look back on the Japan Foundation’s Japan Film Festival Plus on the final weekend of its Canadian leg, the World Premier of the Memories english dub the weekend before, and headlines in brief about copyright, censorship, animation schools, and collections Nothing says I love you or Gong Hai Fat Choy than another lockdown pandemic edition of the Anime Roundtable
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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In an episode befitting of Groundhog Day. We present an episode taped over two days, and presented in the reverse from the order they were recorded…oh technology In the first half (which had to be retaped on the Sunday) we look at the predictions of industry analysts and journalists in terms of what they think will happen for the rest of 2021. In the second half (taped on the Saturday), we do a bullets segment about censored items, industry discrimination, politicians behaving badly in the pandemic, and an upcoming seiyuu memoir of note. Then we end it off with the community calendar and a list of items worth checking out online
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
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This week, with five around the table, we talk for a little bit about Toronto owned fan fiction app Wattpad being sold to Korean based Naver, the group behind the LINE and Webtoon apps. Then a few other thoughts on the fallout from the Shuesha copyright call controversy, Studio Ghibli’s first CG feature, and Anime leaving Amazon Prime. Along with other follow ups on stories we’ve mentioned in the the recent past Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, and Geoff Greig
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We start the New Year with an old face returning. In it we start looking back on Mike and James’ conversation with Matt Alt and the things that stuck out to the others. Then we do a Bullets Segment with items seemingly tied to Japan’s newly inacted copyright laws. Mike then finishes it off with a couple of modest proposals Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Geoff Greig
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Author and translator Matt Alt honours us with his presence to come by and talk about his TV work on NHK World, his formative years learning Japanese, reading the works of Frederick Schodt, how being a nerd became cool, and the recent developments concerning the topics of his latest book “Pure Invention: How Japan’s Pop Culture Conquered the World” Mike Nicolas, James Austin, with Special Guest Matt Alt Visit our website for more information and links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2021/01/03/anime-roundtable-special-edition-a-conversation-with-matt-alt-december-28-2020/
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In the final episode of 2020, we give follow up on our thoughts on the Crunchyroll with Moh finally giving his thoughts. Then we talk a little bit about Kent State University’s dispute with some Ohio State lawmakers over a Susan Napier book on their reading lists. Afterwards some thoughts on Discotek’s latest list of pick ups, Kodansha warning would be pirates, and Anime North’s rescheduling for a hopeful 2021 edition And we end of with a round of Final Insults for the first time in a long time as a way to end of 2020. But check out the announcement at the end
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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Of course the big story this week is the not so surprising acquisition of Crunchyroll by Sony. But before that we’ll talk about goings on at the Japan Foundation in both Toronto and New York. And after that we’ll talk Anime Dallas and the Lupin III manga, among other things Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng Visit our website for more information and links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2020/12/15/anime-roundtable-v2-0-30-december-12-2020/
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We start this week with the COVID news in the Toronto Area, and a COVID movie run for James and Moh to see the latest Fate/Stay Movie. Then we talk a variety of topics. Like the delivery of Angela’s Kickstarter Comic, remembering Kirby, Maradona, and Tony Hsieh, Simon and Schuster being sold to Penguin Random House, Anime Matsuri, online events at the Japan Foundation in both New York and Toronto, and more on the Netflix algorithm and what happened when some of us answered its call along with some recommendations in the aftermath Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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After following up on the pandemic situation in Toronto (which probably sucks as much as it would in your part of the world), and Kevin gives his thoughts on Kat Callahan’s appearance, we talk at length about Netflix’s foray into Anime with Wired’s talk with their chief anime producer. Then we talk about Seven Seas going deeper into light novels, Media Blasters getting out of the DVD on demand business, and a big week in the video game industry concerning hardware, and issues with a big name in it. We’ll then end it off with a look ahead to the online anime calendar this week Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
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SPOILER ALERT: LOTS OF KIMAGURE ORANGE ROAD ONES IN THIS EPISODE A special tribute edition commemorating the late Izumi Matsumoto and his most famous work, Kimagure Orange Road
Journalist and writer Kat Callahan shares her memories of Matsumoto and KOR with Mike by doing a deep dive into the story and characters, the impact on both the overseas fandom and domestic industry; spending time with Matsumoto in 2012, and perhaps how his health problems led to an incomplete legacy
Mike Nicolas with guest Kat Callahan
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We start the Halloween episode reminiscing about trick or treating past, and the one that isn’t presently happening. Kevin’s downtown shopping trip of various geek places. A preview of the Orange Road special with Kat Callahan. Sony and Crunchyroll looking like a thing. Netflix and Anime being a thing. Amazon responding to a digital downloads lawsuit as the DRM discussion continues. Songs of Tokyo, Retrocrush, and Sean Connery Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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In between some Toronto related pandemic news (which of course would be of interest to fans), we talk about the death of Izumi Matsumoto and the legacy left by Kimagure Orange Road, and a bullets segment where Evangelion, Haruhi, and Viz manga pick ups are brought up Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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Zannen Canada host Jesse Betteridge joins us to talk about Sailor Moon’s appearance on Canadian streaming service Crave, and the business dealings behind the scenes that led to the pick up. After catching our breath from that conversation, we talk about the ghost towns that are movie theatres (with Moh risking his life having gone to see Akira in 4k), and movie adaptations of video games. That and the usual to-do items on our lists Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, with Jesse Betteridge and Mohamed Sharmarke
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First, a quick Raptors thought (and a little schattenfreude towards the Clippers and Bucks). Then we continue our Zoom-tastic journey with thoughts of Crunchyroll Expo (7:09), and CR’s various partnerships (8:52), Media Blasters showing some life on blue ray (13:05), Right Stuf thoughts and the status of their adult label and special editions (15:13), which ultimately leads to a conversation about North American licensors and titles so directly tied to them (20:58), Bartender, Planetes, Violette Evergarden (26:15), and Discotek’s Primetime Monday presentation (30:19) with a follow up to the digest from the week before (32:15), with some memories of seeing many of these titles the original time (35:45) In the second segment, Moh talks a little bit TIFF@Home and seeing “Under the Open Sky” (54:54), and more specifically the odd experience of watching it at home and how it was handled as opposed to the in person experience both emotionally and logistically (58:42), and the movie world going forward (1:07:20). Then we pause for a moment to reflect on the sunset of the Nintendo 3DS and the handheld video game console era (1:12:23), and the dawn of the PS5 with their showcase this week and individual takeaways from it (1:26:24). Mike joins the arguement that the success of Ghosts of Tsushima will strengthen the calls for an English release of the Yakuza samura era spinoffs (1:42:05). We finish by giving a recommendation to watch the Anime Sway panel put on by the Japan-America Society of Dallas and Fort Worth (1:43:56)
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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With it being the 19th anniversary of 9/11, Mike begins the episode by telling the story of a close friend’s close call. Kevin asked Mike to do his version of a masterclass on the fine art of selling second hand anime and manga merchandise (6:51). And Mike, needing some selling tips, readily agrees. So here’s a quick rundown of the points in his lesson
12:50 - Patience 13:55 - Do an annual or semi-annual “spark joy” inventory 15:25 - Using cloud services like google drive to both catalog and advertise 17:20 - Take all your merchandise photos at once 20:35 - Consider Reddit as well as eBay as a place to sell 24:05 - Is a rerelease of the title forthcoming? Use that to maximize value 27:50 - Other online sites 31:35 - PayPal and currency conversions 36:58 - It’s overwhelming starting off, but just do it and learn along the way 42:35 - On selling mulitple volumes of the same title 47:55 - Shipping, both conventional and alternative methods 55:12 - Conclusion
Eventually towards the end of the class, we go off on a tangent on how productively we have spent the pandemic, with Mike saying he’s completely wasted it (50:19)
Then we look back on Angela’s return and look ahead to future episodes on things like this year’s virtual edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (1:00:49), and memories of Ready Player One (1:10:10)
Also points for any listener who can make out Kevin’s niece in the background
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, and Mohamed Sharmarke
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Mike begins the new one on one segment with an old friend as Angela finally makes her return visit to the Roundtable First we do a quick update on the Kickstarter campaign for her new comic (2:43), how she’s managing during the pandemic (3:49), her visit to Japan ten years after her time there as an english teacher and how things had changed between the two times (7:44)…and Mike somehow managing to get the Yakuza video game back into that part of the conversation. Then we actually talked about her Kickstarter comic “The Moonstone Diadem”, how an Inktober challenge snowballed (13:03), specific influences in it like Utena (18:55), and her thoughts on being a fan of 90s anime in general as Mike updates her on older anime on streaming services (25:57). In the process Mike plugs NHK’s “10 Years with Miyazaki” documentary series again and the two end up talking about the emotional, mental and physical costs of work (29:03). Angela also comes back to her regular work on how expiring technologies effect archiving and evolution of games and their presteige as artforms (35:41). Then Mike reopens old wounds about Angela’s past feelings on Makoto Shinkai both then and now, and how Angela’s past feelings are becoming Mike’s current ones (38:55). Finally, Angela makes a wish to see the next “Made in Abyss” movie as we lament what should have been FanExpo Weekend in Toronto (43:30)
Mike Nicolas and Angela O'Hara
Angela's Links
Kickstarter page for The Moonstone Diadem: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/themoonstonediadem/the-moonstone-diadem-by-angela-ohara?ref=user_menu Twitter: @fellminagames Webpage: http://artbyangela.ca
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We began this time around with a repeat of our anti-racism declaration in light of the Jacob Blake shooting and subsequent events. Then we tried to get back on track by talking about Shiro Usazaki finally breaking her silence after the cancellation of the Act-Age manga (9:10). But it went completely off the rails as we found out about the passing of Chadwick Boseman (17:03). After taking a breath and regaining our composure, we finish up with the bullets (27:05) and a final thought about fandom’s current generational divide (56:26), in what has arguably been the toughest week of a very tough 2020 Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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We start the episode with Mike finally finishing Yakuza 0 (1:39), and Terrace House: Opening New Doors (3:00) and wonders how these foreshadow what’s to come in both series. Kevin talks about Kaiju #8 being his current manga read (8:52). James then briefly mentions Millionaire Detectives (11:58) Kevin has a “Say it ain’t so” moment with the Tatsuya Matsuki incident (12:52). And where this event, which ended Act-Age, compares with similar incidents with people in the industry
Then we talk Sony and their move to give their animation operatons more prominance in their overall entertainment portfolio (43:26). How Sony’s overall business has changed over the last thirty years, away from electronics and more towards entertainment and video games (48:32). And their first look at possibly buying Crunchyroll and other possible suitors (1:03:07)
As we end, we give a quick shout out to the host of the Geek Eire Podcast (1:15:55), follow up thoughts to what was on Mike’s mind the week before (1:17:59), and Kevin points out that a milestone for us that quietly passed (1:23:30)
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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With this week being the 75th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Mike shares his thoughts on what perhaps the most least appreciated english translated manga set during that time. And the legacy of the story on the discussion of the bombing itself
Moh couldn’t make it tonight and sent his regards. The scraps left over talked about the previous weekend’s online convention offerings (10:35) with Anime North’s Momiji’s Online Experience (13:08), and Comic Con @Home (36:07), along with their differences, what was actually seen, and how both their online versions were pretty similar to their traditional convention counterparts In the second half of the show we briefly talk about Toshihiro Nagoshi’s (Yakuza’s Director) praise of Ghosts of Tsushima and how video game development differs in Japan and other parts of the world (51:53), the current issues with Sentai Filmworks in light of Crunchyroll taking down a chunk of their titles (1:05:25). Then each member of the roundtable makes a single recommendation to read or watch right now (1:14:45), and we end off on a follow up to a story we mentioned two years ago on the One World Kimono Project (1:30:10)
All this before Mike finally finished Yakuza 0 a few hours later
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
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Editor’s Note: It took Mike more than ten days between taping this episode and eventually posting it. If you listen very closely, you’ll know why that happened pretty quickly We give our recaps of Funimation Con, Anime Expo Lite, and Aniplex Online a week after they had happened. Kevin and James talk at length on the licenses announced peppered with further thoughts on the digital and physical distribution of manga, light novels, and even video games (3:10). Then a thought on the concerts seen (37:30). And we finish by looking ahead to Anime North and Otakuthon’s online offerings (45:22)
Hopefully the turnaround for the next episode won’t take double digit days
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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We start the talk that matters with Mike’s thoughts after finishing the Wotakoi anime and starting Yakuza 0 (5:15), then first impressions of Funimation Con and Anime Expo Lite and look ahead to the continuation of those and Aniplex Online (14:39) In the second segment, we’ll revisit the Terrace House/Hana Kimura fallout (47:08), and Ghibli on Netflix Canada with Mohamed (51:12), and wonder where do Canadian Anime fans sit in the grand scheme of worldwide fandom (54:40). And then we end of on something concerning a life sized Re:Zero model (1:10:24)
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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Let’s be honest, when something happens you’re happy about, you’re not really picky about how it happened. Especially when you think it wouldn’t happen. But then sometimes you are curious about how the loose ends got tied up On the heels of the news of Netflix Canada acquiring the rights to stream the Studio Ghibli catalogue on Monday, Zannen Canada’s Jesse Betteridge joins the virtual table to talk about what may have happened behind the scenes to make the deal happen, and who may have lost out on a missed opportunity
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, with guest Jesse Betteridge
Show notes and Links: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2020/06/22/6ixtalk-anime-roundtable-v2-0-digest-4-june-22-2020/
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Mike opens up with some thoughts on the current anti-racist protests (1:45). Then we actually start on the regular talk going back to the digest three weeks back (12:15), with the memorial service for Zac Bertschy (13:28), and the Japanese fallout from death of Hana Kimura and the price of fame in the reality television and social media age (19:56). Kevin then returns to give his thoughts on the first segment (42:20), and then the bullets (49:22) - Cloud Matsuri, the UK’s noteworthy shot at the virtual con. And the announcements coming from it (49:44)
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Tokyo Keizai article about Anime Industry’s reservations about Netflix (1:05:00)
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Studio Ghibli streaming, HBO Max and Canada (1:11:16)
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Julian Lai Hung hired by Crunchyroll after working for Netflix (1:25:25)
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Shaman King anime reboot (1:28:37)
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The unveiling of the PS5. And the change of strategy in the initial hardware release (1:34:33)
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Kota Fukihara passes away (1:41:26)
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Shintaro Tsuji steps down as head of Sanrio at age 92 (1:44:35)
*laid out in actual bullets
And we’ll end off with what’s on our queue’s as the pandemic finally sees some light at the end of the tunnel (1:48:39). Count how many mic cut offs happen throughout the episode…and who got cut off
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Kevin Ng
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We look back on a difficult weekend for fandom on what would have been the final day of Anime North. First we look back on the legacy left by Zac Bertschy in light of his sudden passing last week (2:37). Then we talk about the death of professional wrestler and Terrace House star Hana Kimura (25:44). After we actually lament the Anime North that isn’t (37:39). Then we finally lighten it up by talking about what would be one of the highlights of Anime North, the online presentation of Anime Hell (40:33). And finally we talk about the Humble Manga Bundle if you’re into reading your manga with an “e” (49:40) Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
In light of what was talked about in this episode, if you or anyone you know are having any suicidal thoughts, help is available. National suicide prevention lines are available in the US at 1-800-273-8255, and in Canada at 1-833-456-4566, also Canada has the Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
Episode Show Notes: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2020/05/24/6ixtalk-anime-roundtable-v2-0-digest-3-may-24-2020/
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The head man behind Anime Lockdown, JP joins the Roundtable for an all encompasing chat on the online convention’s aftermath (6:07), the idea of doing the convention and things that happened during it, the merits and quirks of an “online convention” (10:30), and get JP’s thoughts on the other online shows about to happen (58:55). After the break we talked a little bit about the Geek Eire guys’ involvement - aka one of our three listeners - in Lockdown (1:19:40), and then reminiced about the early days of anime podcasting (1:22:40), and how enjoying content has changed (1:34:10), and the ultimate question as to a second Lockdown and what to look forward to in the YouTube channel (1:47:00), and we’ll end with a final thought for the Anime North that won’t happen this year (2:01:55) All this coming in at a whopping two plus hours (not under two as Mike first thought). We were more likely boring and not brief, but it certainly wasn’t the longest episode we’ve done
Mike, James, Kevin, Mohamed, with special guest JP from Anime Lockdown
Episode Show Notes: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2020/05/15/6ixtalk-anime-roundtable-special-the-lockdown-interview-may-15-2020/
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In a nod to the concept of necessity being the mother of all invention, the Roundtable makes history tonight with it’s first online episode…or at least starts to technologically play catch up…one or the other After Mike, Kevin, and Moh show some contrition for episode 17 (and James disavows any responsibility for it), Mike updates the story that was on his mind a few weeks back (5:23), then everyone else updates their lives in the pandemic lockdown (7:08), including our thoughts on console video games. Then we talk about how the pandemic has affected the actual Japanese industry (36:15), and the Toronto anime scene (43:45). On the topic of coping in the COVID era, in the second half of the show we talk about Anime Lockdown and give our quick day one impressions (50:45), and other anime streaming options (1:27:22), before ending on other tech ways people have been dealing with COVID (1:36:32)
At least we remembered to hit the unmute buttons on the microphones
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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Mike wanted to try and gather the others for a social distancing Roundtable. However he’s just left isolated instead and only has this story to tell about the Roundtable’s return a few years ago and the guy who told him to bring it back to the basics
Producers note: This was taped before the COVID 19 pandemic reached serious levels, and before Anime North got cancelled. So this is even more out of date than usual. But we did want to share our thoughts at the time Mike encourages people to count how many times he got wrong how many years had passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake as we start the episode by reflecting on it on its anniversary (5:05). Then we give our initial thoughts about COVID 19 as it started to make its mark on society and the anime industry (13:40). Then we talked about the success of the Korean movie Parasite (31:30). And finally we give thoughts on the current crop of movies in theatres (50:55), a Netflix recommendation (1:00:10), and some final convention thoughts (1:03)
It’s amazing how much has changed since then
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
We start our first ramune filled episode of 2020 talking about Bell Let’s Talk Day (the episode was taped on January 29th), and Moh’s appearance in this year’s promotional ad. Then we talk about the North American theatrical run of Weathering with You (7:45), and the interview with Makoto Shinkai (25:05). Then G-Kids in theatres and a tangent on what James and Kevin are buying these days (43:20), and a shout out to a recovering Fred Schodt (52:00). With a final apology for being so long with this episode (54:05). Hopefully the next episode isn’t at Anime North Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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There’s a lot to catch up on in two months. But we start way off topic with talking about the sports talk shows that were in the inspirations for the Roundtable with a brief history of sports and radio broadcasting in Toronto (4:50). Then we actually start talking anime, and the limited theatrical release of Promare in late September, and the gang’s individual experiences in going out to see it and the extra interviews at the end (31:21), and Mike’s thoughts as to fire being a recent theme in anime especially in light of the Kyoto Animation Fire and the culture of fire fighting and prevention (58:24) In the Bullets Segment, we talk about more recent thoughts on the Cowboy Bebop live action (1:15:03), Rei Tanaka’s Anime Central Announcement…oh and her upcoming photo book (1:20:38), two shows that caught Mike’s attention on Netflix recently (1:28:00), Overwatch 2 with Toronto mentioned as a map (1:33:26), James and Mike give some thoughts on things worth watching including a Sherlock adaptation and an NHK World music show (1:46:33), and Kevin suggestions one final movie screening (2:02:20). And finally we give our reactions as IFF 2020 announces their first guest (2:04:45)
Hopefully we’re all caught up until December
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
Before the Anime North episodes in May, Mike and James tested the microphones and told the story of the convention’s proximity to one of the early Amber Alert cases in 2019 This was in light of another Amber Alert issued in the Toronto Area earlier in the week. So Mike felt this was a good time now to share this story
We begin tonight on a reflective note as we commemorate 18 years since 9/11. Then we get to the episode young Moh wanted to do, but could attend the taping of himself as James and Kevin talk about seeing the North American premier of Weathering with You at the Toronto International Film Festival, with Makoto Shinkai in attendance (6:58). In the aftermath of the discussion, Mike brings up a book he’s been meaning to read that does use the 2011 earthquake as a plot device (43:50). Then he celebrates the end of the KOR Manga Kickstarter Oddesey (45:50) We begin the bullets segment with further thoughts from the Kyoto Animation Fire (48:37), the latest in the Vic Mignogna saga in hopefully the shortest bullet ever (55:30), and some PR trouble for group for group that runs IFF/AnimeRevolution (58:38). And finally the latest in online buying (1:04:20), and the Community Calendar (1:13:48)
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
The Kyoto Animation Studio arson dominates the start of this episode, more than three weeks after. We take a step back and give our thoughts on the coverage and the immediate and long term affects on the industry, and remember some of the victims (22:50) As we come back from the break we regard James and Neil’s lack of appearance (31:25), then we go into the Toronto Anime Community calendar with the Mississauga Japan Fest (35:50), Weathering with You’s North American premier at TIFF (38:35), screenings at the JCCC, and end off with Kevin talking about his upcoming trip to K-Con in LA (55:10)
Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
After more than a month off, and a Wendy’s and Tims run, and a week after this was actually taped, we’re finally back with this quick episode on the hottest day in Toronto yet. We start by looking back on Anime North and the Fred Schodt interview (3:33), and his last panel about his view on manga translation (11:35). Then we talked about our take on the ups and downs of Anime North’s strict fan run angle (24:53). Next we give our take on a few aspects of Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Netflix premier, from the music (31:20), the new English Dub (33:52), and the translation of one specific scene (37:20). Finally we preview digest #3 in hopes of digesting AX, including Kevin’s reaction upon hearing Harmony Gold’s renewal of their Macross license (51:37), and a final We The North moment (58:25) Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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Legendary Manga Translator Fred Schodt honours us by becoming our first major guest to do the Roundtable in this special sit down taped last Saturday afternoon at Anime North We begin with Fred and Mike looking back on his first visit to Anime North back in 1998 (the second one), and a panel they did together about History in Anime and Manga. And how Mike first told him about Rurouni Kenshin during that panel (3:30)
Then Fred talks a little bit about the honours he has received from the Japanese Emperor (Order of the Rising Sun: Gold Rays and Rosette) and the Japan Foundation, and how in receiving the latter he ended up meeting now Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako a year and a half ago, and how he was a fan of Astroboy (9:05)
We then start to talk about two of his Anime North panels, first about his friendship with Astroboy’s creator, Osamu Tezuka relaying a few stories about him (17:35)
Then we talk about his panel about the Four Immigrants Manga which he published in 1998 (around the time of his first AN appearance). Fred gives a quick biography of Henry Kiyama, how he came across his work, and how he became very close friends with the Kiyama family. Also we talk about the recent musical adaptation of the book (24:50). In the process of the conversation Mike recalls some stories of his own grandfather (34:27)
We then give a preview of Fred’s final panel about his own thoughts on manga translation, the history, and where it stands today. Which we’ll talk about in episode 12 (38:32). Mike then brings up Fred’s lecture at the Japan Foundation after AN ’98 on the actual manga culture in Japan then, and what it might be like today in light of digital consumption (40:21)
The conversation ends off with Fred’s reaction to seeing Anime North 21 years later as we watched con goers pass by the AN Office’s Display room (52:00). And Mike gives a final thank you by telling Fred about another story as he gave him a stamp commemorating the Vancouver Asahi baseball team, which we mentioned back in episode 8 (58:10)
Mike Nicolas and James Austin. With Special Guest Frederik L Schodt
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On our second night at Anime North, we’re joined by Jesse Betteridge from the Zannen.ca Podcast. He gives his impressions of Anime North, as well as recap his panels at the convention (3:40). Then we get into a longer discussion about the Anime convention scenes in both Toronto and Vancouver, and what to maybe expect from the International Fan Festival as they attempt to settle into Toronto (Vancouver’s Anime Revolution is put on by the same group). Also Jesse makes some very interesting observations between Anime North and Anime Evolution, the former Vancouver convention, and how Anime North isn’t too big on having too much of an industry presence (20:20). That sets up Norm McEvoy’s annual appearance, which explains a few things. In addition Norm reminices about AN’s early days, and how it became the institution on Dixon Rd, and likely why it works there (1:03:25). Norm also remembers Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer and his influence on Japanese Pro Wrestling and Pop Culture (1:18:35). Then to end it off, Kevin gives a promo for the Toronto Japanese Film Festival. And Mike previews the sit down conversation with Fred Schodt (taped earlier in the day) , which will be put up very soon (1:52:56)
Mike Nicolas, Jesse Betteridge, Kevin Ng, with James Austin
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Editor’s Note: This version of the episode has been updated with edits to take out as much of the stammering (“umm”s, “ahh”s, and “like”s) as possible, and keep the episode easy to listen to. Expect this type of editing in future episodes Mike became so tired and confused by the time we taped this episode, he wasn’t sure if this was episode 10 or digest 3.
Night one at Anime North starts off with the final touches for a hopeful special guest later during the con. Then becomes pretty much an open mic episode as Mike and James invite a volunteer to tell us about his day one before Mike, James, and then Kevin do the same (4:50). With Mike doing a preview of the Fred Schodt sit down by talking about his first panel on the Four Immigrants manga, and Jesse Betteridge’s panel on Anime Deaths (39:45), and Kevin talking Nominoichi (43:40). Mike and Kevin then invites one of the con goers to the mics, who talks about the lack of DVDs in the dealers room (47:50), and the Black Folks Like Anime Too panel (51:54). Then we end off looking ahead to day two (1:00:22)
And who would have thunk it, trying to edit out all of the “umms” and “ahhs” and other types of stammering took out almost five minutes from the orginal product. Five minutes you can have back, you’re welcome….are we that bad?
Mike Nicolas, James Austin. With Sukhee Hong, Lawrence Black, and Kevin Ng
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Today’s secret word is “icon” So after struggling to open our ramune and partake in some Japanese snacks, Mike tells a story about giving a ramune to Veronica Taylor at FanExpo more than 15 years ago (4:55), we acknowledge the New Japanese Emperor and what lies ahead in the Reiwa Era (12:55) and how that name is linked with an adult visual novel (24:20). Then we get to the heart of the episode with our International Fan Festival report (25:32), the screening of Fate/Stay Heavens Feel with Mike making observations living up to his nickname and Japanese guests being incognito in Toronto (33:10). Thoughts on the scheduling of events and autographs (41:30), the Fate/Stay actors talk show (49:00) and recording session (51:00). Ayako Kawasumi’s Q&A (58:05), thoughts on Mecha Ude and crowdfunding productions (1:04:50), Kevin at the IFF Anisong concert Saturday evening (1:09). And did Crunchyroll fuel the video rooms through an offline HD (1:19:45)? And IFF’s spot in a landscape that includes an institution like Anime North (1:20:55)
Then we turn to James and Kevin’s excellent TCAF adventure…and if you thought autograph chasing was hard at IFF and AN (1:36:45). And the bullets, Crunchyroll picking up some Discotek titles (1:55:10), an impression of the first episode of the new Fruits Basket anime (1:59:05), the trailer for Makoto Shinkai’s latest movie Weathering with You (2:10:05), and Moh finally talks about seeing the Code Gease movie (2:12:20). Then we end off by previewing Anime North (2:19:50), with more Nominoichi from trying to get into the Nominoichi (2:25:10). Come join us for a live taping of the Roundtable on Friday and Saturday night at AN
Wow that was long…but not as long as Avengers: Endgame
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Kevin Ng
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Unfortunately “Be brief not boring” isn’t the motto as Mike decided to take the mic late night and tell a few stories as the Easter weekend begins, and the night before the International Fan Festival. In it he gives his thoughts on the latest developments concerning the live action Cowboy Bebop and Rurouni Kenshin adaptations (0:44), frustrations with Kimagure Orange Road almost as maddening as Kasuka Kyosuke (9:22), and Japanese Curling and video games (19:33)…dedicating about 10 minutes to each story. Plus an announcement at the very end Imagine how this would have gone if Austin was on…although Mike blames this more on deciding to plug in the mic at 1am. Maybe he should go back to writing a script for these in the future
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With the announcement of Fred Schodt’s appearance at Anime North in May, Mike wanted to start by trying something different and tell a sincere story about his first appearance more than twenty years before…but he forgot to plug in the soundboard. After plugging in the board, we pull the plug on the Vic Mignonga talk by getting Kevin and Moh’s thoughts (10:15). Then we come back to the talk about adapting Japanese works again in light of the Alita: Battle Angel movie, was it one of those things that came a few years late? Spoiler alerts there…like as if no one here knows the basic story (21:19). And that sometimes importing a North American story into Japan have similar dillemas (43:30). Mike reflects on finally finishing the Toradora anime, with James and Kevin broadening that into a longer discussion about the light novel market in North America (55:20). Then James finishes it off with an epic bullets segment on how the former couple of the great anime streaming divorce in the fall have moved on with their lives dating new people (1:31:10), and the Fate/Stay Night movie (2:01:15) Then one more tejime to seal the deal…well the idea sounded good…
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Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
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Mike wanted to get some sort of taping done for February. Having failed that, he’s now pretty happy to get that checked off for March right away James comes in for a free form digest talk, and a warm up for episode 8 later this month. In it we bring up Mike’s lone day at Podcamp Toronto last weekend (4:10), personal anecdotes and thoughts on the Vic Mignogna scandal (25:22), and Mike’s more solid thoughts Marie Kondo’s popularity (1:02:20). We thought we’d be done with those, but then Mike made the mistake of asking James about what’s on his Crunchyroll queue and current issues with the app (1:14:15), and then Mike makes some final NHK recommendations and the events calendar (1:30:30)
Mike Nicolas, James Austin
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In the interest of starting the New Year on a memorable note, we decided to have five of us around the table…which is already a bad idea. And when one of them is Neil returning after six months…it made having five even more complicated. And considering that it’s the first time young Moh and Kevin are doing the show with Neil…and we had donuts and other edibles around the table…it was over before it started So now that you’re curious to know what happened on the anime talk, honestly Mike is too. In between all of the filler we did briefly remind ourselves about holding Anime North in Toronto’s west end (13:30), further streaming video thoughts including Mike’s initial thoughts after subscribing to Crunchyroll (17:00), the constant issues of ads on free tiers, a disturbing difference between Crunchyroll searches on both Apple and non Apple devices (36:00), a thought concerning the Japanese businesses mentioned before (56:25), the group’s inital reactions to watching Battleship Tiramisu and the Misinformed YouTube video on anime (1:01:32), Neil’s reaction to the Netflix pick ups mentioned back in episode 6 (1:21:45), upcoming anime theatrical releases (1:30:50), Kevin giving a thought on the end of the Shonen Jump magazine in North America (1:49:20), and a really odd thought about the Marie Kondo phenomenon which Mike knows he’ll talk about a little more in the future (1:51:45)…but right now he really needs to take a candy
Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Kevin Ng
Check the website for more details and links https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2019/01/20/6ixtalk-anime-roundtable-v2-0-7-january-18-2019/
So Mike has something on his mind, but was nowhere close to the studio mics. So he plugged in his smartphone earbuds to make the following to end off 2018 In it he asks a few questions about what to do about older DVDs as he preorders the blu rays of the same show. Looks for suggestions as he finally subscribes to other streaming services. And makes a few NHK reccomendations. All for your New Year’s listening pleasure
Mike Nicolas
Check out the website for more details and links https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2018/12/28/6ix-talk-on-mikes-mind-december-28-2018/
After being gone for two months, we begin with Mike giving a first impression of Oomomo, the newest entry in the trend of 100yen shops and Japanese retailers in the Toronto area (4:50). Then we take another look at the Funimation/Crunchyroll split and the broader story of what’s to come in streaming services (16:06). After sparing a thought concerning the Overwatch League (1:01:55), we do the official return of the Bullets Segment (1:06:18). In it we talk about Evangelion and Netflix (1:06:58), the live action Cowboy Bebop and Netflix (1:18:48), the reboot of the Fruits Basket anime (1:33:14), the missed items on the Toronto Anime Community Calendar (1:38:01), the Toronto International Fan Festival (1:51:01), and the Reel Asian Film Festival (1:59:14). Then we end off with some thoughts Fred Patten, John Rogers, and Stan Lee, who all passed away around the same time back in November (2:11:33) Listeners will no doubt pass out before the end of this episode. The question is will it be because of alcohol poisoning, or boredom
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke
Check out the website for more details and links https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2018/12/28/6ix-talk-on-mikes-mind-december-28-2018/
Episode 5 is finally here. And in it, Mike and the younger Mohamed do their best to fend off a nagging cold that Kevin was in the middle of battling. All the while giving their take on Neil and old Mohamed’s July appearance (Yonge Street again, and overseas fandom) (12:53), the September Nerd Market (26:20), the live action Bleach movie (spoiler alert) and why this worked for Mohamed (37:00), Flavors of Youth and why it resonated so much with Kevin (53:28), a quick aside on Aum Shinrikyo (1:09:23), a first blush on the Crunchyroll and Funimation split (1:12:08) along with an interesting rant by Kevin as to his issues with streaming services (1:19:37), and a quick thought on the Kimono documentary (1:33:42) Oh and we’ll let you know if Mike or Moh get sick (smart money is on Moh…he was sitting beside Kevin)
Mike Nicolas, Mohamed Shamarke, and Kevin Ng (1:49:08)
Visit our website for further details: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2018/10/19/6ixtalk-anime-roundtable-v2-0-5-october-19-2018/
Another Month, and another no show of episode 5. So Mike wanted to share a few other things on his mind…namely a past tense entry on the Toronto Anime Community Calendar, and three Netflix recommendations Something quick and easy to listen to while we continue to assemble the Roundtable
Visit our website for more details: https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2018/10/18/6ixtalk-on-mikes-mind-october-18-2018/
James sits in for a solo for the first time. So what’s on his mind? A lot of Nintendo and the issues he has with their new online services Visit our website for more details:
https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2018/09/19/6ixtalk-on-my-mind-september-19-2018/
Two months on, and Mike and James get off their asses and turn on the mics for a digest and talk about a load of things that have happened in those two months, and would like to talk about more. Lets see…mature Yonge St., X-Japan, a few angles on Kimagure Orange Road, Mike Toole and Canada, the Toronto Anime Community Calendar, BiSH, Angela’s appearance on another podcast, and Kimonos A digest full of bullets
Mike Nicolas and James Austin
*Note: Website has now been updated, click below for links mentioned in this episode
https://animeroundtable.wordpress.com/2018/09/14/6ixtalk-anime-roundtable-v2-0-digest-1-september-14-2018/
So very much at the last second, Mike and Neil decided to do an episode with an old friend from a distant past, who was in town to visit family. So they turn on the mics and catch up on fandom in old times, fandom in current times, and fandom in the Middle East; differing views on Yonge St since the van attack, explaining Miyazaki to a parent, and a recommendation from Mike (he’s actually watched something), with a reminder how old and forgetful all everyone around the table has become over the years *Bonus for the people who can figure out where the washroom break happened in the middle of the taping…and who took it
Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Mohamed Abdel Hady
Another old face from the past returns around the table as Mo finally joins the others. This time a complete mix of stuff starting with Anthony Bourdain, Ontario politics and the World Cup on the eve of the Round of 16. Then we get a little more on topic with thoughts on Chris Hardwick and Nobuhiro Watsuki’s problems, Pacific Mall, streaming video services (with Mike finally having watched some Battleship Tiramisu and Attack on Titan). Then Mo gives some advice to Mike and Kevin on watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe Mike Nicolas, Mohamed Sharmarke, Kevin Ng, James Austin
In the newly renamed segment, Mike gives a thought on Anthony Bourdain, and then comes back to the Toronto Congress Centre and two very different events there over the last few weeks. With a personal anecdote from the latter
After weathering yet another illness, our second episode at Anime North begins with thoughts on Anime North’s second day (except for Austin, he went on another TCAF rave). Then as Neil and Geoff mention to Mike a few of the shows they’ve been watching to get him up to speed, Mike asks about where anime fandom sits in the rest of geek culture, with an amazing insight from one of AN’s longtime organizers along with memories of the Conservative Convention from 2017 Mike Nicolas, Geoff Greig, Neil Sinclair. With guest appearances by James Austin and Norm McEvoy
The return episode of Anime Roundtable starts appropriately from Anime North. After seeing illness nearly wipeout the show, it’s somehow brought back to life with late shows and pinch hitters up to our first four mic episode in the 6ixTalk incarnation. We unfortunately start by talking about the Bombay Bhel bombing in Mississauga (and how it hits close to home), day one impressions, a brief rehash on our Makoto Shinkai debates, and look forward to day two Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Don La Rosa, Geoff Greig
Mike comes on to test his Yeti mic, tell an HQ story, announce some housecleaning, and details for our Anime North tapings @animeroundtable @6ixTalkPodcast
The return of The Anime Roundtable Canada sadly begins with a serious note, as we share our thoughts on the Yonge Street Attack earlier in the week. Then we try to lighten up the mood looking forward to the Toronto Comic Arts Festival and Anime North, with talk on the latter's Nominoichi Flea Market, and an announcement on the podcast Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
Mike had certain plans for this episode, but it went off the rails well before we hit the record button Neil returns for the first time in new the incarnation, and picked up where he left off on his soap box (which basically means buckle up). We talk a little politics, the search for a new fourth mic, the business and medical sides of gaming and the Olympics, and some memories of some of the popular geek spots in Toronto
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Neil Sinclair
Sometimes you just have to hit the record button. The cold open and introduction. On its 12th anniversary, Mike and James return for the first time in 8 years just to shoot the breeze and reboot the Anime Roundtable into the 6ixTalk Mike Nicolas, James Austin
Ever wondered what the show would sound like if it was recorded on just the default mic of the recording laptop? Well that’s what happened for the first 45 mins this week as Mike forgot to properly hook the board in before recording. Didn’t help when Garageband stalled a few times during the episode, or in the last ten minutes of the segment when the iBook’s cooling fan come on…
Anyway in all of that, some Canadian related items, seyuu stalkers hoping to strike back, Makoto Shinkai Day, the use of video game controllers in crime, and music that helps girls “bust out”.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant
The Anime Roundtable takes a video game turn when the crew discusses downloadable, paid extras. Then it gets back to more normal content with thoughts on new and switched licenses, the iPhone in Japan, a new Nintendo DS, and something about dying in a porn store.
All this while we introduce a newcomer around the table…a girl…with Neil and Adam also around…this cannot be good…
Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Adam Grant, Megan Swaine
"Sho Ga Nai"
Mike and James apologize and look back on the headache that was the Saturday night (early Sunday) taping of the historic episode 50 at Anime North. Despite all of the off topic talk (which was edited out and will be made available on a later date), we did manage to talk for a very long time about the Jojo’s controversy. Then our annual visit from Norm as he chimes in on the controversy and how the convention had gone to that point. Then Mike and James apologize again. Sho Ga Nai (It can’t be helped)
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Neil Sinclair, Adam Grant, with appearance by Norm McEvoy
This week, we begin with some thoughts from a fan translator and James’ attempt to see Kite Liberator on the big screen. Then we talk at length about Crunchyroll. Anime Boston’s registration issues, more Someday’s Dreamers anime, and the first Geneon rescue are loaded and shot in the bullets segment. And finally, Mike responds to being called out on the blog…then Adam finishes the job.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Enrico Bianco
Sorry for the delay as Mike is still in shock after listening to the episode again while preparing it for upload.
We start this week by welcoming Neil back and talking about political discourse in cartoons over the last 30 years. Then a trip to the political and legal pages concerning the death of a 10 year old in Indonesia (with a politician linking Naruto to it), and the latest in the Odex saga in Singapore. And finally the obligatory ADV talk. That’s assuming you can get past the fact that both Neil and Adam are around the table unleashed…you’ve been warned.
Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Adam Grant, James Austin
The reputation of foreigners in Japan, ADV’s latest moves online, the latest in anime merchandising, and Death Note trully coming to North America.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Angela Jordan
First we start talking about anime titles with multiple series and seasons and why they’re animated in the first place. Second, more on Canadian TV. Then getting more serious, animators and cosplayers forming associations for improved conditions. Finally in the bullets, the Japanese government asking their American counterparts for help in the downloading issue, soldiers who are anime fans, and reactions to more live action announcements.
First foursome in almost a month. And Adam couldn’t be happier.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan, Adam Grant
After a week off, a follow up on downloading and opinions on the iPod….oh and in anime stuff, more on pre-emptings on Japanese TV, and what’s coming on Canadian TV. Also a conversation on the “big volume more pages” trend in manga. If I use the word “omnibus” I may get hurt. And finally, to fulfill our official obligation, some Anime North news…not necessarily in that order.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant
The other thing taped this week. A defence of Kodomo no Jikan and then some brief talk about the change in the Japanese government and it’s relationship to anime and manga.
And somehow we managed to get through this episode without talking about School Days…
Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Adam Grant, Courteney St. John
The big talk of the week is of course Geneon’s pull out of DVD sales in North America. We’ll give our thoughts on it, and naturally don’t think of this as definitive, or even needed. But it was worth talking about.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant
After a one week hiatus, we welcome a newcomer and get a legal opinion on fansubs in Canada and around the world. And then we briefly talk about broadcast preempting in Japan. Peppered with pr0n talk…check that…burried by…
Most outrageous episode yet. You’ve been warned.
Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Adam Grant
The season premier continues with talk about the Wall Street Journal editorial critical of the Japanese government’s use of anime and manga in their self promotion. And then in the bullets we’ll talk about New Generation’s latest moves, and how the anime industry in Japan does versus the Love Hotel industry. We know who won, but we’ll talk about it anyway.
Our longest and most shocking episode yet.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan
Part one of the season premier. We’ll start off with what’s been on the crew’s watching and reading lists and then reminisce about the recent FanExpo Canada (aka CNAnime). But before all that, Mike let’s off a little steam with a first insult…don’t expect this too often.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan
One final digest to end off the summer. In this one, we talk at length about the ADV/Geneon deal announced earlier this week. We give our own speculations on the deal, as well as give a brief history of Geneon/Pioneer distribution, and distribution in Canada.
We call it a digest, but…it’s still almost an hour long. Yeah, I guess we can’t shut up.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Terry Visser, Anthony Visser
Our special with the owners of The Comic Den Mississauga continues. We’ll start with giving some respect for Seven Seas over the Nymphet controversy, and some memories of Canada Customs. Then, a bullets segment where we talk about Death Note in China, and crime in Akihabara. Also, more phone calls and knocks at the door. And ramune now joins the ranks of pop rocks and rock candy as stuff that make themselves heard on the mics.
This topping off the longest episode yet. And it was as good as it was long.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Terry Visser, Anthony Visser
Part one of our special episode with the owners of The Comic Den Mississauga. First up we’ll reminisce over the last 28 years in business. Then we’ll talk about the Nymphet controversy…you expect us not to talk about it?
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Terry Visser, Anthony Visser
21 is Anime Roundtable’s 13 or 4. So here’s what we decided to put up from the ill fated episode from our first night at Anime North. First, a brief re-hash of our conversation on the controversy surrounding manga cafes and rental shops in Asia and North America. Then we will have a word from Anime North as one of the organizers come on the show. Also we will talk about what happened to ep. 21, version 1. Hopefully putting the ghosts of 21 finally to rest.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Angela Jordan. With special guest Norm McEvoy
The regular season finale. Listen to Mike get his ass kicked talking about simultaneous releases, manga edit back-pedalling, lessons on Otakuology, and Pokemon. Then listen to him return the favour talking about Anime North, with an important announcement in tow, one that you will see coming right down Dixon Rd.
Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Courteney St. John, Angela Jordan
Angela’s week in Japan and some bullets (a fancy way to say headlines in brief), in the episode we were supposed to do last week if we weren’t snowed in.
Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Angela Jordan, Clairissa Jewell
The return of The Anime Roundtable Canada sadly begins with a serious note, as we share our thoughts on the Yonge Street Attack earlier in the week. Then we try to lighten up the mood looking forward to the Toronto Comic Arts Festival and Anime North, with talk on the latter's Nominoichi Flea Market, and an announcement on the podcast
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng
Mike had certain plans for this episode, but it went off the rails well before we hit the record button
Neil returns for the first time in new the incarnation, and picked up where he left off on his soap box (which basically means buckle up). We talk a little politics, the search for a new fourth mic, the business and medical sides of gaming and the Olympics, and some memories of some of the popular geek spots in Toronto
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Neil Sinclair
Sometimes you just have to hit the record button. The cold open and introduction. On its 12th anniversary, Mike and James return for the first time in 8 years just to shoot the breeze and reboot the Anime Roundtable into the 6ixTalk
Mike Nicolas, James Austin
Mike speaks for the first time in almost two years as he looks back on the podcast’s past on the sixth anniversary of the first episode. He also shares some of his thoughts on the Japanese earthquake and tsunami on the eve of the first anniversary, and the offerings of NHK World beyond its news coverage. Mike Nicolas
After four months of sitting (and a load of wondering from a few places), here’s the episode taped on May 29th 2010, the second night of Anime North. I am sure plenty is out of date still but some things remain timeless…like issues in the biz, Christopher Handley, our annual appearance by Norm, and the fact that Mike is once again in hiding. Although you may find it interesting when Adam leans on the Lawyer side of his “Hentai Lawyer” title. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Megan Swaine
In this episode, allergies hit the roundtable so hard that it knocks out one of them. Unfortunately for Mike, he wasn’t one of those hit. Therefore he has no excuse for taking almost two weeks to put this up. In this episode, which was already outdated at the time of taping, we talk about further fallout from the Handley case, Funimation taking One Piece out of streaming, EVA 1.0’s North American Theatrical release, and the great CPM auction. We’ll even go non anime with Apple’s moves at the WWDC and the death of a legendary Japanese Pro Wrestler. Taped on June 16. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Megan Swaine, with James Chow
So after almost a year, the Roundtable comes out of hiding at Anime North. In the return episode, the group shoots the breeze talking about cosplay as an indicator of what’s still popular, convention going at AN, culture shocks as an anime fan after being in Japan, and how times have passed with the end of clubs and the death of a pioneer. Well that’s what we talk about in terms of relevant stuff…but longtime listeners know how this really goes. All presented in one long take. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Geoff Greig, Angela Jordan
So after Adam takes a few drinks, some impressions of day two as well as Adam’s appearance on Bite TV with The Conventioneers. After we talk about the Christopher Handley guilty plea and what it’ll mean in the future. Anime North organizer Norm McEvoy then sits for the bullets segment, talking about Taro Aso with Miss Japan, some Funimation news from other conventions, and even what Japan likes to drink. All this while Adam has his eye on one of the girls in the audience (and you know what that’s likely to mean). The landmark 75th episode at where else…Anime North. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Enrico Bianco, with appearance by Norm McEvoy
Night number one from Anime North, so of course we start off with first day impressions along with wondering how the H1N1 flu and the recession have affected the attendance numbers. Then we talk a little bit more about elitism and fan behaviour in light of recent incidents. Among the bullets, Capcom releases, publishers getting into the used book trade, and even thoughts on an OVA bringing together some of the more beloved characters in history….while Mike braces himself for the Saturday taping. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Megan Swaine, Geoff Greig
So with Anime North about 10 days away, the gang talks about what we’ll be doing there…at the end. But before that, thoughts on the flu (which has now hit the Roundtable), Star Trek, the anime bubble, the vultures around CPM, and Sakura Wars sort of making it to North America. This time sort of in order. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Megan Swaine
After a week off, Mike is so rusty that everything he talked about this week is really a blur. He does remember Megan returning, and quite a bit of the conversation centering on her ex. Then he recalls some stuff about further eManga prospects, and Pirate Bay. And that’s before the bullets, which he can’t recall as this is being written. Mike realizes he’ll have to listen to that again to find out what they were, and suggests you guys do the same too. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Megan Swaine
This week, after complaining about the Toronto transit system and a brief history about SNK (while playing various Samurai Shodown games), we start with two items, one about Amazon and its treatment of mature material, the other about the Philippines and its version of a loli porn ban. In the bullets, James singles out a few shows in the new anime season, comment on Viz finally acting on long awaited anime properties, and Viz acting on a new manga property from an old favourite. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant
Mike decides to take a week off from taping, and returns after dragging James and Adam to see Dog Sees God, and spends the entire first segment reviewing it and talking about fan fiction in the process. Then we tape the bullets twice because of technical difficulties with Mike’s MacBook, where we talk about Taro Aso’s economic stimulus plan for Japan (built on straw pillars), threats to mangaka, manga re-releases, and perhaps some High School Panic. Also some further Apple thoughts, and an Easter Carol Mike said he had been searching for. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant
Mike rationalizes this episode as something to nicely prepare him for the headache that’ll be taping at Anime North. The episode takes many different tangents as there is no real topic this week. Mike does remember talking quite a bit about the mini convention that passed last weekend in Toronto, the end of yet another Anime magazine and the coverage of it, and something about one of Adam’s favourite hentai game titles getting an official english release (nicely in line with it being episode 69). Also some thoughts on the play “Dog Sees God” which was mentioned last episode, a quick overview of the MacBook now recording this show, and the results of the contest with answers and the winner. Of course not necessarily in that order. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Brent Chittenden
The return to York University, and the likely retirement episode for the iBook that had recorded the show over the past three years. After talk about the York strike aftermath, James’ latest adventures with the exchange student from Osaka, and a tangent about anime DVD re-releases, we’ll take on the second part of the Ryerson lectures and Jaqueline Berndt’s talk about Japanese aesthetics and identity in anime. Bullets wise, we’ll chime in on the latest on a teen who went off with a “family friend” convention hopping, and the Curse of the Colonel Sanders statue. Then we end off on suggestions on where and when to listen to this show, and some recommendations for stuff going on in Toronto. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Geoff Greig
So after Mike does a final check of the equipment, James begins this week with stories about the Japanese exchange student currently at his place. Then we get to the Japan Foundation lectures at Ryerson and talk about Kaichiro Morikawa’s discussion about the Otaku communities making their own space and how Akihabara changed to accommodate, and comparisons with other social spaces. In the bullets, French and English being French and English, and a not so novel stress relief idea in Akihabara getting a novel twist. If you listen closely to the intro, you might here Mike giving off something that sounds like a burp in between sentences.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Geoff Greig
Minna no motome o kotaeru ga... Mike dropped his jaw and had to pick it up while listening to this again. But here it is, as good as it’ll get, all of what was recorded for the now infamous episode #50. Along with an intro and further thoughts from Mike nine months later. We didn’t get all of it, but you’ll know quickly that Neil and Adam were sooooo on that night, and gave the audience there what they were hoping for, and nearly gave Mike a stroke. Mike figures he’ll be stocking up on the Pocky for this year’s Anime North episodes. “We are answering your request but…”
Ever wondered what the show would sound like if it was recorded on just the default mic of the recording laptop? Well that’s what happened for the first 45 mins this week as Mike forgot to properly hook the board in before recording. Didn’t help when Garageband stalled a few times during the episode, or in the last ten minutes of the segment when the iBook’s cooling fan come on… Anyway in all of that, some Canadian related items, seyuu stalkers hoping to strike back, Makoto Shinkai Day, the use of video game controllers in crime, and music that helps girls “bust out”. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant (1:45:20)
Mike had wished to keep the episode under two hours. But when Megan’s ex-boyfriend and Adam’s co-host makes his first appearance on the show, Mike can just keep wishing. In this two plus hour infomercial for TATANS, we talk about the relevance of cultures in fiction (especially anime) in light of the last couple weeks, more Japanese crime related to anime, more moe related products, and more on Funimation’s buying spree and the wishlist for stuff they’re already doing. Then Mike unveils details on the show’s very first contest…no seriously. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Brent Chittenden
Douche (Colbert Pronunciation) Mike sighs as he needs Rant Space to once again talk about credentials and credibility in the anime fandom and industry circles in North America. This after being called ignorant and disrespectful to the industry, by a member of the industry. Mike wonders if this was worth his time in the end, but spent it to show respect to this particular member of the industry. Clearly more than what this person really deserves. Mike Nicolas
Megan uses her cell phone to Gabcast her dating tips to geeks, and her thoughts about dating in the the geek sense. It really isn’t all that complicating. Megan Swaine
Plenty of everything this week, anger, laughter, insults, and time (lots of it). Oh yeah, and maybe some good material to ponder too. We start this week by answering a call out on the blog. Then we talk at length about Valentines Day in Japan, and the latest in gifts for the girls this year. Finally in the bullets themselves, we briefly look at some of the announcements from the New York Comic Con, dramatic news from the companies in Japan, and a controversial hentai game (even by typical hentai standards), being pulled from Amazon. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Enrico Bianco
The other members of the Roundtable finally begin to take up some Rant Space. So while we wait for the taping of the next episode, Enrico looks back one of our last episodes of 2008 and gives his honest feelings about Crunchyroll’s current direction. Enrico Bianco
Adam talks about the weird experience watching Kodocha without the original theme song, which leads to a discussion about the use of likeness in Japanese media. Then, not much in the way of news this week, so the group plays Over/Under in looking ahead to the year in the anime and manga industry. Bullets wise, we look at the disturbing case of a missing 14 year old girl with a 43 year old man headed for an anime con and wonder why it doesn’t happen more, thoughts on the tease concerning the next Haruhi anime series, and adult items being promoted with adult titles…which may or may not make any sense. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant
Adam makes his first appearance of the 2009, showing the damage from a week in Cuba. First we make jokes about the latest problems in Mike’s place, York University (which really is the punchline), the PS3, and the fallout from Right Stuf’s 12 Days of Christmas sale. Then we give lip service to the licenses from the Christmas season, with an interesting set of thoughts for one of them. Bullets wise, library recommendations, how a manga artists paints his house, and how a town painted their town in another type of brush. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant
So after yet another month off, the Canadian Roundtable finally decides to return for a less politically incorrect version (Adam is off this week). In this inaugural episode of 2009, we’ll spend the idle talk (and about half the show) on university labour strife, the Inauguration itself (duh), and the follow up on the NHK Kouhaku. Then on the important stuff, we’ll take a look at the Diamond Comics benchmarks, and then a brief talk about the Hetalia manga and anime, political correctness and Korea.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Geoff Greig
We finally introduce our new feature where the regulars get the chance to sound off on anything they want by themselves. It can be a reflection, it can be a story, and yes it can be an angry rant. But it is all genuine. In the first edition of Space To Rant, Mike looks back on the NHK Red and White Show, its broadcast history in Canada, and the woman behind bringing it here. Something appropriate for New Year’s. Mike Nicolas
The final episode of 2008 sees the guys talk about Crunchyroll’s first attempt at a paid service and other legal options for watching anime now. Then a trio of bullets about 2ch’s reactions to what manga are popular in different parts of the world, reactions to who wants to play Spike in a live action Cowboy Bebop, and reactions to the idea of a Canadian made Persocom. Yes It-chan may actually be Canadian…don’t know if we should be proud of that. And a really good Final Insult that might be worthy of the name. What a great way to start the holidays.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant
The Visser Brothers face an audience for the first time, all the while being distracted by Judge Judy on the TV (Mike for reference got distracted by his phone). At the meat of things, we talk about Geneon changing hands from Dentsu to Universal Pictures International, more Comic Book Legal Defense, and thoughts on Hobbystar’s night before Christmas mini con. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Terry Visser, Anthony Visser
Adam asks Mike to play with the Garageband controls and what results is the single biggest (and longest) file yet. In it, James faces the music over being away last week, while Enrico has no clue what has happened. In between comments about condo noises, going through bookstores, and teasing the upcoming contests, we get Japanese political as we talk about Miyazaki’s comments concerning Prime Minister Aso’s manga fandom. Then we start looking a little bit back on 2008 with “Over/Under” questions originally meant for the summer license pool. Bullet wise, we’ll look the Wii manga reader, then read into tourists at Japan’s most famous fish market. Then Adam gives a dramatic Final Insult as he gets Canadian Political. …I told you it would be the longest file yet. But trust me it’s a good one.
Mike Nicolas, Adam Grant, Enrico Bianco, James Austin
The roundtable finally returns after yet another hiatus…albeit in digest form. Mike tries to get people together for a show, and only Austin shows up so he decides just make the first digest in more than a year. In it they give an excuse for the month away, then they give a quick review (or beat down) of Dot Con, the latest attempt at another anime con in Toronto. And to top it off, they preview the coming episodes by briefly talking about some of the items that caught their attention over the month long hiatus. Mike is thinking he should have put up the “less edited” version of episode 50 in the meantime… Mike Nicolas, James Austin
Adam and Megan see the new place for the first time as we talk about Japan’s lack of laws concerning virtual child porn. Then we shift gears talking about the resale of imports and the American first sales doctrine. A legal blotter to be sure. Also, Mike makes a manga recommendation, we make fun of James since he’s not there, and Adam for the first time refuses to speak on a certain topic for fear of incriminating himself (try to guess where)…but he seems more than happy to talk about his new podcast. Mike Nicolas, Adam Grant, Megan Swaine
Mike was thinking about the next episode then realized he had forgotten about putting up the last one. You can blame that on either personal matters (ie moving) or his feeble attempt to block out what happened in the episode. Mercifully it wasn’t as news oriented as it usually is. Five around the table as we talk about an academic paper on anime’s internationalization and then the Comic Book Legal Defence fund. That peppered with the obligatory stuff when you get Adam, Neil, and Neil’s roommate Megan around.
Are you beginning to see why Mike was trying to block out the episode? Taped on October 16 2008.
Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Adam Grant, Megan Swaine
After Mike successfully finds a nicer room to tape, we start off this week with Adam showing signs of interest in girls closer to his age…then he spends the rest of the show in a degenerative spiral hoping for coffee. In all of that Mike poses updated thoughts on impressions of things in our little world…of course they’re things we’ve talked about in some form already…of course they’re based on Spanish skinny dippers and Enrico’s return from two and a half weeks in Japan…of course Mike is looking for ideas for future episodes…of course Adam says more stuff about Clarissa behind her back. Mike Nicolas, Adam Grant, Enrico Bianco, Mohammed Sharmarke
The Anime Roundtable takes a video game turn when the crew discusses downloadable, paid extras. Then it gets back to more normal content with thoughts on new and switched licenses, the iPhone in Japan, a new Nintendo DS, and something about dying in a porn store. All this while we introduce a newcomer around the table…a girl…with Neil and Adam also around…this cannot be good… Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Adam Grant, Megan Swaine (1:05:59)
Neil makes his first appearance of the season, and find out what he and Adam say about Clarissa when she’s not here. Also some video game talk, and Neil’s take on Fan Expo in the idle talk. Then getting down to business, we talk about the end of Toonami and what to look forward to in Anime on TV in the future, then a lone bullet about a widower and an inflatable doll…do you think we should have talked about Japan’s new Prime Minister instead? Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Neil Sinclair, Adam Grant
After another month off, here we are with the season premiere. After starting off the season talking a little bit about the Toronto conventions, we’ll go through the legal items talking about the Canadian Bill C-61 (a proposed ammendment to the copyright act and then a legal paper trying to justify the need for fansubs (and how it’s flawed in Adam’s eyes). All that peppered with a discussion on fan auctions and dating, and a question that got asked over and over again. And if you thought having Neil paired with Adam was fun, wait until you hear what happens when Adam and Clarissa are paired up here for the first time…
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Clarissa Jewell
The crew brave thunderstorms and passing trains to bring you their thoughts on much of the industry happenings in the two months since the last episode, skipping an episode intro to do so. Anime in the first segment, then manga in the second segment. Then during Final Insults, we reveal a very interesting segment of the Visser family tree (one you have to hear to believe). Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Terry Visser, Anthony Visser
I don’t know if it was us trying to deal with the feedback with the speakers in the room (something we rarely use), or the fact it was 11:30pm and we were all very tired, but it might sound a little faded. Apologies in advance. In our first episode this year from Anime North, we once again come back to Makoto Shinkai. Then talk about the themes in the Animania documentary taped at AN in 2006. Finally three bullets, Japanese takes on manga with heart, Takeshi Murakami’s 15 million dollar sale, and Jojo’s tension with Islam.
And at the end of it all, we say goodbye to Angela who will be heading for Japan to teach english beginning in August.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan, Mohamed Sharmarke
In our first episode in more than a month, and the final one before Anime North, we talk about the licenses that happened around another convention, and the questions that have arisen from them. Then our attention turns to Japan. First what they feel are the best anime features of all time, and then bad behavior in Akihabara. And we do it with two Austins. Trust me, when you hear them, you’ll know they’re related.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Enrico Bianco, Matt Austin
The regular season finale. First some thoughts on reading manga in digital forms. Then after seeing IGN’s elaborate April Fool’s joke, we talk about a few good ones. Then a listener e-mail prompts a discussion on the merits of North American cartoons over the last 20 years. In an extended bullets segment, we talk about Joe Hisashi, X Japan, Gonzo and open pricing, the used book market in Japan, and a kicker you’d have to hear to believe. And once again, we tried to video tape the show, and technical difficulties prevented it from being available again. Thank god again too, we said waaaay too much during the breaks. Someone up there must like me.
Mike Nicolas, Adam Grant, Mohamed Sharmarke, Geoff Greig
This week, we begin with some thoughts from a fan translator and James’ attempt to see Kite Liberator on the big screen. Then we talk at length about Crunchyroll. Anime Boston’s registration issues, more Someday’s Dreamers anime, and the first Geneon rescue are loaded and shot in the bullets segment. And finally, Mike responds to being called out on the blog…then Adam finishes the job. Note: We mentioned that we were video taping the episode but due to technical difficulties, we don’t have it available. We apologize…although I am glad, otherwise you would have caught me singing an Easter Carol. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Enrico Bianco. (1:05:55)
This week, some thoughts on St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, the fallout from a quick and painful Artist Alley registration, Tekkon Kinkreet as a “bookend” to the Japanese anime industry (and goes somewhere else), and a lash out on life sized anime dolls. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Angela Jordan, Dean Colak
The second All Girls/White Day episode. Presented in two parts In part two, Clarissa’s memories of Japan continue with some of her anime adventures, from clubs to the biggest adventure of them all…Comiket. And yes, Genshiken isn’t that far fetched. Also some thoughts on Japanese Kit Kat and Crunchyroll
The second All Girls/White Day episode. Presented in two parts In part one, Clarissa returns from her year in Japan and starts to recount some of her favourite moments from her year there, from travelling Japan and other parts of Asia, to food, and to life as a university student at Meiji U in Tokyo
With Neil and Adam again at the same time, you can only do so much, just ask the idle talk. But somewhere in the mess we talk about the mix between Death Note, Naruto, Bully, and school violence (and a tasty mix at that), ADV deciding to finally blame downloads, Disney teaming up with Japan, Right Stuf’s first acquisition of 2008, and a successful busty defense (one Adam would certainly use). Plus perhaps the most memorable moment yet in the show’s history. See if you can pick all of that out, maybe there will be a prize…maybe. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Adam Grant
We start off with Apple and Oscar talk, then come back to Canada Border Services’ increasing personal library of banned material (of course hentai anime and manga stuff). In short the return of some recent classics, the return of ADV, and Butler Cafes looking to hire (Adam and James may have a chance). Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan, Adam Grant
This week, we start with Dean’s thoughts on the TV season thus far in Japan. Then we offer a our thoughts on the end of the Blu-ray, HD-DVD war. In the second half we read a somewhat interesting e-mail and respond in kind, then we express our shock and awe over the latest live action adaptation announcement. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Dean Colak, with cameo by Neil Sinclair
Sorry for the delay since Mike was actually enjoying more than a few post Valentines Day drinks. This week, after the Gospel according to Neil and Adam, and Mike’s chocolate odyssey, some thoughts on Funimation and Geneon, the closing of the Sakura Wars cafe, some EVA hot coffee, and the latest attempt at lonely otaku money in Akihabara. Then the obligatory Valentines and anime talk. With your predictable spins.
Lordy, lordy, look who’s forty…and this episode is likely to leave more than a few grey hairs.
Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Adam Grant
We start with Mike helping Adam and Angela complete their Geneon libraries, and look back on Angela’s art exhibit at York University. Then in earnest we wonder about Tekkon Kinkreet’s Oscar worthiness. In the bullets, our first news from Anime North, throwing away Japanese porn being illegal, the “House Where Totoro Lives” being saved, and Tommy Lee Jones in Akihabara. Somewhere in all of this is Adam’s most outrageous comment said (yet). A prize for the first person who can find it.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan, Adam Grant
Sorry for the delay as Mike is still in shock after listening to the episode again while preparing it for upload. We start this week by welcoming Neil back and talking about political discourse in cartoons over the last 30 years. Then a trip to the political and legal pages concerning the death of a 10 year old in Indonesia (with a politician linking Naruto to it), and the latest in the Odex saga in Singapore. And finally the obligatory ADV talk. That’s assuming you can get past the fact that both Neil and Adam are around the table unleashed…you’ve been warned. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Adam Grant, James Austin. (1:03:30)
This week, more on dead and burried anime ventures, and grave digging. First thoughts on Geneon’s library, then the end of Hirameki, Viz and single discs on some titles, and ADV’s latest moves (Newtype USA, Anime Channel linear, UK operations). Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Mohamed Sharmarke
We start off the New Year by talking about the Genshiken creator’s impressions of fandom today. Then some words about the changes at Seven Seas and art exhibitions, with a plug for an exhibit by one of our own…assuming you can get through the first 20 minutes of holiday talk. Remind me to keep the idle chat short next week.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan, Adam Grant
We’ll warm up with manga talk about Kodocha, Genshiken and Translucent, and anime talk concerning the Haruhi Dub. Then we’ll talk about Arthur Smith’s response to the open letter to the industry. In the bullets, Marvel manga, Gundam Bars, Busou Renkin on DVD, Futari Ecchi’s limited manga release, and the voluntary pull on My Santa (which really should be permanent). The real last episode of 2007.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Terry Visser, Anthony Visser
Our view of Justin Sevakis’ open letter to the anime industry. In the bullets, the closing of the Toronto maid cafe, celebrity divorces, CSI DeathNote, and an American adaptation of Train Man to come. And finally Adam requests a guest spot on the Happy House of Hentai. Tell me what doesn’t belong?
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant
The reputation of foreigners in Japan, ADV’s latest moves online, the latest in anime merchandising, and Death Note trully coming to North America. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Angela Jordan (1:06:10)
This week, School Days and its prospects in North America. We’ll also remember Steve Pearl and a bygone era in North American fandom. Don’t worry, most of this is still not as serious as it sounds.
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Mohamed Sharmarke
Dean’s return episode where he gives his thoughts on recent anime news, and then his impressions of the current fall season…about a quarter of a way through. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Dean Colak (39:40)
Dean’s return episode where he gives his thoughts on recent anime news, and then his impressions of the current fall season…about a quarter of a way through. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant, Dean Colak
Talk about the Japanese Government survey on regulating “Harmful Material”, and a brief conversation on “Realizing Gundam”. Sprinkled with how Mike screwed up giving away candy during Halloween, and the ups and downs of Canadian Dollar parity (especially when Canada Customs gets involved) at the beginning; and an interesting request by Adam at the very end…one that will not surprise you one bit. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant
First we start talking about anime titles with multiple series and seasons and why they’re animated in the first place. Second, more on Canadian TV. Then getting more serious, animators and cosplayers forming associations for improved conditions. Finally in the bullets, the Japanese government asking their American counterparts for help in the downloading issue, soldiers who are anime fans, and reactions to more live action announcements. First foursome in almost a month. And Adam couldn’t be happier. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan, Adam Grant (1:06:30)
After a week off, a follow up on downloading and opinions on the iPod….oh and in anime stuff, more on pre-emptings on Japanese TV, and what’s coming on Canadian TV. Also a conversation on the “big volume more pages” trend in manga. If I use the word “omnibus” I may get hurt. And finally, to fulfill our official obligation, some Anime North news…not necessarily in that order. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant (1:06)
This week, our prospects for the Manganovel download service. Then bullets talking about the Negima Live action, CBC and Spirited Away, Mokona Apapa’s (CLAMP) Kimono book, and the Romeo x Juliet C&D. And since we forgot to say it on the show, Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!!!
Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan
The big talk of the week is of course Geneon’s pull out of DVD sales in North America. We’ll give our thoughts on it, and naturally don’t think of this as definitive, or even needed. But it was worth talking about. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Adam Grant. (52:21)
The other thing taped this week. A defence of Kodomo no Jikan and then some brief talk about the change in the Japanese government and it’s relationship to anime and manga. And somehow we managed to get through this episode without talking about School Days… Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Adam Grant, Courteney St. John (1:02:39)
After a one week hiatus, we welcome a newcomer and get a legal opinion on fansubs in Canada and around the world. And then we briefly talk about broadcast preempting in Japan. Peppered with pr0n talk…check that…burried by… Most outrageous episode yet. You’ve been warned. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Adam Grant. (1:06:25)
The season premier continues with talk about the Wall Street Journal editorial critical of the Japanese government’s use of anime and manga in their self promotion. And then in the bullets we’ll talk about New Generation’s latest moves, and how the anime industry in Japan does versus the Love Hotel industry. We know who won, but we’ll talk about it anyway. Our longest and most shocking episode yet. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan (48:20)
Part one of the season premier. We’ll start off with what’s been on the crew’s watching and reading lists and then reminisce about the recent FanExpo Canada (aka CNAnime). But before all that, Mike let’s off a little steam with a first insult…don’t expect this too often. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan (1:06:05)
One final digest to end off the summer. In this one, we talk at length about the ADV/Geneon deal announced earlier this week. We give our own speculations on the deal, as well as give a brief history of Geneon/Pioneer distribution, and distribution in Canada. We call it a digest, but…it’s still almost an hour long. Yeah, I guess we can’t shut up. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Terry Visser, Anthony Visser. (57:35)
Our special with the owners of The Comic Den Mississauga continues. We’ll start with giving some respect for Seven Seas over the Nymphet controversy, and some memories of Canada Customs. Then, a bullets segment where we talk about Death Note in China, and crime in Akihabara. Also, more phone calls and knocks at the door. And ramune now joins the ranks of pop rocks and rock candy as stuff that make themselves heard on the mics. This topping off the longest episode yet. And it was as good as it was long. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Terry Visser, Anthony Visser. (41:25)
Part one of our special episode with the owners of The Comic Den Mississauga. First up we’ll reminisce over the last 28 years in business. Then we’ll talk about the Nymphet controversy…you expect us not to talk about it? Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Terry Visser, Anthony Visser. (57:25)
21 is Anime Roundtable’s 13 or 4. So here’s what we decided to put up from the ill fated episode from our first night at Anime North. First, a brief re-hash of our conversation on the controversy surrounding manga cafes and rental shops in Asia and North America. Then we will have a word from Anime North as one of the organizers come on the show. Also we will talk about what happened to ep. 21, version 1. Hopefully putting the ghosts of 21 finally to rest. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Angela Jordan. With special guest Norm McEvoy. (38:14)
The rebound episode. More on live actions in relation to Viz, Maison Ikkoku, and Negima. Then Dean fires off a sniper shot of a bullet. Our second and final night from Anime North. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Dean Colak
Finally our 20th episode!! This time, we’ll talk about legal downloads, Mothers and anime, and more Anime North talk (yeah we’re still kissing up). The last episode before the big convention. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke
The vacation is over. This time around we’ll talk about developments and licenses coming from Anime Boston, then we’ll try to predict the future in terms of licenses for the rest of the summer. All this in a big bite size of a digest. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Dean Colak
A preview of the Spring/Summer ’07 anime season in Japan. All in under 30 minutes. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Dean Colak
Libre publishing in Japan issues a C&D, Bandai Visual announces simultaneous anime DVD release, and the declining Japanese Market. As the guys – and last names – return. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Dean Colak, Clarissa Jewell
The first Girls Only/White Day episode. Tonight we’ll talk about allure of Boys Love, food in anime, revisit Superflat, and mention our favourite shoujo titles. Courteney, Clarissa, Angela, Mel, and Carol… we’re not putting in our last names
Angela’s week in Japan and some bullets (a fancy way to say headlines in brief), in the episode we were supposed to do last week if we weren’t snowed in. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Angela Jordan, Clairissa Jewell. (1:03:32)
A summery of licenses from the New York City Comic Con and a look back at the American Anime Awards. A new feature on the Roundtable, a short form episode… if you want to call 35 minutes short. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Dean Colak
This week, anime and manga will see an increased profile in Japanese government cultural exchange, and more on the new EVA movies. Plus some public denials. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, Courteney St. John, James Austin
Tonight we’ll talk about the pickup of Tekkon Kinkreet and the possible implications it may have(nothing bad actually), and then talk about anime pinup girls and guys over the decades. Gotta do something for Valentines Day. Mike Nicolas, Courteney St. John, James Austin, Angela Jordan
The Anime Channel coming soon to Canada. And the need for anime clubs in the future. With the ultimate question, is any of this worth it? A Murphy’s Law episode where if anything can go wrong… Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Clarissa Jewell, Angela Jordan
This week, the Japanese National Police Agency on children in adult manga, and nominations for both the Oscar and American Anime Awards. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Clarissa Jewell
The first episode of 2007. Aside from some mature talk, we’ll talk about the holiday licenses and the early convention announcements. Also we’ll make a pitch to one of the conventions. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan, Dean Colak
In our final episode of 2006, we’ll look back on it, and look forward to 2007. Also we’ll talk about Christmas themed episodes and airing on late night Japanese TV. Table for five sir? Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan, Courtney St. John, Neil Sinclair
After assessing PS3, Wii, and EVA bodycounts, we’ll talk about Makoto Shinkai and his current place in the anime scene, as a trailer for his latest work comes online. And then a discussion on the concept of the “alternate universe” in anime and manga. Second last show of 2006. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Dean Colak
Tonight we’ll wonder if CMX is still feeling the past concerning Tenjho Tenge and then talk about our favourite obscure manga out there. This on the eve of the latest salvo in the video game wars, and the return of a roundtable regular… honest. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Angela Jordan
Revisiting the “manga” question, G4’s demise (or restructuring) in the US and the overall affect on anime on North American TV, and Rumiko Takahashi’s legacy as the Ranma manga ends its North American run. Highlighted by a long awaited return to the table this week…not Neil’s though. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Angela Jordan, Courtney St. John
Fine Arts and it’s relationship with Anime and Manga, the Artist Alley experience, Gedo Senki’s delayed release in North America, and the bigger picture in comparing the sales of the Naruto and Bleach mangas. First four person table of the season. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Dean Colak, Angela Jordan
This time around, YTV’s license to start The Anime Channel in Canada, Funimation and the C&D letters, and our thoughts on the new fall shows in Japan. Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Dean Colak
In our first episode in six months, we talk about our summers anime wise, the relationship between publishers and the doujin scene in Japan, and Del Rey and their new mature line. Going three around the table to settle back in. Season Premier. Now available in both audio and Apple iPod enhanced versions. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin
On this episode, Horn and Koike, and the increasing misdefining of the word “Manga”. Something to listen to while multitasking. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Courtney St. John
Discussion on the comments made by Al Khan, Howl’s Moving Castle at the Oscars, CLAMP to visit North America in July, our favourite anime and manga couples. Download and listen to it as you go to sleep… Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin, Courtney St. John
We’ll talk about the Canadian National Police Services’ website definition of Anime and Hentai, recent anime and manga licenses, and live action works based on anime and manga on the debut episode. Mike Nicolas, Neil Sinclair, James Austin