ANN Guest Article: Interview with Hiroshi Nagahama

 

I am incredibly honored to have gotten to interview Hiroshi Nagahama (Revolutionary Girl Utena, Mushi-shi, The Flowers of Evil) about his upcoming anime adaptation of Junji Ito's cult-classic horror manga, Uzumaki! If you're a horror fan like me, you're probably looking forward to it's premiere on Adult Swim very soon--so I was excited to ask him about it and what kind of horror has influenced him and his work over the years. Check it out on Anime News Network here!

A huge thanks to ANN for the opportunity, as well to all you folks out there who helped me get to Otakon to do this interview! Thank you all so much, your support of me and my work means the world to me.

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - ep 132: Tokyo Babylon with Lucy & Robin of CLAMPCast in Wonderland

 

Subscribers! Be sure to go to the blog to read the description easier & check out links for this episode!

This episode is sponsored in part by Tokyo Treat! To get $5 your first box of delicious snacks & treats delivered from Japan straight to your door, AND to help support my little podcast, use code "NOSTALGIA" at my link here!

For June, I'm discussing one of my favorite shoujo manga: CLAMP's Tokyo Babylon! So of course, I had to recruit Lucy & Robin of the wonderful CLAMPcast in Wonderland to help me do an extra long deep dive of this bold & stylish, supernatural queer cult classic: What makes it so special, why it being "problematic" is actually important, how it's themes & story elements are still relevant over 30 years later, and most importantly: THE FASHION! We discuss the basics of the characters and story up until the SPOILERS, which start around 1:50:00. Enjoy!

Stream the episode above or [Direct Download]

Subscribe on apple podcasts | Spotify

Relevant Links:

• Listen to ep #60 of the podcast for my chat about CLAMP & their history with our dearly departed NewtypeLady
• Buy YenPress' release of Tokyo Babylon via my affiliate links on Bookshop.org, Crunchyroll Store, or Amazon!
• Buy the 90s release of the Tokyo Babylon OVA on DVD!
• Check out Chibi Yuuto's site for tons of CLAMP news, translations, and info!
• Examples of Studio Gohands' "plagiarized" fashion from their now cancelled anime series
• Follow Lucy & Robin, and their podcast, CLAMPCast in Wonderland!

My theme song music was done by Kerobit! You can find more about them on their website!

See how you can get access to behind-the-scenes stuff, early access to the podcast, and a BRAND NEW subscriber exclusive podcast with my new Ko-fi Subscriptions!

As always, feel free to leave me your thoughts on this episode or ideas for future episodes here—or email me directly at AnimeNostalgiaPodcast@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! And for those who don’t celebrate, happy half-priced chocolate day eve!

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - ep 123: The First Slam Dunk with Tricia

Subscribers! Be sure to go to the blog to read the description easier & check out links for this episode!

Last month in North America, the first new Slam Dunk anime in over 20 years AND Takehiko Inoue's directorial debut finally arrived in theaters: The First Slam Dunk! So who better to talk to me about this exciting event but my friend and fellow Slam Dunk fan, Tricia! For the first part of this episode, we talk a bit about Slam Dunk's history, its importance in Japanese sports, fandom, & BL culture, why it's such a beloved piece of work, and our general (spoiler-free!) thoughts on this new edition to it. Then, at around the 1:26:35 mark, we go total spoiler-zone & do a deep-dive of our thoughts on the work, along with sneaker talk, anime character Toon Squad Dream Teams, and your listener questions!

Stream the episode above or [Direct Download]
Subscribe on apple podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Relevant links:

• Gkids' official The First Slam Dunk webpage
• Watch the original Slam Dunk anime in the US on Toei's Official US Youtube Channel
• Buy the Slam Dunk manga at Rightstuf or Amazon
• Short video on the real sneakers Inoue used in Slam Dunk
• Tensai_Hana's thread on Twitter about some background information for Slam Dunk / The First Slam Dunk
• Listen to me talk about The First Slam Dunk on Taiiku Podcast as well!

My theme song music was done by Kerobit! You can find more about them on their website!

Support the work I do on this podcast by leaving me a tip on Ko-fi! Want to have your name read in the special thanks segment on the next episode? All you need to do is buy me 2 or more “coffees” on Ko-fi!

As always, feel free to leave me your thoughts on this episode or ideas for future episodes here—or email me directly at AnimeNostalgiaPodcast@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening!

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - ep 113: Creative Conversations with Abby Denson

Subscribers! Be sure to go to the blog to read the description easier & check out links for this episode!

This month, we’re returning to my Creative Conversations series! In these episodes, I talk to people in various creative fields making things today who were greatly inspired by anime & manga, and are using that inspiration today to make their own cool things. This time, we’re talking to comic artist, illustrator, and comic author Abby Denson! A longtime manga reader, Abby’s been making comics since her self-published days, and continues that DIY spirit with her latest series Kitty Sweet Tooth with Japanese artist Utomaru. Listen as we discuss her ‘90s zine roots, how BL inspired one of her early comics, and what it was like to table at Comiket in ‘97, along with answering your questions!

Stream the episode above or [Direct Download]
Subscribe on apple podcasts | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Abby’s older anime & manga recommendations:

• Maison Ikkoku (Get the original manga from Rightstuf or Amazon)
• Ranma ½ (Get the original manga from Rightstuf or Amazon)
• Akira (Get the original manga from Rightstuf or Amazon)
• The Poe Clan (Get the original manga from Rightstuf or Amazon)
• Battle Angel Alita (Get the original manga from Rightstuf or Amazon)
• The Rose of Versailles (Get the original manga from Rightstuf or Amazon)
• Lil’ Leo (Get the original manga from Rightstuf or Amazon)

Follow Abby & her work online!

• Abby’s Home page
• Abby’s Twitter & Instagram
• Buy her latest books, Kitty Sweet Tooth and Kitty Sweet Tooth Makes A Movie!

Bonus! A photo of Abby with mangaka royalty, Riyoko Ikeda!

My theme song music was done by Kerobit! You can find more about them on their website!

Support the work I do on this podcast by leaving me a tip on Ko-fi! Want to have your name read in the special thanks segment on the next episode? All you need to do is buy me 2 or more “coffees” on Ko-fi!

As always, feel free to leave me your thoughts on this episode or ideas for future episodes here—or email me directly at AnimeNostalgiaPodcast@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening!

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - Guest Episode: Parasyte with the Manga Mavericks Podcast

 

Subscribers! Be sure to go to the blog to read the description easier & check out links for this episode!

This month’s Guest Episode is a manga-centric one! I talked all about the wild, weird, and sometimes whacky world of the classic sci-fi body horror manga Parasyte with the Manga Mavericks Podcast, along with fellow guest Jason Thompson! Listen as we chat about what we love about it, Iwaaki’s strengths and weaknesses as a manga artist, and what kinda weird things WE’D do if we had strange alien parasite powers! Enjoy!

Stream the episode above or [Direct Download]
Subscribe on apple podcasts | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Relevant Links:

• Win a chance to choose an older anime (or manga!) for me to cover here on the podcast with my Fundraiser Raffle currently going on til March 31, 2022!
• Follow Manga Mavericks on Twitter!
• Buy Parasyte vols at Righstuf or Amazon!
• Read a preview of Parasyte vol 1 on Kodansha Comics’ official website!
• A translation of a short 2005 interview with Parasyte creator Satoshi Iwaaki

Support the work I do on this podcast by leaving me a tip on Ko-fi! Want to have your name read in the special thanks segment on the next episode? All you need to do is buy me 2 or more “coffees” on Ko-fi!

As always, feel free to leave me your thoughts on this episode or ideas for future episodes here—or email me directly at AnimeNostalgiaPodcast@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening!

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast ep 81 - Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji with Tricia

Subscribers! Be sure to go to the blog to read the description easier & check out links for this episode!

It's Thanksgiving time in North America, and what better way to celebrate than talking about a cult classic full of tears and despair?! That's right, returning guest and Fukumoto fan Tricia is back to talk with me all about Denpa's new English release of the infamous fan-favorite manga Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji! Started in the 90s, this title started growing a Western fanbase after it's '07 anime adaptation, and now at long last--a physical edition of the original manga is available! We talk about what we love about this new release, why it's worth picking up even if you've already seen the anime, and how a story with such a seemingly simple premise tackles some surprisingly heavy themes in unexpected ways. Also in this episode: what Kaiji adaptations are worth checking out, which Kaiji gambles terrify us, and why Michael Douglas is now officially Anime.

Minor corrections/updates for this episode: The ebook company that did the original eBook release is actually a company close to Mr. Fukumoto! Also, the sound effect ZAWA wasn't quite invented by Fukumoto, but popularized by him. It's derived from the Japanese ZAWATSUKU or ZAWAMEKU. And while the bubble bursting in Japan & debt has a lot to do with the themes of the story, there's also the fact that Japan went through about 15-20 years of stagflation, which lead to many being disillusioned and feeling they had no future since many jobs available were just "dead end" ones. Denpa currently has two full-time staff members, and currently only has the rights to the first arc (13 vols) of Kaiji....though that may change in the future! Thanks Denpa for reaching out and letting me know!

Stream the episode above or [Direct Download]
Subscribe on itunes | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify

Relevant Links:

• Buy Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji vol 1 at Rightstuf, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Amazon
• PRE-ORDER Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji vol 2 at Rightstuf, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Amazon
• PRE-ORDER Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji vol 3 at Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Amazon
• PRE-ORDER Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji vol 4 at Book Depository, Amazon
• Check out season 1 and 2 of the 2007 Kaiji anime adaptation on Crunchyroll!
• Check out the comedy spin-off Mr Tonegawa: Middle Management Blues on Crunchyroll
• Check out the 2018 Chinese live-action adaptation called Animal World on Netflix
• Follow Kaiji publisher Denpa on Twitter for updates on more Kaiji (and other great titles) releases!
• My theme song is performed by Kerobit! Find more of Kerobit’s music on InazumaKick.com!

Support the work I do on this podcast by leaving me a tip on Ko-fi! Want to have your name read in the special thanks segment on the next episode? All you need to do is buy me 2 or more “coffees” on Ko-fi!

As always, feel free to leave me your thoughts on this episode or ideas for future episodes here—or email me directly at AnimeNostalgiaPodcast@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening!

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - ep 72: Live Action Special! Alita: Battle Angel with Rachel

Subscribers! Be sure to go to the blog to read the description easier & check out links for this episode!

It only happens once in a blue moon, folks....we finally got a big Hollywood movie that does manga (and anime) justice?! I break from the podcast’s normal format to team back up with my pal and Battle Angel Alita superfan Rachel (aka @SporadicErratic on Twitter) to discuss this milestone for Alita fans everywhere! Listen as we first talk about what we HOPED the movie would include beforehand, and then our joy and excitement (and some minor nit-picking) afterwards in this extra special, extra long Alita Extravaganza! Also in this episode: we briefly discuss how translating manga has changed dramatically since the 90s, Rachel coins the phrase “crocapocalypse”, and we rant about pudding. Now go support this film in theaters while you have the chance!


Stream the episode above or [Direct Download]
Subscribe on itunes | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify

Relevant links:

• Listen to Rachel & I talk all about the original Battle Angel Alita manga (and anime) here!
• Buy the original manga by Yukito Kishiro at Rightstuf, Amazon, or Comixology!
• Fox’s promo video with James Cameron, Yukito Kishiro, Robert Rodriguez, and Rosa Salazar
• Alita creator Yukito Kishiro talks about his series being adapted
• Kishiro also calls Alita: Battle Angel “The greatest movie in the world!”
• The Cast & Crew talk about creating this “manga epic”.
• Yukito Kishiro's special artwork of "movie" Alita!
• The music video for Dua Lipa’s theme to Alita: Battle Angel, “Swan Song”
• Bonus: virtual Youtuber Kizuna Ai meets the cast of Alita: Battle Angel in Japan!

Support the work I do on this podcast by leaving me a tip on Ko-fi! Want to have your name read in the special thanks segment on the next episode? All you need to do is buy me 2 or more “coffees” on Ko-fi!

As always, feel free to leave me your thoughts on this episode or ideas for future episodes here—or email me directly at AnimeNostalgiaPodcast@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening!

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - Ep 60

Subscribers! Be sure to go to the blog to read the description easier & check out links for this episode!

It’s February! So what better time to chill with a friend I love to have a little walk down memory lane about something we both have a fondness of? That’s right, Newtypelady is back, and we’re having a fun, somewhat laid-back look at some of the work of the all-female mangaka group CLAMP! Join us as we talk about everything from frustrating hiatuses, to egg babies, to surprisingly promising sequels. (And yes, even Devilman. How timely!)

Stream the episode above or [Direct Download]
Subscribe on itunes | Stitcher | Google Play

Relevant Links for this episode:

• Buy RG Veda manga omnibuses
• Buy Tokyo Babylon manga omnibuses & OVA DVD
• Buy X The manga, The Movie, or The TV Show
• Buy CardCaptor Sakura manga omnibuses & the original TV show
• Buy the new Clear Card Arc manga
• Buy the new Clover manga omnibus
• Watch CardCaptor Sakura and Clear Card Arc on Crunchyroll
• Watch CLAMP’s first ever TV interview from 2005
• Buy Anime Interviews to read the longer version of Nanase Ohkawa’s Animerica interview from the 90s

Support the work I do on this podcast by leaving me a tip on Ko-fi! Want to have your name read in the special thanks segment on the next episode? All you need to do is leave me 2 or more “coffees” on Ko-fi!

As always, feel free to leave me your thoughts on this episode or ideas for future episodes here—or email me directly at AnimeNostalgiaPodcast@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening!