The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - ep 152: Ronin Warriors/Samurai Troopers Chat with Paula

 

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

Treat yourself or your friends this Halloween! Use code "NOSTALGIA" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: https://team.tokyotreat.com/theanimenostalgia

A brand new sequel series to the original Samurai Troopers anime started earlier this year! But many fans know it better under it's American localized title, Ronin Warriors. So what better time to go back and reminisce about this beloved 80s series that was such a big part of our anime experience? We ramble on about the original series and its characters, why we love them, and how it uses a lot of the same mechanics that we also see in the magical girl & tokusatsu shows we adore, as well as what we think of the brand new sequel Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers (MILD SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST FEW EPISODES!) and what it gets right that so many sequels don't. So don your armor and jump into the thick of it with us, as we also answer some of your burning questions! 

Stream the episode above or [Direct Download]
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Relevant links:

• Watch Ronin Warriors, the 90s American localized version for free (with ads) on Tubi or on Pluto TV in the US!
• Watch the sequel to the original Japanese series, Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers on CR (requires paid account)
• Buy Discotek's Ronin Warriors/Samurai Troopers bluray collection on MediaOCD's webshop or with my affiliate link on Amazon
• Visit the YST Translations forums for translated Japanese articles, books, and other cool things by fans!
• Visit Yoroiden Temple, one of the oldest fansites still online!
• Check out The Samurai Troopers Fanzine on Tumblr, which started for a fanzine project and continues to post lots of info and images on both the original series and the new!
• Visit Soul of the Seasons - a fansite for the Dark Warlords of Ronin Warriors!
• Follow Paula on Bluesky!

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! 

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - ep 151: Anime & Manga Shopping with Rachel

 

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

Miss my TokyoTreat Twitch streams? Use code "NOSTALGIA" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: https://team.tokyotreat.com/theanimenostalgia to enjoy it for yourself!

Your host is finally back from their podcasting break! With Crunchyroll finally pulling the plug on the last remnants of the once mighty Rightstuf online store...where is an anime fan supposed to shop that isn't just another faceless, soulless corporation?! I set out the call to you, my listeners, to give us your recommendations! Returning friend Rachel, who is also a big proponent of physical media, joins me as we chat about your recommendations, some of the places we love to shop, reminiscing about shopping for anime & manga back when it was a LOT harder, and just try to keep laughing despite all the annoyances this year continues to bring us. Join us, and maybe find a few new places to buy your next obsession. 

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

Relevant links:

• Trying to ween yourself from buying books on Amazon? Try Bookshop.org: a network of independent, locally owned bookstores that work together to ship books, comics, and manga to you! You can use my affiliate link here to support indie bookstores AND my podcast!
• Check out the FULL LIST of stores we discussed here on the Google Doc I set up! If you have any stores you recommend that you want to add, please leave a comment or email me & I'll be happy to add it!
• Follow Rachel on Bluesky and Twitch!

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! 

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - Guest Spot: Lupin III Manga with Manga Machinations

 

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

Miss my TokyoTreat Twitch streams? Use code "NOSTALGIA" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: https://team.tokyotreat.com/theanimenostalgia to enjoy it for yourself!

While your host is taking a brief break for health reasons, please enjoy some selected Guest Spots from other podcasts! This month, from the archives, I was on Manga Machinations not too long ago to not only celebrate their 10-year podcasting anniversary, but to also chat about Seven Sea's English release of Monkey Punch's Lupin III: Greatest Heists manga! Enjoy!

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

Relevant links:

• Buy the Lupin III: Greatest Heists manga via my Bookshop Portal or Amazon affiliate link!
• Listen to my previous episodes on Lupin here and here!
• Follow Manga Machinations on Bluesky and Youtube!

Support the work I do on this podcast by leaving me a tip 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!

Yoshitaka Amano Art Exhibition, Part 2

 (If you somehow missed part 1, check it out here!)

The second part of the Yoshitaka Amano art exhibition at The Warehouse is here! A whole new set of paintings is now on display--this time showcasing Amano's more commercial work, like things related to anime, video games, etc. (If you missed seeing the first part of the exhibition, some of his ink and paint works from the first part ARE still on display in both the lobby and the small "room" near the end of the main area!)

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - Guest Spot: Angel's Egg with The Bomb Squad

 

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

Miss my TokyoTreat Twitch streams? Use code "NOSTALGIA" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: https://team.tokyotreat.com/theanimenostalgia to enjoy it for yourself!

While your host is taking a brief break for health reasons, please enjoy some selected Guest Spots from other podcasts! This month, from the archives, enjoy some fun discussion of Angel's Egg with the folks at The Bomb Squad!

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

Relevant links:

• As I mentioned in the opening, be sure to take the survey at IconsOfAnimeDoc.com to help Tim Eldred & Crew see what YOU want covered in their history of anime fandom documentary! (Hurry, you only have until August 3, 2026!)
• Listen to my own episode on Angel's Egg with Mamoru Oshii Scholar Brian Ruh here!
• Read my experience on seeing Yoshitaka Amano's artwork up close in person for the first time here!
• Watch the video version of this podcast on The Bomb Squad's Youtube channel!
• Follow The Bomb Squad on Bluesky!
• GKids' official website for Angel's Egg

Support the work I do on this podcast by leaving me a tip 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!

Yoshitaka Amano Art Exhibition, Part 1

 

Stock photo of the man himself at work!

Like many nerds of a certain age, I've been a fan of Yoshitaka Amano's ethereal & dreamy art since first seeing his work on the Final Fantasy game series. He's also well known for his artwork for the Vampire Hunter D novel series, as well as his dreamy character designs for Mamoru Oshii's Angel's Egg. So you can imagine my elation when Instagram actually did something RIGHT for once in it's miserable existence-- it showed me an ad for an upcoming art exhibition of works by Amano at a museum that was not too far away from me. Usually Amano's works are shown in galleries in places like New York City and Los Angeles, much too far away for me to consider seeing myself, so this felt like an incredibly rare opportunity. Because of this, I ended up going with a group of friends I told about the exhibition, because why WOULDN'T I share this kind of amazing experience with others?! The more the merrier, right?

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - Guest Spot: Animal World with The Bomb Squad

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

Miss my TokyoTreat Twitch streams? Use code "NOSTALGIA" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: https://team.tokyotreat.com/theanimenostalgia to enjoy it for yourself!

While your host is taking a brief break for health reasons, please enjoy some selected Guest Spots from other podcasts! This month, from the archives, enjoy some discussion on the unique take on Fukumoto's classic Kaiji manga--the live-action Animal World movie with The Bomb Squad! I hope you enjoy it!

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

Relevant links:

• Check out my podcast episode on the original Kaiji manga here!
• Watch the Kaiji anime adaptation on HIDIVE (with a subscription)
• Get the original Kaiji manga on Amazon or Bookshop.org!
• Watch the Youtube version of this podcast on The Bomb Squad's official channel!
• Follow The Bomb Squad on Bluesky!

Support the work I do on this podcast by leaving me a tip 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 Spot: Wakakusa no Charlotte with Zannen Canada

 

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

Miss my TokyoTreat Twitch streams? Use code "NOSTALGIA" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: https://team.tokyotreat.com/theanimenostalgia to enjoy it for yourself!

While your host is taking a brief break for health reasons, please enjoy some selected Guest Spots from other podcasts! This month, from the archives, enjoy me learning about one of the most Canadian anime shows that's NOT Anne of Green Gables: Wakakakusa no Charlotte, with Jesse of Zannen, Canada! Ever hear of Bonhomme? Well, you're gonna. I hope you enjoy it!


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

Relevant links:

• Nippon Animation's Official Japanese website for the series
• Wakakusa no Charlotte fansubs on YT
• Check out more of Canada's ties to anime on Zannen Canada's site!
• Follow host Jesse on Bluesky!

Support the work I do on this podcast by leaving me a tip 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 Spot: Adolescence of Utena with The Bomb Squad

 

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

Miss my TokyoTreat Twitch streams? Use code "NOSTALGIA" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: https://team.tokyotreat.com/theanimenostalgia to enjoy it for yourself!

While your host is taking a brief break for health reasons, please enjoy some selected Guest Spots from other podcasts! This month, from the archives, enjoy some discussion on the Utena movie: The Adolescence of Utena with The Bomb Squad! I hope you enjoy it!

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

Relevant links:

• Watch The Adolescence of Utena in the US for free with ads on Pluto TV!
• Check out Empty Movement: the longest running Utena fan site still running!
• Watch the Youtube version of this podcast on The Bomb Squad's official channel!
• Follow The Bomb Squad on Bluesky!

Support the work I do on this podcast by leaving me a tip 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!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

"Subaru, no! Seishiro has you in his trap!" 😂

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! (Or if you prefer, Happy Half-priced chocolates day eve! 💘)

This month on the podcast

 

A new Samurai Troopers anime started last month! So what better time to look back on the original, as well as it's English incarnation, Ronin Warriors! Joining me will be my friend & fellow magical armor boy enjoyer Paula, as we revisit this 80s cult classic that found a home in the hearts of many 90s kids.

Have any questions, comments, or topics you’d like to hear on this episode? Feel free to leave a comment, or email me directly at AnimeNostalgiaPodcast@gmail.com!

Want to get a special shout-out on the episode? Become a member of my Ko-fi Subscriptions at the Anime Club Producer level, or tip me 2 or more “coffees” at my Ko-fi account here to get your name included in my Special Thanks segment!

Get your questions & tips in before Feb 19, 2026!

This episode is currently on hold, and will record later this year! Thanks for understanding.

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - ep 150: ReView: The Dagger of Kamui

 

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

Treat yourself or a loved one this Valentine's Day! TokyoTreat makes the perfect gift for any occasion. Use code "NOSTALGIA" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: https://team.tokyotreat.com/theanimenostalgia

This month’s episode is another short ReView! What is a “ReView” episode, you might ask? Well, it’s my highly-clever (ok not really) name for episodes where I go back and revisit an older title I haven’t seen in a long time, and see if what I remember (and what my opinions on it) are still the same now that some time’s gone by. This month, Animeigo's Kickstarter bluray for Dagger of Kamui found it's way to my doorstep one cold December morning...so what better time to revisit this 80s Rintaro classic? This movie truly has everything: Ninja, monks, psychedelic flashing colors, cowboys, treasure hunts, a banger soundtrack, and even Mark Twain! But is that truly enough to make this movie great? Let's revisit it and find out!

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

Relevant links:

• Watch the Trailer for the movie here!

• Buy the bluray directly from Animeigo here!

• Check out Madhouse's official page on the movie here

• Other titles mentioned in this episode: Galaxy Express 999, Wicked City, Demon City Shinjuku, Ninja Scroll

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! 

Cool find at Anime Frontier 2025!

Hey friends! This year, due to health reasons, I was only able to attend one day of Anime Frontier last month. But that one day was still pretty damn fruitful: not only did I get to check out their new layout for the Exhibit Hall (they now have a dedicated food hall & beer garden, with LOTS more seating, which was pretty awesome!), I stumbled upon an amazing prototype for upcoming merch for a 90s anime series I was NOT expecting--Samurai Pizza Cats!

This photo I snapped was originally posted to the podcast's instagram!

I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw these cuties! With the series' recent 35th anniversary & video game announcement, I guess Tatsunoko really wants to put out some cool stuff for the fans (which is awesome, considering that the English version of the show was never super popular, but is still considered a cult classic.) Turns out, these adorable plush versions of the Pizza Cats are made by the relatively new, small plush toy maker called Rimi Star Production. I got to talk to one of the staff running the booth, and was told that they're aiming to get these official Tatsunoko Pro collab plushies available for order sometime "this winter". Now, it might be hard to tell from the photo above, but these plush Pizza Cats are HUGE! They are around 28 inches (71 cm) long, and made with soft, cuddly materials, making them perfect to hug. They also have retractable ears (on pull-back strings, so you don't lose them!), to mimic how they're "movable" in the show!

Some examples of the Pizza Cats' movable ears from the anime

They seem to be bringing these prototypes to conventions to show them off and spread the word, so if you wanna see where they'll show next, you can follow them on their official instagram here! The person I talked to said that once these are released, if they do well they might put out more characters, as Tatsunoko was very enthusiastic about this collab! So if you wanna see more, show your support once those pre-orders go up!

As always, many thanks to Anime Frontier for the press pass so I could get the chance to see these beauties in person! I can't wait to see what the final product will look like!

Happy New Year from The Anime Nostalgia Podcast

 

 A little late, but here's a New Year's card featuring podcast mascots Ret & Ro, drawn by me! I hope 2026 is a better year for all of us. 

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - ep 149: The 2025 Year in Review with Rachel

 

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

Treat yourself or a loved one this holiday season! TokyoTreat makes the perfect gift for any occasion. Use code "NOSTALGIA" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: https://team.tokyotreat.com/theanimenostalgia

2025 is coming to a close, so you know what that means–That’s right, it’s time for another Year in Review! And this time, returning champion Rachel is here to help discuss the results of my annual year-end survey as filled out by you, the listeners! What older anime titles were you excited to buy (sometimes again) this year, and what titles are you looking forward to coming out next year in 2026? We also talk about all the memorable news stories from throughout this long, grueling mess of a year. Enjoy nearly 3 hours of us taking a walk down memory lane, PLUS the winners of the survey giveaway. Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!!

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

Relevant links:

☆ Use my affiliate links to buy the top 3 (as voted by my listeners) older anime releases from 2025! ☆

1. Black Jack OVA BD
2. Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro CR Store Exclusive Steelbook
3. Golden Boy BD / Bubblegum Crisis Perfect Collection BD

Listen to the full episode for the complete list!

Follow Rachel on Bluesky and Twitch!

Special thanks to Animeigo, Crunchyroll Store, Fantagraphics, and Yen Press for donating the prizes for this year's holiday giveaway! Congrats to the winners!

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! 

Merry Christmas

 

 Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! I hope you can all have a cozy holiday. Haro would want that for you! 😉 

It's that time again: The Big Year in Review Survey is on!

It’s become tradition that in December, I do a year in review podcast episode. And once again, I need your help! So please, dear listeners, take a moment to let me know your opinions on older anime titles that were re-released this year (among other things) on the survey HERE! In the spirit of the season, several lucky listeners who fill out the survey will be chosen at random to win special prizes, which I’ll post more info about really soon! You have until December 17th to fill out the survey, so hop to it!! (Sorry, though--this giveaway is only for those with a USA mailing address. You can still fill out the survey if you're not in the US, but sadly I can't afford to mail prizes outside the country.)

I’ll announce the winners on the new episode of the podcast when me & my special guest Rachel (aka SporadicErratic) will discuss the results!

Want to get a special holiday shout out in the last episode of 2025? All you have to do is tip me a coffee at my Ko-Fi account here, or become a subscriber to the podcase at the Anime Club Producer level! Thanks, and look forward to another awesome Year In Review episode soon!

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - Ep 148: Angel's Egg with Brian Ruh

 

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

Treat yourself or a loved one this holiday season! TokyoTreat makes the perfect gift for any occasion. Use code "NOSTALGIA" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: https://team.tokyotreat.com/theanimenostalgia

This month, after NINE (?!!!) years since his first time on the podcast, returning champion, author, and Mamoru Oshii scholar Brian Ruh is back on the podcast to talk all about arguably Oshii's most "arthouse" creation that not only recently made it's way into American theaters thanks to GKids, but is celebrating it's 40th anniversary next month: Angel's Egg! We discuss eggs-actly why this movie being officially released in America after all this time is a pretty big deal, and just why we enjoy a movie with huge chunks of no one talking at all! Plus: Answering your questions, and I promise very minimal egg related puns & yolks--I mean, jokes. So if you're traveling this Thanksgiving, don't worry--I brought over 2 hours of podcast for you to help you get through it. Enjoy!

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

Relevant links:

• GKids' official website for Angel's Egg
• Tokuma Shoten's official Angel's Egg English website
• Buy Brian Ruh's book, The Stray Dog of Anime: The Films of Mamoru Oshii through my affiliate links on Bookshop, Amazon, Abe Books, and via his publisher's webstore here!
• Read the fan translation of Animedia's 1985 interview with Mamoru Oshii on the release of Angel's Egg I mentioned in the podcast here!
• Listen to me also talk about Angel's Egg (and my silly story about the Tokyopop Angel's Egg incident) with The Bomb Squad 
• Follow Brian on Bluesky!

See how you can get access to behind-the-scenes stuff, early access to the podcast (without ads!), and a BRAND NEW subscriber exclusive podcast with my new Ko-fi Subscriptions!

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

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!

This month's podcast:

Angel's Egg is finally going to hit the big screens all across America, so who better to talk about the movie with me than returning guest Brian Ruh, who wrote an entire book on it's director, Mamoru Oshii! We'll be discussing what makes this film so special, and why you should try to see it in a theater if you can.

Have any questions, comments, or topics you’d like to hear on this episode? Feel free to leave a comment, or email me directly at AnimeNostalgiaPodcast@gmail.com!

Want to get a special shout-out on the episode? Become a member of my Ko-fi Subscriptions at the Anime Club Producer level, or tip me 2 or more “coffees” at my Ko-fi account here to get your name included in my Special Thanks segment!

Get your questions & tips in before August 16th, 2025!

Happy Halloween!

 🎃 Happy Halloween, friends! (Or for those who don't celebrate, Happy Half-priced Candy Eve!) 

The Anime Nostalgia Podcast - Ep 147: ReView: Bride of Deimos OVA

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

Treat yourself or a loved one this Halloween! TokyoTreat makes the perfect gift for any occasion. Use code "NOSTALGIA" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box through my link: https://team.tokyotreat.com/theanimenostalgia

This month’s episode is another short ReView! What is a “ReView” episode, you might ask? Well, it’s my highly-clever (ok not really) name for episodes where I go back and revisit an older title I haven’t seen in a long time, and see if what I remember (and what my opinions on it) are still the same now that some time’s gone by. It's almost Halloween! So for this month's ReView episode, I'm revisiting a fun-sized shoujo horror OVA. Based on a 70s manga and animated in the 80s by some of the top horror anime staff at Madhouse, it's the Bride of Deimos OVA! But even with all that pedigree, is it worth putting on your Halloween night watch list? Let's find out!

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

Relevant links:

• Look for the English vols of The Bride of Deimos manga on Amazon!
• The entire series is also available digitally in Japanese, on places like Amazon Japan & ebook Japan (for those who can read Japanese!)
• Madhouse's official page on the OVA
• Other titles mentioned in this episode: Demon City Shinjuku, Wicked City, Tokyo Babylon, Unico in the Island of Magic

See how you can get access to behind-the-scenes stuff, early access to the podcast (without ads!), and a BRAND NEW subscriber exclusive podcast with my new Ko-fi Subscriptions!

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

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!