Sam and Brett welcome you to Gateway to Anime. The podcast that educates Brett as it educates you... on the phenomena that is Anime and gives Sam a platform to force it down your ear throats.

Sam and Brett welcome Charlotte (Sam's sister) to the podcast, Josei is on the table as we talk through Nana and Yuri on Ice.

Sam, Brett and Charlotte discuss the biggest trend in modern anime - Isekai. 

Sam, Brett and Charlotte chat with special guest (and comic book enthusiast) Graeme about the history and influence of American comic books and Japanese Manga. 

Sam and Charlotte chat to special guest Gerald about the iconic series Neon Genesis Evangelion.

 

They talk through what made the series so unique; the tortured genius of Hideaki Anno; how the show was made, the effect it had on each of us; and how the series lingers with you for a long time after it finishes.

 

 

Sam and Charlotte discuss the difficulties of navigating anime as a feminist. 

Sam, Brett and Charlotte talk about anime psychological thrillers both modern and classic. Think disturbingly accurate depictions of internet from the late 1990's to time travelling microwaves. 

Sam and Charlotte are joined by very special guest and anime megafan Ross Chisari to discuss modern day Shonen. 

It's a full house today here at Gateway to Anime as special guest Graeme joins Sam, Charlotte and Brett to discuss the big three of shonen anime: Naruto, Bleach and One Piece. 

Sam and Charlotte are joined by special guest Gerald to discuss everyone's favourite gateway - Cowboy Bebop. Cue the best theme song in anime history.

Sam and Charlotte discuss the current airing winter 2021 season of anime. Lots of ranting, mostly from Sam. Alternate title: Love Letter to Sk8 the Infinity. 

It's a full house over at gateway HQ as Sam, Charlotte, Brett and Graeme discuss the guy who is just a hero for fun. The literally unbeatable One Punch Man. 

Shoujo is on the cards this week... we discuss Sailor Moon, Fruits Basket and Inuyasha whilst Brett clamours to contribute having NOT DONE HIS HOMEWORK! #studentfailssensei

We are back with season 3! Sam, Charlotte and Graeme chat about the good, bad and ugly of the 2021 spring season. (RIP Sk8 the Infinity)

Ross re-joins Sam and Charlie (due to popular demand) to talk about one of the ultimate gateways, the absolute phenomenon that was and is, Pokemon. 

Brett makes his triumphant return to discuss all things comedy. The gang discuss the difference between comedy styles in Japan and the West and get into some of the wild and hilarious shows anime, and Japan in general, has to offer. Truly original shows such as "Man Eats Spaghetti In A Dryer."

Sam and Charlotte sit down and chat with composer extraordinaire Kevin Penkin. Kevin is the composer of such anime and video games as: Made in Abyss (winner of the 2017 Crunchyroll Anime Award for Best Score), Tower of God, Eden, The Rising of the Shield Hero, Norn9 and many more.

We talk about Kevin's musical background, his artistic process, influences and inevitably we all get 'Perthed'.

Sam gets his research on as he takes Graeme and Charlotte through the complicated behind the scenes systems of the anime industry. He then explains the process of how an episode of anime is actually put together.

The gang then talk through some of the more prominent animation studios, what they're famous for, how they operate and debate over who the 'king' is.

Due to popular demand, Gerald re-joins Sam and Charlotte to talk about something dear to all of our hearts, Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

We discuss whether it is indeed the greatest anime of all time, and how much it means to each of us.

The gang take it a little slow this week to talk about a genre rather specific to Japan; slice of life anime. Famous for slow, meditative pacing with little to no conflict or resolution, it's a genre that takes a little bit to get your head around.

Graeme gets a little stitch up from Sam and Charlotte proclaims an 'undisputed king' for the first time.

Graeme is in his element as he is able to wax lyrical to Sam and Charlotte  about one of his favorite subjects. Charlotte revisits one of her first gateway shows and Sam takes on the 'final boss' of anime.

Sam and Charlotte talk through the shows of the 2021 anime summer season. Charlotte is a little down on the season but finally accepts her steampunk origins and new found favorite 'villainess' genre. Sam is buoyed by an anime original which could be something special.... Or it could fall apart. Time will tell.

Sam, Charlotte and Graeme explore the phenomenon that is Mecha anime. Sam, once again, gets his research on, Graeme goes back to the future to explore the Gundam franchise, Charlotte gets to talk about one of her all time favorite shows (plus outs herself as an unashamed Tom Cruise fan) and Sam has fun with Gurren lagann.

The team grow up a bit as we delve in to the final demographic that is Seinen and discuss Death Note, Psycho Pass and Monster. 

Did someone say Vampire Eurovision? Apparently they did.

Sam, Charlie and Graeme are finally reunited back in the studio as they talk through the good, the bad and the downright outrageous of the Fall 2021 season of anime.

 

 

It's crossovers all round!

Sam and Charlie reveal their lack of Star Wars knowledge as they speak to Tom Pigott, from the Pixels and Pints Podcast, about the crossover Star Wars/Anime anthology series on Disney+. 

Thankfully Graeme saves the Gateway crew some credibility as he reveals his Star Wars knowledge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The gang get together to talk about all things Death Match/Battle Royale anime.

After the phenomenal success of Squid Game all over the world we figured we should provide some recommendations that are similar in the anime world.

We dive into the history of the genre and talk through some older influences like: Lord of the Flies, The Cube and a Japanese novel/manga/movie that basically started this whole craze entitled.... Battle Royale.

Sam and Charlotte welcome Gerald back to the show to talk about Dark Fantasy anime. This genre is usually pretty heavily entrenched in Isekai but we manage to sidestep those to talk about two classics of the genre and a.... less classic.

Sam actually gives one of his favorite ever shows to Gerald to break down (unheard of), while he speaks about another dark fantasy anime favorite. Meanwhile Charlotte lays into a show she has hated since 2014. 

Sam and Charlie are joined by first time guest Luis as they talk through Samurai/Ninja Anime.

Though the influence of both these cultural cornerstones are felt throughout so much anime and manga, the gang are surprised to find that there aren't as many shows based in the strict historical sense of the genre as one may think.

Sam gives a brief history of Samurai and Ninja, and the differences between the two, before the gang discuss three different shows: Luis takes on a classic that isn't entirely his cup of tea, Charlie talks about one of her all time favorites and Sam tackles one of the first break-through anime movies from the 90's into the west.

 

Sam, Charlie and Graeme get back together to talk about western animated shows that are similar to anime.

Graeme talks about one of his all time favorites. Charlie breaks down a Netflix Japanese video game adaptation and Sam extols the virtues of another Netflix video game adaptation, while railing against his favorite game's lack of comparable content. 

Sam and Charlie are joined by Australian actor and Voice over artist Alex Williams for this week's show. Alex has starred in numerous Australian film and TV roles such as: Julian Assange in "Underground: The Julian Assange Story", Kirk Pengilly in "Never Tear Us Apart" and as John 'Slug' Harvey in "Brock".

Alex talks about a 2015 Japanese live-action adaptation of one of the biggest anime in the world right now. Charlotte laments a particularly poor Netflix adaptation of an old favorite, while Sam breaks down a more current Netflix anime remake, with mixed results.

Sam, Graeme and Charlie get together to discuss all things to do with the 2022 anime winter season.

The undisputed king (AoT) has returned with a challenger for the throne. Some interesting new shows are present but it's mostly the season of the 2nd cours and sequels. There is, of course, a customary serving of bizarre stuff this season, which is probably best avoided. However the heavy hitters are firing on all cylinders. 

Brett is back to talk through some of the most influential anime movies of all time.

 

Brett speaks about his first 'gateway to anime' in the legendary Akira, while Graeme breaks down the genre defining Ghost In The Shell. Charlotte gets a bit more modern with the sci-fi/slice of life film Your Name, while Sam gets psychological with Satoshi Kon's seminal Perfect Blue.

This week we interviewed Adi Shankar!

Adi is an Indian-American producer, director, writer, YouTube personality and actor. He is best known for: Castlevania, Dredd, The Grey and his YouTube "Bootleg Universe" series of pop culture satire shorts including: Power/Rangers, The Punisher: Dirty Laundry and Pokemon: The end of Pokemon.

We chatted to Adi about a broad range of topics but primarily his new show The Guardians of Justice, which has recently come out on Netflix.

Sam and Charlotte face off in a debate that is near and dear to anime fans everywhere. 

 

 

 

 

For our final episode of season 4 we are joined again by Ross Chisari to talk through Magical Girl Anime. This is one of the most famous and iconic genres in all of animanga. Sam gives a brief history of the genre while Ross talks through Sailor Moon. Charlie and Ross both recount their love for another classic in Cardcaptor Sakura, then Sam brings it home with the genre subverting Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

We're back for a bonus episode in between seasons! The gang round-up all their favorite (and least favorite) shows of the spring 2022 anime season. Graeme talks about the cold war inspired mega hit of the season, Spy X Family and a Squid Game styled show where its all about the money. Sam talks about the second season of one of the bigger Isekai shows going around and fans out over a soccer anime. Charlie breaks down a ballet anime and a trashy rom-com, as is tradition.

We're going to be taking a little break before we return with season 5. Thanks for joining us on the journey so far. 

We were so lucky to catch Veronica Taylor for an interview while she was in the country for Supanova.

Veronica is a classically trained theatre actor from the United States and has had an extensive career as a voice-over actor in anime, video games and audio books.

Veronica is perhaps most famous for voicing Ash Ketchum in the original Pokemon series, movies and video games but she has had an incredibly rich and diverse career, which we speak about in depth in this episode.

We had such a great time talking to Veronica and we hope you enjoy the episode.

A bit of a delay in getting this one out, but, we are back for Season 5 with our Summer 2022 anime season round up!

 

Charlie talks about anime hair in her preview of Shine on! Bakumatsu Bad Boys! Amongst others.

Graeme gets arty with Yurei Deco and Uncle from Another World, while Sam talks through two of the bigger sequels airing this season in Made in Abyss and The Devil is a Part Timer.

The gang gets historical, with Sammy on his crusade to prove "history is fun" to Charlie and Graeme.  

Sammy starts by differentiating between what constitutes Historical Fiction as a genre as opposed to a period piece, which leads to the new game: "historical fiction or not!?"

Graeme breaks down the legendary samurai manga Vagabond. Sam gets edgy with the under watched war story Golden Kamuy while Charlie talks through the much revered Viking epic Vinland Saga. 

Sammy interviews Ty Hanson, the creator of the Australian anime project Millennium Exile.

 

Sam and Ty talk about the origin of the project, his ambitions moving forward and some of the influences which inspired the project.

 

We of course talk about Ty's initial gateway to anime along with how he came to love the medium and Sam and Ty bond over their mutual love of JRPG's.

 

We have an interesting conversation about what the term anime means in a modern context, the continual progression of cross cultural collaboration and why the future of the animation industry is so bright.

The gang get together to talk about all things Horror in the anime/manga world.

Sam gives a brief history of the Japanese horror genre. Graeme tackles one of the most revered horror mangakas of all time, the legendary Junji Ito. Charlie gets obscure with Ghost Hunt and Sam reveals his scaredy cat nature (not a horror fan) but talks through one of his favorites in Parasyte: The Maxim. 

The gang get together to talk through the STACKED Fall 2022 anime season. There are so many shows this season we can barely keep up.

Sam talks about some returning old favorites, one of which is part of the original big three and man does it look good. Nostalgia firing on all cylinders. He also goes through Mob Psycho 100 S3 as well as the weird and original in Golden Kamuy S4 and To You Eternity S2.

Graeme talks about two of the big original shows to be airing, Chainsaw Man and Blue Lock as well as a fresh take on the Gundam series.

Charlie talks through some more returning favorites in Spy X Family and My Hero Academia S6 and she also talks briefly with the gang about the unexpected surprise Netflix hit Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

 

We happened to bump into another Sydney based anime podcast at Smash Con (Besto Friendo's Podcast) back in August and we figured we simply had to have a chat. 

We talk about our anime backstories, as well as our gateway anime (of course). However we also get amongst the lifestyle aspect of the Besto Friendo podcast and talk about why we do what we do and how we came to be doing it.

This is a special episode we recorded in Melbourne!

We were down for Crunchyroll Expo and got to catch up with Sam's old friend Lachlan McAllister who owns Australia's first ever dedicated Esports bar, GGEZ (where this podcast was recorded).

Sam and Lachlan started their anime journey together after Lachlan managed to track down a huge supply of VCD's containing the first 100+ episodes of Naruto back in high school (which Charlie also watched). However they started out playing JRPG's together in primary school. This episode is all about the deep connection between JRPG's and anime, how much crossover there is between the fandoms and how much they influenced our lives. 

 

We talk through the Suikoden series, Final Fantasy 7 (and Final Fantasy in general), the Persona series, Dragon Quest and many, many more.

Sam, Brett and Charlotte get passionate about obscure high school sporting teams as they discuss the genre with the most hype - sports anime. Ping Pong the Animation, Megalo Box and Haikyu!! take front and centre this week. 

We're back for our first podcast of the year and we're talking all things Winter 2023! This is a very busy season with some absolute gems at the top, a bunch of mid and some diamonds in the rough.   Graeme talks through the "feudal airtasker show" Revenger as well as the CGI Kaina of the Great Snow Sea. Charlie examines the controversy surrounding the Trigun Remake Stampede (hint, more CGI) as well as the brilliantly titled Ice Guy and his Cool Female Colleague.   Sam speaks about some video game adaptations of varying degrees of quality in Nier: Automata and The Legend of Heroes: Trials of Cold Steel - Northern War.   We also discuss some heavy hitting returning anime in Vinland saga, Tokyo Revengers and The Misfit of the Demon Academy as well as several others which have caught our attention this season. 

Sam and Charlie convinced long time friend and frequent guest Gerald to watch two of their favorite shows in all of anime.    (One of) Sam's "undisputed kings of anime" the epic space opera Legend of the Galactic Heroes and Charlie's genre subverting "hard sell" Fruits Basket.    While these shows both have fervent and dedicated followings and are renowned in the community, they aren't necessarily widely watched.   Gerald brings his measured thoughts and opinions of these epic shows which leads to a deep dive of analytical discussion about what makes these shows so special. 

Everyone is a fan of something. But can a fanbase actually influence the thing they love? We explore what it means to be an anime fan and the fascinating nature of fandom. Brett rejoins us to discuss his first impressions of the anime community while Charlie and Sam talk about how anime fandom has changed over the years. 

Here is our latest episode: Winter 2023 season verdict. We're changing the way we do our seasonal round-ups moving forward.

This is our verdict on the winter 2023 season that has just finished and we'll be following this up with our hype-up for the currently airing Spring season. That will be an early preview of the hyped upcoming shows for the season and our first impressions of the few shows that have aired an episode or 2 at the time of recording.

This will be followed up by our verdict episode at the end of the season and we will continue in this manner moving forward.

Tune in for our verdicts on Vinland Saga, Bluelock, Tomo-Chan is a Girl, Stampede, Revenger, The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague, Nier; Automata and The Legend of Heroes: Trials of Cold Steel.