Explore every episode of the podcast Manga Tak
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 76 - Super Ball Girls by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Akira Hiramoto | 10 Nov 2025 | 00:55:49 | |
Eita Ichiyoshi is a young man being driven slowly mad by the mundanity of his job at a confectionary factory. That is until while walking home alone on Christmas Eve, he catches a mysterious bouncy ball that he decides to take home. After throwing it to relieve his frustrations, he can’t believe his luck when it turns into a beautiful, naked woman with perfect lips! But all it took was a kiss for Ichi to regret his actions! The girl suddenly begins to shoot more balls into the room that transform into more women! These monstrously strong women initially scare Ichi, before he vows to try and look after them… But as this book clearly sets out to be as horrific as it is a harem, Will he live to tell the tale? This week, Mat is joined once again by Georgie (aka mainly.manga) to talk Super Ball Girls by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Akira Hiramoto! What will these two distinguished gentlemen think of this shrink wrapped, ecchi, harem horror manga? Did it leave them jumping for joy? Or trying to bounce their copies into the nearest recycling bin? Listen in to find out! --- Show Notes ---- Manga: --- Films: Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 75 - Touring After the Apocalypse by Sakae Saito | 03 Nov 2025 | 00:53:38 | |
The bike's charged, the skies are blue and the open road is calling.... there's one issue: there's seemingly only two women left to burn rubber and explore it! After leaving their bunker, Youko and Airi set out to retrace Yuoko's sister's footsteps by following her old social media... Why were they in a bunker? What happened to everyone else? Why are penguins so adorable? These are questions we hope to answer as we read Touring After the Apocalypse by Sakae Saito! This week, Mat is joined once again by Tom to cancel the apocalypse by reading a manga that's got enough going for it to make us gush over the art, but also enough uncertainty for us to dance around saying anything truly negative. With the release of the Manga's recent anime adaptation, we thought now was the right time for us to hit the open road and read the first volume! But the questions as always is, will we like what we see enough to carry on the journey? --- === Show Notes === Similar Manga: Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou by Hitoshi Ashinano Video Games: Nier Automata (I'm not linking The Sims...) Locations: Tokyo Big Sight's Big Escalators! Hakone's Pirate Ship Cruise over the lake! The Monorail the girl's use as a bridge! The Life-sized Gundam in Odaiba Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 67 - Sanda by Paru Itagaki | 08 Sep 2025 | 00:54:53 | |
In the year 2080, Christmas a thing of the past: declining birthrates have meant fewer children, changes in climate have distorted the seasons and the disappearance of Santa has relegated 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year' to an ancient tradition. But on December 25th, the conditions have been met to break the curse robbing the world of old Saint Nick, with the death of Kazushige Sanda revives Santa for a new era! Can this descendant of Santa help Fuyumura find their missing classmate Ichie Ono? And more importantly, can he bring back Christmas to children the world over? On this week's Manga Tak, Mat's joined one again by Georgie (aka Mainly.Manga) to talk about the latest work by Paru Itagaki, Sanda! We compare this latest madcap manga to Itagaki's other work, discuss why making Santa into a Shonen protagonist makes perfect sense and how it's tone strikes the perfect mix of Tim Burton and Roald Dahl! Thanks to Titan for providing advanced review copies! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 66 - My Hero Academia by Kōhei Horikoshi | 01 Sep 2025 | 01:00:20 | |
In a world where everyone has a 'quirk' the gives them super human abilities, a young boy called Izuku Midoriya who is born without one may have to give up on his dreams of becoming a super hero. That is until one day after trying to rescue a classmate, he is given the opportunity of a lifetime by the world's Number 1 Hero, All Might: Will Midoriya accept his quirk, a mysterious ability called 'One for All' and with it, the mantle of hero? This week Mat's joined once again by Tom to discuss the Weekly Shonen Jump mega hit, My Hero Academia, as we gear up for the end of it's English print run and the final season of it's anime. We get into what works and doesn't, discussing it's obvious similarities to not only other Shonen Jump titles but also Western Super Heroes, as well as dissecting Horikoshi's cinematic eye and the series' on-target humour. Show Notes: A summary of the Horikoshi x Kishimoto interview mentioned on the pod. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 65 - Senpai no Kohai by Hanakage Alt | 25 Aug 2025 | 00:59:26 | |
Sometimes all it takes is a kiss to send you spiralling. Years after putting an unrequited college love behind her, Sayuri Terazono is a working professional at a prestigious company. Her life is forever changed one day when that girl from college, Risa Nakayama, shows up at Sayuri's office as a new hire in her team! And all it takes is one bold move from Risa makes Sayuri question everything: becayse while a kiss can send you spiralling, it can also be the key to open your heart. This week, Mat is joined once again by Siddharth Gupta (aka LumRanmaYasha) of Manga Mavericks to discuss not on Senpai no Kohai, the excellent Yuri Doujinshi by Hanakage Alt, published by Red String, but their new venture: the exciting Manga Mavericks Books! Join us as we take a look at this beautiful book: discussing not only it's Kickstarter origins and reprint, but delving deeper into how in roughly 100 pages, the book tells a complex story of a blossoming romance and really drills down into Sayuri and Risa's feeling to great effect. --- Looking to read it ? Why not request a copy from your local comic shop? Or purchase one online from the following sites: Print - US - Manga Mavericks Books / Merry Manga Co EU - Sendai Books CAN - The Beguiling Digital - Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 64 - Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You by Jinushi | 18 Aug 2025 | 00:56:10 | |
Worn down by the daily grind of being a 40 something salary-man, Sasaki has found a cure to his working blues: the warm smile of Ms. Yamada at the local S Mart. However after arriving late one day after a grueling shift, he misses his chance to see Ms. Yamada, but somehow ends up behind called behind the super market for a smoke instead by 'Tayama' an employee he's never met before... or at least, so he thinks! This week Mat is joined once again by Georgie (aka mainly.manga) to discuss Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You by Jinushi, published in English by Square Enix. We clear the air about smoking as a plot device, why this isn't quite an age-gap romance and how despite a seemingly gloomy cover, what awaits inside the book is a charming comedy with endearing characters! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 63 - Guyabano Holiday by Panpanya | 11 Aug 2025 | 00:56:23 | |
At a loss after no longer being able to find delicious Guyabano juice in their local world food store, a plan is quickly hatched and travel booked. The location? The Philippines. The Goal? To hunt down, and devour, a Guyabano fruit. Guyabano Holiday, the titular story of Panpanya's story collection, is just one of the surreal and dreamlike short stories that await you, dear listener! This week, Mat is joined once again behind the brains behind Twistwood Tales, AC MacDonald, to discuss this wonderful collection of short stories! We try to define just what qualities make Panpanya's work so special, the grim prospects of eating Balut and how the childlike sense of whimsy is only intensified by their pencil, proxy character. Show Notes. Remember to listen to episode 24 for more Panpanya as I talk to Maria Salgado about Invitation From A Crab. The Danish NYE tradition that is 'Dinner For One'. The UK's 'Real Robot's Magazine.' Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 62 - Toilet Bound Hanako-Kun by AidaIro | 04 Aug 2025 | 00:52:36 | |
They say that if you go to the third stall from the end of the girls' bathroom on the third floor of the old building... You'll find Hanako-kun! And after knocking three times on the door, maybe Nene wishes she hadn't! After finding herself bound to the spirit of one of the school's Seven Mysteries, Nene begins to assist Hanako-kun in his job as caretaker for the spirits of Kamome Academy! This week, Mat is joined by illustrator and designer Irene Chin to talk about Toilet Bound Hanako-Kun by artist/writer duo AidaIro. We discuss the book's mix of shoujo aesthetics into a shonen title, what it reminds us of, and how the book compares to the anime before getting to the important question: is it worth reading? Well, listen along and find out! Show Notes - Interview with AidaIro (translated by d629) A collection of Japanese Posters from the early 1900's A compilation of the Toilet Bound Hanako-kun Musical Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 61 - Blank Canvas by Akiko Higashimura | 28 Jul 2025 | 00:52:14 | |
After realising her dreams of art school aren't as close as she thought, a young Akiko Hayashi finds herself out in the sticks attending an unconventional art class, run by a bamboo sword wielding teacher who tells her she'll need to come to class everyday if she has any hope at succeeding. But Akiko realises that this seemingly brash teacher has a heart of gold, and just maybe, might be able to help her achieve her dream of becoming a Manga-ka! On this week's Manga Tak, Mat's joined once more by Tsutsudae to discuss Akiko Higashimura's autobiographical manga, Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist Journey. We discuss the book's autobiographical nature, get in-deep into our own artistic journeys and compare the work to other similar manga like Blue Period, hoping to answer if this book is worth tracking down despite being between print runs! Show note links - Find the incredible Mangasplaining episode mentioned in the intro here. Find the episode of Manben with Akiko Higashimura here. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 60 - Gachiakuta by Kei Urana | 21 Jul 2025 | 01:08:49 | |
All of humanity's waste finds its way into The Pit... even those society deems unworthy of living on The Sphere. After being convicted of a murder he didn't commit, Rudo finds himself in a place where trash monsters roam and the other humans he finds have become ruthless in order to survive. Fortunately for Rudo, he soon meets Enjin, who offers him a chance at salvation and the answers he seeks: he just needs to join The Cleaners first! On this week's episode, Mat sits down once again with 7 time guest (!) Zane Taichou from Undisputed Anime to discuss Gachiakuta by Kei Urana. We chat about what works and doesn't about the book, how the first chapter compares to the recent anime, as well as our hopes and fears for the series moving forward! Show Note Links Watch 'Behind Gachiakuta' with Kei Urana and Hideyoshi Andou here. See the Anime Expo trash sculpture here. And one of the many Bleach references here! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 59 - Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata | 14 Jul 2025 | 01:08:54 | |
When high schooler Light Yagami discovers a mysterious “Death Note,” he dismisses it as a prank... That is until he writes a name inside and someone dies! With the death god Ryuk as his guide, Light embarks on a quest for global domination, earning the moniker “Kira” as bodies pile up. But with Interpol’s enigmatic detective “L” closing in, who will be the first to discover the other's true identity? On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat sit's down once again with Tom to discuss one of the biggest names in Weekly Shonen Jump's history: Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata. We discuss the book's tight concept, rollercoaster ride of a plot and talk a lot about the series' signature art style to determine if Death Note still holds up almost 20 years after it's initial conclusion! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 58 - Mashle: Muscle and Magic by Hajime Kōmoto | 07 Jul 2025 | 00:57:03 | |
In a world where magic is everything, being born without it means death. Raised in secret by his father Regro, Mash Burnedead has trained his body to impossible limits to survive. After being discovered by the Bureau of Magic, Mash is given a deadly ultimatum: enrol in Easton Magical Academy and earn the title of ‘Divine Visionary’, the school’s highest honour, or he and his Father will be killed! How does a magic less boy complete in a world of wizards? Simple: BRUTE FORCE. On this week's episode, Mat is joined once again by Bar to chat about Mashle: Muscle and Magic by Hajime Kōmoto. With the gags coming thick and fast, we take some time to pick apart the humour a little, talking about what we love about Kōmoto's storytelling and why it's Season 2 Theme Song became part of the cultural zeitgeist but left it's source material behind! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 74 - Black Torch by Tsuyoshi Takaki | 27 Oct 2025 | 01:03:09 | |
Jiro Azuma isn’t your run of the mill Ninja though, oh no - he also has the unique ability to talk to animals. It’s this special skill that leads him to nurse a dying cat back to health… but this isn’t just any cat: it’s Rago, the Black Star of Doom: a Mononoke of incredible power. Before he knows it, Jiro has fused with this vengeful spirit in the middle of a fight to the death and is immediately taken into custody by the Bureau of Espionage… But seemingly with the fate of the world at stake, can the Bureau afford to not use Jiro’s skills to save it? This week, Mat is joined by once again by one half of the Undisputed Anime podcast, Zane Taichou! Join us as we compare the book to it's clear inspirations, have differing opinions on the book's action and geek out about the cooler, capital S 'Shonen Moments' of the book! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 57 - Wash It All Away by Mitsuru Hattori | 30 Jun 2025 | 00:58:37 | |
In the picturesque resort town of Atami, a young woman named Wakana Kinme spends her days running Kinme Cleaning: a laundry service that prides itself on quality and caring for people's clothing. While Wakana clearly enjoys her work, the reason she views it so fondly is that it’s the only thing she can remember from her past. As she builds new memories with the residents of Atami, Wakana can't help wonder about the life she's forgotten. Is it a life worth remembering? Or are some mysteries left better off unanswered? On this week's episode, Mat is joined by Tsutsudae from Undisputed Anime to discuss Wash It All Away by Mitsuru Hattori. The book promised to be 'something to sooth the chaos of the modern world', so we get ready to soak in some Slice-of-Life goodness! We talk plot, art and tone, as well as where we'd like the book to go in it's next volume! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 56 - Yan by Chang Sheng | 23 Jun 2025 | 00:50:03 | |
30 years after the massacre of the Yan Opera troupe, a young woman, dressed in the stage clothes of a Peking opera performer, executes an man on a live stream and claims to be the ghost of Yan Tieh-hua: the only the survivor of the murders who died in an unknown research facility 10 years ago after being framed for her family’s killing. What follows is a tale of action and suspense, as Yan tries to find the reason for her family’s murder. She’s aided by Detective Lei, the cop who failed to prove her innocence, and Miku Higa, a Japanese Go prodigy who can see 5 minutes into the future... And that's only the beginning! This week, Mat is joined once again by Georgie (aka Mainly.Manga) to talk about the new Manhua Yan by Chang Sheng (review copies provided by Titan). We dive headfirst into discussing the work's tantalising plot that keeps upping the stakes, reflecting on the clear cinematic and comic book influences we see in the work, before gushing about it's incredible artwork! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 55 - Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo | 16 Jun 2025 | 01:04:07 | |
38 years after World War 3 on the streets of Neo Tokyo, a biker gang led by the charismatic Shotaro Kaneda finds itself embroiled in the fate of the world after one of it’s members, Tetsuo Shima has his psychic powers awakened in an accident caused by a chance encounter with a physic child. To save his childhood friend, Kaneda must become more than a simple street punk and enters a world filled with revolutionaries, government cover-ups and the same psychic beings that started this chain of events. All the while, the city seems to hum with the whisper of one, mysterious name: Akira. This week, Mat and comic creator Ian Sta. Maria dive into Katsuhiro Otomo's legendary manga. Often called one of the greatest comics ever made, we explore what makes Akira so compelling—its art, pacing, and storytelling—while asking whether new readers can enjoy it on its own merits, separate from its massive cultural impact. Show Notes: Naoki Urasawa and Hisashi Eguchi talk Otomo (Manga Brog) Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 54 - Dr. Slump by Akira Toriyama | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:59:16 | |
When Dr. Slump burst onto the scene in February 1980, nobody expected that a tale about a mischievous robot girl named Arale and her hapless inventor 'father' would conquer Japan. Fewer still would have guessed that it's young creator, Akira Toriyama, would go on to conquer the world! On this special anniversary episode of Manga Tak, Mat and Tom dive into Toriyama's debut work, exploring his signature humor, the loveable collection of weirdos who inhabit Penguin Village, and why this manga still feels fresh decades later! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 53 - The Hunter's Guild: Red Hood by Yuki Kawaguchi | 02 Jun 2025 | 01:08:58 | |
Living with the constant threat of werewolves, the villagers of Kasoka's only hope for survival is to send for a member of The Hunter's Guild... Only the one they got wasn't what they were expecting! When Grimm, a little girl in a red hood appears, Velou, the hamlet's young huntsman is assigned to help her track the wolf and save the town... But as they soon discover, the real threat isn't the wolves outside the gates, it's the one walking amongst them, wearing a human face! With the release of Yuki Kawaguchi's new work, Otr of the Flame, we decided to dust of Kawaguchi's short lived fan favourite, The Hunter's Guild: Red Hood, to see if we could uncover why the work got the axe and more importantly, does it give us hope his next work could be in for a happy ending? Mat is joined once again by Undisputed Anime's Zane Taichou to discuss the book's artistic triumphs but also it's storytelling shortcomings. They dive into all that works and doesn't with the book, before reflecting on the merits of reading "failed" manga as a way to level up your abilities as a reader! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 52 - Manhole by Tetsuya Tsutsui | 26 May 2025 | 01:05:23 | |
When a grotesquely disfigured man emerges from the depths of a city manhole only to collapse and die on the crowded streets of Sasahara, veteran detective Ken Mizoguchi discovers that some nightmares are all too real. What begins as a bizarre crime scene transforms into a race against a biological apocalypse when the autopsy reveals a horrifying truth: the victim harboured a contagious parasite that robs humans of their desires. On this week's episode, Mat's joined once again by Tom Parry to deep dive into Tetsuya Tsutsui's Manhole, now available in English from Kana. Join them as they explore the book's cinematic style, it's unique portrayal of a pandemic, and how Tsutsui uses police procedural tropes to craft a unique and unsettling story! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 51 - Monster by Naoki Urasawa | 19 May 2025 | 01:14:49 | |
Save the child or save the mayor? A split-second decision in an operating room forever alters Dr. Kenzo Tenma's life, sending him spiralling into a nightmare beyond imagination. When the doctor chooses to follow his conscience rather than hospital politics, he unwittingly unleashes a chain of events that will haunt him for years to come. Discover why this 30-year-old manga by "Japan's Master of Suspense" is still worth reading and why it remains as relevant as ever. Find the Naoki Urasawa interview mentioned in the podcast here. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 50 - Yu-Gi-Oh by Kazuki Takahashi | 12 May 2025 | 01:01:00 | |
When an unassuming high schooler solves the mysterious Millennium Puzzle, he unleashes more than just ancient Egyptian magic—he becomes the vessel for a vengeful spirit with a fondness for deadly shadow games! Yet beneath the dark exterior, Yugi Mutou seeks not vengeance but connection, transforming his supernatural curse into a force for friendship. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 49 - The Long Summer of August 31st by Ikkado Ito | 05 May 2025 | 01:00:03 | |
The last day of summer vacation is one you never want to end... that is until you find yourself stuck in a time loop repeating it over and over again! This is the fate that Takaya and Kana find themselves faced with, and when the only reason Takaya can come up with for the loop is his regret of not finding a girlfriend over the holidays, the two teens find themselves in an awkward situation! What begins as a seemingly shallow conceit quickly blooms into a heartfelt journey. "The Long Summer of August 31st" by Ikkado Ito delivers a coming-of-age story that has more to say about human connection and growth than it does about the space-time continuum. Find the DDNavi Interview with Ikkado Ito referenced in the episode (warning: minor spoilers for the series!) here. Find Venom's review of the book that inspired Mat to pick up the book here. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 48 - Maison Ikkoku by Rumiko Takahashi | 28 Apr 2025 | 01:22:16 | |
In a boarding house full of eccentric tenants, is there room for love between a bumbling student and his grief stricken landlady? Well, if Yusaku Godai can't get out of his own way long enough to get into University, what chance does he have of ever winning the heart of the beautiful Kyoko Otonashi!? Often celebrated as Rumiko Takahashi's masterpiece, Maison Ikkoku trades the alien antics of Urusei Yatsura and martial arts mayhem of Ranma 1/2 for something more grounded—a slice-of-life romance that showcases her storytelling maturity. Join Mat and returning guest AC (our resident Takahashi Correspondent) as they discuss how this seinen story maintains Takahashi's signature style while breaking new ground. They'll unpack the series' incredible cast of characters, impeccable pacing, and how, despite having the least likeable main character of all Takahashi's works, they still find themselves rooting for romance between the frustratingly indecisive Godai and the emotionally guarded Kyoko! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 73 - The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity by Saki Mikami | 20 Oct 2025 | 00:58:13 | |
Rintaro Tsumugi attends Chidori High. It's a boy’s school that only takes the dregs of society, which just happens to stand next door to the prestigious Kikyo Girls’ High! While the girls from this elite school never dream of socialising with anyone from Chidori, Kaoruko just happens to have a sweet tooth and when she notices Rintaro behind the counter of his family’s Cake Shop, suddenly pastries aren’t the only thing she’s got her eye on! Can these 'star crossed lovers' from two different schools make it work? On this week's episode of Manga Tak, I sat down with MargReadsManga to discuss the excellent The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity by Saki Mikami! Join us as we discuss how Maki manages to successfully tell a Shonen romance with Shojo elements, compare the manga to the new anime from CloverWorks and give some manga recommendations on what to read next! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 47 - Hunter x Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi | 21 Apr 2025 | 01:06:37 | |
"Strange beasts and monsters, secret treasure hoards, undiscovered wealth... mystical places, unexplored frontiers... 'the mysterious unknown'... there's magic in such words... for those captivated by its spell... They are called 'Hunters'." Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 46 - Kowloon Generic Romance by Jun Mayuzuki | 14 Apr 2025 | 01:02:04 | |
In the nostalgic labyrinth of Kowloon Walled City, realtor Reiko Kujirai stands out as a woman hungry for change in a place clinging to the past. Her colleague Hajime Kudou—stubborn, traditional, and oddly charming—represents everything she's trying to leave behind. As these opposites find themselves increasingly drawn together, something mysterious lurks beneath their budding connection, a secret that could make their romance impossible. In this spoiler-filled deep dive of the first volume, they uncover: Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 45 - Gokurakugai by Yuto Sano | 07 Apr 2025 | 00:59:17 | |
The Trouble Shooter agency doesn't just solve problems—they OBLITERATE them! Join us as we dive into Yuto Sano's adrenaline-pumping world of "Gokurakugai," where monster hunting isn't just a job, it's an art form. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 44 - RG Veda by CLAMP | 31 Mar 2025 | 01:16:14 | |
When a tyrant god's reign is prophesied to fall, does it herald salvation—or apocalypse? The conversation extends beyond RG Veda itself, examining how its main themes of fate and destiny became foundational elements throughout CLAMP's illustrious body of work, as well as suggesting other entry points into their huge back catalog of works based on taste and genre preference! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 43 - Tekkonkinkreet by Taiyō Matsumoto | 24 Mar 2025 | 00:58:16 | |
The cops claim it. The Yakuza fight for it. Gangs and hoodlums bleed for it. But everyone in Treasure Town knows the truth: these streets belong to two orphaned kids named Black and White. Their legendary story, still hailed as manga royalty three decades later, isn't just about survival—it's about the soul of a city itself. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 42 - Go! Go! Loser Ranger! by Negi Haruba | 17 Mar 2025 | 00:55:03 | |
Is Negi Haruba's dark take on sentai heroes a revolutionary deconstruction like 'The Boys,' or just another forgettable genre flip? For fans of Power Rangers, superhero deconstructions, or anyone curious about the manga ahead of the anime's second season - this is one episode you won't want to miss! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 41 - PLUTO: Urasawa x Tezuka by Naoki Urasawa | 10 Mar 2025 | 01:00:39 | |
What happens when you take a tale written by 'The God of Manga' and let the 'Master of Suspense' retell it? Well, you only get one of the greatest works of Manga ever written! On this week's episode, Mat is joined once again by his podcasting partner in. crime Tom, to talk about an undisputed masterpiece: PLUTO: Urasawa x Tezuka by Naoki Urasawa, published in English by Viz Media. This week there's no doubt in our minds: we want you to read this book if you haven't and we're going to tell you why! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 40 - The Rose of Versailles by Riyoko Ikeda | 03 Mar 2025 | 01:05:50 | |
On this week's episode, Mat's joined by Pippa (aka StrawberryShojo), to talk about a Classic work of Historical Fiction / Shojo Manga, The Rose of Versailles by Riyoko Ikeda, published in English by Udon Entertainment. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Bonus Episode - Honey Lemon Sold-a? | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:11:10 | |
On this Manga Tak-ked On (i.e. a Bonus Episode), Mat is joined one again by Undisputed Anime's TsuTsuDae, to talk about his complete 180 on modern High School Shōjo Manga, Honey Lemon Soda by Mayu Murata, published in English by Yen Press. Join us as we get into a spoiler-tastic (upto Vol 6. from 00:04:00 on) episode where Tsu tells us where Honey Lemon Soda really put Shōjo sparkles in his eyes, and why Mat is now regretting talking to him, as it's been added back onto the 'to read' list as result! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 39 - D. Gray-Man by Katsura Hoshino | 24 Feb 2025 | 01:01:22 | |
On this week's episode, Mat's bacon is saved emergency guest TsuTsuDae of the Undisputed Anime Podcast, to talk about the long running Shonen classic, D.Gray-Man by Katsura Hoshino. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 72 - Takopi's Original Sin by Taizan 5 | 13 Oct 2025 | 01:08:54 | |
CONTENT WARNING: This episode deals with some pretty heavy themes including suicide and physical abuse, so skip this one if you're not comfortable with those topics! After a small, octopus looking alien from the Planet Happy arrives on Earth, determined to spread happiness to everyone he meets, he runs into a morose young girl called Shizuka who isn’t impressed with his happy gadgets... In fact, maybe it'd be better for everyone if he didn't get involved at all... This week, Mat is joined by RAMZEE for one of the most difficult books we've discussed so far on the podcast, Takopi's Original Sin by Taizan 5. Join us as we talk about how the book deals with difficult topics, the genius of it's open but hopeful ending and just how great the design of our foolish little octopus friend is! --- Show Notes - Manga - Good Night Punpun by Inio Asano RAMZZE past appearances - Orb - Asadora! - Hunter x Hunter Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 38 - Show-Ha Shoten! by Akinari Asakura & Takeshi Obata | 17 Feb 2025 | 00:58:33 | |
On this week's episode, Mat is joined by Fred Tornager to discuss a comic book about comedy: and the excellent Show-Ha Shoten! by Akinari Asakura & Takeshi Obata, published in English by Viz Media. Join us as we 'dissect the frog' of comedy, gush about Obata's artwork, then talk about what works and doesn't in the first volume of the 'Bakuman of Manzai Comedy'. Find the 'Unpacking Japan' episode Mat discusses in the intro with professional Manzai comedian, Nick-niisan, here. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 37 - Trillion Game by Riichiro Inagaki and Ryoichi Ikegami | 10 Feb 2025 | 01:00:48 | |
On this week's episode, Mat is joined once again by Georgie to discuss the lastest work from two legendary Mangaka: Trillion Game by Riichiro Inagaki and Ryoichi Ikegami, published in English by Viz Media. Join us as we discuss the Mangaka's careers, how this series fumbles a little while finding it's feet, but how despite some of those early missteps ends up winning us over! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 36 - Honey Lemon Soda by Mayu Murata | 03 Feb 2025 | 00:52:27 | |
On this week's episode, Mat is joined once again by one half of the Undisputed Anime Podcast, TsuTsuDae, to talk about some modern High School Shōjo: Honey Lemon Soda by Mayu Murata! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 35 - Asadora! by Naoki Urasawa | 27 Jan 2025 | 00:54:50 | |
On this week's episode, Mat is joined once again joined by Ramzee to discuss Asadora! the latests book from 'The Master of Suspense' Naoki Urasawa. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 34 - TRIGUN by Yasuhiro Nightow | 20 Jan 2025 | 01:09:35 | |
On this week's episode, Mat is joined once again by his podcasting partner in. crime Tom, to talk about one of our favourite manga, Trigun by Yasuhiro Nightow, recently re-published in english by Dark Horse Comics and getting the deluxe treatment it deserves! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 33 - Sakamoto Days by Yuto Suzuki | 13 Jan 2025 | 00:59:16 | |
On this week's episode, Mat is joined one again by Zane Taichou from Undisputed Anime, to talk about the latest title from Weekly Shonen Jump to receive an anime: Sakamoto Days by Yuto Suzuki Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 32 - The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't A Guy At All by Sumiko Arai | 06 Jan 2025 | 01:18:07 | |
On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined once again by LumRanmaYasha to discuss THE GREEN YURI aka The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't A Guy At All by Sumiko Arai Join us as we discuss the how the book blends together romance and music, how it's signature neon green is used for more than just branding, and find out exactly what it feels like to see yourself as 'the old man' character in a book about young love! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 31 - CITY by Keiichi Arawi | 30 Dec 2024 | 00:55:14 | |
On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined once again by AC MacDonald, creator of Twistwood Tales, to discuss the wonderful, comedy manga CITY by Keiichi Arawi of Nichijou fame. Join us as we figure out our plans to relocate to a CITY where comedic characters live increasingly funny lives, dine at it's finest restaurants on a diet of tapas-like gags, before getting our serious faces on to discuss duck-lips and world building! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 30 - Bleach by Tite Kubo | 23 Dec 2024 | 01:24:24 | |
This week, Mat is joined by comic book creator and publisher Mitch Proctor (aka Bon Idle) to talk about the second of 'The Big Three' to grace the podcast: Bleach by Tite Kubo! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 29 - Noragami: Stray God by Adachitoka | 16 Dec 2024 | 00:49:05 | |
This week, Mat is joined by Ida from Denmark's biggest Anime, Manga and Cosplaying convention, J-Popcon to talk about Adachitoka's Shonen smash hit Noragami: Stray God. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 71 - They Were 11! by Moto Hagio | 06 Oct 2025 | 01:08:34 | |
Ten hopeful candidates embark on a test to survive for 53 days aboard an abandoned space shuttle to earn themselves a place at the prestigious Cosmo Academy. However, once inside the airlock they realise something is amiss: they are now eleven. Can they put their suspicions aside in order to pass? Or will the threats they face cause them to give into despair and abandon the test, and with it, their chances of getting into the academy? On this week's episode, Mat's joined not only by Georgie (aka Mainly.Manga) but also Pippa (aka StrawberryShojo) to talk about Moto Hagio's groundbreaking 1975 sci-fi shojo manga They Were 11! Join us as we discuss our feelings on sci-fi, the book's titular mystery, and, perhaps more importantly, it's core themes of gender and personhood! --- Show Notes: Rachel Thorn interview with Moto Hagio. Moto Hagio's other work in English: The Poe Clan - Otherworld Barbara - The Heart Of Thomas - A Drunken Dream - Lil' Leo Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 28 - Mermaid Saga by Rumiko Takahashi | 09 Dec 2024 | 01:12:37 | |
Mat is joined once again by AC (aka @ProdTally) to talk about another great work from Rumiko Takahashi: this time it's her short horror series, Mermaid Saga! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 27 - Sketchy by Makihirochi | 02 Dec 2024 | 01:00:42 | |
On this week's episode, Mat is joined once again by 'The Lord of Shojo' Georgie, to discuss the excellent Josei (?) skateboarding manga 'Sketchy' by Makihirochi, published in English by Kodansha. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 26 - The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokumokuren | 25 Nov 2024 | 00:53:19 | |
On this week's episode, Mat is joined by Budjette Tan, writer of horror/crime komik Trese, to talk about 'The Summer Hikaru Died' by Mokumokuren. Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||
| Episode 25 - Kagurabachi by Takeru Hokazono | 18 Nov 2024 | 01:12:20 | |
On this week's episode, Mat is joined one again by the one and only Zane Taichou from Undisputed Anime, to talk about the next big thing in Weekly Shonen Jump: Kagurabachi by Takeru Hokazono, published in English by Viz Media! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! | |||