Popnotch with Miz and Schoko – Details, episodes & analysis

Bonjour! Ep 2 of our series on Queer Eye: We're in Japan! is here, and ohhhhh things are a little serious. We talk coming out, cultural imperialism and Miz's low expectations for the show (lol). Please note that this episode contains not-really-thought-out ramblings based on our experiences, and we are definitely not representative of all queer people in Japan! 

BUT ALSO! We have a very special chat with sociologist Daiki Hiramori about how he conducts research on queer demography in Japan, whether things are really getting better for queer people in Japan, and of course...boybands! It couldn't get more fun than that (at least, for Miz). 

Content warnings: discussions of homophobia, transphobia, racism

Follow Daiki on Twitter: @daiki_soc 

Follow us on Twitter:

- Miz (@mizbung)

- Schoko (@schokopi)

- Popnotch (@popnotchpod)

Artwork by Schoko, theme tune by Daniel Penner (dzpenner.bandcamp.com). Extra jingle by OtoLogic. 

We're back! In this series of four monthly releases we'll be covering none other than Netflix's Queer Eye: We're in Japan!, the very special series where the Fab Five head to Japan to work their makeover magic. We dive in deep into our own personal experiences and thoughts to ramble through this episode, which covers: Fashion! Fitting in! Being a woman in Japan! Mental health stigma! Progressive Japanese celebrities! And much more. 

Please note there is discussions around/mentions of: sexism, racism, mental health, bullying, and transphobia. 

Japanese celebrities discussed in the podcast:

- The fabulous Ryucheru! (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube)

- The wonderful Kiko Mizuhara!  (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube)

- Miz's favourite singer-songwriter and ex-boyband member Subaru Shibutani (YouTube)

Follow us on Twitter:

- Miz (@mizbung)

- Schoko (@schokopi)

- Popnotch (@popnotchpod)

Artwork by Schoko, theme tune by Daniel Penner (dzpenner.bandcamp.com). 

(*NOTE* This was the very first episode we recorded, and our audio quality wasn't quite there yet – if this bothers you, skip onto Episode 2 where you can hear our lovely voices in better quality.)

On this very first episode of Popnotch, Miz and Schoko dive into the dangerous and "shibui" Yazuka world of episode 1 of Giri/Haji. 

Content notes: mention of sexual assault, snakes (ew!), gun violence. 

Follow us on Twitter:

- Miz (@mizbung)

- Schoko (@schokopi)

- Popnotch (@popnotchpod)

Artwork by Schoko, theme tune by Daniel Penner (dzpenner.bandcamp.com).

Popnotch is a fortnightly (or bi-weekly, for you Americans) podcast in which your hosts, Miz and Schoko, discuss media related to Japan! Expect Japanese boyband trivia, attempts to translate untranslatable Japanese words, and slightly dodgy audio quality (we're working on it).  

Follow us on Twitter:

- Miz (@mizbung)

- Schoko (@schokopi)

- Popnotch (@popnotchpod)

Artwork by Schoko, theme tune by Daniel Penner (dzpenner.bandcamp.com).

HO HO HO HAPPY HOLIDAYS! And oh, do we have a very exciting Christmas episode for you all – it's an interview with none other than Giri/Haji creator himself, JOE BARTON! In this episode we sat down with the very lovely Joe to talk about the Giri/Haji writing process, why he writes diverse and subversive characters, what would've happened in Series 2, and MUCH MORE. So get your eggnog/mulled wine/Manischewitz/soft drink of choice and join us by the (metaphorical) fireplace. 

Follow Joe on Twitter: @JoeBarton_

Follow us on Twitter:

- Miz (@mizbung)

- Schoko (@schokopi)

- Popnotch (@popnotchpod)

Artwork by Schoko, theme tune by Daniel Penner (dzpenner.bandcamp.com).

It's the end... but the moment has been prepared for. Or has it? Everything's coming together in a beautiful sequence of dance, guns, and quite a lot of blood. Will Kenzo and Sarah get their happily ever after? Will Rodney and Taki run away and be gay and merry? And will Yuto stop stealing everything he needs? Strap in and hold tight, because Rei's going to make you crash your car. 

ALSO! At the end of the episode we have a VERY EXCITING announcement. So make sure to listen until the end! (I mean, you could technically skip to the end, but that would be mean). 

Content notes: guns, violence, death, blood, maiming, stabbing, sex, swearing, 

Follow us on Twitter:

- Miz (@mizbung)

- Schoko (@schokopi)

- Popnotch (@popnotchpod)

Artwork by Schoko, theme tune by Daniel Penner (dzpenner.bandcamp.com).

It's getting INTENSE but not to worry, because if there's one thing Rei, Natsuko and Eiko know how to do it's to fend off creepy men using a used nappy and a knife (a lethal combo). Meanwhile, Rodney and Taki have watched a bit too much How to Get Away with Murder, Miz and Schoko wish everyone would calm down, and Kenzo and Sarah's unresolved sexual tension finally gets...resolved! 

Content notes: death, implied violence, sex, swearing, also there's a snake. 

Follow us on Twitter:

- Miz (@mizbung)

- Schoko (@schokopi)

- Popnotch (@popnotchpod)

Artwork by Schoko, theme tune by Daniel Penner (dzpenner.bandcamp.com).

It's episode 6! Rei and Natsuko go on a rescue mission while everyone in London goes to the beach, and your hosts dig deep into our psyches. It all gets a bit therapy-like as we wish we had a dad like Kenzo and talk about why we both prefer living in the UK. We also talk Buddhist funeral rites and Rodney’s first day at school – I mean, NA. 

Content notes: drugs, alcohol, swearing, sex. 

Follow us on Twitter:

- Miz (@mizbung)

- Schoko (@schokopi)

- Popnotch (@popnotchpod)

Artwork by Schoko, theme tune by Daniel Penner (dzpenner.bandcamp.com).

It’s episode 5! AAAH BABY GAY TAKI! Miz and Schoko are ecstatic to finally have some queer Japanese representation on-screen. Schoko also can't stop blushing at Kenzo and Sarah's date, and we discuss our failing Japanese skills. 

Content notes: Violence (slight gore), guns, death, drugs, alcohol, swearing.

Follow us on Twitter:

- Miz (@mizbung)

- Schoko (@schokopi)

- Popnotch (@popnotchpod)

Artwork by Schoko, theme tune by Daniel Penner (dzpenner.bandcamp.com).

Episode 4 is here! Join us as we analyse Yuto’s phone background, stress out over gunfights, and discuss *that* finger scene. 

Content notes: Violence, guns, death, drugs, alcohol, swearing.

Follow us on Twitter:

- Miz (@mizbung)

- Schoko (@schokopi)

- Popnotch (@popnotchpod)

Artwork by Schoko, theme tune by Daniel Penner (dzpenner.bandcamp.com).