More Than Hentai | An Anime Appreciation Podcast

Welcome to Manhwa Monday! This week we're diving into The Greatest Estate Developer, written by BK_Moon and illustrated by Kim Hyunsoo, a fantasy isekai on Webtoon that takes the "reincarnated into a novel" premise and turns it into something genuinely hilarious.Civil engineering student Suho Kim falls asleep reading a fantasy novel and wakes up as Lloyd Frontera, a lazy, drunk nobleman whose family is drowning in debt. But Suho's read the book, he knows what's coming, and he's got something no one in this world has: modern engineering knowledge. So instead of swinging a sword or casting spells, this man is solving fantasy world problems with drainage systems, structural reinforcements, and infrastructure planning. He's got a loyal knight, a giant hamster companion, and the most unhinged facial expressions in all of manhwa. It sounds absurd and it absolutely is, but the engineering concepts are legit, the world building is surprisingly deep, and underneath all the comedy there's real heart about rebuilding something broken and proving everyone wrong.This one's pure gold.If you enjoy the show, please rate, review, like, and subscribe to Sakura Society | An Anime Appreciation Podcast — and any other podcasts you love. It takes seconds, costs nothing, and means everything to us creators. (The algorithm only accepts 5 stars, just so you know.)Stay up to date with Brendan on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord — a community full of anime and culture fans just like youFollow our Spotify playlistOur amazing sponsors:Audio-Technica — the best in audio equipmentIced Tea Aesthetics — anime streetwear done right (use code SAKURASOCIETY5 at checkout to save $5)Japan Crate — Japanese snacks and treats delivered to your door (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Your weekly anime news fix is HERE and it did not come to play, with massive announcements surrounding Tank Chair, The Dangers in My Heart, The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip, Sekiro: No Defeat and From Far Away!If you enjoy the show, please rate, review, like, and subscribe to Sakura Society | An Anime Appreciation Podcast — and any other podcasts you love. It takes seconds, costs nothing, and means everything to us creators. (The algorithm only accepts 5 stars, just so you know.)Stay up to date with Brendan on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord — a community full of anime and culture fans just like youFollow our Spotify playlistOur amazing sponsors:Audio-Technica — the best in audio equipmentIced Tea Aesthetics — anime streetwear done right (use code SAKURASOCIETY5 at checkout to save $5)Japan Crate — Japanese snacks and treats delivered to your door (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Welcome to Manga Monday! This week we're diving into The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All by Sumiko Arai, affectionately known by fans as "Green Yuri," and the winner of the Next Manga Award 2023.Aya is a fashionable gyaru high schooler who's obsessed with rock music but can't find anyone who shares her taste, until she starts visiting a small CD shop and falls hard for the cool, mysterious clerk dressed in all black with a hoodie and face mask. The problem? That clerk is actually her quiet, nerdy female classmate Mitsuki Koga, who works at her uncle's shop and wears contacts and unisex clothes to stay anonymous. Mitsuki knows exactly who Aya is, sits right next to her in class, and is terrified of the truth coming out.What starts as a premise you think you've seen before quickly becomes something special, a story about two girls connecting through music, building a friendship that's achingly authentic to how teenagers actually bond, and slowly realising their feelings run deeper than fandom. It's fluffy, it's heartfelt, it handles queer romance with real care and zero sensationalism, and an anime has already been confirmed.If you want something that'll make your heart do that thing, this is it.If you enjoy the show, please rate, review, like, and subscribe to Sakura Society | An Anime Appreciation Podcast — and any other podcasts you love. It takes seconds, costs nothing, and means everything to us creators. (The algorithm only accepts 5 stars, just so you know.)Stay up to date with Brendan on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord — a community full of anime and culture fans just like youFollow our Spotify playlistOur amazing sponsors:Audio-Technica — the best in audio equipmentIced Tea Aesthetics — anime streetwear done right (use code SAKURASOCIETY5 at checkout to save $5)Japan Crate — Japanese snacks and treats delivered to your door (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

POV: you let me summarize all the massive anime news from around internet so you don't have to

Fins, Fangs, and Family ProblemsWhat happens when a clumsy middle schooler nearly drowns on summer vacation, only to be saved by a mermaid — and now has to marry her or they both die? My Bride is a Mermaid plunges headfirst into chaotic rom-com waters, where yakuza mermaids, unhinged overprotective fathers, and increasingly unhinged rivals turn every single school day into a survival situation. Join us as we dive into this gloriously absurd love story between Nagasumi and Sun, a girl caught between two worlds — and a family that would rather kill him than welcome him as a son-in-law.Joining Brendan in the studio for this episode, making her podcast debut, is cosplayer, streamer, and corporate tita, Ness!In this episode (FULL SPOILERS): Going In Blind | Story & World-Building | Characters & Chemistry | Standout Moments | Animation, Sound & Style | The VerdictFrom first impressions to final verdict, at Sakura Society, we cut through the hype to help you decide what's actually worth your time.30.58If you enjoy the show, please rate, review, like, and subscribe to Sakura Society | An Anime Appreciation Podcast — and any other podcasts you love. It takes seconds, costs nothing, and means everything to us creators. (The algorithm only accepts 5 stars, just so you know.)Stay up to date with Brendan on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord — a community full of anime and culture fans just like youFollow our Spotify playlistOur amazing sponsors:Audio-Technica — the best in audio equipmentIced Tea Aesthetics — anime streetwear done right (use code SAKURASOCIETY5 at checkout to save $5)Japan Crate — Japanese snacks and treats delivered to your door (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

One Piece just became the best-selling comic series in history at 600 million copies — dethroning Superman in 60 fewer years — and Oda celebrated by writing down what the One Piece is and throwing it in the ocean. Genuinely unhinged. Berserk crosses 70 million worldwide sales with volume 43 on the way, Naruto and Boruto get an official YouTube channel, and Rumiko Takahashi's MAO is getting a two-cour anime from Sunrise this April. Akame ga Kill! creator Tetsuya Tashiro returns with a new series, and we close this week remembering Kyoto Animation founder Hideaki Hatta, who passed away at 76 — the man behind Violet Evergarden, A Silent Voice, Clannad, and so much more. Rest in peace to one of anime's greatest builders.All this and more on this week's In Bloom.If you enjoy the show, please rate, review, like, and subscribe to Sakura Society | An Anime Appreciation Podcast — and any other podcasts you love. It takes seconds, costs nothing, and means everything to us creators. (The algorithm only accepts 5 stars, just so you know.)Stay up to date with Brendan on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord — a community full of anime and culture fans just like youFollow our Spotify playlistOur amazing sponsors:Audio-Technica — the best in audio equipmentIced Tea Aesthetics — anime streetwear done right (use code SAKURASOCIETY5 at checkout to save $5)Japan Crate — Japanese snacks and treats delivered to your door (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Welcome to Manga Monday! This week we're diving into Centuria, Tohru Kuramori's brutal dark fantasy running on Shonen Jump+ and the solo debut from a former Chainsaw Man assistant. Julian is a boy sold into slavery by his own mother who stows away on a slave ship, where for the first time in his life he's shown real kindness by the other slaves, especially a pregnant woman named Mira. When the captain slaughters all one hundred slaves on board, an eldritch sea god strikes a deal: Julian inherits the combined strength, memories, and lives of every slave who died. Now carrying the weight of a hundred souls, he sets off into a cruel, monster filled world with one mission, raise Mira's newborn daughter and give her the life none of them ever got. It's got Berserk level art, Lovecraftian horror, and a heart built on found family and choosing kindness despite everything.This one goes hard.If you enjoy the show, please rate, review, like, and subscribe to Sakura Society | An Anime Appreciation Podcast — and any other podcasts you love. It takes seconds, costs nothing, and means everything to us creators. (The algorithm only accepts 5 stars, just so you know.)Stay up to date with Brendan on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord — a community full of anime and culture fans just like youFollow our Spotify playlistOur amazing sponsors:Audio-Technica — the best in audio equipmentIced Tea Aesthetics — anime streetwear done right (use code SAKURASOCIETY5 at checkout to save $5)Japan Crate — Japanese snacks and treats delivered to your door (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Welcome to Manga Monday! This week we're diving into Shinobi Undercover, written by Ippon Takegushi and illustrated by Santa Mitarashi, a modern ninja action comedy running in Weekly Shonen Jump that asks one beautiful question: what happens when the most lethal shinobi of his generation has crippling social anxiety? In this world, ninja still operate in the shadows of modern Japan, trained and deployed by the Ninja Public Safety Force as spies, bodyguards, and counterterrorists. Yodaka, is their strongest asset, an unstoppable force who can infiltrate anything, take down entire crowds of hitmen, and vanish without a trace. His new mission? Protect Aoi Mukai, a clumsy high school heiress being targeted by fugitive ninja, while blending in as a normal student. The problem? This guy can barely talk to people his own age without spiraling. But here's what makes it special: Yodaka doesn't win Aoi over with cool guy confidence or some rehearsed act. He wins her over by just being himself, awkward, earnest, and genuinely wanting to be her friend, something she's never actually had despite years of people being assigned to get close to her. It's got incredible action, genuine heart, and a comedic dynamic that just works. This one's a blast.If you enjoy the show, please rate, review, like, and subscribe to Sakura Society | An Anime Appreciation Podcast — and any other podcasts you love. It takes seconds, costs nothing, and means everything to us creators. (The algorithm only accepts 5 stars, just so you know.)Stay up to date with Brendan on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord — a community full of anime and culture fans just like youFollow our Spotify playlistOur amazing sponsors:Audio-Technica — the best in audio equipmentIced Tea Aesthetics — anime streetwear done right (use code SAKURASOCIETY5 at checkout to save $5)Japan Crate — Japanese snacks and treats delivered to your door (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Big anime news headlines. Bigger reactions.A new Evangelion series with Yoko Taro writing. Two shoujo romance-fantasy adaptations. Witch Hat Atelier finally has a premiere date. The Raildex universe keeps expanding. And ufotable just loaded up their entire pipeline with announcements.This week's news had no right going this hard. Let's get into it!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Welcome to Manga Monday! This week we're diving into WITCHRIV, Hakuri's devastating new fantasy series running on Shonen Jump+ about a world where being born a mage is a crime punishable by death. Nona Ewin lives a quiet life hiding in plain sight with her mother, keeping their secret locked tight. She's got one real friend, Lovi, and when Nona uses magic to fix her broken glasses, that one small act of kindness brings the Bureau of Magic Surveillance crashing down on everyone she loves. The Bureau doesn't just arrest people, they execute children, they kill entire families for the crime of knowing a mage, and they do it without blinking. Now Nona's separated from her mother, alone in a world that wants her dead, armed with nothing but sewing magic and the kind of resilience that refuses to break. She's not out for revenge, she just wants to find her mom and live in peace, and somehow that makes her even more compelling. This one grabs you by the throat in chapter one and doesn't let go.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

The votes are in, the results are locked, and it's time to crown the best of the best in anime, as chosen entirely by YOU.That's right, The Hennies are BACK, and this year did NOT disappoint. From the studios that went absolutely crazy with their output to the openings we refused to skip, the villains we love to hate, and the romances that had us clutching our chests, 2025 was a year for the books.We're talking about shows like Gachiakuta, The Apothecary Diaries, My Hero Academia, and To Be Hero X. Characters like Maomao, Rudo, and All For One. Couples that made us believe in love again. Moments that had us losing our minds in real time.And of course — which anime did the community crown as the Anime of the Year?No critics. No committees. Just pure, unfiltered community love for the shows and characters that defined our year.Drop your predictions before you hit play, then let me know how you did. Were your favorites recognized? Any snubs that have you heated? I want to hear it ALL.This one's for you.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Welcome to Manga Monday! This week we're diving into After God, Sumi Eno's wild horror-comedy masterpiece about a Japan that's been invaded by gods, and not the kind, merciful type. These are massive, incomprehensible beings called Idolatry Prohibited Organisms that turned entire cities into uninhabitable Danger Zones. Lock eyes with one? You turn to stone. They breathe on you? Your body dissolves into water. For thirty years, humanity has had one question: how do you kill a god? At the center is Kamikura Waka, a fierce high school girl who watched her best friend Shion die at the hands of a god, livestreamed for the world to see, and traveled to Tokyo not for answers, but for revenge. The twist? There's a god living inside her too. Then there's Tokinaga, the Anti-God researcher who found her, a gentle, self-sacrificing man hiding darkness of his own. Together they're humanity's best shot at fighting back. It's got body horror, black comedy, gods with absolutely unhinged blue-and-orange morality who don't even understand what death is, and a female lead in a shōnen who is genuinely allowed to be terrifying, vulnerable, and complex all at once. This one doesn't just break the mold, it asks why the mold was ever there in the first place.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Bigtime anime announcements. Bigger reactions.Aniplex acquires EGG FIRM, chainsmoking catgirls hit the scene, love potions and rental girlfriends return, and Fullmetal Alchemist's creator is BACK, buckle up for this week's anime news!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Welcome to Manga Monday! This week we're diving into 86, Asato Asato and Shirabi's devastating military sci-fi masterpiece about the Republic of San Magnolia, a nation that claims it fights its war with "zero casualties" using unmanned mechs. The lie? Those mechs are piloted by the 86, people stripped of their humanity and sent to die in machines while the privileged sit safe behind walls. At the center is Shinei Nouzen, the "Undertaker" squadron leader who's seen too many comrades fall, and Vladilena Milizé, the Handler who refuses to see the 86 as disposable. It's about the cost of war, the weight of survival, and what it means to truly see someone as human. This one doesn't just hit, it devastates.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Big anime announcements. Bigger reactions.This week's episode of In Bloom is STACKED with anime news and updates on Ghost in the Shell, Sparks of Tomorrow, Netflix x TOHO, $38b in piracy, Sakamoto Days and Takopi's Original Sin.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Welcome to Manga Monday! This week we're diving into Yotaka Futatabi (Nighthawk Returns), Fuyuki Izumida's gritty action-comedy about Aoi Yotaka—a legendary assassin who took out 40 people in one night, then ghosted the underworld for eight years. Now she's 33, broke, alcoholic, chain-smoking, and blowing her last yen on gacha games. Peak NEET energy. But when eviction looms and an old colleague offers one more job, the Nighthawk has to ask herself: can washed-up killers make comebacks? It's retired assassin chaos meets midlife crisis, and it hits different.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

The Spotlight Demands BloodJoining Brendan in the studio is upcoming VTuber Oni.What happens when a rural doctor is reborn as the secret child of Japan's brightest idol—only to watch her murdered at his doorstep? Oshi no Ko delivers a devastating blend of showbiz thriller and revenge tragedy, where the glittering world of entertainment hides exploitation, obsession, and deadly secrets. Join us as we unpack this genre-defying story of reincarnation, twin siblings navigating the industry that destroyed their mother, and the question that haunts every episode—how far would you go to uncover the truth behind a perfect smile?In this episode (FULL SPOILERS): Going In Blind | Story & World-Building | Characters & Chemistry | Standout Moments | Animation, Sound & Style | The VerdictFrom first impressions to final verdict, we discuss the world-building, debate which characters land (and which fall flat), highlight the best moments, and evaluate the animation and soundtrack. At Sakura Society, we cut through the hype to help you decide what's actually worth your time.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Welcome to Manga Monday! This week we're diving into Gokurakugai, Yuto Sano's morally murky supernatural thriller about the ultimate odd couple: Alma, a perpetually hungry teen with demon blood, and Tao, his soft-spoken but trigger-happy partner. They run a "troubleshooter agency" hunting magas—humans-turned-demons—but here's the kicker: when your targets were once human, where's the line between justice and murder? Armed with weapons forged from Alma's own blood, our duo navigates a world where monsters and victims look suspiciously alike. It's demon-slaying with a conscience, and it hits different.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Big anime announcements. Bigger reactions. This weeks episode of In Bloom is STACKED with updates on Netflix and MAPPA becoming exclusive, Smoking Behind The Supermarket With You, Medalist, FX Fighter Kurumi-chan, and Tomb Raider King!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

A Miracle in the Most Unlikely CityWhat happens when a powerless high school boy with the worst luck imaginable becomes the protector of a nun holding the world's most dangerous knowledge? A Certain Magical Index delivers a surprisingly grounded take on the battle between science and magic—with index-busting fights, moral dilemmas, and a fist that shatters any illusion. Join us as we decode this sprawling urban fantasy and ask the real questions—like, who out there could not appreciate Touma's terrible luck?At Sakura Society, we're here to help you decide if the anime everyone's talking about is actually worth your time—and your watchlist.Joining Brendan in the Sugoi Studio for this episode is Duffo, the man behind the brilliant isekai inspired TTRPG, The World Summons Too Many Heroes and the fantastic anime podcast, Endless 08.In this episode, we're diving into:The World Summons Too Many Heroes - creating a character from scratch!hook & expectationsstory & world-buildingcharacters & chemistryanimation & stylesoundtrack & voice actingimpact & watchabilityplus lots more anime related banter!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired

IN BLOOM

All aboard the chaos express! This week on Manhwa Monday I'm covering My Bias Gets on the Last Train a romance Manhwa by JIXKSEE—where fanboy fantasies collide with awkward reality when your K-pop bias sits next to you on the last train home!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

You won't believe the kind of week anime just dropped on us, so let's talk about it

Winter 2026 anime is stacked, so we're breaking down exactly what deserves your time — from Fate/strange Fake finally unleashing its chaotic Holy Grail War, to Fire Force charging full-speed into its endgame, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End returning with quiet emotional devastation, and Jujutsu Kaisen dropping us straight into the Culling Game where absolutely no one is safe. We've got survival horror and moral despair in Hell's Paradise, ice-cold passion and tears in Medalist, idol-industry discomfort in Oshi no Ko, doomed heroism in Sentenced to Be a Hero, and the long-awaited return of Vash in Trigun Stargaze. Add in soft, sneaky romances like In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, You and I Are Polar Opposites, and the nostalgic mystery of Tune In to the Midnight Heart, and yeah — Winter anime isn't playing nice.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Manga Monday

Another stacked week in anime and I am once again your humble messenger

Power Has Never Been This Terrifying — or This InfluentialWhat happens when unchecked psychic power collides with political unrest, teenage rage, and a city already on the brink of collapse? Akira is a landmark of anime and global cinema — a cyberpunk epic that reshaped animation forever. Set in Neo-Tokyo, the film follows Kaneda and Tetsuo as friendship fractures under the weight of power, trauma, and forces far beyond human control.With groundbreaking animation, dense symbolism, and themes of authority, identity, and destruction, Akira isn't just a movie — it's a cultural detonation. Decades later, its imagery, sound, and ambition still echo through modern storytelling.At Sakura Society, we're here to help you decide if this towering sci-fi masterpiece deserves a place on your watchlist — and your all-time greats list.Listen on as your salt and pepper senpai, Brendan White, is joined for the second time in the Sugoi Studio, by upcoming comic, Mr. Sam Bellwood.In this episode, we're diving into the entiriety of the film Akira, with conversation based around:hook & expectationsstory & world-buildingcharacters & chemistryanimation & stylesoundtrack & voice actingimpact & watchabilityplus lots more anime related banter!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling water

Rage Has Never Been This Raw, or This JustifiedWhat happens when a boy discarded by a cruel society is thrown into a world built entirely from its trash — and forced to survive among monsters made from human neglect? Gachiakuta is a furious, visually striking story about class divide, abandonment, and reclaiming worth in a world that decided you were disposable.Rudo's descent into the Pit — and his rise as someone who refuses to stay broken — blends brutal action with sharp social commentary. With bold art direction, inventive worldbuilding, and a protagonist driven by anger and purpose, Gachiakuta hits hard and doesn't apologize for it.At Sakura Society, we're here to help you decide if this grim, rebellious standout deserves a spot on your watchlist — and your brain space.Listen on as your senpai is joined for the fourth time in the Sugoi Studio, Mr. Benny McJannett.In this episode, we're diving into the first 3 episodes of Gachiakuta, with conversation based around:hook & expectationsstory & world-buildingcharacters & chemistryanimation & stylesoundtrack & voice actingimpact & watchabilityplus lots more anime related banter!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik...

The anime world is absolutely unhinged this week and I'm here to deliver you all the big news you need to know about

What happens when the aftermath of Shibuya bleeds into a new crisis, forcing Yuji, Megumi, Nobara, and the remaining sorcerers to confront what they've lost and what still must be done? Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution delivers a visually stunning bridge between eras — a film where grief, responsibility, and power collide in explosive fashion.As alliances shift and new threats rise, the movie repositions the entire series, sharpening character arcs and setting the stage for the next brutal chapter. Crisp animation, high-impact choreography, and emotional stakes make this film a brutal, beautiful punch straight to the gut.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Short on time but still need the latest anime news updates? Here's your rapid-fire In Bloom update

Need the latest anime news and headlines but are short on time? In Bloom has you covered

Love anime but short on time? In Bloom is your 80-second anime news recap, fast, comfy, and packed with the week's biggest headlines!• Frieren goes on indefinite hiatus for creators' health• Bleach: Soul Resonance — new 3D action game drops later this year• Sakurai manga incoming — from Kirby to Smash supremacy• SHY ends in 3 chapters, a timid hero's final bow• Super Psychic Policeman Chojo anime powers up for 2026• Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle hits $648M, breaking global recordsPlease be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Denji's heart wasn't ready—and neither were we. Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc is part romance, part bloodbath, and full Fujimoto chaos. Grab your coffee, your sanity, and let's dive into this cinematic fever dream.Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Sewing Dreams Together Has Never Looked This AwkwardWhat happens when a shy dollmaker accidentally becomes the personal tailor for his school's most confident and cosplay-obsessed girl? My Dress-Up Darling stitches together heart, humor, and a little bit of heat as Wakana Gojou and Marin Kitagawa blur the lines between friendship, fandom, and first love—one perfectly crafted outfit at a time. From awkward fittings to emotional growth, this series proves that sometimes the best glow-ups come from the inside (and maybe a few yards of lace).At Sakura Society, we're here to help you decide if the anime everyone's talking about is actually worth your time—and your watchlist.Joining Brendan in the Sugoi Studio is Hooblie, making his podcast debut!In this episode, we're diving into:hook & expectationsstory & world-buildingcharacters & chemistryanimation & stylesoundtrack & voice actingimpact & watchabilityplus lots more anime related banter!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Fall Anime 2025 = chaos, feels & GOATs returning. So many tiles you need to add to your watch list! Here's a snapshot what I'm most looking forward to this season!Spy x Family S3 My Hero Academia The Final Season One Punch Man S3 Let's Play Wandance Gintama Dusk Beyond the End of the World+++What's top of your list? Let me know on the socials!Please be sure to rate, review, like and subscribe to MTH as well as all the other podcasts you consume, it takes no time, costs you no money and means the world to us podcasters and content creators. Sadly the algorithm only accepts 5-Star reviews...Keep up to date with Brendan here or find him on Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | TwitterJoin our Discord full of likeminded anime and culture fans hereUpgrade your wardrobe via our merch storeSubscribe to our Spotify playlistPlease support our fantastic sponsors:Audio-Technica, the best in audio equipmentIced-Tea Aesthetics, the best in anime streetwear (use code sakurasociety5 at checkout to save $5 on your order)Dash Water, the best in sparkling waterJapan Crate, the best in Japanese inspired snacks and nik naks (use code ATEBIT15 at checkout to save 15% + get free shipping)

Love anime but too many shows to keep up with? Don't stress, In Bloom packs all the chaos into 60ish seconds.⚔️ Rising of the Shield Hero: finale looks flashy, feels hollow… but hey, spear to Bitch's chest.

Love anime but short on time? In Bloom is your 60-second anime news recap—fast, comfy, and packed with the week's biggest headlines!⚔️ Cleveatess scores a Season 2!

Love anime but your watchlist's overflowing?In Bloom is your 60-second seasonal recap—quick, comfy, and full of chaos!Titles on this weeks episode include:

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Review

Love anime but short on time?In Bloom is your 60-second anime news recap—fast, comfy, and stacked with the week's biggest headlines!⚔️ Jujutsu Kaisen — S3: Culling Game Part 1 hits Jan 2026 + Shibuya/CG film drops Nov in Japan, rolls worldwide.

Adventuring Has Never Looked This PatheticWhat happens when a shut-in gamer dies a hilariously pitiful death and drags a loudmouthed goddess into a fantasy world with him? KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! flips the script on isekai adventure—with useless skills, explosive comedy, and a party that's somehow worse than the monsters they're fighting. Join us as we stumble through Kazuma's misadventures and ask the real questions—like, how is this disaster squad still alive?At More Than Hentai, we're here to help you decide if the anime everyone's talking about is actually worth your time—and your watchlist.Joining Brendan in the Sugoi Studio is Brett Michael Orr, an aspiring author, as well as the co-founder and editor of Anime Atelier.In this episode, we're diving into:hook & expectationsstory & world-buildingcharacters & chemistryanimation & stylesoundtrack & voice actingimpact & watchabilityplus lots more anime related banter!A big thank you and virtual hug also goes out to our Producers - Duffo, Michael C and Oni, you're the best

Love anime but drowning in episodes and struggling to stay up to date with the latest and greatest? In Bloom is your 60-second weekly anime recap — quick, comfy, and full of seasonal chaos!

Need your anime news fix but are short on time?In Bloom is your 60-second weekly news recap—quick, comfy, and packed with the biggest drops!

Short on time but need your anime fix?In Bloom is your 60-second weekly recap—quick, comfy, and packed with the season's best moments!

Short on time but need your anime fix? In Bloom is your 60-second weekly recap—comfy, quick, and packed with the biggest headlines and hype drops!On this weeks episode:

Short on time but need your anime fix?In Bloom is your 60-second weekly recap—comfy, quick, and packed with the wildest episodes and standout moments!

Short on time but need your anime news fix? In Bloom is your 60-second weekly recap—comfy, quick, and packed with all the headlines YOU need to know about

Too busy to watch every anime but still wanna stay updated?In Bloom is your weekly 60-second recap—quick, comfy, and full of chaos.Let's go

Short on time but need your anime news fix? In Bloom is your 60-second weekly recap—comfy, quick, and packed with greatness!This week:

Love Blossoms in the Most Unlikely SoilWhat happens when the school's resident delinquent catches the eye of a flawless honor student? A Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity delivers a surprisingly tender twist on high school romance—with stolen glances, emotional honesty, and a touch of chaotic charm. Join us as we dig into this blooming love story and ask the real questions—like, who out there could not like this story?At More Than Hentai, we're here to help you decide if the anime everyone's talking about is actually worth your time—and your watchlist.Joining Brendan in the Sugoi Studio (calling in all the way from the US of A) is Oni, friend of the show, upcoming content creator and just a general legend of a human.In this episode, we're diving into:hook & expectationsstory & world-buildingcharacters & chemistryanimation & stylesoundtrack & voice actingimpact & watchabilityplus lots more anime related banter!A big thank you and virtual hug also goes out to our Producers - Duffo, Michael C and Oni, you're the best