Not Just Tentacles is an anime and animation podcast by a newbie for newbies, talking about all things manga and anime in a straightforward, non gatekeepery way.
Rachael and Ruth discuss the recent Helluva developments at LVLUP 2025.Includes impressions, tangents and ... frog noises?
Rachael and Ruth discuss the shows they've started watching for Spring 2025: Once Upon A Witch's Death, Your Forma, Go Go Loser Ranger Season 2 and My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.Since they're Whovians, they also have to review Lux, the recent live action/animation episode of Doctor Who.It's a completely un-Eastery Easter episode!
Rachael and Ruth cover indie darling Pretty Pretty Please I Don't Want to Be a Magical Girl, the Indigo reboot, and Netflix donghua No Doubt In Us. It's clearly the right time for supernatural fantasy with sapphic overtones!Includes misnomers, mispronunciations, David Attenborough and the Road Runner.
Rachael and Ruth review Spy x Family: Code White, the 2023 standalone film.There's no such thing as an ordinary day with the Forger family, and certainly not an ordinary holiday. What will our favourite spy, assassin and telepath do when they accidentally threaten world peace?Rachael is a firm fan of the series; Ruth has never watched it. How will they rate the movie?You know the drill: tangents, impressions, and whether or not a scientist looks like a member of Take That.
In this mega long episode, Rachael and Ruth wonder why the films of the Disney Renaissance exert such a hold over millennials. Are they as good as we remember, or is it the nostalgia speaking?Includes singing, digressions and cussing. Ruth couldn't resist reviewing The Emperor's New Groove because 1) she watched it recently and 2) just because
Rachael and Ruth discuss the shows they've been watching over Winter 2025: Sakamoto Days, Ameku MD: Doctor Detective, Tasokare Hotel, Indigo and The Magical Girl Garnet Heart.There's an overriding theme of mystery, but a wide range of shows: hitmen, medical drama, supernatural thriller, sci-fi and magical girls!
In this bumper Valentine's Day special, Rachael and Ruth talk about all things Stolitz in the second half of Helluva Boss Season 2.Includes dubious impersonation, Rachael playing devil's advocate for Blitzo and Stolas, and Ruth being Ruth. Also spoilers for Aggretsuko, What We Do In The Shadows and Carol (sorry!)
Rachael and Ruth enthuse about Wicked, the blockbusting film adaptation of the Broadway musical.Includes belting notes, brain fog, tangents and Ruth's Jeff Goldblum impression.They know it's not anime or animation, but what the hell.
Rachael and Ruth discuss the recent antics of Helluva Boss' infamous abusive wife and mother, Stella.Since people are still missing the point.CW: Mentions of domestic and child abuse.
Rachael and Ruth review The Promised Neverland. Ruth is no wuss, but she's traumatised.They also discuss indie animations Gods' School, The Epilogue of Endings and Bite Shift.Contains tangents, singing and anecdotes.CW: Child murder, abuse and endangerment.
In their first episode of 2025, Rachael and Ruth review Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, the beloved duo's first outing in 16 years. Wallace has become overly reliant on his new invention Norbot, to Gromit's chagrin. To make matters worse, an old enemy is waiting in the wings, seeking revenge ...
It's the Helluva Boss Season 2 finale!Blitzo tries to teach Stolas the spirit of Sinsmas, but he's worried about Via, and they've a target to take out. Oh, and Millie has a secret ...Rachael and Ruth ask: Is it the best Christmas episode of a show ever? Quite possibly!
Rachael and Ruth host the first Tentacles Awards ceremony, recognising the anime and animation they've watched in 2024. Which shows and movies will receive the coveted gongs?Includes the usual tangents and brain guffs (sorry, Stephanie! And who the hell is Paul?)
Rachael and Ruth are mesmerised by Mastermind, the most dramatic episode of S2.Blitzo is on trial for using the grimoire; only Stolas can save him. What does this mean for Stolitz?
Rachael and Ruth discuss indie animation sweethearts Long Gone Gulch and The Art of Murder. Whether your tastes run to western fantasies or murder mystery musicals, there's something for everyone!
Rachael and Ruth discuss Jem, the iconic Hasbro series about business woman Jerrica Benton, her alter ego Jem, and her band the Holograms. It's been Rachael's favourite cartoon since childhood; Ruth has never seen it. Will our famously sceptical co-host like it?Contains impressions, singing and assorted millennial references. Business as usual, then.
Rachael and Ruth review Acro Trip, 365 Days to the Wedding, Orb: On The Movements of the Earth and Dungeon Flippers. They also comment on the US election and the Hazbin leaks.Here be dragon estate agents and singing.
Rachael and Ruth recap Helluva Boss' outrageous Halloween episode, which is rather like the plot of a John Waters movie. And guess who's guest starring?Blitzo and Millie go on a job with a difference - and we learn how their epic friendship started.
Rachael and Ruth have a retrospective chat about Hazbin Hotel for Spooky Month, as well as looking forward to the new Helluva Boss episode and enthusing about Norma, the best comic shop in the world.
Rachael and Ruth recap the fourth Helluva short, where Blitzo finds himself in a pickle on a job in Mexico. Oh, and our favourite minor antagonists show up too!Contains goat impressions and cloacas.
Rachael and Ruth review two slice of life anime on Netflix, The Way of the Househusband and Aggretsuko.Tatsu is a former yakuza turned domestic god; Retsuko's a beleaguered accountant and secret heavy metal fiend. They both provide comedy gold!Also mentions the upcoming Helluva short.
Rachael and Ruth review two anime currently showing on Netflix: the dystopian fantasy thriller Vampire in the Garden and romcom Romantic Killer. Contains innuendos, singing and Jeff Goldblum.
Blitzo gets more than he bargained for when he tries to off an anime fan. Rachael and Ruth recap the latest Helluva Boss short.Warning: Contains strong language and pizza eating.
Rachael and Ruth discuss Spring 2024's shows, Black Butler and The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio. There's also the latest Helluva news. Contains dubious sexy sound effects.
Rachael and Ruth review the two shows they've been watching, BL Twilight Out of Focus and GL Mayonaka Punch. If you like lesbian vampires, you've come to the right place! CW for Twilight Out of Focus: Grooming, paedophilia.Briefly covers My Hero Academia and Shy. Rachael has NO idea what the Omegaverse is
Following Mission: Antarctica, Rachael seeks to address the slander about our dear boss and make it crystal clear what the real problem is.
Rachael and Ruth review the second Helluva Boss Antarctica themed short in sweltering heat, meaning your host's brain melts and she uses the wrong word (premature, not belated, you muppet)
Rachael and Ruth discuss Wallace and Gromit, the beloved Aardman animation about an eccentric inventor and his hypercapable dog. Also Hazbin news.
Rachael and Ruth review two franchises with "monstrous" protagonists set in a fantasy world, The Witch and the Beast and Nimona. CW: Discusses sexual assault.
Rachael and Ruth review Go Go Loser Ranger and Mr Villain's Day Off. Whether it's Fighter D fighting the evil Dragon Keepers, or the panda loving General enjoying his downtime, these shows breathe new life into the well worn genre. Also discusses Helluva Boss and RWBY news. Contains anecdotes, dodgy singing and pandaphobia.
Rachael examines the reaction to the latest episode of Helluva Boss. Why are people bothered by Blitzo and Stolas' actions, and a certain development? Why can't two evil women find love in Hell? Contains horny bird impressions.
It's a Summer Solstice Helluva Recap, but set at Halloween! When Stolas asks if Blitzo ever considers his actions, he goes on an apology tour, culminating with Verosika's annual Fuck Blitzo party. Will the boys make up? Contains impressions, tangents and wondering why women in 80s movies fuck Michael Douglas.
In the second Pride Month episode, Rachael introduces Ruth to Jem, her favourite cartoon of all time. Specifically, its queerest episode The Bands Break Up, starring Kimber and Stormer. Contains the usual tangents, impressions and queer cultural references.
In the first Pride Month episode, Rachael and Ruth discuss Cherry Magic, the BL phenomenon! When Adachi is still a virgin aged thirty, he discovers he can read minds - and his gorgeous colleague Kurosawa is in love with him. If that's not enough, Adachi's bestie Tsuge also has the power, and falls for his cute delivery boy. Will our wizards work it out? Contains chest infections, tangents and excessive Welshisms.
Rachael analyses the reaction to the Full Moon episode, defends Stolitz and does some truly dreadful impressions while being a Luddite who doesn't understand technology. Definitely NSFW (but is any Helluva Recap, really?)
Rachael and Ruth recap and review Full Moon, the eagerly anticipated (but also dreaded?) Stolitz episode of Helluva Boss. Will our leads ever be the same again? Contains mecha, musical theatre references and TMI about sex toys.
Rachael and Ruth discuss three of the best animations being made right now: The Amazing Digital Circus, Smiling Friends and Ramshackle. Contains very hungry babies.
Rachael wonders why Murder Family doesn't light her fire, despite being Helluva Boss' first official episode. Contains Welsh Stolas.
Rachael and Ruth review this season's shows, all of which have a theme of secret identities: Black Butler, where Ciel and hell of a butler Sebastian investigate a disappearance in a public school; Go Go Loser Ranger, where minion Fighter D rebels against the evil Dragon Keepers; and The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio, where voice actresses Yumiko and Chika seem to be falling accidentally in love. Contains elephant impressions.
Rachael and Ruth discuss the Helluva Boss news from LVL UP 2024, be it the episode release dates, the Stolitz duet or the trailer. What does the future have in store for our favourite imps?
It's the first of two LVL UP specials! Rachael and Ruth review Hell's Belles, where Millie and Sallie May spend some quality bonding time.
Rachael and Ruth review Odd Taxi, 2021's classic anime about an eccentric taxi driver, a missing girl and the yakuza. Oh, and it's set in a world of funny animals.
Rachael and Ruth review Love After World Domination, the Super Sentai inspired romcom where hero Fudo and villainess Desumi try to keep their taboo relationship secret. Also an update on Helluva Boss. Contains apologies, gushing about Olivia Benson, and natter about Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Rachael and Ruth review Shy, the popular battle shonen about Teru, a teenage superhero whose greatest enemy is her overwhelming shyness. Also discussion of X-Men 97, She-Ra and Harley Quinn. Contains chortles, tangents and Danny DeVito impressions.
Rachael and Ruth discuss the phenomenon known as shipping! What makes a good ship, what they've shipped, and how it has particular resonance for the queer community.
What's more anime-tastic: a family where everyone has a secret identity or time travelling video games? Rachael and Ruth discuss Spy x Family and 16 Bit Sensation: Another Layer. Contains spoilers, swearing and Ruth's Matt Berry impression.
Rachael and Ruth review The Witch and The Beast, Cherry Magic, Metallic Rouge and Mr Villain's Day Off. Contains pandas.
Rachael and Ruth review I'm In Love With The Villainess, the successful yet controversial yuri isekai. Heroine Rae ignores the rules of the otome game she's been reincarnated in to woo her real crush: snobby tsundere Claire Francois! Contains brain fog, impressions and assorted references to queer culture.
It's the Valentine's Day Special! Rachael and Ruth discuss the tangled situationship between our favourite imp and owl prince, up to the present day.
It's the Hazbin finale! Rachael and Ruth laugh, cry and recap the battle between Heaven and Hell.
It's the penultimate Hazbin recap! Rachael and Ruth talk about ep 7, where Charlie makes an ally in an unexpected place and Vaggie learns how to fight angels. Contains Noughties TV references, even more impressions and entrails.