PenPen Pals

Back for the fall, the PenPenPals are finally rounding out our coverage of Neon Genesis. In the next 6 episodes, we will discuss the Evangelion films. We say goodbye to Brian, but we bring on a new guest to help us make sense of Death and Rebirth.

After much procrastination, it is here!!!!!! The answer to all your questions! What happens in space? Do any of the pilots form a polycule? Is this Brian's favorite anime EVER?! Let's find out together in this season finale episode. An extra thanks to all our guests and the anime creators we adore

ANGLER FISH... and I'm sure we talk about other stuff in this episode. We add another Alex to our guest roster and he tells us about other horny cosmic robot shows. Check out his work here: https://www.youtube.com/c/SocraTetris

Zero Two is catatonic, nothing will grow, and Nana has lost her sense of purpose. Lot's of problems, and none of them can be solved with high tech magma weaponry :-( Friend of the show Tonya returns and helps us map Hamlet onto Franxx. Check out her work on ShakesPod's Titus Andronicus: https://anchor.fm/svshakes/episodes/Episode-18-TITUS-ANDRONICUS-e13ruoq

VIRM is revealed! The trap is sprung!! The mirror is in place! Hayden Workman returns as a guest and brings along his WeBAG cohost Patrick. Alex finally gets the chance to talk about Inanna and Ereshkigal, and what connection these Sumerian godesses have on our tale. Check out Patrick and Hayden's work here: https://www.facebook.com/badatgamescast or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/were-bad-at-games/id1275373713

Th8a joins us for the twisty-turny final act reveal! We delve deep within the earth and focus our sights on the stars as Hiro and Zero Two are torn apart once more. Special thanks to Ben for the editing on this episode :::.-) Check out Th8a's work on Twitch and Youtube: https://www.twitch.tv/nearlyonred https://www.youtube.com/c/NearlyOnRed

Time to go back in time to the far future flashback past year of 2025! A young Werner Frank is in hot water for illegal cloning and an unknown organization called APE makes themselves known to the world. Join the pals along with fabulous guests Sophie and Sin of the Snack Covenant as we sift through this massive exposition dump that somehow manages to be hilarious and tragic. Always check out Sin and Sophie at: https://www.youtube.com/c/SinclairLore

At last, the moment this has all been leading up to. That's right folks, we're throwing a wedding! Miki of Anime Slam joins us to pick apart this juicy episode and faun over the best Ikuno scene in the series. Check out Miki's stuff wherever you find podcasts, and definitely check out Miki's video on sexuality in Franxx here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzjrXnyTkuA

OH MY GOSH SO MUCH HAPPENS! Ikuno gets to narrate! The Nines show up to spy! Kokoro gets fresh with Mitsuru and Hiro draws a shitty picture! We are joined by Allen of Reimaru files and he educates us on some of this eden imagery we seem to be up to our eyeballs in. Check out his stuff at: https://www.youtube.com/c/reimaru and https://www.reimarufiles.com/

Like sands through the hour glass, so go the child soldiers of the future. Let's take the time to reestablish the stakes before we go into the final climactic story arc. We are joined by our stalwart comrade Damian! Please give to your local mutual aid organization this winter season or, better yet, get involved!!! Tell us you like us (or hate us, whatever) on twitter @PenPenPalsPod or PenPenPalsPod@gmail.com

The team is divided, our heroes distraught. The battle lines are drawn and we finally put eyes on the Gran Crevasse. Pete LePage of Comic Book Club joins us to discuss the stunning actions shots and very human stakes of this climactic episode. Check out Pete's massive library of work at: https://www.youtube.com/user/ComicBookClub

We talked so much with Th8a Wakes that we needed to split the episode. This one has talk about the Bokkuko character trope/archetype, The Golden Bough, and a whole bunch of spoiler talk and gushing towards the ends. The PenPenPals wish everyone safe travels and warm homes as we move into winter. Hit us up on Twitter @penpenpalspod or email us at PenPenPalsPod@gmail.com

The studious Th8a Wakes joins us to discuss this nail biting episode. Zero Two cares about Hiro, but what about the rest of the squad? How does everyone factor in? And how does everyone feel? It's a lot to parse, so join us for a long emotional haul. We recorded a spoiler sections with some stimulating commentary on the Golden Bough, but that'll be in another episode. Check out Th8a on Twitch or Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NearlyOnRed https://www.twitch.tv/nearlyonred

FINALLY, THE FLASHBACK PATHOS EPISODE! Hiro and Zero Two dive into each others' minds to reveal their mysterious past. Episode art courtesy of our episode guest Riley. Check out her stuff on instagram @Homerental_

After an extra week of editing, we bring you a Gutenberg class episode! Sinclair and Sophie from the Snack Covenant join us as we go back to the Garden. Stay after for a long spoiler session filled with delightful tangents ;-) Check out Sophie and Sin's work on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SinclairLore

Let's shake up those team dynamics!!! Everybody is gonna question their relationship, and no one will have good time. Join us and our guest Emily as we discuss ethical consensual non-monogamy and the importance of communication in relationships. If you are curious about the subject, Emily recommends: The Ethical Slut https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/553912/the-ethical-slut-third-edition-by-janet-w-hardy-and-dossie-easton/ and Poly Secure https://thorntreepress.com/polysecure/

Joined by a new guest Capeline, we make our way into the city beneath Mistilteinn for the first time. What wonders await the pilots? What will they discover about themselves? IT'S A ZOROME EPISODE!!!! Check out Capeline's Franxx Fanfic at: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13956625/1/How-the-Cookie-Crumbles or https://archiveofourown.org/works/34082059/chapters/84786130

Humming right along, this time Goro takes center stage! An explosively flatulent Klaxosaur threatens the plantation, Goro puts himself in danger to protect everyone else, and now it's Ichigo's job to save his ass. We are joined by Hayden Workman of We're Bag at Games: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/were-bad-at-games/id1275373713

It's a lovely day in Miselteinn when the girls split the house down the middle. To be fair, the boys were acting kinda shitty. This week we learn about the language of flowers, missing the point, and how to give a meaningful apology. Bob from Colorado joins us from his sister's garage where the WiFi is pretty damned good. Bob recommends the band MOSHIMO: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuyPn5fn_i7CCBbxfE6MMWA

We are heading to the beach!!!! Wait, I hate the beach... this is gonna be awful... but not to worry!! Our guest Timo from Momentsinmedia will help us through this fanservice laden episode. Check out his work at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQy5UmaB7OHdXcyw8m6oCLQ There's a chance we won't have an episode out next week, but we shall see. Tell us we are wonderful or terrible on twitter: @PenPenPalsPod or send us an email: PenPenPalsPod@gmail.com And if you can, spend time with your Darling ;-)

1/4 of the way through Franxx and we are already at our first climax! The parasites are connected! The Klaxosaur is HUGE! Hiro is... ready to die? Death, resurrection, phallucide, this episode has it all!! Be our Darling as we conclude the Jian arc with a long time friend and guest from our first season: Kenneth!!!! We don't really tweet, but we would probably respond to one @penpenpalspod And we would DEFINITELY respond to an email at penpenpalspod@gmail.com

What's that thing humans have? They're awkward and you're not supposed to show them in public? They change during puberty... FEELINGS!!! That's it! Everybody has them in this episode, and Hiro has quite a bit more. Nate returns as he embarks on his first journey through Franxx. Find his stuff @art_by_midnite Tweet at us @penpenpalspod or email us at penpenpalspod@gmail.com

Our resident cold reading water witch Tonya co-ops this episode with us. We get deep inside the mysteries of piloting with Zero Two, but perhaps there is still something left to the imagination.

Season 1 guest Ed comes on the talk the third episode with us. Get ready for a little more podcast magic as we learn more about what it means to pilot a Franxx, and what it means to be a partner. Plus the return of a segment beloved by the hosts and an off the wall reference or two. This episode has a short Spoiler Session at the end for those who have already watched the show. Check out Ed Habis' work at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh2FeiCdG-Lyqb3onQONggA Brian makes reference to one of Ed's Battlefield videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6xZF9er69Q

In this super sized episode we are joined by our resident robotics expert Melissa. We discuss the practicality of Franxx design, burgeoning sexuality, and the longstanding phenomenon of the sexy robot.

Neon Genesis, FLCL, Gundam: The Origin, Urusei Yatsura. What could this all be leading to? Mechs, hormones, oni, robot faced Dr. Wily. Please join us for Darling in the Franxx.

A fire breathing baby, a dai kaiju cat suit alien, lightning helmets. We check out the second (and final) episode of the BBC Dub of Urusei Yatsura: Lum the Invader Girl. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtOhuE-y0Zw

A heavily referential comedy written in Japanese, but then rewritten to fit British gags from 20 years later? Don't know about you, but we're into it. Lum the Invader Girl Part 1.

As we lay some ground work for the next series we will cover, please enjoy three humble recommendations. The clips we refer to can be found here: Fate/Zero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOeaEwbmFZI Ping Pong the Animation https://animelon.com/video/57b16700b06cbb777f99dea0 Urusei Yatsura https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNjF6Gsj_4s&list=PL5B15917A02D6E3F3&index=2

Hello Pals! This week we are joined by the devastatingly dapper duo of Sinclair Lore. Mecha, Penguins, and Snacks, is there a more classic combination? Come listen to find out if admiral Revel is really on the level. ALSO, we are working on some in between episodes as we gear up to start a new show. Let us know if you have any one shots you would like to hear covered by sending us an email at penpenpalspod@gmail.com or rating us on itunes, spotify, or wherever you listen. Check out SIn and Sophie's work at: Youtube.com/sinclairlore

Hayden Workman from We're Bad At Games joins the Pals in bearing witness to... just a lot of violence. Enjoy doesn't seem like a somber enough word for this downer of an episode. But hey, there's still some stuff to laugh about...

Alex Zalben joins us to parallel anime protagonists and super heroes. The powers, the violence, the costumes. IS THERE A CONNECTION?! Plus we get our first Mobile Suit engagement and our first visualization of a Newtype power. Check out Zalben on twitter @azalben and listen to his live show Comic Book Club every tuesday or wherever podcasts are found.

Casval becomes Char, Sayla graduates, and Garma find his heart's yearning. We get some insights from Hayden Workman as the political tensions in the series reach a boiling point. Is war imminent? Can Degwin control his children? Is Garma good at basket ball? All these questions (AND MORE!@!!) answered in this week's episode! Check out Hayden's work at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/transition-virginia/id1498833592 or https://open.spotify.com/show/7EEXYQP6nidbhzreTwgwLQ?si=6zF2NSwUQSqXDLv8NNEE2Q

Are you ready for the saddest episode yet? Well, maybe the one where Misato dealt with grief or when we met Yui Ikari. Guess we have a lot of sad episodes! Join the PenPen Pals and new guest Melissa for some talk about real world robots along with the usual amount of anime analysis. Mellssa reccomends: Pantsuit Politics https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pantsuit-politics/id1055348656 As well as Golden Kamuy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2raRyN6kgY And Yuri!!! on Ice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6zoUVx6uiU

Join us in our search for anime analogs to Marx, Lenin, Hirohito, Trotsky, and many more! The Expanse comes up again, and we highlight the tragedy of Astraia, the star maiden in this first installment of the Gundam prequel. Check out our guest's work: @Subcarriertransmission

We're back! First we had the Evas, then Canti, and now Mobile Suits. Join us for some background on Gundam, Universal Century, Tomino, Sundance, and the differences between "Super" and "Real" robots. And check back next week for coverage of the first episode: Blue Eyed Casval.

IT'S THE CLIMAX! Join us for the last installment of FLCL. Join us for a story of revenge, rejection, longing,robots, and, of course, growing up. Join us to save the world from being turned into smooth brained sheeple! Plus, our guest Bob educates us on cars, amps, and basses. Check out one of Bob's favorite bands: https://www.youtube.com/user/sokoninaru And if you can, donate or get involved with Veterans for Peace: https://www.veteransforpeace.org/

This is another gift to Pals of the Penpen podcast. It’s a remix/mash-up/medley of several Pillow’s songs from FLCL. There were several contributions from Penpen guests & friends. The intent was to track the progression of the show while reflecting its surreal/hyper-culture feel. Tune in next week for the FLCLIMAX!!! ;;;.-)

John woo, South Park, Daicon! The references just won't stop in this episode and we try our best to add on our own! Alex's brother Jon joins us again and just might have a story about Alex.

Hey Furi Cudes and Kuri Cudettes! Today we've got a rockin' guest who's had some rockin' jobs editing for Adult Swim and Comedy Central. Join us for this psychologically intense episode, where we examine parental boundaries, curry pastries, and baseball! This Week we recommend Twilight of the Cockroaches, Housu (House 1977) and the works of Satoshi Kon. Check out Robert's work at: https://www.facebook.com/trashcancinema/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd2jJUFhaZQpbkOdXL6r47g https://measlesmumpsrubella.bandcamp.com/ https://idealforms.bandcamp.com/

The Little Prince, Dmitry Kabalevsky’s Comedians’ Galop, and Puss in Boots. What do these three pieces of art have in common? THIS EPISODE of FLCL! Friend of the pod Nate joins us again to discuss the the curious case of Eri Ninamori and the one thing cats can't fix for her, her parents divorce. We also briefly discuss AMV's and Ben remember's a perfect one for the season: Perfect Drug set to FLCL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKU5orZSZ-0

Episode 2 brings us a character study of Mamimi Samejima and her curious manias. A new musician friend, BluuPanda, joins our white water rafting adventure down into the depths of an adolescent metamorphosis. Check out her work @bluupanda on instagram and under the same name on youtube (She does siiiiick omnichord work). Also, in the episode there is mention of an unofficial trailer for a Power Rangers gritty reboot. That can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5vcUPyL90

It's great to be back and we are excited to bring you another Gainax work: Kazuya Tsurumaki's ground breaking sexual satire FLCL! Join us for a discussion of the pivotal pilot as it issues questions and comments alike on masculinity, cycles of abuse, and the mysterious art of rock and roll. Check out the series (again) wherever you can find it (super easy these days), and (re)explore what it's like to be on the cusp of adolescence, and how robots factor into that. Also check out The Pillows wherever you can find their music. Also ALSO visit Brian's website if you need quality life coaching: www.lifejutsu.com

Greeting PenPenPals! We will be back next week(!) covering another fan favorite AND critically acclaimed series. In the mean time, please enjoy this track provided by our newest permanent fixture, Brian. Children Of The Black Moon is a super stretched, surreal soundscape and for about a week, Alex had it and its sister song (COTWM) playing on repeat. We hope everyone listening has some time to decompress and experience solidarity by talking about anime with a friend. Talk to you soon PenPenPals! A word from the composer: While Children of the White moon was really fun to produce, it was nice to offer a piece that contrasted with White Moon and spoke more towards the emotional depth of NGE. Black Moon was kind of an after thought and composed of unused samples for White Moon. I was surprised at how the samples came together and moved me and in some ways I am more proud of the less sophisticated production.

Instrumentality is in full swing... JOIN US! Brian comes back to dissect the last episode and share some last thoughts on the series as a whole. To our guests, thank you. To our listeners, we are with you. And to all the contributions Alex hasn't edited, farewell... for now. Congratulations everyone!

While Alex is struggling with Instrumentality, PenPenPals Presents this present from friend of the pod Brian! This addictive track was a gift for recording our season 1 finale. We hope you enjoy it with an anime loving pal and we hope you have the same detective novel "Ahha!" moment we did. Stay safe Pals!

Instrumentality beings!!! Beautiful, strange, and not at all what we were expecting, Nate and Oliver do a damn fine job sussing some meaning from the series' PENultimate episode. LoFi Cruel Angel's Thesis from Arthur Braga at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORRXbrRlkbk

Please enjoy this full version of our outro, generously provided by local musician and guest on the pod Ed. This lovingly modified treatment of Rei I captured my heart and I hope it enlivens the jazziness in yours. Check out Ed's work at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh2FeiCdG-Lyqb3onQONggA

Hey PenPenPals!! This time of year is hectic for many, and we here at the show are no exception. With that in mind, this week brings you not another episode, but the full version of our new intro and outro. This is the intro by local Fairfax musician Asher of MLEMON. Check out his work with his musical prodigy partner Mckinley at https://mlemon.bandcamp.com/ and stay tuned for our penultimate episode (for the season) next week!

Friends of the show Tonya and Cassie join us to ponder the mysteries of Kaworu Nagisa, The Fifth Children. We also get a visit from a dancing dog poet named Blake and Ben decides what kind of cult he wants to be in. Stay warm, stay fed, and be nice to your PenPenPals ;;;,-)

Asuka is out of comission, Misato and Shinji are unraveling emotionally. Can Rei defeat the next angel on her own? Join us and our new PenPenPal Damian for a delightful discussion about some horrifying imagery ;;;,-) 8-Bit Cruel Angel's Thesis found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF5Wl4JDQjY