ShouJoe

This week we get revenge on the nerds. But first, Joe has finished watching Sakamoto days and Ghost in the Shell SAC 2nd gig and was down on both. Sarah meanwhile is all in on Love Island as her opinion is flipping for some contestants. How spicy!In Chihayafuru, the team squares off against the quiz bowl champs. Then we get some character stuff for our own lovable nerd, Tsutomu. Then we finish up with part one of our game against the #3 woman player. Will Chihaya beat her? Will creepy dudes take picture of her? Will I ever learn her name? Listen to find out!

We're back this week after taking a week off from last week. Instead we had our JP3 coverage so I hope you enjoyed that! Irl, Joe was spending time with his dad and Sarah was at a con!In Chihayafuru, we get one, solitary episode where we just hangout with characters and then it's right back into tournament mode. We play against some international students and then we get some Arata time! Finally! He's here!!

We finally reach the end of the original Jurassic Park trilogy with 2001's Jurassic Park 3. We share our thoughts about the differing foliage and dinosaur skins and wonder if they couldn't have made a million more of these movies. But they don't, at least not for like 14 years. Next time we're in reboot territory.

We do team sports today. But first, Joe and Sarah talk about our individual lives and stuff. Lots about giving presentations and public speaking this time. Everyone's FAVORITE thing!!Then in Chihayafuru, we're back for more tournament action. Taichi is getting targeted hard by the next opponent and then we must contend with Retro's secret weapon…which the show totally doesn't forget about, right? We all know what it is? The secret weapon? Hello?

We get back to the mat this week with Chihayafuru S2. Second season is here! IRL, Joe is playing Kotor II and Sarah had fun times with her coworkers.We start off season 2 with two no characters, ones an icon and the other we both dislike. Can you guess which is which? As for the rest of the characters we pick off basically where they ended last season, Taichi is sad boy, Chihaya is clueless, and the rest are also there. Here's hoping Arata gets to do something soon!

We say au revoir to revolutionary France this week as we send off the Rose of Versailles with the 2025 movie! But first, we talk about… the omegaverse??We're really on one today. Then we watch the movie and it's, uh, different than the show. More musical, more tearful, more…uh….shallow. Come check it out!Next time it's back to Chihayafuru.

We've done it, we've reached the end of The Rose of Versailles, but just the beginning of the French Revolution. It's been a long and really great series that both of us have enjoyed watching. But like our friends Oscar and Andre, eventually all good things must come to an end. What the future holds is anyone's guess… Except it's not a guess for us because next week we are going to dip our toe one final time to watch the 2025 Studio MAPPA produced reboot The Rose of Versailles movie, which you can watch on Netflix. We're going to be so back, for one final week! So join us in that, because afterwards it's Chihayafuru Season 2.

We're back on our watch through of all the Jurassic Park films. This time, with JP2, a movie that really leans in on Dinosaur chases and only is a little about being a dad. Will this be a bellwether for the rest of the movies? Sarah probably knows!

Here we are, at the penultimate episode of our coverage of the Rose of Versailles. IRL, Joe is knee deep in Star Wars Rebels and books. Meanwhile, Sarah has been dating in Stardew Valley and IRL!In the Rose of Versailles, the Revolution is here! Fighting erupts in Paris and Oscar and Andre must decide what they're going to do! But first, they have to get together and elope. Finally, after 36 episodes, the couple gets together! Hurray! Just in time to die! They go full defection and try to fight their way though the Paris streets.

We close in on the end. In our real lives, Joe has watched the first episode of like four anime series and isn't that confident in how they'll turn out. Sarah, meanwhile, continues her quest to watch all of Survivor.In the Rose of Versailles, things are kicking off. Oscar is dying and possibly turning traitor (thank god!) while Andre is trying to keep it together long enough to make it to the end of the show. At Versailles, Queen Marie is trying to tamp down dissent with force while King Louis doesn't know what to do. The stage is set for the powder keg to blow. Only 4 episodes left!

This week, we inch our way to the end. But first, we talk about our personal lives. And we…have some trouble remembering what we did. Panic buy thing? Play games? Watch TV? Who can remember….In the Rose of Versailles, the French Guard is tasked with protecting a Spanish Duke from the wicked Saint-Just. Will they succeed? And then, Oscar and Andre almost are victims of the mob but are saved by Fersen! Right before he…exits the story? Then it's the Estate's General! Lots going on!

This week we're both feeling a bit under the weather. That didn't stop us from doing stuff like going out till 2:30 am or hosting big meetings. Nope, we still did that stuff.In the Rose of Versailles, everything changes. Oscar's affection for Fersen boils over and she decides to change careers. This domino knocks down the next as Andre completely loses his cool and freaks out resulting in some odd scenes. Then we meet the French Guard. Tensions are high between the noble Oscar and the commoners in the guard. Will she be able to navigate this one? Will she swap loyalties? Can Oscar be saved??

This week the Black Knight arrives! But first, Joe and Sarah talk about their lives. Joe has been staying up too late and it's brutal, while Sarah has been trying to rehouse the dog she found. It's been a long one ya'll.In the Rose of Versailles, Fersen is back baby! He returns from France, and he's totally over Marie. It's True! And you know who else is over their crush? Oscar. She's done. Done. Well…maybe just one dance… Then she distracts herself by persuing the Black Knight, a robin hood type guy. Oscar wants to catch him and Andre is eager to help. It goes real bad for him…

This week the Diamond Necklace Affair! But first we catch up. Joe went to Dallas and drank a lot. Woo hoo! Meanwhile, Sarah has watched Severance.In the Rose of Versailles, Jeanne pulls off her biggest “prank” yet. She scams Rohan into buying an ungodly expensive necklace and then immediately gets caught. Then we all go to trial. It goes bad for pretty much everyone especially Marie Antoinette who wasn't even there. Let's see what else… Oscar is accused of being a lesbian and Rosalie gets kidnapped basically. It's a really dense three episodes.

High drama this week as we round the half-way point of this show! IRL, Sarah has gone to see the live action Sailor Moon performance, which she definitely remembers that she did! And Joe watched Casablanca for the first time, so we are both sticking to the oldies around here.In the Rose of Versailles we take a dark turn. First, we learn about Charlotte's cursed fate as her mother marries her off. Then we check in to see how Fersen is doing, and it's, uh, not great. Then we round it out with a Jeanne episode as she settles into her sexy evil villain trope with complete delight. Things are picking up folks and we'll see where it goes!

This week, we near the series midpoint. In our actual lives, Joe has been watching Hunter x Hunter again and it's, uh, happening. Sarah is getting into the hunter mindset as the new monster hunter has released. We talk about other stuff too. In the Rose of Versailles, it's REVENGE TIME! Oh, wait, I'm sorry. Did I say revenge time? I mean, TIME FOR EVERYONE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH OSCAR! Also, everyone runs into everyone else immediately. Rosalie sees Jeanne, Rosalie sees Polignac, Rosalie sees Fersen. Okay, I guess it's all Rosalie this week. But that's okay because she our favorite assassin!

This week, we're out for revenge! But first, we catch up on what we did this week... we did do something this week right? Oh yeah! Video games. We talk about video games and our disappointment with recent reality tv shows. Maybe if they added another island. That could fix it.In the Rose of Versailles, Oscar learns that the peasant life isn't a good one. Things are deteriorating in the rural lands of France. Mean while, Marie Antoinette is gambling all of the riches of France to the real big bad, some opera singer. What was that? You thought Duke Orlean was the big bad? Pfft, idiot.

We return once more to check in on the new king and queen. But first, we catch up on things. Joe and Sarah have played some video games and we talk about them for a bit.In the Rose of Versailles, we check back in with Jeanne and see how her life is progressing. Meanwhile Rosalie has the worst time. Queen Marie is failing miserably as Fersen goes back home. And Oscar gets into a duel. Pretty uneventful if you ask us…

This week the sun sets! But first, we catch up on what we've been doing. Sarah's been hanging out with coworkers while Joe has been slogging through HunterXHunter.In the Rose of Versailles, we cover a lot of ground. We finally meet Fersen and see how his love (?) affair with Marie might cause problems. Then we spend some time with Andre and his feelings. Lastly, our favorite prince and princess get a promotion as King Louis XV finally bites it!

Welcome back! We hit one year this week and we're jazzed about it. We recorded a bonus episode on Jurassic Park that you should listen to if you haven't! It's a good movie! Then we jump back into The Rose of Versailles. We wrap up our Du Barry drama with a very plot light, but stylish episode. Then we go to Paris, where things are, uh, not great. Oscar stops an assassination attempt and we're introduced into some more young women from a distant royal line. New schemers are in play!

We hit one year! A whole 52 weeks of releasing the pod, we celebrate by watching Sarah's favorite movie, Jurassic Park (1993).

Life continues and so do ours. IRL we catch up on our lives, Sarah has been watching the HBO series Insecure, while Joe has watched a bunch of mech anime (surprise surprise).In The Rose of Versailles, we get our first taste of palace politics. Marie Antoinette becomes top dog at court and uses that power to immediately pick a fight with the second most powerful woman, Countess Du Barry. Oscar is content to sit back and watch the firework, up until she and her (not dead) mom get dragged into it. How will Oscar get out of this one? [ETA till French Revolution: 19 years]

Welcome to our fifth show we've covering, the classic The Rose of Versailles (1979)! But first, we catch up on what we've been doing and watching. Then we talk about Dandadan and why we not super hot on it.Then we jump into the past and meet our main character Oscar as she decides if she will venture into manhood or womanhood! Then we meet our second lead Marie Antoinette as she is given away to France. Good thing no evil dukes are around to mess things up, nope, never…

We return for the season 1 finale of Chihayafuru! We did it, well, at least the first season. We go over the last three episodes where Taichi gets completely destroyed romantically. Then we watch the Queen Shinobu defend her title and are introduced to Master Suo, a guy no one likes. Then we go over our feelings on the show so far, do some rankings, and talk about things we hope to see in season 2. We will not, however, be watching season 2 immediately, because we're going to watch The Rose of Versailles, which is available on most of the free streaming services. We're excited about this one so please watch along with us!

We're back and its time for some Karuta! In the real world, we went to an anime convention together! In skip beat cosplay! It was fun! Check out our Instagram for some pictures (hopefully we have them soon).In Chihayafuru, Taichi has one last shot to make class A. Can he do it or will Arata torpedo his run by outclassing him? Also can Chihaya pass or tests? Then we go back to a tournament, where Chihaya is playing a literal child then a literal office worker. We ask questions like, is anyone in this show actually friends? Do we know what friendship actually is? Is Joe just watching this show wrong? Answers and more on this episode.

We're back, and the anime is good this week! But first we talk about the rather disappointing The Lord Of The Rings anime movie along side some other stuff.Then in Chihayafuru, Chihaya starts asking the big questions, like, is Karuta a strategy game?? Taichi realizes he's going to be left behind, and Tsutomu guides us through the best game of Karuta to date!

This week we are together in person (apologies for any mic weirdness). We run down our 2024 year and think of some goals for 2025! Surely, it'll be a good year, no reason to be pessimistic or depressed about it.....In Chihayafuru, we move onto the individual stages. We learn who that weird girl was from a few episodes ago (spoiler, she's weirder in person) and Taichi feels he'll never catch up to Chihaya or Arata. Then we get a recap episode which we gloss through. Happy New Year ShouJoe listeners!

Happy Holidays to all our lovely listeners! We have a not so festive episode this week. Joe's got the Flu and Sarah has been busy with things but we manage to spend a lot of time talking about random stuff anyway.In Chihayafuru, we finish up the regional tournament and jump right into nationals. Chihaya's family troubles are resolved, Kana recites a poem, and Arata and his big hands finally re-enters the story.

This week we learn karuta in a way I wouldn't want to… but first Sarah and Joe talk about shounen fights and what makes them good.In chihayafuru, it's time to train the newbies, and what better way than at Taichi's big ass house? Then we got to a tournament. Tsutomu is having a bad time because apparently cramming practice sessions and then immediately going to a tournament is stressful, who knew?

This week, we form the club! But first, Sarah and Joe catch up on their Thanksgiving breaks and chat books, reality TV, and much more! We also have a new ending segment, so get excited about that!In Chihayafuru, we recruit the rest of the team. First, Chihaya tries to recruit a bookworm who hides in his desk. Will Chihaya do it? Or will Taichi have to (hint, it's Taichi). Then we reconnect with an old rival and get him to join the team. These boys must stop running from their problem and start playing Karuta!

This week we rekindle an old friendship and make a new one! But first, Joe and Sarah catch up on their favorite sidekick Robin iteration, the ACOTAR book series and more.In Chihayafuru, Chihaya and Taichi go to visit Arata. He says he's given up Karuta, but like, he's not serious is he? No way. It was probably just a misunderstanding. This couldn't possibly be linked to a tragic event. Never. Then we recruit our first member to the Karuta club. It turns out history and poetry is cool. Go learn some history everyone!Recommendations:Sarah -> Joe: Choice of GamesJoe -> Sarah: Harpy Gee

This week we break out of the past and back into the present. But first we discuss the tragedy that is someone bringing the same dish as Joe's to Friendsgiving!In chihayafuru, we finish off our tragic backstory by splitting all the kids up. Middle school arrives and we say goodbye to the karuta club. Then we just back to high school life where Chihaya is determined to make A rank! Will she succeed and strong arm Tachi into make a school club with her or will she taste defeat at the hands of some old guy? Tune in to find out!Recommendations: Joe -> Sarah: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from MercurySarah -> Joe: Forgotten Anne

We begin anew, with new show, Chihayafuru! But first, Joe and Sarah catch up on our lives. Sarah's sisters wedding planning is underway and she tries to watch some Kaiji no. 8. Joe meanwhile has just watched some good old fashion anime, well not that old, it's from 2022.We swipe into a new show! Our heroine Chihaya is ready to play some Karuta! Unfortunately for her, no one else is! Including her two childhood friends! We dive immediately into a long flashback to find out what happened to the three of them in these first two episodes!Recommendations:Joe - Son of the White MareSarah - ThredUp

We've done it, another show in the bag!But first we catch up on our lives since last recording, which has been pretty brief. Sarah is 54 hours into Dragon Age and Joe's prepping for his parents to come visit, so that's fun.Then we roll into the final episodes for the big finale of Skip Beat! We're both totally underhelmed by the ending but we talk about the show as a whole and we both had a pretty good ride. Sarah fills Joe in on how the story continues in the manga and rank the show against the others. Who is the best protagonist? Which school uniforms are the best? Which pair is the best couple? Who is the best side character? Learn this and more on this finale episode!Recommendations:Joe: Epic the MusicalSarah: Chibi Robo

It's happened, Dragon Age THE Vanguard has dropped and we talk about it for like 20 minutes.In Skip Beat! We near the end with some fairly uneventful episodes. Kyoko and Ren start their TV gigs and both are on the struggle bus. Kyoko must figure out the source of Mio's anger while Ren must discover what it is to love. As you'd probably guess Kyoko does better here. Just two more till the end!Recommendations:Joe - CloverfieldSarah - Dragon Age: The Veilguard

We continue on with Skip beat as we approach the final arc.In our lives, Joe has gotten one last taste of the Ren Fair before it ends this season and Sarah is struggling to find some good action anime with women in it. If you've got some recommendations send them in!In Skip Beat we finish off Sho's music video and move right on to the next thing, a TV drama! We finally address the age gap in the show as Ren starts to plummet head-over-heels for Kyoko as the last five episode roll up on us. Ren may be in denial but Yashiro is here to tell him that yes, he does in fact like this 16 year old. It's cool dude, this is a TV show.Recommendations:Sarah - Diving Bored PodcastJoe - Over the Garden Wall

We inch our way to a romantic subplot this week.But first, Joe and Sarah spend some time discussing video game sequels, as Joe looks back at the Gears of War Franchise, and Sarah looks forward to the new Dragon Age game.In Skip Beat! Kyoko finds away to get Rin off of her body and back into his bed, because he's sick. Unfortunately for everyone, Rin's whole life is work so he must power through. Will his weakened state allow him to finally connect with Kyoko? Then we jump back to what really matters, revenge! Kyoko gets a chance to star in a music promo for…Sho Fuwa. Kyoko must keep her hate in check long enough to finish the promo. But can she do it with Sho's constant taunts? We talk about it.Recommendations:Joe - Fire ForceSarah - Dandelion - Wishes Brough to You-

We cross the halfway point on Skip Beat this week!IRL we'd been having some audio problems. But hopefully it's all good for this episode. Otherwise, Joe has been watching some Gundam including the first Gundam complication movie in theaters and Gundam Wing! Meanwhile, Sarah has picked back up Life in Strange in preparation for the new game out soon!In Skip Beat, Kyoko and Moko join forces to pass a commercial audition and maybe, just maybe, become best friends in the process! Then Kyoko puts on a new hat, as Ren's temporary manager. She must hang out with him all day, which is weird for him because he knows they used to be childhood friends! When will he tell her? Will she find out on her own? Will she perish under the weight of Ren's literal body? We will just have to wait and see.Recommendations:Joe - I Saw the Tv GlowSarah - Annabelle

We approach the midpoint of Skip Beat! In our lives, Joe has gotten some finger surgery and thus had to play with the Office Dictation function. Apologies for the summary everyone! Meanwhile Sarah has plans for a girls' night with her work bestie.In Skip Beat! we cap off the Maria arc and get back to what truly matters, revenge on Sho. Kyoto attempts to humiliate him on Live TV and we wonder why Shotaro is an embarrassing name. Then we jump to a new plot line feature Moko and her childhood bully. Can Kyoko help Moko defeat her enemies with the power of spite? We'll have to watch to find out! Recommendations:Joe: They Live (1988)Sarah: Pachinko

This week Kyoko solves child trauma through acting. But first, Joe tells us about his Disney World Trip and tries to convince Sarah to take her family to the club. Then we talk about One Piece for some reason.In Skip Beat, we finish off the Ruri arc as Kyoko does her best to win the acting competition despite her fractured leg. Then we pick up a new member of the Love Me section and solve a little girl's family problems. All of this takes like two days, Kyoko is a miracle worker. She should get a tuition waiver.Recommendations: Sarah - Tales from the BorderlandsJoe - T90Official (Age of Empires 2)

We seek acceptance in the Love Me section this week. In real life, Sarah tells us all about her TwitchCon experience while Joe finally finishes Scavengers Reign. We didn't play Baulders Gate this week so we got recommendations! In Skip Beat, Kyoko joins LME. She gets assigned as the only member of the Love Me section, a thinly disguised attempt to make her do grunt labor. Her first major assignment is to protect the last Japanese Idol, Ruri, from the sun. Will she be able to achieve this daunting task without major injury? No, the answer is no. Recommendations: Joe - Kubo and the Two StringsSarah - Golden Hour

We start off a new show this week! But first, we catch up with the exicting updates of our real lives. Sarah is getting ready to ship off to TwitchCon, but in the meantime she's bought her first albums for her record player. Joe, on the other hand, has watched the Code Geass sequel and is getting some real sequel Star Wars energy from it (derogatory). We also decide to swap out of recommendation segment for a little update on our Baldur's Gate 3 playthrough, which you can watch on Twitch.In Skip Beat!, we are out for revenge! We get into Kyoko's tragic origin story and cheer her on as she plots her vengeance. She resolves to be in ShowBiz and we work through our complicated feelings about that industry. Then it's off to the audition and we see what talent she's got to show off. It's…unexpected. But will it be enough to land a spot in ShowBiz? Will she ever get her revenge? Will she ever experience love again? Come find out!

Kamisama Kiss has surprisingly been difficult to find streaming online so we'll be covering Skip Beat instead!

We've done it. We finish Kimi Ni Todoke (for now). IRL, Joe is back on his VOTOMS grind watching the OVA Pailsen Files, while Sarah has arrived at the dreaded 8th season in her Game of Thrones rewatch.In Kimi Ni Todoke, we pick up from last episode to finally resolve the conflict between Kazehaya and Sawako and we scratch our heads in confusion over the idea of cherishing someone. The girls catch each other up on what they've been doing this season. Then we finish off the season with a good old Christmas party! We finish up with a our final thoughts on the show and what we'd want from a Season 4 of one gets made!Recommendations:Joe - The Tombs of AtuanSarah - Hot Gimmick

Twas the ep before ending, and all through the pod, we want Kazehaya to be better, because really good god! He won't open up to his GF, making her jump through many a hoop. He's acting absurd, like a real nincompoop. Elsewhere Kento keeps trying, to win Ayane's heart. But instead punches a guy, which turns out fine for the most part. Chizu's a wreck, as she tries to give a gift. But Ryu plays it cool, and they mend their rift. One more episode remains, how it ends we'll have to see. So please join us next week, for rhetorical finale of season three!Recommendations:Sarah - Petite Princess YucieJoe - The Lord of the Rings (1978)

Season 3 midpoint. We're franchise-pilled this week. Sarah has been watching season 40 (!!) of The Challenge while Joe has watched the new Alien: Romulus movie.In Kimi Ni Todoke, we return home, but what happens in Okinawa does not stay in Okinawa. Chizu and Ryu are on the rocks, while Ayane is deciding if Kento is a good guy or not (spoiler alert: he is). Then we get some devastating family backstories and learn that Chizu has a secret brother??

Two fifths of the way through season 2! IRL, Sarah has been re-playing Dragon Age Inquisition in anticipation for the next Dragon Age coming out soon. Joe has been entertaining friends, trying to make Ohio seem as appealing as possible. A monumental task.In Kimi Ni Todoke season 3 episode 2, we go on a field trip! The crew goes to Okinawa and has some fun in the sun. Or at least, Sawako and Kazehaya have some fun (maybe too much fun…), Ayane and Chizu on the other hand, are having considerably less of a good time. Ayane has, then gets rid of a new boyfriend after an extremely underwhelming meet cute. Chizu gets all in her head after Ryu gets asked out by another girl. Lots of drama this episode! Come join us on the beach!

We enter present day with Kimi Ni Todoke Season 3 Episode 1. But first, Sarah and Joe must trade stories of our weekends. This week we must unfortunately say goodbye to pet of the show Shanks the ferret. He lived a good whole life and hopefully is on great adventures in the next one! Sarah cheered herself up with a Third Eye Blind concert. Joe meanwhile tries and fails to go on a camping trip, so stick around for that story.In Kimi Ni Todoke, we pick up right where we left off…literally. We go through Sawako and Kazehaya's first date in non-montage format this time. Then we meet the parents as Kazehaya and Sawako take a turn meeting the other's family. We learn some fun tidbits about our favorite couple like Sawako likes Rakugo and Kazehaya's room has zero personality. What fun!

Slight delay on this episode folks, but we're back on schedule now! We talk through the end of Kimi Ni Todoke Season 2 with special guest Jenny! Unfortunately, we learn Jenny was in a bit of a car crash (everyone was okay). Sarah is going to more conventions and Joe is tasked with making an ice cream cake. Really across the board this time!In Kimi No Todoke we wrap up Season 2! These episodes are good and we wonder why the rest of the season wasn't! We give some predictions for season 3 (out now)! We'll return next week with Season 3 Episode 1!

We enter the second to last S2 episode. Joe is experience anime IRL at a local convention! Second one ever for him! Meanwhile, Sarah is venturing into the dark abyss of a dying coal mining town in Night in the Woods. Can she help Mae regain her motivation? Or at least help her play bass? All things are possible!In Kimi No Todoke, we try to drag ourselves through the third quarter of season 2. Sawako gets a bunch of advice from everyone. Kurumi makes some key appearances to boost our mood. Then we get a not so satisfying “confession”, which mostly seems like setup to a real season finale climax. Joe's hopes of a kiss are dashed. We'll be lucky if they ever even hold hands.Recommendations:Joe - Outer WildsSarah - Spirit City: Lofi Sessions

Our second installment of Season 2. IRL Sarah has pulled the trigger and added a new pup to family, Lemon! Bigger than Cricket and eager for a jailbreak. Meanwhile, Joe has been contemplating the nature of humanity and the soul in Ghost in the Shell and Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence. Do you think you'll be included in the singularity?In Kimi Ni Todoke, we slowly, very slowly, reach a climax. The Kazehaya x Sawako ship is the closest to sinking yet, as the miscommunications pile up and the two try to steer it. All the while, Kent isn't even convinced this is a ship at all and tries to ready the lifeboats for Sawako. Ayane and Chizu are…uh, manning the lighthouse or something. I've lost track of this metaphor. We hit a midseason climax and the drama is maxed out. Check it out!Recommendations:Sarah - Joe -