Spotty Translation: An Anime Podcast

It's Christmas, and Spotty Translation's gift to you is the final episode of our second season. Bryan did it! He watched an anime, despite Thunderbolt Fantasy ostensibly falling way out of the category of anime. Sure, it's puppets and traditional Chinese martial arts storytelling, but it's anime at heart. There's a demon after all! Speaking of which, Bryan and Zachary dish out their thoughts on the series as a whole on this final episode of season 2. They also dig into their thoughts on what is arguably the core plot of the series and if it was actually necessary. As always, be sure to watch the episode before you listen, but unfortunately, there's no next episode to watch for next time... That is, until season 2 of Thunderbolt Fantasy where Bryan and Zachary will be back to discuss it somewhere. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @spottytl for updates on the future of the show.

We're almost at the end, folks. After half a year of being on schedule and then a few months of being wildly off schedule, we're gonna finish our journey before the end of the year. Thanks for keeping up with us thus far. Speaking of keeping up, Bryan and Zachary are trying to keep up with all the revelations still dropping here at the end about the true nature of the sword and its purpose. The duo also get into a discussion on how Thunderbolt Fantasy expertly uses foreshadowing. Like always, be sure to watch this week's episode first before listening, and check out the final episode - A New Duty - before we reconvene in two weeks. Of course, if you're feeling generous, you can also follow us on Twitter @spottytl. 

On this week's only sort of, kind of late episode of Spotty Translation, Zachary and Bryan are finally nearing the end of their journey. There's not a lot left to reveal, but the character moments are coming fast and hard. On that note, the two extol the virtues of the heroic jester trope and discuss why it's so great. As always, be sure to watch the episode before listening and be sure to watch the next episode - A Blade That Doesn't Cut - in preparation for next time. Be sure to also follow us on Twitter @spottytl. 

Another month, another delayed episode of Spotty Translation. We're very sorry and we really hope to get these to you on time going forward. Hurricanes and health issues are seemingly subsiding, and we can finally get back to the puppets we all love. Moving on, this week's episode of Spotty Translation features Zach gushing over how the truth is only drip fed to the audience and Bryan adores Crow's true motivation. In other news, Bryan reveals who he hopes the already announced season two will follow. Zach already knows the answer, but he isn't telling. As always, be sure to watch this week's episode - A Thief's Pride - before listening to the episode, and also be sure to watch the next episode before we reconvene in two weeks. Of course, feel free to follow us on Twitter @spottytl if that's your thing. 

I promised the wait for this episode wouldn't be as long and I have failed you. Personal health problems, a busy work schedule and Bryan still drying to drink up the remains of Harvey all contributed to this episode coming late as well. The only thing we can hope is that we're on time in two weeks. In other news, Bryan is finally unraveling the truth and Zachary insinuates The Muppets are better than the puppets that are before you. Later on, they talk about media's propensity to shove a single philosophy down your throat while Thunderbolt Fantasy rises above that to present multiple philosophies while never telling the viewers that any one is right or wrong. As always, be sure to watch this week's episode before listening and then check out the next episode - A Thief's Pride - before we reconvene in two weeks. You can also follow us on Twitter @spottytl. 

We're finally back after a month! We would have been back sooner as Bryan only had a little thing to take care of a while back, but then Hurricane Harvey happened. Anyways, on this week's episode, Bryan finally understands all of the foreshadowing up until this point, and Zachary laughs at his realizations. In other news, the two discuss plot twists and why so much television gets it so wrong. As always, be sure to watch the episode before listening, and be sure to watch episode 9 - The Essence of a Sword - before we reconvene in two weeks. I promise it won't be as long of a wait next time. Also, be sure to hit us up on Twitter, or rate and review us on iTunes. 

When did Thunderbolt Fantasy become a comedy? Well, it's not really funny for Young, but Zachary and Bryan are wondering why the trials that were built up to be super challenging are almost a joke. Is there a greater purpose to the series speeding right through the supposed journey? Zachary won't tell. In other news, Zachary is sorry there's no such as an N'Sync podcast (as far as he knows) and Bryan is really lazy with his haiku. Be sure to check out this week's episode on Crunchyroll and check back in two weeks when we take on episode 8 - The Enigmatic Gale. As always, you can reach out to us on Twitter @spottytl or rate and review us on iTunes.  

On this week's episode of Spotty Translation, Bryan falls further in love with puppets and achieves a perfect batting average on mentioning Lord of the Rings. Meanwhile, Zachary is just happy that he was able to finally deliver a soliloquy. As always, be sure to watch the episode on Crunchyroll before listening and check out the next episode - Demon Spine Mountains - before we reconvene. If you liked what you listened to here, be sure to follow us on Twitter @spottytl and rate and review us on iTunes. 

On this week's Spotty Translation, Zachary and Bryan find that talking is sometimes better than fighting. There's a real war of the words going on here and our hosts are loving it.  Elsewhere, Zachary theorizes that this episode's central conversation was heavily inspired by yakuza films and Bryan somehow manages to bring up The Lord of the Rings... again. Be sure to check out next week's episode - Seven Comrades - over on Crunchyroll before we reconvene in two weeks to talk about the start of the journey proper.As always, be sure to hit us up on Twitter @spottytl. 

On this episode of Spotty Translation, Zachary's favorite character is finally introduced, Bryan isn't sure of Crow's intentions and we get all the action we missed in the last episode. The pair then spend a few minutes talking about the masterful music of Hiroyuki Sawano and how it perfectly accentuates the action taking place. As always, be sure to check out the most recent episode on Crunchyroll and be sure to watch the next one before we reconvene in two weeks. You can find us on Twitter @spottytl and on iTunes. If you like what we're doing, you can leave a review! We'd certainly appreciate it! 

On this week's Spotty Translation, Zachary and Bryan get a big information dump and don't know what to do with it. All they know is this simple fantasy is beginning to feel more like a heist. What's up with that? In other news, Zachary is beginning to notice a lot more foreshadowing that is driving him nuts. Will he spill the beans to Bryan and ruin the entirety of Thunderbolt Fantasy? He better not. If you've yet to watch this week's episode, you can do so at Crunchyroll. Also, be sure to watch episode 4 - The Whereabouts of the Soul Echo Flute - within the next two weeks so you're ready for what's next. As always, be sure to follow us on Twitter and let us know your thoughts. 

On this week's episode of Spotty Translation, Zachary and Bryan dive into episode 2 of the hit puppet anime Thunderbolt Fantasy. Admittedly, not much happens, and Zachary is going to go insane over having to keep all these names straight.Despite the episode not moving the plot forward much, Zachary and Bryan take this chance to talk about the hero's journey and specifically the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and the Chinese classic Journey to the West. The two narratives are competing examples on which basically every modern fantasy is based on, and it's interesting to see which works Thunderbolt Fantasy pulls from. We'll be back in two weeks talking about episode 3 - The Woman in Night Devil Forest. Be sure to check it out on Crunchyroll! As always, be sure to send thoughts on Twitter or you can email us at spottytranslation@gmail.com.

Hey everybody, we're back. That's right, Spotty Translation is back, and it didn't take singing dinosaurs to make it happen. In fact, all it took was some simple social engineering to convince Whales are Whales co-founder Bryan Kelly to bring back the show, and he even agreed to come along for the ride! How exciting! Now, season two of Spotty T is gonna be a little different from when Stephen was sitting in the anime chair. First things first, we got rid of the anime chair and replaced it with a puppet chair like Chairy from Pee-Wee's Playhouse. We're also not gonna be watching an episode per series each week instead focusing on a single program through its entirety which brings me to my next point. We're not technically watching anime in season two instead opting for Taiwanese-Japanese collaboration Thunderbolt Fantasy that brings Pili's hand puppetry into the world of celebrated Japanese writer Urobuchi Gen. Zachary and Bryan recap the first episode, share some thoughts and discuss how the puppets are made and move. It's highly recommend that you watch the first episode if you haven't before listening, and you can do so over at Crunchyroll. Oh, and be sure to watch episode 2, Attack of the Xuán Guǐ Zōng!, before checking back in two weeks time when the next episode of Spotty Translation goes up. On a final note, here are all the characters who appear in the first episode of Thunderbolt Fantasy with their Chinese, Japanese and English names. It's important to keep track of in this multi-lingual (and cultural) series. Dān Héng (丹衡 Tan Kō, Vermillion Balance)Dān Fěi (丹翡 Tan Hi, Vermillion Kingfisher)Sēn Luó Kū Gǔ (森羅枯骨 Shinra Kokotsu, Bones of Creation)Cán Xiōng (殘凶 Zan Kyō, Vicious)Shāng Bù Huàn (殤不患 Shō Fu Kan, Unconcerned with Dying Young) Lǐn Xuě Yā (凜雪鴉 Rin Setsu A, Austere Snow Crow)Song: thunderBOLTfantasy by Hiroyuki Sawano

It's finally time to say goodbye, dear listeners. It's been a wonderful half-year with all of you as we've explored anime with Stephen. Before we go, however, Stephen has to prove he's learned something from all of this. For our season finale, Zachary has supplied nine OPs from various anime to see if Stephen can guess what the anime is about. He has never seen or heard about any of the shows that the OPs come from so expect plenty of laughs and maybe even the realization that Stephen is secretly the most brilliant anime scenario writer of our generation.While it's not required, you can watch the OPs Stephen watched before listening to gain a little context for the often absurd synopses he comes up with. PaniPoni DashWorking!!Penguin Musume HeartRanma 1/2Goku Sayonara Zetsubou SenseiBaka to Test to ShoukanjuuNo Game No LifeCreamy MamiThe World God Only KnowsDid you like this episode as much as you liked the rest of Spotty Translation? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Harushiden - halcWings to the Sky - halcSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @Phazonmasher

For 10 episodes, Zachary has subjected Stephen to anime that he has either hated or sort of liked. Now it's time for Stephen to introduce Zachary to an anime that he loves. That's right - Stephen is the host this week and he brought along Mushi-shi. It's a Christmas miracle that Stephen has seen something that Zachary hasn't. Witness the miracle for yourself on this week's Spotty Translation.If you want to check out Mushi-shi yourself, you can do so at Hulu. Did you like this episode as much as Stephen likes Tiger and Bunny? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Harushiden - halcWings to the Sky - halcOedo Hop - PalpableSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @Phazonmasher

Japan has emerged from the Meiji Restoration, an event that brought Western thought and culture to the once isolationist nation. Cars are becoming commonplace, the sailor uniforms synonymous with Japanese culture was just introduced from Europe, and girls want to play baseball! Oh, the humanity! Stephen and Zachary attempt to make sense of the history and moe in the musically inclined first episode of Taisho Baseball Girls, an anime that's just as much about equality as it is about history. For additional reading, you can check out the following links to learn more about the Taisho Era, in which this anime takes place, and the strong women that emerged during this time.If you want to check out Taisho Baseball Girls (and I highly recommend it), you can do so at Hulu. Did you like this episode as much as Zachary likes baseball? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Harushiden - halcWings to the Sky - halcOedo Hop - PalpableSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @Phazonmasher

Shakespeare! Anime! The greatest writer the Western world has ever known and some cheap cartoons primarily animated in Korea for Japanese audiences. Who would have thought in all our years they'd ever meet? Well, meet they have, and the results are ho hum. Don't take our word for it though, listen to our spoken word to get the lowdown on this weird mishmash of cultural treasures. Did you like this episode as much as Lizbeth likes Kirito? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Harushiden - halcWings to the Sky - halcOedo Hop - PalpableSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @Phazonmasher

Lord of the Rings! The Chronicles of Narnia! The Wheel of Time! None of these series can hold a candle to Slayers - Japan's answer to the fantasy genre. Well, at least that's what Zachary thinks and Stephen surprisingly likes it a lot. It's a start, and perhaps one that leads Stephen finally loving anime. After all, Lina's spells are pretty effective. Did you like this episode as much as Lina likes gold? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Harushiden - halcWings to the Sky - halcOedo Hop - PalpableSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @Phazonmasher

Super heroes! Punching! Super heroes punching! That's right - Zachary and Stephen watched THE anime of the fall season - One Punch Man. With such high praise coming its way, it's guaranteed that Stephen liked this one, right? Well, you could say that from a certain point of view. Speaking of Stephen, he gets to sit in the senpai chair this week, but he better not get used to it. After listening to us prattle on about One Punch Man, maybe you want to watch it too? Do so at Hulu, the site that's not Crunchyroll. Did you like this episode as much as Sakaki likes cats? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Harushiden - halcWings to the Sky - halcScissors - Kevin MacLeodOedo Hop - PalpableSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @Phazonmasher

Dragonball! Without it, Zachary probably wouldn't be as interested in anime as he is. It stands to reason then that Stephen would love it. Does he? Well, let's just say that Stephen exists to crush Zachary's dreams. If Stephen's lack of love for Dragonball doesn't excite you, talk of Harmony Gold's lost English dub from the 80s just might. Want to watch Dragonball, too? Do so at Hulu, the site that's not Crunchyroll. Did you like this episode as much as Sophie likes Crablettes? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Harushiden - halcWings to the Sky - halcScissors - Kevin MacLeodOedo Hop - PalpableSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @Phazonmasher

Lupin III! Stephen can't get that infernal (and delightful) jingle out of his head during this week's Spotty Translation. It's perfectly acceptable, however, as Zachary gushes over his favorite character in fiction. It's plenty of other's favorite as well and Stephen gets to the bottom of why that might be the case.  You won't want to miss this special look back at an anime of yesteryear. Want to watch Lupin III, too? Do so at Crunchyroll, our not-yet-a-sponsor anime hub of choice!Did you like this episode as much as Lupin likes Fujiko? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Harushiden - halcWings to the Sky - halcScissors - Kevin MacLeodOedo Hop - PalpableSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @Phazonmasher

We here at Spotty Translation aren't always hyped up on anime. In fact, we can be downright chill sometimes. This week's anime, Himouto Umaru-chan, provides the perfect opportunity for Stephen and Zachary to calmly discuss the most relaxed anime of the season. While they're at it, they also get into the mechanics of comedy and taboo relationships. Want to watch Himouto Umaru-chan, too? Do so at Crunchyroll, our not-yet-a-sponsor anime hub of choice!Did you like this episode as much as Maki likes Nico? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Harushiden - halcAncient Dreams - DJ Mystix and Sabrina ValenzuelaScissors - Kevin MacLeodOedo Hop - PalpableSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @PhazonmasherYouTube: Spotty Translation

It was fun while it lasted, but Stephen officially hates anime for reals now. It's surprising it took this long, but Actually, I Am finally pushed him over the edge. Will Zachary be able to win him back over with a long-winded explanation of Chinese vampires? Or will Stephen just remember anime as those cartoons with the uninteresting school girls in them? Only time will tell, but you can listen to the latest episode of Spotty Translation while you wait. Want to watch Actually, I am, too? Do so at Crunchyroll, our not-yet-a-sponsor anime hub of choice!Did you like this episode as much as Neptune loves pudding? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Bare Knuckle Blitz - WillRockWings to the Sky - halcScissors - Kevin MacLeodOedo Hop - PalpableSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @PhazonmasherYouTube: Spotty Translation

Can the slice-of-life genre ever escape its moe shackles? It just may be able to when zombies are added to the mix. Stephen and Zachary explore the summer's strangest genre mashup as they struggle with the big questions. Will Zachary ever be able to distinguish Japanese animation from marine life? Will Stephen get over the trauma inflicted upon him? Most importantly, though, will High School of the Dead fans ever forgive this podcast? Want to watch School-Live , too? Do so at Crunchyroll, our not-yet-a-sponsor anime hub of choice!Did you like this episode as much as Konata likes Kagami? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Bare Knuckle Blitz - WillRockWings to the Sky - halcScissors - Kevin MacLeodOedo Hop - PalpableSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @PhazonmasherYouTube: Spotty Translation

  Who, or what, is Charlotte? That's the burning question in this inaugural episode of Spotty Translation. Stephen and Zachary attempt to make sense of the summer season's hottest anime by making reference to X-Men, Death Note and Super Senpai. Unfortunately, they don't come any closer to answering the question that's on all of our minds - will we be able to go a full season without Stephen bringing up Death Note every episode? Want to watch Charlotte( S1:E1), too? Do so at Crunchyroll, our not-yet-a-sponsor anime hub of choice!Did you like this episode as much as Sasha likes potatoes? If the answer is yes, then maybe let us know by following us on Twitter, subscribing on iTunes or sending us fan fiction at spottytranslation@gmail.com.Music used in this episode: Bare Knuckle Blitz - WillRockWings to the Sky - halcScissors - Kevin MacLeodOedo Hop - PalpableSocial Meet and Greets:Stephen: @stephenkelly180Zachary: @PhazonmasherYouTube: Spotty Translation