Anime Field Guide

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This is a romance you can really sink your teeth into!

Vampire Knight has a somewhat infamous reputation for being a messy romance, but is this truly as infuriating as the internet has built up over the years?

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Happy Halloween!

Remember when you were a kid & you thought monsters were under your bed?

Ushio Aotsuki has a demon named Tora in his basement!

Mercury Falcon joins me to discuss the 2015 adaptation of a 90's shonen classic where two mortal enemies learn to buddy up in order to save the world from disaster!

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https://x.com/MercuryFalcon

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- All current events are "current" as of the publishing date of this episode

Theme music is "Lovers' Oasis" by Dark Cat

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/track/dark-cat/lovers-oasis

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Welcome to the mean streets of Akihabara and the (literal) cut-throat business of the maid cafés!

Behind the glitz and glamor, smiles and frilly dresses, there's a deep seated darkness in the heart of otakudom!

This is one of the wildest anime of 2022 so get ready!

Main Topic begins at 17:30

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Josée, the Tiger and the Fish is a somewhat unconventional romance with a lot of heart.

This review concerns the 2020 anime theatrical film adaptation of Seiko Tanabe's 1985 short story.

Time Stamps

0:00 - 9:15 = Welcome and Intros!

9:15 - 13:18 = Seiko Tanabe and Josée

13:18 - 20:13 = A brief history of disability rights in Japan

20:13 - end = Review of Josée, the Tiger and the Fish

Music composed and arranged by Evan Call.

Extra Credit:

"Japan's Dark History of Persecuting the Disabled" (Journeyman Pictures, Jan. 2019) https://youtube.com/watch?v=hBif75iV4T0&is

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Make your voice heard for the Icons of Anime Doc!

https://iconsofanimedoc.com/

Otaku Nate furthers my education in magical girls and why Junichi Sato is one of the best directors no one really talks about!

Prétear: The New Legend of Snow White is a magically underrated gem of the 2000s!

TIME STAMPS:

Introduction = 0:00 - 6:45

ICONS OF ANIME = 6:45 - 10:18

Summer 2026 Anime = 10:18 - 21:18

Main Topic = 21:18 - 1 hr 26:50

SPOILERS!!! = 1 hr 26:50 - 1 hr 42:00

The Magical Girl Rant = 1hr 42:00 - 1hr 46:20

Wrapping Up = 1 hr 46:20 - end

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The Otaku Nate Show!

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Music Credits: composed and arranged by Toshiyuki Omori

"White Destiny" - performed by Yoko Ishida

"Makenai Kimochi, Zettai!"

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Bill from Gaming & Collecting Podcast joins me on this episode to open the books on a 90's cult classic that still manages to shock and awe unsuspecting audiences to this day!

Check out the super pod network!

https://linktr.ee/Thebarberwhogames

https://superpodnetwork.com/

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FLCL is a boy-meets-girl-surrealist-mecha-romance-comedy-with-everything-and-the-kitchen-sink-thrown-in-for-good-measure... anime!

Kazuya Tsurumaki and his team decided to take a load off and create a truly remarkable OVA that remains a cult classic for a good reason!

I promise it all makes sense when you watch the show!

I promise it kind of makes sense when you watch the show!

Music Credits = The Pillows

"The Last Dinosaur"

"Ride on Shooting Star"

Check out the Anime Sekai Podcast!

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Gurren Lagann remains as one of the defining mecha of the 2000s and is still one of the smartest, "dumb" action-comedy anime!

This is a non-stop rollercoaster with a fresh "spin" on a hero's journey to manhood wrapped in a love letter to all things giant and robot!

For those who remained at Gainax after the departure of Hideaki Anno, Gurren Lagann represented a new start that would later launch their careers into a new frontier at Trigger.

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Hello World!

Welcome to the Anime Field Guide: my monthly podcast where I review anime with friends and fellow fans!

I also the history of major anime studios across Japan in my side cast: The Studio Rundown

🎧 Listen and follow on all major podcasting platforms!

📺 Tune in with YouTube

I hope to see you around! Stay safe and watch cartoons❤️

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Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is a highly ambitious cyberpunk police drama series by Production I.G. and the full directorial debut of Kenji Kamiyama.

And it is my favorite anime! What better way to celebrate my (second) first year of podcasting?!

My review specifically concerns season 1 (2002) as this was originally produced to build up advance hype for Mamoru Oshii's follow-up film, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.

But thanks to the popularity of Stand Alone Complex at home and overseas, Production I.G. greenlit a second season for 2004 that has enough of a staff shake-up that I will cover "Second G.I.G." in a later episode.

TIME STAMPS:

0:00 - 1:35 = Welcome and Intros

1:36 - 4:40 = Schedule update

4:40 - 12:09 = Spring 2026 Anime Preview

12:10 - 19:30 = Community Spotlight

- Your Favorite Anime!

20:00 = Main Topic Begins

Musical Credits: Soundtrack composer is Yoko Kanno

"Inner Universe" - lyrics by Shanti Snyder & performed by Origa

"Lithium Flower" lyrics by Tim Jensen & performed by Scott Matthew

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Happy Birthday to me! I am celebrating the first year of the Anime Field Guide podcast with a bit of April tomfoolery!

My good friend, Joe from the Retrotopia podcast, has never seen Ghost in the Shell! Let's fix that!

TIME STAMPS:

Welcome and Intros = 0:00 - 4:20

What Joe Knows (about Ghost in the Shell) = 4:50 - 10:30

Ad Break = 10:30 - 18:30

Main Topic begins at 18:45

Say hello to the puddy tat! = 46:00

Nice = 1:09:00

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linktr.ee/anifieldguide

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The boys are back in town!

Samurai Troopers is an era-defining bishonen classic of the late 80's, created and animated by the fine folks at Sunrise during the height of their popularity as a mecha anime studio.

The English broadcast in the USA and abroad remains a nostalgic classic, and with the recent sequel seasons in 2026 I figured now is a good time to revisit the Troopers' first outing!

TIME STAMPS:

4:45 = Winter 2026 Anime Wrap-up

21:18 = First Year of Anime Field Guide

24:30 = Mecha March Madness: the winner!

30:25 = Community Spotlight

- Assemble a super team of 5 anime characters!

35:30 = Samurai Troopers Review

1 hour 32 minutes = Samurai Troopers OVA review

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- All current events are "current" as of the publishing date of this episode

Theme music is "Lovers' Oasis" by Dark Cat

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/track/dark-cat/lovers-oasis

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Gunbuster is the directorial debut of Hideaki Anno!

In the distant year of 2023, teenage girl Noriko Takaya enlists at the Okinawa Girl's Space Flight School and grows to be a master mecha pilot alongside her senior and idol, Kazumi Amano, under the guidance of the school's coach.

Together, these girls defend Earth from a looming alien menace by piloting humanity's last hope: the giant robot Gunbuster!This landmark OVA blends classic sports tropes, Top Gun, and tragic space opera in an unforgettable tale of determination, sacrifice, hard work, and GUTS!

0:00-8:30 = Welcome and Intros

- MECHA MARCH MADNESS! Battle of the Polls begins March 1st!

8:30 = Welcome Retro Hangover!

14:12 - 18:44 = Listener Spotlight

18:45 - end = Main Topic

Check out Retro Hangover!

https://linktr.ee/retrohangover

Music Credits:

"Active Heart" - composed by Eiji Nishiki, arr. by Motoki Funayama, sung by Noriko Sakai

"Gunbuster March" - composed by Kouhei Tanaka

"Heavy Duty" - Zoo

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/heavy-duty

License code: MSDARJGG3OWLOIAW

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- All current events are "current" as of the publishing date of this episode

Theme music is "Lovers' Oasis" by Dark Cat

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/track/dark-cat/lovers-oasis

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When Chihaya Ayase befriends a lonely boy named Arata, she is introduced to the world of karuta - a competitive card game that tests one's memory and reflexes.

Arata instructs Chihaya and her handsome friend Taichi, and together they form a special bond that is put to the ultimate test when life forces them apart. But the trio believes their shared love of karuta will one day reunite them!

Years later, Chihaya is attending Mizusawa high school and is reunited with Taichi. Together they form the Mizusawa Karuta Club and recruit 3 more members: the poetry fan Kanade Oe, the lapsed competitor Yuusei Nishida, and data-driven Komano Tsutomu.

Just how far can this team go? Will Chihaya become the best karuta player in the world? And how will the love triangle between Chihaya, Taichi and Arata resolve?

Time stamps:

Intro and schedule updates = 0:00 - 6:45

Anime Talks with Tyler! = 6:45 - 23:50

Main topic begins at 23:51

Musical credits:

"Chihayafuru Main Theme" - composed by Kousuke Yamashita

"Youthful" - 99RadioService

Check out the Anime Degens!

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Thank you for your support in 2025! The Anime Field Guide doesn't exist without you!

It's time to celebrate the year with a good ol' list of my Top Ten Favorite Anime!

What was your favorite anime of 2025?

Time stamps

Intro "2025 was a hard year": 0:00 - 5:05

AFG by the numbers: 5:05 - 7:36

My Plans for 2026: 7:37 - 10:04

Honorable Mentions (movies): 10:05 - 12:58

Honorable Mentions (TV): 13:00 - 18:14

THE COUNTDOWN

Number 10 = 18:15

Number 09 = 21:38

Number 08 = 24:17

Number 07 = 26:40

Number 06 = 30:26

Number 05 = 32:12

Number 04 = 34:54

Number 03 = 37:22

Number 02 = 41:13

Number 01 = 44:41

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- All current events are "current" as of the publishing date of this episode

Theme music is "Lovers' Oasis" by Dark Cat

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/track/dark-cat/lovers-oasis

Follow the Anime Field Guide!

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Good girls, bad girls, robots, and explosions!

One splendid morning, A-ko starts her first day at school with her bubbly childhood friend, C-ko, but soon runs afoul of the popular rich girl, B-ko, who has fallen in love with C-ko and wants A-ko out of the picture!

But these are not your ordinary schoolgirls!

There might also be an impending alien invasion but I don't think it's important.

Time stamps:

Intro and schedule updates= 0:00 - 6:45

Welcoming Nate and Anime Talks = 6:45 - 19:11

Main Topic begins at 19:12

Ending song credits - “Jealous Eyes (instrumental)” - composed, arranged, and performed by Richie Zito and Joey Carbone

Check out the Otaku Nate Show!

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Extra credit:

Paul Chapman wrote an excellent article for Crunchyroll in 2021: “The Fantastic True Story of How Project A-ko Was Lost and Found”

https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/features/2021/5/4/feature-the-fantastic-true-story-of-how-project-a-ko-was-lost-and-found