Featured Anime Podcast

Rooster Fighter Review - FAP-392A backyard rooster channels the spirit of a wandering samurai and somehow turns into one of the most entertaining kaiju shows we've watched all year.Genres: Action, Comedy, ParodyStudio: SanzigenSource: MangaJack's Score: 9/10Rick's Score: 9/10Verdict: Ridiculous on the surface, genuinely well written underneath, and worth the full 12-episode run.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro and episode setup00:27 - Rooster Fighter premise and tone breakdown03:05 - First impressions and the gag that hooked us04:36 - How a rooster changes the kaiju formula18:33 - Story structure and character writing25:12 - The 2D/3D animation mix27:08 - Final scores and verdict27:46 - Next week previewFor everything having to do with the anime and this episode go to -https://www.featuredanimepodcast.com/episodes/rooster-fighter-review-the-most-ridiculous-anime-that-actually-works/Next Week: The Irregular at Magic High School Season 1Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/featuredanimepodcast (ad-free + pre-show + 2 bonus shows)Merch - https://www.featuredanimepodcast.com/shopDiscord - https://discord.gg/DZRKTAN (hang with us)Rate us 5 stars if this one hit, drop your thoughts in Discord, and we'll see you next week!

Is Bartender Worth Watching?Jack and Rick step behind the bar at Eden Hall to see if this slow, episodic drink of the week anime pours something worth sticking around for.Genres: Drama, Slice of Life, SeinenStudio: Palm StudioSource: MangaJack's Score: 4/10Rick's Score: 4/10Verdict: A decent, low stakes show that's easy to half watch in the background, but it never really grabs you.Timestamps:00:00 - Jack and Rick Pull Up Stools at Eden Hall02:24 - Rick on the Live Action Drink Pours (and the Cinderella He'd Never Order Out Loud)04:47 - Why You Can Drop Into Any Episode and Not Miss a Thing07:28 - Rick's Room of Requirement Theory Hits the Table09:32 - The Con Man Episode: Did Anybody Actually Get What They Needed?14:55 - Jack Shuts Down the Room of Requirement Comparison for Good18:16 - Hold On, How Many Bartenders Work at This Bar?21:16 - So Who Is This Show Actually Made For?23:27 - Final Scores: Jack and Rick Both Land on a 4For everything having to do with the anime and this episode go to -https://www.featuredanimepodcast.com/episodes/bartender-review-pleasant-forgettable-and-not-quite-their-cup-of-tea/Next Week: Bartender: Glass of GodPatreon - https://www.patreon.com/featuredanimepodcast (ad-free + early access + voting)Merch - https://www.featuredanimepodcast.com/shopDiscord - https://discord.gg/DZRKTAN (suggest anime + hang with us)Rate us 5 stars if this one hit, drop your thoughts in Discord, and we'll see you next week!

Is Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon Worth Watching? FAP-388A guy dies saving a vending machine from falling off a truck and wakes up in a fantasy dungeon as one. Yeah, we watched it so you can decide if you want to.Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, IsekaiStudio: Studio Gokumi and AXsiZSource: Light NovelJack's Score: 5/10Rick's Score: 5/10Verdict: The most unique isekai premise you'll find, wrapped in a show that never quite grips you, but it's a solid watch when you've got nothing else on.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro and Patreon bonus content plug00:27 - Anime intro and full synopsis breakdown03:24 - Story discussion and first impressions10:08 - Character analysis and the magic item debate20:27 - What didn't land and where the show plays it too safe31:41 - How this flips the isekai power dynamic36:28 - Scores and final verdict38:04 - Next week and outroFor everything having to do with the anime and this episode go to - https://www.featuredanimepodcast.com/episodes/reborn-as-a-vending-machine-season-1-review-fresh-premise-middling-payoff/Next Week: Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon Season 2Patreon - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/featuredanimepodcast⁠ (ad-free + early access + voting)Merch - ⁠https://shop.featuredanimepodcast.com/⁠Discord - ⁠https://discord.gg/DZRKTAN⁠ (suggest anime + hang with us)Rate us 5 stars if this one hit, drop your thoughts in Discord, and we'll see you next week!

Is Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc Worth Watching? FAP-386The Chainsaw Man movie just dropped and we're breaking down whether the Reze Arc actually delivers on everything Season 1 built, or if it's all flash and no follow-through.Genres: Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Horror, SupernaturalStudio: MAPPASource: MangaJack's Score: 5/10Rick's Score: 6/10Verdict: The action sequences are amazing and the new villain earns her spot, but a forced love story and uneven animation hold's it back.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro and Episode Overview02:44 - First Impressions and Season 1 Recap06:53 - Reze's Reveal and Story Breakdown13:27 - Animation Quality and Pacing Critique19:15 - Denji's Character Growth and Combat21:00 - Devil Lore Deep Dive26:34 - Makima's Role and Villain Theory32:08 - Scores33:42 - Next Week and OutroFor everything having to do with the anime and this episode go to - https://www.featuredanimepodcast.com/episodes/chainsaw-man-the-reze-arc-review-is-one-hour-of-action-enough/Next Week: The Brilliant Healer's New Life in the ShadowsPatreon - https://www.patreon.com/featuredanimepodcast (ad-free + early access + voting)Merch - https://shop.featuredanimepodcast.com/Discord - https://discord.gg/DZRKTAN (suggest anime + hang with us)Rate us 5 stars if this one hit, drop your thoughts in Discord, and we'll see you next week!

Is Frieren Beyond Journey's End Worth Watching?The Demon King is already dead before the first episode even starts, and somehow that's just the beginning of one of the best anime to come out in years.Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Slice of LifeStudio: MadhouseSource: MangaJack's Score: 10/10Rick's Score: 10/10Verdict: It's the rare show where every single piece, the story, the animation, the music, the magic system, all of it, is pulling in the same direction.Timestamps:00:00 - Tokyo Treat Sponsorship03:58 - Intro and Show Start04:47 - Frieren Overview, Stats, and Synopsis07:00 - Rick's First Impressions10:18 - The Dwarf Scene and Why It Hits Different16:11 - What the Writing Quality Actually Means for a 28-Episode Show19:05 - The Magic System Breakdown20:10 - How Demons Are Written and Why It Works26:31 - Pacing Discussion: First Half vs. Second Half31:06 - The Traveling Monk Elf and What He Represents35:50 - Final Thoughts and Recommendations36:30 - Scores37:26 - Next Week and OutroFor everything having to do with the anime and this episode go to - https://www.featuredanimepodcast.com/episodes/frieren-beyond-journeys-end-review-28-episodes-and-not-a-single-one-feels-wasted-with-tokyotreat/Next Week: Frieren Beyond Journey's End Season 2Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/featuredanimepodcast (ad-free + early access + voting)Merch - https://shop.featuredanimepodcast.com/Discord - https://discord.gg/DZRKTAN (suggest anime + hang with us)Rate us 5 stars if this one hit, drop your thoughts in Discord, and we'll see you next week!

Is Sentenced to Be a Hero Worth Watching? FAP-382A disgraced holy knight gets framed, convicted, and sentenced to immortal military service on the front lines as a penal hero. No retirement, no escape, and dying your way out is not an option.Genres: Action, Dark Fantasy, Military, SupernaturalStudio: Studio KaiSource: Light NovelJack's Score: 9/10Rick's Score: 9/10Verdict: A dark, original spin on the hero genre that is genuinely worth your time, just know it gets gory and some of the big plot beats are more predictable than they should be.Timestamps:00:00 - Welcome and Patreon shoutout00:14 - Show overview: genres, studio, source, episode count00:20 - Full synopsis breakdown03:05 - What makes the hero premise unique and the crime system explained10:14 - Character backstories and the moral gray area of their convictions19:14 - Favorite characters discussion24:26 - World-building deep dive: runes, life force, the goddesses as weapons35:49 - Leadership dynamics and the penal hero unit as a found family39:41 - Drawbacks: predictability and transparency of the villains43:54 - Final scores and verdict46:08 - Next week announcement and outroFor everything having to do with the anime and this episode go to - https://www.featuredanimepodcast.com/episodes/sentenced-to-be-a-hero-review-the-hero-genre-just-got-dark/Next Week: EtotamaPatreon - https://www.patreon.com/featuredanimepodcast (ad-free + early access + voting)Merch - https://shop.featuredanimepodcast.com/Discord - https://discord.gg/DZRKTAN (suggest anime + hang with us)Rate us 5 stars if this one hit, drop your thoughts in Discord, and we'll see you next week!

Is Seventh Time Loop Villainess Worth Watching? FAP-380If you're burned out on the same tired romance anime formula, this one comes loaded with six lifetimes of earned skill, a genuinely layered male lead, and a slow-burn dynamic that actually sticks the landing.Genres: Romance, FantasyStudio: Studio Kai / HornetsSource: Light NovelJack's Score: 9/10Verdict: A mature, well-built romance that earns everything it delivers and leaves you wanting more.──────────────────────This episode is sponsored by TokyoTreat! Get $5 off your first box with code FEATUREDANIME - https://team.tokyotreat.com/featuredanime──────────────────────Timestamps:00:00 - Tokyo Treat Ad04:22 - Welcome and Solo Episode Note04:54 - Series Overview07:47 - First Impressions and What to Expect08:20 - Rishe's Character Breakdown11:24 - Arnold's Character Breakdown18:23 - Romance Dynamic and Mature Audience Appeal20:36 - Flaws and Drawbacks22:48 - Final Score and VerdictFor everything having to do with the anime and this episode go to https://www.featuredanimepodcast.com/episodes/7th-time-loop-villainess-review-seven-lives-of-work-finally-pay-off/Next Week: Apothecary Diaries Season 2Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/featuredanimepodcast (ad-free + early access + voting)Merch - https://shop.featuredanimepodcast.com/Discord - https://discord.gg/DZRKTAN (suggest anime + hang with us)Rate us 5 stars if this one hit, drop your thoughts in Discord, and we'll see you next week!

Rick's pick of “I Parry Everything" this week ended up being a good one, and honestly he was done with it two days after they agreed to watch it. He came into it on guard, and had admitted he'd been burned out from a stretch of shows where the main character is secretly unstoppable but too humble to notice, and half-expected more of the same. But what ended up winning him over is that the humility here isn't just an act. Noor genuinely believes he's the least capable guy in every room, and Jack and Rick spend a good chunk of the conversation on why that gap between how Noor sees himself and how everyone around him quietly loses their mind stays funny instead of getting old. The moments they kept coming back to were the ones that make that contrast land: vomiting blood mid-fight because he'd gotten too comfortable with the poison, producing what amounts to a small sun while trying to demonstrate how weak his magic is. The one knock they both had is that by the end, with enough people visibly amazed around him, you'd think he'd start connecting some dots.About the anime:Set in the medieval fantasy Kingdom of Clays, I Parry Everything follows Noor, a socially oblivious young man who spent years training alone in the mountains with nothing but "useless" skills like parrying and he does this not because he wants to but rather he has to. Noor has an unbreakable dream of becoming an adventurer and the biggest road block for him is that he has only “useless” skills. And when he finally arrives at the royal capital, he stumbles headfirst into a kingdom on the brink of war, an assassination attempt on Princess Lynneburg, and neighboring nations circling like vultures waiting for the right moment to strike. And Noor has absolutely no clue about any of it. He's too busy taking odd jobs like cleaning gutters, chasing runaway pets, basically doing whatever grunt work an F-rank adventurer can find and all just to inch closer to his dream. Along the way, he crosses paths with Lynne, a princess just as out of touch with the real world as he is, and Ines, a battle-hardened prodigy who can't quite figure out if she respects him or resents him. The story tries to balance the chaos of kingdom-scale conflict with the smaller, almost comedic moments of three wildly mismatched people stumbling through life together. But underneath all the laughs and misunderstandings sits a harder truth of that the most dangerous person in the kingdom genuinely believes he's the weakest man in the room.Next Week's Pick: “Old Country Bumpkin To Master Swordsman”Have you had the chance to watch I Parry Everything or any of our previous selections? We’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for future picks!Deals for You:Supporting your anime binge sessions is what we do best! Here are some exclusive deals that’ll make your anime-watching experience even better.Crunchyroll Affiliate Offers:Get 15% off your first anime merch order here.Stream your favorite anime with Crunchyroll. Start Your Free TrialTokyoTreat Special: Use code "FEATUREDANIME" for $5 off your first box through this TokyoTreat link.Looking for some podcast merch? We’ve got you covered:Main StoreAlternative ShopSupport Our PodcastLove what we do? Support the podcast through Patreon! You can get access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.Support us on PatreonStay Connected With UsDon’t miss out on our latest episodes or discussions! Join us across our social channels and be part of the community:Contact UsAnime List: Check out our anime list on MyAnimeList.Twitch: Watch us live on twitch.tv/featuredanimepodcastEmail: info@featuredanimepodcast.comX (Twitter): @ThoseAnimeGuysFacebook: Featured Anime PodcastDiscord: Join our DiscordWebsite: www.featuredanimepodcast.comOur Scores: Jack’s Score: 9 / 10Rick’s Score: 9 / 10

This week we are tackling “Reign of the Seven Spellblades” now this isn't your typical cozy magic school and we spend a fair amount of time talking about the "might makes right" philosophy of Kimberly Academy. Not only that we also point out some things where it just didn’t sit right with us like where the teachers wait a full eight days before checking on missing students. Rick finds the whole setup pretty nonsensical, especially a weirdly flirtatious flashback involving the protagonist’s mother that left him feeling confused about the whole thing. We also take apart the show’s weird pacing, pointing out that you could probably skip several episodes and still have a decent handle on what’s going on. We also talk about the mechanics of the world and everything and our differences of views on those.About the anime:When Oliver Horn enrolls at Kimberly Magic Academy, which is a very prestigious but apparently very deadly magic school, where only four out of five students survive to graduation, he arrives with more than just books and ambition. Shortly after arriving through a series of events he teams up with a few other fellow first-years. As Oliver begins navigating a school full of dangerous labyrinths, monstrous creatures, and cutthroat upperclassmen. We find out that he isn't just there to study. He's carrying a deeply personal secret and a vendetta that threatens to consume everything around him. As the group bonds, battles, and bleeds their way through Kimberly's brutal curriculum, the truth behind the seven legendary spellblades and Oliver's true purpose begins to surface, pulling them all into a conflict far darker than anything on the syllabus.Next Week's Pick: “Eminence In Shadow Season 2”Have you had the chance to watch Reign of the Seven Spellblades or any of our previous selections? We’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for future picks!Deals for You:Supporting your anime binge sessions is what we do best! Here are some exclusive deals that’ll make your anime-watching experience even better.Crunchyroll Affiliate Offers:Get 15% off your first anime merch order here.Stream your favorite anime with Crunchyroll. Start Your Free TrialTokyoTreat Special: Use code "FEATUREDANIME" for $5 off your first box through this TokyoTreat link.Looking for some podcast merch? We’ve got you covered:Main StoreAlternative ShopSupport Our PodcastLove what we do? Support the podcast through Patreon! You can get access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.Support us on PatreonStay Connected With UsDon’t miss out on our latest episodes or discussions! Join us across our social channels and be part of the community:Contact UsAnime List: Check out our anime list on MyAnimeList.Twitch: Watch us live on twitch.tv/featuredanimepodcastEmail: info@featuredanimepodcast.comX (Twitter): @ThoseAnimeGuysFacebook: Featured Anime PodcastDiscord: Join our DiscordAnime Info and Our Ratings: Producers: Kadokawa, Warner Bros. Japan, Sotsu, Movic, KlockWorx, Tokyo MX, BS11, Konami Digital Entertainment, Bandai Namco Music LiveStudio: J.C.StaffSource: Light NovelGenres: Action, Fantasy, Shounen, MagicAired: July 2023 to October 2023Number of Episodes: 15Our Scores: Jack’s Score: 4 / 10Rick’s Score: 3 / 10

This week we tackle Failure Frame, a show that Rick had initially rolled his eyes at because when he looked at it it seemed like it would be another Arifureta clone. Rick admitted though that he quickly got hooked on the ruthless protagonist as well as the sheer effectiveness of the "useless" status ailments magic like sleep, paralyze, and poison, even if he spent half the season frustrated that the main character couldn’t use anything other than those. And Jack breaks down the darker elements of the world, pointing out that the hero had been shaped by trauma, and not only by recent events but by his past rather than nobility, though he isn't quite as sold on the execution. We also talk about the finale, or lack thereof. Rick claims the show "No Game No Life'd" him because the open ending felt like a personal insult with no Season 2 in sight. Jack called out the "trash" animation and forced villain monologues. And while Rick was emotionally invested enough to be angry, Jack found the whole experience middling, arguing that while it was watchable, it gave him absolutely zero drive to pick up the light novels to see what happens next.About the anime:Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything with Low-Level Spells Follows Touka Mimori as he is summoned to another word with his classmates but rather then him being the hero he is immediately rated E-rank and tossed into a death dungeon by the goddess Vicius, his "useless" status effect skills (paralyze, poison, sleep) turn out to have a 100% success rate, which is the kind of quietly devastating detail that the goddess does not know about. This isn’t just a power fantasy reversal, this show commits to Mimori as someone fundamentally is shaped by trauma by both his past and current life events and not some noble hero waiting to emerge. He develops two distinct personas depending on who he's dealing with, and the series doesn't shy away from making him genuinely ruthless when he thinks someone deserves it. The world around him is brutal in ways that feel thought-through and the "heroes" for the most part are corrupt and selfish, the institutions are all cruel by design, and Mimori's revenge arc is less about becoming an oppressor himself and more about protecting people the world has discarded Seras the elf princess hunted for her beauty, Eve Speed forced into bloodsport arenas.Next Week's Pick: “Moonrise”Have you had the chance to watch Failure Frame or any of our previous selections? We’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for future picks!Deals for You:Supporting your anime binge sessions is what we do best! Here are some exclusive deals that’ll make your anime-watching experience even better.Crunchyroll Affiliate Offers:Get 15% off your first anime merch order here.Stream your favorite anime with Crunchyroll. Start Your Free TrialTokyoTreat Special: Use code "FEATUREDANIME" for $5 off your first box through this TokyoTreat link.Looking for some podcast merch? We’ve got you covered:Main StoreAlternative ShopSupport Our PodcastLove what we do? Support the podcast through Patreon! You can get access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.Support us on PatreonStay Connected With UsDon’t miss out on our latest episodes or discussions! Join us across our social channels and be part of the community:Contact UsAnime List: Check out our anime list on MyAnimeList.Twitch: Watch us live on twitch.tv/featuredanimepodcastEmail: info@featuredanimepodcast.comX (Twitter): @ThoseAnimeGuysFacebook: Featured Anime PodcastDiscord: Join our DiscordAnime Info and Our Ratings: Producers: Dax Production, Overlap, Crunchyroll, Muse Communication, TBS, AT-X, BS11, IBC, GYTStudio: Seven ArcsSource: Light NovelGenres: Dark fantasy, Isekai, Psychological Drama, Action, AdventureAired: July 2024 to September 2024Number of Episodes: 12Our Scores: Jack’s Score: 5 / 10Rick’s Score: 4 / 10

This week we talk about Burst Angel, as recommended from CJ, and it’s safe to say neither of us walked away too happy. The conversation was just a long roast of the show’s nonsensical mechanics, from the "impossible" tight outfits to the fact that characters apparently never need to reload their pistols until the plot demands it. Jack was annoyed that the side character Kyohei was getting far too much screen time and Meg’s cycle of being kidnapped and crying in nearly every single episode. Rick tried to find some charm in it but he eventually just caves under the weight of the show's meandering pace and that also made Jack struggle just to stay awake through the series. We also dive into the late-game logic, like how the mechs suddenly lose their invulnerability once the story needs to wrap up and then there is the random subplot involving a superhuman killing machine that serves no real purpose to the overall narrative other than being a blatant distraction. About the anime:Burst Angel is set in a near-future Tokyo where the government has legalized firearms for citizens to try and combat a massive crime wave, as a result the city basically turns into a chaotic battleground. And the story centers on mercenaries for hire who handle the jobs RAPT (Recently Armed Police of Tokyo) can’t or won't touch. The story focuses on Jo, Meg, Amy and Sei and their missions that frequently involve biological mutations, giant mechs with glowing "cyber-brains," and a massive conspiracy involving the very people supposed to be protecting the city. Also Kyohei is some random character that gets way more screen time then he should with us knowing more about him then what is needed.Next Week's Pick: “Momentary Lily”Have you had the chance to watch Burst Angel or any of our previous selections? We’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for future picks!Deals for You:Supporting your anime binge sessions is what we do best! Here are some exclusive deals that’ll make your anime-watching experience even better.Crunchyroll Affiliate Offers:Get 15% off your first anime merch order here.Stream your favorite anime with Crunchyroll. Start Your Free TrialTokyoTreat Special: Use code "FEATUREDANIME" for $5 off your first box through this TokyoTreat link.Looking for some podcast merch? We’ve got you covered:Main StoreAlternative ShopSupport Our PodcastLove what we do? Support the podcast through Patreon! You can get access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.Support us on PatreonStay Connected With UsDon’t miss out on our latest episodes or discussions! Join us across our social channels and be part of the community:Contact UsAnime List: Check out our anime list on MyAnimeList.Twitch: Watch us live on twitch.tv/featuredanimepodcastEmail: info@featuredanimepodcast.comX (Twitter): @ThoseAnimeGuysFacebook: Featured Anime PodcastDiscord: Join our DiscordAnime Info and Our Ratings: Producers: Gonzo, TV Asahi, Media Factory, G&G Entertainment, Project BAKUTENStudio: GonzoSource Material: OriginalGenres: Action, Sci-Fi, Mecha, Ecchi, Girls with GunsAired: April 2004 to September 2004Number of Episodes: 24Our Scores: Jack’s Score: 2 / 10Rick’s Score: 4 / 10

This week we talked about “My Tiny Senpai” and the discussion was a bit of a ride because we spent the first half totally talking past each other. Jack was trying to give the Manager credit as well shed light on what he was doing, while Rick was convinced he was talking about the main couple's lack of progress. Once we cleared that up, we both agreed that for an office romance, these characters and the anime as a whole acted way too much like a high school show rather than a workplace romance show. Rick argued that the show's "goldfish memory" where progress basically reset every episode made him feel anxious through the whole thing. And Jack felt like the whole season felt like one giant filler episode. About the anime:My Tiny Senpai is basically a cozy office romance slice of life type of show where Takuma Shinozaki is a new-ish employee trying to keep his head above water, and his senior coworker Shiori Katase keeps swooping in with praise, encouragement, followed up with a “I’m just being a good senpai” type of feeling and mentality that keeps throwing him off his game. The catch is, she’s tiny, she’s adorable, and way more doting than a normal workplace relationship would/should allow.Next Week's Pick: “The Great Cleric”Have you had the chance to watch My Tiny Senpai or any of our previous selections? We’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for future picks!Deals for You:Supporting your anime binge sessions is what we do best! Here are some exclusive deals that’ll make your anime-watching experience even better.Crunchyroll Affiliate Offers:Get 15% off your first anime merch order here.Stream your favorite anime with Crunchyroll. Start Your Free TrialTokyoTreat Special: Use code "FEATUREDANIME" for $5 off your first box through this TokyoTreat link.Looking for some podcast merch? We’ve got you covered:Main StoreAlternative ShopSupport Our PodcastLove what we do? Support the podcast through Patreon! You can get access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.Support us on PatreonStay Connected With UsDon’t miss out on our latest episodes or discussions! Join us across our social channels and be part of the community:Contact UsAnime List: Check out our anime list on MyAnimeList.Twitch: Watch us live on twitch.tv/featuredanimepodcastEmail: info@featuredanimepodcast.comX (Twitter): @ThoseAnimeGuysFacebook: Featured Anime PodcastDiscord: Join our DiscordAnime Info and Our Ratings: Producers: TV Asahi, Takeshobo, Nagoya Broadcasting Network, Universal Music Japan, DMM.com, Kadokawa Media House, DMM pictures, My Theater D.D., Good Smile Film, Bit grooove promotion, TV Asahi Music, Vobile Japan, REMOWStudio: Project No.9Source: MangaGenres: Romance, Comedy, Slice of LifeAired: July 2023 to October 2023Number of Episodes: 12Our Scores: Jack’s Score: 5 / 10Rick’s Score: 4 / 10

It is a solo this week with Rick out and a short one on top of it. Jack starts off with a focus on how different versions change the experience if you watch the English or Japanese versions. He breaks down the name swaps between Japanese and international releases, and he also points out major edits like censorship cuts and trimmed scenes, and compares how soundtrack and dialogue changes can completely shift the tone depending on which cut you watch. He also talks about how the movie feels more like a fan focused showcase where lots of characters pop in briefly, why the game style fight moments are the most fun part, and how the whole thing hit him as a nostalgic easy watch that made him want to pick up Street Fighter II again.About the anime:This movie straight up takes the Street Fighter II roster and builds a globe-hopping action story around them. Vega ( or M. Bison for the dub fans) is running Shadaloo (or Shadowlaw) and basically hunting down the world’s strongest fighters so he can control or recruit them to help him with is goals, and Ryu sitting at the center of the target because of his pure raw potential. While Ryu’s out doing his lone-wolf “I’m just here to get stronger” thing, Chun-Li and Guile are pushing the investigation and military side of the plot, trying to shut Shadaloo down before Vega can do any more damage. The movie’s big focus is pretty straight forward, the fight scenes are well executed even if some of them pay homage to the game itself in a fun way and that “that character gets a moment” energy, more than deep mystery plotting.Next Week's Pick: “A Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof”Have you had the chance to watch Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie or any of our previous selections? We’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for future picks!Deals for You:Supporting your anime binge sessions is what we do best! Here are some exclusive deals that’ll make your anime-watching experience even better.Crunchyroll Affiliate Offers:Get 15% off your first anime merch order here.Stream your favorite anime with Crunchyroll. Start Your Free TrialTokyoTreat Special: Use code "FEATUREDANIME" for $5 off your first box through this TokyoTreat link.Looking for some podcast merch? We’ve got you covered:Main StoreAlternative ShopSupport Our PodcastLove what we do? Support the podcast through Patreon! You can get access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more.Support us on PatreonStay Connected With UsDon’t miss out on our latest episodes or discussions! Join us across our social channels and be part of the community:Contact UsAnime List: Check out our anime list on MyAnimeList.Twitch: Watch us live on twitch.tv/featuredanimepodcastEmail: info@featuredanimepodcast.comX (Twitter): @ThoseAnimeGuysFacebook: Featured Anime PodcastDiscord: Join our DiscordAnime Info and Our Ratings: Producers: Capcom, SEDIC, Sony Music Entertainment, Animaze, Manga EntertainmentStudio: Group TACSource: Video GameGenres: Action, AdventureAired: August 1994 Runtime: 1 hr. 45 min.Our Scores: Jack’s Score: 7 / 10