My Taste is Better Than Yours

Just like last time, we’re recommending each other our highest regarded ongoing series we think need more appreciated. This time Samu’s pick for Enzo is Fool Night by Kasumi Yasuda - a dystopian sci-fi story where clouds have prevented the sun from shining through and humans have adapted in horrifying ways to sustain life. Plenty of bleak, heavy themes ensue and we both get into what’s trying to be said in with this visually striking series is exploring. Timecodes:0:00 Introduction - Samu’s most underappreciated ongoing manga pick7:38 A mixture of multiple genres: dystopian, political drama, thriller, body horror, black comedy10:40 It presents truths of what’s happening and doesn’t push an agenda/message12:10 Early volumes focusing on more self-contained stories to establish this world14:58 Our differing journeys with the artwork and its presentation20:44 The upcoming anime and our hopes/expectations22:23 Spoiler discussion begins22:28 Akira’s gender revelation - becoming one of Enzo’s favourite characters26:45 Standouts to the various bleak and dark storylines throughout the series without easy answers35:20 Pro- and Anti-Transfloration argument and the politics around it40:54 Dr. Kudai, Antartica, Central - the scale of the story expanding44:54 Our disconnect with the latest long-running story arc in the second half of the series49:52 The series could have been a short think piece but is becoming something larger52:32 Samu’s Recommendation: Heavenly Delusion by Masakazu Ishiguro56:22 Enzo’s Recommendation: Chainsaw Man Tatsuki Fujimoto58:45 Final overview + ratings

We’ve talked about plenty of shonen manga throughout our episodes, so we felt it made sense to finally breakdown the many magazines in which they come from: their histories, identities, and our favourites from each publication.Timecodes:0:00 Introduction - understanding the full picture of shonen manga1:59 Breaking down the magazine publication system6:26 Weekly Shonen Jump - the biggest name in the manga industry19:01 Weekly Shonen Magazine - the alpha male that used to be the top dog 27:06 Weekly Shonen Sunday - veterans, baseball, and fantasies39:06 Weekly Shonen Champion - the rising star/dark horse that doesn’t conform46:15 Jump SQ. and Saikyo Jump48:57 Bessatsu Shonen Magazine, Monthly Shonen Magazine, Monthly Shonen Sirius52:15 Gessan, Shonen Sunday S54:25 Square Enix: Monthly Shonen Gangan, GFantasy, Gangan Joker1:00:25 Web publication - print vs digital transparency

Enzo’s journey with Bleach continues, this time finally stepping into possibly the longest arc in shonen manga (or manga in general?). We’ve split this giant arc into two episodes, this first one covering everything including the Arrancar Invasion up to the end of Hueco Mundo.Timecodes:0:00 Introduction - first of two episodes on the massive Arrancar arc1:25 Is this the longest arc in all of manga?2:57 Arrancar Invasion sub-arc - introducing the Arrancars and the Vizards6:44 An even-paced arc with intention - is Kubo still an architect?10:17 Early hints: Shinji in chapter 1, arrancars in the first arc11:23 Kubos’ use of other languages, other cultures, and stylistic aesthetic13:50 Grand Fisher and the reveal with Isshin Kurosaki16:48 The Vizards - an eclectic group, our favourites?23:03 Ichigo’s training, his hollow identity (White) - self-acceptance as a key theme in Bleach29:19 Orihime’s importance in this arc, another damsel in distress, her relationship and powers39:50 Arrancar Invasion ratings41:53 Hueco Mundo sub-arc begins - a featureless white desert!43:42 Bleach and Kubo’s minimalism, a series with no “fluff”49:43 Bleach’s lack of an omniscient narrator50:53 What popular kaijuu series is the most opposite of Bleach in style?52:48 Is Hueco Mundo a lazy copy of Soul Society or an intentional reimagining?56:15 The Espada - standout characters, the aspects of death1:05:05 Rukia vs Aaroniero as a standout fight in Hueco Mundo1:06:26 Mayuri vs Szayel - his speech on perfection, Kubo’s freedom with him1:10:30 Enzo’s highlights: Nel’s reveal, Cirucci’s poem1:13:10 Hueco Mundo ratings - end of Part 1 of this discussion

It’s the first series review of 2026 and it’s one Samu and Enzo had a similar introduction to with an excellent anime adaptation and decided to venture into the manga post-anime. A shoujo romance fantasy that takes unexpected turns the longer it goes on, but how much of it do we agree on?Timecodes:0:00 Introduction - our first experiences with Snow White with the Red Hair9:44 Shirayuki and Zen’s relationship13:31 Other significant side characters in the series: Obi, Ryu, Izana, Mitsuhide, Raji, Hisame, Garack22:32 Spoiler discussion begins22:38 Too many characters and too many side quests where the main cast is split up25:37 Did Akizuki Sorata learn to like Shirayuki/Obi more than Shirayuki/Zen?28:08 Is the anime the definitive version of the series?29:23 Comparison to Hunter x Hunter with splitting up the cast and pairing them up31:16 It’s actually a slice of life series33:58 Later side-quest arcs: Lilias arc, Bergatt arc, Shinsu arc37:45 Zen needing a narrative shift to allowed to be more proactive39:49 Kiki and Hisame43:43 Samu’s Recommendation: The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyuuga (manga by Erika Ikeda)47:11 Enzo’s Recommendation: The World is Still Beautiful by Dai Shina52:33 Overview and final scores

What better way to kick off the year than by revisiting our favourite topic: What’s the next big thing in anime/manga? In this episode we revisit our picks from 2024 and go through our new ones for 2026.Timecodes:0:00 Revisiting the topic: The Next Big Thing3:25 Enzo’s #2 pick: Phantom Busters by Neoshoco11:01 Samu’s #2 pick: Gokurakugai by Uto Sano19:07 Checking in our preview picks for The Next Big Thing 19:21 Sakamoto Days and Gachiakuta - both had anime, neither became mega hits24:45 Tokyo Aliens and Kindergarten Wars - neither have had anime yet29:16 Spy X Family vs Chainsaw Man - which won in the long run and which do we prefer?36:33 Apothecary Diaries vs Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End tight race as the current top hits38:46 Refresher on the Enzo’s “Kaijuu” term39:59 The Kaijuu Wall55:04 Samu’s #1 pick: Kagurabachi by Takeru Hokazono59:18 Enzo’s #1 pick: Ichi the Witch by Osamu Nishi, Shiro Usazaki1:09:20 The Next (Next) Big Thing predictions for further in the future

We’re covering Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu this week - a series both of us have followed since the manga’s debut. Our opinions might go against the mass opinion right now, as the series has reached new audience with its impressive anime adaptation. Check it out to see what we really think of the series, its origins, and its many characters.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - the kitchen sink action series we’ve read since the beginning4:04 Tatsuki Fujimoto and his many successful assistants11:19 Manga vs anime adaptation17:34 Momo’s character and her objectified depiction21:10 Golden Kamuy Effect - side characters that feel like main characters + our favourites31:35 Spoiler discussion begins31:44 Our problems with the manga’s repetitiveness and the current amnesia arc40:20 How long do we think the series will go on for?42:38 Enzo’s Recommendation: Bug Ego by ONE and Shitara Kiyoto45:24 Samu’s Recommendation: Fire Punch by Tatsuki Fujimoto49:48 Overview and final scores

It’s the final serialisation round of the year for Weekly Shonen Jump, with three new series joining the party - Gonron Egg, The Mage Next Door, and Hero Girl and Demon Lord Call it Quits. We think this batch has some potential for commercial success, and a couple of entries that seem to be trying to expand beyond the usual Jump formula. Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - our special guest this episode: Princess Usagi 2:25 Check-in on the previous serialisation round: Jujujutsu Kaisen Modulo 11:31 Series that ended: Kaedegami, Ekiden Bros, Ping-Pong Peril 15:48 Gonron Egg by Shuuhei Tanizaki26:44 The Mage Next Door by Hideyaki Nabe40:50 Hero Girl and Demon Lord Call it Quits by Hatsubina Matsuri49:04 Prediction future hits and what will leave the magazine next 50:51 Our top 5 currently running series in Weekly Shonen Jump this year

It’s the second LostinAnime Patron-pick this time: Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You by Jinushi. With an anime upcoming and the buzz it’s had over the years, we’ve caught up and have plenty to talk about this little series of smoke breaks, misunderstandings, and slow-burn romance.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - the second patron-picked manga for the podcast2:16 The subject of smoking and its depiction6:47 The misunderstanding trope with Sasaki and Yamada/Tayama10:41 It’s origin as a web manga, the switch in tone when it starting publishing12:51 Supporting characters: Goto and Kami-san16:40 Anime adaption incoming and our expectations20:09 Spoiler discussion begins20:15 Sasaki’s age, age-gap romance, the power dynamic, and Sasaki’s shift from Tayama to Yamada30:20 The timing of the realisations that have and will still come35:00 The other potential ships that could happen38:49 Sasaki’s unhealthy relationship work and his boss43:11 Samu’s Recommendation: Kowloon Generic Romance by Jun Mayuzuki + Cat’s Eye by Tsukasa Hojo45:45 Enzo’s Recommendation: After the Rain by Jun Mayuzuki48:52 Overview and final scores

This is the second part of our conversation on the Succession Contest arc, this time discussing everything to do with Kurapika, the Kakin Empire’s political machinations, and the mafia family conflicts. And after covering the entire series we rank all the arcs in the series by our preference as well as giving our final scores for Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter.Timestamps0:00 Introduction - part II of the discussion0:51 The ever-ambitious rules and layers of the Succession Contest6:14 Standout characters from the Kakin Empire - and which prince do we think will win?14:06 Kurapika vs Tserriednich - is Kurapika going to die in this arc?15:44 The various other storylines ongoing right now18:04 Which of the princes is Beyond Netero’s child?21:36 Melody being set up to have a pivotal part in the succession contest25:01 The mafia families - Heil-ly, Char, Xi Yu - and Morena as a standout29:03 Prediction of an anime adaptation and the length of the Succession Contest arc32:49 Samu’s Recommendation: Ooku: The Inner Chambers by Fumi Yoshinaga 34:19 Enzo’s Recommendation: Hyouge Mono by Yamada Yoshihiro 38:21 Overview and scores for the arc43:15 Our ranking of all Hunter x Hunter arcs46:36 Final scores for Hunter x Hunter

We continue our Bleach/Rurouni Kenshin read-throughs with the famed Kyoto arc, one of Enzo’s all-time favourite of the medium which he has plenty to gush over. But will Samu feel the same way?Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - the companion piece to the Soul Society episode5:04 Spoiler discussion warning5:22 Himura Kenshin as a main character, comparisons to Ichigo Kurosaki?9:48 Why is Kyoto arc considered one of the best of the series and battle shonen?14:54 Juppongatana - standouts and our favourites20:18 Honjo Kamatari depiction of the time, respectful or exploitative?22:57 Samu’s many problems with Cho “The Sword Hunter”26:22 Seijuro Hiko, Kenshin’s past, and their training36:02 Shishio success as a villain and the influence on Horikoshi’s Stain44:58 Our favourite fights52:51 Kenshin vs Shishio and the implications afterlife, and the epilogue58:51 Samu’s Recommendation: Gintama by Hideaki Sorachi1:02:28 Enzo’s Recommendation: Dororo by Osamu Tezuka1:06:09 Overview and final scores

This time around we finally tackle the age old fandom question: is the anime or the manga better? This episode we go through series where we prefer the source material as well as the adaptation, including some controversial hot takes you’re not likely to hear anywhere else. As is often the case, not all of them do we agree on. Timecodes:0:00 Introduction - setting the scene with our experience and views on anime vs manga2:36 Manga > Anime - we preferred the source material3:07 Recent WSJ adaptations: Sakamoto Days and Chainsaw Man, The Promised Neverland7:36 Erased, Ooku: the Inner Chambers, Wandering Son14:52 Anime > Manga - the adaptation exceeding the source material15:12 WITCH WATCH, Dandadan, Heavenly Delusion, Chihayafuru, Mob Psycho 100, Blood Blockade Battlefront, Teasing Master Takagi-san19:44 The Elusive Samurai, Nichijou: My Ordinary Life, Attack on Titan24:48 A Silent Voice - our biggest disagreement32:14 Bleach - does Samu prefer the anime or manga?33:31 Our controversial takes33:50 Samu: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, The Flowers of Evil40:09 Enzo: Fruits Basket, Usagi Drop46:52 Conclusion - hot takes are the interesting ones!

With the anime coming next week, we decided to discuss the manga of Gachiakuta by Kei Urana - one that we’ve both been reading since it was first released. In this episode we get into inspirations for its cool factor, our highlights so far, predictions for the series’ future, and whether we think the anime will manage to reach the wider audience we expected it to by this point already.Timecodes:0:00 Introduction - Gachiakuta, a manga we’ve both followed since the first chapter released5:40 The shonen “cool factor” and Bleach’s influence11:30 Would Gachiakuta work as a Weekly Shonen Jump title?15:04 Falling manga volume sales - will the anime give it a boost?24:36 Rudo - a fitting main character with strong contrasts29:54 Standouts from the supporting characters: Information Broker, Follo, Gris32:13 Spoiler discussion begins32:22 Follo - the late blooming supporting character who wants to be a main character40:18 The power system: Vital Instruments + Thoughts - similarities to Zanpakuto in Bleach43:21 What’s the deal with Tamsy - is he the final antagonist?46:36 Do we think the series will explore Rudo’s love life?50:31 The Watchman, The Watchman Series, are we in the future?53:46 How long do we think the series will last?55:11 Enzo’s Recommendation: Bleach by Tite Kubo56:25 Samu’s Recommendation: Soul Eater by Atsushi Ookubo57:56 Overview and final scores1:01:10 Is Gachiakuta among our currently-running battle shonen manga?

It’s a double bill this time as we delve into the two pillars of Mitsuru Adachi’s iconic career: Touch and Cross Game (with a bit of Mix in the mix). These two series represent a bookend (more on less) on Adachi's catalog, and are the product of a writer at two very different stages of his life and career. Do you prefer a young and vibrant wine that practically jumps out of the glass, or a mature and subtle one full of bittersweetness that demands contemplation?Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - Mitsuru Adachi, a giant in the industry, our feelings on him in general7:56 Touch vs Cross Game12:50 Do people expect a big twist in an Adachi series?14:02 Touch - Why did it become a cultural phenomenon?19:38 Touch spoiler discussion begins20:10 The big ‘moment’ - its impact and effect on the series’ popularity25:19 Cross Game - modern take on familiar tropes28:00 Cross Game spoiler discussion begins28:18 How do the twists in both series compare to one another?32:04 Adachi’s minimalist artwork and smart way of panelling in those dramatic moments34:34 Mix, Touch’s sequel - its own late moment and his restraint with returning characters38:22 Which series is most focused on baseball? Comparing the Touch vs Cross Game41:50 Aoba’s character - annoying or understandable?49:19 Enzo’s love for Kou Kitamura as a protagonist50:45 Supporting cast, Adachi’s fanservice critique, breaking the fourth wall54:00 Comparing the endings55:36 Samu’s Recommendation: Straighten Up! Welcome to Shika High's Competitive Dance Club by Takuma Yokota59:15 Enzo’s Recommendation: Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day by Chou Heiwa Busters and Izumi Mitsu1:02:58 Touch - overview and final score1:04:39 Cross Game - overview and final score1:07:00 Mix - overview and final score