Black Torch Review & The Canceled Manga Debate

With an anime on the way, AniPro took a look at the Black Torch manga to see what caused the greenlight despite its early demise!

Also, Jay's still sick, Mike's throwing on music, Cole's all over the map, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro & The Tower of Manga
• 04:50 - Reading Detective Conan
• 09:50 - YouTube Premium & Background Noise
• 16:29 - Purple Tape Entertainment
• 28:11 - Upcoming Manga Reviews: Botan Kamiina, Akane Banashi & Magical Girl Dandelion
• 41:05 - Question of the Week: The Skyrim Giant Glitch
• 45:11 - Review: Black Torch
• 51:18 - Do Axed Manga Deserve Anime Adaptations?
• 56:50 - Comparing Black Torch to Kaiju No. 8 & Chainsaw Man
• 01:00:31 - The Bleach Inspiration & Art Style
• 01:13:00 - Shonen Tropes & Loose Ends
• 01:23:30 - Did the Ending Satisfy?
• 01:34:16 - Why Was It Popular in the West?
• 01:40:43 - Hopes for the Anime Adaptation
• 01:48:33 - Final Thoughts & Ratings
• 01:57:14 - Upcoming Anime, Game & TV Reviews

Support AniPro:

• Patreon
• Mailbag
• TokyoTreat: Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off

Follow & Subscribe:

• X (Twitter)
• Instagram
• Discord

Next Reviews:

• Manga: Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk
• Anime: Now and Then, Here and There
• Game: Needy Streamer Overload
• TV: One Piece Live Action

Credits: Opening: “Shibuya” | Music via slip.stream & AniPro

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

2025 Worst Anime Awards - The Middies, Overrated Shows & Our Favorite Reviews

While they warm up for the WEEBies, AniPro explored the other end of the spectrum. This week, it's the worst of Anime in 2025. AniPro Presents: The MIDdies!Also, the boys reminisce about their past reviews, Cole's found a new obsession, and more!

• 00:00 - Introduction to The Middies
• 02:53 - Reviewing 2025: Our Favorite & Least Favorite Reviews
• 09:32 - What's On Our Minds: YouTube Premium & Duolingo
• 19:28 - Retrospective: Best Anime Reviews of 2025
• 26:30 - Retrospective: Best Manga Reviews of 2025
• 31:35 - Retrospective: The Most Forgettable & Disappointing Reviews
• 47:08 - AniPro Asks: Can Sonic The Hedgehog Swim?
• 48:06 - Ad Break: Tokyo Treat & Sakurako
• 53:09 - Answering The AniPro Asks
• 56:30 - The Middies: Worst OP
• 01:04:38 - The Middies: Most Visually Painful
• 01:21:05 - The Middies: Worst Girl
• 01:27:35 - The Middies: Worst Boy
• 01:34:10 - The Middies: Worst Chemistry
• 01:40:00 - The Middies: Least Fun Anime
• 01:45:38 - The Middies: Most Overrated Anime
• 01:54:23 - The Middies: The Middest Anime of 2025
• 02:01:45 - Upcoming Reviews & Wrap Up

Support AniPro:

• Patreon
• Mailbag
• TokyoTreat: Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off

Follow & Subscribe:

• X (Twitter)
• Instagram
• Discord

Next Reviews:

• Manga: Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk → Akane Banashi → Magical Girl Dandelion
• Anime: Now and Then, Here and There → Neon Genesis Evangelion →
• Game: Needy Streamer Overload
• TV: One Piece Live Action

Music & Credits:

• Credits: Opening: “Shibuya”
• Music via slip.stream & AniPro

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Elfen Lied Anime Review + Stranger Things & Winter 2025 Anime Thoughts

Join AniPro as they explore the 2004 horror anime that divided the anime community: Elfen Lied! Is it good? Is it bad? Or is it simply incomprehensible?

Also, Cole's getting anxious, Mike's seeing strange objects, Jay's raving about anime, and more!

• 00:00:00 - AniProPod 215 Intro
• 00:02:08 - Stranger Things
• 00:13:10 - Sentenced to Be a Hero & SHIBOYUGI
• 00:21:02 - Pre-Japan Trip Stressing
• 00:31:00 - Mailbag: Anime From Villian Perspective
• 00:41:02 - Question of the Week / Break
• 00:49:21 - Review Intro & Set Up
• 00:56:06 - Is It A Must Watch?
• 01:00:52 - Connections To Other Works
• 01:11:36 - Characters
• 01:28:44 - Art Style & Production Choices
• 01:45:23 - Our Final Thoughts & Ratings

Vote for our 5th Annual WEEBies Awards using the link below. Voting Closes on the 24th, and is completely anonymous.

https://forms.gle/DuC2jTXU9u4TrZ1N6

Support AniPro:

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AniProPod
• Mailbag: https://anipropod.com/mailbag
• TokyoTreat: Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off: https://team.tokyotreat.com/AniPro

Follow & Subscribe:

• X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/AniProPod
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/anipropod
• Discord: https://discord.gg/dV5tMCWvM7

Next Reviews:

• Anime – Now and Then, Here and There → Neon Genesis Evangelion
• Manga – Black Torch

Music & Credits:

• Credits: Opening: “Shibuya” | Music via slip.stream
• Break Music By AniPro

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Fall 2025 Awards - Best Girl, Best Boy & The Zelda Timeline Debate

This week; it's an episode of earth-shattering surprises, devastating steals, and the coveted 'Anime of the Season' award. That's right! It's the Fall 2025 awards!

Also, Mike's making music, Cole's reliving the classics, Jay's contemplating the timeline, and more!

• 00:00 - Intro & Creative Struggles: Music Production
• 12:11 - The Legend of Zelda: Timeline vs. Legend Debate
• 20:52 - A Link to the Past & SNES Nostalgia
• 29:00 - The Fall 2025 Draft Results
• 34:24 - Biggest Flop of the Season
• 44:11 - Best Opening Theme (OP)
• 49:31 - Best Ending Theme (ED)
• 55:43 - Best Direction
• 01:00:16 - Best Visuals
• 01:05:37 - Best Anime Studio
• 01:10:08 - Trivia: Is Digimon Just Tamagotchi for Boys?
• 01:11:37 - Intermission & Support the Show
• 01:16:18 - Best Girl
• 01:24:16 - Best Boy
• 01:32:32 - Best Duo
• 01:39:03 - Most Fun Anime
• 01:45:54 - Most Underrated Anime
• 01:53:46 - Best Continuing Anime
• 02:01:21 - Best New Anime of the Season
• 02:08:50 - The Weebies Vote & Conclusion

Vote for our 5th Annual WEEBies Awards using the link below. Voting Closes on the 24th, and is completely anonymous.

https://forms.gle/DuC2jTXU9u4TrZ1N6

Support AniPro:

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AniProPod
• Mailbag: https://anipropod.com/mailbag
• TokyoTreat: Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off: https://team.tokyotreat.com/AniPro

Follow & Subscribe:

• X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/AniProPod
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/anipropod
• Discord: https://discord.gg/dV5tMCWvM7

Next Reviews:

• Anime – Elfen Lied → Now and Then, Here and There → Neon Genesis Evangelion
• Manga – Black Torch

Music & Credits:

• Credits: Opening: “Shibuya” | Music via slip.stream

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Winter 2026 Anime Preview & The 15 New Anime You Need to Watch

Happy new year! 2026 is here and, with it, a bunch of new shows to look forward to! Your cries have been heard; 'which ones are worth watching?', you're probably asking. Well, never fear because, this week, AniPro ranks the fifteen shows YOU need to check out this Winter 2025 season!

Also, Jay's finishing up, Mike's horsing around, Cole's on a roll, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - AniProPod 213: Happy New Year 2026!
• 01:24 - Jay's Watchlist & One Punch Man S3 Discussion
• 11:41 - Uma Musume and the Denver Broncos & Katamari
• 25:40 - Returning Anime: Frieren S2, JJK S3 & Fate/Strange Fake
• 34:58 - Chained Soldier S2, Hell's Paradise S2 & Steel Ball Run
• 45:25 - Trigun Stargaze & Oshi no Ko Season 3
• 49:38 - Medalist S2, MF Ghost S3 & MHA: Vigilantes S2
• 54:37 - Question of the Week: Fate/Strange Fake Origins
• 55:20 - Ad Break: Tokyo Treat & Sakuraco
• 01:00:06 - Question of the Week: Answer
• 01:03:03 - Honorable Mentions: Androids, Cute Girls & Dragons
• 01:11:09 - Top 15: Journal with Witch, Love Through A Prism & The Darwin Incident
• 01:22:09 - You and I Are Polar Opposites, Tune In to the Midnight Heart & Sentenced to Be a Hero
• 01:35:24 - Champignon no Majo, Tamon's B-Side & Wash It All Away
• 01:45:59 - Hana-Kimi, Holy Grail of Eris & SHIBOYUGI
• 01:55:39 - Kaya-chan Isn't Scary & Case File of Arne (Arne no Jikenbo)
• 02:01:02 - You Can't Be In a Rom-Com with Your Childhood Friends
• 02:04:22 - Next Reviews & Outro

Support AniPro:

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AniProPod
• Mailbag: https://anipropod.com/mailbag
• TokyoTreat: Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off: https://team.tokyotreat.com/AniPro

Follow & Subscribe:

• X: twitter.com/AniProPod
• IG: instagram.com/anipropod
• Discord: discord.gg/dV5tMCWvM7

Next Reviews:

• Anime: Elfen Lied → Now and Then, Here and There → Neon Genesis Evangelion
• Manga: Black Torch

Music & Credits:

• Opening: “Shibuya”

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

2026 Anime News Reactions & The New Year’s Resolution Reckoning | AniPro 212

2025 has come and gone, and AniPro is ringing in the new year with the last of their year-end traditions: it's their new year's resolutions! Tune in to find out what the boys resolve to do in the new year, and whether or not they succeeded in their previous pledges!

Also, Mike's getting spanked, Cole's cold, Jay's finding weird manga (what else is new), and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Introduction & The Great Berry Heist
• 07:53 - Power Fantasies & Jay’s Weird Manga Discovery
• 11:32 - "Built Different" & The Winnipeg Snow Crisis
• 17:33 - Jump Festa News: Chainsaw Man & One Piece Elbaf
• 26:36 - JoJo’s Steel Ball Run, Madoka Magica, & Dorohedoro S2
• 36:31 - Ghost in the Shell Reboot & Witch Hat Atelier
• 49:28 - KyoAni’s Sparks of Tomorrow & Goku Voice Actor Trivia
• 1:00:16 - The Resolution Reckoning: Reviewing 2025’s Pledges
• 1:18:43 - Setting 2026 Goals: Detective Conan & Pokémon Quest
• 1:48:59 - Listener’s Choice Winner: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Support AniPro:

• Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/AniProPod
• Mailbag – https://anipropod.com/mailbag
• TokyoTreat ($5 off) – Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/AniPro

Follow & Subscribe:

• X (Twitter) – https://twitter.com/AniProPod
• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/anipropod
• Discord – https://discord.gg/dV5tMCWvM7

Next Reviews:

• Anime – Elfen Lied → Now and Then, Here and There
• Manga – Black Torch

Music & Credits:

• Opening Theme – “Shibuya”
• Bumper Track – "Retired Betamax" by "Pandicio Del Toro"
• Music licensed via – slip.stream

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Game Awards 2025 Reactions & Our 4th Annual Airing of Grievances

The suite of holiday traditions continue as, this week, AniPro airs their grievances for the holiday of Festivus!

Also, Cole's turning into a kid on Christmas, Mike's going to the source of Howl's Moving Castle, Jay's metamorphosis has reached its final form, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - AniProPod 211 Intro
• 02:10 - Howl’s Moving Castle: The Isekai Reveal & Book vs. Movie
• 13:10 - Jay’s New Gear: The Shure SM7B & The "Industry Standard"
• 20:39 - Retro Gaming: Perfect Dark, Emulation & PS2 Gems
• 25:40 - The 2025 Game Awards: Ace Combat 8 & Star Wars Announcements
• 35:10 - Expedition 33 Sweeps & The State of Indie vs. Triple-A
• 54:20 - Retail Grievances: The Jinx of "Slow Days" & Superstitions
• 59:05 - The State of Movies: Budgets, Safe Sequels & Spite
• 01:05:00 - The "Early Announcement" Problem & Vaporware (Elder Scrolls VI)
• 01:13:45 - Cole’s Hot Take: Retiring Retired People on Weekends
• 01:20:10 - Raging Against the Machine: Buttons vs. Touchscreens
• 01:28:45 - The Death of the PS4 & Why the PS6 is Too Soon
• 01:40:20 - Anime Pacing Issues & The Ticketmaster Struggle

Support AniPro:

• Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/AniProPod
• Mailbag – https://anipropod.com/mailbag
• TokyoTreat ($5 off) – Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/AniPro

Follow & Subscribe:

• X (Twitter) – https://twitter.com/AniProPod
• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/anipropod
• Discord – https://discord.gg/dV5tMCWvM7

Next Reviews:

• Anime – Elfen Lied → Now and Then, Here and There
• Manga – Black Torch

Music & Credits:

• Opening Theme – “Shibuya”
• Bumper Track – "Retired Betamax" by "Pandicio Del Toro"
• Music licensed via – slip.stream

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Unhinged Weeb Letters to Santa | Ace Combat, Sonic & The Perfect Pizza Slice | AniPro Podcast 210

The holiday season is upon us, and AniPro is prepared as, this week, hosts Cole, Mike, and Jay read out their Santa letters! Tune in to hear this holiday tradition of deep desires, and Christmas cheer!

Also, Mike's getting pied, Cole's in the danger zone, Jay's going through metamorphosis, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 Intro: Christmas Letters & The "Six-Seven" Slang
• 07:40 The Perfect Pizza Slice Debate (Domino's vs. Santa Lucia)
• 13:35 Cole’s Gaming Log: Is Ace Combat a JRPG?
• 21:50 Portable Gaming: Minish Cap & Metal Gear
• 23:25 The Sonic Franchise Rant: 06, Adventure 2, & The Movies
• 27:30 Mailbag: The One Punch Man Season 3 Animation Controversy
• 35:30 Trivia: The Secret Behind the PS2 Startup Screen Towers
• 44:27 Did Coca-Cola Invent Santa Claus?
• 50:50 Jay’s Letter: A Christmas Miracle Studio Upgrade
• 57:40 Mike’s Letter: Parenting, RPGs, & Seeking a JoJo Stand
• 1:05:00 Cole’s Letter: GTA VI & March Comes in Like a Lion S3
• 1:11:33 Jay’s Rant: Where is the Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint Anime?
• 1:16:20 Mike’s Conspiracy Letter: Santa the Data Broker & Selling Out
• 1:24:35 Cole’s $1 Million Wish: The Claas Xerion 12 Tractor
• 1:30:40 Outro: Upcoming Reviews (Elfen Lied) & Listener Polls

Vote for Our Listeners' Choice Review (Mecha Edition)!

https://forms.gle/nsq3Qh4Nd3r9cfA67

Poll closes December 20th

Support AniPro:

• Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/AniProPod
• Mailbag – https://anipropod.com/mailbag
• TokyoTreat ($5 off) – Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/AniPro

Follow & Subscribe:

• X (Twitter) – https://twitter.com/AniProPod
• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/anipropod
• Discord – https://discord.gg/dV5tMCWvM7

Next Reviews:

• Anime – Elfen Lied → Now and Then, Here and There
• Manga – Ichi the Witch → Black Torch

Music & Credits:

• Opening Theme – “Shibuya”
• Bumper Track – "Retired Betamax" by "Pandicio Del Toro"
• Music licensed via – slip.stream

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!