Please enjoy this discussion of Hirayasumi by Keigo Shinzo, on ongoing seinen series that we’ve both kept up with since it’s serialisation and has received plenty of acclaim and accolades that we both agree is well deserved.

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

6:08 Adult cast dealing with real life issues done well

9:54 How much longer does it have left?

12:54 Possibility of anime or live-action adaptations - studio suggestions?

16:43 Favourite characters and storylines (Mild spoilers)

19:03 Togashi’s reputation and his spot in Weekly Shounen Jump

21:33 Our thoughts on the current Weekly Shounen Jump; next generation of battle shounen; diverse vs orthodox series

21:55 The ‘love triangle’ between Hiroto/Yomogi/You

24:48 Enzo Recommendation: My Roommate is a Cat by Tsunami Minatsuki/Asu Futatsuya

27:28 Samu’s Recommendation: Koiiji: Love Glutton by Takako Shimura

30:16 Overview and current scores

Please enjoy this discussion of the first arc (Hunter exam) of Hunter x Hunter by Yoshiro Togashi, a series beloved by both of us that we’ve discussed at length before but will now embark on an arc-by-arc breakdown.

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

1:08 Enzo’s and Samu’s histories with Hunter x Hunter; initial impressions of the Hunter Exam arc’s tone

4:53 When did we realise this was something special? (Spoilers)

9:47 Comparisons to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’s First-Class Mage Exam; how does it compare?

16:37 Togashi twisting expectations and ending arcs with an anticlimax

19:03 Togashi’s reputation and his spot in Weekly Shounen Jump

21:33 Our thoughts on the current Weekly Shounen Jump; next generation of battle shounen; diverse vs orthodox series

31:15 Samu’s Recommendation: Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto

32:38 Enzo Recommendation: Made in Abyss by Akihito Tsukushi

34:45 Overview and final score

This week we're discussing Pluto by Naoki Urasawa, fresh off the heels of its Netflix adaptation in late 2023.

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

1:08 Astro Boy’s “The Greatest Robot in the World” story arc and Osamu Tezuka

2:08 Enzo’s introduction to Pluto and the history of the anime adaptation

5:11 Which is better: Anime vs Manga?

6:26 Overall impressions; Politics of the war in the Middle East; Quality of the series from the start to the finish

10:22 How does Pluto compare to other Naoki Urasawa series?

13:58 What series might Netflix “rescue” in the future?

18:29 Spoiler discussion begins

19:20 Death of the robots; mystery vs tragedy?

25:53 Anticlimactic ending

28:14 Favourite moments; Timely and timeless themes

31:15 Samu’s Recommendation: ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Department by Natsume Ono

32:25 Enzo Recommendation: Atom: The Beginning by Kasahara Tetsurou

33:56 Overview and final scores