Anime Roundtable

Yeah Mike, James, Kevin, and (maybe) Moh, talked about the World Cup, and buying manga, and the stuff upcoming in the Toronto Area. But we finally had our chance to talk about all the Sony stuff on the Playstation and Crunchyroll ends that's been simmering for sometime. Why don't you hear our take on it. And who knows, you may hear Moh talk Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

Anime Trending ’s William Moo sits down with Mike to talk about his time on the judging panel for the recent Crunchyroll Anime Awards and the future of anime awards in general. Another angle on the “Physical vs Digital” debate, light novels and manga with respect to anime seasons. And then Mike gives some quick thoughts after seeing the live action version of Five Centimeters Per Second , and the lack of opportunity to see more Japanese live action movies outside of Japan. Producer's Note: We realize that much of this discussion might actually be out of date now. But we do feel (like with a lot of things we talk about), it'll find a way to become a conversation again William's Queue: Japan's Anime Revolution by Jonathan Clements Daemons of the Shadow Realm Eren the Southpaw This week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when you hear Mike and William shifting in their chairs Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

We begin day two of our annual Anime North visit by looking back on day two…and the rain. And you know the autographs for the Japanese Guests of Honour would be a story 00:48:10 - We quickly recap the Crunchyroll Anime Awards and give a thought on a brewing discussion about how much it matters 01:08:42 - Assistant Programming Director Norm McEvoy makes his annual appearance and actually answers some of the concerns of Day 2 and specifically how Japanese Guests can be different from other guests at anime conventions. Then of course the weather, and thoughts on the 30th Edition of Anime North, along with thoughts for the organizing members who passed away, most notably Cathy Schutt (Graphics Coordinator) 01:41:40 - Mike’s Final Insult. What’s in the number 30? Tonight’s Drinking Game: Take a shot everytime you hear Kevin tapping the table Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

We begin our annual visit to Anime North by catching up with Lawrence and make our usual initial observations on the grounds, especially the Toronto Congress Centre side. Then talk anime merchandise, streaming on service not called Crunchyroll, and use all of that to look forward to tomorrow Tonight’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Norm comes in to check in Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, and Lawrence Black Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

Of course Mike and James had to start with a lot of video game talk (we believe in fandom’s overlap). Then Mike wonders how much AI help would be needed for the socials in the future, and how much video should figure into the podcast side. We come back to Toronto and look ahead to Anime North and beyond to the Toronto Comic Arts Festival , and the Toronto Japanese Film Festival . The first English voice of Sailor Moon is running for Toronto City Council this fall . Then, in memoriam we remember Ted Turner , Tatsuo Sato , and Koji Suzuki and their impact on our fandom over the years. And it’s Mother’s Day, so we talk about our Moms in our fandom. And the Queues: - Your Castle’s Little Helper - Cat’s Eye - Petshop of Horrors - Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku - Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten - The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses - I Made Friends With the Second Prettiest Girl in Class This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Mike or James make a joke that goes over the other’s head Mike Nicolas and James Austin —— Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

And we start it with a story about Neil and one of his favourite subjects… hentai . And the others give their 20 year reflections of the Roundtable and the Toronto fan community 00:33:10 - We give the latest update to the Pokemon Centre stabbing murder. Along with an overview of shops based on specific IPs 01:06:20 - We finally weigh in on the Shogakukan cover up controversy and wonder about the past competence of its editorial department 01:28:00 - And the nominees for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards are … And the Queues Is It My Fault That I Got Bullied? One Piece Live Action Hagenai Geppy-X The Darwin Incident Oshi Uplink Tim Horton's Korea and Anne of Green Gables This Week’s Drinking Game - Pour one out to the victims of the stories we talked about this week Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy-Lynn Greig Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

Mike and James do a space heater for the first time with the wireless mics…and you can hear it. And we start by looking back on 20 years of the Roundtable, and what has changed in terms of how we keep up with any of this (hint: social media and life). And then we look ahead to episode 100 This Week’s Drinking game: Take a shot when you hear Mike taking a TUMS, or use the word “efficency” Mike Nicolas and James Austin What was mentioned Gachiakuta Kaho Shibuya becomes a Twitch ambassador Afroman Lawsuit The Shogakukan controversy Seven Seas Publishing is purchased by Media Do Right Stuf warehouse is for sale Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

We start the Valentines episode by recapping Mike’s space heater review of Scarlet 00:15:22 - We look at the latest crackdown in manga piracy and t ry and make some sense out of it 00:49:38 - Kodansha expands their Print on Demand program . Of which Crunchyroll is part of? 00:56:00 - We crack the whip on the obligatory Crunchyroll stuff. Let’s start with the store… 01:13:30 - Then the streaming subscription prices…going up 01:32:00 - Fandom kept the receipts from Viz . And a quick history of limbo titles from them 01:53:35 - What’s on our queues? James - Lupin III: The Immortal Bloodline Moh - Scarlet (maybe) Kevin - Stray Kids: The DominATE Experience Mike - Falling For Her Secret Side (LN), Otonari Asobi (LN) 02:11:55 - The community calendar, Fruits Basket Prelude, Oshi Uplink V-Tuber Convention This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Mike goes on his rant Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Kevin Ng (eventually) Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

Mike and Moh were talking on the phone the day after the former went out to see Scarlet in IMAX. So the former hit the record button so everyone can know if it's worth seeing in IMAX... Check out our linktr.ee for more all of our links to our blog, channels, and socials, animeroundtable.com

As we settle in and spill a few drinks (this week’s drinking game), we welcome Amy back around the table and get her thoughts on the last number of months 00:12:05 - We start with the Toronto goings on with the official start of the countdown to Anime North , The Artist Alley Shop , local sweets , the follow up to AniRevo Toronto (and what it might overlap with), the predatory nature of the Gaming Card side , and the Nerd Market 00:46:10 - Another angle on the Amazon AI Dubbing story and the scenarios 00:54:40 - An update over the battle between Netflix and Paramount for the soul of Warner Bros/Discovery , and a thought for series being released for binge vs week to week 01:14:30 - Hideaki Anno on Japanese creators adapting to international markets …let’s dig here a little bit, there’s some nuance to talk about 01:45:50 - And what’s on our read, watch, and play lists…with some further therapy for Mike and his growing Light Novel addiction Moh: Rental Family , Frieren James: Wash It All Away Kevin: Another Code: Recollection Amy: My Hero Academia, Sanda , Spy x Family, Rica ‘tte Kanji , My Journey to Her , With You Our Love Will Make It Through Mike: My Stepmom’s Daughter is My Ex , Catch Me at the Ballpark , Days With My Stepsister , Falling for Her Secret Side And finally a possible idea for a future stream... Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Amy-Lynn Greig, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Check out our Linktr.ee for more details and the socials: animeroundtable.com

Kevin lives to tell about his experience working retail the day after Christmas (one of the busiest shopping days of the year). Kevin lives to tell about his trip to Asia (which did include Japan). Kevin gives us his takes on the last few Space Heaters (because he was living). Then Kevin wonders what our reading and watching lists say about him and Mike (and tries to survive telling that) It's the final podcast recording of 2025. Hope you like it *more links to be added* Mike Nicolas and Kevin Ng Check out our Linktr.ee for more details and the socials: animeroundtable.com

Mike and Mohamed go on and off topic wondering what was the bigger garbage fire this week. Was it the FIFA World Cup Draw , or Amazon's anime AI Dub attempt? And then we went on and off topic one more time with Netflix/WB and Crunchyroll ending winding down their ad tier . And then we end with our usual "What are we watching and reading" segment. Here's one of Mike's hints: Happy Birthday Mahiru Shiina!! This Week's Drinking Game: Take a shot for Mike when he realizes Moh got disconnected... Mike Nicolas and Mohamed Sharmarke Check out our Linktr.ee for more details and the socials: animeroundtable.com

TLDR: It was better than the microphones for this taping…and you can hear it Mike and James give their review on the first Anime Revoution Toronto the previous weekend, and in particular the Japanese guests. With a few thoughts on the Toronto Game Expo which was also the same weekend. With a longer conversation about the convention scene for Toronto. And a throw away thought on Amazon’s AI Dubbing attempt Remind Mike to do a mic check next time Mike Nicolas and James Austin Check out our linktr.ee for more information: animeroundtable.com

Mike and James finally go back to the podcast mics. And James talks watching Virgin Punk in theatres, XSEED , and Crunchyroll subtitles . Mike talks his first impressions of using the Manga UP service. We look ahead to Anime Revolution Toronto. And end with a tribute to an Anime North original Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

Our first regular episode since Anime North begins by looking back on the Demon Slayer movie talk in last week’s Space Heater. And a question about how much Sony’s recent form has been a win 00:31:40 - Crunchyroll announces an opening for their returning manga service . And there is an extra charge for it and… Mike seeks therapy after going anime window shopping visit to Chinatown for the first time in years 01:09:20 - The AnimeMen youtube channel has made some news lately 01:34:50 - Kevin went down to AnimeNYC 01:53:00 - The Toronto Community calendar. Anime Revolution Toronto , and Anime Festa This week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot everytime you hear Mike tapping his pen Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Amy-Lynn Greig, and Mohamed Sharmarke (eventually) Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki —— Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

Taped after the successful opening weekend of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle in North American theatres. Mike hasn’t seen it, but Kevin and Moh have. So we talk about that and “a few” things surrounding it Visit our launch page for more links: animeroundtable.com

The short answer is yes...as James catches up with the Mike. Gives his view last week's chat on the VShojo controversy , his thoughts on manga, light novels, and how they roll into anime. And then he talks about what caught his attention, namely the Animeigo and Discotek panels at Otakon and how they're a throwback to anime announcements from a by gone time Visit our launch page for links: animeroundtable.com

Mike finally returns on the podcast side and catches up with Kevin for a talk around the space heater. We get Kevin's take on recent manga announcements from Anime Expo and San Diego, as well as his take on Mike's recent thoughts on manga and light novels. Then, Kevin did see BlackPink when they were in Toronto a few weeks back. So we get his thoughts on that and the Ado concert which took place last night. And finally under the "What the hell man?" heading, VShojo... Visit our launch page for links: animeroundtable.com

Day two from Anime North always starts with impressions of it. Especially the weather and cosplay, what we saw in the TCC, and the panels seen and even done 0:49:40 - We talked about Matt Alt’s article about the resilience of the popularity of Japanese Pop Culture in comparison to Western …perhaps it’s a focus issue. And maybe the west’s influence in Asian Pop Culture 1:20:55 - Anime North Assistant Program Director Norm McEvoy makes his annual walk on with his thoughts on the convention so far 1:32:20 - Headlines in brief. Crunchyroll now at 17M subscribers . Anne Shirley’s all American cast . And watching 1100 One Piece episodes in 24hr??! 1:52:28 - What’s on our reading and watch lists (Beastars, Blue Box, The Makani, Summer Pockets, Kowloon Generic Romance, Anne Shirley, Apothicary Diaries, Catch Me at the Ballpark, Gundam GQuuuax, Pikman 4, Haganai, Vigilantes MHA, Dr Stone, Red Ranger Isikai) 2:03:10 - Mike’s Final Insult Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Amy Lynn Greig, with Norm McEvoy Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our launch page for links: animeroundtable.com

We look back on Day 1 of AN. We talk initial impressions, how the AN compound looks, the weather, then some thoughts on the foreign film tariffs and wonder how this either ties into anime in North America and how it makes any sense Then we look ahead to Day 2, and Mike's special presentation before the evening taping Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Lawrence Black Visit our launch page for links: animeroundtable.com