Preview Guide 1: Fruits Basket Another and Sacrificial Princess & the King of Beasts

Fushigi Yugi Part 2: Covers volumes 10-18 of FUSHIGI YUGI by Yu Watase We’re back to talk about the strange saga of FUSHIGI YUGI’s ending and how Tamahome became Taka, or Taka was always Taka but he allowed Tamahome to exist, one’s a shadow, something like that. Just trust us on this one. Ashley, Caitlin, and Jess also discuss how Miaka and Yui have matured after one of them was consumed by a dragon god (oh, they also graduated middle school), how a young Yu Watase may have been underestimating the power of shojo manga, and, most importantly, everybody weighs in on which of the Celestial Warriors has the best hair. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

68 min listen

Intro & Teaser: A teaser of the Revolutionary Girl Utena and Cardcaptor Sakura episodes, plus some info on the format and vision of the podcast. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

5 min listen

Valentine’s Day Special: Roses are red / Violets are blue / Shojo is sweet / Here are strange ships Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s a bonus episode where we asked various people to answer this question: If you could ship any characters across shojo series, who would you ship and why? The answers may surprise you. Especially since Ashley cheats and takes protagonists from a shonen manga instead. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

34 min listen

MeruPuri (with Loyola Rankin): All four volumes of MERUPURI are discussed. Ashley and Loyola discuss a short manga from Matsuri Hino, the creator of “Vampire Knight.” It’s the first manga covered on the podcast that doesn’t have an anime adaptation, and given its strange mashup of Japanese, German, English, and random symbols, neither Ashley nor Loyola ever figures out how to pronounce ANYTHING! (as-tale? UH-stale? Who knows? Do you know?) There’s talk of tattoos and taboos, mirrors reflecting the past and the present, and fanfiction written about main character Airi’s favorite show, “Tales of Marriage on the Plains.” by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

110 min listen

Arina Tanemura One-Shots (with Loyola Rankin): Covers: I.O.N., SHORT-TEMPERED MELANCHOLIC AND OTHER STORIES, and MISTRESS FORTUNE, all by Arina Tanemura Put on your frilliest dress and lace up as Loyola and Ashley discuss a bunch of one-volume manga from the author of FULL MOON O SAGASHITE. Which of these six short stories was the best? Why exactly did Tanemura think having a lecherous 14-year-old character would be fun? Should you forget your umbrella every time it rains so your crush will be forced to share theirs with you? All that and much more is discussed in this whacky episode. Spoilers: Ashley's favorite characters were definitely Tagosaku and the infamous Truck-kun. Also, Loyola and Ashley would like to apologize to any listeners who speak Japanese for their inability to pronounce names or terms correctly. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

79 min listen

Cardcaptor Sakura Part 2: Jess and Ashley discuss “Cardcaptor Sakura” vol. 7-12, PLUS the first volume of the new “CCS: Clear Card Arc” manga! There's a debate about the merits of passive versus active heroism, Ashley likes Ruby Moon while Jess crushes on Yue, they take a very definitive Teen Vogue quiz to assess if Sakura and Syaoran are ready for their long-distance relationship, and — wait a second, there are like four student/teacher romances in this manga?! Oh, CLAMP. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

125 min listen

Banana Fish Part 2 (with Marion Bea): Covers volumes 12 through 19 of BANANA FISH by Akimi Yoshida It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: BANANA FISH fan Marion goes on an epic rant about The Ending of the series. Seriously! What?! WHY?! Who thought this was okay!? Marion and Shojo & Tell host Ashley also discuss the role of women in Yoshida’s series, touch on the importance of found families, walk through all the ships we’re given in the end (obviously, OTP is Ash and Eiji), and ponder why Blanca has such broad shoulders. Plus: Did Ashley cry while reading the short story “Garden of Light” on the bus? You’ll just have to listen to find out. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

94 min listen

Japan Trip 2018 Special: We’re going on a Japan trip! Ashley’s been on vacation in Japan for the past two weeks, and has gone on some manga-related adventures (and many non-manga-related adventures). She and her romantic partner/Viz Media employee/travel companion Jeff Ruberg discuss the Kimi ni Todoke exhibit at Tokyo Anime Center, how it compares to the ongoing Shonen Jump exhibit, what it’s like seeing the cherry blossoms and going to themed cafes, and generally what their favorite activity on this trip has been. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

52 min listen

Maid-sama! Part 2: Vol 10-18 of MAID-SAMA! (end of the series) Asher and Ashley are back to discuss the second half of Hiro Fujiwara’s modern masterpiece about Maid Latte. As promised, the Ashes discuss MAID-SAMA!’s portrayal of social class and the tension between the aristocracy and the meritocracy, lament that some characters end up in problematic pairings, and gush about how cute Misaki and Usui were during the hot springs trip (and later, when they exchange scarves — too freakin’ cute!). by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

99 min listen

QQ Sweeper (with Laura from Heart of Manga): Covers all three volumes of QQ SWEEPER by Kyousuke Motomi Spring is finally here! So Ashley and Laura prepare to start spring cleaning by first reading QQ SWEEPER. Which is legit about sweeping. Like, with a broom. A plain old broom. Sure, it's also about exorcisms and supernatural stuff and punching giant centipedes, but mostly, it's about sweeping. And it is SO GOOD. Ashley and Laura get to the heart of what a Cinderella story even is, why this series has a sequel called QUEEN'S QUALITY, the power of cleaning in real life and in metaphor, and take a quiz on how to properly clean your kitchen. (Sorry. Only your kitchen will be spotless. Kyutaro is very disappointed.) by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

62 min listen

Tokyo Tarareba Girls (with Amelia Cook): Covers all 9 volumes of TOKYO TARAREBA GIRLS by Akiko Higashimura This episode, Ashley and Amelia discuss a josei series for the first time on the podcast. What if, what if, we told you “Tokyo Tarareba Girls” is one of the best manga of the decade? What if, what if, you’ve never read a more relatable manga than this in your life? What if, what if, we told you to stop lollygagging around and read this manga right now? As you’ll find out from our heartfelt and earnest discussion, this story about women looking to settle down before they reach 40 will hit you hard in the feels. Also KEY SUCKS, Team Hayasaka forever! by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

102 min listen

Ao Haru Ride Pt. 1 (with Shojo Beat Senior Editor Nancy Thistlethwaite): Covers volumes 1–7 of AO HARU RIDE (aka Blue Spring Ride) by Io Sakisaka. AO HARU RIDE is the story of sweethearts Futaba and Kou after they were separated in middle school and reunited in high school. On this special episode, Nancy Thistlethwaite (the editor of the series for Viz Media's Shojo Beat!) delves into the enduring appeal of Io Sakisaka's work, how AO HARU RIDE pays homage to WE WERE THERE by Yuki Obata, and explains the use of some unexpected slang. This is also the first time the podcast has covered a series that is currently still publishing in English. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

62 min listen

The Key to the Kingdom (with Megan DeYarman): Covers all 6 volumes of THE KEY TO THE KINGDOM by Kyoko Shitou Megan and Ashley discuss a very underappreciated title published by the now-defunct CMX. Many comparisons to “The Vision of Escaflowne” are made as discussions about dragons and fate ensue. Are the dragons a metaphor for nuclear weapons? Do Gaius and Badd have a thing for each other? Just what kind of leader is Asta, anyway? Why the heck did you never hear about this gorgeous manga?! All your pressing questions about just what the heck the Key to the Kingdom even is will be answered here. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

70 min listen

Revolutionary Girl Utena (with Rose Bridges): Ashley and Rose discuss how divergent the manga and anime of “Revolutionary Girl Utena” are, debate whether the manga is still a deconstruction of the shoujo genre, figure out which Disney prince Utena is, and ponder whether “Kill la Kill” is an homage to “Utena.” Somehow, even though Ashley’s middle name is Rose and she was talking to someone named Rose, jokes about being the Rose Bride don’t happen. Oops? by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

80 min listen

House of the Sun Part 1 (with Kelly Quinn Chiu): Covers volumes 1–7 of HOUSE OF THE SUN by Taamo One Panel Later co-host, librarian, and manga reviewer Kelly Quinn Chiu explains why Taamo’s HOUSE OF THE SUN is such a hidden gem. Kelly and Shojo & Tell host Ashley discuss the ups and downs of this slice-of-life drama and age gap romance, why libraries don’t often have digital manga, why Mao is so obsessed with a phallic creature, how Hiro needs therapy (lots and lots of therapy), and how truly awful Mao’s family (and Sugimoto) are. The metaphors of umbrellas and fireworks and the trap that is the influence of consistency are also scrutinized. Spoiler: Daiki is the best, can’t nobody tell Ashley otherwise. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

104 min listen

Millennium Snow (with Caitlin Moore): Covers all of MILLENNIUM SNOW by Bisco Hatori In the 10 years between the publication of the second and third volume of “Millennium Snow,” Bisco Hatori went off and wrote this little-known manga called “Ouran High School Host Club.” How did that affect this short and sweet four-volume manga? How does this vampire and werewolf love triangle compare to the infamous Twilight Saga? (Hint: It's much better.) How does it handle the themes of morality and time? Ashley and Caitlin discuss all that, and much, much more. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

84 min listen

Maid-sama! Part 1 (with Asher Sofman): Covers: MAID-SAMA! Vol. 1-9 After doing two classic shojo series, we’re finally covering Ashley’s favorite manga of all time: “Maid-sama!” Yes, Ashley’s favorite manga is about working in a maid cafe. Asher and Ashley discuss how liking a manga about maids is okay (also discussed: whether this manga is *actually* about maids), what this battle of the sexes story has to say about gender roles, and whether Misaki Ayuzawa and Usui Takumi make a good couple. Mostly, Ashley just rants about how Misaki is the greatest. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

85 min listen

Pretear (with May Fisher-Guest): Covers all of PRETEAR by Junichi Sato and Kaori Naruse (four volumes) Remember back in 2001 when the PRETEAR anime was the cool new shojo? Did you know there was a manga that’s actually pretty vastly different than that anime you remember so fondly? May Fisher-Guest (host of the Digimon podcast Lost in Translationmon) and ever-present host Ashley get into the differences between the anime and the manga, dissect the series’ connections to the fairytales SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS and CINDERELLA, talk about the cyclic nature of suffering, and fawn over how hot Hayate and the other boys are (the art is amaze!). In addition to an epic shipping corner, May and Ashley also answer the ultimate question: Which one of the seven dwarfs are you? by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

90 min listen

Princess Jellyfish Part 2: Covers volumes 9 to 17 of PRINCESS JELLYFISH by Akiko Higashimura Don your armor (read: your prettiest, frilliest dress) and get ready to defend Tsukimi and all the residents of Amamizukan from corporate kidnapper Kai Fish. Guest Carrie McClain (an editor at Black Nerd Problems) and host Ashley list off the moments that made them cry in the second half, what clothes come to mean for the Amars, who has agency (and who doesn’t), and have one of the most epic Shipping Corners on the podcast yet. (Shu!! How dare you worm your way into our hearts like this?! HOW DARE YOU make us doubt Kuranosuke x Tsukimi for even a minute?!) Plus, in an author’s note, Higashimura questions why PRINCESS JELLYFISH is so popular in America, so Ashley and Carrie, as Americans, provide personal (and speculative) answers. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

109 min listen

Strobe Edge (with Alyssa from Anime Intensity): Covers all ten volumes of STROBE EDGE by Io Sakisaka First: STROBE EDGE is an amazing title, and we take many opportunities to remind you of this throughout the episode. How do you not want to read a manga called STROBE EDGE? If you need more convincing about how great this work from Io Sakisaka is, Alyssa (who runs the YouTube channel Anime Intensity) and Shojo & Tell host Ashley do a character conflicts rundown, discuss the merits (or lack thereof) of love triangles as a trope (also: Team Ren? Team Ando? Team Daiki? Why not... all of them? Or maybe we should be Team Ninako?), and gush about Sakisaka’s simple yet gorgeous art. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

91 min listen

Fruits Basket Part 1 (with ANN’s Jacob Chapman): Covers volumes 1-8 of FRUITS BASKET by Natsuki Takaya At the height of the mid-2000s manga boom in the US, there was no bigger series than FRUITS BASKET. And this story about orphaned Tohru Honda and the Sohma family curse has endured, getting a very special rerelease in recent years. For a series this influential, we brought on one of the biggest Furuba fans of all: Anime News Network editor Jacob Chapman. We discuss why FRUITS BASKET left such a lasting impression, who our favorite Sohmas are, how Tokyopop and Yen Press’ translations compare, what the curse really is, Kyo’s “true” form and the search for what’s real, Furuba’s message about belief in others, particularly as it relates to religion and family, and much, much more. Most importantly, obviously, we answer the question: Yuki or Kyo? And just think: This is only the first of three episodes about Takaya’s masterpiece. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

120 min listen

Wake Up, Sleeping Beauty (with Asher Sofman): Covers WAKE UP, SLEEPING BEAUTY by Megumi Morino (all six volumes of the series) “I can't believe WAKE UP, SLEEPING BEAUTY single-handedly convinced me that manga was not a mistake.” “This is up there with ERASED and PRINCESS JELLYFISH for me as far as human relations go.” “I don't know if I'm going to be able to go back to manga after reading this manga, it was everything I ever wanted in a romance manga.” “This manga is much better than you would expect since nobody’s hyped it up — and we want to be the hype.” Quite simply, if you’re not reading Megumi Morino’s debut series, WAKE UP, SLEEPING BEAUTY, you are missing out. It’s easily the most underrated shojo manga of the year. It’s short and sweet and you should read it. If you want to find out a bit more before committing to the six volumes, give the beginning of this a listen. The story follows a girl who gets possessed by ghosts, and a boy who is afraid of ghosts but ends up falli by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

67 min listen

Kimi ni Todoke Part 2 (with Caitlin Moore): Covers volumes 11–20 of KIMI NI TODOKE by Karuho Shiina Winter is here, which means it’s time to settle in with the coziest manga for the season: the beloved KIMI NI TODOKE. Shojo & Tell host Ashley and shojo manga connoisseur Caitlin Moore are back to discuss the good and the bad about the middle of Karuho Shiina’s hit series. Somehow, Kazehaya and Kento have flipped in quality during these 10 volumes (KAZEHAYA. GET IT TOGETHER. HOLD SAWAKO’S HAND.), so a lot is said about how that weirdness happens. Also discussed: The best Chizu moments (when she says Kento is a “schmuck” is very high on the list), why Ayane continues to be the best, and how crummy Kazehaya’s dad is. Plus, we figure out Ayane’s love language, because she deserves a nice boy and happiness. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

75 min listen

Cardcaptor Sakura Part 1 (with Jess Tan): Kyahhhh! It’s time to release the first episode about one of the most iconic shojo series ever! Ashley and Jess cover volumes 1-6 of “Cardcaptor Sakura” and discuss who is the best character (hint: Toya, but also maybe all of them?), how CCS represents every type of love you could think of (for better or worse), and come up with an excellent marketing plan to help CLAMP’s iconic series take advantage of the collectible card genre. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

74 min listen

We Were There Part 1 (with Nancy from Shojo Beat): Covers volumes 1-8 of WE WERE THERE by Yuki Obata Super special guest Nancy Thistlethwaite, a senior editor for Viz Media’s Shojo Beat line, discusses the first half of the beautiful and devastating series WE WERE THERE with host Ashley. Nancy and Ashley get into why Obata’s work didn’t take off in America, which scenes punched them in the gut the most, why people who don’t ship Yano and Nanami just don’t get it, and find out which Disneyland Land Nanami is. Plus, you find out that Ashley really loves Yano’s t-shirts. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

61 min listen

Princess Jellyfish Part 1 (with Carrie McClain): Covers volumes 1 to 8 of PRINCESS JELLYFISH by Akiko Higashimura Chances are you’ve heard heaps and heaps of praise bestowed upon this manga about a jellyfish otaku whose life is changed forever by a crossdresser. That praise is HELLA ACCURATE. Carrie McClain (an editor at Black Nerd Problems) and host Ashley reveal how much they’ve become PRINCESS JELLYFISH otaku by fangirling all over the Amars and Kuranosuke, dissecting how Higashimura explores identity politics through the narrative and motifs in the art, and remind you that everybody, EVERYBODY, is an otaku. Yes, even straight-laced, stuffy Shu. He’s a Tsukimi otaku. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

98 min listen

Preview Guide 1: Fruits Basket Another and Sacrificial Princess & the King of Beasts: Discusses the first volumes of FRUITS BASKET ANOTHER by Natsuki Takaya and SACRIFICIAL PRINCESS & THE KING OF BEASTS by Yu Tomofuji Welcome to our first preview guide! What's a preview guide, you ask? Our preview guide episodes will cover the first volume of newly released shojo/josei series (in the US), providing first reactions about the manga (mixing review with our normal discussion format). These will be shorter episodes that come out in addition to our normal bi-weekly, in-depth series discussions. More shojo talk! What could be better? Our inaugural series are FRUITS BASKET ANOTHER and SACRIFICIAL PRINCESS & THE KING OF BEASTS. Honestly, you know what you’re getting just from those titles alone, but Shojo & Tell host Ashley and her bestie Asher Sofman tell you their likes and dislikes and hopes and dreams. Can the world handle yet another FRUITS BASKET (without the gimmick that made the origi by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

43 min listen

Bonus: Fruits Basket Theatrical Release and Sailor Moon: The Super Live: A bonus episode discussing the release of the first two episodes of the new FRUITS BASKET anime in theaters and the performance of PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON: THE SUPER LIVE in Washington, DC for the start of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Shojo & Tell host Ashley and friendo Asher delve into the highs and lows of these shojo special events. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

43 min listen

The Full-Time Wife Escapist (with Megan DeYarman): Covers all 9 volumes of THE FULL-TIME WIFE ESCAPIST by Tsunami Umino What would it be like to get married as a job? Megan DeYarman (of The Manga Test Drive) and host Ashley dive into THE FULL-TIME WIFE ESCAPIST’s (very good) takes on alternatives to traditional marriage, family generally, and employment in particular (scheduling out twice-monthly hug dates may not be as weird and emotionless as it seems!). Plus, there’s plenty of gushing about the respectful representation of older virgins, a nice in-depth character walkthrough of the main cast (Mikuri, Hiramasa, Kazami, Yuri), and a helpful quiz to figure out what job Mikuri should be pursuing with her psychology degree. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

61 min listen

Preview Guide 2: Shortcake Cake: Discusses the first volume of SHORTCAKE CAKE by Suu Morishita We’re back for our second preview guide, covering this month’s new shojo manga series debut of SHORTCAKE CAKE. Viz Media’s mobile app developer Jeff Ruberg and host Ashley review and react to this first volume, digging into its fresh pop aesthetic, which boy is the cutest, Ten’s really long hair, and more. Should you pick up this volume, or should you just go pick up a piece of shortcake instead? Find out here. by Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

34 min listen

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Preview Guide 1: Fruits Basket Another and Sacrificial Princess & the King of Beasts

Preview Guide 1: Fruits Basket Another and Sacrificial Princess & the King of Beasts

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