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.REFERENCESAo Haru Ride is currently being published by Viz Media's Shojo Beat lineOther works Nancy has edited: Ouran High School Host Club, Vampire Knight, Not Your Idol, An Incurable Case of Love, The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Fushigi Yugi: Byakko SenkiOther Io Sakisaka works: Strobe Edge, Love Me, Love Me NotAo Haru Ride pays homage to We Were ThereOther manga mentioned: Shortcake Cake, Daytime Shooting StarAnime mentioned: Yuri!!! on Ice, Keep Your Hands Off EizoukenYA books and authors mentioned: Meredith Russo, John Green, Rainbow Rowell, Angie Thomas, The Hunger Games, Divergent, Twilight, Children of Blood and Bone, The Wicked KingCONTACT USNancy runs the Shojo Beat Twitter: @shojobeatYou can ask questions and make licensing requests on Shojo Beat's Tumblr: officialshojobeatShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter: @AshMcD00The next episode will be about the short series Beast Master by Kyousuke Motomi.