Friend of the show Tonya returns to discuss bloodlust, the movie but also just the concept. We meet the Barbaroi, a delightful band of mistfit mutants, and Meier Link, perhaps the only justifiable vampire lover. We also learn about Carmilla, both the villainess and the inspirational 1872 irish gothic novella. Find the movie for FREE here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbNktf-Sg7A

Come hunt vampires with us and our fabulous guests!!!! Well, one vampire in particular! Count Magnus Lee and his castle's dastardly denizens have been an influence on vampire media and video games for decades. With tropes and character designs that will last far into the future, popping up in series like Castlevania and Final Fantasy to this day. Find Sophie and Sin's work here: https://www.youtube.com/@SinclairLore And watch the movie for free here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6k6TrnLvZo

We conclude our short trifecta of critically acclaimed anime films with possibly the most beloved director in the industry: Satoshi Kon. His first animated film took anime audiences to a higher level of shot composition, transitions, and structural and visual storytelling. Join us and always stimulating guest Th8a as we step through the looking glass and ask the mind bending questions: what is a film? what is a story? and what is reality?

The battle over studio Ghibli's future rages on! This week we examine the recent oscar winning film The Boy and the Heron. Is it Hayao Miyazaki's greatest work? Or just the last gasp of relevancy from a prolific but doddering creator? Ebony Atropus joins us to figure out where this bizarrely paced surrealist dreamscape falls on that spectrum. Check out Ebony's music at: https://covenantrecords.bandcamp.com/album/nightly-visits

In this short series of movie specials, we will look at the three works by three highly respected anime directors. First we look at Alex's favorite director and another pinnacle (and critical) story of police militarization. Join us and friends of the show Sophie and Sin of SInclairLore for a delightful discussion.

One last Ashina sized episode to close out our Sekiro coverage. Mimi's partner Stephanie joins us to take a last longing gaze at some of our favorite fights and set pieces. Thanks to everyone who has listened and remember: Hesitation is defeat! Mimi and Alex are planning a parallel Sekiro Speedrun on sunday 3/17/24. Join us for the celebration and Alex's streaming debut! Mimi's Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/gaymimi

Have you ever met a god? Where would you expect to find one? At the top of a majestic mountain? Within the halls of a royal court? Or perhaps one must only look inward to seek the divine. Join us on our quest for the Sakura Dragon as we examine all the unsightly denizens of Fountainhead Palace.

WE ALREADY CLIMBED THIS TOWER!!! Well, now we have to do it again, with foreign invaders lurking around every corner. And at the top: Fight Your Dad 2019. Come listen to the many things Mimi has to say about the father figure we love to hate, Owl.

Down in the valley there's a place were everyone eventually goes. It's cold a quiet quiet, except when the beast bellows. Come join Alex and Mimi as we find that beast, and all the other strange things along the way. Walk the path of Orangutan and King Fisher, and explore a nuanced and prescient underworld journey. Mimi recommends this exquisite video on underworld myths: https://youtu.be/Z4dAMMkqPoY?si=gUxeRo72SVM6tUbt

There is another! The Divine Heir of the Dragon's heritage has a sistah... of sorts. We ascend the mountain to reach close to nirvana, but we are once again descending into spiritual muck and religious villainy. Join us as we discuss our favorite enemies to kill, since they are explicitly child murderers. Also, centipedes

Down through the fog, down through the trees, way down into the water and the muck. In this episode we touch on the depths of sorrow, the depths of nutritional poverty, and the depths of Ashina. Also, we talk about why the headless pulls something out of your butt.

It's time to look at Ashina Castle, both as a setting and structure for dramatic storytelling. It is the tower we must climb and when we descend again we will be forever changed. We also have to take a close look at Genichiro's horny warcrimes and an even closer look at Mimi's complicated relationship with this would be immortal.

Enemies of Sekiro is back!!! And this time we are going BACK IN TIME to the year of the Dragonspring Pilgrimage. Mimi joins as cohost to lend her Sengoku era expertise. Are you ready, son of owl? Check out this awesome poem about a butterfly: https://www.learnreligions.com/butterflies-great-sages-and-valid-cognition-3182587

BONUS EPISODE!!!! Hayden returns to bookend the series with us and Alex gets an ending(???) that they like. If you enjoyed Steins;Gate, these two bonus episodes are a must watch. They're a little hard to find, but someone on youtube comes to the rescue!! Egoistic Poriomania: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k_kvkkRyjI Episode 23B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0jnkT6oNMY

WE DID IT!!!!! Another pinnacle series in the can, and a great guest to wrap it up with us. Alex doesn't like the ending, but everyone else has a fun time defending it and common ground is found. Be safe, be covid concious, and enjoy the last of the holiday season. May we all find our own Steins;Gate timeline :-) Check out Prof's stuff here: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorViral

Here we are! We must face our decisions and accept the consequences! But first, a few stolen moments with Mayuri and Makise. We are joined by new guest Paul, who graces us with a beautiful thought about quantum physics and the nature of relationships. Check out Paul's work at South Bay Musical Theatre: https://southbaymt.com/ Toho Godzilla Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObDeGGRH-PY

Absolute legend Th8a Wakes (@nearlyonred) returns and teaches us about the first Terminator movie! These episodes are dark, fascinating, and probably the most confrontational of the series.

Marley returns to settle age old question: Who is the saddest time looper? Okabe takes back some wishes and we get to meet Ben's baby. Check out Silicon Valley Shakespeare to see Marley's rendition of All's Well that Ends Well in June 2024: https://www.svshakespeare.org/2024

Suzuha unveils the mysteries of physical time travel! Plus we see our first positive shift in the world line numbers. Join us and new guest Izzy : - )

Nick, an old friend of Ben and Alex's joins us for these groundhog's day episodes. Ben might stop by and we remember the anti DND propaganda work of a young Tom Hanks.