Anime Explorations Podcast

This month we're discussing the 4th and 5th films in the Garden of Sinners series (probably the strongest films in the series so far).

Also discussed:

Newtype Magazine has their anime of the past year picks: https://fast.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2025-10-19/makeine-bocchi-the-rock-anime-win-top-newtype-anime-awards/.230103

The Russian government has blocked MyAnimeList because of LGBT+ content: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/10/28/russia-blocks-worlds-largest-anime-and-manga-database-over-lgbtq-content-a90966

Discotek Media is putting out a 4K release of Project A-Ko (and is including most of the sequels): https://bsky.app/profile/discotekmedia.bsky.social/post/3m5euws774s23

Digital manga publisher Azuki has changed its name to Omoi: https://fast.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-11-13/digital-manga-publisher-azuki-changes-name-to-omoi/.230990

Next month we're watching Robot Carnival, available pretty much everywhere.

If you have comments on the podcast or on next month's anime, please send them to [email protected]

Opening: Donut by Anozira Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut Used with permission

Subscribe to the Podcast: https://feeds.libsyn.com/444780/rss

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor Watch my Let's Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

• 00:00:00 Start
• 00:00:05 Opening & New Season/News Discussion
• 00:21:04 Garden of Sinners Parts 4 & 5 Discussion
• 01:06:08 Next Month's Pick

This month we're discussing the horror comedy(?) anime Mieruko-Chan.

Also discussed:

The Ghost in the Shell Arise Tabletop RPG Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manaprojectstudio/ghost-in-the-shell-roleplaying-game

Anime By The Numbers' article on Crunchyroll's subtitling woes: https://fast.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-10-09/crunchyroll-cites-internal-system-problems-regarding-subtitles-for-fall-2025-anime/.229669

Anime News Network's article on Crunchyroll's subtitling woes: https://fast.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-10-09/crunchyroll-cites-internal-system-problems-regarding-subtitles-for-fall-2025-anime/.229669

Next Month we are watching Garden of Sinners films 4 & 5, available on Crunchyroll.

If you have comments on the podcast or on next month's anime, please send them to [email protected]

Opening: Donut by Anozira Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut Used with permission

Subscribe to the Podcast: https://feeds.libsyn.com/444780/rss

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor Watch my Let's Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

• 00:00:00 Start
• 00:00:05 Opening & New Season/News Discussion
• 00:31:05 Mieruko-Chan Discussion
• 01:09:28 Next Month's Pick & Kumoricon Notes

This month we're watching the anime adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo.

Matt Alt's article on the connections between protest and anime: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174206122

Next month, we're covering Miruko-Chan, which is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

If you have comments on the podcast or on next month's anime, please send them to [email protected]

Opening: Donut by Anozira Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut Used with permission

Subscribe to the Podcast: https://feeds.libsyn.com/444780/rss

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor Watch my Let's Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

Chapters:

00:00:00 Start 00:00:05 Opening & What are We Watching 00:14:08 News 00:18:22 Gankutsuou Discussion 01:01:50 Next Month's Pick

This month, we're covering the anime OVA that came out for the 10th anniversary of Macross, and was the first non-Robotech version of the Macross universe to reach the US, along with the Macross II tabletop RPG from Palladium Games. Before that, we get into the current situation ongoing with Visa & MasterCard blocking transactions for NSFW content due to pressure from a Far-Right-Wing Australian group.

Note: I'm trying a new recording platform with this episode, and I ran into some technical difficulties that carried over to my backup recording. Consequently, my audio is impacted, but not necessarily the audio from my guest and cohosts.

Next month, we watch Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, which is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

Blaine can be found on the Babylon 5 30 Years Later Podcast (https://shows.acast.com/babylon-5-30-years-later), and the 99 Years 100 Films Podcast (https://shows.acast.com/99-years-100-films)

Relevant Articles on the Visa/Mastercard Protest Campaign:

• https://www.wired.com/story/steam-itchio-are-pulling-porn-games-censorship/
• https://www.eurogamer.net/itchio-deindexes-all-nsfw-games-blames-same-anti-porn-group-that-campaigned-against-steam
• https://aftermath.site/waypoint-quit-steam-vice
• https://fast.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-11-16/pixiv-announces-transaction-restrictions-for-unethical-content/.191953
• https://fast.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-11-05/manga-library-z-digital-manga-service-shuts-down-on-november-26/.217539
• https://automaton-media.com/en/news/nier-creator-speaks-out-against-payment-processors-pressuring-japanese-adult-content-platforms/
• https://www.polygon.com/steam-paypal-issues-censorship-visa-mastercard/
• https://yellat.money/
• https://stop-paypros.neocities.org/

If you have comments on the podcast or on next month's anime, please send them to [email protected]

Opening: Donut by Anozira Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut Used with permission

Subscribe to the Podcast: https://feeds.libsyn.com/444780/rss

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor Watch my Let's Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

Chapters:

00:00:00 Start 00:00:05 Opening 00:03:04 News 00:04:10 Payment Processor FusterCluck 00:23:52 Macross II Discussion

This month, we take a look at Mamoru Oshii's Cyberpunk masterpiece, Ghost in the Shell (from 1995), along with giving some thoughts on the live action adaptation from 2017, joined by Blaine Dowler.

Next month, we take a look at Macross II.

Blaine can be found on the Babylon 5 30 Years Later Podcast (https://shows.acast.com/babylon-5-30-years-later), and the 99 Years 100 Films Podcast (https://shows.acast.com/99-years-100-films)

If you have comments on the podcast or on next month's anime, please send them to [email protected]

Opening: Donut by Anozira Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut Used with permission

Subscribe to the Podcast: https://feeds.libsyn.com/444780/rss

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor Watch my Let's Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

This month, the Buccharati Crew takes their shot at taking over Passione.

Next month, we watch the original Ghost in the Shell.

If you have comments on the podcast or on next month's anime, please send them to [email protected]

Opening: Donut by Anozira Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut Used with permission

Subscribe to the Podcast: https://feeds.libsyn.com/444780/rss

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor Watch my Let's Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

This month we get our first meeting with the son of Dio Brando - Giorno Giovanna.

Next month, we finish Golden Wind.

If you have comments on the podcast or on next month's anime, please send them to [email protected]

Opening: Donut by Anozira Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut Used with permission

Subscribe to the Podcast: https://feeds.libsyn.com/444780/rss

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor Watch my Let's Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

We discuss the nominees for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, before getting into The Helpful Fox Senko-San.

Next Month, we'll cover the first 19 episodes of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, which is available for streaming on Crunchyroll, Hulu/Disney+, and Netflix.

If you have comments on the podcast or on next month's anime, please send them to [email protected]

Opening: Donut by Anozira Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut Used with permission

Subscribe to the Podcast: https://feeds.libsyn.com/444780/rss

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor Watch my Let's Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

It's March, and it's time for White Day—and with it, time to cover a romantic comedy, or in this case, a romantic dramedy, with ToraDora.

We mmention the Toradora light novels on the podcast, which are available through (Affiliate Links):

• Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hBq7YZ
• Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/98607/9781626927957
• Libro.fm (Not affilate): https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798893735741

Next month, we're watching the Helpful Fox Senko-San, which is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

If you have comments on the podcast or on next month's anime, please send them to [email protected]

Opening: Donut by Anozira Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut Used with permission

Subscribe to the Podcast: https://feeds.libsyn.com/444780/rss

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor Watch my Let's Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays

Fate-uary has come back around again, and it's time to take a look at Fate/Zero, the prequel to Fate/Stay Night.

Next month we're discussing the romantic dramedy Toradora, which is available for streaming on Crunchyroll (https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/G6P8PXJW6/toradora), Amazon Prime (Affiliate Link - https://amzn.to/4k7tkBT), and Tubi (https://tubitv.com/series/300007492/toradora-dubbed).

If you have comments on the podcast or on next month's anime, please send them to [email protected]

Opening: Donut by Anozira Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut Used with permission

Subscribe to the Podcast: https://feeds.libsyn.com/444780/rss

Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor Watch my Let's Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays