Anime Roundtable

Editors Note: This was taped just before Switch 2 preorders were also delayed in Canada. Which means a chunk of this aged about as well as milk...

A very long conversation about the ongoing Ghibli/ChatGPT controversy, the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, and V-Tuber Mint Fantome speaks as herself to explain her world to the rest of it

Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng

Opening Theme: Fubuki - Snowstorm by Pico Misaki

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James finally gets a little time away from work again to visit Mike for a Space Heater. After a quick overview of shopping options in Toronto, they decided to talk about the Animeigo documentary series “The Anime Business”, the upcoming Anne of Green Gables anime and the hopes for it in Canada, and James’ thoughts on Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and how he feels it’s not enough to save Ubisoft

Mike Nicolas and James Austin

Opening Theme: “Fubuki-Snowstorm” by Pico Misaki

Check out our website for more information and other links: animeroundtable.com

We start with Mike looking back on 19 years (on and off) of the Roundtable. And then current events with the Oscars, a followup to Space Heater and Ontario politics (with the election earlier in the week)

18:25 - Everyone around the table tonight has seen Gundam GQuuuux Beginning in theatres. And we have thoughts from Gundam watchers, and newcomers

57:12 - On the anniersary of Akira Toriyama’s passing, the Japan Foundation New York is doing an online panel about Dragon Ball’s popularity (on YouTube now)

And coming back full circle, Mike looks back on 19 years of the Anime Roundtable, and ahead to kicking the Twitch stream into high gear. Cheers to all that

Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke

Opening Theme: “Speed Demon” by Simon Holland (Greetings and Saluations)

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Kevin gives a Mike quick lecture to Mike as feedback on the first gaming stream. Then we talk Japanese Music with his thoughts on seeing Nano and MADKID in concert, Cloud Nine CEO Takuya Chigira’s thoughts on the state of JPOP internationally. How the downfall of a former member of SMAP is proving to be an issue for the TV network he was an anchor of, and some possible ramifications. Then we unwind with by looking back on Animeigo’s Valentine’s town hall

Mike Nicolas and Kevin Ng

Anime Roundtable playlist on Spotify

Opening Theme: “Fubuki-Snowstorm” by Pico Misaki

Landing Page: animeroundtable.com

Mike and Moh sat down for a space heater. We started by looking back on the first gaming stream on Twitch the night before, and the ongoing Playstation Network outage, which at the time of taping had gotten to 25 hours. But at the heart of the matter, Mike and Moh wanted to talk about The Colors Within, and why you should check it out in theatres before its run likely ends in less than a week

Mike Nicolas and Mohamed Sharmarke

Anime Roundtable playlist on Spotify

Opening Theme: “Fubuki-Snowstorm” by Pico Misaki

Landing Page: animeroundtable.com

We just had to talk about the reveal of the Switch 2 and take a quick trip down recent Nintendo history and how it rebounded from the Wii U almost 15 years ago. And wonder about the future of the handheld gaming console world as a whole. Then we dive into some anime headline with Diamond Distributor's Chapter 11, Discotek's latest reveals, Crunchyroll's latest issue (add it to the pile please), and James giving a thought on an anime title this season that doesn't have a North American pickup...when its manga does, and a business reason as to why you should be disappointed that's the case

Couldn't you tell Mike wanted to meet quota for the month?

Mike Nicolas and James Austin

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We begin 2025 with Mike and James doing a live video space heater where James goes on a rant about the issues with the Phantom Trigger Grisaia anime Kickstarter and looks back on similar anime and manga crowdfunds over the years. Then, some CES news with Crunchyroll looking to restart their digital manga service (hot off the heels of the increased stake in Kadokawa), do some Ghosts of Tsushima live action, and VLC looking to get into the AI subtitle space. Then we come home as the pre-reg for Anime North memberships and hotels begin, and Anime Revolution makes its move on Toronto

Mike Nicolas and James Austin

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Aside from talking about the fallout from the Video Game Awards, you know we just had to talk about every piece of Sony and anime related news over the last few weeks (00:17:00)

00:22:00 - Sony becomes the largest major shareholder in Kadokawa. And a little more about how we got to here

00:37:42 - Bloomberg’s expose on the inner workings of Crunchyroll as their recent numbers don’t look great

00:55:50 - Former Funimation man Lance Heiskel speaks

01:28:35 - NHK noting how big the anime business is this year. And CNN arguing for the upside for Sony

And finally, Kevin was late because he was returning from a shopping trip, the Gashapon pop up at Union Station, and the first of Mike’s New Years Resolutions (01:45:07)

This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Mike thought it was already 2025 

Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng

Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki

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Mike, James, and Kevin catch up after a month and a half off. We talked about Black Friday shopping in Canada (especially video games and some from the store formerly known as Right Stuf) before talking about Sony’s pursuit of Kadokawa and VISA of all things

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We finally get in for the first time in a few months. But Mike and James kept it simple and just talked more of the ups and downs of Playstation’s last bit, then the busy week Toho has had, remember a few more voices that have been silenced, and James’ further issues with Crunchyroll taking over Nozomi’s Kickstarter campaigns

Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com