Here is our first podcast episode of 2026, where we look back over the year that was, and rate the best (and most disappointing) anime of last year.

We also discuss which shows were most excited about for 2026.

The categories are:

Best Gateway Anime

Under-rated (under watched) Gem

Best Animation

Most Disappointing

Best Movie

Best Opening

Anime of the year

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A new year and a new season of anime is fast approaching. 

After the bitter disappointment of the fall season, winter is here and we have some phenomenal returning shows as well as some interesting new one. 

Join us for our last podcast of the year as we preview all the best new and returning shows of the upcoming winter season. 

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With the release of The movie Jujutsu Kaisen Execution and the imminent release of season 3, we asked Jujutsu Kaisen super fan Seamus back on the show  to talk through the Shibuya Arc and the upcoming Culling Games. 

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Anime has inspired an entire generation of artists, and for this episode we sit down with London based music artist Blanco to discuss the anime influences that have shaped his music career. With songs like 'Shippuden' and 'Akaza', Blanco weaves deep cut anime references into his effortless flow. Even the title of Blanco's new EP 'Paradise on a Lifeboat' is an anime reference! You can find Blanco on all major streaming platforms and also on YouTube.

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With the release of Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc, once again we're reminded just how bizarre and gruesome this series can be! In this podcast episode, we explore the influences behind the creation of Chainsaw Man, as well as its impact on anime as a whole.

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Is that a JoJo's reference?? It certainly is! Sam and Charlie admit a great shame that neither of them have seen much of the beloved anime JoJo's Bizarre adventure - so they enlist the help of JoJo's expert and talented YouTuber Kaleb I.A. to convince them to give it a shot.

We discuss the iconic art style and history of the manga, the anime adaptations and just what those ludicrous poses are all about.

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With My Hero Academia coming to an end, it's time to reflect on the strange history of this iconic series. 

Once one of the most promising new shonen series after the famous Big 3 (Naruto, Bleach, One Piece), My Hero Academia was primed to usher in the next stage of the anime medium. But after some online controversies regarding the fandom and the emergence of a new wave of more mature and darker shonen like The Dark Trio (Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, Hell's Paradise), My Hero Academia fell out of favour with much of the anime fandom. What's more, the super hero genre that helped the series find initial success became massively oversaturated, with 'super hero fatigue' contributing to the struggles My Hero Academia faced. 

Despite this complicated history, My Hero Academia remains one of the most popular series of its time and has maintained huge manga sales. Now with the final season of the anime set to bring the story to its conclusion, its time for us to reflect on the 

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It's time for a new season of anime! The 2025 fall anime season is about to start - what are the gateway crew excited to watch? Let us know what you are excited for!

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With the upcoming release of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1, Charlie and Sam speak with longtime guest of the show, Gerald Lillywhite all the way from LA to discuss why he (somewhat surprisingly) has Demon Slayer in his top 10 anime of all time. 

🎮 Thank you to Five Star Games for sponsoring this video. Learn more about the new game Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles: 

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After Netflix released their mid-year data showing that Naruto is the most watched anime on the platform in the West, we decided to get together and talk through why it still has such a presence. 

We're joined by returning guest Alex Williams who is just as much of a Naruto fan (and Boruto) as we are. We talk through how much of an influence it had on us growing up and why we still love it (despite it's flaws). 

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