When a grotesquely disfigured man emerges from the depths of a city manhole only to collapse and die on the crowded streets of Sasahara, veteran detective Ken Mizoguchi discovers that some nightmares are all too real. What begins as a bizarre crime scene transforms into a race against a biological apocalypse when the autopsy reveals a horrifying truth: the victim harboured a contagious parasite that robs humans of their desires.

On this week's episode, Mat's joined once again by Tom Parry to deep dive into Tetsuya Tsutsui's Manhole, now available in English from Kana. Join them as they explore the book's cinematic style, it's unique portrayal of a pandemic, and how Tsutsui uses police procedural tropes to craft a unique and unsettling story! 

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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Save the child or save the mayor? 

A split-second decision in an operating room forever alters Dr. Kenzo Tenma's life, sending him spiralling into a nightmare beyond imagination. When the doctor chooses to follow his conscience rather than hospital politics, he unwittingly unleashes a chain of events that will haunt him for years to come.

In this week's episode, Mat is joined by illustrator and comic book artist Zen K to go into the operating room to dissect Naoki Urasawa's Monster. Together they probe the moral complexities, breathtaking suspense, and haunting characters that have earned this manga its reputation as one of the greatest psychological thrillers ever created.

Discover why this 30-year-old manga by "Japan's Master of Suspense" is still worth reading and why it remains as relevant as ever.

Find the Naoki Urasawa interview mentioned in the podcast here.
Buy Zen's comics digitally here and physically here!

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When an unassuming high schooler solves the mysterious Millennium Puzzle, he unleashes more than just ancient Egyptian magic—he becomes the vessel for a vengeful spirit with a fondness for deadly shadow games! Yet beneath the dark exterior, Yugi Mutou seeks not vengeance but connection, transforming his supernatural curse into a force for friendship.

Step into the forgotten realm of Yu-Gi-Oh's origins with Mat and Marvin as they excavate the first volume of Kazuki Takahashi's groundbreaking manga. Long before card battles dominated the franchise, death games ruled supreme—where losers didn't just forfeit life points, they forfeited their lives!

Discover the manga's surprising roots as we dissect its quintessentially Shonen theme of friendship. We'll unravel the series' unique premise and debate the burning question: Would this shadow game saga have ever reached Western shores if not for its strategic pivot to trading card combat?

Join us for a nostalgic journey back to where it all began—when "It's time to duel" meant something far more sinister than a card game!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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The last day of summer vacation is one you never want to end... that is until you find yourself stuck in a time loop repeating it over and over again! This is the fate that Takaya and Kana find themselves faced with, and when the only reason Takaya can come up with for the loop is his regret of not finding a girlfriend over the holidays, the two teens find themselves in an awkward situation! 

What begins as a seemingly shallow conceit quickly blooms into a heartfelt journey. "The Long Summer of August 31st" by Ikkado Ito delivers a coming-of-age story that has more to say about human connection and growth than it does about the space-time continuum.

Join Mat and Behind The Manga's WinterVenom91 as they delve into Takaya and Kana's evolving relationship, explore the manga's poignant themes of youth and regret, and discuss how they were pleasantly surprised to find genuine emotional depth beneath the sci-fi premise. Discover why this time loop tale stands out in a crowded genre!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Find the DDNavi Interview with Ikkado Ito referenced in the episode (warning: minor spoilers for the series!) here.

Find Venom's review of the book that inspired Mat to pick up the book here.

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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In a boarding house full of eccentric tenants, is there room for love between a bumbling student and his grief stricken landlady? Well, if Yusaku Godai can't get out of his own way long enough to get into University, what chance does he have of ever winning the heart of the beautiful Kyoko Otonashi!?

Often celebrated as Rumiko Takahashi's masterpiece, Maison Ikkoku trades the alien antics of Urusei Yatsura and martial arts mayhem of Ranma 1/2 for something more grounded—a slice-of-life romance that showcases her storytelling maturity.

Join Mat and returning guest AC (our resident Takahashi Correspondent) as they discuss how this seinen story maintains Takahashi's signature style while breaking new ground. They'll unpack the series' incredible cast of characters, impeccable pacing, and how, despite having the least likeable main character of all Takahashi's works, they still find themselves rooting for romance between the frustratingly indecisive Godai and the emotionally guarded Kyoko!

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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"Strange beasts and monsters, secret treasure hoards, undiscovered wealth... mystical places, unexplored frontiers... 'the mysterious unknown'... there's magic in such words... for those captivated by its spell... They are called 'Hunters'."

Beginning with those captivating yet foreboding words, Yoshihiro Togashi's Hunter x Hunter has gone on to delight generations of Shonen readers over the course of its 27-year run. Renowned for its deconstruction of shonen tropes and infamous for its lengthy hiatuses, Hunter x Hunter has undoubtedly earned itself a place in the Weekly Shonen Jump Hall of Fame.

With the release of the new 3-in-1 omnibus from Viz Media, Mat sits down with Ramzee to discuss the first volume to see if it still holds up. Along the way, they fight the urge to divert the podcast into one about Yu Yu Hakusho, get into detail about their thoughts on Togashi as a creator, and more importantly warn those about to start the series about its varying quality.

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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In the nostalgic labyrinth of Kowloon Walled City, realtor Reiko Kujirai stands out as a woman hungry for change in a place clinging to the past. Her colleague Hajime Kudou—stubborn, traditional, and oddly charming—represents everything she's trying to leave behind. As these opposites find themselves increasingly drawn together, something mysterious lurks beneath their budding connection, a secret that could make their romance impossible.

Join Mat and special guest Georgie (aka Mainly.Manga) as they get into the first volume of Jun Mayuzuki's masterpiece— which may very well be the most captivating Vol.1  featured on the show so far! 

In this spoiler-filled deep dive of the first volume, they uncover:

• The breathtaking cinematic techniques that transform Kowloon from setting to character
• How subtle sci-fi elements create layers of intrigue beneath the romance
• The provocative content that earned this manga its shrink-wrapping.
• How it stacks up against Mayuzuki's other work: After The Rain.

Whether you're already enchanted by Mayuzuki's world thanks to the new Anime or just curious about this critically-acclaimed series, this episode promises to enhance your appreciation of this uniquely atmospheric love story set in a reimagined piece of history.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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The Trouble Shooter agency doesn't just solve problems—they OBLITERATE them! Join us as we dive into Yuto Sano's adrenaline-pumping world of "Gokurakugai," where monster hunting isn't just a job, it's an art form.

This week, Mat is joined once again by Lea to dissect what some consider to be the next big Shonen series! We'll be unpacking: the jaw-dropping artwork that leaps off every page, it's excellent characters and how in almost every frame, we see a flicker of classic shonen woven into Sano's vision (for better and worse...)

We ask ourselves is "Gokurakugai" destined for shonen superstardom? Or will its familiar elements prevent it from claiming the title of 'the next big thing'? 

**CONTENT WARNING:** Though not explicit, this episode touches on trafficking, exploitation, and sexual themes. Listener discretion advised.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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When a tyrant god's reign is prophesied to fall, does it herald salvation—or apocalypse?

Three centuries ago, the God of Thunder committed the ultimate betrayal: murdering the Heavenly Emperor and seizing the throne of Tenkai for himself. His reign has brought nothing but darkness and cruelty to the celestial realm. Now, a lone stargazer's prophecy speaks of a being with the power to split the heavens asunder. Is this mysterious figure the long-awaited saviour who will free Tenkai from oppression? Or does their arrival mark the first step toward universal annihilation?

On this week's episode, Mat welcomes Lucy and Robin from the excellent 'CLAMPcast in Wonderland' to delve into RG Veda—the stunning professional debut of the legendary manga collective CLAMP, published in English by Dark Horse.

Together, we unravel the book's mythological trappings, incredible artwork and overall immaculate vibes. 

The conversation extends beyond RG Veda itself, examining how its main themes of fate and destiny became foundational elements throughout CLAMP's illustrious body of work, as well as suggesting other entry points into their huge back catalog of works based on taste and genre preference! 

Join us for this divine journey into the dawn of one of manga's most influential creative forces!

Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music!

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The cops claim it. The Yakuza fight for it. Gangs and hoodlums bleed for it. But everyone in Treasure Town knows the truth: these streets belong to two orphaned kids named Black and White. Their legendary story, still hailed as manga royalty three decades later, isn't just about survival—it's about the soul of a city itself.

This week, Mat welcomes acclaimed comic artist CROM (Raiders, Bird King) for a deep dive into Taiyō Matsumoto's urban masterpiece, Tekkonkinkreet. They'll unpack how this classic story stacks up against Matsumoto's celebrated catalog and discuss its profound influence on CROM's own artistic evolution.

From its raw, kinetic visuals to its haunting meditation on innocence and violence, discover why Tekkonkinkreet continues to captivate readers and why you need more Taiyō Matsumoto in your life!

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