PenPen Pals

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