Back to the plot with our new guest Veronica!!! But first, a primer on Japan's animation industry and the human cost of this art form we love so much. Prepare yourself for this Penultimate Presentation of Paranoia Agent!

Tweet at us @PenPenPalsPod or email at [email protected]

Content warning: Discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation. If these subjects would upset you, please skip this episode.

Three internet friends meet in person for the first time and form a found family under unusual circumstances. A gaggle of gossipy housewives razz the new girl and help Lil' Slugger pervade their reality. Friends of the show Sophie and Sin from the Snack Covenant join us to dissect these esoteric side episodes.

Check out the Snack Covenant at:

https://www.youtube.com/@SinclairLore

Stories are told and unravel. Faith is tested and broken. People are still getting hit in the head. Trust is a hard thing to come by these days. Join us and new guest Aubrey Stockton as we continue to discuss this story about how fundamentally important stories are to our existence.

Check out Aubrey's sweet sweet music at:

https://www.youtube.com/@BONESOLVENT

Masami reminds us that ACAB. Kozuka reminds us that there is such a thing as too much video games. Nate Reminds us that the art in this show is BONKERS!

Check out Nate's work on instagram and tik tok @house_of_midnite

Friend of the show Tonya joins us as the psychological plot thickens. Two new pairs of victims, two divergent life paths, two cultural phenomenons. The house of mirrors builds up around us, enlightening us but trapping us in its hypnotic gaze...

Enter Tsukiko Sagi, a young artist with a hit character and a deadline breathing down her neck. Enter Akio Kawazu, a sleazy reporter in need of a story to pay off his debts. Enter Lil' Slugger, the answer to everyone's problems. Join the PenPenPals for a discussion of Satoshi Kon's only television series.

Our phavorite philosopher Socratetris stops by to wrap up Lain with us. We talk Gnosticism, Buddhism, Transference, the whole shebang. We also decide that this horror series has a surprisingly happy ending. Stay tuned for the next exciting psychological thriller we will tackle.

Find Socratetris' stuff at:

https://www.youtube.com/@SocraTetris/

Lain in review. is she looking back at her own life? Is the God of the Wired showing her the truth? Is the show just doing a recap episode? These answer AND MORE in this week's episode. New guest Ryan comes to chat.

Find ryan @Rychuzed on Twitch

Who made a deal with the aliens? Lain. Who killed the dinosaurs? Lain! Who faked the moon landing? LAIN! It's all Lain all the Lain. Lain? Lain?! LAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIN! And friend of the show Damian, of course...

Damian urges us all to contribute to our local mutual aid organizations or start your own!

Lain's contact with the Knights escalates and the Men in Black pay her another visit. Plus psychic kids and CIA scientists. Help us kids explore our new online society alongisde returning guest Elicia