ShouJoe

This week we learn karuta in a way I wouldn’t want to… but first Sarah and Joe talk about shounen fights and what makes them good.

In chihayafuru, it’s time to train the newbies, and what better way than at Taichi’s big ass house? Then we got to a tournament. Tsutomu is having a bad time because apparently cramming practice sessions and then immediately going to a tournament is stressful, who knew?

This week, we form the club! But first, Sarah and Joe catch up on their Thanksgiving breaks and chat books, reality TV, and much more! We also have a new ending segment, so get excited about that!

In Chihayafuru, we recruit the rest of the team. First, Chihaya tries to recruit a bookworm who hides in his desk. Will Chihaya do it? Or will Taichi have to (hint, it’s Taichi). Then we reconnect with an old rival and get him to join the team. These boys must stop running from their problem and start playing Karuta!

This week we rekindle an old friendship and make a new one! But first, Joe and Sarah catch up on their favorite sidekick Robin iteration, the ACOTAR book series and more.

In Chihayafuru, Chihaya and Taichi go to visit Arata. He says he’s given up Karuta, but like, he’s not serious is he? No way. It was probably just a misunderstanding. This couldn’t possibly be linked to a tragic event. Never. Then we recruit our first member to the Karuta club. It turns out history and poetry is cool. Go learn some history everyone!

Recommendations:

• Sarah -> Joe: Choice of Games
• Joe -> Sarah: Harpy Gee

This week we break out of the past and back into the present. But first we discuss the tragedy that is someone bringing the same dish as Joe's to Friendsgiving!

In chihayafuru, we finish off our tragic backstory by splitting all the kids up. Middle school arrives and we say goodbye to the karuta club. Then we just back to high school life where Chihaya is determined to make A rank! Will she succeed and strong arm Tachi into make a school club with her or will she taste defeat at the hands of some old guy? Tune in to find out!

Recommendations:

• Joe -> Sarah: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
• Sarah -> Joe: Forgotten Anne

We begin anew, with new show, Chihayafuru! But first, Joe and Sarah catch up on our lives. Sarah’s sisters wedding planning is underway and she tries to watch some Kaiji no. 8. Joe meanwhile has just watched some good old fashion anime, well not that old, it’s from 2022.

We swipe into a new show! Our heroine Chihaya is ready to play some Karuta! Unfortunately for her, no one else is! Including her two childhood friends! We dive immediately into a long flashback to find out what happened to the three of them in these first two episodes!

Recommendations:

• Joe - Son of the White Mare
• Sarah - ThredUp

We’ve done it, another show in the bag!

But first we catch up on our lives since last recording, which has been pretty brief. Sarah is 54 hours into Dragon Age and Joe’s prepping for his parents to come visit, so that’s fun.

Then we roll into the final episodes for the big finale of Skip Beat! We’re both totally underhelmed by the ending but we talk about the show as a whole and we both had a pretty good ride. Sarah fills Joe in on how the story continues in the manga and rank the show against the others. Who is the best protagonist? Which school uniforms are the best? Which pair is the best couple? Who is the best side character? Learn this and more on this finale episode!

Recommendations:

• Joe: Epic the Musical
• Sarah: Chibi Robo

It’s happened, Dragon Age THE Vanguard has dropped and we talk about it for like 20 minutes.

In Skip Beat! We near the end with some fairly uneventful episodes. Kyoko and Ren start their TV gigs and both are on the struggle bus. Kyoko must figure out the source of Mio’s anger while Ren must discover what it is to love. As you’d probably guess Kyoko does better here. Just two more till the end!

Recommendations:

• Joe - Cloverfield
• Sarah - Dragon Age: The Veilguard

We continue on with Skip beat as we approach the final arc.

In our lives, Joe has gotten one last taste of the Ren Fair before it ends this season and Sarah is struggling to find some good action anime with women in it. If you’ve got some recommendations send them in!

In Skip Beat we finish off Sho’s music video and move right on to the next thing, a TV drama! We finally address the age gap in the show as Ren starts to plummet head-over-heels for Kyoko as the last five episode roll up on us. Ren may be in denial but Yashiro is here to tell him that yes, he does in fact like this 16 year old. It’s cool dude, this is a TV show.

Recommendations:

• Sarah - Diving Bored Podcast
• Joe - Over the Garden Wall

We inch our way to a romantic subplot this week.

But first, Joe and Sarah spend some time discussing video game sequels, as Joe looks back at the Gears of War Franchise, and Sarah looks forward to the new Dragon Age game.

In Skip Beat! Kyoko finds away to get Rin off of her body and back into his bed, because he’s sick. Unfortunately for everyone, Rin’s whole life is work so he must power through. Will his weakened state allow him to finally connect with Kyoko? Then we jump back to what really matters, revenge! Kyoko gets a chance to star in a music promo for…Sho Fuwa. Kyoko must keep her hate in check long enough to finish the promo. But can she do it with Sho’s constant taunts? We talk about it.

Recommendations:

• Joe - Fire Force
• Sarah - Dandelion - Wishes Brough to You-

We cross the halfway point on Skip Beat this week!

IRL we’d been having some audio problems. But hopefully it’s all good for this episode. Otherwise, Joe has been watching some Gundam including the first Gundam complication movie in theaters and Gundam Wing! Meanwhile, Sarah has picked back up Life in Strange in preparation for the new game out soon!

In Skip Beat, Kyoko and Moko join forces to pass a commercial audition and maybe, just maybe, become best friends in the process! Then Kyoko puts on a new hat, as Ren’s temporary manager. She must hang out with him all day, which is weird for him because he knows they used to be childhood friends! When will he tell her? Will she find out on her own? Will she perish under the weight of Ren’s literal body? We will just have to wait and see.

Recommendations:

• Joe - I Saw the Tv Glow
• Sarah - Annabelle