We review My Hero Academia: You're Next. The fourth surprise entry in the My Hero film series sees Midoriya and Class 1-A face off against a villain of mighty proportions. But just how compelling is this story compared to what we've seen before, and what we'll see ahead as the series approaches its final season? We take our turns discussing the film's execution, from the pacing to the familiar elements to the Smash that made quite a statement. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first...

We review the second half of My Hero Academia season 7. The action never stops throughout this season, but should they have given us a break to avoid the fatigue? We discuss several plot lines coming to a close, which of Courtney’s boys they did dirty, and what we hope to see in the final season. Japanese title: Boku no Hero Academia Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord:...

We discuss our spoiler-free Fall 2024 anime first impressions. We’re finishing the year off strong-ish with a season that is good for 2024 but not as hype as past years. We discuss a spicy romance, a highly anticipated show where a boy’s banana is stolen, and somehow have more to look forward to with Attack on Titan. Plus, we have another life update with some special news to share! Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join...

We review the second season of Oshi no Ko. The anime is back with more commentary about the entertainment industry, this time with a focus on stage performances, manga, and live action adaptations. But we’ll be honest, we’re here for the mystery. We discuss which half of the season we preferred, the romance drama and weird choices, the major reveals around the murder mystery, and whether the show might become more supernatural. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box:...

We discuss our anime what-if ideas. What if things happened differently than how we saw them in an anime? How would a single choice, a single action, or a single rewrite of a pivotal moment completely alter the course of a story? We take on this question by discussing hypothetical scenarios we most want to see in anime. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast:...

We share our top 10 favorite anime characters. It’s never easy picking favorites, but at the same time it’s very easy when a character means so much to you. Join us as we share which characters we love, why we love them, and where they land on our top 10 list. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thestrictlyseries Website:...

We review Perfect Blue. This classic is one of Satoshi Kon’s masterpieces, and it’s about time we talk about it. No matter how weird, eerie, or freaky this movie gets, the most mind-blowing thing is how much the story was ahead of its time. We discuss the blurred lines between reality and fantasy, the themes of parasocial relationships and fandom, and the nostalgia of seeing 90s technology. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box:...

We play Poorly Explained Anime Characters. We’re bringing back this fun game where we describe an anime character in the most simple, confusing, or ridiculous way possible to see if the other person can guess the correct answer. Who scored the most points? And whose brain failed them over and over again? Join us to find out the answers and to play along. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord:...

We’re strictly chatting. We find yet another reason to talk about Attack on Titan, but we also share our thoughts on AI generated subtitles, Emmy wins, and Batman. Plus, Courtney tries to explain Naruto lore to Karl like it’s family drama on a reality TV show. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thestrictlyseries Website:...

We try to redeem ourselves in anime trivia with the help of our patrons. After a failed attempt at using ChatGPT for anime trivia and learning that AI isn’t that reliable, we felt we had to try our hand at trivia one more time. So we asked our patrons to create trivia questions that would really put our anime knowledge to the test. Tune in to find out how we did, and play along by testing your own knowledge! Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box:...

We share anime that would make great video games. There have been many games based off anime, but sometimes they feel like cash-grabs instead of AAA productions. We share our picks for which anime have the potential to be made into great video games, and discuss how we envision these ideas coming to fruition. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast:...

We review the final part of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It’s been a wild ride experiencing this beloved classic for the first time. We share our thoughts on the best parts of the finale, issues we found along the way, and whether or not we liked the ending. We can finally call ourselves real weebs now that we’ve watched FMAB, right? Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord:...

We share our favorite redemption stories in anime. Sometimes the most compelling and powerful stories aren’t even the main story of an anime. And sometimes that story can be so convincing that you start rooting for a character you initially hated. We discuss the redemption arcs that had us believing in the power of forgiveness and restoring our faith in humanity. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord:...

We review the first season of Kaiju No. 8. This series definitely makes a monster-sized mark, with its unique kaiju premise and its acknowledgement of millennials who are just trying to do their best - though we can’t help but feel that Kafka’s story bears a few similarities to another “Titan”-sized anime. We discuss the show’s commendable focus on its characters over its kaiju, the issues regarding its visual style, and how exactly OneRepublic got thrown into the mix. Japanese title: Kaijuu...

We discuss our spoiler-free Summer 2024 anime first impressions. The summer season typically has less notable anime releases, but this season seems to be a struggle. We discuss Doga Kobo going hard, CG deer, a BL that just goes for it, and a stepsister anime that didn’t turn out to be a dumpster fire. Plus, we reflect on reaching the 200th episode milestone. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord:...

We review the first half of My Hero Academia season 7. The show continues to “get good” with the start of this newest season and we’re thankful for it. We discuss even more Todoroki family drama, how we didn’t think Shigaraki could get any crustier, America’s greatest hero, and all the crazy plot twists and reveals. Plus, Courtney manages to once again analyze Bakugo’s character development. Japanese title: Boku no Hero Academia Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box:...

We review the fourth part of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. We’re not even at the climax of the story, and yet things are already heating up within Amestris’s borders. We discuss all the factors that are converging rapidly towards the series’ finale, from counter-measures, to traitors, to family feuds where siblings beat each other up for the right to rule their family. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our...

We review the third season of Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Karl is finally caught up on this anime, but his journey may not have ended on a high note. We discuss our differing opinions on this season, the focus on Darkness and what we learned about her, and the new mystery that has us yearning for more. Japanese title: Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our...

We’re strictly chatting. Along with Courtney’s periodic Naruto update, we share our attempt at making omurice, our plans for attending JPop concerts in the coming year, and our thoughts on a fast food/anime collaboration that you could say is quite… SPECIAL. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thestrictlyseries Website:...

We review Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc (S4). Did this season achieve its goal? Yes. But did that make it a worthy season? Maybe. We discuss the repetitive nature of this arc, which Hashira got shafted once again, and our favorite moments of hype and comedy. Japanese title: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hashira Geiko-hen Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support...

We review Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Legend of Crimson. The next stop on Karl’s Konosuba journey is the Crimson Demon Village to learn more about Megumin and her chunibyo people. We discuss our differing opinions on the movie, a budding romance, an entertaining but confusing villain, and the epic final fight. Japanese title: Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Movie: Kurenai Densetsu Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box:...

We review the second season of Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Karl is continuing his journey through Konosuba and witnessing more of the some of the best comedy in anime. We discuss Kazuma’s shame as the group leader, Megumin’s odd choice in names, Darkness’s uncontrollable masochism, and Aqua finally getting to prove she’s not entirely useless. (Or maybe not.) Japanese title: Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat...

We discuss our anime OVAs and spin-offs wishlists. Anime has its share of elaborate storylines with unresolved or missing pieces that could only exist in headcanon - which is where an OVA or spin-off can come in to save the day. We sort through some notable anime that could greatly reap the benefits of fruitful bonus material. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the...

We review the third part of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. More than halfway through the show, we find ourselves with so many questions left unanswered. We discuss all the new discoveries, whether our theories were right or wrong, why the Elric brothers get to roam free, and who we think has the biggest plot armor so far. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the...