Anime Brain Freeze

CC kicks off this episode by standing his ground against the mongol army in Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion and later wraps things up by joining the hunt for vampires in pre-World War II Japan with Sirius the Jaeger. Meanwhile John bares witness to a fierce stage play in Revue Starlight and dishes out some interesting background information about the type of musical theater this series is based on.   Reviews: Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion (1:30) Revue Starlight (18:55) Sirius the Jaeger (39:02)   Related Links: https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/07/13/the-apocalypse-heads-to-japan-what-happened-before-angolmois https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/09/06/what-does-the-word-angolmois-actually-mean https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongol_invasions_of_Japan https://twitter.com/andrearitsu/status/1018943007922507776 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIG8bWpwIpg https://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/english/history/index.html https://blog.gaijinpot.com/10-facts-know-takarazuka-revue/ https://www

This week, the gang gets athletic and discusses to very different kinds of Sports Anime. First talk about how the consistent summer vacation theme and sympathetic characters of the laid-back Beach volleyball series Harukana Receive make for a generally relaxing, good time. Then CC goes into the opposite direction with the high tension Badminton drama Hanebado and explains why the visually impressive series stumbles in the story department.   Review: Harukana Receive (1:31) Hanebado! (28:17)   Related Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz8kXxsoctw https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/07/31-1/how-harukana-receive-changes-what-you-know-about-volleyball https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2018-08-16/.135521 https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/06/26-1/the-badminton-anime-you-didnt-know-you-needed https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/07/02/shining-the-sports-spotlight-on-girls-in-hanebado https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/07/09-1/hanebado-will-prove-t

The hosts dive head-first into the giant Anime leaf-piles of fall in the Sneak Peek and bring you their opinions on all the hot premieres they checked out. After that it's time to return to UA Academy and its many colorful heroes in another amazingly strong outing of My Hero Academia.   Sneak Peek (1:30) Conception (2:27) Radiant (7:27) Goblin Slayer (11:22) Ace Attorney - Season 2 (15:04) Double Decker! Doug & Kirill (17:18) Senran Kagura: Shinobi Master (19:48) IRODUKU: The World in Colors (23:18) Bloom Into You (27:10) That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (29:41) Boarding School Juliet (33:01) Release the Spyce (35:54) Sword Art Online: Alicization (38:02) Golden Kamuy - Season 2 (45:02) Space Battleship Tiramisu Zwei (46:17) SSSS.GRIDMAN (48:20) Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san (51:46) Run with the Wind (54:03) A Certain Magical Index III (56:40) Zombie Land Saga (1:03:18) Karakuri Circus (1:08:04) JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind (1:11:03)   Review: My Hero Academia - Season 3 (1:15:13)   Rel

The boys kick off this episode by talking about the shows from spring season that couldn't hold their interest in the Chop 'n' Drop. Then CC tears into the raging dumpster fire that is Darling in the Franxx and explains why the highly anticipated series couldn't deliver on any of the grande expectations set for it. Finally, the gang ends on a postive note, by dishing out their chosen favorites of spring in Best of the Season.   Chop 'n' Drop (1:30)   Review: Darling in the Franxx (10:34) Darling in the Franxx - Heavy Ending Spoilers (36:56)   Best of the Season (47:09)   Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2018-01-30/.127105 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2018-02-28/when-mechs-equals-sex/.128377 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2018-06-19/.133087 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbSKXMFlOMY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WiMGIKjmjM http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/04/18/triggers-hiromi-wakabayashi-answers-burning-darling-in-the-franxx-

CC kicks off this episode by reviewing Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan, discussing its many flaws and why the show couldn't live up to its potential. Then John talks about the Sword Art Online Spin-Off Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online and lists the many ways in which this show manages to surpass the original series. Riding thistrain of positivity into the station, CC wraps up the show with a hype-laden rant about Yowamushi Pedal and explains why this franchise is one of the best Sports Anime series in existence.   Reviews: Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan (1:09) Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (40:44) Yowamushi Pedal - Season 1-4 (1:06:41)   Related Links: https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2018/04/17/dragon-pilot-hisone-masotan-production-notes-01/ https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2018/04/26/dragon-pilot-hisone-masotan-production-notes-02/ https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2018-05-10/.131364 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2018-08-22/interview-the-staff-of-sao-a

The gang once again dives headfirst into the world of Shonen Action series and covers two very different representatives of this particular genre. First CC talks about The Seven Deadly Sins and why this colorful mix of the classic shonen battle formula and a medieval setting might not be one of the greats, but delivers a thoroughly enjoyable experience nontheless. Then the hosts return to the kitchen together with Soma and his compatriots in the third season of Food Wars and try to explain how the series manages to surpass itself on a regular basis.   Reviews: The Seven Deadly Sins (1:09) Food Wars! The Third Plate (25:18)   Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2016-01-01/king-arthur-and-the-seven-deadly-sins/.96980 https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2018/06/01/production-highlights-the-seven-deadly-sins-revival-of-the-commandments-19/ https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2017-10-10/.122512 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2018-05-29/.132149 http://www.crunchyr

On this episode our hosts stand their ground on three different planes of conflict. First CC travels to the stars, to cover the epic space war story of Legend of the Galactic Heroes - Die neue These. Then John descends on Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku and discusses the trappings of a completely different battlefield: romantic relationships between full-blown nerds. Last but not least, CC celeberates the flawed but definitely welcome return of an old favorite of his: Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory.   News: RIP Unshō Ishizuka (1:18)   Reviews: The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These (4:25) Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (29:29) Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory (44:49)   Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-08-17/voice-actor-unsho-ishizuka-passes-away-at-67/.135579 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2018-05-17/.131658 http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/05/07-1/meet-the-tactical-titans-of-this-seasons-grand-space-opera https://www.animenewsnet

CC kicks off this episode by stepping into the ring with the bionic slugfest Megalobox to explain why he liked that show even though it lacks actual entertaining boxing matches. Then John tears apart Caligula and talks about the many shortcomings of this confusing mess of a video game adaption. Last but not least both hosts dig for gold in Golden Kamuy and unearth a thoroughly enjoyable show that manages to shine despite its janky animation.   Review Megalobox (1:30) Caligula (18:02) Golden Kamuy (34:09)   Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2018-06-08/tomorrow-joe-today-megalobox-updates-a-classic/.132635 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2018-04-17/.130455 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2018-06-07/.132540 http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/04/13/the-50-year-legacy-leading-up-to-megalobox http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/05/04-1/megalo-boxing-is-even-better-than-the-real-thing http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/05/

It's a cruel, cruel summer, so our hosts do their best to battle the unwielding heat wave with a barrage of cool Anime premieres in the Sneak Peek. After that, they dive into the absurd adventures of a Yakuza forced into the role of surrogate father and his telekinetically powered adopted daughter in Hinamatsuri.   Sneak Peek: Attack on Titan - Season 3 (2:18) Overlord - Season 3 (3:56) Free! -Dive to the Future- (4:44) Cells at Work (7:23) Music Girls (9:18) Seven Senses of the Re'Union (12:29) Island (15:15) Angels of Death (18:14) Planet With (21:22) Chio's School Road (23:27) Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion (27:14) Banana Fish (29:32) Harukana Receive (35:12) Hanebado! (38:22) Revue Starlight (42:20) Sirius the Jaeger (45:45)   Review: Hinamatsuri (49:05)   Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2018-07-13/catching-up-with-free/.134232 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2018-06-28/homelessness-in-japan-and-hinamatsuri/.133485 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime

It's finally time for our Kame-Hame-Hosts to talk about one of the most prominent and longest running franchises in Anime history: Dragon Ball. John and CC have a long chat about their experience with the series, which culminates in their Review of the newest iteration in that franchise: Dragon Ball Super. Of course, as it is the Season Finale of Anime Brain Freeze, there is also the Chop 'n' Drop and both hosts pick their favorite reviewed show in the Best of the Season segment.   Chop 'n' Drop (1:20)   Review: Dragon Ball Super (10:49)   Best of the Season (1:37:51)   Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2016-03-01/interview-the-past-present-and-future-of-dragon-ball/.99269 http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/03/08/the-heart-and-nostalgia-of-dragon-ball-super http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/03/06/dragon-ball-super-character-evolution-the-path-ahead   Website: http://animebrainfreeze.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/AniBrainFreeze Facebook: https://www.facebook.com

It's time to go back to the fathomless well of light novel adaptions. First John talks about the city filled with killers in Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens. Then CC pushes the Isekai button and reviews the MMO adventures of Skeletor's cousin in Overlord. Closing out the show, both hosts muse about KyoAni's visual feast Violet Evergarden and discuss whether the show has more to offer than its good looks.   Reviews: Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (1:20) Overlord - Season 1+2 (25:15) Violet Evergarden (53:17)   Related Links: http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/02/20-1/the-not-so-deadly-real-life-locations-of-hakata-tonkotsu-ramens https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2018-04-10/.130163 https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2017/07/31/violet-evergarden-interview-director-taichi-ishidate-at-anime-expo/ https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2018/01/13/violet-evergarden-interview-director-taichi-ishidate-shin-q-vol-2-2017/ https://blog.sakugabooru.com/?s=violet+evergarden+production+notes https://www.animefeminist.com/feat

Kicking of this episode filled with big emotions and tonal whiplash, CC first talks about the new Netflix hit show DEVILMAN crybaby and why the gruesome horror tale has more to offer than schlocky action, but is not for the faint of heart. Then John goes to a much happier place, together with the four girls from A Place Further Than the Universe and explains why both the journey and destination of the protagonists managed to tug at his heart strings. Last but not least, the hosts discuss the newest iteration in a Tokusatsu-turned-Anime franchise and whether the sympathetic cast and well animated fight scenes could keep the by-the-numbers story of Garo -Vanishing Line- afloat.   Reviews: DEVILMAN crybaby (No Spoilers) (1:12) DEVILMAN crybaby (Spoilers) (12:11) A Place Further Than the Universe (20:15) Garo -Vanishing Line- (37:24)     Related Links: https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2018/01/08/devilman-crybaby-interview-with-director-masaaki-yuasa/ https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2018-01-09/.12

John kicks off this jam session of an episode by talking about a piece of pure art in the form of Pop Team Epic and its creative insanity. After that CC claws his way out of the Trash Stash to deliver his Review of the furry fighting bonanza Killing Bites. Last but not least the hosts discuss the flawed time-stopping adventures of the Yukawa family in Kokkoku and why the series ultimately didn't deliver on its promised potential.   Review Pop Team Epic (2:13)   Trash Stash Killing Bites (30:23)   Review: Kokkoku (50:06)   Related Links: https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2018/02/16/pop-team-epic-interview-with-producer-kotaro-sudo/ https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2018-02-01/.127192 http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/01/11/what-the-heck-is-pop-team-epic http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/01/12/meet-the-staff-and-cast-of-pop-team-epic https://www.animefeminist.com/feature-pop-team-epic-let-girls-absurd/   Website: http://animebrainfreeze.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ani

Time for a new season, time for a new Sneak Peek. Wherein John and CC discuss all their potential Tops and Flops from Spring 2018. After that, the hosts dive into the rich fantasy world of The Ancient Magus' Bride, to explain why this show is much more than a simple The Beauty & The Beast story.   Sneak Peek Last Hope (2:27) Cutie Honey Universe (5:50) Devils' Line (8:21) Caligula (10:09) Sword Art Online: Alternative Gun Gale Online (14:05) Tokyo Ghoul:re (21:03) Dances with the Dragons (23:09) The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These (24:36) Otaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii (27:35) Lupin the Third: Part 5 (31:15) Hinamatsuri (34:52) PERSONA 5 the Animation (37:42) Space Battleship Tiramisu (41:04) Captain Tsubasa 2018 (43:41) Gundam Build Divers (46:39) Megalobox (49:21) Golden Kamuy (52:18) Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory (55:40) Food Wars! The Third Plate Part 2 (57:58) My Hero Academia Season 3 (1:00:27)   Review The Ancient Magus' Bride (1:03:23)   Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork

All is fair in Love Live and Grail War as the ABF gang wraps up Fall Season 2017 with the final two Reviews. After briefly talking about the shows that didn't make the cut this time in the Chop 'n Drop, John dives back into the Idol pool and explains why the second season of Love Live! Sunshine!! was a big upgrade to the first. Then both hosts go to war over one of the newest entries in the Fate series, discuss their differing opinions on what worked and what didn't in Fate/Apocrypha and talk about this gigantic franchise in general. Last but not least, it's time to choose the very Best of the Season.   Chop 'n Drop (1:45)   Reviews: Love Live! Sunshine!! Season 2 (6:20) - Ending Spoilers Start (15:01) - Ending Spoilers Over (20:28) Fate/Apocrypha (24:16) - Ending Spoilers Start (56:33) - Ending Spoilers Over (59:12)   Best of the Season (1:15:17)   Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2017-10-30/aqours/.122507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahilgkDt7-M http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-

Switching things up after the last episode, CC kicks off the show by talking about the colorful Battle Royale slaughterfest Jūni Taisen: Zodiac War and why the series is a lackluster entry in that specific genre. Following that, John focuses on the fractured tale of Kino's Journey - the Beautiful World- and the gang discusses its many different shortcomings. CC then wraps things up with his Review of Girls' Last Tour, a sorrowful tale about the end of humanity, that manages to pull you in with its sympathetic, goofy main characters and great world building. Reviews: Jūni Taisen: Zodiac War (1:30) Kino's Journey - the Beautiful World- (18:42) Girls' Last Tour (38:39) Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2017-12-21/.125557 http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2017/11/04-1/character-economy-in-juni-taisen-part-one http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2017/11/11/character-economy-in-juni-taisen-part-two http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2017/11/14/juni-taisen-zodiac-w

On this episode John takes the helm right out of the gate and delivers his comparison between the two teen romance series Just Because and Our Love has always been 10 centimeters apart. Up next is CC's Review of Land of the Lustrous, detailing the reasons why this CG show succeeds, where many others have failed. Finally John brings the Rom train back into the Com station and talks about Blend S and how the show turned out to be a disappointment despite its many colorful maid shenanigans.   Reviews: Just Because VS Our Love has always been 10 centimeters apart (1:41) Land of the Lustrous (37:24) Blend S (55:07)   Related Links: https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2017/10/16/just-because-and-the-tv-anime-problem-living-characters-dead-production/ https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2017-11-30/.124636 https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2017/10/31/land-of-the-lustrous-director-takahiko-kyougoku-interview/ https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2017/11/15/land-of-the-lustrous-houseki-no-kuni-production-notes-1-6/ https

On this episode, John talks about Recovery of an MMO Junkie and why the quirky romance story felt satisfying and relatable. The gang also dives into the recent unfortunate buzz generated by the director of that show. Lastly, CC reviews the unconventional hero's journey of Inuyashiki and explains why the show's misguided focus on its all too repulsive villain was ultimately its downfall.   Reviews: Recovery of an MMO Junkie (1:32) Inuyashiki (34:37)   Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2017-10-24/.123097 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2017-12-12/.125150 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-02-09/recovery-of-an-mmo-junkie-director-causes-controversy-with-anti-semitic-tweets/.127409 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP2KATrNlbE http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2017/12/05/how-recovery-of-an-mmo-junkie-redefines-what-it-means-to-be-an-adult-nerd http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2017/12/02/managing-misunderstandings-in-recovery-of-an-mmo-

Kicking off 2018 in style, the gang as usual takes a quick glance at all the new series premiering this Winter in the Sneak Peek. After that they discuss both seasons of Blood Blockade Battlefront and why the Studio Bones show and its plethora of colorful characters captured their hearts and imagination.   Sneak Peek (1:52) Record of Grancrest War (2:20) Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (3:38) Junji Ito Collection (8:03) After the Rain (9:26) Pop Team Epic (11:06) Yowamushi Pedal: Glory Line (14:16) Seven Deadly Sins - Season 2 (15:27) Overlord - Season 2 (18:09) Katana Maidens (21:12) Killing Bites (25:31) Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles (28:21) Hakumei & Mikochi (32:11) How to keep a mummy (33:36) A place further than the Universe (35:26) Devilman Crybaby (39:06) Violet Evergarden (40:54) Kokkoku (46:30) Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion the Animation (48:37) Darling in the Frankxx (51:58)   Review (57:57) Blood Blockade Battlefront - Season 1&2   Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2015-

John and CC wrap up 2017 by bringing you another whopper of an episode. First they reintroduce an old segment with a new name: Chop 'n' Drop. In this former sub section of the Trash Stash the gang talks about all the shows from Summer Season 2017 they stopped watching after a few episodes and why. Then John lifts the curtain on another Mystery Review that makes him re-evaluate his opinion on an old nemesis. Finally it's time for the final Review of the Season with Re:Creators and the hosts list the many reasons why that series was one of their favorites this year. Of course there is no way for them to wrap up the show without telling you about their pick for Best of Summer Season 2017.   Chop 'n' Drop (1:56)   Mystery Review (14:41)   Review: Re:Creators - No Spoilers (57:36) Re:Creators - Spoilers (1:23:49)   Best of the Season (1:30:33)   Related Links: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2017-07-28/the-real-anime-inspirations-behind-the-creations-of-re-creators/.119444 https://www.animenewsnetwork.co