Otaku Hourly

There's an anime that set the foundations of your weebdom. The Otaku Hourly crew talks about the anime that almost everyone can have a conversation about (Dragon Ball Z and One Piece just to name a couple) as well as the elitism/gatekeeping to being a fan.  Originally broadcasted back in 2016.

At the time of this recording is St. Patrick's Day so we asked ourselves - what're some good titles to enjoy while under the influence? 

With the recent buzz of Avatar Studios opening, your backdoor anime hangout discusses the studio's creative and business possibilities. Along with the conversation comes a retrospective of the series that started it all "Avatar the Last Airbender" as well as its successor "The Legend of Korra." Many thanks to the Dex for bringing this hangout to life!

Curious about the voice acting industry? From the dubbing process to getting into the field, Eric P. Sherman - CEO of Bang Zoom! Entertainment - will answer those questions! Many thanks to: - Eric P. Sherman for his time and insight. - Sam of Bang Zoom! Entertainment for scheduling and coordinating this interview. Christian, Cliff, Cynical Experiments, Dex, and Donnie K for production and script assistance

The pandemic has tremendously impacted the anime industry and community - shows delayed, conventions going online, and gatherings restricted. The cosplay community got hit hard especially given the former events, yet how have they dealt and adapted to the situation? Crew member, Marvin "Marth," has the story. Topics Discussed: - Cosplay Beginnings - Anxiety - Adapting to Quarantine - #BLM and Cosplay Community - Tips for the Anxious (and much more) Many thanks to: - Alyx - Chuuya - Momo - Misa

Anime is chock full of romances and if you're a grown-up - especially growing into adulthood - it can be hard to relate. Well, what if I were to tell you there is one taking place in an office setting and all the characters inevitably remind you of somebody in your life. That is Wotakoi and your backdoor anime hangout has something to say about it!

What Have You Been Watching? A universal question with many answers for a casual conversation. So what better way to satiate a curiosity than to ask that question, more specifically to a group of weebs. Join your backdoor anime hangout as we talk about a variety assortment of anime, manga, and general topics that pique our interests!

DISCLAIMER: Discussion on sensitive topics include: child abuse, suicide, trauma, and self-harm. Listeners discretion is advised. One of the most compelling series of the summer season, and 2025 as a whole, is also the shortest and toughest to watch. By no means is this a bad series, far from it actually. However great art handles heavy subject matters with dignity, expertise, and balance and allows us to confront the harshest of realities however uncomfortable they may be. This is one of those, Takopi’s Original Sin. Your backdoor anime hangout dissects this six-episode stand out hit with regards to:how the series handles topics such as child abuse, suicide, trauma, and self-harmexamine the complexity of our four main characters in relation to their circumstances and insecuritieswhether or not the creators have done a fine job balancing both the brutal aspects and the message for hope.Article Referenced: Sakuga BlogWatch Takopi’s Original Sin on CrunchyrollRead Takopi’s Original Sin on VIZ Media

Your backdoor anime hangout had the press media opportunity to watch Mamoru Hosoda’s latest film, Scarlet, at the Animation is Film Festival. The plot goes:After witnessing her father’s wrongful execution, Scarlet is hellbent on revenge towards her uncle and father’s murder, Claudius. However due to Claudius’s cunning, he poisons her and Scarlet is brought into a purgatory where the living, the dead, time, and space live all at once. Now in this world, she is determined to escape in the hopes of completing her revenge; however when she is killed in the world, she will be permanently dead. This is Hosoda’s most ambitious and potentially divisive film as it utilizes the 2D/3D hybrid animation style inspired from Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse and Arcane while telling an epic loosely adapted from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. To discuss and dig deeper into the film’s scope, execution, and theme I talk with a fellow geek (or fan) of Hosoda’s filmography - “heroofheart”- of the entertainment publication Geek vs Fan. FYI - Spoiler Talk begins on the 31:36 mark.Scarlet will have its theatrical wide release in the beginning of February 2026.In IMAX beginning on 06 February 2026.Wide release on 13 February 2026.More Information on Scarlet’s website

Hands down the best animated film of the year. Watching this at Animation is Film Festival was truly magical - a good majority of us were tearing up at its sheer beauty and nuanced storytelling. Your show host, Jonathan Joestar Beltran, goes into what makes this film exceptional as well as an interview snippet of directors Mailys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han discussing about the creative process for this film!Little Amelie or the Character of Rain is in theaters November 7. Tickets and informationMany thanks to: 42 West LLC and Animation is Film Festival for the press opportunityMailys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han for their work and presence at the film festival

Your backdoor anime hangout got invited to cover the Animation is Film Festival this past weekend and wanted to share with you some of the best films from the lineup!Little Amelie - (Feature Length Film)Nobody - (Feature Length Film)Playing God - (Short)Retirement Plan - (Short)Many thanks to:42 West LLC and Animation is Film Festival for the press media opportunityAll the creators, directors, scriptwriters, and talent that came in support of their filmsWinnie for ticket assistance

Your backdoor anime hangout had the opportunity to watch the upcoming Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc. It is ballistic in its presentation and retains the violent nihilistic charm of its source material. May this episode whet your appetite for what's to come and perhaps leave you thinking on its deeper themes of connection.Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc is out in theaters 24 October 2025. Please check your local listings at your nearest theater.Many thanks to 42 West LLC and Animation is Film for the press media opportunity.

You are thrown into battle and for the next 2.5 hours you will be a witness to what is arguably the flashiest and most-cutting edge action shounen of the modern era. Your backdoor anime hangout had the opportunity to see Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle; the first part of a trilogy. Our talk consists of:A discussion on animation (2D and 3D hybrid style)Glazing studio ufotable, Director Haruki Sotozaki, and Mangaka Koyoharu GotougeHow the show host, once a hater, became a fanThe problem with flashbacksSPOILER TALK on 28:24 (talking about plot and critiques)Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle is in theaters 12 September 2025. Tickets and Information Here.On The Show:Jonathan "Joestar" BeltranJon S.Bao C.Many thanks to:Hannah Kim of 42West LLC for the invitation.Sarah and Madison of Crunchyroll for the press opportunity.Carolyn for the hospitality.Jon S. for providing a structure for the discussion.Bao C. for chilling at your backdoor anime hangout.

Are second chances possible? When is it too late? The latest film by the creators of Odd Taxi explore these questions through a new film about a dying mid-level yakuza member serving a life sentence in solitary confinement and engaging with a talking balsam flower about whether or not he turn his life around now. Your backdoor anime hangout had the privilege and honor to be invited by PONY CANYON to attend the panel featuring Director Baku Kinoshita, Producer/CEO of Studio CLAP Ryoichiro Matsuo, and Producer Hirofumi Ito learn more about the film and even get to see the first eight minutes. We hope you enjoy!Many thanks to:Wenbo Jiang of PONY CANYON for the press opportunity. Ravrath for providing extra help on coverage.

Amuse Creative Studio hosted a panel at Anime Expo about the ins-and-outs of creating anime and manga featuring:Shinobu Seguchi - mangaka (Prisoner Riku; Oedo Fire Slayer)Rei Hebiguchi - manga editor (Weekly Shonen Champion)Kazuhiro Nishikawa - CEO of DandeLion Animation Studios (The First Slam Dunk; Magic Candies)Your backdoor anime hangout brings you the insights we have learned and experienced from:how technology has aided in the process of creating and submitting mangathe question about AI and mangaimplementing motion capture, CGI, and hand drawn animation in an impacted market.upcoming anime adaptationsRead Prisoner Riku & Oedo Fire Slayer on emaqi manga.Read ELECEED on Webtoon / Soon to be published under Penguin Random House's adult comics imprint InkloreMore Information about Amuse Creative StudioMany thanks to:Amuse Creative Studios for the panel.Nardeep Khurmi and Grace Kawahara of AIM Entertainment for the media invite.Jon Sloan Jr. for his coverage.

Anime Expo 2025 has been a surprisingly great year with efficient lines, entrances, and spaces that it all feel seamless...yet the vibe felt different from previous years. Your backdoor anime hangout answers two questions:what are our highlights?how has Anime Expo changed over the years?From calling a concert "when peak happened" to even asking ourselves "when was the last time someone asked you your favorite anime?" are what you'll be looking forward to in our coverage of Anime Expo.Crew:Jonathan "Joestar" BeltranJonMatt "imagEn"Sh(i)rocastRavrathMany thanks to:Sydney Davis of forty seven communications for the Anime Expo Press BadgeChristian Wiseman for press equipmentOtaku Hourly Press crew for their time and availability

Lighthearted shows are not easy to find these days, and your backdoor anime hangout had a ball in the movie theaters watching the first three episodes of the upcoming romcom series - Witch Watch. Two childhood friends reunite - one an ogre named Morihito who wants to live a peaceful life, and the other a witch named Nico who strives to both help people and woo Morihito's heart - and live together amidst an unforeseen impending disaster brewing. We give our first impressions from our favorite scenes to our hype for LilyPichu's voice over role announcement as the titular Nico. Witch Watch will begin streaming 06 April 2025 via:NetflixCrunchyrollHuluMore information on Witch Watch via GKids.Crew:Jonathan "Joestar" BeltranJonimagEnShreddyMany thanks to Christian Wiseman for equipment.

Shinichiro Watanabe is a legend amongst anime fans and an auteur who pushes the boundaries of what the anime medium has to offer. Titles such as Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Space Dandy are Adult Swim staples that have defined a generation. Now he’s back with an upcoming action series debuting on Cartoon Network midnight 05 April 2025 called Lazarus. A story about a world wracked in chaos due to a “cure-all” opioid becoming lethal and the reluctant rag-tag group of criminals tasked to find the neuroscientist responsible in the hopes of creating a vaccine. It is a race against time on a global stage.Your backdoor anime hangout had the privilege and honor to interview Watanabe-san for his latest title: his inspiration for the title, musical collaborations, and involvement with the John Wick director, Chad Stahelski.Many Thanks To:Interpreter: Takayuki Karahashi of Green Room InternationalInterview Coordination: Jo Ann Faustino of Green Room International Raymond Shipman of Anime Los AngelesOtaku Hourly Crew:Interviewer: Jonathan BeltranVideo: Jonathan Charles GarciaAudio: Matthew AquinoEditor: Christian WisemanResearch: Clifford Sutton“TM & © 2025 Cartoon Network. ADULT SWIM, LAZARUS, the logos and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and copyright by Cartoon Network. All Rights Reserved.”

From seeing Shinichiro Watanabe (director of Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo) and ribbon collecting we have a lot of stories to share at your backdoor anime hangout! We talk about our ALA 20 highlights, fun con stories, and the potential growth of this personally beloved convention! Topics include (and not limited to): Lazarus Episode 1 Premiere Examining Skeletal Injuries in My Hero Academia Ribbon Collecting V4Mirai Concert feat. VShojo Wiling Out in Karaoke Visiting Nostalgic Cosplay Gatherings Who's Broke After Con Witnessing ALA's Growth and Addressing Hopes & Fears Many thanks to: Anime Los Angeles for allowing us the opportunity to cover as press media Raymond Shipman for press interview coordination Christian Wiseman for audio production of this episode Anime Los Angeles will be coming back 8-11 January 2026 at the Long Beach Convention Center!

Your backdoor anime hangout looks back at the year from seasonal anime to major events in the industry and community. Topics including (and not limited to): Convention Coverage (e.g. Anime Los Angeles, Anime Expo) Seasonal Anime (Winter - Fall 2024; e.g. Frieren, Jellyfish Can't Swim At Night, DanDaDan) Akira Toriyama's Death Funimation's Shutdown hololive at Dodgers Stadium The Catholic Church Unveiling its 2025 Jubilee Mascot, Luce Many thanks to imagEn for audio editing this episode. Have a Happy New Year!