My Taste is Better Than Yours

We have two new serialisations in Weekly Shonen Jump we’re discussing this week - a distant sequel to one of its most popular titles of the past decade, and a little romcom by a newcomer - we’re charmed by one and left indifferent by another. Tune in to find which one’s which.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - check-in on the previous serialisation round6:13 Series that ended: Kill Blue and Nice Prison9:48 Check-in with current WSJ titles: Otr of the Flame, Hima-Ten!, Ichi the Witch, Shinobi Undercover19:50 Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo by Gege Akutami (Story), Yuji Iwasaki (Art)29:03 Someone Hertz by Ei Yamano38:55 First chapter ratings + predictions for its survivability39:31 Looking ahead, predicting the next series to leave the magazine?

This is the second part of our conversation on the Succession Contest arc, this time discussing everything to do with Kurapika, the Kakin Empire’s political machinations, and the mafia family conflicts. And after covering the entire series we rank all the arcs in the series by our preference as well as giving our final scores for Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter.Timestamps0:00 Introduction - part II of the discussion0:51 The ever-ambitious rules and layers of the Succession Contest6:14 Standout characters from the Kakin Empire - and which prince do we think will win?14:06 Kurapika vs Tserriednich - is Kurapika going to die in this arc?15:44 The various other storylines ongoing right now18:04 Which of the princes is Beyond Netero’s child?21:36 Melody being set up to have a pivotal part in the succession contest25:01 The mafia families - Heil-ly, Char, Xi Yu - and Morena as a standout29:03 Prediction of an anime adaptation and the length of the Succession Contest arc32:49 Samu’s Recommendation: Ooku: The Inner Chambers by Fumi Yoshinaga 34:19 Enzo’s Recommendation: Hyouge Mono by Yamada Yoshihiro 38:21 Overview and scores for the arc43:15 Our ranking of all Hunter x Hunter arcs46:36 Final scores for Hunter x Hunter

We’re catching up with Hunter x Hunter’s current arc, and despite it being unfinished there’s a plethora of storylines and characters involved that we’re splitting this discussion into the two parts it needs, like we did with Chimera Ant. This episode we talk about the Dark Continent Expedition, Hisoka vs Chrollo, and our feelings of the Phantom Troupe’s role in the current arc. Check it out and stay tuned for the rest of the discussion next week!Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - catching up to the series with the Succession Contest arc4:20 Does the Succession Contest arc feel like a Hunter x Hunter spin-off?14:29 A unique story arc with its sheer amount of every-expanding storylines18:11 The Zodiacs and the expedition, Ging and Pariston rivalry early in the arc22:48 Gon Freecss’s absence, will we cut back to him anytime soon?25:54 Hisoka vs Chrollo at Heaven’s Arena - the fanservable fight of the series31:52 Hisoka vs the Phantom Troupe on the boat - who is going to win?35:46 Fake!Hisoka theory coming to fruition37:46 Phantom Troupe backstory and parallel between Chrollo and Kurapika46:26 Tune in for Part II of the discussion!

We continue our Bleach/Rurouni Kenshin read-throughs with the famed Kyoto arc, one of Enzo’s all-time favourite of the medium which he has plenty to gush over. But will Samu feel the same way?Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - the companion piece to the Soul Society episode5:04 Spoiler discussion warning5:22 Himura Kenshin as a main character, comparisons to Ichigo Kurosaki?9:48 Why is Kyoto arc considered one of the best of the series and battle shonen?14:54 Juppongatana - standouts and our favourites20:18 Honjo Kamatari depiction of the time, respectful or exploitative?22:57 Samu’s many problems with Cho “The Sword Hunter”26:22 Seijuro Hiko, Kenshin’s past, and their training36:02 Shishio success as a villain and the influence on Horikoshi’s Stain44:58 Our favourite fights52:51 Kenshin vs Shishio and the implications afterlife, and the epilogue58:51 Samu’s Recommendation: Gintama by Hideaki Sorachi1:02:28 Enzo’s Recommendation: Dororo by Osamu Tezuka1:06:09 Overview and final scores

Enzo continues his exploration into the Big 3, this time Bleach’s Soul Society arc, largely considered as one of the best of the series, and one of Samu’s defining experience as an animanga fan. We further discuss Kubo’s style as a writer, his influences, and the standout characters from the arc that properly put Bleach on the map.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - continuing our Bleach/Rurouni Kenshin read-throughs1:50 Spoiler discussion warning2:39 Soul Society arc as one of battle shonen’s best?4:04 Samu’s personal experience and fondness with the Soul Society arc5:18 The lack of backgrounds and concise writing style - is Kubo an architect or a gardener?12:50 Ichigo’s role in the Soul Society arc14:52 The interconnected thread between all the characters in Soul Society20:50 Renj’s character arc in Soul Society, guilt about Rukia and vendetta against Byakuya23:17 Byakuya’s focus and character shift near the end - setting up for the future26:15 Enzo’s standouts: Shunsui, Hanataro and Ganju31:40 Samu’s favourite character in anime and manga35:22 Rukia and the ‘damsel in distress’ trope, how it’s handled here39:19 Zanpakuto as a power system - a visual representation of character development43:24 Was Kubo influenced by Watsuki and the Kyoto arc?51:27 Villain reveal: Aizen, Gin, and Tosen’s betrayal58:05 Enzo’s Recommendation: One Punch Man by ONE and Yusuke Murata1:02:28 Samu’s Recommendation: Kekkaishi by Yellow Tanabe1:03:44 Overview and final scores

This time around we finally tackle the age old fandom question: is the anime or the manga better? This episode we go through series where we prefer the source material as well as the adaptation, including some controversial hot takes you’re not likely to hear anywhere else. As is often the case, not all of them do we agree on. Timecodes:0:00 Introduction - setting the scene with our experience and views on anime vs manga2:36 Manga > Anime - we preferred the source material3:07 Recent WSJ adaptations: Sakamoto Days and Chainsaw Man, The Promised Neverland7:36 Erased, Ooku: the Inner Chambers, Wandering Son14:52 Anime > Manga - the adaptation exceeding the source material15:12 WITCH WATCH, Dandadan, Heavenly Delusion, Chihayafuru, Mob Psycho 100, Blood Blockade Battlefront, Teasing Master Takagi-san19:44 The Elusive Samurai, Nichijou: My Ordinary Life, Attack on Titan24:48 A Silent Voice - our biggest disagreement32:14 Bleach - does Samu prefer the anime or manga?33:31 Our controversial takes33:50 Samu: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, The Flowers of Evil40:09 Enzo: Fruits Basket, Usagi Drop46:52 Conclusion - hot takes are the interesting ones!

We have a sports-heavy four serialisation round for Weekly Shonen Jump that’s just happened so take a listen to hear our takes on what gives us most optimism between baseball, long distance running, ping pong, and… demon hunting? A unique batch in many ways, with some potential chances of success among them.Timecodes:0:00 Introduction - a four serialisation round, with three sports titles1:59 Check-in on the previous serialisation round: Nice Prison + Otr of the Flame13:19 Series that ended: Super Psychic Policeman Chojo, Syd Craft: Love is a Mystery, Embers, Star of Beethoven19:13 Harukaze Mound by Togo Goto and Kento Matsuura35:57 Kaedegami by Jun Harukawa52:25 Ekiden Bros by Daisuke Nono1:04:46 Ping-Pong Peril by Yoshiharu Kataoka1:12:35 First chapter ratings + predictions for its survivability

With the anime coming next week, we decided to discuss the manga of Gachiakuta by Kei Urana - one that we’ve both been reading since it was first released. In this episode we get into inspirations for its cool factor, our highlights so far, predictions for the series’ future, and whether we think the anime will manage to reach the wider audience we expected it to by this point already.Timecodes:0:00 Introduction - Gachiakuta, a manga we’ve both followed since the first chapter released5:40 The shonen “cool factor” and Bleach’s influence11:30 Would Gachiakuta work as a Weekly Shonen Jump title?15:04 Falling manga volume sales - will the anime give it a boost?24:36 Rudo - a fitting main character with strong contrasts29:54 Standouts from the supporting characters: Information Broker, Follo, Gris32:13 Spoiler discussion begins32:22 Follo - the late blooming supporting character who wants to be a main character40:18 The power system: Vital Instruments + Thoughts - similarities to Zanpakuto in Bleach43:21 What’s the deal with Tamsy - is he the final antagonist?46:36 Do we think the series will explore Rudo’s love life?50:31 The Watchman, The Watchman Series, are we in the future?53:46 How long do we think the series will last?55:11 Enzo’s Recommendation: Bleach by Tite Kubo56:25 Samu’s Recommendation: Soul Eater by Atsushi Ookubo57:56 Overview and final scores1:01:10 Is Gachiakuta among our currently-running battle shonen manga?

We’ve reached the last complete arc of Hunter x Hunter: the 13th Hunter Chairman Election arc - a political thriller that picks up directly in the aftermath of the chimera ant threat. Gon is out of commission and this time Leorio and Killua get the focus split between the political and the thriller. We managed to talk the longest about one of the shortest arcs in the series, so check out to see if we think this would have been a satisfying conclusion to the series as a whole.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - the final ‘complete’ arc in Hunter x Hunter4:44 Togashi’s most concise arc - a focused political thriller10:14 Let’s talk about Ging - a really bad dad or the worst dad in history?11:46 Leorio’s arc and his best moment in the series14:20 Would we have voted for Leorio in the election after the punch?15:33 Our favourite Zodiacs?20:10 Pariston Hill, the intelligent troll in it for the game, his similarities with Netero - is he evil?29:30 The B-Plot: Killua’s task to save Gon - what’s Togashi’s intent with the Alluka’s gender?35:42 Nanika and potential Dark Continent origin, one of the Five Threats36:38 Killua’s mindset with rescuing Gon vs the relationship with his family41:14 Hisoka’s role in this arc as a chaos element, him “killing’ Killua45:00 The anticlimaxes: Cheadle winning the election + Killua countering Nanika’s repercussions49:35 Gon and Ging’s reuniting, completing Gon’s goal - is it satisfying?56:39 Gon and Killua’s ‘Departure’- an inconclusive resolution to a broken relationship?1:03:20 Chapter 339 - the best chapter in the entire series1:07:40 Enzo’s Recommendation: Kingdom by Hara Yasuhisa1:11:40 Samu’s Recommendation: ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Department by Natsume Ono1:13:40 Overview and final scores

It’s a double bill this time as we delve into the two pillars of Mitsuru Adachi’s iconic career: Touch and Cross Game (with a bit of Mix in the mix). These two series represent a bookend (more on less) on Adachi's catalog, and are the product of a writer at two very different stages of his life and career. Do you prefer a young and vibrant wine that practically jumps out of the glass, or a mature and subtle one full of bittersweetness that demands contemplation?Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - Mitsuru Adachi, a giant in the industry, our feelings on him in general7:56 Touch vs Cross Game12:50 Do people expect a big twist in an Adachi series?14:02 Touch - Why did it become a cultural phenomenon?19:38 Touch spoiler discussion begins20:10 The big ‘moment’ - its impact and effect on the series’ popularity25:19 Cross Game - modern take on familiar tropes28:00 Cross Game spoiler discussion begins28:18 How do the twists in both series compare to one another?32:04 Adachi’s minimalist artwork and smart way of panelling in those dramatic moments34:34 Mix, Touch’s sequel - its own late moment and his restraint with returning characters38:22 Which series is most focused on baseball? Comparing the Touch vs Cross Game41:50 Aoba’s character - annoying or understandable?49:19 Enzo’s love for Kou Kitamura as a protagonist50:45 Supporting cast, Adachi’s fanservice critique, breaking the fourth wall54:00 Comparing the endings55:36 Samu’s Recommendation: Straighten Up! Welcome to Shika High's Competitive Dance Club by Takuma Yokota59:15 Enzo’s Recommendation: Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day by Chou Heiwa Busters and Izumi Mitsu1:02:58 Touch - overview and final score1:04:39 Cross Game - overview and final score1:07:00 Mix - overview and final score

We’re bringing back the JUMPing to Conclusions format, where we check-in on the new Weekly Shonen Jump serialisations (Nice Prison and Otr of the Flame) to give our initial impressions and give our predictions on their chances of survival in the roster, while also doing a check-in on what else has left us (Astro Royale) and how we’re feeling of the magazine as of late. If you’re curious for a new potential breakout then perhaps you’ll fine one here after listening to our thoughts!Timestamps:0:00 Returning feature: JUMPing to Conclusions8:11 Check-in from previous serialisation round: Embers + Star of Beethoven12:26 Saying goodbye to the series that left - Astro Royale16:40 Jump Future Project 2025 one-shots17:27 Nice Prison by Tatsuya Suganuma29:59 Otr of the Flame by Yuki Kawaguchi51:49 First impressions ratings + predictions for its survivability

Continuing on our arc-by-arc breakdowns of our personal favourite battle shonen, we’re onto Samu’s all-timer: Bleach by Tite Kubo. Much like with Rurouni Kenshin we’re focusing on the first arc (Agent of the Shinigami) for this episode. Check it out to get a glimpse into Enzo’s first proper experience with any of the Big 3!Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - Samu’s journey with his favourite manga6:27 Enzo’s experience with the Big 3 and expectations for Bleach specifically8:32 Comparing the first arcs of the Big 39:05 Ichigo as a main character - not having an obvious goal, a more human motivation14:35 Bleach’s ‘cool factor’15:17 Tite Kubo’s efficient artwork, critiques of the lack of backgrounds, prioritising panel flow20:49 Bleach has the best chapter title pages in manga, period21:34 A series that feels like it’s made to be in black and white - it’s meant to be a manga?23:51 The volume poem’s - Orihime’s being the highlight of this arc24:46 Spoiler discussion begins24:58 Orihime’s character - Samu’s love for her, her mistreatment by fans, her tragic backstory29:21 June 17th, Grand Fisher/Masaki Storyline and Ichigo’s guilt and white knight complex33:30 Rukia’s character, her dynamic with Ichigo + a fight to protect life or to preserve honour36:49 Isshin Kurosaki - Enzo’s least favourite character so far39:52 The hit-or-miss humour (Kon and Don Kanoji), exceptions that are actually funny41:10 Chad - Enzo’s favourite character so far45:56 Uryu Ishida, the Quinces - the rival to Ichigo and the Shinigami48:09 Byakuya and Renji’s arrival - when Bleach truly ‘begins’; set-up for Soul Society arc52:36 Kisuke Urahara as a mentor/training figure55:48 What currently running Jump series is the most direct descendent of Bleach?1:01:02 Samu’s Recommendation: Yu Yu Hakusho (Spirit Detective arc) by Yoshihiro Togashi1:02:26 Enzo’s Recommendation: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Kyoharu Gotougehi1:05:18 Overview and final scores

We’ve decided to take on two more of our personal favourite Weekly Shonen Jump series through arc-by-arc breakdowns, similar to what we’ve done with Hunter x Hunter. First up, one of Enzo’s favourite: Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki - a series absent from Samu’s WSJ resume which is partly complete now with this discussion of the initial Tokyo arc. Tune in next episode when it’s Samu’s turn to introduce his favourite to Enzo!Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - A new arc-by-arc coverage of our favourite Weekly Shonen Jump hits5:31 What is it about Rurouni Kenshin that made it popular?11:20 Nobuhiro Watsuki - the difficulty of separating the art and the artist14:52 Is Rurouni Kenshin a traditional battle shonen?16:28 The impact page approach to action - the depiction of Kenshin’s speed19:34 Main cast; Yahiko in particular, our feelings on him as a self-insert character25:14 Do Weekly Shonen Jump mangaka struggle with future series after a monster hit?31:41 Spoiler discussion begins31:47 Sanosuke/Captain Sozo backstory being the lowest popularity in the series - why is that?35:41 Oniwabanshu/Megumi storyline - Samu’s disappointment vs general consensus with fans37:44 Yutaro’s character as a mirror to Yahiko + Nishiki Painting sub-arc as a good end to the arc40:12 Kaoru’s character depiction compared to the rest of the cast42:38 Kenshin’s character, his influence on other characters, his guilt over his past49:00 What currently running Jump series is the most direct descendent of Rurouni Kenshin?51:18 Samu’s Recommendation: The Elusive Samurai by Yuusei Matsui54:47 Enzo’s Recommendation: Vagabond by Inoue Takehiko56:54 Overview and final scores

As promised, here’s the second part of our Hunter x Hunter Chimera Ant arc discussion, where we finally go into the depths of Netero and Meruem, highlights from the palace invasion, and decide if this really is the best shonen arc of all time?Timestamps:0:00 Re-introduction - second part of the Chimera Ant arc discussion0:39 Netero vs Meruem (Humanity vs Chimera Ants) - one of the best shonen fights of all time12:06 The anti-climax quota: the lack of Gon’s inclusion in the final fight, how Meruem lost15:32 Meruem, the royal guards, the journey of the chimera ants21:25 Komugi - her relationship with Meruem, her part in saving humanity, and her resolution26:44 Gon and Killua’s relationship across this arc; Killua’s liberation and Gon’s revenge35:16 Other favourite scenes: Gon’s dark expression, Colt and Reina’s reunion with their mother36:54 The intention of the two corrupt leaders who survived their corrupt countries38:49 Kite is reborn as a little girl after the birth of the Meruem - what’s that about?40:29 Is Chimera Ant arc the best shonen arc of all time?44:03 Samu’s Recommendation: Bleach (Thousand Year Blood War arc) by Tite Kubo45:30 Enzo’s Recommendation: Rurouni Kenshin (Kyoto Arc) by Watsuki Nobuhiro 47:48 Overview and final scores

We’ve finally got to the arc we’ve been building up to in Hunter x Hunter: Chimera Ant arc! And because we have so much to discuss, we’re splitting this up into two episodes. This first half covers everything up until the palace invasion - Kite, NGL, Gyro, Knuckle, the Phantom Troupe, and more - so check it out and stay tuned next week for the remaining part of the discussion and our final thoughts.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - our most anticipated conversation so far for Hunter x Hunter2:12 Why we both love the Chimera Ant arc so much4:15 The reception of the arc, comparing then vs now?10:34 Kite - did him not being introduced in the 2011 anime affect our feelings on his character?14:35 NGL section - the beginning section of the arc, a new (even) darker tone19:27 Gyro - his role in Chimera Ant arc and his potential for the future with Gon25:22 The Phantom Troupe vs the Chimera Ants - Hunter x Hunter at its most conventional fanservice?29:24 The excellent cast of side characters - Knuckle, Shoot, and the chimera ants39:32 Critiques with Palm, her ‘relationship’ with Gon, and her presentation43:40 Do we agree with any critiques of the Chimera Ant arc? 49:24 End of first half of the discussion - tune in next week!

This episode we’re going full shonen mode and trying to figure out what makes a massive kaijuu hit, going over some of our favourite titles that qualify for that title, and forecasting some potential big hitters on the horizon.0:00 Introduction - trying to understand what makes a kaijuu shonen hit?4:11 Series we’d consider big hits that others might not7:11 One Piece vs Demon Slayer - which is the bigger hit?12:38 How big of a factor is a publisher/magazine for a series to become a hit?15:56 What did we think would be a massive hit that didn’t become that?22:44 Anime Blu-ray and DVD sales and the power of the otaku fanbase26:03 Comparing the generation of the Big Three to recent successes30:16 Are there traits in writing or art that indicate something will be a mega hit?43:27 Do our top 3 battle shonen qualify as ‘big hits’ and why do we love them?48:31 What current shonen title do we think will become the next big hit?54:32 Hollywood cinema’s influence on successful mangaka56:18 Outro - final thoughts on Gachiakuta’s potential

We’re covering a series we both love and have a similar history with: Wandering Son by Takako Shimura, a touching coming of age story about transgender children navigating their way through the early years of their life. We both love the anime and both love the manga, so we had a lot to say about the series reception and critics.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - our similar experience in discovering the series5:33 The slice of life approach to serious topics, Takako Shimura’s artwork, and the anime adaptation9:30 The anime’s decisions to only adapt the middle (Junior High) section17:21 An important series on being transgender - how would it be viewed if it was published today?23:31 Takako Shimura - her focus on queer stories and her fetishes/favourite tropes26:51 The elementary school, initial ideas of gender dysphoria, and the low point of the series28:56 Yuki’s role in the series, could her intentions with Shuu be misconstrued?30:54 Spoiler discussion begins30:58 Our shared unlikely favourite character: Shinpei Doi37:50 An all-boys high school, what statement was Shimura making in that decision?41:45 Our thoughts on readers disappointed on the depiction of being transgender in Wandering Son53:08 Is Yoshino’s decision to not continue living as a trans boy a betrayal to the reader?56:05 Does the ending wrap everything up in a satisfying way?59:16 Enzo’s (Anime) Recommendation: Tsuki ga Kirei by Yuuko Kakihara1:00:10 Enzo’s (Manga) Recommendation: Usagi Drop by Yumi Unita1:01:28 Samu’s Recommendation: Our Dreams at Dusk: Shimanami Tasogare by Yuuki Kamatani1:02:34 Overview and final scores

We’re beginning a new segment this time: JUMPing to Conclusions, where we take a look at the new serialisations of Weekly Shonen Jump, break down our first impression, and predict whether we think it’ll survive in the cutthroat magazine. This episode covers Embers and Star of Beethoven which have both released their first chapter as of posting. Do we think football (soccer) and piano prodigies have a place in Jump in 2025? Listen to find out!Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - a new Jump-centric segment0:57 Saying goodbye to the series that left - Mission: Yozakura Family, Undead Unluck, Hakutaku6:14 Hunter x Hunter going on hiatus, prospects for returning later in 20259:38 Embers by Kei Kurumazaki (Story) + Soutarou Nishii (Art)20:19 Star of Beethoven by Morihiro Hayashi33:05 Jump Future Project 2025 - nine weeks of one-shots34:19 Outro - hopefully the next serialisation round makes a better impression on us

Back to Hunter x Hunter we go, jumping over now to Greed Island along with Gon and Killua. In a shake-up from the usual HxH arc reviews, this might be the first where we have disagreements about how much we enjoy this one on the whole.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - the third island: Greed Island4:26 Our experiences of Greed Island and favourite iteration of the arc?8:34 Is it an Isekai?10:08 Hisoka’s role this arc - enemy turned ally with all his “quirks”19:28 Biscuit - Gon and Killua’s new mentor + their relationship24:02 Comparing Greed Island vs Heavens Arena26:33 The anticlimaxes of the arcs: The Bomber + not meeting Ging33:37 Our takes on the Dodgeball match35:34 Is Greed Island too self-indulgent on Togashi’s part? Comparisons to Succession Contest39:33 Which card would you take with you if you had the choice?44:18 Samu’s Recommendation: World Trigger by Daisuke Ashihara47:10 Enzo’s Recommendation: Brave Story by Yoichiro Ono and Miyabe Miyuki49:16 Overview and final scores

It's our first episode of 2025 and we're discussing a series that is due to get an anime adaptation later this year: The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokmok Len. This is the first series picked by the LostinAnime patrons, and it’s one we both mostly agree is pretty damn good.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction - Our first series voted by the LostinAnime patrons, an early sensation in Japan8:04 Comparing our experiences of binging vs followed it as it’s published11:04 Momok Len’s ‘slice of life’ approach to drama16:35 Is Hikaru still Hikaru? Exploring the theme of performance between Hikaru and Yoshiki20:53 What do we think of the relationship between Yoshiki and Hikaru before he died?25:36 Momok Len’s favourite manga: Tokyo Ghoul26:44 The anime adaptation and confirmation of the series being 10 volumes total29:15 Spoiler discussion begins29:57 How do we expect the series is going to play out in the second half?35:04 The population decline of rural Japan and how it lends to this type of horror35:53 Was Hikaru familiar with his family’s history before he died?38:54 Could we get a flashback of the original Hikaru?39:44 Was Kurabayashi wrong not to take out Hikaru when she had the chance?42:27 Is this series science-fiction or fantasy? Aliens???45:35 Where do we see the anime adapting up until?49:21 Enzo’s Recommendation: Shiki by Fuyumi Ono and Ryu Fujisaki52:11 Samu’s Recommendation: Stigmata + Stigmata -Love Bites- by Hidebu Takahashi54:22 Overview and final scores