Joseph Writer Anderson Podcast

Take a trip through the UNION ARENA LCQ/Finals from a competitor's perspective. Catch the vibe for this hyper challenging event and get an inside look at my X-2 run with Purple Progressive that landed me solidly in the top 32 at the LCQ in Vegas to qualify for the first ever UNION ARENA Championship North America Finals. Get the play-by-play for my LCQ run via the blog.

What happens when you take Purple SAO to an Evangelion dominated case tournament? In this episode, I'll be taking you through the play-by-play of the 28 player Evangelion case tournament I took 3rd at. Playing my beloved Purple Progressive deck, I fought through battle after battle against Evangelion decks. Get insights into the post Evangelion meta from this large UNION ARENA tournament, and check out the full article below for even more insights including the top placing decks and an interview with the tournament winner: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/i-topped-an-evangelion-case-tournament-heres-how-it-wentPurple Progressive deck guide episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVwxBWmd8Fk&t=1029sSpecial thanks to Constellation Collective for supporting the competitive UNION ARENA scene, and shoutout to both Drewtabulous and Tayxia for inviting me to the epic event! Lastly, don't be like me and play with dirty sleeves – pick up your sleeves from TCGPlayer via my link: https://partner.tcgplayer.com/19aM39#UNIONARENA #SwordArtOnline #Evangelion

In this episode, we'll be going over my custom Purple Progressive build that I've been topping tournaments with, and looking at actionable insights to help you pilot this underrated deck to victory. Additionally, I'll be sharing my perspective on a few UNION ARENA updates regarding the lack of a restriction to the one-cost Yuna card as well as alleged changes likely to come to how UNION ARENA Rare Battles are conducted. Check out these helpful links for more info: In-depth guide to the Purple Progressive deck: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/sword-art-online-purple-progressive-deck More info on the news updates: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/yuna-not-restricted-in-english-version-and-updates-to-rare-battles #SwordArtOnline #UNIONARENA

In this episode, we'l be going over the events of Sword Art Online Vol. 28, as well as diving into the latest SAO news including the announcement of Sword Art Online Vol 28, the latest Unital Ring manga volumes released in both Japanese and English, a look at a cool illustration for Shonen Ace, as well as updates about the upcoming Sword Art Online anime.Helpful links to related Sword Art Online news and commentary:Unital Ring full arc review: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/sword-art-online-unital-ring-complete-overviewMore info on the Vol. 29 announcement and anime updates: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/sword-art-online-vol-29-is-coming-soonAnother look at the Shonen Ace cover plus manga updates: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/sword-art-online-covers-shonen-ace-with-a-gorgeous-illustrationA complete look at Sword Art Online Vol. 2 UNION ARENA: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-sword-art-online-vol-2-card-list

Dive into the powerful decks coming out in the strongest UNION ARENA set to date: Evangelion! We'll be looking at the top decks from this set as well as looking at how the cards cut from the English Version will impact the UNION ARENA meta. Helpful links: NA Tier List post SAO Vol. 2 and Evangelion: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-tier-list-english-version Every Evangelion deck ranked: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-every-evangelion-deck-ranked Complete Evangelion card list: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-evangelion-card-list SAO Vol. 2 decks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G-Uakvbya4&t=1912s

In this episode, we’ll be diving into everything you need to know about UNION ARENA: Sword Art Online Vol. 2 including:The best decksTop chase cardsWinner cards and promosAnd more.Learn more via the blog:Every SAO Vol. 2 deck in detail: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-every-sword-art-online-vol-2-deck-rankedFull card list in English to date: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-sword-art-online-vol-2-card-listAffiliate link to purchase products: https://partner.tcgplayer.com/YROJEBThe journey to 9 Asuna Winner Cards: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/can-i-get-nine-asuna-union-arena-winner-cards

In this episode we'll be going over the questions YOU sent in about all things UNION ARENA. This includes things like: -optimizing in-game choices for best outcomes -how to build a good UNION ARENA deck -the future of the meta -when it's best to go first or second -buying boxes vs. singles And more! Thanks to everyone for this incredible journey in 2025 and for a lot more to come next year! TCGPlayer affiliate link: https://partner.tcgplayer.com/09gdrOHelpful links:https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-qa-with-joseph-writer-andersonhttps://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/bleach-thousand-year-blood-war-gets-union-arenas-first-vol-3

Bandai dropped a ton of information this week for what's to come in 2026 including two brand new sets, upcoming set release dates and events, upcoming Rare Battles and prizing, as well as spoilers for Sword Art Online Vol. 2 and Evangelion. In this episode, let's discuss these updates in more detail and what they mean for the very bright future ahead for UNION ARENA in 2026. Learn more via the blog on my site: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-drops-rezero-and-100-girlfriends-and-other-major-news See the full UNION ARENA English Release Schedule here: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/upcoming-union-arena-tcg-releases

Dive into each and every deck in UNION ARENA: Demon Slayer Vol. 2 in the latest episode from the podcast. From the noble fields where the Hashira do battle, to the real debut of the Demon King in the arena, this expansion has it all. Which deck will end up on top? Listen and find out! Every Demon Slayer Vol. 2 deck ranked: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-every-demon-slayer-vol-2-deck-ranked-1 UNION ARENA NA Tier List: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-tier-list-english-version Rulings, new title, and other news: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-a-new-title-rule-change-and-rukia-zero New winner cards: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-2026-winner-cards-vol-1-revealed

In this episode, we’re going to be covering everything new in UNION ARENA including recent tournament announcements, my Kaiju No. 8 tournament result, the latest online UNION ARENA tournament, every new deck coming out in Goddess of Victory NIKKE, and my predictions for the UNION ARENA Meta (with tier list). It’s a hefty episode that I know you’ll enjoy! Find all the relevant info to learn more about the stuff we talk about in this video via my website: www.josephwriteranderson.com and the links below: Mina deck:https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/how-i-won-the-kaiju-no-8-rare-battle-union-arenaToshiro deck: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/kenpachitoshiro-green-bleach-deck-list-vol-3Byakuya deck: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/1st-place-byakuya-deck-vol-3-union-arenaNIKKE decks: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-every-nikke-deck-rankedTop UNION ARENA deckshttps://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/the-best-union-arena-tcg-decks-right-nowLancelot deck: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/top-32-lancelot-deck-list-and-matchup-guideEgman tournament decks: https://egmanevents.com/union-arena-q4-2025/egman-events-and-gg-haven-quad-win-a-box

In this episode, we’ll be taking a look at the new Kaiju No. 8 UNION ARENA set and going over its four new decks, as well as diving into what makes this set an ideal jump-in point for new UA players.Check out my complete Kaiju No. 8 deck ranking for more info: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-every-kaiju-no-8-deck-rankedAnd here’s the Toshiro/Kenpachi deck I topped the case tournament with: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/kenpachitoshiro-green-bleach-deck-list-vol-3

n this episode, let's dive into the state of the UNION ARENA TCG meta one year after the game's initial debut. Is Kenshin tier zero? What decks benefit from the massive meta shakeup the Kenshin set has caused? What decks have lost ground? We'll get into all of this and more in today's episode. Check out the full guide below for more info on the site!https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/the-best-union-arena-tcg-decks-right-now

In this episode, we're diving into everything I experienced at the UNION ARENA Los Angeles Regional including my matchups, why you shouldn't stay at a party hotel before a tournament, and what happens when you bring SAO Goddesses to a Kenshin dominated meta!Check out the link for more info on the regional: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/rurouni-kenshin-red-dominates-la-union-arena-regional

In this episode, we'll be diving deep into each of the new Rurouni Kenshin decks coming out with the latest set. Don't miss some of the latest UNION ARENA news, set releases, and thoughts on the UNION ARENA meta after Kenshin. Full Rurouni Kenshin deck ranking: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-every-rurouni-kenshin-deck-rankedWe'll also be looking at the decks coming out with Hunter x Hunter Vol. 2: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-every-hunter-x-hunter-vol-2-deck-ranked

In this episode of the JWA Podcast, I’ll be taking a deep dive into the UNION ARENA: Code Geass VOl. 2 Rare Battle format, as well as diving into each of the top Code Geass decks to know about. Listen to this episode and gain tangible insights into what deck you should bring to your Rare Battle competition, and why.Check out the full deck list for the format via my guide: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-every-code-geass-vol-2-deck-ranked

In this episode from the podcast, we'll be taking a look at the decks coming to UNION ARENA post Attack on Titan and Code Geass Vol. 2, as well as diving into my predictions for the meta and what decks will be on the top after these sets release. Attack on Titan decksCode Geass Vol. 2 decks

Our first UNION ARENA regional for the English Version of the game is here, and with it a brand new top meta deck has proven its salt in the competitive scene – Roy Mustang with an incredible 7 out of the top 16 decks sporting different versions of the archetype. In this episode we'll be diving into the decks and tactics used to top the biggest UNION ARENA tournament to date. For more info, get the full event coverage on my blog: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/mustang-fma-blue-deck-dominates-the-first-union-arena-regional-tournament And special shoutout to LullabyAnto for his excellent coverage of the event which was instrumental in putting this piece together. Follow him on X @Antothewayward. More info on the event can be found via EXBURST: https://exburst.dev/ua/en/tournament?id=7407

Looking for a unique way to build Purple BLEACH that feels fast, powerful, and consistent? Then this is the deck for you! Leaning heavily into the Rukia Raid engine, leverage your most powerful Raid Ichigo effects early and often thanks to a rapidly fueled sideline. For more about how this deck works, check out the guide on my website: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-ichigorukia-turbo-deck-guide

In this episode of the Joseph Writer Anderson Podcast, we’ll be discussing the meta post Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. We’ll be looking at the top decks you should know about, as well as diving into a broader tier list looking at where the majority of UNION ARENA decks stand today.For more info, checkout the guide to the best UNION ARENA decks on the website:https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/the-best-union-arena-tcg-decks-right-now

Wondering what deck to play in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood? We’ll be taking a look at each and every FMA deck and ranking them from strong to strongest. To follow along while listening, check out the complete guide on my site: https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/union-arena-every-fullmetal-alchemist-deck-ranked