Den of Otaku

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re going all in on Taejun Pak and Kim Junghyun’s Viral Hit, from WEBTOON Unscrolled. We break down why Viral Hit is such an exciting and timely series, why it’s such a rich character study of a complex modern protagonist, and why it’s the perfect contemporary title that critiques and subverts society with eerie prescience. This Viral Hit deep dive will also deconstruct the title’s rampant popularity and why its many international adaptations are proof that it’s set to be one of the biggest hits of the 2020s. Plus, a special edition of “The Big 3” takes a lot at the connected world of Taejun Pak’s other hit WEBTOON titles, Lookism, My Life as a Loser, and Tales of Greed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re doing a deep dive into Shinichiro Watanabe’s overlooked and underrated, Space Dandy. We begin with a primer on Watanabe’s career and the anime that put him on the map and made Space Dandy possible. Den of Otaku unpacks why music is so important to all of Watanabe’s works and also touches upon his upcoming Adult Swim series, Lazarus. Den of Otaku’s Space Dandy deconstruction examines its unique approach to genre and anthology storytelling, its use of eclectic animation directors and designers, how it made simul-dub history, and what sort of legacy it’s left behind and if audiences have really seen the last of Space Dandy. Plus, a special joint edition of “Release the Hounds” and “The Big 3" looks at other Shinichiro Watanabe classics, Samurai Champloo, Terror in Resonance, and Carole and Tuesday. Stay dandy, fellow otaku! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re breaking down the many exciting anime feature films that are hitting cinemas in 2025, including The Colors Within, Ghost Cat Anzu, and Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-. Den of Otaku discusses the broader trends that these movies are pointing toward and how they’re likely to influence the upcoming cinematic anime slate. Plus, a new installment of “Release the Hounds” checks in on the exciting physical media releases that are being celebrated by Jujutsu Kaisen, Bubblegum Crisis, and Kiuzmonogatari -Koyomi Vamp-. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re breaking down Yuto Suzuki’s breakout shonen hit, Sakamoto Days! Den of Otaku discusses Suzuki’s impressive trajectory as a mangaka and the creative building blocks that helped make Sakamoto Days possible, the circumstances behind the series’ success, and why subversive assassin shonen series are having such a moment right now. Plus, an assassin and spy-themed “Big 3” shines a light on Princess Principal, Joker Game, and R.O.D. The TV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, we’re traveling down the Yellow Brick Road and breaking down anime’s surprisingly intricate relationship with L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. Den of Otaku discusses why The Wizard of Oz is the prototypical isekai story, 1982's Wizard of Oz anime movie, the subsequent series and its wild localization history, and the radical Adventures of Space Oz reimagining. Den of Otaku also examines the unique trend of anime stage musicals and their growing popularity. Plus, a Gladiator II-themed “The Big 3” shines a light on Cestvs: The Roman Fighter, Hashire Melos!, and Thermae Romae Novae. This one is going to get you saying, “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Japan anymore…” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re breaking down Japan’s unique relationship with Christmas and how this has carried over into anime programming. Den of Otaku discusses why Colonel Sanders is a Japanese Christmas icon, why anime Christmas content lacks religious themes, and if Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz is a better Christmas movie than Tokyo Godfathers. Den of Otaku also runs down 2024’s must-watch anime titles, with a new end of the year “Release the Hounds” for good measure. So grab your fried chicken and white cake and let’s end the year like true otaku! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re going all in on Kohei Horikoshi’s modern shonen masterpiece, My Hero Academia! Den of Otaku examines My Hero Academia’s unusual origins, why its final seasons have been such unconventional triumphs, and what its future may hold now that the manga is over and the anime has announced its endgame. Plus, some interesting analysis on My Hero Academia’s various manga spin-offs and which could receive an anime adaptation. There’s also special superhero-inspired editions of “Release the Hounds” and “The Big 3!” Plus Ultra, everyone! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re celebrating Dragon Ball’s 40th anniversary! Den of Otaku breaks down the influences of origins of Akira Toriyama’s groundbreaking shonen series, why it’s so special, how it evolved from its humble gag comedy roots into an iconic action staple, and what lies ahead in Dragon Ball’s future. Plus, special Dragon Ball-coded editions of “Release the Hounds” and “The Big 3!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we’re breaking down the popular magical girl subgenre! Den of Otaku takes a deep dive into the subgenre’s humble origins during the 1950s and ’60s, how it’s a style of storytelling that consistently holds a mirror up to Japanese society, and the ways in which it’s evolved into a more subversive and all-inclusive subgenre that’s found international appeal. Plus, a special magical girl edition of “The Big 3!” Grab your cosmic heart compact, moon sticks, and broomsticks, everyone! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special Halloween episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re shining a spooky light on the anime industry’s comprehensive relationship with the horror genre! Den of Otaku breaks down anime’s history with horror, why it’s more prominent and successful than Western horror animation, a celebration of Higurashi: When They Cry and Monogatari, and the many different sub-genres that have helped horror anime and manga thrive! Plus, special spooky editions of “Release the Hounds” and “The Big 3!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we explore the unique benefits of American properties that have undergone anime makeovers, such as Rick and Morty: The Anime, The Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim, and Go-Go Mystery Machine. Den of Otaku also breaks down the industry’s growing trend of anime, manga and American crossovers, which has recently hit a fever pitch with IDW and Vix’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto four-issue series. We also discuss the end of two manga behemoths, My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen, and what this means for the shonen genre’s future. Plus, new installments of “The Big 3!” and “Release the Hounds.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we boot up Netflix and celebrate the streaming service’s new animation slate, specifically Zack Snyder’s Twilight of the Gods and Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. Den of Otaku discusses Zack Snyder’s surprising relationship with anime and how it’s been a throughline of his career, which has culminated in Twilight of the Gods. We also assess why Netflix is a leading name when it comes to anime video adaptations and how their newest series, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, will continue to open doors for them in this regard. We dig deep into these series with in-depth interviews with the creative forces behind both shows, Zack and Deborah Snyder for Twilight of the Gods and Tasha Huo for Tomb Raider. Plus, we’ve got special “Netflix Editions” of Den of Otaku’s “The Big 3!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this very special episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we plug ourselves into Skynet and go all in on Netflix’s new sci-fi anime sensation, Terminator Zero. Den of Otaku discusses the Terminator franchise’s impact on pop culture, Production I.G’s legacy as an animation studio, and why Terminator Zero succeeds where other Terminator series have failed through its decision to tell a uniquely Japanese story in the franchise’s broader framework. Den of Otaku also digs deep into Terminator Zero’s circuitry with an in-depth interview with the series’ showrunner, head writer, and executive producer, Mattson Tomlin (The Batman Part II). Plus, there’s a special “Killer Robot Edition” of Den of Otaku’s “The Big 3!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek's official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we discuss the latest developments behind the live-action Naruto and One-Punch Man feature films and what this means for the industry’s future. Den of Otaku also discusses anime’s history with “dark doubles” in the context of My Hero Academia’s upcoming movie. Den of Otaku also breaks down the anniversaries of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence and Mobile Fighter G Gundam, two misunderstood anime masterpieces that are finally beginning to get their due. We’ve also got new installments of Den of Otaku's "Release The Hounds" and "The Big 3!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we discuss the incomparable legacy of Akira Toriyama – the creator of Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump, Sand Land, and so much more – after his tragic passing. Den of Otaku also breaks down the subversive excitement of anime’s recent approach to the sentai and kaiju genres with Go! Go! Loser Ranger and Kaiju No. 8, two of the year’s biggest series that are emblematic of larger changes in anime. There’s also discussion on Warner Bros. Japan’s recent announcement of an increased anime production slate and what this could mean for the industry. We’ve also got new installments of Den of Otaku’s “Release The Hounds” and “The Big 3!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices