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Only hours after Mike put up the Space Heater Chat recorded ten days before, we return for the 80th regular episode with the entire gang who give their thoughts on the recent past, like the Oscars (and specfically the Best Animated Feature) Then what did we miss? 17:45 - The Crunchyroll Awards, what stuck out to us. And a guide on how to start long running titles now…a few decades later. Usual suspects apply. And some talk about Crunchyroll in the greater Sony family 39:02 - The end of an era in Canadian television with the rebranding of Teletoon into Cartoon Network. We look back on Teletoon’s impact on the fandom in the 90s. A very Canadian discussion here 53:00 - Some thoughts on Sentai Filmworks and the things going on there. With an AI thought for the future 58:30 - ICv2’s annual manga week came and went so we look at a few of the numbers coming from that 01:04:10 - We finally talk about Kondansha’s online online service K-Manga. And give our own initial thoughts on where this could go 01:36:20 - In Toronto convention news, IFF Toronto is now Anime Toronto. And will happen the weekend after FanExpo Canada on Labour Day weekend. And of course an Anime North update two months out. And Kevin talks a little Man with a Mission 01:48:30 - Karyu Pamyu Pamyu gets married to a former Terrace House commentator 01:50:20 - The final Ash/Satoshi episode of Pokemon aired today. In commemoration Rika Matsumoto did a viral video singing the original Pokemon theme, and Amy quickly summarized and lamented the finale This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot for 80 episodes down Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy Lynn Greig Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

Mike, Moh, and Kevin spend Pi Day going a little off the beaten path, and back to the movies as we talk about the Oscars and the evolution of Michelle Yeoh, her path compared to Jackie Chan’s, and Asian representation in Hollywood and North American pop culture Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3

Mike and Kevin spent over an hour talking about every possible angle after watching the Kaguya-Sama movie a few days before (on Valentines Day of all days) Sadly we had to end it off on this note… Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

We begin the Super Sunday episode by getting Moh and Amy’s thoughts on the last episode two Sundays ago. And then going a little local 00:16:45 - Canada’s biggest book retailer might also be the biggest seller of manga in Canada. So imagine what would happen if it got cyber attacked and the long term. Oh yeah, and (outgoing) Toronto Mayor John Tory 00:38:50 - In anime fashion news…Astro Boy boots and the gacha machine backpack 00:42:23 - Boise Anime convention looking for Anime Cosplay only (Mike should have asked about Afro Samurai) 00:52:25 - We talked about James Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe and how it wants to be different from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And then we try to take that thinking to the Anime and Manga ecosystem (I think that’s an ongoing discussion) Then in brief 01:28:00 - Netflix finally comes down on password sharing 01:32:00 - The top ten most pirated TV seasons from streaming services in 2022. Anime made the list. And which services we’re on 01:47:03 - Looking ahead on the Anime Community calendar, the Kaguya-sama Movie, RADWIMPS, Japan Society NYC 01:53:35 - And finally some thoughts on the Discotek and Viz Media announcements This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot before doing your Valentines Day shopping on the 15th Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy-Lynn Greig, Kevin Ng Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

We begin this week’s Roundtable by talking our Toronto Area roots and the death of former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion (Anime North takes place very close to the Toronto/Mississauga border) 11:30 - James gives his thoughts on last episode, and his recent video gaming 27:12 - It’s Awards Season!!! And anime is no exception (within itself), so we look at both the Reddit and Crunchyroll awards and how they’re trying to take the exercise a little more seriously 01:06:25 - James and Kevin talk at length about delayed anime productions and how an almost perfect storm (pandemic, Lunar New Year, studio workloads) has impacted that 01:23:45 - Kevin did a field trip this week. He watched the “Reincarnated as Slime” movie and went manga hunting uptown 01:27:20 - Mike also took a field trip this week. And visited his old university anime club and the location where the first epsiodes of Roundtable were recorded. And wonders about the future relavance of anime clubs and their place in the current fandom 01:41:45 - And finally the Anime Community Calendar featuring online presentations by the Japan Society and Discotek (both featuring Mike Toole). And the next Sword Art Online movie too and lets look forward to TCAF This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot whenever sleep is mentioned (chances are it’ll knock you out) Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

Editor’s Note: This episode was taped before other developments in the stories mentioned happened As we settle in, Amy gets caught up on last week’s episode before we talk about this week’s stuff 38:58 - We fill in our duty as an Official Podcast of Anime North for the first time in 2023, by talking about the opening of hotels and registrations…and the headaches involved. So we walk through the timeline of events this week 01:16:04 - Kodansha USA pulling digital simulpubs from other services. Kevin puts on his manga hat and goes into detail. And of course we take our guesses as to what’s next 01:41:19 - What’s on Amy’s list. And isn’t it cool to relate to younger fans? This weeks Drinking Game: Take a shot whenver you get the sense there’s a reality check Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy-Lynn Greig Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

We begin the first episode of 2023 by looking back on the last episode of 2022, with the talk about the Pokemon anime 14:55 - Mike remembers Pele’s contribution to North American pop culture Then we start on the things that have caught our attention as 2023 begins 23:50 - James brings up Media Blasters founder John Sirabella’s YouTube Channel 33:17 - Then James brings up Shinchosha’s experiment into an AI drawn manga 38:05 - Moh and Kevin talk Bleach and Chainsaw Man with a conversation about pacing an anime in relation to its source material 52:50 - A Wired article in the aftermath of the Netflix cancellation of 1899 caught Mike’s attention on the streamer’s ongoing content pivot, and tries to relate the questions from this article to Anime 01:02:40 - And Miyazaki is coming out with something new. And a talk about Romantic Killer and how Viz is promoting the manga 01:23:00 - So what are we enjoying as of late? 01:25:00 - Vinland Saga and Trigun Stampede has James’ attention. The latter of which sparks a discussion about the recent trend of going back to older titles 01:33:07 - James also recommends Buddy Daddies and his playing of Witch of the Holy Night (with a look ahead to uFotable’s next feature) 01:41:10 - Moh’s choice is Salaryman’s Club. Then Kevin mentions Bocci The Rock, and how its popularity was a little much for its creator at the recent Comiket. Gagant as well 02:01:48 - Mike’s read, Kaguya-Sama (with thoughts about going to the library). And he’s still behind on the anime he has been watching in the past. And he’s been playing Hot Wheels Unleashed 02:05:50 - We start to look ahead to Anime North with registration beginning on Jan 13. And New Years resolutions for the Roundtable in 2023 This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot for Mike forgetting to properly hook up his microphone to his MacBook Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter, IG, and TikTok: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

Really we only talk about two (and a half) things this time around You knew we were going to talk Blue Lock with the FIFA World Cup ending a few hours before. So Mike gives Amy and Kevin a quick synopsis of Blue Lock, and how sometimes anime and manga can both imitate real life, and question it 32:50 - Mike gives an update on the Hana Kimura story 34:50 - We digest on the news of the ending of the Ash and Pikachu story in the Pokemon anime, and the end of an era in our fandom. With Amy giving a quick history of how the anime has “evolved” This weeks drinking game: Take a shot when you realize we will have to explain Blue Lock again… Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Amy-Lynn Greig Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter/IG/TikTok: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

Please note that we talked a little World Cup before the Sunday games happened. We’re pretty sure after those games, some brackets were broken. So you knew that Mike and Moh had to give some first impressions of Blue Lock 23:55 - What stuck out from Anime NYC…and how we got it confused with New York Comic Con and Big Apple Anime Fest, the different ways titles get licensed, and the tweaks coming to J-Novel Club 50:10 - In talking J-Novel Club, Mike talks about one of the recent anime adaptations of one of the titles and wonders if the dynamic of the media mix is changing 1:00:02 - What stuck out in the interview with Christopher MacDonald, the CEO and Publisher of Anime News Network 1:07:35 - James and Kevin talks about the issues with the new Pokemon games. They still sold well 1:21:50 - Netflix stuff, Cooking for the Maiko House trailer, and NHK’s issues with the advertising tier 1:28:45 - The blocking of the Simon and Shuster and Penguin RandomHouse merger, and looking ahead to the arguements concerning Microsoft and Blizzard 1:36:45 - Some thoughts on the passings of Kevin Lillard and Jason David Frank (this week’s toasts are to them) Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, and Kevin Ng (eventually) Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter, IG, and TikTok: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

The Kadokawa acquisition of Anime News Network is no doubt the big news of the week. So we take a long look at it, and the potential that sits there. Along with a few asides like Canadians getting their notice on Crunchyroll’s price increase, and James’ take on the Discotek presentation a few weeks back Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Amy Lynn Greig Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter, IG, and TikTok: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

We settle in as championship week in three major e-sports begins (DOTA2, LOL, and Overwatch) 7:40 - Kevin went to the Anime North Halloween Event at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and does a quick recap, with a version of the Nominoichi (obviously his specialty) 30:10 - Looking back at the Discotek presentation and what caught our attention there Then Moh finally gets into the conversation 34:11 - Netflix changes their anime focus, and how that clashes with the culture of fandom both past and present 54:50 - Some social media thoughts and what’s been in our queues 1:07:08 - Kevin and Moh look back on James’s last appearance in last week’s Space Heater Chat and we update it 1:13:26 - Finally we talk Halloween, first on the Simpsons, then the tragic events in the Itaewon district of Seoul and revisit Halloween in East Asia again This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when someone says the word “charming”. And take another when it’s Mike who says it Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

James returns to the table and chats with Mike as they update the Bayonetta voice controversy. Plus James gives a few thoughts on Bleach and Disney+ from a business standpoint Mike Nicolas and James Austin Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

Amy returns and sparks a discussion about her grade nine students being fans of a show that came out before any of them were born, and similar benchmarks in recent fandom history, and the key things that facilitated those benchmarks 16:58 - Disney gets the streaming rights for Bleach for Disney+ and Hulu, and Urusei Yatsura on HiDive 26:25 - What have we been watching lately 39:29 - We revist the Kyle McCarley story and get Amy’s take on it with some follow up details 1:23:33 - The Bullets. Some Hunter x Hunter and Card Captor manga news. Tokyo Olympics bribary scandal 1:26:44 - Hey someone put out a list of “Starter Anime” 1:54:05 - A final kind word for the late Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of Yu-Gi-Oh This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when you realize that the word Mike was looking for was “acrimony”, or confused both Bleach and Naruto Mike Nicolas, Amy-Lynn Greig, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

Moh returns to the table and we start with his thoughts from last episode. Especially on upselling out of print, hard to find manga, Japanese guests at FanExpo, Moh’s movie watching, and Kevin, James, and Shin Megami Tensei 39:52 - We talk at length about the Kyle McCarley situation concerning losing his role in Mob Psycho 100 and try to read between the lines with Crunchyroll’s movements in it In the bullets segment 1:11:55 - What caught our attention from Aniplex Fest. Mainly Urusei Yatsura’s North American streaming rights going to Sentai and HiDive, Chainsaw Man, and the Rurouni Kenshin anime 1:24:09 - Netflix…TaDummmmm. And how Cyberpunk Edgerunner gives a new angle to the industry’s media mix 1:32:00 - Is there any Nippon TV stuff on Disney+ in Canada? Mike wants to get that return on his $2 investment (or about $1.50 US) 1:37:10 - What’s Kevin reading in a new segment we will call, “Kevin’s Culture Corner”. And finally what’s in all our queues This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a sip whenever we hint Wu Tang CREAM, then a shot when we do Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

We begin the 70th episode of version two off topic with thoughts on the 21st anniversary of 9/11 and the death of Queen Elizabeth 10:10 - We look back on last week’s Space Heater Chat. With a long thought on anime programming in FanExpo and further IFF and AN comparisons,“culture”, live Overwatch League in Toronto, and the Nintendo Switch in mid-life 39:25 - We weigh in on the current Shojo Beat reprinting discussions and a general discussion about reprinting out of print translated manga titles And in brief 1:32:50 - Netflix and NTV come to an agreement on older anime titles. And then compare it with NTV’s agreement with Disney+  1:42:55 - On the topic of Nintendo, Switch games being the most profitable physical media in the UK (Long Live the Queen). So what about traditional physical media for moving pictures? This Week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot when Mike has “tip of the tongue” moments Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

Kevin helps Mike fill the first part of his September quota since he missed out on filling out the August one. We look back on Kevin’s mature game last episode. Then look back on the actual festivals around the Toronto area missed in August (Japan Festival Toronto, CNE, FanExpo). A look ahead to things going on in Toronto in September (Overwatch League Summer Showdown). What’s on our queues, how you get hooked into buying mulitple editions of the same thing (manga edition), and a few headlines we might talk about in the next episode Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

Our first in person episode at the Six Points Studio in more than two years!! We begin by getting everyone elses thoughts on the recent past conventions and the announcements that came out of them. With Mike reposing his Yes/No question from last week’s Space Heater, Kevin’s true thoughts on Manga Up, and the issues of putting EVERYTHING into English 47:40 - We have to take on the Crunchyroll purchase of Right Stuf from different angles. Most notably the adult one (Kevin en fuego here) 1:35:04 - In the spirit of both the fall out of the purchase and of episode 69…Kevin plays a cultured game of know your…well...Anime North Game Shows, what do you think? And how’s Kevin’s pronounciation? 2:07:38 - Looking ahead to events on the community calendar This weeks drinking game: Take a shot when you hear a ramune bottle marble Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke, Amy Lynn Greig Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

James visits the studio for the first time in over two years to help Mike test out the new mics. In it he gives his view on Anime North despite not being able to attend it, then we talk about the three anime conventions happening this weekend (neither of us are attending those either). But then we talk about the further frustrations of being a Canadian consumer, some manga industry news, and a discussion on actual things... Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

We begin by following up on the big headline this weekend, the lineups 9:00 - We follow up on Thursday’s On My Mind and fully introduce Amy  Then we look at our own Anime Norths so far 15:15 - The Nominoichi 21:10 - Amy talks seeing Katsura Sunshine talking the Decending Stories anime 26:00 - Then Amy talks the YTV panel hosted by Martin Hsu 39:29 - Mike talks a little bit about his morning panel 41:26 - We talk about the aftermath of the drowning death of Yu-Gi-Oh creator Kazuki Takahashi 53:17 - Ken Akamatsu gets elected to the Upper House of the Japanese Diet 1:01:04 - And clear the deck, Anime North lead Norm McEvoy makes his regular appearance during the AN episodes. He does look back at some of the history of Anime Fandom in Toronto, including where AN did begin 1:11:28 - Mike brings back his game of “Yes or No” to unpack and play with the others 1:33:24 - The wrap up (Mike tries to summarize the panel) This Week’s Drinking Game - an either/or as well Either, take a shot everytime you hear someone breathing on the mics… Or, take one everytime Mike is on the verge of saying “Anime Roundtable” instead of “Anime North”, and visa versa Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Amy-Lynn Greig, with guest Norm McEvoy Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our website for more information and links: Website: animeroundtable.com Twitter and IG: @animeroundtable Email: animeroundtable@gmail.com  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/animeroundtable YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5U1yZNlQ1VYFH_fV26bYwA Discord: https://discord.gg/Dg38nRm3 

Mike goes flying without his usual wingmen. But in the process hears again from regular con-goer Lawrence and AN’s social media head Chris. We look back on the ups and downs of day one with Lawrence’s shopping spree and others just hoping for that chance. Then Mike looks ahead to day two, and looks forward to telling his story in the morning to help celebrate the 25th anniversary. And then Mike ends it off by looking back on Amy’s On My Mind from the day before