Aniki
175 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratingsBrothers Ben and Jon review and decompose anime series with focus on story, characters, and cultural relevance. Every other monday brings you a new series breakdown and before every season they deliver a preview of hottakes. Join them in their discussion of a media form that is unique in the world.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
150: Spring 2023 Anime Season Preview
April 11, 2023 15:06 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBAs the sun finally breaks through the clouds and flowers bloom, what kind of hot takes do the Aniki bros have for the spring anime season? Running down the Anichart.net listings from least to most popular, they help you sort what shouldn't be missed, what might be ok, and what you should probably avoid. What shows are you most excited for? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook! Like Aniki? Please leave us a review on iTunes so more people can be exposed to our insanity. Show Notes Spring 202...
SP: Winter 2023 Anime Season Preview
January 10, 2023 18:58 - 59 minutes - 56.1 MBChristmas has past and the new year has dawned, but what kind of anime season has Santa left us? Its time for hotakes! Running down the Anichart.net listings from least to most popular, they help you sort what shouldn't be missed, what might be ok, and what you should probably avoid. What shows are you most excited for? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook! Like Aniki? Please leave us a review on iTunes so more people can be exposed to our insanity. Show Notes Winter 2023 Hotakes00:15 Wint...
SP: Fall 2022 Anime Season Preview
September 27, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MBThe weather might be cooling down, but Aniki's takes on the new anime season are hotter than ever! It's time for hotakes! Running down the Anichart.net listings from least to most popular, they help you sort what shouldn't be missed, what might be ok, and what you should probably avoid. What shows are you most excited for? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook! Like Aniki? Please leave us a review on iTunes so more people can be exposed to our insanity. Show Notes Fall 2022 Hotakes00:15 Fal...
149: Flantastic (I’ve Been Killing Slimes For 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level)
September 05, 2022 12:00 - 37 minutes - 37.1 MBAniki goes on a slimeicide in order to get a chill, adoptive family in I've Been Killing Slimes For 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level. Office worker Azusa ends up dying from over-working herself and is reincarnated as an immortal witch with a big hat. Wanting to take it easy, she limits herself to killing 25 slimes a day for basic income and keeps to herself. Unfortunately, her quiet life is disturbed by all manner of fantastic denizens when it becomes known that she's hit the level cap. Now h...
148: Washizu no Golf (Birdie Wing: Golf Girls’ Story)
August 08, 2022 11:56 - 33 minutes - 32.4 MBAfter years of joking about Washizu no Golf, where you bet your own destruction, Aniki's wishes are granted in Birdie Wing: Golf Girl's Story. Eve is an underground betting golf ringer, raking in enough money to scrape by. Seeing golf as only a means to an end, her world view is challenged when a true rival known as Aoi putts into her life. Wanting to get closer to Aoi, Eve starts making bedfellows with the golf mafia, driving a wedge between her and her adoptive family. Can Eve drive her way...
147: Yor Name (Spy x Family)
July 25, 2022 12:00 - 37 minutes - 35.2 MBThe Aniki brothers go undercover to catch the spy, the assassin, and the esper who all live together in Spy x Family. Loid Forger, aka Twilight, is a famous spy trying to infuriate a school to stop the next war from occurring. But to do so, he'll have to get himself a family. Joining him are Anya, a five-year old telepath, and Yor, an assassin for hire. The thing is, none of them know about the others' double lives. Haven't seen this show? Go watch Spy x Family. Watch before you listen! Sh...
SP: Summer 2022 Anime Season Preview
June 28, 2022 13:02 - 55 minutes - 53.2 MBSummer is here and its getting hot. But is it as hot as the brothers' new anime season takes? Aniki hotakes are here! Running down the Anichart.net listings from least to most popular, they help you sort what shouldn't be missed, what might be ok, and what you should probably avoid. What shows are you most excited for? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook! Like Aniki? Please leave us a review on iTunes so more people can be exposed to our insanity. Show Notes Summer 2022 Hotakes00:15 Summe...
146: Smoliv vs Lechonk (My Senpai is Annoying)
June 20, 2022 12:00 - 35 minutes - 34.1 MBThe Aniki brothers go back to the office for some good old fashioned romantic comedy with My Senpai is Annoying. Short and petite, Futaba is a 23 year old second year salesman at a trading company, working with Takeda, her bear-of-a-man senpai. While she refuses to admit it, she devlops feelings for him that go beyond spreadsheets. Meanwhile, the very attractive Sakurai has the eye of every man in the office, but she only has feelings for the quiet Kazuma with mean looking eyes. Who will hold...
145: Basically Batman (Kaguya-sama Season 2)
June 06, 2022 12:00 - 31 minutes - 30.1 MBAniki gets back into the game of love with the second season of the hit comedy drama Kaguya-sama: Love is War Season 2. The new season means a new school year and all new comedy. It also introduces a new character as Miyuki Shirogane's rival for the student council presidency, Miko Iino, who's sole desire is to see that rules are followed to the letter. In addition, Ishigami's backstory is revealed to sound of manly tears. Plus all the silliness you've come to expect from Kaguya-sama. Haven...
144: Quentin Tarantino Presents (Akebi’s Sailor Uniform)
May 16, 2022 12:00 - 35 minutes - 34.1 MBThe Aniki brothers partake in yet another cute girls doing cute things show, with a twist, in Akebi's Sailor Uniform. Akebi-chan is a new middle-school student who's dream, ever since she saw her favorite idol wearing one, is to wear a sailor uniform to school. Now that she'd gotten into her mother's alma mater, her opportunity has come. Yet, the school has recently changed uniforms and now she's the only girl in her archaic dress. With renewed confidence, Akebi meets fascinating classmates a...
143: The Laughing Man (Ranking of Kings)
May 02, 2022 12:00 - 41 minutes - 40.3 MBThe Aniki brothers fight over the throne and rank who is absolute bestest boy in the fantasy anime Ranking of Kings. Boji is first prince, but he's deaf, mute, and incredibly weak. Though he lacks confidence in himself, he dreams of the day he'll get to be king. One day, he meets Kage, a member of the shadow clan, who becomes his first true friend. Together they embark on a journey of growth, action, political intrigue, and saving the kingdom. One of the best shows in recent years and a must ...
142: Marinmatsuri (My Dress-Up Darling)
April 18, 2022 12:00 - 34 minutes - 32.7 MBThe Aniki brothers do some research and take some measurements on the undisputed waifu of winter 2022 with My Dress-Up Darling. Our boy Gojo has no friends other than the hinamatsuri dolls that he makes until one day the popular gyaru in his class, Marin, learns that he can make outfits. A closet weeb, she wants Gojo to make cosplay costumes for her based off "special interest" entertainment. But little does she know that she's tailoring a relationship between the two of them. Haven't seen ...
141: Galaxy Class (Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S)
April 04, 2022 12:00 - 27 minutes - 28.2 MBThe Aniki brothers take a good long look at the offerings in the second season of Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S. If the first season was world class, this season is something above and beyond. In addition to the entire returning cast, a new dragon shows up to live at the Kobayashi residence. Backstories and silliness intermingle in this continuation of dragons who are also maids. Also featuring: The Executioner and Her Way of Life and Aharen is Indecipherable. Haven't seen this show? Go wat...
SP: Spring 2022 Anime Season Preview
March 29, 2022 12:00 - 46 minutes - 44 MBSpring is upon us! Will the warmth bring a sunshine of wonderful shows or gloomy flood of isekais? Aniki hotakes are here! Running down the Anichart.net listings from least to most popular, they help you sort what shouldn't be missed, what might be ok, and what you should probably avoid. What shows are you most excited for? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook! Like Aniki? Please leave us a review on iTunes so more people can be exposed to our insanity. Show Notes Spring 2022 Hotakes00:15 ...
140: Dirty Conducting (takt op. Destiny)
March 14, 2022 12:00 - 43 minutes - 42.1 MBAniki helps conduct magical music girls in their war against evil, music hating space rocks in takt op. Destiny. A strange amalgamation of many ideas, this show follows Takt and his musicart Destiny who has taken up residence in his childhood friend. Together they must go on a cross-country journey to New York whilst fighting horrible creatures known as D2s that despise music and those who play it. Definitely a new twist on the magical girl genre with fight some of the best fight scenes of th...
139: Shouko Anxiety (Komi Can’t Communicate)
February 21, 2022 13:00 - 33 minutes - 32.2 MBThe Aniki brothers work through their crippling cases of romantic social anxiety with Komi Can't Communicate. Komi-san, the most popular girl in school is known as the most beautiful, and most terrifying, ice queen. However, she has a secret to her coldness: she is scared of talking to people. When fellow student Tadano realizes that behind that unapproachable figure is a scared, real-person who just wants to make one-hundred friends, both their school lives change dramatically. Also featurin...
138: We See This (Mieruko-chan)
February 07, 2022 13:00 - 37 minutes - 36.6 MBThe Aniki brothers start seeing the macabre and grotesque in their everyday high-school lives with Mieruko-chan. Ordinary student Miko has the gift of being able to see the spiritual world suddenly thrust upon her. With the dead and the lost in her field of view, it is all she can do from letting them know she can actually see them, lest unknown horrors befall her. Can she maintain this game of ignoring ghosts while living her daily life? Also featuring: manga reviews and Belle. Haven't seen...
SP: Winter 2022 Anime Season Preview
December 21, 2021 13:00 - 49 minutes - 49.2 MBWe hear those sleigh bells ringing. Did Santa bring us wonderous gifts or a sack full of isekai coal. Aniki hotakes are here! Running down the Anichart.net listings from least to most popular, they help you sort what shouldn't be missed, what might be ok, and what you should probably avoid. What shows are you most excited for? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook! Like Aniki? Please leave us a review on iTunes so more people can be exposed to our insanity. Show Notes Ainter 2022 Hotakes00:1...
137: Thises World Class (Sonny Boy)
December 06, 2021 13:00 - 38 minutes - 36.8 MBAniki is set adrift into the multiverse with the summer 2021 psychological mystery dark horse series: Sonny Boy. A group of middle-schoolers find themselves and their whole school building transported into a pitch-black void. To their surprise and amusement, they also discover that each of them has been given a superpower. With the clashing of their personalities, goals, immaturity, and powers, can they unite and find their way back home? Also featuring: Pokemon, Bakappuru, and Dune 2021. Ha...
136: Demon Slayer (The Idaten Deities Only Know Peace)
November 15, 2021 13:00 - 41 minutes - 40.1 MBAniki finds an interesting yet ecchi and transgressive take on your typical shounen with The Idaten Deities Only Know Peace. Following both a group of gods, or Idaten, and a nation run by demons, this series explores alternative ideas on what it means to be a super powered creature who must protect humanity and pushes the limits of standard shounen tropes. The amount of scheming and counter-scheming is refreshing for a series that might also be titled "Demons and the Gods Who Punch Them." Be ...
135: Dracula is Backula (Castlevania 4)
October 18, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutes - 48.6 MBAniki finishes their sojourn into the world of Netflix's Castlevania series and question whether or not the drink was worth the long walk. In the final season, all the various stories come together and wrap up one by one. Carmilla's ambition grows immeasurably, Lenore learns a dark secret, Hector seeks revenge, Isaac seeks change, Alucard seeks company, Saint Germain seeks his love, and Trevor and Cipher return to where it all began. The Castlevania series finally concludes! Also featuring: M...
134: To Shards You Say (Let’s Make A Mug Too)
October 04, 2021 12:00 - 41 minutes - 39.9 MBThe Aniki brothers take a trip to Gifu prefecture and watch cute girls make pottery with Let's Make A Mug Too. In this short series, Himeno and her father move to Tajimi City where her mother grew up as a pottery prodigy. Finding that she shares in the interest of sculpting clay to her will, Himeno learns how to create art and deal with living in her mother's shadow. Also featuring: Star Wars Visions and The Idaten Deities Only Know Peace. Haven't seen this show? Go watch Let's Make A Mug To...
SP: Fall 2021 Anime Season Preview
September 28, 2021 12:00 - 53 minutes - 50.7 MBThe leaves are changing and the air is chilly. What anime should you bring to the campfire for a good time this fall? Aniki hotakes are here! Running down the Anichart.net listings from least to most popular, they help you sort what shouldn't be missed, what might be ok, and what you should probably avoid. What shows are you most excited for? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook! Like Aniki? Please leave us a review on iTunes so more people can be exposed to our insanity. Show Notes Fall 20...
133: John Carpenter’s Guide to Neural Networks (To Your Eternity)
September 20, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBAndroids can dream of electric sheep, but can neural networks make you cry? The Aniki brothers find out with To Your Eternity. A simple immortal sphere capable of learning about its surroundings is deposited on the Earth by an mysterious entity. It's job? Remember and grow. And also defeat nasty flesh beasts that want to eat it's memory. In this emotional series, the sphere, Fushi, learns what it means to be alive and what it's like to protect others. Also featuring: Warioware, Tsukihime, and...
132: NoMad, YesSad (Megalobox 2: Nomad)
August 23, 2021 12:00 - 37 minutes - 35.7 MBThe Aniki brothers get back into the ring with "Gearless Joe" and the rest of the gang with Megalobox 2: Nomad. Taking place 5 years after the events of the first season, Nomad takes the show in a different tonal direction. Not everything ended up as nicely as you might hope. Tackling darker subjects such as drug addiction, brain damage, and death of loved ones, the second season departs from boxing as the primary focus and shifts its attention to family and home. But, don't worry, theres sti...
131: Taxidermy (ODDTAXI)
August 09, 2021 12:00 - 39 minutes - 38.8 MBThe Aniki brothers take a backseat drive through the city and meet all kinds of interesting animal-folk in the breakout series ODDTAXI. The taix driver, Odakawa, who is a walrus, picks up and converses with all sorts of characters in his job. From a manzai group, to yakuza, internet stars, doctors, and even the occasional idol. To say anything more would be to spoil literally everything. The hype surrounding this dark horse show from the spring 2021 season is legit. Go watch it! Also featurin...
130: Bully Pulpit (Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san)
July 26, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutes - 46.1 MBThe Aniki brothers step right up to get their spirits stepped on by the surprisingly wholesome Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san. This romcom follows Senpai, a second year loner in high school, and his constant teasing perpetrated by the freshman girl, Nagatoro. After she finds out that he's drawing manga and acting like a wimp, she makes it her mission to invade every aspect of his life. But is she simply mean spirited, or does she have an alternative motive? Is senpai tormented, or does he enjoy the...
129: Anish Kapoor Cannot Legally Watch This (Shadows House)
July 12, 2021 12:00 - 42 minutes - 40.7 MBThe Aniki brothers step into a spooky scary show full of shadows claiming to be people and people claiming to be dolls in Shadows House. A young girl wakes up in a cold room with no memories other than she is a doll and she is to serve her master Kate. However, Kate is not a girl like her, she is made of darkness as if she were a hole in the world. Kate gives the girl the name Emilico and together they navigate the intricate mysteries, politics, and dangers that lurk in every corner of the Sh...
SP: Summer 2021 Anime Season Preview
June 29, 2021 12:15 - 58 minutes - 56.1 MBThe heat of summer is upon us all. But which anime this season are hot enough to compete for your attention? It's Aniki Hotake time! Running down the Anichart.net listings from least to most popular, they help you sort what shouldn't be missed, what might be ok, and what you should probably avoid. What shows are you most excited for? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook! Like Aniki? Please leave us a review on iTunes so more people can be exposed to our insanity. Show Notes Summer 2021 Hota...
128: Goofygrind (Sk8 the Infinity)
June 28, 2021 12:00 - 40 minutes - 40.1 MBEnthralled by the elevator pitch, the Aniki brothers watch hot boys skateboard down mineshafts in Sk8 the Infinity. In Okinawa, there exists an underground skateboarding event known only as 'S' where rivals challenge each other in 'beefs.' These one on one races take place on a no holds barred tracks right down an abandoned mine. Enter Ranga, a recent transplant from Canada who has spent his whole life snowboarding. After he meets Reki, a boy for whom skateboarding is life, Ranga finds a new ...
127: Basically Higurashi (Non Non Biyori Nonstop)
May 31, 2021 12:00 - 44 minutes - 43.7 MBBegin your summer break with a return to everyone's favorite country village with cute girls doing cute things in Non Non Biyori Nonstop!
126: 2Camp2Yuru (Yuru Camp 2)
May 11, 2021 12:00 - 44 minutes - 42.1 MBIt might not be the season for winter camping anymore, but that doesn't stop the Aniki brothers from getting cozy with Yuru Camp 2. The next installment following Rin, Nadeshiko and the others on their camping adventures takes them out of their home prefecture of Yamanashi and into far flung Izu in Shizuoka. Solo camping, group camping, hot springs camping, and food camping all come together for another cozy camping experience. Thrill as someone leaves cell coverage! Chill as it gets colder t...
125: Really? Her? (Wonder Egg Priority)
April 19, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutes - 50 MBThe Easter Bunny visits Aniki, bringing curious eggs full of angst and void flavored filling in Wonder Egg Priority. The shut-in girl Ai is given a strange egg by a talking beetle and told to break it. When she does, out pops a girl pursued by manifested trauma in the form of monsters. Ai must don new found powers to protect the girl and hopefully bring her dead friend back to life. Along the way, she meets other girls who have joined similar quests. Together they discover friendship and the ...
124: Bad Juju-tsu (Jujutsu Kaisen)
April 05, 2021 12:00 - 41 minutes - 41.6 MBThe Aniki brothers get cursed watching the wildly popular shounen series Jujutsu Kaisen. Does it live up to the hype? In modern Tokyo, curses take form and threaten the populace. A shadowy organization fighting the curses recruits Yuji Itadori after he consumes one of the most powerful cursed artifacts. With his new found powers, Itadori attempts to live up to his dying grandfather's wishes and save as many people as he can from cursed beasts, all while navigating his new life and new school....
SP: Spring 2021 Anime Season Preview
March 30, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 70.9 MBThe birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, but will the warm winds of spring bring a bountiful anime crop? It's Aniki Hotake time!
123: Yuri on Canvas (Megalo Box)
March 15, 2021 12:00 - 37 minutes - 35.9 MBBrothers Ben and Jon step into the ring to duke it out over the Ashita no Joe 50th anniversary series Megalo Box.
122: Garbage Canojo (Rent-A-Girlfriend)
March 01, 2021 13:00 - 41 minutes - 40.5 MBThe Aniki brothers get unexpectedly emotional and passionate with the "romantic comedy" Rent-A-Girlfriend.
121: Cat Burglars (Akudama Drive)
February 15, 2021 13:00 - 45 minutes - 46.8 MBCan a heavily stylized cyberpunk heist anime inspired by Tarantino and Guy Richie live up to the hype? Aniki finds out with Akudama Drive.
120: Maiwaifu (Tonikaku Kawaii)
February 01, 2021 13:00 - 35 minutes - 35.8 MBThe Aniki boys take a comedic look at young love, marriage, and moon rabbits with Tonikaku Kawaii: Fly Me to the Moon.
119: Zen and the Art of Broom Maintenance (Wandering Witch)
January 18, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBThe brothers set off on a magical adventure of witchery, full of comedy, horror, and big hats with Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina.
SP: Winter 2021 Anime Season Preview
December 21, 2020 13:00 - 59 minutes - 57.1 MBSanta is coming with a new season of anime. Will he be bringing us gifts or coal?Unwrap Aniki's hotake winter 2021 anime season preview!
118: TYPE-FOOD (Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family)
December 14, 2020 13:00 - 47 minutes - 46.4 MBThe brothers get hungry for Fate/Stay Night crossover with the Great British Bake Off, better known as Today's Menu for the Emiya Family.
117: Witch Pitch (Burn the Witch)
November 30, 2020 13:00 - 43 minutes - 41.6 MBThe brothers enter Reverse Soul Society to examine Bleach creator Tite Kubo's one-shot OVA all about dragons and witches: Burn the Witch.
116: Oni-chan (Demon Slayer)
November 16, 2020 13:00 - 50 minutes - 48.8 MBIt's shonen time! The brothers jump aboard the hype-train for the visually stunning Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
115: Furex Trading (Spice and Wolf)
October 05, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutes - 49.1 MBIt's the economy stupid! Ben and Jon investigate the #3 waifu, Holo, trying to understand her ties to currency schemes in Spice and Wolf.
SP: Fall 2020 Anime Season Preview
September 28, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 64.2 MBThe leaves are turning and so is the anime season. Aniki is here to help sort wheat from chaff with their fall 2020 anime season preview!
114: World Class (Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid)
September 21, 2020 12:00 - 43 minutes - 41.6 MBThe brothers learn that a modern family can be just a woman, a dragon, and a loli dragon in Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid.
113: Hang Loose-ifer (Gabriel DropOut)
September 07, 2020 12:00 - 34 minutes - 33 MBThe brothers decide that humanity was a mistake, to play video games all day, and listen to other life lessons from Gabriel DropOut.
112: Heya the Girls are Back (Room Camp)
August 24, 2020 12:00 - 37 minutes - 36.8 MBThe brothers' lives get hectic so they take a quick romp to see some of Japan's mountains with the Yuru Camp spin off Room Camp. Following Nadeshiko and friends as they go on a stamp rally across Yamanashi Prefecture, this series of short episodes is an adorable reason for the Aniki bros to talk about pretty much anything else. Join us for a journey across Japan, Seattle, Indiana, and crazy folklore. Also featuring: Midnight Diner and Atelier Ryza. Haven't seen this show? Go watch Room Camp....
111: Boss Hog (Aggretsuko)
August 10, 2020 12:00 - 34 minutes - 33 MBWhat if The Office was set in Japan, was cast with cute animals, and the heroine was deep into death metal? Aniki finds out with Aggretsuko.