Penlight Chronicles

I just Kenty, Love Kenty of my star! That’s right! Today is all about Nakajima Kento! Join us and our special guest, Steph, as we talk through Nakajima Kento’s history, current successes, and future aspirations. Take me! Kenty! love 100% This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penlightchronicles.substack.com

WEST. wants us to know that they’ve put out a truly unique album, but does Penlight Chronicles agree? This week, we’re talking about WEST.’s new album Yuitsu Muni. Join us as we debate the merits of their unit songs, learn some scandalous lyrics, and coo over adorable music videos. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, v...

Ae! Group’s second album Runway has left us with a lot of feels… well most of us. Join us this week as the three of us discuss the ups and downs of Ae! Group’s journey thus far, how we feel about this album, and the amount of whiplash each MV gave us. Leave us a comment, do you agree with us or not? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...

It’s Podcast-ception, Pod-ception? Anyway, today, Penlight Chronicles is talking about Travis Japan’s podcast on STARTO’s own streaming platform. With our special guest, we discuss Travis Japan’s new podcast, what we find interesting about the episodes, and their dynamic with each other. Have you listened yet? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...

We Can Do! We Can Go! If you know this song, then you know today PenKuro is talking about Juniors! With the release of Zessei, a Peerless Entertainment Magazine, Hoshi, Maiko, and Zoe dive into Juniors and what idol magazines bring to the table. Come and learn about our favourite type of print media together! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...

Happy Anni Omedetou! Can you believe it’s been a year? Today’s episode is us reminiscing over the past year and enjoying what’s to come in 2026. So what are you waiting for? Come and see what Penlight Chronicles has in store for 2026! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penlightchronicles.substack.com

Happy 2026 guys! We ended 2025 with a bang, by sending Zoe to STARTO to Move. Today's episode is all about what we thought of the live, the livestream and the Netflix version. Come listen to us scream about what we liked, what we thought could be improved, and what we missed! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit p...

Penlight Chronicles is wrapping up the year with an end-of-year STARTO roundup, kinda like STARTO “Yearbook Superlatives” style. Hoshi, Maiko, and Zoe look back on this year’s releases with a handful of awards (from instant earworms to standout performances), and plenty of fandom-related screeching along the way. Drop your own nominations, tell us your favourite PenKuro episode moment, and be sure...

Charismax! Come hang out with us as we dive into Snow Man’s latest album, Onkochishin! A non-linear journey through time, we thought this is Snow Man’s most interesting album to date. Come find out our thoughts on the album, which songs reminded us of what STARTO senpai, and why we’re declaring “Art is art”. So press play and tell us what you think of Snow Man’s latest album! This is a public epis...

SixTONES SixTONES SixTONES! This week, we watched SixTONES’ YOUNG OLD and we’re here to share our impressions. Come and weigh in on an argument about Kyomoto Taiga’s hair, how you feel about Jesse’s hats, and how SixTONES has leveled up their production over the years. Well? We’re waiting for you! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to b...

We’re back! We missed you all but no worries, your favourite hosts are back and ready to tell you all about our time off. Between Hoshi, Maiko, and Zoe, we’ve seen and eaten our way around Japan. Don’t worry, we didn’t forget to oshikatsu and do all sorts of fangirl things. Come and find out how we spent our time! Music by Oleg Fedak from Pixabay Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay So...

Ever dream of your perfect STARTO Idol combination? We have! We have created idol groups based off of the usual concepts: Cute, Sexy, Prince, Cool etc. But also random combinations that we’d love to see together! So join us as we share our ultimate (unhinged) idol group made up of our favourite boys. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access t...

Today is the day! WEST. is on streaming! Zoe and Maiko were joined by a special guest to chat all things WEST.! Join us, and Dumpling Box’s Sabi, as we expound on the wonders of WEST., their music, and what we hope for their future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penlightchronicles.substack.com

Could you survive on an uninhabited island? Could your oshis survive on an uninhabited island? This week, we’re going to try and answer that question. Join us as we put our idols in an unthinkable situation and see if we’re all surviving - together. Music by: ALEXEY BEZRUCHKO This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit p...

STARTO, welcome to the 21st Century! Today we’re discussing the STARTO content you can watch on streaming services. Come learn about what the three of us are watching right now, what we intend to watch, and what we recommend you watch. What are you waiting for? Join us now! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pen...

Ready to dive into our impressions of Snow Man’s RAYS concert? Join us for a chaotic ride as we forget that we’re doing a podcast and start gushing over what we thought of the Snow Man’s RAYS concert. We’ll hit our favourite sections, discuss things we didn’t love, and talk about our thoughts on all four unit songs. Feel free to drop us a comment on what you thought! This is a public episode. If y...

Travis Japan’s VIIsual North American Tour is officially over and Penlight Chronicles has you covered! Two-thirds of PenKuro attended the New York City Show and one of us watched the livestream (guess who) and our special guest caught the Anaheim show, and we are so excited to share our thoughts and feelings with you. Join Penlight Chronicles and Life in Cartoon Motion as we go through Travis Japa...

Do you have a problem when it comes to shopping for merch? Join the club! This week, Penlight Chronicles is talking about our spending habits when it comes to fandom shopping. Join us and find out who is the enabler and who has the hardest time keeping track of her purchases. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit p...

MAGFACT is here! Sorry we’re late this week, Maiko had irl problems, but we’re excited to chat with our two special guests, Anna and Ellie, about Kis-My-Ft2's MAGFACT. Join us as we discuss what we liked, what we thought could change, and some interesting character development (hint, it’s about our idol and one of our hosts). Join us now and leave a comment on what your thoughts on MAGFACT are . T...

Since Kis-My-Ft2 released MagFact last week, we thought we’d bring you our thoughts on their Synopsis Concert DVD Blu-Ray. Joining us this week is Anna, a long-time OG Kisumai fan, who brings her unique perspective and history to lend PenKuro some credibility 😁. We scream and flail about our favourite moments, marvel at some technological advancements, and debate our preferred outfits. Whether yo...

Arashi (嵐) made an announcement! And what a week it's been, join us as we discuss this latest piece of world-shattering news and how we can all proceed from here. What do you think of Arashi's decision and how the next year will go? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit penlightchronicles.substack.com

This week, we’re taking you along as you dive into なにわ男子/Naniwa Danshi’s latest concert release, +Alpha! From adorable concepts to hilarious Kansai antics, you’ll get to hear our impressions and honest thoughts on all the highlights. Whether you’re a dedicated fan or just curious about what makes Naniwa Danshi’s concerts so much fun, join us and see if your thoughts match ours! Don’t forget t...

Welcome to a new segment, Why Should People Adopt Your Group! Today we’re talking about two groups who have captured two of our co-hosts’ hearts. We’ll be talking about why and what there is to love about them, and recommending some things for our listeners to check-out. Come and learn more about two Kansai groups and, we hope, you’ll be walking away wanting to learn more about at least one. This...

In a world where being calm and collected is seen as good points, we have today’s offering. Join us and dive into a world so chaotic that not even language can explain what’s going on. Come find out how Zoe and Maiko were lied to and what Hoshi found endearing about them when they were juniors. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonu...

A coin flip determined this episode… but why? Today, we’ll be talking about a group that some of us were determined not to fall in love with, while the other was banned from listening to them too much. Find out who Hoshi and Zoe want to fight, and why it really and truly is Maiko’s fault. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epis...