Strife's Sanctum

This week's anime review is about a show that really hit its stride with its comeback season recently. While the first season set the tone with some spooky scary yokai/apparition/ghost/etc. stuff, the second season took the main characters and focused in on them more and what struggles they deal with as teenagers in nearly impossible situations. It was a perfect blend of weirdness, comedy, and...

Ys has been one of my favorite franchises for the last decade or so. The main issue is VIII was its magnum opus. Both IX and X have left something to be desired, landing as, "good" games when I was expecting a bit more. Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)October 18th: Summer and Fall 2025 Anime DiscussionOctober 25th: Toilet-Bound Hanako-kunNovember 1st: Fall 2025 Anime Dis...

Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possible, but it will be marked regardless. Shows I Enjoyed- Toilet-Bound Hanak...

Back to some old school gaming. This time, the second in an unofficial "Blazer Trilogy." Illusion of Gaia is serviceable in all aspect, and is a good way to kill 10-15 hours. Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)October 4th: Summer and Fall 2025 Anime DiscussionOctober 11th: Ys X NordicsOctober 18th: Summer and Fall 2025 Anime DiscussionOctober 25th: Toilet-Bound Hanako-kunNo...

Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possible, but it will be marked regardless. Shows I Enjoyed- Toilet-Bound Hanak...

It's a rare case where I get to talk about a video game and an anime adaptation all at once. But this is one such scenario. Nier Automata is one of the most talked about games of the past decade. That said, it did things I really liked, and things I really loathed. The anime version that released recently gave me what I wanted with none of the problems. So, I get to talk about it at length. Po...

Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possible, but it will be marked regardless. Shows I Enjoyed- Toilet-Bound Hanak...

A show I got back to re-watching earlier this year. I feel it still holds up well enough. Cyberpunk crime drama sci-fi with some good comedy. I don't think it gets talked about enough. Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)September 6th: Summer 2025 DiscussionSeptember 13th: Nier AutomataSeptember 20th: Summer 2025 Anime DiscussionSeptember 27th: Illusion of GaiaOctober 4th: Summer...

Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possible, but it will be marked regardless. Shows I Enjoyed- Toilet-Bound Hanak...

This is a game so old school, it started to hurt me to play near the end. In a world where a lot of QoL if now taken into account, a game like this can be a problem to deal with over a long stretch. For its good points, the bad wore me down near the end. Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)August 23rd: Summer 2025 Anime DiscussionAugust 30th: Solty ReiSeptember 6th: Summer 2025 Discus...

Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possible, but it will be marked regardless. Shows I Enjoyed- Toilet-Bound Hanak...

Sometimes a show or game needs a break from things. That's when they might decide to go back to school. It can lead to some exploration of new characters in mass, or provide an old character with a new setting to dive into. This episode delves into a couple instances of longer running shows that went that path. Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)August 9th: Summer 2025 Anime Disc...

Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possible, but it will be marked regardless. Shows I Enjoyed- Toilet-Bound Hanak...

While I won't say Second hit the same high or low notes as Default, there's still a lot to enjoy about jumping back into the Bravely world. If you haven't watched the previous review of Bravely Default, go to Episode #105Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)July 26th: Summer 2025 Anime DiscussionAugust 2nd: When in Doubt? School ArcAugust 9th: Summer 2025 Anime DiscussionAu...

Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possible, but it will be marked regardless. Shows I Enjoyed- Dandadan Cour 2- Gachi...

I'm so glad I got Netflix back this year. This was one of the few anime I remember watching way back when. Re-watching it recently gave me an even greater appreciation for the story. This will go down as one of my favorite shows of all time. Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)July 12th: Spring and Summer 2025 Anime DiscussionJuly 19th: Bravely SecondJuly 26th: Summer 2025 Anime D...

Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possible, but it will be marked regardless. Shows I Enjoyed- Apothecary Diaries...

A re-imaging of LttP is my jam. The dungeons are unique, the painting mechanic is novel, and it looks gorgeous. However, it is not without its warts: the renting concept flies in the face of exploration a bit...so it's not perfect. Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)June 28th: Spring 2025 Anime DiscussionJuly 5th: Violet EvergardenJuly 12th: Spring or Summer 2025 Anime DiscussionJuly...

Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possible, but it will be marked regardless. Shows I Enjoyed- Apothecary Diaries...

I was never quite sure if a "Castlevania" show would work. Turns out it's been working well for six seasons now. It isn't always perfect, but there is a definite goal and tone they are trying to achieve. I run through the first four seasons of the Netflix show, with definite spoilers. Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)June 14th: Spring 2025 Anime DiscussionJune 21s...

Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. A couple are 1also nearing their end. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possible, but it will be marked regardles...

An uneven experience here. It was fun seeing the enhancements the visuals and gameplay took...but man, that voice acting is as bad as I remember. Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)May 31st: Spring 2025 Anime DiscussionJune 7th: Castlevania Seasons 1-4June 14th: Spring 2025 Anime DiscussionJune 21st: Legend of Zelda: A Link Between WorldsJune 28th: Spring 2025 Anime DiscussionJuly 5t...

*Fixed the problem with the microphone*Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. A couple are 1also nearing their end. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possib...

Another couple of weeks, another anime update. Going through the current anime of the season and give some general thoughts and predictions of where those shows are headed. A couple are 1also nearing their end. Ground rules- Watching dubs only (might be a week or two behind)- Not every show available will be covered- I'll try avoiding spoilers wherever possible, but it will be marked regardles...

Not gonna lie, this is the first Mega Man where the formula starts to wear thin. None of the music really grabbed me. The only stage that intrigued me was Skull Man. Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)May 17th: Spring 2025 Anime DiscussionMay 24th: Mega Man X4May 31st: Spring 2025 Anime DiscussionJune 7th: Castlevania Seasons 1-4June 14th: Spring 2025 Anime DiscussionJune 21st: Legen...