The Anime Effect

We’re welcoming our first-ever figure skater to the show, Amber Glenn! She’s a world champion, a 2026 Olympic hopeful, and a MASSIVE anime fan. She’s sharing her favorite titles and pitching her own dream anime series, only on The Anime Effect. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah P...

The Anime Effect is locked in this week as we discuss ALL the exciting news out of Jump Festa 2026, the impressive winter anime lineup, Gachiakuta season 2, the new Kaguya-sama: Love Is War movie, and lots more. Jump Festa 2026: All the Big News from the Event! Crunchyroll Winter 2026 Anime Season Lineup Announced! Sentenced to Be a Hero English Dub Reveals Same-Day Release, Cast & Crew  My Hero A...

Solo Leveling's Animation Producer Atsushi Kaneko and Action Director Yoshihiro Kanno are answering OUR questions today on this special holiday re-release. The pair shares how they navigated the adaptation process, what the fans mean to them, and their hopes for Solo Leveling's future. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Ni...

Matara Kan, the world's most resilient VTuber, joins The Anime Effect this week in a special re-release. The star shares how they define anime fandom, their anime comeback era, and what it means to re-embrace the medium today, as it booms globally. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Le...

Kei Urana and Hideyoshi Andou, mangaka and graffiti designer of Gachiakuta, star in this special re-release episode of The Anime Effect. The pair reveals their real-life inspirations, how they teamed up on Gachiakuta, and so much more. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President....

Welcome to The Anime Effect's special holiday episode! We're breaking down the most memorable anime of 2025 with peak superlatives! PLUS, all the hosts reveal their favorite anime of the year. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mix of roundtable new...

The stars behind Solo Camping for Two, Daiki Hamano and Mizuki Niizaki, join The Anime Effect to talk about their IRL camping adventures and the meals that prepared them for this hit series.  Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mix of roundtable news...

The Anime Effect is going in on the news this week as your favorite '00s shonen series is FINALLY getting an anime. Plus, we discuss the Kaguya-sama: Love Is War special, the new Sentenced to Be a Hero anime, and our 2025 anime stats. Crunchyroll Arc Returns for 2025: Discover Your Anime Year in Review New Kaguya-sama: Love Is War Anime Special Reveals December 31 Broadcast in New Trailer PSYREN T...

Mori Calliope, your favorite deadbeat VTuber & the beloved singer behind Gachiakuta, is BACK on The Anime Effect! She's revealing her love for Rudo, Amo, and the trash-ridden world of Gachiakuta! Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mix of roundtable...

It's official! Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is going to the Golden Globes! This week, we're discussing the historic nomination, the new Code Geass anime, the latest TRIGUN STARGAZE updates, and Solo Leveling's epic NBA collaboration nobody should miss! Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Earns Golden Globe Nomination Code Geass: Hoshi Oi no Aspal Anime Announced TRIGUN STARGAZE Anime R...

SPYAIR and yama talk with The Anime Effect about their most iconic anime songs before somehow summoning Hamtaro...! Don’t miss this double interview & our exclusive Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Complete Blu-ray box set unboxing. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is...

The Anime Effect is back and in rare form as our hosts discuss the new Godzilla anime, the latest updates on Fire Force season 3, but that's not all! Attack on Titan is making a comeback with its best collaboration yet, and we've got A LOT to say about it. Orange, Igloo Studio Produce New Godzilla Anime Series Reincarnated in a Mafia Dating Sim Anime Adaptation Announced Fire Force Season 3 Anime...

Critical Role's Matthew Mercer isn't just a DM; he's a veteran anime voice actor as well. In this special rerelease, the star joins The Anime Effect to revisit his greatest anime roles and sort a few of these characters into their rightful DnD classes. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, an...

The Anime Effect kicks off this week with the first-ever Dragon Ball character poll, the return of BOCCHI THE ROCK!, the upcoming Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity Tokusatsu series, and a new ONE PIECE collab. PLUS, we build your ultimate anime travel guide! Dragon Ball Launches First Global Character Popularity Poll BOCCHI THE ROCK! Stage Play Returns with 4th Show in February 2026  Super Space...

Starforge's PC master, Ariel Luna, builds the ultimate Solo Leveling PC in our studio this week, and he’s telling us everything about the process. If you want your rig to be stronger than Sung Jinwoo, this episode was made for you! Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The...

The Anime Effect is unpacking all the Crunchyroll premieres slated for Anime Frontier 2025, the imminent release of [Oshi no Ko] season 3, the latest Death Stranding news, and JUJUTSU KAISEN's dominance in the Japanese box office. PLUS, here's what we hope to see in the live-action Legend of Zelda movie. Crunchyroll Heads to Anime Frontier 2025 with Special Premieres [Oshi no Ko] Season 3 Anime Re...

There's more to JUJUTSU KAISEN's best ending than you know! Imamura Leo of the band ALI shares how the group made music for hits like BEASTARS and Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE before spilling all the tea about "LOST IN PARADISE". Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show...

We sit down with Baldur's Gate 3 stars Neil Newbon and Devora Wilde in this special rerelease episode to discuss the response to their characters, the depth of the RPG storytelling, and how anime could fit into the game's inclusive world. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah Preside...

Voice Actor Kaito Ishikawa, the voice of Naofumi Iwatani in The Rising of the Shield Hero, is sharing his favorite anime moment, his hopes for the show's future, and which character he would most want to go on an adventure with. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The sh...

The Anime Effect is reporting LIVE from L.A. to discuss Dragon Ball's first official store, Bungo Stray Dogs' season 2 return, a major OVERLORD anniversary, and more! PLUS, LeAlec & Alex discuss the anime characters they believe are the smartest masterminds of all time! Anime Industry Reaches Record Highs in 2024 as International Revenue Far Outpaces Japan Dragon Ball Opens First Ever Store in Tok...

Yu Yu Hakusho’s Justin Cook joins us for the ULTIMATE nostalgia road trip as we talk about his work on the iconic anime. Plus, The Anime Effect hosts share which Fall 2025 shows they’re the most excited about. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mix...

It’s a creepy week at Crunchyroll HQ! The Anime Effect is breaking down The Apothecary Diaries’ major announcement of not just a third season, but an original movie straight from the author! PLUS, we. brace for a Hello Kitty x Junji Ito collab as well as Crunchyroll's new deals with HoyoVerse and Delta Airlines (anime at 30,000 feet?!). Buckle up! The Apothecary Diaries Anime Announces Season 3 Re...

Olympian & World champion Noah Lyles joins The Anime Effect in New York City to share why he loves repping anime on the field, his future cosplay plans, and to show off his sick clothing collab with Crunchyroll and Adidas. PLUS, the track star plays a round of “Anime This Or That" with our hosts! Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime e...

The Anime Effect gathers this week to celebrate Goku voice actor Masako Nozawa for becoming the first voice actor to earn the prestigious Person of Cultural Merit Recognition in Japan. PLUS, we go over all the news surrounding The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, as well as Yuki Chiba and Big Sean’s collab track "Ski Ga Ski."...

Khleo Thomas, the actor behind Zero in Holes, is showing off his god-tier anime & video game collection (get ready to be jealous), revisiting his favorite anime moments of all time, and so much more. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mix of roundta...