Strictly Anime

We review Perfect Blue. This classic is one of Satoshi Kon’s masterpieces, and it’s about time we talk about it. No matter how weird, eerie, or freaky this movie gets, the most mind-blowing thing is how much the story was ahead of its time. We discuss the blurred lines between reality and fantasy, the themes of parasocial relationships and fandom, and the nostalgia of seeing 90s technology. Use co...

We play Poorly Explained Anime Characters. We’re bringing back this fun game where we describe an anime character in the most simple, confusing, or ridiculous way possible to see if the other person can guess the correct answer. Who scored the most points? And whose brain failed them over and over again? Join us to find out the answers and to play along. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your firs...

We’re strictly chatting. We find yet another reason to talk about Attack on Titan, but we also share our thoughts on AI generated subtitles, Emmy wins, and Batman. Plus, Courtney tries to explain Naruto lore to Karl like it’s family drama on a reality TV show. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.g...

We try to redeem ourselves in anime trivia with the help of our patrons. After a failed attempt at using ChatGPT for anime trivia and learning that AI isn’t that reliable, we felt we had to try our hand at trivia one more time. So we asked our patrons to create trivia questions that would really put our anime knowledge to the test. Tune in to find out how we did, and play along by testing your own...

We share anime that would make great video games. There have been many games based off anime, but sometimes they feel like cash-grabs instead of AAA productions. We share our picks for which anime have the potential to be made into great video games, and discuss how we envision these ideas coming to fruition. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com...

We review the final part of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It’s been a wild ride experiencing this beloved classic for the first time. We share our thoughts on the best parts of the finale, issues we found along the way, and whether or not we liked the ending. We can finally call ourselves real weebs now that we’ve watched FMAB, right? Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat bo...

We share our favorite redemption stories in anime. Sometimes the most compelling and powerful stories aren’t even the main story of an anime. And sometimes that story can be so convincing that you start rooting for a character you initially hated. We discuss the redemption arcs that had us believing in the power of forgiveness and restoring our faith in humanity. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off...

We review the first season of Kaiju No. 8. This series definitely makes a monster-sized mark, with its unique kaiju premise and its acknowledgement of millennials who are just trying to do their best - though we can’t help but feel that Kafka’s story bears a few similarities to another “Titan”-sized anime. We discuss the show’s commendable focus on its characters over its kaiju, the issues regardi...

We discuss our spoiler-free Summer 2024 anime first impressions. The summer season typically has less notable anime releases, but this season seems to be a struggle. We discuss Doga Kobo going hard, CG deer, a BL that just goes for it, and a stepsister anime that didn’t turn out to be a dumpster fire. Plus, we reflect on reaching the 200th episode milestone. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your...

We review the first half of My Hero Academia season 7. The show continues to “get good” with the start of this newest season and we’re thankful for it. We discuss even more Todoroki family drama, how we didn’t think Shigaraki could get any crustier, America’s greatest hero, and all the crazy plot twists and reveals. Plus, Courtney manages to once again analyze Bakugo’s character development. Japan...

We review the fourth part of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. We’re not even at the climax of the story, and yet things are already heating up within Amestris’s borders. We discuss all the factors that are converging rapidly towards the series’ finale, from counter-measures, to traitors, to family feuds where siblings beat each other up for the right to rule their family. Use code STRICTLYANIME f...

We review the third season of Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Karl is finally caught up on this anime, but his journey may not have ended on a high note. We discuss our differing opinions on this season, the focus on Darkness and what we learned about her, and the new mystery that has us yearning for more. Japanese title: Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Use code STRICTLYAN...

We’re strictly chatting. Along with Courtney’s periodic Naruto update, we share our attempt at making omurice, our plans for attending JPop concerts in the coming year, and our thoughts on a fast food/anime collaboration that you could say is quite… SPECIAL. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/...

We review Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc (S4). Did this season achieve its goal? Yes. But did that make it a worthy season? Maybe. We discuss the repetitive nature of this arc, which Hashira got shafted once again, and our favorite moments of hype and comedy. Japanese title: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hashira Geiko-hen Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https...

We review Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Legend of Crimson. The next stop on Karl’s Konosuba journey is the Crimson Demon Village to learn more about Megumin and her chunibyo people. We discuss our differing opinions on the movie, a budding romance, an entertaining but confusing villain, and the epic final fight. Japanese title: Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Movie: Kure...

We review the second season of Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Karl is continuing his journey through Konosuba and witnessing more of the some of the best comedy in anime. We discuss Kazuma’s shame as the group leader, Megumin’s odd choice in names, Darkness’s uncontrollable masochism, and Aqua finally getting to prove she’s not entirely useless. (Or maybe not.) Japanese title: K...

We discuss our anime OVAs and spin-offs wishlists. Anime has its share of elaborate storylines with unresolved or missing pieces that could only exist in headcanon - which is where an OVA or spin-off can come in to save the day. We sort through some notable anime that could greatly reap the benefits of fruitful bonus material. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://t...

We review the third part of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. More than halfway through the show, we find ourselves with so many questions left unanswered. We discuss all the new discoveries, whether our theories were right or wrong, why the Elric brothers get to roam free, and who we think has the biggest plot armor so far. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://tea...

We play anime trivia with ChatGPT. What started as a serious idea turned into the most botched anime trivia ever. Join us as we test our anime knowledge, fact check the answers, and doubt the potential of AI. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast: https://www.patreo...

We’re strictly chatting. We share a life update, talk about a One Piece meme, give our ratings for Spy x Family Code: White, and Courtney updates us on her Naruto progress. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thestrictlyseries Website: htt...

We discuss our spoiler-free Spring 2024 anime first impressions. With very different shows on our respective watch lists, our opinions on this season are also pretty different. Which anime do we feel are promising? Which anime are already a disappointment? And why is Courtney already addicted to Wind Breaker? Join us as we answer these questions and share all our thoughts on this season’s anime! U...

We review the second part of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Our first-time journey through this beloved anime continues to surprise us with new discoveries and crazy plot twists. We discuss fathers, Winry’s dumb decision, Edward’s strand of hair, and continue to ponder whether our predictions will be correct. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat....

We discuss the biggest clowns in anime. There are the kind of clowns that wear face paint, make balloon art, and scare kids at birthday parties. And then there are clowns who are stupid, cringe, and make total fools of themselves. We’re sharing our picks for anime characters who are not just clowns, but the entire circus. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.t...

We review the first season of Solo Leveling. We’ll admit, we were a bit apprehensive about this anime after hearing all the hype from manhwa readers (flashbacks to Tower of God). Luckily, the hype was real and we got an anime adaption that we thoroughly enjoyed. We discuss blending game mechanics with the real world, power systems, and Jinwoo suddenly becoming hot. Japanese title: Ore dake Level U...

We review the third part of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. The exam arc continues with a new supporting cast of strong magic potential - but a different kind of magic happens with the lessons this series continues to impart along the way. We discuss the amazing fights coupled with the equally impactful quiet moments, the simple but sweet season finale, and the proper way to pronounce “labyrinth.”...