What'cha Toku-ing About

In this episode Russ, Stix, and Hunter have an uncomfortable discussion about a topic they’ve been pushing off for far too long: what do we do about the Atlantis situation? What’s going down on the bottom of the ocean? Do they have the PS8 down there already? In this episode they also talk about what monsters they’d vote for in local politics, how impressive the miniature work here is, and if Russ...

In this episode Russ, Stix, and Hunter are humanity’s last hope, even though they’re just like… four guys who talk a lot? Why do they keep sending assassins to kill them? Ah whatever. Don’t ask me. In this episode they talk about killing problematic infants, #KaidoRedeemed?, and how much Toshiki Inoue LOVED Attack of the Clones. Next Episode we’re watching Gamera: Guardian of the Universe.

In this episode Russ, Stix, and Hunter accepted a sponsorship from Smart Brain! Use code VAGUE to purchase some OMINOUS VIBES and MENACING AURA. In this episode they talked about glazing weird Japanese men, the Kaido dilemma, and how age disparities in a show only barely matter if everyone is acting like an insane weirdo. Next Episode we’re watching Kamen Rider Faiz Episodes 40-50 + The Movie.

In this episode Russ, Stix, and Hunter… wait… are you the person I was supposed to speak to? Sorry… it was a misunderstanding… oh if only I could tell you about the misadventures the WTA crew went on! They talked about how news disseminates on the internet, they joys of being a petty jerk who loves drama, and maybe the best needle drop in the history of Tokusatsu. Next Episode we’re watching Kamen...

In this episode, Russ, Stix, and Hunter open our eyes to the world of Faiz! In this episode we discuss Toei only allowing you to watch My-Th if you solve their riddles three! Early 2000s industrial design, and how soap opera melodrama is probably more dangerous than any monster can be. Next Episode we're watching Kamen Rider 555 episodes 14-26.  Help the podcast out by rating the show five sta...

In this episode, Russ, Stix, and Hunter finish Ultraman Tiga episodes 40-52 and the movie! That's right, us and the man-children of the world hold our Tiga figures up and pray the franchise can get this good again! In this episode we discuss Toei getting silly with international distribution (again), Jissoji being allowed to make a kooky kids show episode about the alienation of post economic...

In this episode, Russ, Stix, and Hunter with special guest Kero @kerbumble watch Ultraman Tiga episodes 27-39 and yearn for better days and Japanese Subway in the 90s! In this episode we discuss how the show the shows thoughtful, philosophical tone mixed with goofy manga gags, why sometimes you need to bring your pink movie directing grandpa to help direct an episode, and (kind of) apologize to sk...

In this episode, Russ, Stix, and Hunter watch Ultraman Tiga episodes 14-26 talk a lot about angels, demons, and religious allegories about an ultra man getting crucified… I swear we’re not one of those podcasts! In this episode we discuss how the show hops around genres, maximalist storytelling, and how aliens have no respect for women in the workplace. Next Episode we're watching Ultraman Tig...

In this episode, Russ, Stix, and Hunter watch Ultraman Tiga Episodes 1-13 and get taken higher (well higher until we’re struck down by three giant monsters that will be EXTREMELY important later on)! In this episode they discuss the sad reality of franchises taking a break, take some pot shots at Johnny (the talent agency not the homicidal maniac), Daigo’s great hair, and which Tiga form is best....

In this episode, Russ, Stix, and Hunter watch Zeiram 1 and Zeiram 2 and prove once and for all that bumbling can be a valuable battle skill! In this episode they discuss Amemiya throwing all the ingredients he loves in a big soup, how Zeiram worked outside the regular Toku channels, and a lot of Abbot and Costello (NOT LAUREL AND HARDY) met Frankenstein. Next Episode we're watching Ultraman Ti...

In this episode, Russ, Stix, and Hunter watch Garo (Season 1) Episodes 1-12 and GO ON A BATTLE TO KILL GOD (but please don't think too hard about the freaudian implications of that)! In this episode they discuss the prominence of Goth Ladies in Keita Amemiya works, toku characters doing cool poses, regretful Toku second bananas, and male sensitivity.  Next Episode we're watching Zeiram 1 a...

In this episode, Russ, Stix, and Hunter watch Garo (Season 1) Episodes 1-12 and become lone wolves together, warriors eternally cursed to walk alone (but also side by side) against the grimdark creatures of the night! In this episode they discuss the power of a really cool, long jacket, lots of Japanese guys names, the difference between being coolly aloof versus an annoying theater kid, and what...

In this episode, Russ, Stix, and Hunter watch Godzilla Mothra King Ghidora: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, and try (and fail) to say the title out loud as well! In this episode they discuss inter-generational trauma, monsters fighting for top billing, showing off how cool your miniatures are before blowing them up with a fire cracker, and how you should probably say sorry sometimes.  Next Episode...

Russ, Stix, and Hunter watch episodes 40-49 of Juken Sentai Gekiranger and forgive an evil kung fu zombie cult leader of all his cries for being vaguely nice to his girlfriend! In this episode they discuss saying goodbye in a Sentai show, traveling to different countries via the Kuleshov effect, and how Christmas turned one sentai member into a Bugs Bunny style psychopaths. Next Episode we're...

Russ, Stix, and Hunter watch episodes 26-39 of Juken Sentai Gekiranger and must release their inner potential and escape a muddy middle stretch of Japanese Children's television! In this episode they discuss the power of swords (marketing wise), what happens when the big heavy of your show... kind of stinks, and how you can get away with being a loser scumbag if you have your own mech. Next Ep...

Russ, Stix, Hunter and special guest Andrew (@pleatsplease.bsky.com) ditch Toku and watch DBZ Bio Broly and get gooped by this widely panned DBZ Summer Release. In this episode they talk about growing up with DBZ, the ethics of being hot, nice, and committing science crimes, and how much we all felt like Gohan (abandoned by Goku).We'll be back in March with episodes 26-39 of Gekiranger. Help t...

Russ, Stix, and Hunter watch episodes 13-25 of Juken Sentai Gekiranger and howl at the moon over basically the coolest guy in existence (a wolf man that knows Muay Thai). In this episode they talk about the sexy Astro Bot lady and her love for a certain cat-man, Sukeban Deka and the only good situation where boomers shove their nostalgia on kids, and what ADULT COLLECTIBLE, not A TOY we'd like...

Russ, Stix, and Hunter watch the first 12 episode of Juken Sentai Gekiranger and scream indecipherable onomatopoeia and flail on the ground like weird adult babies about how much they enjoyed this show. In this episode they breakdown the difference between modern and classic Shonen, unfortunately named monsters, and how you can bring people back to life if your martial arts is evil enough. Next Ep...

Russ, Stix, and Hunter (with special guest Kero) watch the first two movies in the Ultraman Zero saga and discuss a cool guy AND THEN AN EVEN COOLER GUY WHO'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT BUT OFF SCREEN RIGHT NOW. In this episode they break down the power of capes (in terms of aura farming), making 50 year old Japanese men cry, and how it's okay if a princess has a giant boyfriend. Next Episode we&...

Russ, Stix, and Hunter repeat "this was a show for children?" 18 times as they breakdown the beautiful tragedy that is Kamen Rider Ryuki's final 10 episodes (and it's tragically misguided alt ending Episode Final Directors Cut). In this episode we discuss heavy topics like sacrifice, what makes a hero, the eventuality of death, and can a girl and guy actually be friends or do fee...

Russ, Stix, and Hunter contemplate some very broad comedy and goof around with some existential questions in this zany and/or heartbreaking stretch of Kamen Rider Ryuki. In this episode we discuss taking a break from a murderous battle royale to have a quick laugh, Revenge of the Sith level NOOOOOO screaming, and how having nice hair makes it okay to commit heinous crimes. Help the podcast out by...

Russ, Stix, and Hunter practice some very good and accurate journalism investigating Kamen Rider Ryuki. In this episode we discuss if we basically rank who's the most vile human being on earth: gamers, lawyers, grad students, or criminals. Spoiler alert! It's not criminals! Help the podcast out by rating the show five stars, sharing with friends, and maybe leaving a comment or like on the YouTube...

Russ, Stix, Hunter, and Iris take a good long look in the mirror and really contemplate Kamen Rider Ryuki. It's a TV show that makes us think about 9/11 (but what doesn't), the dangers of grad school, and if acting like Shadow the Hedgehog in real life is more likely to make people like you or dislike you. Help the podcast out by rating the show five stars, sharing with friends, and maybe...

Russ, Stix, Hunter, and Iris discuss some real grrrrrrl power with Hideaki Anno's live action adaptation of Go Nagai's Cutie Honey. It's a movie about feelings, awkward music video style interjections, bad journalism (and acting), and a special lady rocking some special outfits.

Russ, Stix, and Hunter discuss the second half of Ultra Q, a show about a beautiful throuple, random nuns, lots of weird production order issues, and random spookiness pulled out at the last minute.