Animated Wonders

We discuss episode 22 of Cowboy Bebop, in which Spike meets an American cowboy who makes it hard for him to capture his bounty. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E22 - Cowboy Funk Original Air Date: February 15, 2002 Director: Kunihiro Mori Writer(s): Keiko Nobumoto Synopsis: A serial bomber is trying to blow up skyscrapers, but Spike i...

We discuss episodes 20 & 21 of Cowboy Bebop, highlighting the tonal ability of the series between a horror-focused genre and a more light-hearted tone. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E20 - Pierrot le Fou" ("Requiem for a Clown") Original Air Date: November 5, 2001 Director: Yoshiyuki Takei Writer(s): Sadayuki Murai Synopsis: Spik...

We discuss episodes 18 & 19 of Cowboy Bebop, which explore nostalgia and technology, and we learn about Spike’s love and deep passion for flying YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E18 - Speak Like a Child Original Air Date: October 29, 2001 Director: Yoshiyuki Takei Writer(s): Akihiko Inari EPISODE #2 CREDITS: Episode Number & Ti...

We discuss episodes 16 & 17 of Cowboy Bebop, in which Jet discovers a dark secret from his past and how he goes about getting revenge. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E16 - Black Dog Serenade  Original Air Date: Octobeer 22, 2001 Director: Ikurō Satō Writer(s): Michiko Yokote Synopsis: Jet's old cop partner calls in a favour to st...

We discuss episodes 14 & 15 of Cowboy Bebop, in which Faye discovers a dark secret of her past. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E14 - Bohemian Rhapsody Original Air Date: October 15, 2001 Director: Hirokazu Yamada Writer(s): Dai Satō Synopsis: The Bebop crew investigates a bizarre series of Hyperspace Gate Tollbooth robberies, eac...

We discuss episodes 12 & 13, Jupiter Jazz part one and two, in which Faye disappears, and Spike believes he’s finally going to reconnect with Julia. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E12 - Jupiter Jazz (Part 1) Original Air Date: October 8, 2001 Director: Yoshiyuki Takei Writer(s): Keiko Nobumoto Synopsis: Faye disappears with all t...

We discuss Forgotten Island, breaking down its themes of friendship and culture, as well as its animation style. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS The film focuses on a unique female friendship. Cultural heritage and mythology play a significant role. Animation styles are diverse and visually impressive. The story explores the dynamics of growing apart. Voice performance...

We discuss episodes 10 & 11 of Cowboy Bebop, which explore Jet’s past more deeply, as well as a story that leaves Spike to save the crew from a nasty surprise on the ship. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E10 - Ganymede Elegy Original Air Date: October 1, 2001 Director: Hirokazu Yamada Writer(s): Akihiko Inari Synopsis: Jet confron...

We discuss episodes 8 & 9 of Cowboy Bebop, which sees the hacker Edward join the team of Bebop. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E08 - Waltz for Venus Original Air Date: December 24, 2001 Director: Yoshiyuki Takei Writer(s): Michiko Yokote Synopsis: After collecting a bounty, Spike gains a fan in Roco Bonnaro. Roco, a small-time ga...

We discuss Cowboy Bebop episodes 6 & 7, where Spike meets a dangerous child who may have a secret, and V.T, a space truck hiding a secret. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E06 - Sympathy for the Devil Original Air Date: December 17, 2001  Director: Ikurō Satō Writer(s): Keiko Nobumoto Synopsis: Spike and Jet chase a dangerous enemy...

We discuss episodes 4 + 5 of Cowboy Bebop, in which we see Spike come face-to-face with Vicious, his old friend and now enemy, from when Spike was part of the Red Dragon Syndicate. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E04 - Gateway Shuffle Original Air Date: September 10, 2001 Director: Yoshiyuki Takei Writer(s): Sadayuki Murai Synopsis: S...

We discuss episodes 2 and 3 of Cowboy Bebop, which introduce Faye Valentine to the series. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E012 - Stray Dog Strut Original Air Date: September 3, 2001 Director: Ikurō Satō Writer(s): Michiko Yokote Synopsis: Spike and Jet go after Abdul Hakim, who has stolen a "data dog" from a research...

We kick off our new season focused on Cowboy Bebop by discussing the first episode of this seminal anime. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  EPISODE #1 CREDITS: Episode Number & Title: S01E01 - Astroid Blues Original Air Date: September 3, 2001 Studio: Sunrise   Director: Yoshiyuki Takei Writer(s): Keiko Nobumoto CREDITS 🎵 Music: Kawaii Anime Pop, by Tak_Music Licensed from Audio Ju...

We discuss the latest entry in the Despicable Me film universe, Minions & Monsters. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS This movie is one of the more enjoyable entries in the series. The big bad of the movie was microphones. The third act fizzles out with a random resolution. The film creatively weaves Minions into cinema history. Illumination is committed to silly, ch...

We wrap up our discussion of all the Toy Story films from Pixar/Disney by discussing the themes of all the films, animation quality, and which ones affected us the most. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  CREDITS 🎵 Music: Kawaii Anime Pop, by Tak_Music Licensed from Audio Jungle 🎨 Artwork: Simon Blakcburn 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside. FM 👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOS...

The Despicable Me series continues its run with the fourth film, featuring Gru and company attempting to be in hiding. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS The film is highly forgettable and lacks substance. The character dynamics between Gru and Gru Jr. are the highlights. The pacing of the movie is off, making it feel unbalanced. Mike White's writing for this film raises...

We discuss Toy Story 5, breaking down its themes, its focus on how it wants to address technology in our lives, and particularly, children's lives, and the overall quality of the film in comparison to the past four. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS Toy Story 5 introduces new themes around technology and play. The film has emotional moments that resonate more with adults...

Minions: The Rise of Gru was not only delayed for several years because of COVID-19, but is also memorable for the 'gentle minions' trend. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS The film serves as both a sequel to 'Minions' and a prequel to 'Despicable Me'. Character dynamics between Gru and the Minions are central to the story. The film lacks the chaotic humour of the origin...

We discuss the spin-off film Lightyear, which may be the movie Andy watched to be introduced to the character in the Toy Story universe. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS The film aims to create a backstory for Buzz Lightyear. Themes of failure and teamwork are central to the story. The animation quality is praised, but the character designs are debated. Chris Evans' per...

Gru meets his twin brother in the third Despicable Me film, and we head off on another wild adventure. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS Despicable Me 3 has a more sitcom-like feel compared to earlier films. The film explores themes of family expectations and hereditary traits. Dru, Gru's twin, is portrayed as less competent. The children play a diminished role in this i...

In this part of the Toy Story journey, we discuss several of the Toy Story Shorts. Lamp Life Hawaiian Vacation Small Fry Partysaurus Rex Toy Story of Terror! Toy Story That Time Forgot  YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS The animated shorts provide a fun extension of the Toy Story universe. Each short has its unique charm and humour, appealing to both kids and adults. Cha...

The Minions get their own film that introduces their largest world and the origin story before they meet Gru. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS The film leans heavily into Minions ' humour, appealing to kids. Themes include finding one's place in the world and toxic relationships. Minonese is a unique language combining various languages. The film was a box office succes...

In Toy Story 4, the series takes a soft reset, sending Woody off on a nearly solo adventure and introducing a bunch of new characters. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS Toy Story 4 explores themes of letting go and self-discovery. Forky serves as a deep character questioning his purpose. Woody's journey highlights the conflict between duty and personal fulfilment. The fi...

It's time to get happy with the second film in the Despicable Me series, now with Kristen Wiig's character joining the team. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS The film explores themes of parenting and dating later in life. Kristen Wiig's performance elevates the film significantly. The minions' subplot was an attempt to capitalise on their popularity. The song 'Happy' be...

In the third Toy Story film, things get a little darker, and we discuss how it is a thematically rich film with a lot for kids and adults to take in. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  SHOW DOT POINTS Toy Story 3 explores themes of growing up and letting go. The film resonates deeply with those who grew up with the franchise. Animation technology has significantly advanced since the firs...