Anime For Blondes

Anime for... red heads?! Welcome to the first episode of our new series, Anime First Impressions, where we watch the first 2 episodes of a brand new anime and decide: is it kiss-on-the-first-date material, a second date, or are we ghosting? This week, we’re diving into Studio Ghibli’s 2025 anime adaptation of Anne of Green Gables-- and let’s just say, Anne Shirley might be the ultimate girly-pop p...

In honor of spring, we decided to review Your Lie in April! Becca gives her first impression analysis and Ali gives her perspective on a first full re-watch, with the goal of answering the question: Is Your Lie in April actually a good anime to rewatch every April? Trigger warning in this episode for talks of depression, ab*sive parenting, and s*icude. 💬 Tell us in the comments: Have you watched...

Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 16 might be the wildest, most plot-heavy episode of the series so far! The stakes are higher than ever, secrets are coming to light, and the girlies have some feelings. In a shocking twist, we have an unexpected Becca’s Theory Corner CONFIRMED! Find out which theory she got right, what Ali has changed her mind about, and what the girlies are actually disagreeing...

Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 15 (Ep. 39 overall) has everything: Maomao and Jinshi crumbs, a royal birth that could change everything, a heartfelt return, and OF COURSE Maomao solving other peoples' problems. Ali and Becca discuss this nearly perfect episode, Maomao’s major character development, emotional moments, and why she’s the ultimate Girls’ Girl. From helping other women to becoming...

Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Cour 2 is on a roll! 🔥 Season 2 Episode 14 delivers yet again! This week’s episode has it all: a ghost investigation in Lady Lishu’s bathroom, Maomao and Jinshi working together (the crumbs are getting bigger!!!), and yet another confirmed Ali Theory Corner! We’re also talking about the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards and whether The Apothecary Diaries deserves to win An...

This week on Anime for Blondes, we’re recapping The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 13 (Episode 37) — now streaming on Netflix! This episode is truly for the girlies: hot girl showers, girls supporting girls, and Maomao being deeply observant of every woman around her. Naturally, this led us to ask — is Maomao queer coded? We break down Maomao’s character and discuss labels, sexuality, and rep...

It’s the Solo Leveling season 2 finale! Ali’s prediction corner popped off, but Becca’s left somewhat unsatisfied as the conflict is peacefully resolved. The girlies discuss what’s next for their man Jin-Woo and his goals, his slutty little tie, and how Igris deserves a promotion ASAP. 💬 What anime should we cover next? Drop your suggestions in the comments! Join us as we recap Solo Leveling Seas...

It’s our last Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. for a while, and we’re talking comfort foods, manga, and video games (yes, again). 🎮📚🍜 Then, we dive into Apothecary Diaries Episode 36, where we finally get "THE FROG SCENE!" First of all, we've had it with Maomao’s aggressive denial. Is Jinshi (or should we say, Ka Zuigetsu?!) crossing a line, or is this the reasonable crashout we’ve all been waiting for?! Th...

The penultimate episode of Solo Leveling Season 2 is here, and it’s the battle of the season! 💥 Jin-Woo vs. the Ant King—who will come out on top?! 👀 Becca and Ali break down every epic moment, from Jin-Woo’s insane abilities to the most fun ways he could use them. 💬 What did you think of this fight? Did it live up to the hype? Let us know in the comments! Join us as we recap Solo Leveling Seas...

Episode 35 of The Apothecary Diaries might be the best one yet! We’re finally getting everything we’ve been begging for—Jinshi is done with Maomao’s obliviousness, and so are we! In this week’s Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T., we’re diving into: 📚 Historical romance novels we’re obsessed with 🧠 Mental health tools that actually help 🎭 Cosplay plans for our next convention PLUS: Becca is now an official You...

Sorry to our headphone listeners, the audio on this episode got a bit wonky! This week, we’re asking the real question: Did Solo Leveling just rip off Hunter x Hunter?! 👀 But seriously, this week's episode was so crazy, we had to take the full hour just to break it down! For an episode that is side character heavy with barely a Jin-woo cameo, the action is heating up, and we’ve got THOUGHTS on wh...

Sorry to our headphone listeners-- audio is a little wonky on this one! This week’s R.E.P.O.R.T. is BIG—Becca has a major announcement! 🎉 Subscribe to her new YouTube channel here! -- https://youtu.be/Df5dGtnxWhc?si=asd2YWWrMVIw8vF1Meanwhile, Ali has a new obsession and it’s... way too embarrassing to put in this description. In our Apothecary Diaries Episode 34 (S2E10) recap, we somehow have a L...

This week, we’re testing our anime knowledge with a fun anime genre quiz! Do YOU really know the difference between shonen, seinen, shoujo, and josei? Does it even matter? Let’s break it all down in true girly pop fashion! PLUS, things are heating up in Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 10 in a good way AND a bad way. Jin-Woo is being peak boyfriend material and Becca is being really brave facing her...

This week on the podcast, Ali has not one but TWO new guilty pleasures to share, Becca is deep in thought about life’s little things, and both the girlies have new video game obsessions! 🚨 Trigger Warning for The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 9: Discussion of p*dophilia and SA. In our Apothecary Diaries Episode 33 recap, we break down the latest shocking reveals, including another (somewhat...

This week, the girlies finally dive into Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End—aka the best anime of 2024 (yes, we said it). You know we love Solo Leveling, but did Frieren deserve the top spot? Plus, we make a much-needed correction to our Top 10 Anime Boyfriend rankings. In our Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 9 review, we take back all the paranoia from last week (oops), and our faith in Jin-woo Sung is...

Season 2 Episode 8 of Apothecary Diaries has no Jinshi, but that’s okay because this episode is for the girlies. We are invited to tea by the Dowager Empress and find out just how much the previous emperor sucked! In the weekly R.E.P.O.R.T., Becca reveals if Fairydale is worth reading or not, and Ali discovers that even extroverts need some alone time.  Join us as we recap The Apothecary Diaries S...

This week the girlies have decided to take you back to the very beginning of their anime interests, and the "anime adjacent" shows from childhood that eventually lead to this very podcast! They’re also full of theories (and vodka) as they recap Solo Leveling S2E8. Has Jin-woo finally revealed a red flag, or are Ali and Becca being dramatic? Join us as we recap Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 8, bre...

After many weeks of begging for scraps of romance or Jinshi content, the girlies are finally served during this week's episode of Apothecary Diaries. Maomao solves an escape room, and it’s basically confirmed that Jinshi will be the next emperor.  In this week's R.E.P.O.R.T., they discuss internet memes, new artists, and give unsolicited mental health advice!  Join us as we recap The Apothecary Di...

Jin-woo has finally come out of the S Rank closet and CAN'T stop turning down job offers. Also in this episode: Becca introduces Ali to the wonderful world of reddit with a few anime themed AITA and AIO posts. Tune in to hear us give only objectively correct advice and opinions! Join us as we recap Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 7, break down the latest action-packed moments, and share a female pe...

In Apothecary Diaries season 2, episode 6, we get men being used as tools, Mao Mao being a badass, and a mystery finally getting solved. Is the emperor being shady or will this be another non-issue?  this week in the weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. the girlies discuss their Valentine’s Day experiences and get a little sappy about their partners. Join us as we recap The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 5, b...

Happy Galentine’s Day! This week we’re celebrating love and going through our very objective, factual, scientifically deduced Top 10 Anime Boyfriends!  Things are heating up in this week’s episode of Solo Leveling, and we don’t just mean how hot Jin-Woo is. In our recap of season 2 episode 6 we breakdown the battle and discuss new theories about “the System.” Anime for Blondes is created and produ...

We're 5 episodes into The Apothecary Diaries already, can you believe it?! This week: Jinshi slays, Maomao denies, and the western "twin" envoys continue to stir up drama. Plus, trouble’s brewing as Maomao’s secret medicine-making gets risky. We also center ourselves with our weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. and let you in on our current fixations! Hope you enjoy! Join us as we recap The Apothecary Diaries Sea...

On this week’s episode we have our first segment of Anime Adjacent, where we talk about shows that aren’t quite anime, but are close enough! In this episode, Ali is sharing her excitement for the new season of Miraculous Ladybug, and the animation style change. For this week’s Solo Leveling Episode Discussion, Jin-Woo is keeping ALL of us awake at night, including his new blonde love-interest.  Jo...

Happy February! We’re in our Lover era and back with our regularly scheduled program of our weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. Is Ghibli anime? And will Becca ever stop mentioning her birthday? And for the Apothecary Diaries season 2 episode 4 review, Ali is begging for scraps of romance and Becca momentarily forgot how making babies works!  Join us as we recap The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 4, break do...

It’s time for the weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. and some for real self-care talk. Jinwoo has everyone wanting him, including us, and every guild ever. And I do believe there’s a Ship ™️ on the horizon! Not to mention the best female fan service in anime since that one Gojo scene.  Join us as we recap Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 4, break down the latest action-packed moments, and share a female perspectiv...