Baka Banter Anime Podcast

What anime is most deserving of a sequel that hasn't received one? Ionatan and Ravi discuss which aspects of a series dictate whether they'd like to see a continuation produced or not before giving their personal selections for highly desired sequels in the medium. They cover action-filled franchises like 'Jojo's Bizarre Adventure' and 'Magi' as well as other favorites like 'Chihayafuru' and 'Blac...

Science Saru are responsible for some of the most creative and visually appealing anime in the medium, often working with talented directors and a global staff to bring these works to life. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's founding by Masaaki Yuasa and Eunyoung Choi as well as the direction it has taken in the years since then. Then, they pick their top five Science Saru anime, from personall...

'Death Parade' is an exploration of the moral ambiguity that comes with attempting to judge human life after death. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, discussing the short film that it's based on as well as how it attempts to balance an episodic format containing various independent narratives, lore and worldbuilding, and fulfilling character arcs for its protagonists.

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they’re watching this winter! They discuss sequels for 'Solo Leveling' and 'The Apothecary Diaries,' underwhelming adaptations and originals like 'Sakamoto Days' and 'Zenshu,' and a few hidden gems such as 'Flower and Asura.'

Ionatan and Ravi take a look back at anime in 2024! They give their final thoughts on each season from the previous year, compare between different annual anime awards, and pick their winners for each award category from best opening to anime of the year.

'One Piece' is one of the largest franchises in anime and manga, following the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the world's greatest treasure. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, starting at the beginning with the East Blue saga. They outline their plans for covering Eiichiro Oda's story in its entirety, share their personal experiences with 'One Piec...

Ionatan and Ravi round out 2024 by answering listener questions from the mailbag. They discuss their least favorite anime, guests they would love to interview for an episode, their ideal anime productions, and much more! Then, they take a look back at the fourth year of the podcast.

Anime song is a genre of music originating from Japanese pop and released primarily for the anime market. Ionatan and Ravi break down the history of anime song, from early influences resulting in the theme for 'Astro Boy' to the massive global popularity of tracks such as 'Homura' and 'Idol' in recent years. Then, they discuss the production process for anime opening and ending sequences, includin...

'Land of the Lustrous' is a masterpiece that tells a complex and multifaceted story about what it means to be human. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, breaking down Haruko Ichikawa's work by discussing both the anime adaptation by Orange and the entirety of the manga, themes of change and existentialism accompanied by Buddhist philosophy, and the journey of an incredibly compelling prota...

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this fall! They discuss the highs and lows of the season, from popular new series like 'Dandadan' and 'Blue Box' to the return of 'Re:Zero' and 'Ranma ½' to massive disappointments such as 'Uzumaki' and 'Blue Lock.'

A-1 Pictures has produced a wide variety of anime, from series designed for mass appeal to more experimental works where creators are allowed to push the boundaries of the stories they tell. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's connection to Aniplex as well as its reputation within the anime community. Then, they pick their top five A-1 Pictures anime, from personal favorites like 'Kaguya-sama' a...

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Andrew Liptak, a historian and member of the 501st Legion, to discuss the history of cosplay. They break down 'Cosplay: A History,' his book detailing how cosplay became a mainstream force and what it says about the relationships fans have with the stories they love. Then, they talk about the intersection of cosplay and anime as well as his other work as a journalist...

Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the anime adaptations of two works by Taiyo Matsumoto: 'Tekkonkinkreet' and 'Ping Pong the Animation.' They discuss Matsumoto's career as a mangaka, including the broad range of topics he covers and how he crafts narratives that are simultaneously grounded in reality and remarkably imaginative. Then, they explore the themes and characters in two...

Ionatan and Ravi discuss Ionatan's weekend at Anime NYC 2024! They cover panels for 'Dandadan' with Kensuke Ushio and 'Haikyu!!' as well as a screening of 'Macross Plus' with Shoji Kawamori. Then, they have a broader conversation about what they look forward to most when attending anime conventions and plans for future live podcast appearances.

What makes an original work stand out as opposed to an adaptation? Ionatan and Ravi discuss their love of original projects where artists can creatively express themselves before giving their personal recommendations for the best original anime that the medium has to offer. They cover various original titles including popular entries such as 'Death Parade' and 'Lycoris Recoil' and...

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this summer! They discuss a surprisingly deep season full of incredible productions, from the return of 'Oshi no Ko' and 'Monogatari' to romantic comedies like 'Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian' and 'Too Many Losing Heroines!' to adaptations that elevate their source material like &#...

Science fiction makes use of futuristic concepts in order to deliver prescient stories about humanity and the trajectory of society. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the history and development of science fiction both globally and in Japan. Then, they dive into three series that highlight the diversity of the genre, including explorations of the intersection between personal identity and technology in &#3...

Ionatan and Ravi are back for another tournament arc, this time filling out a couple ship bracket! They discuss what aspects of romantic relationships in anime resonate with them and why shipping can be a contentious topic among many fandoms before debating which of the top 32 couples deserves to come out on top.

Production I.G is a prolific studio known for its extensive catalog of works in the science fiction and sports genres. Ionatan and Ravi discuss how roots at Tatsunoko Production combined with the unprecedented success of 'Ghost in the Shell' enabled a unique company structure compared to the rest of the industry. Then, they pick their top five Production I.G anime, from movies like 'Pa...

'Vinland Saga' is a modern classic that uses the historical setting of the Viking Age to tell a thought-provoking epic. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, breaking down each season in the anime adaptation of Makoto Yukimura's manga by discussing the meticulous crafting of the world, the wide variety of compelling characters, and how the narrative supports its central themes of...

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this spring! They discuss how varied this anime season is, from studio changes for the 'KonoSuba' and 'Yuru Camp' sequels as well as the 'Spice and Wolf' remake to new series such as 'Kaiju No. 8' and 'Wind Breaker' to the return of Kyoto Animation's 'Hibike! Euphonium.'

Bones is synonymous with a high level of quality, whether that is showcased in action sequences in popular battle shounen or in bringing to life creative original works. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's founding by Sunrise staff members and how their early works like the 'Cowboy Bebop' movie and 'Fullmetal Alchemist' laid the foundation for future productions made with an...

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Zach Logan, host and founder of The One Piece Podcast, to discuss anime podcasting. They cover the early days of the podcast and how it's grown over the past 15 years to now have a wide variety of guests, related podcasts, and even a documentary filmed in Japan. Then, they talk about what makes 'One Piece' such a beloved franchise, personal favorites from...

Mari Okada is one of the most prolific writers in the anime industry, known not only for screenplay and series composition roles but also for her work as a mangaka and director. Ionatan and Ravi discuss Mari Okada's personal story as told in her autobiography before giving some overarching thoughts on her extensive writing credits. Then, they explore how her two directed films, 'Maquia&#39...

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Aurélie Petit, a doctoral candidate in film studies at Concordia University, to discuss the intersection between technology, gender, and sexuality as it relates to anime. They break down her research on the history of animated pornography, how online anime communities have developed exclusionary practices towards women, and the role that artificial intelligence plays...