Bento Radio

Alex dives into Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2, reflecting on the show’s pivot from Season 1’s tragic ambition to a darker meditation on vengeance, humanity, and redemption. After a brief apology for a botched recording last week and a plug for his Bento Watch app beta on bento-box.ghost.io, Alex outlines the new cast—Wee (a legendary mercenary trying to rebuild after spiraling), Dee (a netrunner...

sorry no episode this week my mic wasn't working properly. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Bentail Radio, recorded on October 15, 2026, host Alex dives into Svetlana Chmakova’s acclaimed three-volume original English-language (OEL) manga Dramacon , unpacking its depiction of romance, creative ambition, and early-2000s American anime fandom. Alex examines how the first anime bubble and publishers like TOKYOPOP shaped the OEL category, contrasting authentic artistic exp...

n this episode, Alex offers his seasonal preview of what he’s watching for the Fall 2026 anime lineup. He kicks things off with a highly anticipated remake of a '90s classic, Magic Knight Rayearth , discussing the legacy of its creator, Clamp, and their early influence on the isekai genre. Alex explores how this female-led fantasy epic might be reinterpreted for a modern audience, especially c...

In this episode of Bentel Radio, Alex presents a detailed analysis of the third season of Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation and the controversial nature of its protagonist, Rudeus Greyrat. He argues that much of the fan criticism misses the point of the character, who is written not as an ideal to aspire to, but as a complex individual grappling with the trauma and isolation of his past life....

In this episode, Alex explores Demons of the Shadow Realm, positioning Hiro Arakawa’s newest manga and anime adaptation within the broader arc of her career—from the comedic, edutainment charm of Silver Spoon to the enduring legacy of Fullmetal Alchemist. After a plot overview featuring twins Yuru and Asa, demon contracts, and warring factions, Alex dives into audience expectations and the pitfall...

In this episode of Bentail Radio, host Alex offers an overwhelmingly positive review of the new Ghost in the Shell adaptation from Science SARU and director Mokaochan. Alex argues that this series finally breaks free from the self-serious, contemplative tone set by Mamoru Oshii's iconic 1995 film, which has heavily influenced nearly every subsequent adaptation, including Stand Alone Complex and Ar...

In this episode of Bento Radio, host Alex takes a deep dive into the 1989 anime film Rojuin Z , the lesser-known but fascinating follow-up project from Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo. The discussion kicks off with a look at the central question: what happens after you create the work you'll forever be known for? Alex explores how legendary creators like Otomo, Hayao Miyazaki, and Hideaki Anno conti...

In this episode, Alex dives deep into Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway’s second film, The Sorcery of Nymph Circe, examining how it confronts Gundam’s long-standing tension between “war is bad” and dazzling mecha spectacle. After a plot synopsis, Alex explores the franchise’s core moral ambiguity—where antagonists aren’t always wrong, just wrong in method—drawing parallels across Universal Century and A...

In this episode, Alex explores the evolving experience of Anime NYC 2026, weaving together a relaxed Day 4 recap with broader reflections on convention culture. He breaks down a Crunchyroll multi-title screening—A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special (Season 2 Episode 1), Reincarnated as a Slime, FX Fighter Kurumi, Tomb Raider King, and Reincarnated as Space Mercenary—calling out FX Fighter Kurumi f...

Anime NYC is back for its second year as a four-day convention—but does it really need that extra day? After a much busier Thursday than last year, I break down the crowds, the Dealer’s Room, Netflix’s showcase, and why Sunday might actually be the best day to experience the con. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Alex examines “The Ninth Jedi,” the new full-length series expanding a beloved Star Wars Visions short, arguing that its relentless pace sacrifices the essential “ma” — the spaces in between — that make stories and characters resonate. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

n this episode, Alex dives into Otome Youkai Zakuro (2010), a supernatural romance set in an alternate Meiji-era Japan where rapid westernization strains the relationship between humans and yokai. After a brief plot synopsis from I, Alex situates the series within a pivotal moment in anime history—spanning the late 1990s through the early 2010s—when oversaturation, attachment licensing, piracy, an...

In this episode, Alex dives into the latest animated Avatar: The Last Airbender film, using its story about an adult Aang as a jumping-off point for a larger conversation about “American anime.” He traces how shows like Avatar and the original Teen Titans stood apart from traditional American cartoons by blending episodic adventures with long-term character arcs and anime-inspired storytelling. Al...

In this episode, Alex contrasts Tanya the Evil with Jobless Reincarnation, exploring how isekai handles wish fulfillment, morality, and consequences. He examines media literacy around fascist imagery, the allure of “cool” war narratives, and what makes character growth feel earned. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

In this episode, Alex explores the long, twisting legacy of Ghost in the Shell and why the newest 2026 series might feel “weird” to long-time anime-only fans. Framing the conversation around Masamune Shirow’s original manga, Alec contrasts its playful, pressure-releasing humor with Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 film, which delivered a tightly focused, somber, and self-serious vision centered on Section 9 an...

In this episode, Alex explores how My Hero Academia evolves from a hopeful shonen into a complex critique of hero society, systemic failure, mental health, and the cycles of violence that create villains. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Alex dives into his most anticipated shows for the Summer 2026 anime season, offering a thoughtful mix of returning heavy-hitters and daring newcomers. After a quick update on studio heat woes and a reminder to subscribe, review, and visit bento-box.ghost.io, Alex frames the episode around how early screenings at conventions like Anime NYC (which he’ll be covering with full press...

In this episode of Bento Radio, I take a deep dive into one of the year’s most fascinating fantasy anime and explore why Witch Hat Atelier resonates so strongly with artists and creative people. We discuss its beautiful worldbuilding, its thoughtful magic system, the importance of apprenticeship, and what the series has to say about learning, teaching, and mastering a craft. Along the way, I compa...

His and Her Circumstances is unlike any other romance anime from it's time but it's also how you get shows like Horimiya and out and I are Polar Opposites to name a few and that's befor you deal with the fact that it's the thing that Ginax made and Hideki Anno directed after Evangelion and you already have the reason to watch it Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on A...

This week on Bento Radio, Alex takes a look at Dead Account, a supernatural battle shonen built around haunted social media accounts, digital ghosts, and internet culture. While the premise is surprisingly interesting, the series struggles under the weight of its influences. The episode explores how modern shonen evolved from Dragon Ball to Hunter x Hunter, Naruto, and Jujutsu Kaisen, and examines...

In this episode of Bento Radio, Alex finally dives into Serial Experiments Lain, a landmark anime that has spent decades building a reputation as one of the medium’s most challenging and prophetic works. What begins as a discussion of a quiet middle school girl drawn into the Wired quickly becomes an exploration of how Lain anticipated many of the questions that define life online today. From soci...

n this episode, Alex critiques the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, arguing they’ve become a popularity contest. He outlines concrete fixes to restore prestige, improve voting, and elevate winner publicity. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Alex explores the litRPG phenomenon Dungeon Crawler Carl, the cross-pollination between anime and Western media, and why depicting raw, volatile anger in characters matters. Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.