Girls, Gays, Animes

On this episode of Straight Dude Tries, Danny (like Phantom) gets his first Magical Girl experience! With no other knowledge than 'dark sapphic magical girls' Danny agrees to watch Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Valsaraptor and DokiDokiBunBun guide our resident straight guy through soul gems, contracts, and (clearly lesbian) heartbreak as we walk through the main series including currently rel...

This week, I (Valsaraptor) sit down with the founder of The Juice Box Shop , a small, Black, woman-owned business bringing queer romance, indie flair, and sustainable packaging straight to your doorstep. We chat about yaoi, queer storytelling, and do a live unboxing of two of her bestsellers: 💘 The BL “Date Night with a Manga” Box — a spicy, self-care-packed treat for anyone who loves fictional m...

This episode, Valsaraptor and DokiDokiBunBun hit the theater for the Given movie double feature—and we have some opinions . From angst-filled concerts to quiet crushes and awkward pacing, we break down both films with our usual chaotic love and a lot of spicy commentary. 🎤🔥 We talk about the highs (Akihiko actually apologizing??), the lows (Haruki’s storyline deserves better), and the tonal whip...

This week on the podcast, Valsaraptor teams up with Courtney from Delusional Boyfriend Bookclub to explore the pastel-colored chaos of the iconic Webtoon, Boyfriends by Refrainbow. We go deep on the entire cast—including the super cute Girlfriends! We unpack each character’s archetype, break down their dynamics within the polycule, and talk headcanons, tropes, and everything we love about this sli...

What happens when two straight guys step into the chaotic, rose-petal-filled world of Ouran High School Host Club ? This week, I (Valsaraptor) am joined by BitkingDT and Frankfurter (from Bakaco Podcast) to break down their reactions to this beloved reverse harem classic. We dive into favorite ships, the fandom’s most popular pairings (determined by the sacred texts of fanfiction archives), and th...

What happens when two straight guys step into the chaotic, rose-petal-filled world of Ouran High School Host Club ? This week, I (Valsaraptor) am joined by BitkingDT and Frankfurter (from Bakaco Podcast) to break down their reactions to this beloved reverse harem classic. We dive into favorite ships, the fandom’s most popular pairings (determined by the sacred texts of fanfiction archives), and th...

Ever fallen down the rabbit hole of fanfiction? We have, and we’re taking you with us! In this episode, Valsaraptor , DokiDokiBunBun , and Mim break down where to find fanfics, the different types out there, and the unspoken rules of fandom culture. From Fifty Shades of Grey to H.P. Lovecraft , Star Trek , and yes—even My Immortal —we explore how fanfiction has shaped pop culture, including books...

🎙️ Join hosts Valsaraptor , DokiDokiBunBun , and Mim as they explore the must-watch anime of the 2025 season! From returning favorites ( Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun , My Happy Marriage , Apothecary Diaries ) to fresh releases ( From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! , The Summer Hikaru Died , This Monster Wants to Eat Me ), and even hidden gems ( Tasokare Hotel , Zenshu ), this episod...

🤡🐺🌈 Dive into the Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel universe like never before! In this episode, we explore the chaotic and creative worlds of these shows, uncovering hidden details, deep lore, and some wild speculations. 🎙️ From the phenomenal voice cast—including Blitzo , Moxxie , Millie , and Angel Dust —to the rich mythology and worldbuilding that ties it all together, we cover it all! We’ll al...

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the anime lover in your life? Valsaraptor and Tea are here to save the day with a must-watch 2025 gift-giving guide! Whether they’re into Sailor Moon , Arcane , Hazbin Hotel , or beyond, we’ve got recommendations that go beyond the usual stickers and figures. We’re spotlighting unique gifts from small shops (many with international shipping!) for every anime...

Curious about Dandadan ? Valsaraptor and DokiDokiBunBun break down the hit series, discussing the anime adaptation vs the manga and what the production team left out. From hilarious to heartfelt, we cover why this series resonates with fans. Plus, we explore sub vs dub differences and highlight the standout voice actors and why this series is so gosh-darn-good. Whether you're into quirky roman...

After five long years of anticipation, Junji Ito fans finally got an anime adaptation of Uzumaki ... but did it deliver? In this episode, Valsaraptor, DokiDokiBunBun, and Tea break down the highs and lows of all four episodes, sharing hot takes and behind-the-scenes insights on what went wrong. With condensed storytelling and rushed production leaving much to be desired, we explore how Ito’s chill...

Get ready for some spine-tingling fun as Valsaraptor and Tea tackle the first episode of Uzumaki ! For Junji Ito fan Valsaraptor, it’s a chance to geek out over the master of horror, with fun facts about his life and eerie works like Tomie and even his unexpectedly wholesome Cat Diaries . For Tea, it’s a completely fresh dive into Ito’s twisted universe—and the reactions are priceless. Recorded ri...

Get ready for Halloween with our ultimate list of spooky, creepy, and psychological horror anime and manga! Join Tea and Valsaraptor as we dive into fan favorites like Hellsing , Soul Eater , Dark Gathering , Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun , Shadows House , Ghost Stories , Serial Experiments Lain , Another , and many more. Whether you're into gory thrills, eerie atmospheres, or just some good ol'...

Get ready for some laughs and maybe a few tears (from the audio quality). In this episode, Valsaraptor proves she knows manga better than she knows technology as the audio might make you want to throw your headphones—but stick with us because the content is chef’s kiss ! DokiDokiBunBun, Tea, and Valsaraptor dive into GL/Yuri, spicy (or is it?) romances, slice of life, and more. And don’t miss the...

Join Valsarpator, T, and DokiDokiBunBun as we dive into a variety of WLW/GL/Yuri manga! From high school love stories to adult romances, we review and rank the first volumes of Donuts Under the Crescent Moon , I’m in Love with the Villainess , Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord , and more. Expect surprising twists, like when T didn’t think she liked a manga but gaslit herself into reading the...

In part 2 of our Japan adventure, we explore some of the most iconic and unique destinations! From the bustling streets of Akihabara to the serene temples of Kyoto, and the breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji, we cover it all. We also share our experiences in Jeju Island, Nara, Momiji, Kobe, and Osaka—highlighting the must-visit spots, overrated tourist traps, and our favorite souvenirs. Whether you&#3...

Join Valsaraptor and DokiDokiBunBun as they spill the tea with host Tea about their mouthwatering culinary adventures in Japan! In this first part of a special travel series, they dish on the iconic foods they tasted, from Valsaraptor's obsession with 7/11 egg sandwiches (egg sandos) to BunBun's mixed feelings on fruit sandwiches, a surprising love for cheese coins, and a delightful discov...

In this episode of "Girls, Gays, and Animes," Valsaraptor and Tea, joined by guest host DokiDokiBunBun, dive deep into the world of LGBTQ+ media. We explore everything from manga, danmei, video games, and anime to manhua and manhwa, discussing the growing popularity of these genres and the importance of representation in media. We highlight the presence of LGBTQ+ imagery in iconic series l...

Celebrate Pride Month with "Girls, Gays, and Animes"! This week, Valsaraptor and Tea are back with our straight guy guest for Part 2 of his deep dive into BL (Boys' Love) anime. Normally a fan of shonen anime like Dragon Ball and Bleach, he's exploring the world of BL for the first time. In this episode, we had him watch Yuri on Ice and Sk8 the Infinity . We discuss the impact Yuri...

Celebrate Pride Month with "Girls, Gays, and Animes"! This week, Valsaraptor and Tea bring on a unique guest—a straight guy who’s diving into BL (Boys' Love) anime for the first time. Normally a fan of shonen anime like Dragon Ball and Bleach, our guest is in for a wild ride as he explores the world of BL. In Part 1 of this special, we had him watch Cherry Magic: 30 Years of Virginity...

Join Tea and Valsaraptor as they unravel the mysteries of otaku culture in this exciting episode! 🤓✨ Dive into the essential vocabulary every anime and manga fan should know, and discover the fascinating differences between Japanese (manga), Korean (manhwa), and Chinese (manhua) comics. 📚🇯🇵🇰🇷🇨🇳 Ever heard of the Omegaverse? 🐺🔥 We’ll explain this captivating subgenre and its surprising similar...

He's a 10, but he doesn't ship your favorite 2D characters: He's a 0. Join us as we rank some of our favorite anime hotties (husbandos and waifus) in our latest episode, 'The Hottie 500 '! 🌟 Get ready for a LONG - HOT ride through our favorite amines we meticulously assess each contender's attractiveness, charm, and overall date-ability. From hunky himbos to leggy ladies,...

You ever just buy a manga cause it looked stupid but then you really liked it? Same. In this episode of GGA, your favorite hosts go though some cute romance manga and throw in some comedy as well as some spooky stuff. Comment if you want the full list or if you have other Manga genres you want us to do! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow us on Tiktok for anime memes, manga reviews, an...

Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle is actually based off a fantasy novel by British author Diana Wynne Jones. Her book was first published in 1986 by Greenwillow Books of New York. It was a runner-up for the annual Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and won the Phoenix Award twenty years later. Ghibli took some liberties with the movie and Tea and Valsaraptor dive in to the changes.