Not Just Tentacles

Rachael and Ruth examine Netflix's controversial adaptation of Death Note, starring Willem Dafoe. Rachael is anti, Ruth is pro. Will Rachael's wardrobe stay intact long enough for them to complete the recording?

Season 2 of Helluva Boss is out later this month! Rachael and Ruth fill you in on the story of Hell’s most dysfunctional startup, a lovelorn owl and a spellbook.

Rachael and Ruth take a look at the history of yuri and yaoi, including the life of Japanese national treasure and pioneer of lesbian fiction Nobuko Yoshiya.

Kae is a shy, plump, BL obsessed geek - until her favourite character is killed off and she grieves herself thin. Now she’s a babe, four guys and a total goddess like her! What’s a girl to do? Rachael and Ruth review the popular shoujo anime for our second Pride episode.

Struggling musician Shuichi meets aloof romance novelist Yuki in Maki Murakami’s millennial BL. It was one of Rachael’s formative manga - but is it any cop?

Letty isn’t your typical dragon. He can’t fly, can’t breathe fire, can’t fend for himself - and now he’s homeless. How is he supposed to manage in the big bad world? Enter Dearia, a morally pragmatic elvish architect …

Remember when Donald Trump bought the Death Note? Rachael reviews the freaking weird one shots set in the Death Note universe.

Rachael mulls over Orange, the speculative fiction romantic drama. Will Naho be able to save her would be love Kakeru - and more to the point, should she?

In this episode Rachael and Ruth explore the universe of Space Battleship Tiramisu, a space opera featuring talking pubic hairs, a rip-off of The Force and a giant Chihuahua.

In a change of pace, Rachael looks at the autobiographical slice of life anime by Honda. BL fans, gamers and yakuza - Honda gets them all in her store.

Rachael and Ruth debate the merits (or lack thereof) of Ryosuke Takeuchi’s steampunk reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes series. Ruth has Views.

Thanks to certain comments made at the Oscars, Rachael ponders why people persist in thinking animation is for kids. Trigger warning: British animated films, particularly (brrr) Watership Down. Also: why is animation often reserved for comedies?

Rachael looks back at CLAMP’s Magical Girlfriend anime, where cram student Hideki meets and falls for Chi, a mysterious amnesiac persocom. Does it stand the test of time?

A Death Note Musical? Sounds crazy, you know? Well, actually it slaps. Rachael and Ruth analyse Frank Wildhorn’s rock musical of the manga franchise, which isn’t anywhere near as well known as it deserves.

Rachael and Ruth look at one of anime’s most fraught debates, subs vs dubs. Contains tangents, accents and assorted ambles down Memory Lane.

Rachael and Ruth geek out about My Hero Academia, Kohei Horikoshi’s epic superhero saga. Can Izuku Midoriya, Quirkless fanboy, follow in the footsteps of his idol All Might and become the world’s greatest hero? Contains swearing, impressions and big stinky pizza.

It's the Not Just Tentacles Valentine's Day special! Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki can't believe his luck when his idol, Russian champion Victor Nikiforov, shows up naked in his family's hot spring and offers to coach him. It doesn't help that Yuri has an enormous crush on him - which shows every sign of being reciprocated! Can our hero win both the gold and Victor's heart? Rachael and Ruth...

It’s the biggest battle of them all! Rachael debates which is better, manga or anime, and how it’s incredibly difficult to pick a side - and do you even want to? Contains spoilers of various franchises.

Rachael and Ruth examine Saburouta's infamous yuri anime. Yuzu and Mei meet at school and fall in mutual loathing with a hint of gay. Problem is, Mei's dad has married Yuzu's mom! And the stepsisters now have to share a bed! We'll be asking, does this anime have anything to offer the modern lesbian?  Contains strong language. And bad accents. 

In a change from the normal format, Rachael answers the questions people have asked her most, from BL to weeabos!

Rachael and the lovely Ruth discuss Bisco Hatori’s screwball romcom. Contains spoilers and evil fangirl laughter.

Rachael fangirls about her beloved Death Note and why if you should watch any anime, it should be this one. Contains spoilers and bad, bad voice acting.

So what’s this all about, then? Rachael sums up the mission statement of Not Just Tentacles.

It’s a Christmas special (of sorts!) Rachael examines Tokyo Ghoul and how it fails to live up to the promise of its premise. Includes character assassination, bad impressions and singing. You have been warned.

Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop was launched with a bang, but has been cancelled with more of a whimper. Which leads Rachael to ponder: why is the original 1998 space western/noir so revered?