Strictly Anime

We discuss our spoiler-free Summer 2024 anime first impressions. The summer season typically has less notable anime releases, but this season seems to be a struggle. We discuss Doga Kobo going hard, CG deer, a BL that just goes for it, and a stepsister anime that didn’t turn out to be a dumpster fire. Plus, we reflect on reaching the 200th episode milestone. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your...

We review the first half of My Hero Academia season 7. The show continues to “get good” with the start of this newest season and we’re thankful for it. We discuss even more Todoroki family drama, how we didn’t think Shigaraki could get any crustier, America’s greatest hero, and all the crazy plot twists and reveals. Plus, Courtney manages to once again analyze Bakugo’s character development. Japan...

We review the fourth part of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. We’re not even at the climax of the story, and yet things are already heating up within Amestris’s borders. We discuss all the factors that are converging rapidly towards the series’ finale, from counter-measures, to traitors, to family feuds where siblings beat each other up for the right to rule their family. Use code STRICTLYANIME f...

We review the third season of Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Karl is finally caught up on this anime, but his journey may not have ended on a high note. We discuss our differing opinions on this season, the focus on Darkness and what we learned about her, and the new mystery that has us yearning for more. Japanese title: Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Use code STRICTLYAN...

We’re strictly chatting. Along with Courtney’s periodic Naruto update, we share our attempt at making omurice, our plans for attending JPop concerts in the coming year, and our thoughts on a fast food/anime collaboration that you could say is quite… SPECIAL. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/...

We review Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc (S4). Did this season achieve its goal? Yes. But did that make it a worthy season? Maybe. We discuss the repetitive nature of this arc, which Hashira got shafted once again, and our favorite moments of hype and comedy. Japanese title: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hashira Geiko-hen Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https...

We review Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Legend of Crimson. The next stop on Karl’s Konosuba journey is the Crimson Demon Village to learn more about Megumin and her chunibyo people. We discuss our differing opinions on the movie, a budding romance, an entertaining but confusing villain, and the epic final fight. Japanese title: Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Movie: Kure...

We review the second season of Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Karl is continuing his journey through Konosuba and witnessing more of the some of the best comedy in anime. We discuss Kazuma’s shame as the group leader, Megumin’s odd choice in names, Darkness’s uncontrollable masochism, and Aqua finally getting to prove she’s not entirely useless. (Or maybe not.) Japanese title: K...

We discuss our anime OVAs and spin-offs wishlists. Anime has its share of elaborate storylines with unresolved or missing pieces that could only exist in headcanon - which is where an OVA or spin-off can come in to save the day. We sort through some notable anime that could greatly reap the benefits of fruitful bonus material. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://t...

We review the third part of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. More than halfway through the show, we find ourselves with so many questions left unanswered. We discuss all the new discoveries, whether our theories were right or wrong, why the Elric brothers get to roam free, and who we think has the biggest plot armor so far. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://tea...

We play anime trivia with ChatGPT. What started as a serious idea turned into the most botched anime trivia ever. Join us as we test our anime knowledge, fact check the answers, and doubt the potential of AI. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast: https://www.patreo...

We’re strictly chatting. We share a life update, talk about a One Piece meme, give our ratings for Spy x Family Code: White, and Courtney updates us on her Naruto progress. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/4Rnq4GTePP Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thestrictlyseries Website: htt...

We discuss our spoiler-free Spring 2024 anime first impressions. With very different shows on our respective watch lists, our opinions on this season are also pretty different. Which anime do we feel are promising? Which anime are already a disappointment? And why is Courtney already addicted to Wind Breaker? Join us as we answer these questions and share all our thoughts on this season’s anime! U...

We review the second part of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Our first-time journey through this beloved anime continues to surprise us with new discoveries and crazy plot twists. We discuss fathers, Winry’s dumb decision, Edward’s strand of hair, and continue to ponder whether our predictions will be correct. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat....

We discuss the biggest clowns in anime. There are the kind of clowns that wear face paint, make balloon art, and scare kids at birthday parties. And then there are clowns who are stupid, cringe, and make total fools of themselves. We’re sharing our picks for anime characters who are not just clowns, but the entire circus. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.t...

We review the first season of Solo Leveling. We’ll admit, we were a bit apprehensive about this anime after hearing all the hype from manhwa readers (flashbacks to Tower of God). Luckily, the hype was real and we got an anime adaption that we thoroughly enjoyed. We discuss blending game mechanics with the real world, power systems, and Jinwoo suddenly becoming hot. Japanese title: Ore dake Level U...

We review the third part of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. The exam arc continues with a new supporting cast of strong magic potential - but a different kind of magic happens with the lessons this series continues to impart along the way. We discuss the amazing fights coupled with the equally impactful quiet moments, the simple but sweet season finale, and the proper way to pronounce “labyrinth.”...

We discuss our favorite supporting characters in anime. These are the characters that sometimes don’t get the recognition they deserve, despite contributing to how the main characters develop and helping to shape the course of a story. We’re honoring the real ones, and sharing our favorites and the impact they left on us and their respective anime. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #Tok...

We review the first part of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The time has come for us to become true weebs, to learn why this anime has held the top spot on MAL, and to finally understand what happened to Nina Tucker. Join us as we experience FMAB for the very first time! Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: http...

We discuss the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. It's time to roll out the red (or orange?) carpet as we celebrate "anime's biggest night of the year." But just how jubilant do we feel about the handling of the event itself, or the choice of recipients for these accolades? Join us as we compare our picks against the night's big winners, whilst celebrating our own milestone with the 4-year a...

Returning to the podcast is Brian from TV and Movie Trivia Podcast to discuss Steins;Gate! It’s about time we watched this highly rated anime, but nothing could prepare us for gel bananas, chuunibyous, and Mayuri’s “tutturus.” Luckily Brian is here to help us make sense of things, including wrapping our heads around time travel and the way it unfolds in the story. Check out TV and Movie Trivia Pod...

It’s the premiere of a new type of discussion episode! In this recurring series, we’re strictly chatting and no topic is off limits. We chat about anything and everything, including anime that we’re watching (but not planning to review), figures and merch, sports, and Courtney’s first time watching Naruto. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/st...

We play Marry, Bang, Kill with anime characters. It’s the first time we’re playing this game in a long time (and playing it sober). The pressure is on as we force ourselves to choose between three anime characters, deciding which we would destroy, which we would sleep with, and which we would commit to for life. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat....

We review Tokyo Revengers: Tenjiku Arc (S3). Despite flying under the radar much like its predecessor, this season of Tokyo Revengers revved us up in driving Takemichi’s story to what felt like its conclusion, when it turns out there are still events left to be unfolded and questions left to be answered. We weave through the highs and lows of the Kanto Incident while continuing to suspend the disb...

We review the second season of Spy x Family. It’s more of the same this season, until it’s not when the Forger’s take a luxury cruise vacation. We discuss Yuri’s comedic timing, Loid feeling more like a family man, and Yor finally getting her chance to shine. Use code STRICTLYANIME for $5 off your first #TokyoTreat box: https://team.tokyotreat.com/strictlyanime Join our Discord: https://discord.gg...