Spiraken Review Podcast

Xan dives into the wild, insanely fun world of Phantom Busters by NeoShoco This paranormal buddy comedy follows a straight-A student who doesn't believe in ghosts, an exorcist who swallows them whole, and a club that's anything but normal. Does the hype around this unique concept live up to the reading experience? We break down the insane elements, the humor, and the dynamic that makes this series...

Xan sets sail into the unique fantasy world of Galaxias by Ao Hatesaka This alternate-world adventure follows Jio, a girl hidden from the world by her father, and Nereid, a mysterious amnesiac. Together, they must navigate a world where dragon-tailed beings exist alongside humans, and where a living legend named Yuri Holst may hold the key to their future. Does this buddy-cop dynamic and unique se...

Xan takes a critical look at the sci-fi manga Rai Rai Rai by Yoshiaki This fast-paced series follows a struggling space exterminator who gets abducted and implanted with a deadly alien entity. While the premise has potential, the execution feels overly familiar—with artwork that echoes other artists and a story that never quite finds its own identity. Is this mid-tier sci-fi worth your time? We br...

Xan dives into the long-awaited manga Billy Bat by the legendary Naoki Urasawa (creator of 20th Century Boys, Monster, and Pluto) with co-author Takashi Nagasaki Set in post-WWII America and Japan, this mystery follows a cartoonist who discovers that his creation may be connected to an ancient, world-shaping force. Does this series stand alongside Urasawa's iconic works? We break down the incredib...

Xan explores the world of high school yuri romance with Rainbows After Storms by Ruka Kobachi This series follows best friends turned secret lovers as they navigate the highs and lows of their hidden relationship. While the concept is sweet and the main characters are undeniably adorable, the plot falls into a familiar pattern that repeats chapter after chapter. Is it worth reading? We break down...

Xan returns to the enchanting world of Witch Hat Atelier with its culinary spin-off, Witch Hat Atelier Kitchen by Hiromi Sato based on the series created by Kamome Shirahama. This cookbook-manga hybrid invites readers into Qifrey's atelier after hours, where magical experiments take a delicious turn. Is this a worthy addition to the franchise? We break down the recipes, the art, and our honest fee...

Xan dives into the bizarre and thought-provoking world of Bug Ego by ONE (creator of One Punch Man) with art by Kiyoto Shitara. This sci-fi manga follows two students who discover "hacks" that can alter reality itself—with dark and unpredictable consequences. Does this strange, Black Mirror-esque story deliver on its mind-bending premise? We break down the weirdness. ----more---- In This Episode:...

Xan finally reviews an iconic cornerstone of manga: Lone Wolf & Cub by Kazuo Koike with art by Goseki Kojima.   Now presented in a gorgeous new deluxe hardcover edition from Dark Horse Comics, this groundbreaking gekiga classic follows a disgraced samurai and his young son on a path of vengeance. Does it still hold up after all these years? We explore its enduring power. ----more---- In This E...

Xan ventures into the unsettling world of Grim Night Tales by Yamayu with art by Kensei Hokamoto, a horror anthology praised by none other than Junji Ito himself. Based on two decades of collected real-life hauntings from across Japan, this Seven Seas Entertainment release promises spine-tingling terror. Does it live up to the hype? We break down the basic setup and share our honest thoughts. ----...

Xan explores the heartfelt world of In the Clear Moonlit Dusk by Mika Yamamori, a romantic comedy that follows two "princes" who discover there's more to each other than their striking appearances. This series captures honest emotions, genuine vulnerability, and a captivating slow-burn dynamic between Yoi and Kohaku. Is it worth the read? We dive in. In This Episode: Discussing the honest, tender...

Xan dives into the charming world of Akira Failing in Love by Shinta Harekawa, a fun rom-com about a girl whose awkwardness around her crush is matched only by her determination. This series wears its heart on its sleeve and its tropes proudly. Is it worth the read? We break down the sweet nature behind the familiar beats. In This Episode: A look at the numerous tropes that power this endearing ro...

Xan enters the arena of Liar Liar by Funa Yukia (original story by Haruki Kuou), ----more---- a light novel adaptation manga centered on mind games, deception, and a dose of fan service. Set on an island where everything is settled through strategic "Games," this series follows a transfer student who stumbles into the role of pseudo-strongest. Is it worth navigating, or does it feel like a game we...

Xan explores the boundary between sexy storytelling and simple ecchi with Virgin Ventures: The Hilarious Hijinks of Erotic Amateurs by Kuroseimu. ----more---- This manga follows an inexperienced duo attempting to write erotic fiction despite having zero real-world experience. Is it worth reading as a story, or does it tip over into porn with plot? We break down the laughs, the cringe, and the surp...

Xan takes aim at Love Bullet by Inee, ----more---- a new shojo manga that reimagines cupids as gun-toting matchmakers with a modern edge. Does this quirky premise deliver a bullseye, or does it miss its target entirely? We break down the confusing narrative, oddly low-energy pacing, and where this mid-tier story lands. In This Episode: A spoiler-light discussion of the story's unique but muddled e...

Xan returns to a cornerstone of shojo manga: Ai Yazawa's Nana. ----more---- Twenty-five years after its debut, this quintessential story of two young women—both named Nana, both chasing dreams in Tokyo—remains a cultural touchstone. Does it hold up? We revisit this groundbreaking series in its new sprayed-edge omnibus edition and compare it to our original review. In This Episode: A spoiler-light...

For our 625th episode, Xan returns to a seinen landmark: Old Boy Deluxe Edition by Garon Tsuchiya and Nobuaki Minegishi. Famous for its explosive 2013 film adaptation, this brutal noir thriller asks whether a story about revenge, confinement, and raw desperation ages like fine wine or crumbles under its own weight. We revisit our original review and see how it holds up. In This Episode: A spoiler-...

Xan dives into the deliciously predictable world of Assassin & Cinderella by Yuzo Natsuno,   an ecchi shojo where a spy and an assassin trade bullets for wedding vows. Does this Square Enix title follow the Spy x Family blueprint, or does it carve its own path by adding a generous helping of spice? We break down the art, the tension, and the tropes. ----more---- In This Episode: Appreciating t...

Xan ventures into the grim world of Centuria by Tohru Kuramori, a dark fantasy manga that has drawn inevitable comparisons to Berserk. With its brutal opening, eldritch horrors, and a protagonist burdened by 100 stolen lives, does this newcomer topple the king of grimdark, or does it land somewhere in the middle? We tread carefully—keeping the mystery intact. In This Episode: A measured look at th...

Xan explores the world of J-pop fandom with Tamon's B-Side by Yuki Shiwasu, a shojo series that peels back the glittering curtain of idol life. When a devoted fangirl discovers her favorite idol is actually a gloomy, insecure mess behind the scenes, she becomes determined to support him—whether he likes it or not. In This Episode: Breaking down the lexicon of the J-pop fan world and how the series...

In this episode, Xan plugs into the world of Night City once more with Cyberpunk Edgerunners Madness by Bartosz Sztybor with art by Asano. This manga prequel to the acclaimed Netflix anime series follows Rebecca and her brother Pilar as they claw their way toward becoming legendary edgerunners. Strap in for a chaotic ride through the City of Dreams. ----more---- In This Episode: Following the mani...

In this episode, Xan enrolls in Kindergarten Wars by You Chiba, a shonen action-comedy that takes the "assassins at school" premise and cranks it up to eleven. Set in a kindergarten for VIP children where the teachers are ex-criminals working off their sentences, this manga knows exactly what it is—and runs with it. Does it carve its own identity, or does it feel too familiar? Let's find out. ----...

n this episode, Xan examines I Want To Escape From Princess Lessons by Izumi Sawano (Author), Uri Sugata (Illustrator), and Miru Yumesaki (Contributor). What begins as a familiar "princess in training" setup quickly evolves into something far more complicated—a story about captivity dressed in romantic clothing. We unpack its tangled dynamics. ----more---- In This Episode: Discussing the unsettlin...

In this episode, Xan dives into Magical Midlifer by Maki, a new manga that flips the magical girl genre on its head. Instead of sparkly teenagers, we follow middle-aged men working behind the scenes to clean up the mess—literally. Is this a fresh, clever subversion or a story that leans too heavily on familiar tropes? We break it down. ----more---- In This Episode: Analyzing the unique premise of...

In this episode, Xan revisits a legendary seinen series originally reviewed way back in Episode 102 by former co-host Kal. City Hunter by Tsukasa Hojo  follows Ryo Saeba, a "Sweeper" who cleans up Tokyo's underworld while chasing beautiful women, and his partner Kaori, who keeps him in check with a giant hammer. Does this new Kana omnibus edition elevate the classic, or does the original review st...

In this episode, Xan dives into the hot new Shonen Jump sensation, Ichi the Witch, by Osamu Nishi with art by Shiro Usazaki. This series follows Ichi, a feral boy who becomes the world's first male witch. Does this hit have the magic to become one of the "New Big Three"? We analyze its unique premise, stunning artwork, and shonen potential. In This Episode: A light spoiler look at the first chapte...