Written by Zack Lowe
Weekly Podcast Review
This week, Anime 82, Episode 39 (http://anime82.blogspot.com ):
Why Anime 82?
I found this podcast and blog linked from www.anime3000.com and thought I’d start here. I’d also heard it plugged somewhere else (probably from the Anime World Order podcast). I’ve heard Regan Strongblood’s name bandied about and thought he’d be as good as anyone to start with (I’m glad I did, but more on that later).
Initial thoughts…
Why is there no iTunes link? I’d like to have this download automatically each week so I can take a podcast this long on the road.
I love everyone I know, who is involved in the podcast this week. I’ll listen to anything with Daryl Surat and Gerald Rathkolb.
Based on his blog, which can be found at the same site, I have similar thoughts as Regan Strongblood. I think I’m in for a treat with this podcast. This could be an undiscovered gem…
Opening thoughts…
Wow, I’m in for something new! Cool, I’m excited!
Special guests from Anime Pacific and Anime World Order…. Nice! Can’t wait to hear their thoughts, especially the AWO crew who I am comfortable and familiar with.
Host Regan Strongblood intends to ask his guests eleven questions in a row. He wants to hear his guests (who he respects greatly) express their different opinions. Sounds like the perfect host for a roundtable discussion.
The podcast intro is getting a bit long… let’s get to the material at hand, ok?
There will be six people total on this podcast… is that too many to keep track of? Also, the podcast seems like it would work better as a roundtable discussion. As it stands, each guest recorded their answers to Regan’s questions individually. I guess this is a bit easier because it lends itself better to people’s individual schedules, but this is a bit disappointing to me.
Regan gives his email address to the listeners (
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) … he’s very enthusiastic about email from listeners and feedback… He also has a ton of anime that he’s willing to share. Claims to reply via email consistently… Sounds like he’s really in-tuned to his listeners. I like this!
Before things begin, he warns audience that this will be a special show… I’m ready for things to begin!
Oh no! False start again! Argh! Just get to the podcast!
Finally… introductions… let’s get to the good stuff.
On to the podcast (finally!)…
Quote time! “The man who… carries the anime love.” – Regan Strongblood. I like this guy.
Ahh the familiar voice of Gerald Rathkolb (www.animeworldorder.com)… I am always interested in Gerald’s perspective, as we both share a deep affinity for Wings of Honneamise.
Jeff Tatarek (lathersblather.blogspot.com… available on iTunes as well) is another guest on Regan’s show as well as a familiar blogger/podcaster to me. I like the sound of his voice. He seems to have his stuff together. Looking forward to what he has to say!
Phillip from the UK is another guest this week… He’s also known as “Eeeper” and runs the Eeepers Choice podcast (www.eeeperschoice.com) … I admit to not knowing much about him. Perhaps his ‘cast needs a future review?
Dane from Anime Pacific (http://animepacific.blogspot.com) is next. I’ve followed some of his work in the past. He’s another blogger/podcaster who seems to have tastes similar to my own. It’s like everyone on this podcast is relatable. This is a good thing for a new listener. I feel comfortable.
Finally, we have Daryl Surat (www.animeworldorder.com) … it should be noted that he also plugged Otaku Magazine (www.otakuusamagazine.com) as he is a frequent writer/contributor to that magazine. Daryl Surat is one of the most complicated, love-him-or-hate-him (and I love him) personalities in modern day fandom/blogging/podcasting. His opinions are a large part of why I’m tuned in.
Some Sample Questions…
Question 1: How did you get into anime? This question is appropriate for the first in a series of twelve. It’s probably also a good way to introduce newer users to the tastes of the guests and the host. The format of six people answering each question may just get kind of lengthy, especially if there are going to be twelve questions. I think I’m in for a long, long listen.
Some pretty great answers for question one… Jeff Tatarek is talking about how he got into anime by seeing Yamato, Castle of Cagliostro, etc in 1988 or 1989… this is all good stuff. I’d love to have a conversation with this guy. Maybe sit down with a cup of coffee. He’s got a real nice way about him. Seems like a genuinely good and decent person. I’m also always fascinated by some of the “old schoolers” and their stories.
Daryl Surat and Golgo 13… I will never tire of hearing Daryl talk about Golgo 13. He’s got to be the only person in America following this long-running series. Daryl is infinitely listenable, funny, and edgy. He spent his formative internet experiences researching “Japanimation” … how many of us did this? I know I can remember looking up Akira and Dragonball on a 14.4 modem in 1996 at a friend’s house.
What is Gerald’s favorite genre of anime? Science fiction of course! Shows that involve space and “mechanical things” pique his interest. Mospeada, Bubblegum Crisis… anything with a space battle is what he craves. He calls it a dying genre, and sounds kind of sad and wistful in his words. Is Gerald a product of a bygone time? Interestingly, Gerald is not a real big fan of science fiction outside of anime, like say Babylon 5 or Star Trek. But science-fiction anime is his favorite.
I’d like to hear more about Dane’s experiences living in Japan. Maybe I should start listening to Anime Pacific (note: I added it to my podcast list via iTunes almost immediately)? Dane also likes “police procedural” anime… wow! I think of Law and Order or CSI when I hear “police procedural.” Dane thinks Patlabor. That’s really interesting.
Continuing thoughts…
I’m starting to feel like this podcast is gonna be reaaaaally long. Do I skip ahead or keep listening? Maybe if I was in the car, this would be a lot better. I think I’ll skip forward just a tad bit. There are six hosts on one podcast, so I’m bound to get something interesting no matter what.
New question: Who is your favorite Anime director? Yasohiru Imagawa (Giant Robo) and Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell) are good… but Jeff Tatarek goes with Hiyao Miyazaki, for his fully crafted worlds. I can’t really disagree with his choice. All three of these directors are undeniably god-tier. I also appreciate Jeff’s short, to-the-point answers during this interview. He’s cutting down on time and probably not even realizing it.
Let’s skip ahead to Question 11: “Do you collect anime? How large is your anime collection?” Regan, in his youth, seemed to buy anything and everything. I am probably the same age or thereabouts as Regan, and I can remember doing that in my youth too. I did a lot of “blind buying” in those days, when I had disposable income to spend. It was perhaps easier to blind buy in those days being that quantity wasn’t the same as it is now. I think the last time I blind bought something was World of Narue in 2007.
Gerald kept his VHS tapes, but has slowly wound it down as he’s replaced things on DVD… how many of us went through this? Gerald has over 1,000 dvds in his estimation… amazing! I like his casual, nonchalant mention of this as well. Gerald is a pretty cool guy.
Jeff Tatarek is a bit more “cheap” when it comes to anime these days. He’s got a family and stuff, so he has to be. As I get older, I’ve found that I have to be extremely thrifty with my purchases as well. Sometimes growing up means cutting back.
Positives and Negatives…
All the guests received an individual final question. This was kind of interesting, but again it added considerably to the overall length of the podcast.
As noted earlier, I really wanted this to be more of a roundtable discussion. I wanted a bit more interaction. I realize however that the logistics of getting six people on the same schedule can be daunting. I’m willing to excuse this.
Regan as a host does a pretty good job. He occasionally needs to be a bit more concise and cut himself off from speaking too much. He could cut down on the introduction and get to the “action” of the podcast a bit quicker. Does he write down his thoughts before the podcast begins? Perhaps he should do this. Note-taking might benefit the overall flow of the podcast. I like his thoughts and find him to be an interesting host. I’ll continue to listen to his ‘cast and hopefully grow to appreciate and understand his perspectives a bit more. So far, so good.
The guests were absolutely great… Each is engaging and offers great answers to the questions. Kudos to Regan for getting such great guests on his show.
I really wish I could download this podcast. Why is it not on iTunes? I tried searching but couldn’t find it on iTunes and there is no link on the blog. I hope Regan works on this for the future, because this podcast is definitely worth a download.
Next time…
The next episode (number 40) will be on OVAs… I’ll give it a listen and see how it differs from his individually-recorded roundtable session.
