PenPen Pals

Aug 02 2024 132 ep. 67 mins 8

PenPen Pals Podcast artwork

A true crime investigator, a punk sorceress, and a political activist seal themselves in a pod. They cast their working class understanding of human behavior out into the ether, focusing it through the lens of anime into some sort of hyper-mega-particle-laser. The PenPenPals are born! Pyschology, Sociology, Neuroscience and Politics are all on the table as they explore and discuss an art form that’s ostensibly for children.

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Special: Deez' Lood Bütt Lust (Tonya)

Aug 02 2024 71 mins

Friend of the show Tonya returns to discuss bloodlust, the movie but also just the concept. We meet the Barbaroi, a delightful band of mistfit mutants, and Meier Link, perhaps the only justifiable vampire lover. We also learn about Carmilla, both the villainess and the inspirational 1872 irish gothic novella. Find the movie for FREE here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbNktf-Sg7

Special: Deez Vampire Hunters (Sin and Sopie)

Jul 19 2024 67 mins

Come hunt vampires with us and our fabulous guests!!!! Well, one vampire in particular! Count Magnus Lee and his castle's dastardly denizens have been an influence on vampire media and video games for decades. With tropes and character designs that will last far into the future, popping up in series like Castlevania and Final Fantasy to this day. Find Sophie and Sin's work here:

Special: Perfect Blue (Th8a)

May 24 2024 109 mins

We conclude our short trifecta of critically acclaimed anime films with possibly the most beloved director in the industry: Satoshi Kon. His first animated film took anime audiences to a higher level of shot composition, transitions, and structural and visual storytelling. Join us and always stimulating guest Th8a as we step through the looking glass and ask the mind bending questi

Special: The Boy and the Heron (Ebony)

Apr 26 2024 89 mins

The battle over studio Ghibli's future rages on! This week we examine the recent oscar winning film The Boy and the Heron. Is it Hayao Miyazaki's greatest work? Or just the last gasp of relevancy from a prolific but doddering creator? Ebony Atropus joins us to figure out where this bizarrely paced surrealist dreamscape falls on that spectrum. Check out Ebony's music at: https://co

Special: Patlabor the Movie (Sin and Sophie)

Apr 12 2024 66 mins

In this short series of movie specials, we will look at the three works by three highly respected anime directors. First we look at Alex's favorite director and another pinnacle (and critical) story of police militarization. Join us and friends of the show Sophie and Sin of SInclairLore for a delightful discussion.

Enemies of Sekiro: End Game

Mar 15 2024 123 mins

One last Ashina sized episode to close out our Sekiro coverage. Mimi's partner Stephanie joins us to take a last longing gaze at some of our favorite fights and set pieces. Thanks to everyone who has listened and remember: Hesitation is defeat! Mimi and Alex are planning a parallel Sekiro Speedrun on sunday 3/17/24. Join us for the celebration and Alex's streaming debut! Mimi's T

Enemies of Sekiro: Fountainhead Palace

Mar 01 2024 120 mins

Have you ever met a god? Where would you expect to find one? At the top of a majestic mountain? Within the halls of a royal court? Or perhaps one must only look inward to seek the divine. Join us on our quest for the Sakura Dragon as we examine all the unsightly denizens of Fountainhead Palace.

Enemies of Sekiro: Return to Ashina Castle

Feb 23 2024 56 mins

WE ALREADY CLIMBED THIS TOWER!!! Well, now we have to do it again, with foreign invaders lurking around every corner. And at the top: Fight Your Dad 2019. Come listen to the many things Mimi has to say about the father figure we love to hate, Owl.

Enemies of Sekiro: The Sunken Valley

Feb 16 2024 88 mins

Down in the valley there's a place were everyone eventually goes. It's cold a quiet quiet, except when the beast bellows. Come join Alex and Mimi as we find that beast, and all the other strange things along the way. Walk the path of Orangutan and King Fisher, and explore a nuanced and prescient underworld journey. Mimi recommends this exquisite video on underworld myths: https://

Enemies of Sekiro: Senpou Temple

Feb 09 2024 107 mins

There is another! The Divine Heir of the Dragon's heritage has a sistah... of sorts. We ascend the mountain to reach close to nirvana, but we are once again descending into spiritual muck and religious villainy. Join us as we discuss our favorite enemies to kill, since they are explicitly child murderers. Also, centipedes