CC reviews Studio Wit’s homage to classic fairytales with Ranking of Kings and its story about a deaf-mute prince and his little shadow friend. After that, he and John dive back into the world of posh vampires and 19th century steampunk Paris with the second season of The Case Study of Vanitas.

Reviews:
Ranking of Kings (1:20)
The Case Study of Vanitas – Season 2 (49:32)

Mp3 Download: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animebrainfreeze/AnimeBrainFreeze129.mp3

Related Links:
https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2022/03/10/animating-modern-nostalgia-ranking-of-kings-ousama-ranking-production-notes/
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/watch/2022-04-15/how-far-does-forgiveness-go-ranking-of-kings-ending-explained/.184573
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/watch/2022-01-12/all-the-easter-eggs-in-ranking-of-kings-2nd-opening/.181443
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2022-03-03/.183178
https://www.crunchyroll.com/de/anime-feature/2022/06/21/feature-the-case-study-of-vanitas-puts-a-fresh-spin-on-old-character-dynamics

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Episode 129: In the Name of the King

John took a trip to Anime Expo 2023 in Los Angeles and details some of his misadventures in the Re-Con section. After that the hosts present their picks for the Summer premieres in the Sneak Peek and review the second season of the so far spectacular adaption of Vinland Saga.

Re-Con:
John goes AX 2023 (1:31)

Sneak Peek: (16:02)
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 (17:09)
The Devil is a Part-Timer – Season 2 Part 2 (19:31)
Undead Girl Murder Farce (23:23)
Helck (25:48)
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (29:28)
Tonikaku Kawaii ~High School Days~ (32:39)
Yohane the Parhelion: Sunshine in the Mirror (34:35)
Jujutsu Kaisen – Season 2 (38:24)
Rent-A-Girlfriend – Season 3 (45:54)

Review:
Vinland Saga – Season 2 (52:06)

Mp3 Download: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animebrainfreeze/AnimeBrainFreeze145.mp3

Related Links:
https://fictionhorizon.com/the-meaning-behind-vinland-sagas-carve-it-poem-explained/
https://artistunknown.info/2023/08/02/vinland-saga-retrospective-weathering-the-storm-known-as-tv-anime/
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2023-02-09/.194659

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSi7wbiBRei5RtNQ6HWBeaw

Episode 145: Seeds of Freedom

CC takes a trip through a post-apocalyptic landscape with two unlikely travel companions in search of an elusive place in Heavenly Delusion. After that, the two hosts return once more to their favorite misfit gold diggers in the fourth season of Golden Kamuy.

Reviews:
Heavenly Delusion (1:20)
Golden Kamuy – Season 4 (27:05)

Mp3 Download: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animebrainfreeze/AnimeBrainFreeze146.mp3

Related Links:
https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2023/05/05/tengoku-daimakyou-production-notes-an-exceptional-adaptation-facing-exceptional-challenges/
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2023-04-25/.197437
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2022-10-07/golden-kamuy-penis-sizes-officially-ranked-by-manga-creator/.190554
https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/guides/2022/10/4/feature-what-you-need-to-know-before-golden-kamuy-season-4

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Episode 146: Bare-Chested Laser Fights

After a short news segment, CC accompanies a group of death row convicts and their executioners to search for the elixir of eternal life in Hell’s Paradise. After that, the hosts travel to a swordsmith village to catch up with the gang from Demon Slayer and battle some formidable foes.

News:
RightStuf Anime Store shutting down (1:50)

Reviews:
Hell’s Paradise (9:48)
Demon Slayer – Swordsmith Village Arc (35:13)

Mp3 Download: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animebrainfreeze/AnimeBrainFreeze147.mp3

Related Links:
https://www.cbr.com/hells-paradise-yamada-asaemon-historical-cultural-influence-key-motivation-explained/
https://www.cbr.com/hells-paradise-tao-system-explained/
https://www.cbr.com/hells-paradise-moments-that-set-new-shonen-standard/
https://www.cbr.com/how-jjba-inspired-demon-slayer/
https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-nezuko-fakeout-death-good/
https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-the-mu-in-muichiro-explained/

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Episode 147: Heavenly Swords & Hellblades

CC travels the dangerous waters of Anime live action adaptions and reviews Netflix’s attempt at turning One Piece into a flesh and blood show. After that, the hosts discuss the second season of The Witch from Mercury and decide whether it escaped Gundam’s second season curse. Also: A mini review in The Quick and the Dead and Best of the Season.

The Quick and the Dead:
Sorcerous Stabber Orphen -Doom of Dragon's Sanctuary- (1:30)

Reviews:
Netflix’s One Piece (7:52)
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury – Season 2 (47:58)

Best of the Season (1:58:55)

Mp3 Download: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animebrainfreeze/AnimeBrainFreeze148.mp3

Related Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43K-H_dtQ9g
https://www.polygon.com/23815927/mobile-suit-gundam-witch-from-mercury-queer-representation-bandai-namco
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2023-05-30/.198553

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Episode 148: In the Eye of the Data Storm

The two hosts tackle a couple of Fall 2023 premieres in the Sneak Peek.

Sneak Peek
Overtake! (2:12)
Firefighter Daigo: Rescuer in Orange (8:33)
The IDOLM@STER Million Live! (12:03)
Under Ninja (18:03)
Spy x Family – Season 2 (23:57)
Captain Tsubasa: Junior Youth Arc (32:25)
Gundam Build Metaverse (35:09)
Undead Unluck (38:03)
One Piece (42:57)
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (55:05)

Mp3 Download: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animebrainfreeze/AnimeBrainFreeze149.mp3

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSi7wbiBRei5RtNQ6HWBeaw

Episode 149: Sneaky Bits

Wrapping up this low-output season, John tackles a couple of appetizers in The Quick and the Dead, before CC reviews the whacky horror whodunnit Undead Girl Murder Farce.

The Quick and the Dead:
Anime NYC 2023 (1:20)
The Devil is a Part-Timer! - Season 2 Part 2 (8:10)
Rent-A-Girlfriend – Season 3 (11:17)
Yohane the Parhelion - SUNSHINE in the MIRROR (18:10)

Review:
Undead Girl Muder Farce (24:02)

Mp3 Download: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animebrainfreeze/AnimeBrainFreeze150.mp3

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Episode 150: Undeadtectives

John and CC start of this super packed review season as usual with a Sneak Peek of the newest Anime premieres. After that, they do a deep dive into the second season of the dark shonen hit show Jujutsu Kaisen and also talk about its production troubles. 

Sneak Peek:
Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga (2:41)
Sengoku Youko (9:41)
The Witch and the Beast (15:34)
Delicious in Dungeon (18:22)
Bucchigiri?! (28:35)
Metallic Rouge (32:13)
Classroom of the Elite – Season 3 (39:30)
Urusei Yatsura – Season 2 (41:57)
Brave Bang Bravern! (45:22)

Review:
Jujutsu Kaisen – Season 2 (1:04:52)

Related Links:
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2023-11-28/.204888
https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2023/10/24/creators-rebelling-against-the-odds-jujutsu-kaisen-season-2-production-notes-1-13/
https://www.reddit.com/r/JuJutsuKaisen/comments/17vairi/jujutsu_kaisen_production_meltdown_continues/
https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/16wckg3/mappa_studio_asked_animators_to_sign_ndas_to_not/

Mp3 Download: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animebrainfreeze/AnimeBrainFreeze151.mp3

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSi7wbiBRei5RtNQ6HWBeaw

Episode 151: Sorcerous Spectacle(s)

CC kicks off the episode by reviewing the long awaited Anime adaption of Pluto, Naoki Urusawa’s take on the Astro Boy universe. After that the hosts take a trip to the F4 racing track and discuss the sports drama Overtake!

Reviews:
Pluto (1:20)
Overtake! (32:06)

Related Links:
https://www.polygon.com/23933966/pluto-best-anime-netflix-watch-it
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2023-11-02/.204013
https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/features/2023/10/26/want-to-get-into-formula-racing-start-with-overtake
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2023-12-14/.205451

Mp3 Download: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animebrainfreeze/AnimeBrainFreeze152.mp3

Transcription: https://freepodcasttranscription.com/transcription/45ac58ae2b1b79813fab0d5a8d70db8bb39d8402.srt

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Episode 152: Battle & Chase

CC reviews the dark comedy Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, a fresh take on the battered Zombie genre. After that, the hosts go on a cruise with the Forger family and a bunch of deadly assassins in the third season of Spy x Family.

Reviews:
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (1:20)
Spy x Family – Season 3 (31:53)

Related Links:
https://twitter.com/Yuyucow/status/1678061828314746881
https://twitter.com/YoArjash/status/1678064328954748929
https://blog.sakugabooru.com/2023/07/14/zom-100-bucket-list-of-the-dead-production-notes-01/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckoMN1Bba6I
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2023-08-10/.201145

Mp3 Download: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animebrainfreeze/AnimeBrainFreeze153.mp3

Transcription: https://freepodcasttranscription.com/transcription/837be91f973d56d59ac6d2a79ea67dcc736a08d0.srt

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSi7wbiBRei5RtNQ6HWBeaw

Episode 153: Dystopian Delights

In an improvised news segment, John and CC say goodbye to the legendary manga author Akira Toriyama. After that, John talks about a slightly different Shonen tournament in his review of Helck. And last but not least, the hosts discuss the long-awaited return of The Ancient Magus’ Bride.

News:
Farewell Akira Toriyama (1:20)

Reviews:
Helck (27:43)
The Ancient Magus’ Bride – Season 2 (56:18)

Related Links:
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2024-03-26/.209195
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-YE8RtsYTs

Mp3 Download: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/animebrainfreeze/AnimeBrainFreeze154.mp3

Transcription: 
https://freepodcasttranscription.com/transcription/f03ba8a9a7a71409cfd585e51aec085813f08fc6.srt

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Episode 154: Dynamic Duos

Longtime Anime fans John and CC discuss all the ups and downs of the shows they watched start to finish in each freshly wrapped up season.

Episode 129: In the Name of the King

Anime Brain Freeze

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