Spiraken Review Podcast

Spiraken Manga Review Ep 335: After School Dice Club (or The World Has A Lot More Fun Things That You Don’t Know About Yet)

In this fun episode of the Spiraken Manga Review, Xan reviews a  manga about board games, friendships and ambition. So select your favorite color meeple, grab your dice and enjoy as he reviews "After School Dice Club/ Hokago Saikoro Kurabu " by Hiro Nakamichi
 
 
As our host geeks out over the various board game easter eggs in this manga, he also discusses the unique style of this series and compares it to its anime adaptation. Hope you enjoy.

Spiraken Manga Review Ep 334: After the Rain (or Raindrops Can Bring Happiness as Well)

In this episode, Xan reviews a romantic manga about love between a high school student and her boss. So bring out your umbrella and enjoy as he reviews "After the Rain/ Koi wa Ameagari no Yō ni" by Jun Mayuzuki
 
 
As our host talks about the romantic aspects of this manga, he also compares this to other romantic series SPIRAKEN has reviewed over the years. Hope you enjoy.

Spiraken Anime Review Ep 03: Promare

In this SPOILER FREE mini Anime review episode, Xan review the latest anime film by Studio Trigger. So, get on your firefighting gear and enjoy as our hosts reviews Promare, directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi and starring Kenichi Matsuyama, Taichi Saotome, Masato Sakai, Ayane Sakura, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Tetsu Inada, Mayumi Shintani, Rikiya Koyama, Kendo Kobayashi, Ami Koshimizu, Taiten Kusunoki, Nobuyuki Hiyama, Katsuyuki Konishi, Arata Furuta, & Ryōka Yuzuki
 
 

Spiraken Manga Review Ep 333: Hinamatsuri (or Psychokintetic Girl Wins Over Made Man)

In this jam packed episode, Xan reviews a manga series that is one part "Saiki K" and one part "Way of the Househusband". So get some salmon roe sushi and enjoy as he reviews "Hinamatsuri" by Masao Ohtake
 
As he talks about the weird plot of this manga, Xan also talks about the many pop culture references in this series Hope You Enjoy This Episode

Spiraken Mini Movie Review: Downton Abbey

In this SPOILER FREE mini movie review episode, Xan and Gretta review an upcoming film adaptation/sequel to the highly acclaimed and beloved British Historical Period Drama Television series. So, remember to wear the appropriate clothing for the occasion, remember your manners and  and enjoy as our hosts reviews Downton Abbey, directed by Gene Stupnitsky and starring Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern,Michelle Dockery ,Laura Carmichael, Penelope Wilton, Allen Leech, Jim Carter, Robert James-Collier, Phyllis Logan, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt, Lesley Nicol, Kevin Doyle, Sophie McShera, Raquel Cassidy, Michael C. Fox, Matthew Goode, Harry Hadden-Paton, Douglas Reith, Geraldine James, Simon Jones, Max Brown, David Haig, Richenda Carey, Tuppence Middleton and Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
 
 

Spiraken Manga Review Ep 332: Beastars (or High School Drama- Animal Edition)

In this comprehensive episode, Xan reviews a manga series that comments of societal prejudices and expectations. So let your inner animal out and enjoy as he reviews "Beastars" by Paru Itagaki
 
Besides discussing the similarities to Disney's Zootopia, Our intrepid host also discusses the murder mystery aspect of this manga as well as the strong qualities of the main characters. He did make a mistake where he spoke about the 2 vols that are currently out (vol 2 is not released til next week) apologies for that. Hope You Enjoy This Episode
 
addendum: Note That Xan re-edited this episode to include the opening to the new anime series adaptation of Beastars to include the awesomeness that is the show's ost. Hope you enjoy

Spiraken Mini Movie Review: It Chapter 2 (2019)

In this SPOILER FREE mini movie review episode, Xan and Gretta review the highly anticipated sequel to The 2017 Adaptation of Stephen King's It (Which we reviewed back in 2017). Does the sequel hold up to the original. Well, sit back and find out as Xan reviews Stephen King's It: Chapter 2, directed by Andy Muscietti and stars Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Andy Bean, and Bill Skarsgård, who returns as Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
 
 

Spiraken Manga Review Ep 331: The Disastrous life of Saiki K (or Too Much Power Can Make Life Interesting Or Boring)

In this episode, Xan reviews a psychically powered gag manga that is completely insane. So sit back with some coffee jelly and enjoy as he reviews "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K/Saiki Kusuo no Sai-nan" by Tatsuki Fujimoto
 
 
As our host discusses the insane hilarity of this manga, he also discusses the strength of its side characters and why gag manga series work well. Hope You Enjoy This Episode

Spiraken Motion Picture Review Ep 006: Ocean’s 11 (1960) & Ocean’s Eleven (2001)(or You’re Gonna Need A Crew Just As Crazy As You Are.)

In this final installment of The SPIRAKEN MOTION PICTURE REVIEW PODCAST's theme month of "Heists, hijacking and high octane car crashes", Xan & Gretta review compare two of the most iconic Heist films of all time. So enjoy as they review not only the 1960 Classic Ocean's 11, directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr.,  Joey Bishop Cesar Romero, Red Skeleton and many more.
 
 
They also the 2001 remake Ocean's Eleven, directed by Steven Soderbergh and stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Bernie Mac, Elliott Gould, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, Don Cheadle, Shaobo Qin, Carl Reiner, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia and Julia Roberts.

Spiraken Manga Review Ep 330: Fire Punch (or This Manga Should Burn Out & Fizzle)

In this episode, Xan reviews a post apocalyptic enhanced human series. So  enjoy as he reviews "Fire Punch" by Tatsuki Fujimoto
 
 
Besides discussing the plot of this manga, our intrepid host also rants on why this manga is unoriginal and where it could have improved. Hope You Enjoy This Episode