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PenPen Pals

by Ben, Alex, & BliXXa

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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Episodes

  1. Special: Deez' Lood Bütt Lust (Tonya)

    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...

  2. Special: Deez Vampire Hunters (Sin and Sopie)

    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...

  3. Special: Perfect Blue (Th8a)

    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...

  4. Special: The Boy and the Heron (Ebony)

    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…

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  5. Special: Patlabor the Movie (Sin and Sophie)

    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...

  6. Enemies of Sekiro: End Game

    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…

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  7. Enemies of Sekiro: Fountainhead Palace

    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.

  8. Enemies of Sekiro: Return to Ashina Castle

    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.

  9. Enemies of Sekiro: The Sunken Valley

    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...

  10. Enemies of Sekiro: Senpou Temple

    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...

  11. Enemies of Sekiro: Mibu Village

    Down through the fog, down through the trees, way down into the water and the muck. In this episode we touch on the depths of sorrow, the depths of nutritional poverty, and the depths of Ashina. Also, we talk about why the headless pulls something out of your butt.

  12. Enemies of Sekiro: Ashina Castle

    It's time to look at Ashina Castle, both as a setting and structure for dramatic storytelling. It is the tower we must climb and when we descend again we will be forever changed. We also have to take a close look at Genichiro's horny warcrimes and an even closer look at Mimi's complicated...

  13. Enemies of Sekiro: Hirata Estate

    Enemies of Sekiro is back!!! And this time we are going BACK IN TIME to the year of the Dragonspring Pilgrimage. Mimi joins as cohost to lend her Sengoku era expertise. Are you ready, son of owl? Check out this awesome poem about a butterfly:...

  14. S9E23B+EP: Poregotism 23B (Hayden)

    BONUS EPISODE!!!! Hayden returns to bookend the series with us and Alex gets an ending(???) that they like. If you enjoyed Steins;Gate, these two bonus episodes are a must watch. They're a little hard to find, but someone on youtube comes to the rescue!! Egoistic Poriomania:...

  15. S9E23-24: Steins;Gate Achievement (Prof Viral)

    WE DID IT!!!!! Another pinnacle series in the can, and a great guest to wrap it up with us. Alex doesn't like the ending, but everyone else has a fun time defending it and common ground is found. Be safe, be covid concious, and enjoy the last of the holiday season. May we all find our own...

  16. S9E21-22: Being Paradox Meltdown (Paul)

    Here we are! We must face our decisions and accept the consequences! But first, a few stolen moments with Mayuri and Makise. We are joined by new guest Paul, who graces us with a beautiful thought about quantum physics and the nature of relationships. Check out Paul's work at South Bay Musical...

  17. S9E19-20: Apop-YOUR-Tosis (Th8a)

    Absolute legend Th8a Wakes (@nearlyonred) returns and teaches us about the first Terminator movie! These episodes are dark, fascinating, and probably the most confrontational of the series.

  18. S9E17-18: Fractal Complex (Marley)

    Marley returns to settle age old question: Who is the saddest time looper? Okabe takes back some wishes and we get to meet Ben's baby. Check out Silicon Valley Shakespeare to see Marley's rendition of All's Well that Ends Well in June 2024: https://www.svshakespeare.org/2024

  19. S9E15-16: Physically Missing Necrosis (Izzy)

    Suzuha unveils the mysteries of physical time travel! Plus we see our first positive shift in the world line numbers. Join us and new guest Izzy : - )

  20. S9E13-14: Double Necrosis (Nick)

    Nick, an old friend of Ben and Alex's joins us for these groundhog's day episodes. Ben might stop by and we remember the anti DND propaganda work of a young Tom Hanks.

  21. S9E11-12: Dogma Ergo Horizon (Sin and Sophie)

    Friends of the show Sin and Sophie join us to catch up and maaaaybe discuss a little steins;gate. Ben rushes to join us, but will he make it in time?! Sin tells us how S;G is like Reborn and Sophie tells us how it's like Terminator. Is Suzureese a real thing? Check out their work at:...

  22. S9E9-10: Chaos Homeostasis Extravaganza

    Well, the D mails start coming, and they don't... stop coming. No guest this week, but we do have some surprises, along with further critique of Okabe's behaviour. There is some character growth though, so we are all strapped in for this trip through time!

  23. S9E7-8: Divergent Chaos Homeostasis (Socratetris)

    Socratetris joins us for a catch up and some philosophical explanation. The FGL gang tries to buy a lotto ticket in the past and grants wishes to Moeka and Ruka. Check out Socratetris's work: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=socratetris Check out his MASSIVE discussion of Sekiro here:...

  24. S9E5-6: Starmine Butterfly Rendezvous (Kai)

    Friend of the show Kai teaches us about baseball and the value of friendship in a chaotic story/world. The time travel intrigue ramps up in this one and we see the formation of our first real experiments, as Makise Kurisu softens to the group's dynamics. Check out Kai's work on Madoka:...

  25. S9E3-4: Parallel World Interpreter (Tonya)

    Friend of the show Tonya returns to uncover the secrets of the miCrowave. Ben drops a real life reveal on us and we talk about assholes and why we love them. Check out Tonya's theatre company here: https://www.svshakespeare.org/

  26. S9E1-2: Steins;Gate (Hayden)

    Back to the classroom! We, the honorary members of the Future Gadget Laboratory, invite you to review time travel theory with us. Join us for this high concept sci-fi temporal thiller along with friend of the show Hayden Workman of #WeBAG.

  27. Enemies of Sekiro: Ashina Outskirts

    Alex had a lot of fun talking about the dads of Sekiro with Sophie and Mimi, so here's a new series! Mimi returns as we look at the game area by area and discuss the various enemies and bosses we encounter. Join us for a discussion of giant c*cks, dogs that are basically wolves, and the…

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  28. Special: Barefoot Gen (1983)はだしのゲン

    Content Warning: Discussion of radiation sickness and the other effects of atomic weaponry on human bodies We all live under the shadow of nuclear holocaust. Most of the time we can dismiss the phenomenon cognitively because of the distance and statistics of it all, and yet we remain in that…

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  29. Special: Sekiro /Dads and Mirrors\ (Mimi and Sophie)

    Friend of the show Sophie joins Alex and brings along her very funny EXPERT friend Mimi! This is the second in our series of realistic strong silent characters, which started with Fuse of Jin Roh. Come listen to us talk about big dumb idiot himbos, the constraints and purpose of societal roles…

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  30. Special: Madoka Magica Rebellion (Marley)

    We got together with Marley one more time to discuss the ending of Madoka Magica thus far. We also discover something shocking about Homura, Gendo, and ALEX?! (DUNDUNDUN) Join us for this enthusiastic sendoff to an acclaimed deconstructionist work

  31. Special: Night on the Galactic Railroad (Ebony)

    Get on the train loser!! We're going on a cosmic death journey!!! With special guest Ebony Atropus! FInd her work here: https://www.mixcloud.com/EbonyAtropus/black-moon-playlist/ https://kanashibari666.bandcamp.com/album/nightly-visits And check out the movie at:...

  32. Special: Nekojiru Sou/Cat Soup (Lily)ねこぢる草

    How can we make it easier to examine the darker truths of human existence? By exploring it through anthropomorphized cats!!! Created by the brilliant though somewhat fringe manga-ka Chiyomi Hashiguchi and animated by the equally talented director Tatsuo Sato and storyboard artist Masaaki Yuasa....

  33. S8E6: The Only Thing I Have Left to Guide Me/My Very Best Friend (Bryant)

    Here we are at the end of another phenomenal series. Madoka turned out to be an indispensable installment in anyone's anime education. Whether you're looking for a wave of emotional catharsis or a deconstruction of the genre, Madoka and her comrades will satisfy. Join us and informative new guest...

  34. S8E5: I'd Never Allow That to Happen/I Won't Rely on Anyone Anymore (Kai)

    Our Penultimate Madoka episode! SAYAKA IS A WITCH?! Kyubey eats witches... IS KYUBEY GONNA EAT SAYAKA?! Twists and turns won't stop coming to our delighted little brains. New guest Kai of youtube.com @clearandsweet helps us untangle Homura's time web and gives us a slew of magical girl...

  35. S8E4: Can You Face Your True Feelings?/I Was Stupid... So Stupid(Prof)

    Exploitation, ultraviolence and intrigue. Are we sure this show isn't set in america? We get more revelations after successful predictions, we discuss Kyubey's economic symbolism and why Sayaka is the most hardcore magical girl. Join us and new guest @ProfessorViral for this heady discussion…

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  36. S8E3: There's No Way I'll Ever Regret It/This Just Can't Be Right (Tyler)

    Half way baby!! The last two episodes were a fabulous tone shift, and these to do some welcome world building. Tyler Vincent joins us and shares some spoiler free reasons why new girl Kyoko is his favorite character.

  37. S8E2: I'm Not Afraid of Anything Anymore/Miracles and Magic Are Real (Marcie)

    Time for the episode three twist! We continue our discussion as Kyubey continues to exploit these Magical Girls. New guest and series expert @NezumiVA joins us Check out her work here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1IRtTied9Y

  38. S8E1: I First Met Her in a Dream... or Something (Marley) Madoka Magica

    We tackle our next series and dip our toes into the Magical Girl genre for the first time in PenPenPals history. New guest Marley joins us to dissect another deconstructionist anime. Some say the Neon Genesis of the Mahou Shoujo genre. Marley will be giving a talk on "Queerness and Magical Girls"...

  39. Special: Jin Roh (Sin and Sophie)人狼

    This episode contains discussion of graphic violence and the horrors of authoritarianism and capitalism. Listener discretion is advised. Meet Fuse, a paramilitary officer who can't shoot terrorists. Meet Kei, a former bomb carrier trying to turn her life around. When they get together they'll…

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  40. S7E12-13: Radar Man/The Final Episode (Th8a)

    All good things must end, but so must all bad things. Join us as we say goodbye to Paranoia Agent as well as the many traumas contained therein. Friend of the show and absolute legend Th8a Wakes of @Nearlyonred is with us for this emotionally charged and satisfying finale. Check out Th8a's work…

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  41. S7E10-11: Mellow Maromi/No Entry (Veronica)

    Back to the plot with our new guest Veronica!!! But first, a primer on Japan's animation industry and the human cost of this art form we love so much. Prepare yourself for this Penultimate Presentation of Paranoia Agent! Tweet at us @PenPenPalsPod or email at [email protected]

  42. S7E8-9: Happy Family Planning/ETC (Sophie/Sin)

    Content warning: Discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation. If these subjects would upset you, please skip this episode. Three internet friends meet in person for the first time and form a found family under unusual circumstances. A gaggle of gossipy housewives razz the new girl and help Lil'...

  43. S7E6-7: Fear of a Direct Hit/MHz (Aubrey)

    Stories are told and unravel. Faith is tested and broken. People are still getting hit in the head. Trust is a hard thing to come by these days. Join us and new guest Aubrey Stockton as we continue to discuss this story about how fundamentally important stories are to our existence. Check out...

  44. S7E4-5: A Man's Path/The Holy Warrior (Nate)

    Masami reminds us that ACAB. Kozuka reminds us that there is such a thing as too much video games. Nate Reminds us that the art in this show is BONKERS! Check out Nate's work on instagram and tik tok @house_of_midnite

  45. S7E2-3: The Golden Shoes/ Double Lips (Tonya)

    Friend of the show Tonya joins us as the psychological plot thickens. Two new pairs of victims, two divergent life paths, two cultural phenomenons. The house of mirrors builds up around us, enlightening us but trapping us in its hypnotic gaze...

  46. S7E1: Enter Lil' Slugger (Paranoia Agent) 少年バット参上

    Enter Tsukiko Sagi, a young artist with a hit character and a deadline breathing down her neck. Enter Akio Kawazu, a sleazy reporter in need of a story to pay off his debts. Enter Lil' Slugger, the answer to everyone's problems. Join the PenPenPals for a discussion of Satoshi Kon's only…

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  47. S6L12-13: Landscape/Ego (Socratetris)

    Our phavorite philosopher Socratetris stops by to wrap up Lain with us. We talk Gnosticism, Buddhism, Transference, the whole shebang. We also decide that this horror series has a surprisingly happy ending. Stay tuned for the next exciting psychological thriller we will tackle. Find Socratetris'...

  48. S6L10-11: Love/Infornography (Ryan)

    Lain in review. is she looking back at her own life? Is the God of the Wired showing her the truth? Is the show just doing a recap episode? These answer AND MORE in this week's episode. New guest Ryan comes to chat. Find ryan @Rychuzed on Twitch

  49. S6L8-9: Rumors/Protocol (Damian)

    Who made a deal with the aliens? Lain. Who killed the dinosaurs? Lain! Who faked the moon landing? LAIN! It's all Lain all the Lain. Lain? Lain?! LAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIN! And friend of the show Damian, of course... Damian urges us all to contribute to our local mutual aid organizations or start your own!

  50. S6L6-7: Kids/Society (Elicia)

    Lain's contact with the Knights escalates and the Men in Black pay her another visit. Plus psychic kids and CIA scientists. Help us kids explore our new online society alongisde returning guest Elicia

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

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.

HOSTED BY

Ben, Alex, & BliXXa

Produced by PenPen Pals 🐧

CATEGORIES

tv film

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does PenPen Pals have?

PenPen Pals currently has 132 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is PenPen Pals about?

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,...

How often does PenPen Pals release new episodes?

PenPen Pals publishes regularly with 132 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to PenPen Pals?

You can listen to PenPen Pals on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts PenPen Pals?

PenPen Pals is created and hosted by Ben, Alex, & BliXXa.
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