Baka Banter Anime Podcast

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this spring! They discuss another absolutely incredible season of anime, from the highly anticipated 'Witch Hat Atelier' and 'Akane-banashi' to exciting surprises like 'Daemons of the Shadow Realm' and 'Nippon Sangoku.'

Brain's Base is a studio that has produced multiple noteworthy series despite not being a huge name. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's catalogue of works as well as their historical pattern of discontinuity between projects. Then, they pick their top five Brain's Base anime, from a pair of podcast favorites in 'Spice and Wolf' and 'Oregairu' to Kunihiko Ikuhara's surreal original series 'Mawaru Penguindrum.'

'A Place Further Than the Universe' tells an inspirational story about a group of girls becoming friends as they make the most of their youth by traveling to Antarctica. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, discussing Atsuko Ishizuka's career at Madhouse leading to the production of the series before breaking down every episode of the 2018 original.

What makes for a particularly compelling anime short? Ionatan and Ravi discuss how they approach critically watching short films compared to movies with a longer runtime before giving their personal recommendations for the best shorts that the medium has to offer. They cover entries that are part of anthologies such as 'Memories' and 'The Animatrix' as well as standalone titles such as 'Cat Soup' and 'The House of Small Cubes' among various other picks.

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this winter! They discuss a packed season of anime to start the year, from the return of favorites like 'Frieren' and 'Jujutsu Kaisen' to endearing new entries like 'You and I Are Polar Opposites' and 'Tamon's B-Side' to surefire anime of the year contenders like 'Shiboyugi' and 'Ikoku Nikki.'

Ionatan and Ravi take a look back at anime in 2025! They give their final thoughts on each season from the previous year, compare between different annual anime awards, and pick their winners for each award category from best opening to anime of the year.

'One Piece' is one of the largest franchises in anime and manga, following the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the world's greatest treasure. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, continuing with the Water 7 saga by breaking down every arc from Long Ring Long Land to Post-Enies Lobby.

Ionatan and Ravi round out 2025 by answering listener questions from the mailbag. They discuss the nature of filler arcs, their favorite confession scenes in the medium, Western collaborations with anime studios, and much more! Then, they take a look back at the fifth year of the podcast.

J.C.Staff is a studio with a broad catalogue of diverse works. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's origins making OVAs and how it often receives unwarranted criticism stemming from a lack of knowledge regarding anime production. Then, they pick their top five J.C.Staff anime, from beloved romance adaptations like 'Toradora!' and 'Nodame Cantabile' to a massively important series in the history of the medium in 'Revolutionary Girl Utena.'

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this fall! They discuss a not so great season of anime to wrap up the year including a 'Spy x Family' sequel, the wild ride that is 'Sanda,' and a collection of underwhelming series.

'My Dress-Up Darling' focuses on the art of cosplay to tell a heartfelt story about acceptance and passionately pursuing one's interests. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, discussing production notes behind the anime adaptation of Shinichi Fukuda's manga before breaking down how each season balances being a romantic comedy with the exploration of various otaku subcultures.

Madhouse has a long history marked by a remarkable collection of directors making some of the most beloved anime of all time. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's founding by Mushi Production staff members and follow its trajectory into the present day. Then, they pick their top five Madhouse anime, from deeply meaningful works like 'The Tatami Galaxy' and 'Wolf Children' to a joint favorite of the podcast in 'Frieren.'

'One Piece' is one of the largest franchises in anime and manga, following the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the world's greatest treasure. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, continuing with the Sky Island saga by breaking down the Jaya and Skypiea arcs.

Ionatan and Ravi are back for another tournament arc, this time filling out an anime fight bracket! They discuss what components make up a standout anime fight before debating which of the top 32 anime fights deserves to come out on top.

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this summer! They discuss everything from sequels for 'Dandadan' and 'My Dress-Up Darling' to anime of the year contenders like 'The Summer Hikaru Died' and 'City the Animation.'

What makes a good anime adaptation of a light novel? Ionatan and Ravi discuss the history of this form of literature in Japan before giving their personal recommendations for the best light novel adaptations that the medium has to offer. They cover personal favorites such as 'Bakemonogatari' and 'KonoSuba' as well as more recent adaptations like 'Too Many Losing Heroines!' and 'The Apothecary Diaries' among various other picks.

Shinichiro Watanabe is considered an auteur of anime because of his evocative use of music, exploration of mature themes, and blending of multiple genres. Ionatan and Ravi discuss his career by picking their top five Shinichiro Watanabe anime, from classics such as 'Cowboy Bebop' and 'Samurai Champloo' to more recent productions like 'Kids on the Slope' and 'Space Dandy.'

'One Piece' is one of the largest franchises in anime and manga, following the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the world's greatest treasure. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, continuing with the Alabasta saga by breaking down every arc from Reverse Mountain to Alabasta.

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this spring! They discuss an incredibly diverse season of anime including highly anticipated series like 'Lazarus' and 'Witch Watch,' pleasant surprises like 'Wind Breaker' and 'Kowloon Generic Romance,' and outstanding productions like 'Yaiba' and 'Mono.'

Ionatan and Ravi discuss highlights from their recent trips to Japan! They break down the cultural experiences, food, and adventures from a total of six incredible weeks visiting various places throughout the country.

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by PaperDawN, a cartoonist and graphic designer, to discuss his career as an artist. They break down the creative process for a variety of illustration work, the experience of attending conventions as an artist, and his webcomic. Then, they talk about his YouTube channel and its focus on video essays.

Ionatan and Ravi prepare for the upcoming months with a spring anime special! They begin by discussing their feelings about spring and giving some background on the seasonal customs in Japan. Then, they pick their favorite springtime anime series and movies to watch this time of the year including 'The Tale of the Princess Kaguya' and 'I Want to Eat Your Pancreas.'

What anime is most deserving of a sequel that hasn't received one? Ionatan and Ravi discuss which aspects of a series dictate whether they'd like to see a continuation produced or not before giving their personal selections for highly desired sequels in the medium. They cover action-filled franchises like 'Jojo's Bizarre Adventure' and 'Magi' as well as other favorites like 'Chihayafuru' and 'Black Lagoon' among various other picks.

Science Saru are responsible for some of the most creative and visually appealing anime in the medium, often working with talented directors and a global staff to bring these works to life. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's founding by Masaaki Yuasa and Eunyoung Choi as well as the direction it has taken in the years since then. Then, they pick their top five Science Saru anime, from personally impactful works like 'The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl' and 'Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!' to more recent outings like 'Dandadan' and 'The Colors Within.'

'Death Parade' is an exploration of the moral ambiguity that comes with attempting to judge human life after death. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, discussing the short film that it's based on as well as how it attempts to balance an episodic format containing various independent narratives, lore and worldbuilding, and fulfilling character arcs for its protagonists.

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they’re watching this winter! They discuss sequels for 'Solo Leveling' and 'The Apothecary Diaries,' underwhelming adaptations and originals like 'Sakamoto Days' and 'Zenshu,' and a few hidden gems such as 'Flower and Asura.'

Ionatan and Ravi take a look back at anime in 2024! They give their final thoughts on each season from the previous year, compare between different annual anime awards, and pick their winners for each award category from best opening to anime of the year.

'One Piece' is one of the largest franchises in anime and manga, following the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the world's greatest treasure. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, starting at the beginning with the East Blue saga. They outline their plans for covering Eiichiro Oda's story in its entirety, share their personal experiences with 'One Piece,' and break down every arc from Romance Dawn to Loguetown.

Ionatan and Ravi round out 2024 by answering listener questions from the mailbag. They discuss their least favorite anime, guests they would love to interview for an episode, their ideal anime productions, and much more! Then, they take a look back at the fourth year of the podcast.

Anime song is a genre of music originating from Japanese pop and released primarily for the anime market. Ionatan and Ravi break down the history of anime song, from early influences resulting in the theme for 'Astro Boy' to the massive global popularity of tracks such as 'Homura' and 'Idol' in recent years. Then, they discuss the production process for anime opening and ending sequences, including the logistics for music selection and the accompanying animation, and rank their top five openings and endings in the medium.

'Land of the Lustrous' is a masterpiece that tells a complex and multifaceted story about what it means to be human. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, breaking down Haruko Ichikawa's work by discussing both the anime adaptation by Orange and the entirety of the manga, themes of change and existentialism accompanied by Buddhist philosophy, and the journey of an incredibly compelling protagonist in Phos.

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this fall! They discuss the highs and lows of the season, from popular new series like 'Dandadan' and 'Blue Box' to the return of 'Re:Zero' and 'Ranma ½' to massive disappointments such as 'Uzumaki' and 'Blue Lock.'

A-1 Pictures has produced a wide variety of anime, from series designed for mass appeal to more experimental works where creators are allowed to push the boundaries of the stories they tell. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's connection to Aniplex as well as its reputation within the anime community. Then, they pick their top five A-1 Pictures anime, from personal favorites like 'Kaguya-sama' and 'Shinsekai Yori' to popular entries like 'Lycoris Recoil' and 'Your Lie in April.'

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Andrew Liptak, a historian and member of the 501st Legion, to discuss the history of cosplay. They break down 'Cosplay: A History,' his book detailing how cosplay became a mainstream force and what it says about the relationships fans have with the stories they love. Then, they talk about the intersection of cosplay and anime as well as his other work as a journalist and writer.

Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the anime adaptations of two works by Taiyo Matsumoto: 'Tekkonkinkreet' and 'Ping Pong the Animation.' They discuss Matsumoto's career as a mangaka, including the broad range of topics he covers and how he crafts narratives that are simultaneously grounded in reality and remarkably imaginative. Then, they explore the themes and characters in two of his most well known stories through the lens of the movie directed by Michael Arias and the series directed by Masaaki Yuasa.

Ionatan and Ravi discuss Ionatan's weekend at Anime NYC 2024! They cover panels for 'Dandadan' with Kensuke Ushio and 'Haikyu!!' as well as a screening of 'Macross Plus' with Shoji Kawamori. Then, they have a broader conversation about what they look forward to most when attending anime conventions and plans for future live podcast appearances.

What makes an original work stand out as opposed to an adaptation? Ionatan and Ravi discuss their love of original projects where artists can creatively express themselves before giving their personal recommendations for the best original anime that the medium has to offer. They cover various original titles including popular entries such as 'Death Parade' and 'Lycoris Recoil' and idiosyncratic experiences from directors like Shingo Natsume and Kunihiko Ikuhara in 'Sonny Boy' and 'Mawaru Penguindrum.'

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this summer! They discuss a surprisingly deep season full of incredible productions, from the return of 'Oshi no Ko' and 'Monogatari' to romantic comedies like 'Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian' and 'Too Many Losing Heroines!' to adaptations that elevate their source material like 'Wistoria' and 'The Elusive Samurai.'

Science fiction makes use of futuristic concepts in order to deliver prescient stories about humanity and the trajectory of society. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the history and development of science fiction both globally and in Japan. Then, they dive into three series that highlight the diversity of the genre, including explorations of the intersection between personal identity and technology in 'Serial Experiments Lain,' memory alteration and inequality in 'Kaiba,' and the oppressive nature of capitalism in 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.'

Ionatan and Ravi are back for another tournament arc, this time filling out a couple ship bracket! They discuss what aspects of romantic relationships in anime resonate with them and why shipping can be a contentious topic among many fandoms before debating which of the top 32 couples deserves to come out on top.

Production I.G is a prolific studio known for its extensive catalog of works in the science fiction and sports genres. Ionatan and Ravi discuss how roots at Tatsunoko Production combined with the unprecedented success of 'Ghost in the Shell' enabled a unique company structure compared to the rest of the industry. Then, they pick their top five Production I.G anime, from movies like 'Patlabor' and 'The End of Evangelion' to series like 'Haikyu!!' and 'Psycho-Pass.'

'Vinland Saga' is a modern classic that uses the historical setting of the Viking Age to tell a thought-provoking epic. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, breaking down each season in the anime adaptation of Makoto Yukimura's manga by discussing the meticulous crafting of the world, the wide variety of compelling characters, and how the narrative supports its central themes of redemption and pacifism.

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this spring! They discuss how varied this anime season is, from studio changes for the 'KonoSuba' and 'Yuru Camp' sequels as well as the 'Spice and Wolf' remake to new series such as 'Kaiju No. 8' and 'Wind Breaker' to the return of Kyoto Animation's 'Hibike! Euphonium.'

Bones is synonymous with a high level of quality, whether that is showcased in action sequences in popular battle shounen or in bringing to life creative original works. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's founding by Sunrise staff members and how their early works like the 'Cowboy Bebop' movie and 'Fullmetal Alchemist' laid the foundation for future productions made with an international audience in mind. Then, they pick their top five Bones anime, from a modern classic in 'Mob Psycho 100' to the industry event that was 'Space Dandy' to the nostalgia of 'Soul Eater.'

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Zach Logan, host and founder of The One Piece Podcast, to discuss anime podcasting. They cover the early days of the podcast and how it's grown over the past 15 years to now have a wide variety of guests, related podcasts, and even a documentary filmed in Japan. Then, they talk about what makes 'One Piece' such a beloved franchise, personal favorites from the series including characters and arcs, and experiences with different versions of the story such as the manga, anime, and live action.

Mari Okada is one of the most prolific writers in the anime industry, known not only for screenplay and series composition roles but also for her work as a mangaka and director. Ionatan and Ravi discuss Mari Okada's personal story as told in her autobiography before giving some overarching thoughts on her extensive writing credits. Then, they explore how her two directed films, 'Maquia' and 'Maboroshi,' tackle themes such as parenthood, isolation, and the passage of time.

Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Aurélie Petit, a doctoral candidate in film studies at Concordia University, to discuss the intersection between technology, gender, and sexuality as it relates to anime. They break down her research on the history of animated pornography, how online anime communities have developed exclusionary practices towards women, and the role that artificial intelligence plays in the anime industry. Then, they cover her catalog of animated films that portray sexuality and eroticism.

Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this winter! They discuss the popularity of 'Solo Leveling,' the combination of classic fantasy and cooking in 'Dungeon Meshi,' the continuation of their shoujo adventures with 'A Sign of Affection,' and why 'Metallic Rouge' has been such a disappointment.

Ionatan and Ravi prepare for the season of love with a Valentine's Day anime special! They begin by discussing their dislike of the consumerism surrounding Valentine's Day and giving some background on how the holiday is celebrated in Japan. Then, they pick their favorite anime episodes to watch this time of the year from series such as 'Toradora!' and 'Hyouka.'

Ionatan and Ravi take a look back at anime in 2023! They give their final thoughts on each season from the previous year, engage in their annual rant about the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, and pick their winners for each award category from best opening to anime of the year.