Manga Tak

A Weekly Manga Podcast where we discuss the finest 1st volumes of manga to help you chose your next favourite title and build your collection!

Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

121 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes121

Newest first

Oct 14, 2024 · 55 min
Episode 20 - Fist Of The North Star by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara
On this week's episode, we're dusting off another classic! Mat is joined by one again by Tom to talk about a seminal text of action / battle genre, Fist of the North Star. Written by Buronson and illustrated by Tetsuo Hara. Join us as we talk about the book's impact on Manga as a whole, including it's influence on works like Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and Berserk!, how hyper is the 'hyper violence' in the book, as well as discussing great eyebrows and many manly tears... Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Oct 7, 2024 · 1 hr 14 min
Episode 19 - She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat by Sakaomi Yuzaki
On this week's episode, Mat is joined by LumRanmaYasha to talk about a triple header of firsts for the podcast: Yuri, Food and Josei, with She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat by Sakaomi Yuzaki. Join us as we talk through the books representation of identity, how food is the perfect engine for emotional storytelling, not to mention how joyful it can be to see two people just chow down! (Sorry again about the audio hick-ups folks - it won't happen again!) Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Sep 30, 2024 · 1 hr 5 min
Episode 18 - Dan Da Dan by Yukinobu Tatsu
Want to hear all about the Manga behind the hottest new Anime of the Fall 2024 line up? Well, look no further! Mat is joined by the hosts of The Undisputed Anime Podcast, ZaneTaichou AND TsuTsuDae to talk about one of our favourite current Manga titles, Dan Da Dan! Join us as we talk about the book's impact, how it blends incredible art and humour to tackle difficult subjects, not to mention getting into the weeds on how we view different creators and their creations... Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Sep 23, 2024 · 51 min
Episode 17 - Ranma 1/2 by Rumiko Takahashi
Just in time for the launch of the new anime reboot from Mappa, Mat is joined once again by AC (aka @ProdTally) to talk about another of Rumiko Takahashi's works: this time it's the undisputed classic, Ranma 1/2! Join us as we talk through Ranma's cultural context and history, both in Japan and as one the trail blazing first manga to crack the Western market, how it differs from Urusei Yatsura, and more importantly, why it's such a beloved work the world over! Warning: Light Spoilers on the Manga's end from 37:24 - 38:60 Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Sep 16, 2024 · 50 min
Episode 16 - Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki
On this week's episode, Mat is joined by Christophe Galati to discuss Hayao Miyazaki's epic Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Originally published in the pages of Japan’s premier otaku magazine, Animage, Nausicaa is Miyazaki’s Manga Magnum opus. Like his movie of the same name, Nausicaa is the story of the titular princess from a small kingdom, who finds herself thrown into a war fought between rival nations over an ancient weapon. Set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic earth, Nausicaa is a tale that touches upon man's relationship with nature, the ecological impact of industry and the horrors of war. Join us as we discuss it's huge impact on Japanese pop culture, how the work ripples through all of Miyazaki's work and why it's always good to support local manga stores! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Sep 8, 2024 · 57 min
Episode 15 - Blue Lock by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura
On this week's episode, Mat is joined by Bar (aka InkByBar) to discuss Kodansha's epic football / soccer manga, Blue Lock. First published in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine back in 2018, Blue Lock, written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and drawn by Yusuke Nomura, is a Football Battle Royale mange in which to craft the world’s best striker, 300 Japanese high schoolers are asked to join the Blue Lock program in the hopes of producing the next top striker to help Japan win the World Cup. It’s an insane premise, but one Yoichi Isagi gladly signs up for. However, he quickly learns that life in Blue Lock isn’t at all like the football he’s been playing all his life, and that to live up to the expectations of the new Japanese coach, Jinpachi Ego, he will have to relearn the game and what it means to be a striker. Join us as we discuss sports manga in general, the amazing character design and above all else, if we think this book is worth picking up! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Sep 2, 2024 · 57 min
Episode 14 - Insomniacs After School by Makoto Ojiro
On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined by Nick (aka RetroBreak) to discuss Insomniacs After School by Makoto Ojiro. First published by Shogakukan's Weekly Big Comic Spirit, Insomniacs After School is a seinen manga by Makoto Ojiro. It's the story of Ganta Makami, an insomniac high school student who struggles socially thanks to his constant state of tiredness. His life changes one day when he stumbles across Isaki Magari, a fellow student and insomniac, napping in the school's abandoned (and supposedly haunted) observatory, and the two form an unlikely friendship because of their affliction. It all goes smoothly until one day a teacher discovers they're using the observatory without permission, forcing Ganta and Isaki to restart the school's astronomy club to stay in their sleepy sanctuary. Join us as discuss how Nick found out about this book, how we feel about it and more importantly, would we recommend you to pick it up for yourself! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Aug 26, 2024 · 53 min
Episode 13 - Devilman by Go Nagai
On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined once again by Tom to discuss the classic Go Nagai horror manga, Devilman! After Toei Animation requested a lighter version of his manga, Demon Lord Dante, that could be turned into an anime, Go Nagai created Devilman. Given specific direction to make the manga darker, Nagai launched a more adult work in Kodansha’ Weekly Shōnen Magazine in 1972, just a month before the anime was due to air. Devilman is the story of Akira Fudo, a high school student who absorbs the power of a demon called Amon in order to battle the demons hidden in human society. Only a human with a pure heart can wield such a power without fear of corruption. Once little more than a crybaby, Akira now weilds the terrible power of a devil, yet holds the innocent soul of a man… Thus Devilman! Join us to hear why Mat finally isn't loving a book covered on the podcast, the influence of Go Nagai on the world of manga and how even in a bleak story, a little bit of hope goes a long way! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Aug 19, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
Episode 12 - Kaiju No. 8 by Naoya Matsumoto
On this week's episode, I'm joined by my good friend, illustrator and graphic designer, Crystal to discuss Kaiju No. 8 by Naoya Matsumoto. First published digitally on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ app, Kaiju No. 8 is a series written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto. It’s the story of Kafka Hibino, a kaiju-corpse cleanup guy who still dreams about making it into the Japan Defence Force, an elite military unit who eliminate the Kaiju that terrorise the country, to fulfil a childhood promise to his friend Mina. But when Kafka gets a second chance to try out for the defence force, he undergoes an unexpected transformation! How can he fight Kaiju now that he’s become one himself? Join us as we get into the weeds on what it means to be 'kaiju', the fine line between quality and originality, and dropping many, many hot takes... Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Aug 12, 2024 · 58 min
Episode 11 - The Ghost in The Shell by Masamune Shirow
On this week's episode, I'm joined by Graphic Designer / Comic artist Jibé to discuss the classic manga The Ghost in The Shell by Masamune Shirow. Originally published from April 1989 to November 1990 in Kodansha’s Young Magazine, The Ghost in the Shell is considered a seminal work not only in the manga sphere, but as a foundational piece of the cyber punk genre. It is the tale of cyborg super agent Major Motoko Kusanagi and the Public Security Section 9 counter-cyberterrorist organisation. When Major Kusanagi tracks the master hacker, the Puppet Master, her quest leads her into a world beyond information and technology where the very nature of consciousness and the human soul are turned upside down. It’s a tale of politics, technology and metaphysics that poses the question: what does it truly mean to be human? Join us as we role up our philosophical (not to mention metaphorical) sleeves to discuss the themes of the book, compare what's on the page to the anime OVA and somehow end up drawing comparisons between it and classical literature... Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Aug 5, 2024 · 58 min
Episode 10 - God Bless the Mistaken by Nakatani Nio
On this week's episode, I'm joined by Lea from Faraos Cigarer in Copenhagen to discuss the excellent God Bless the Mistaken by Nakatani Nio! Originally published in ASCII Mediawork’s Dengeki Daioh magazine in Japan, God Bless the Mistaken is the 2021 follow up to Nakatani Nio’s incredibly popular Bloom Into You. Rather than Yuri romance though, God Bless the Mistaken is a sci-fi slice of life story in which Kon Wataya becomes a research assistant of his landlord, Kasane Himesaki, the world’s leading expert on Exceptional Phenomena. What are Exceptional Phenomena, while simply put, they’re bugs in reality that cause the world to alter in interesting and often inconvenient ways. In their ever changing world, there’s only one thing that’s certain, and that’s the most ordinary moments can sometimes be the most extraordinary of all! Join us to hear our theories on the title, the dangers of working construction in a bug filled world and Lea's top 3 one shot recommendations! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Jul 29, 2024 · 1 hr 2 min
Episode 9 - Delicious in Dungeon by Ryōko Kui
On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined (for real this time!) by Zane of the Undisputed Anime Podcast to chew the fat about Delicious in Dungeon by Ryōko Kui! Originally published in Enterbrain’s Harta magazine from 2014 to 2023, Delicious in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui is a manga that undoubtedly became the smash hit of the Spring 2024 anime season. The story follows a party of young adventurers determined to fight their way back through a dungeon to save a fallen comrade. There’s just one problem: after their latest escape, they’ve lost all of their money and provisions! How can they survive in a dungeon without food? But Laios, one of the young adventurers has a brilliant idea: ‘what if instead of buying food, we ate monsters in the dungeon instead?’ Picky eaters beware, because as the party soon learn: everything is Delicious in Dungeon. Join us to hear how we both bought this book at the same time, how Ryōko Kui reinvented some classic monsters and why this book deserves a place on your shelf! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Jul 22, 2024 · 56 min
Episode 8 - Sand Land by Akira Toriyama
On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined once again by Tom to discuss the under rated single volume story by Akira Toriyama, Sand Land! Originally serialised in Shonen Jump between May and August of the year 2000, Akira Toriyama’s Sandland is a 14 chapter, single volume work set on a barren Earth where Demons and Humans co-exist. In this world, the only known water supply is controlled by a greedy king, so a sheriff called Rao enlists the help of Beelzebub and Thief to look for a long lost lake to challenge the status quo. Along the way, they get into tank battles, fight bandits and even face off against a dragon. It’s a very Akira Toriyama tail for sure! Join us to hear why we both love this book, how we'd have loved more 'mature' works like this from Akira Toriyama and how one man's pain of drawing tanks can lead to such a great story! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Jul 15, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
Episode 7 - Orange by Ichigo Takano
On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined by the Tsu Tsu Dae, co-host of the Undisputed Anime Podcast to discuss our first Shōjo title, Orange! Launched in Shueshia’s Bessatsu Margaret magazine in March 2012, Orange is a manga by writer / artist Ichigo Takano. It's a story of teen angst, time travel and a the challenges of mental health. While the latter aren't your typical Shōjo plot points, Orange is considered to be a modern classic of the genre. Join us to hear why we both love this book, how it manages to delicately handle sensitive topics and why we need more Shōjo in the English language! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Jul 8, 2024 · 53 min
Episode 6 - Akane Banashi by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue
On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined by the AC MacDonald, creator of Twistwood Tales, to discuss the excellent Akane Banashi! Started in Shonen Jump back in February 2022, it's the story of a teenager who wants to become a Rakugo performer (aka a Rukugo-Ka) to prove the worth of her father's art after his explosion from the Arakawa school. Join us as we discuss why we both adore this manga, the joys of stories about stories and how the manga inspired Mat to seek out a real Rakugo performance while on his last Tokyo trip! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Jul 1, 2024 · 1 hr 6 min
Episode 5 - Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined once again by Tom to talk about one of our favourites: Fullmetal Alchemist. Launched in 2001 in Square Enix’s Monthly Shonen Gangan, Fullmetal Alchemist is a corner stone of early 2000’s shonen manga. It’s the story of Edward and Alphonse Elric, two brothers with a gift for alchemy, on a quest to find the philosophers stone to right the wrongs of their youth and restore their bodies after a failed attempt to bring their mother back to life using their gift. Join us as we about why this manga is still remembered so fondly almost 20 years after release, why it was big in the UK and how it balances humour and tragedy like nothing else on the shelves of your local comic book store! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Jun 23, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
Episode 4 - Frieren: Beyond Journey's End by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe
On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined by Alex (aka snesdrunk) to talk about the wonderful Frieren: Beyond Journey's End by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe As the title suggest, the manga is the story of Frieren, the titular Elven mage, who at the beginning of the story has defeated the Demon King with her fellow adventures and brought peace to the land. But Frieren, being an elf, will long outlive the rest of her former party. Decades after their victory, at the funeral of one of her party members, Frieren is forced to confront her near immortality and sets off to fulfil the last wishes of her old comrades and start a new adventure. Join us as we chat about why it's the best 16-bit RPG never made, the wonders of stories like this and how it's a warm cup of tea in manga form! For the avid newsletter readers amongst you, find and support Alex's substack here! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Jun 16, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
Episode 3 - Battle Angel Alita by Yukito Kishiro
On this episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined by Ian Sta. Maria (takbotikbalang) to talk about the excellent Battle Angel Alita by Yukito Kishiro! Originally published in Shueisha’s Business Jump from 1990 to 1995, Gunmu, or Battle Angel Alita as we know it in the West, is a Cyber Punk epic about an amnesiac female cyborg called Alita. Who after being revived by cyber doctor Daisuke Ido, sets off on a quest to uncover her forgotten past on the streets of Iron City. Join us as we chat about what makes the book so strong, the challenges of localisation and why you should never take the word of a teenage tastemaker at your local comic book store! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Jun 9, 2024 · 2 hr 47 min
Episode 0 - Jujutsu Kaisen Zero by Gege Akutami
On this pilot episode of Manga Tak, Mat is joined by Zane from Undisputed Anime to talk in depth about Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen Zero. The story follows Yuta, who is a high school student haunted by his childhood sweetheart, Rika. After a tragic accident, Rika is turned into special grade, vengeful curse that forces Yuta to keep his distance from everyone for fear of what she’ll do to them. After an incident at his old school, Yuta is taken in by Satoru Gojo and enrolled in Tokyo Jujutsu Technical High: a training school for Jujutsu sorcerers, in order for him to learn to use his powers. Join us for a very in-depth chat that ended up informing the format of the show going forward, but be warned: there will be spoilers! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod
Jun 9, 2024 · 1 hr 13 min
Episode 1 - One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
Join us we set sail on a new podcasting adventure called Manga Tak! On this first episode, Mat talks with his long time podcasting partner Tom to discuss Eiichiro Oda's classic: One Piece! One Piece is the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a young man who embarks on a quest to seek out Gold Roger's ultimate treasure, the One Piece, and fulfil his dream to become the King of Pirates! Join us as we talk about one of our favourite Manga series' of all time and why we think that even if you're intimidated by it's 100+ volumes, One Piece is something that should be on your manga reading list! Thanks to Juliano Zucareli for our theme music! Find us on: X: Manga Tak Pod Bluesky: Manga Tak Pod Instagram: Manga Tak Pod

Manga Tak

Episode 20 - Fist Of The North Star by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara

Episode 19 - She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat by Sakaomi Yuzaki

Episode 18 - Dan Da Dan by Yukinobu Tatsu

Episode 17 - Ranma 1/2 by Rumiko Takahashi

Episode 16 - Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki

Episode 15 - Blue Lock by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura

Episode 14 - Insomniacs After School by Makoto Ojiro

Episode 13 - Devilman by Go Nagai

Episode 12 - Kaiju No. 8 by Naoya Matsumoto

Episode 11 - The Ghost in The Shell by Masamune Shirow

Episode 10 - God Bless the Mistaken by Nakatani Nio

Episode 9 - Delicious in Dungeon by Ryōko Kui

Episode 8 - Sand Land by Akira Toriyama

Episode 7 - Orange by Ichigo Takano

Episode 6 - Akane Banashi by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue

Episode 5 - Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa

Episode 4 - Frieren: Beyond Journey's End by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe

Episode 3 - Battle Angel Alita by Yukito Kishiro

Episode 0 - Jujutsu Kaisen Zero by Gege Akutami

Episode 1 - One Piece by Eiichiro Oda