Anime Jam Session

#705: Meanwhile, on the Year That Is 2026…

A popular scanlation site has shut down, Comic-Con International updates its policy on AI materials, and Gundam Hathaway is to be snowed in at the Sapporo Snow Festival?! Also, the Japan Fair Trade Commission releases a report on issues in the anime industry, Netflix in a new streaming deal with Sony, and Uma Musume anime cosplayers make the local news for their pro football fandom! Meanwhile in Japan, a man was arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo, and Kitkat pizza... Yep. That's all you need to know.

#704: 2026… Welcome?!

We're back for 2026! And check out what we're talking about on tonight's show! China’s largest comic convention, COMICUP, bans anime & manga, an idol was replaced in a stage play due to a manager, and KPop Demon Hunters wins 2 Golden Globes! Manga artist apologizes for an AI-edited photo, Scooby-Doo is getting a short anime series, and an Uma Musume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have?! Meanwhile in Japan, researchers give a mouse glowing sperm, a train station gets a new stationmaster cat, and a ramen restaurant prices differently based on the menu language?!

#703: The 2025 Christmas Special… Dig In!

We're keeping it casual with a few stories tonight, like how Santa Claus delivered Christmas presents to penguins, Gainax is now fully dissolved, turning a train platform into a sake bar, and the deal with KFC and Christmas in Japan! We also have fun Christmas questions for the hosts!

#702: Going Beyond the Bridge of Light.

The first permanent Gundam store in the US opens in Illinois, Crunchyroll ends ad-supported streams, and Go Nagai gets to pilot a new Mazinger Z figure! Also, Silent Mobius gets a Marvel crossover series, counselors in costumes testing anime therapy for depression, and restored versions of Studio Ghibli films coming to theaters in 2026! Meanwhile in Japan... A civil servant is arrested for misusing access to run a detective agency, a Japanese town sues a local resident for being a jerk, and KFC opens a pop-up restaurant specifically for non-fried chicken Christmas meals in Tokyo?!

#701: Blown By The Wind.

Political tensions cause cancellations of Japanese media in China, Shonen Jump pop-up shop opens in NJ, backlash over Prime Video's Banana Fish AI dub has voice actors speaking out, and Amazon.com has quietly removed the dub tracks?! Also, J-Hip Hop group m-flo to stop public activities after their February concert, Toei Animation head producer explains Super Sentai ending, and the newest Dragon Ball Z and KFC collaboration hits! Meanwhile in Japan... A Wakayama senior uses AI to identify wild mushrooms and gets poisoned, and a train company lets you buy ticket gates!