Best Anime Protagonist Podcasts (2025)

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E15: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Paging Dr. Leonard 1:03:02

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23h ago1:03:02

1:03:02

In this episode, we’re grabbing our stethoscopes and throwing around the term “stat!” for an episode about medical dramas. Test your knowledge alongside our guests, actor and rapper Utkarsh Ambudkar and writer Tracey Wigfield. Guests: Actor and rapper Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Ghosts,” “My Dead Friend Zoe,” “The Mindy Project”), and comedy writer Tracey W…

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183 - Two Truths and a [WEEB] 2:03:01

3d ago2:03:01

2:03:01

Crunchyroll Anime Awards Reaction, Spring 2025 Seasonal Anime Discussion, & Anime / Video Game Two Truths & A Lie Episode Overview: Join The AniPro Podcast through a thrilling game of two truths and a lie as hosts Cole, Mike, and Jay try to deceive each other with anime related topics. Also, the beauty of Anne Shirley's visuals are explored, Uma Mu…

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Jurassic Park 3 (BONUS) 1:19:39

7d ago1:19:39

1:19:39

We finally reach the end of the original Jurassic Park trilogy with 2001's Jurassic Park 3. We share our thoughts about the differing foliage and dinosaur skins and wonder if they couldn't have made a million more of these movies. But they don't, at least not for like 14 years. Next time we're in reboot territory.…

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Girltaku 178: Spring 2025 Anime Check-in 59:54

8d ago59:54

59:54

We discuss our reading assignments: Anne Shirley, Rock is A Lady's Modesty, and Kowloon Generic Romance

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E14: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Movie magic 1:07:16

8d ago1:07:16

1:07:16

Scrub down your cauldrons and polish your wands — this week on NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING we are delving into the world of magic! Or, at least, the world of movies and TV shows about magic. Guests: Writer Justin Halpern (“Abbott Elementary,” “$#*! My Dad Says”), actor/writer Mary Holland (“Ghosts,” “Nightbitch”), and writer Kim Rosenstock (“Dying for Se…

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182 - [WEEB] Review: Beyond the Boundary 1:43:47

10d ago1:43:47

1:43:47

Reviewing Beyond the Boundary & Discussing Back To The Future, Formula 1, and AI Episode Overview: KyoAni has once again entered the hot seat as AniPro takes a look at the 2013 supernatural action show: Beyond the Boundary! Also, Jay continues a new tradition, Cole's new obsession continues, Mike's taken an interest in the future, and more! Topics …

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Chihayafuru S2 Ep 4-6: Unlucky and Untalented 1:07:08

13d ago1:07:08

1:07:08

We do team sports today. But first, Joe and Sarah talk about our individual lives and stuff. Lots about giving presentations and public speaking this time. Everyone's FAVORITE thing!! Then in Chihayafuru, we’re back for more tournament action. Taichi is getting targeted hard by the next opponent and then we must contend with Retro’s secret weapon…w…

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E13: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: 'Cause we are livin' in a procedural world 1:04:38

15d ago1:04:38

1:04:38

On NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING, we love case-of-the-week shows with acronyms for names, from “NCIS” to “Chicago PD” to “Law and Order: SVU.” On this week’s show, we get in on the procedural fun with actors Taran Killam, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, and Anna Konkle. Listen as our guests pitch their own procedurals, and try to solve the crime of bad movies and TV…

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181 - Postman [WEEB] 1:47:11

17d ago1:47:11

1:47:11

Our Top Mecha / Gundam & Answering YOUR Mailbag Questions Episode Overview: While Jay is away, Mike and Cole took it upon themselves to answer YOUR mailbag questions! That's right! It's another mailbag episode this week! Also, Mike's going through a big change, Cole makes a big announcement, and more! Topics & Timestamps: 00:00:00 - AniProPod #181 …

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Chihayafuru S2 Ep 1-3: A Real Shoujo Protagonist 1:02:47

17d ago1:02:47

1:02:47

We get back to the mat this week with Chihayafuru S2. Second season is here! IRL, Joe is playing Kotor II and Sarah had fun times with her coworkers. We start off season 2 with two no characters, ones an icon and the other we both dislike. Can you guess which is which? As for the rest of the characters we pick off basically where they ended last se…

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Girltaku 177: Anime Crossovers We'd Love To See 1:01:57

22d ago1:01:57

1:01:57

A special thanks to our listener for suggesting this topic! This week, we fantasize the ways our favorite anime media could crossover, and honestly, it was a LOT of fun

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E12: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: I saw the TV, d’oh 1:12:20

22d ago1:12:20

1:12:20

We’re giving into nostalgia and going full 90s mode with an episode about the many great (and some not so great) TV sitcoms of the decade. Guests: Actors Tichina Arnold (“The Neighborhood,” “Martin”), Vella Lovell (“Animal Control,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”) and Timothy Simons (“Nobody Wants This,” “Veep”). NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING is a production of The…

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180 - One Man's [WEEB] 1:56:59

24d ago1:56:59

1:56:59

Gachiakuta Manga Review & News Discussion (GTA 6, Uma Musume, Chainsaw Man) Episode Overview: The boys dive head first into the trash heap as they review the Shonen battle manga; Gachiakuta! Tune in to find out whether they think it's a heaping pile of garbage, or a hidden gem! Also, a GTA 6 discussion before GTA 6, horse girls in real life(?), ani…

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The Rose of Versailles (2025) 1:45:35

28d ago1:45:35

1:45:35

We say au revoir to revolutionary France this week as we send off the Rose of Versailles with the 2025 movie! But first, we talk about… the omegaverse?? We’re really on one today. Then we watch the movie and it’s, uh, different than the show. More musical, more tearful, more…uh….shallow. Come check it out! Next time it’s back to Chihayafuru.…

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E11: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: A Spy Is Born 57:07

29d ago57:07

57:07

Martinis shaken, not stirred. Fast cars and shiny shoes. Villain monologues and absurd gadgets. From shagadelic parodies to suave 007 and serialized stories, we’re taking aim at spy movies. Guests: Actress Rose McIver (“Ghosts,” “iZombie”); writer/showrunner Raamla Mohamed (“Little Fires Everywhere,” “Reasonable Doubt,”); and writer/director Mark A…

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179 - Checking in On An Old [WEEB] 2:50:38

1M ago2:50:38

2:50:38

Spring 2025 Seasonal Anime We're Watching Episode Overview: 2025 is flying by, and we're somehow already halfway into the Spring 2025 season! Join Cole, Mike, and Jay as they cover the anime worth watching (and some not worth watching) this season! Also, a critically-acclaimed game keeps eluding Jay's grasp, Mike's upset about price increases, Cole…

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The Rose of Versailles Ep 39-40: The End of an Era 1:34:24

1M ago1:34:24

1:34:24

We’ve done it, we’ve reached the end of The Rose of Versailles, but just the beginning of the French Revolution. It’s been a long and really great series that both of us have enjoyed watching. But like our friends Oscar and Andre, eventually all good things must come to an end. What the future holds is anyone’s guess… Except it’s not a guess for us…

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Imperfect Paradise: How the Rent Brigade took on LA’s landlords 39:27

1M ago39:27

39:27

In the days after LA’s early-January wildfires, tenant advocate Chelsea Kirk noticed a trend: rent gouging. Rents were shooting up past their legal limit. In the wake of the fires, as natural disaster collided with LA’s severe housing shortage, we trace how a collective of volunteers organized themselves to bring rent gouging to light in LA County.…

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Girltaku 176: Underrated Anime of 2024 56:46

1M ago56:46

56:46

There's so much anime coming out these days that it can be impossible to watch them all. As a result, some really good anime fall through the cracks. We only had time to discuss 6. Anime Discussed: Oblivion Battery, Viral Hit, The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic, Nina The Starry Bride, Yatagarasu, and Train to the End of the World…

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E10: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Hollywood Plays Itself 1:12:50

1M ago1:12:50

1:12:50

Today we’re talking about the only truly noble pursuit there is — making movies! To honor the greatest industry in the world, this live episode of NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING is all about movies… about movies. Guests: Writer/actor Ashley Nicole Black (“A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “Shrinking”); writer/actor Paul Scheer (“Black Monday,” “The League”); and w…

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The Lost World: Jurassic Park (BONUS) 1:43:43

1M ago1:43:43

1:43:43

We're back on our watch through of all the Jurassic Park films. This time, with JP2, a movie that really leans in on Dinosaur chases and only is a little about being a dad. Will this be a bellwether for the rest of the movies? Sarah probably knows!

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178 - [WEEB]s On The Slope 1:56:53

1M ago1:56:53

1:56:53

Kids on the Slope Anime Review + Our Favorite Concerts Episode Overview: With legendary anime director, Shinichiro Watanabe's, newest work hitting the scene this season, Jay tasked the boys to check out one of his previous works; the adaptation of a Jazz-themed Josei drama known as Kids on the Slope! Tune in to find out how jazzed AniPro was with t…

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The Rose of Versailles Ep 37-38: Defection Affection 1:08:36

1M ago1:08:36

1:08:36

Here we are, at the penultimate episode of our coverage of the Rose of Versailles. IRL, Joe is knee deep in Star Wars Rebels and books. Meanwhile, Sarah has been dating in Stardew Valley and IRL! In the Rose of Versailles, the Revolution is here! Fighting erupts in Paris and Oscar and Andre must decide what they’re going to do! But first, they have…

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Imperfect Paradise: From ranchers with guns to gurus with crystals: How extremism in the American West has evolved 26:03

1M ago26:03

26:03

When Portland, Oregon-based reporter Leah Sottile began covering extremism in the American West a decade ago, she was interviewing ranchers, fundamentalist Mormons and “sovereign citizens” who did not believe the federal government should own land. During the pandemic, she began noticing that New Age wellness leaders were talking about many of the …

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E9: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves 1:01:13

1M ago1:01:13

1:01:13

Legend has it that women have been a pivotal part of the film industry since its conception, even though some corners of the internet get really angry if you say that. But this week on NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING, our guests Lauren Lapkus, Jackie Tohn, and Michael Urie get to the bottom of the mystery that is women in film (in an episode written and prod…

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177 - Taking Pictures of [WEEB] 1:53:01

1M ago1:53:01

1:53:01

Mono Manga Review & Underrated Anime Settings Episode Overview: Mike is back from the promised land of Japan to join Cole and Jay once again for a review of Laid Back Camp's sister manga; Mono! Tune in to find out if Afro's new follow up lives up to their previous work! Also, Mike catches up with the boyz, AniPro discusses their favourite, and most…

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The Rose of Versailles Ep 34-36: France in Flux 1:18:53

2M ago1:18:53

1:18:53

We close in on the end. In our real lives, Joe has watched the first episode of like four anime series and isn’t that confident in how they’ll turn out. Sarah, meanwhile, continues her quest to watch all of Survivor. In the Rose of Versailles, things are kicking off. Oscar is dying and possibly turning traitor (thank god!) while Andre is trying to …

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Imperfect Paradise: Can Oakland point the way for the future of liberal cities 34:50

2M ago34:50

34:50

Journalist Alexis Madrigal is obsessed with the port of Oakland. He even has a tattoo of a shipping container! In his new book, The Pacific Circuit, he makes the case that Oakland is where the real-world impacts of globalization are felt, and serves as a warning for other port communities. He documents the impact that the tech/logistics industry ha…

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Girltaku 175: Spring 2025 Anime Watchlist 55:08

2M ago55:08

55:08

We talk about the anime we've watched so far for Spring of this year!

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E8: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Time After Time After Time 1:13:20

2M ago1:13:20

1:13:20

Some people think space is the final frontier, but those people are wrong. It's actually time travel! Space, we've been there. But time travel has only happened in fiction. Still, just the thought of the possibility of rewriting the past is one we can't seem to shake, as evidenced by the movies that Hollywood continues to make about time travel — o…

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176 - Crunchyroll [WEEB] Awards 1:55:49

2M ago1:55:49

1:55:49

Crunchyroll Anime Awards Predictions & Switch 2 Price Reaction Episode Overview: The nominees for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards are here, and AniPro is ready to predict just what they think will win each category! Also, the Nintendo Switch 2 prices dropped, Jay’s watching anime, Cole returned to a forgotten game, Mike’s gone to a better place, and m…

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Imperfect Paradise: The fallout over LAFD funding: Bass vs. Crowley 36:13

2M ago36:13

36:13

Amid the devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires that killed more than two dozen people, a political conflict came sharply into focus surrounding the funding of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Finger-pointing as to who was to blame included former LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and LA Mayor Karen Bass. The two women would be lambasted for thei…

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The Rose of Versailles Ep 31-33: Mob Mentality 1:14:09

2M ago1:14:09

1:14:09

This week, we inch our way to the end. But first, we talk about our personal lives. And we…have some trouble remembering what we did. Panic buy thing? Play games? Watch TV? Who can remember…. In the Rose of Versailles, the French Guard is tasked with protecting a Spanish Duke from the wicked Saint-Just. Will they succeed? And then, Oscar and Andre …

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E7: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: And the Oscar Goes To… 1:01:47

2M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

Hollywood is getting ready for luncheons and deleting old tweets, which is why this episode is all about the Oscars. When you give an awards speech in your bathroom mirror, we know what statue you’re pretending to hold. So this week on NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING, Oscar nominees Peter Straughan, Kris Bowers, and actress Caitlin Reilly duke it out for the…

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175 - [WEEB] Award Winter 2025 Anime 2:03:13

2M ago2:03:13

2:03:13

Winter 2025 Seasonal Anime Awards Episode Overview: Winter 2025 has come to a close, so you know what that means! It's time for AniPro to award all the best anime the season had to offer! Also, find out who won the Winter Draft, the boys' picks for Anime of the Season, and more! Topics & Timestamps: 00:00:00 - AniProPod #175 Intro 00:03:17 - Assass…

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The Rose of Versailles Ep 28-30: A Rose is a Rose 1:31:46

2M ago1:31:46

1:31:46

This week we’re both feeling a bit under the weather. That didn’t stop us from doing stuff like going out till 2:30 am or hosting big meetings. Nope, we still did that stuff. In the Rose of Versailles, everything changes. Oscar’s affection for Fersen boils over and she decides to change careers. This domino knocks down the next as Andre completely …

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Imperfect Paradise: Rebuild or leave? One Black family in Altadena decides their future after Eaton Fire 40:25

2M ago40:25

40:25

The biggest question hanging over most people in Los Angeles who lost homes in the Palisades and Eaton Fires is whether to rebuild or leave -- a question that's especially fraught for Altadena's Black community, who faced a long history of redlining. Charel Bailey’s parents have lived in Altadena since 1977, and she desperately wants them to rebuil…

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E6: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: We Love L.A. 1:09:48

2M ago1:09:48

1:09:48

Los Angeles has been through a lot this year. It’s hard to find a single person in Los Angeles who hasn’t been affected in some way by the recent wildfires. There’s so much to be sad and even scared about right now, but since we can’t fix all of that, we’re here to do what we know best — in the words of the great Donald O’Connor: “Make ‘em laugh.” …

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Girltaku 174: Anime Hiding Social Commentary 57:09

2M ago57:09

57:09

Media will naturally explore society, but sometimes, there are anime that we take a double take on and realize they're commenting on something specific about the world. We talk about some of those anime! Anime Discussed: BEASTARS, The Promised Neverland, Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie, Shangri-la Frontier, Golden Kamuy, Misfit of Demon King Academy, …

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174 - [WEEB] Race Horse Girls 1:48:01

2M ago1:48:01

1:48:01

AniPro is off to the races with their review of the overseas hit series about racing Horse Girls; Uma Musume: Pretty Derby! Also, Cole finds a brand-new obsession, Mike's drafting much more than anime, Jay comes into a ton of free time, and more! VOTE FOR LISTENERS' CHOICE HERE - https://forms.gle/jSCNTxrj8AdHq1yV7 Support AniPro: Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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The Rose of Versailles Ep 25-27: Blinded by Love 1:04:28

2M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

This week the Black Knight arrives! But first, Joe and Sarah talk about their lives. Joe has been staying up too late and it’s brutal, while Sarah has been trying to rehouse the dog she found. It’s been a long one ya’ll. In the Rose of Versailles, Fersen is back baby! He returns from France, and he’s totally over Marie. It’s True! And you know who …

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Imperfect Paradise: When the disinformation machine comes for you 39:40

2M ago39:40

39:40

Renée DiResta joined the Stanford Internet Observatory to analyze how propaganda spreads online. But in 2023, she went from studying the online disinformation machine to becoming its target. We dive into what happened when a right-wing conspiracy made Renée its villain, as well as how disinformation has changed over the last three presidential elec…

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E5: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Sex, Drugs, and Public Radio 1:11:54

2M ago1:11:54

1:11:54

The troubled childhood, the meteoric rise to fame, the tragic fall… We all know the basic outline of a music biopic, so how hard can it be to write one? Find out (along with our guests!) in this episode of NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING. Guests: Writer/director Dana Ledoux Miller ("Moana 2"); actor Jason Ritter ("Matlock"); and writer Joshua Zetumer ("Say N…

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173 - [WEEB] Preview Spring 2025 2:04:22

2M ago2:04:22

2:04:22

The spring 2025 season of anime is right around the corner, and AniPro is here to give YOU the run-down on all the shows to look out for, this upcoming quarter! Also, Jay's in his PJs, Mike's trying to cram before the big trip, Cole dusted off his old console, and more! Support AniPro: Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/AniP…

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The Rose of Versailles Ep 22-24: A "Lesbos" Fashion 1:29:17

3M ago1:29:17

1:29:17

This week the Diamond Necklace Affair! But first we catch up. Joe went to Dallas and drank a lot. Woo hoo! Meanwhile, Sarah has watched Severance. In the Rose of Versailles, Jeanne pulls off her biggest “prank” yet. She scams Rohan into buying an ungodly expensive necklace and then immediately gets caught. Then we all go to trial. It goes bad for p…

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Girltaku 173: ESFJ Anime Characters 1:10:12

3M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

Our MBTI analysis is back! Raise your hands, ESFJs!

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E4: NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING: Foreign Exchange 55:54

3M ago55:54

55:54

Like most of America, Hollywood has a…weird relationship with the rest of the world. The land of The Oscars, Westerns, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is afraid of subtitles and loves to remake an international hit in English. Say bonjour to the NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING episode all about foreign films! Guests: Writer Zach Baylin (“King Richard,” “The Order…

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172 - Arrow In The [WEEB] 1:53:15

3M ago1:53:15

1:53:15

This week, the boys review the cult hit manga; Love Bullet! Also, Jay's credits finish, Mike's still going to Japan (it's true, we checked), Cole's rediscovering an old love, and more! Support AniPro: Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/AniProPod Send us a Mailbag: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anipropod.com/mailbag Use code "ANIPRO" f…

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Imperfect Paradise: Meet the filmmakers who love AI 34:04

3M ago34:04

34:04

It’s hard to find people in Hollywood who are willing to speak publicly about their enthusiasm for AI, for fear of being seen as “siding with the machines.” And yet, many people are quietly using the technology already. In this episode, we interview two enthusiastic early adopters of AI in filmmaking about how they’re using it, its strengths and li…

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The Rose of Versailles Ep 19-21: A Hell of Your Own Making 1:33:00

3M ago1:33:00

1:33:00

High drama this week as we round the half-way point of this show! IRL, Sarah has gone to see the live action Sailor Moon performance, which she definitely remembers that she did! And Joe watched Casablanca for the first time, so we are both sticking to the oldies around here. In the Rose of Versailles we take a dark turn. First, we learn about Char…