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As we settle in and spill a few drinks (this week’s drinking game), we welcome Amy back around the table and get her thoughts on the last number of months 00:12:05 - We start with the Toronto goings on with the official start of the countdown to Anime North, The Artist Alley Shop, local sweets, the follow up to AniRevo Toronto (and what it might overlap with), the predatory nature of the Gaming Card side, and the Nerd Market 00:46:10 - Another angle on the Amazon AI Dubbing story and the scenarios 00:54:40 - An update over the battle between Netflix and Paramount for the soul of Warner Bros/Discovery, and a thought for series being released for binge vs week to week 01:14:30 - Hideaki Anno on Japanese creators adapting to international markets…let’s dig here a little bit, there’s some nuance to talk about 01:45:50 - And what’s on our read, watch, and play lists…with some further therapy for Mike and his growing Light Novel addiction Moh: Rental Family, Frieren James: Wash It All Away Kevin: Another Code: Recollection Amy: My Hero Academia, Sanda, Spy x Family, Rica ‘tte Kanji, My Journey to Her, With You Our Love Will Make It Through Mike: My Stepmom’s Daughter is My Ex, Catch Me at the Ballpark, Days With My Stepsister, Falling for Her Secret Side And finally a possible idea for a future stream... Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Amy-Lynn Greig, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Check out our Linktr.ee for...

Kevin lives to tell about his experience working retail the day after Christmas (one of the busiest shopping days of the year). Kevin lives to tell about his trip to Asia (which did include Japan). Kevin gives us his takes on the last few Space Heaters (because he was living). Then Kevin wonders what our reading and watching lists say about him and Mike (and tries to survive telling that) It's the final podcast recording of 2025. Hope you like it *more links to be added* Mike Nicolas and Kevin Ng Check out our Linktr.ee for more details and the socials: animeroundtable.com

Mike and Mohamed go on and off topic wondering what was the bigger garbage fire this week. Was it the FIFA World Cup Draw, or Amazon's anime AI Dub attempt? And then we went on and off topic one more time with Netflix/WB and Crunchyroll ending winding down their ad tier. And then we end with our usual "What are we watching and reading" segment. Here's one of Mike's hints: Happy Birthday Mahiru Shiina!! This Week's Drinking Game: Take a shot for Mike when he realizes Moh got disconnected... Mike Nicolas and Mohamed Sharmarke Check out our Linktr.ee for more details and the socials: animeroundtable.com

TLDR: It was better than the microphones for this taping…and you can hear it Mike and James give their review on the first Anime Revoution Toronto the previous weekend, and in particular the Japanese guests. With a few thoughts on the Toronto Game Expo which was also the same weekend. With a longer conversation about the convention scene for Toronto. And a throw away thought on Amazon’s AI Dubbing attempt Remind Mike to do a mic check next time Mike Nicolas and James Austin Check out our linktr.ee for more information: animeroundtable.com

Mike and James finally go back to the podcast mics. And James talks watching Virgin Punk in theatres, XSEED, and Crunchyroll subtitles. Mike talks his first impressions of using the Manga UP service. We look ahead to Anime Revolution Toronto. And end with a tribute to an Anime North original Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

Our first regular episode since Anime North begins by looking back on the Demon Slayer movie talk in last week’s Space Heater. And a question about how much Sony’s recent form has been a win 00:31:40 - Crunchyroll announces an opening for their returning manga service. And there is an extra charge for it and… Mike seeks therapy after going anime window shopping visit to Chinatown for the first time in years 01:09:20 - The AnimeMen youtube channel has made some news lately 01:34:50 - Kevin went down to AnimeNYC 01:53:00 - The Toronto Community calendar. Anime Revolution Toronto, and Anime Festa This week’s Drinking Game: Take a shot everytime you hear Mike tapping his pen Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Amy-Lynn Greig, and Mohamed Sharmarke (eventually) Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki —— Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

Taped after the successful opening weekend of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle in North American theatres. Mike hasn’t seen it, but Kevin and Moh have. So we talk about that and “a few” things surrounding it Visit our launch page for more links: animeroundtable.com

The short answer is yes...as James catches up with the Mike. Gives his view last week's chat on the VShojo controversy, his thoughts on manga, light novels, and how they roll into anime. And then he talks about what caught his attention, namely the Animeigo and Discotek panels at Otakon and how they're a throwback to anime announcements from a by gone time Visit our launch page for links: animeroundtable.com

Mike finally returns on the podcast side and catches up with Kevin for a talk around the space heater. We get Kevin's take on recent manga announcements from Anime Expo and San Diego, as well as his take on Mike's recent thoughts on manga and light novels. Then, Kevin did see BlackPink when they were in Toronto a few weeks back. So we get his thoughts on that and the Ado concert which took place last night. And finally under the "What the hell man?" heading, VShojo... Visit our launch page for links: animeroundtable.com

Day two from Anime North always starts with impressions of it. Especially the weather and cosplay, what we saw in the TCC, and the panels seen and even done 0:49:40 - We talked about Matt Alt’s article about the resilience of the popularity of Japanese Pop Culture in comparison to Western…perhaps it’s a focus issue. And maybe the west’s influence in Asian Pop Culture 1:20:55 - Anime North Assistant Program Director Norm McEvoy makes his annual walk on with his thoughts on the convention so far 1:32:20 - Headlines in brief. Crunchyroll now at 17M subscribers. Anne Shirley’s all American cast. And watching 1100 One Piece episodes in 24hr??! 1:52:28 - What’s on our reading and watch lists (Beastars, Blue Box, The Makani, Summer Pockets, Kowloon Generic Romance, Anne Shirley, Apothicary Diaries, Catch Me at the Ballpark, Gundam GQuuuax, Pikman 4, Haganai, Vigilantes MHA, Dr Stone, Red Ranger Isikai) 2:03:10 - Mike’s Final Insult Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng, Amy Lynn Greig, with Norm McEvoy Opening Theme: “FUBUKI - Snowstorm” performed by Pico Masaki Visit our launch page for links: animeroundtable.com

We look back on Day 1 of AN. We talk initial impressions, how the AN compound looks, the weather, then some thoughts on the foreign film tariffs and wonder how this either ties into anime in North America and how it makes any sense Then we look ahead to Day 2, and Mike's special presentation before the evening taping Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Mohamed Sharmarke, Lawrence Black Visit our launch page for links: animeroundtable.com

Editors Note: This was taped just before Switch 2 preorders were also delayed in Canada. Which means a chunk of this aged about as well as milk... A very long conversation about the ongoing Ghibli/ChatGPT controversy, the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, and V-Tuber Mint Fantome speaks as herself to explain her world to the rest of it Mike Nicolas, James Austin, Kevin Ng Opening Theme: Fubuki - Snowstorm by Pico Misaki Visit our launch page for links: animeroundtable.com

James finally gets a little time away from work again to visit Mike for a Space Heater. After a quick overview of shopping options in Toronto, they decided to talk about the Animeigo documentary series “The Anime Business”, the upcoming Anne of Green Gables anime and the hopes for it in Canada, and James’ thoughts on Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and how he feels it’s not enough to save Ubisoft Mike Nicolas and James Austin Opening Theme: “Fubuki-Snowstorm” by Pico Misaki Check out our website for more information and other links: animeroundtable.com

We start with Mike looking back on 19 years (on and off) of the Roundtable. And then current events with the Oscars, a followup to Space Heater and Ontario politics (with the election earlier in the week) 18:25 - Everyone around the table tonight has seen Gundam GQuuuux Beginning in theatres. And we have thoughts from Gundam watchers, and newcomers 57:12 - On the anniersary of Akira Toriyama’s passing, the Japan Foundation New York is doing an online panel about Dragon Ball’s popularity (on YouTube now) And coming back full circle, Mike looks back on 19 years of the Anime Roundtable, and ahead to kicking the Twitch stream into high gear. Cheers to all that Mike Nicolas, Kevin Ng, Mohamed Sharmarke Opening Theme: “Speed Demon” by Simon Holland (Greetings and Saluations) Visit our linktree for more information and links: animeroundtable.com

Kevin gives a Mike quick lecture to Mike as feedback on the first gaming stream. Then we talk Japanese Music with his thoughts on seeing Nano and MADKID in concert, Cloud Nine CEO Takuya Chigira’s thoughts on the state of JPOP internationally. How the downfall of a former member of SMAP is proving to be an issue for the TV network he was an anchor of, and some possible ramifications. Then we unwind with by looking back on Animeigo’s Valentine’s town hall Mike Nicolas and Kevin Ng Anime Roundtable playlist on Spotify Opening Theme: “Fubuki-Snowstorm” by Pico Misaki Landing Page: animeroundtable.com