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With the start of a new year we thought it best to highlight some of our favourite ongoing manga that deserve more love. We’ve put together a list of ten series we think are worth checking out in hopes that they can blow up, which perfectly summarise our tastes. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction - shouting out manga we love that deserve more love 2:04 Kemutai Hanashi by Fumiya Hanashi 5:47 Starting Today We Are Childhood Friends by Midori Obiya 10:19 My Oh My, Atami-kun by Asa Tanuma 17:32 They Are Still Being Shaken This Morning by Eiji Masuda 24:42 Here And There And Us (And Then And After) by Thanat 29:32 Go With the Clouds North by Northwest by Aki Irie 37:44 Dig It by Yoshidamaru 44:01 The Great Villain Boy by Koume Fujichika 52:36 Fool Night by Kasumi Yasuda 1:01:05 Touge Oni: Primal Gods in Ancient Times by Kenji Tsurubuchi 1:10:37 Extra mention: Double by Ayako Noda 1:11:09 Overview of our picks

What better way to kick off the year than by revisiting our favourite topic: What’s the next big thing in anime/manga? In this episode we revisit our picks from 2024 and go through our new ones for 2026. Timecodes: 0:00 Revisiting the topic: The Next Big Thing 3:25 Enzo’s #2 pick: Phantom Busters by Neoshoco 11:01 Samu’s #2 pick: Gokurakugai by Uto Sano 19:07 Checking in our preview picks for The Next Big Thing  19:21 Sakamoto Days and Gachiakuta - both had anime, neither became mega hits 24:45 Tokyo Aliens and Kindergarten Wars - neither have had anime yet 29:16 Spy X Family vs Chainsaw Man - which won in the long run and which do we prefer? 36:33 Apothecary Diaries vs Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End tight race as the current top hits 38:46 Refresher on the Enzo’s “Kaijuu” term 39:59 The Kaijuu Wall 55:04 Samu’s #1 pick: Kagurabachi by Takeru Hokazono 59:18 Enzo’s #1 pick: Ichi the Witch by Osamu Nishi, Shiro Usazaki 1:09:20 The Next (Next) Big Thing predictions for further in the future

Just like last year, we’re ending 2025 with a ‘best of’ episode, going through various categories to shout-out as many titles that we think deserve recognition and added to your recommendations if you aren’t already familiar. Happy new year! Timecodes: 0:00 - Introduction to rules, carrying on from last year 1:14 Best new manga published in 2025 5:13 Best manga that finished in 2025 10:19 Best ongoing manga of 2025 13:53 Best manga we discovered in 2025 18:08 Best one-shots of the year 20:04 Up-and-comer manga to keep and eye on 23:10 Underappreciated gem of 2025 27:30 A newcomer mangaka to look out for 30:42 Best character of 2025 37:27 Best artwork of 2025 42:07 Biggest trend for manga in 2025 47:53 Which manga got the best adaptation in 2025 50:15 Our most anticipated manga to anime adaptation for 2026 53:58 Predictions for likely anime adaptations announced in 2026 57:10 The manga we think our counterpart should read 1:16:19 Wrap-up and reflecting on starting the podcast this year

We’re covering Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu this week - a series both of us have followed since the manga’s debut. Our opinions might go against the mass opinion right now, as the series has reached new audience with its impressive anime adaptation. Check it out to see what we really think of the series, its origins, and its many characters. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction - the kitchen sink action series we’ve read since the beginning 4:04 Tatsuki Fujimoto and his many successful assistants 11:19 Manga vs anime adaptation 17:34 Momo’s character and her objectified depiction 21:10 Golden Kamuy Effect - side characters that feel like main characters + our favourites 31:35 Spoiler discussion begins 31:44 Our problems with the manga’s repetitiveness and the current amnesia arc 40:20 How long do we think the series will go on for? 42:38 Enzo’s Recommendation: Bug Ego by ONE and Shitara Kiyoto 45:24 Samu’s Recommendation: Fire Punch by Tatsuki Fujimoto 49:48 Overview and final scores

We’re finally tackling a series close to Enzo’s own heart: The Dangers in My Heart by Norio Sakurai - a junior high rom-com and coming-of-age story of an introverted boy with sinister thoughts and the extraverted and most popular girl in the class; an unlikely but adorable pairing which has gotten even more popular thanks to well-received anime adaptation.. It’s finally time to get into it and see just how much we differ in our takes. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction - finally covering one of Enzo’s favourite titles 7:40 An unvarnished depiction of puberty 10:00 Kyoutarou as a romcom protagonist: chuuni, twisted, introverted 16:32 Anna and her role in the story: seemingly ditzy girl who is in on the joke, depictions of her sexuality 21:20 Anime vs manga comparisons 23:15 Supporting cast shout-outs: Moeko, Kana, Adachi, Kenta, Honoka, Hanzawa, Yukina 30:00 Spoiler discussion begins 30:32 Pre-relationship and post-relationship - comparing our feelings on both  34:25 Kyoutarou’s strong relationships with other girls in the series 40:15 Moeko’s character, her relationship with Kyoutarou and getting her own boyfriend 47:52 Our favourite moments of the series so far 54:08 The absence of Kyoutarou’s parents in the narrative 55:44 The sexualisation of Anna throughout the series and depiction of their physical relationship 1:10:58 High school entrance exams - how long will the series last + the anime adaptation? 1:17:28 Enzo’s Recommendation: Mysterious Girlfriend X by Ueshiba Riichi 1:19:18 Samu’s Recommendation: My Perverted Youth by Hata Takashi 1:21:03 Overview and final scores

It’s the final serialisation round of the year for Weekly Shonen Jump, with three new series joining the party - Gonron Egg, The Mage Next Door, and Hero Girl and Demon Lord Call it Quits. We think this batch has some potential for commercial success, and a couple of entries that seem to be trying to expand beyond the usual Jump formula. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction - our special guest this episode: Princess Usagi 2:25 Check-in on the previous serialisation round: Jujujutsu Kaisen Modulo 11:31 Series that ended: Kaedegami, Ekiden Bros, Ping-Pong Peril 15:48 Gonron Egg by Shuuhei Tanizaki 26:44 The Mage Next Door by Hideyaki Nabe 40:50 Hero Girl and Demon Lord Call it Quits by Hatsubina Matsuri 49:04 Prediction future hits and what will leave the magazine next 50:51 Our top 5 currently running series in Weekly Shonen Jump this year

The Manga Taishō is one of the most prestigious awards a series can win, with plenty of future big-hitters gracing the shortlists every year. We decided to read all the winners of the decade so far (2020-2025) and give our takes on each and why we think they did win each year. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction - Discussion Manga Taishō in the context of other manga awards 2:10 Rules of the Manga Taishō Awards 5:00 Blue Period by Tsubasa Yamaguchi 13:50 Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe 21:39 The Darwin Incident by Shun Umezawa 30:38 Draw This, Then Die! (Kore Kaite Shine) by Minoru Toyoda 38:48 Spacewalking With You by Inuhiko Doronoda 47:47 Alice, All the Way to the Stars (Alice, Doko Made mo) by Kiko Urino 59:55 Who do we think should have won each year?

It’s the second LostinAnime Patron-pick this time: Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You by Jinushi. With an anime upcoming and the buzz it’s had over the years, we’ve caught up and have plenty to talk about this little series of smoke breaks, misunderstandings, and slow-burn romance. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction - the second patron-picked manga for the podcast 2:16 The subject of smoking and its depiction 6:47 The misunderstanding trope with Sasaki and Yamada/Tayama 10:41 It’s origin as a web manga, the switch in tone when it starting publishing 12:51 Supporting characters: Goto and Kami-san 16:40 Anime adaption incoming and our expectations 20:09 Spoiler discussion begins 20:15 Sasaki’s age, age-gap romance, the power dynamic, and Sasaki’s shift from Tayama to Yamada 30:20 The timing of the realisations that have and will still come 35:00 The other potential ships that could happen 38:49 Sasaki’s unhealthy relationship work and his boss 43:11 Samu’s Recommendation: Kowloon Generic Romance by Jun Mayuzuki + Cat’s Eye by Tsukasa Hojo 45:45 Enzo’s Recommendation: After the Rain by Jun Mayuzuki 48:52 Overview and final scores

We have two new serialisations in Weekly Shonen Jump we’re discussing this week - a distant sequel to one of its most popular titles of the past decade, and a little romcom by a newcomer - we’re charmed by one and left indifferent by another. Tune in to find which one’s which. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction - check-in on the previous serialisation round 6:13 Series that ended: Kill Blue and Nice Prison 9:48 Check-in with current WSJ titles: Otr of the Flame, Hima-Ten!, Ichi the Witch, Shinobi Undercover 19:50 Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo by Gege Akutami (Story), Yuji Iwasaki (Art) 29:03 Someone Hertz by Ei Yamano 38:55 First chapter ratings + predictions for its survivability 39:31 Looking ahead, predicting the next series to leave the magazine?

This is the second part of our conversation on the Succession Contest arc, this time discussing everything to do with Kurapika, the Kakin Empire’s political machinations, and the mafia family conflicts. And after covering the entire series we rank all the arcs in the series by our preference as well as giving our final scores for Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter. Timestamps 0:00 Introduction - part II of the discussion 0:51 The ever-ambitious rules and layers of the Succession Contest 6:14 Standout characters from the Kakin Empire - and which prince do we think will win? 14:06 Kurapika vs Tserriednich - is Kurapika going to die in this arc? 15:44 The various other storylines ongoing right now 18:04 Which of the princes is Beyond Netero’s child? 21:36 Melody being set up to have a pivotal part in the succession contest 25:01 The mafia families - Heil-ly, Char, Xi Yu - and Morena as a standout 29:03 Prediction of an anime adaptation and the length of the Succession Contest arc 32:49 Samu’s Recommendation: Ooku: The Inner Chambers by Fumi Yoshinaga  34:19 Enzo’s Recommendation: Hyouge Mono by Yamada Yoshihiro  38:21 Overview and scores for the arc 43:15 Our ranking of all Hunter x Hunter arcs 46:36 Final scores for Hunter x Hunter

We’re catching up with Hunter x Hunter’s current arc, and despite it being unfinished there’s a plethora of storylines and characters involved that we’re splitting this discussion into the two parts it needs, like we did with Chimera Ant. This episode we talk about the Dark Continent Expedition, Hisoka vs Chrollo, and our feelings of the Phantom Troupe’s role in the current arc. Check it out and stay tuned for the rest of the discussion next week! Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction - catching up to the series with the Succession Contest arc 4:20 Does the Succession Contest arc feel like a Hunter x Hunter spin-off? 14:29 A unique story arc with its sheer amount of every-expanding storylines 18:11 The Zodiacs and the expedition, Ging and Pariston rivalry early in the arc 22:48 Gon Freecss’s absence, will we cut back to him anytime soon? 25:54 Hisoka vs Chrollo at Heaven’s Arena - the fanservable fight of the series 31:52 Hisoka vs the Phantom Troupe on the boat - who is going to win? 35:46 Fake!Hisoka theory coming to fruition 37:46 Phantom Troupe backstory and parallel between Chrollo and Kurapika 46:26 Tune in for Part II of the discussion!

We continue our Bleach/Rurouni Kenshin read-throughs with the famed Kyoto arc, one of Enzo’s all-time favourite of the medium which he has plenty to gush over. But will Samu feel the same way? Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction - the companion piece to the Soul Society episode 5:04 Spoiler discussion warning 5:22 Himura Kenshin as a main character, comparisons to Ichigo Kurosaki? 9:48 Why is Kyoto arc considered one of the best of the series and battle shonen? 14:54 Juppongatana - standouts and our favourites 20:18 Honjo Kamatari depiction of the time, respectful or exploitative? 22:57 Samu’s many problems with Cho “The Sword Hunter” 26:22 Seijuro Hiko, Kenshin’s past, and their training 36:02 Shishio success as a villain and the influence on Horikoshi’s Stain 44:58 Our favourite fights 52:51 Kenshin vs Shishio and the implications afterlife, and the epilogue 58:51 Samu’s Recommendation: Gintama by Hideaki Sorachi 1:02:28 Enzo’s Recommendation: Dororo by Osamu Tezuka 1:06:09 Overview and final scores

Enzo continues his exploration into the Big 3, this time Bleach’s Soul Society arc, largely considered as one of the best of the series, and one of Samu’s defining experience as an animanga fan. We further discuss Kubo’s style as a writer, his influences, and the standout characters from the arc that properly put Bleach on the map. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction - continuing our Bleach/Rurouni Kenshin read-throughs 1:50 Spoiler discussion warning 2:39 Soul Society arc as one of battle shonen’s best? 4:04 Samu’s personal experience and fondness with the Soul Society arc 5:18 The lack of backgrounds and concise writing style - is Kubo an architect or a gardener? 12:50 Ichigo’s role in the Soul Society arc 14:52 The interconnected thread between all the characters in Soul Society 20:50 Renj’s character arc in Soul Society, guilt about Rukia and vendetta against Byakuya 23:17 Byakuya’s focus and character shift near the end - setting up for the future 26:15 Enzo’s standouts: Shunsui, Hanataro and Ganju 31:40 Samu’s favourite character in anime and manga 35:22 Rukia and the ‘damsel in distress’ trope, how it’s handled here 39:19 Zanpakuto as a power system - a visual representation of character development 43:24 Was Kubo influenced by Watsuki and the Kyoto arc? 51:27 Villain reveal: Aizen, Gin, and Tosen’s betrayal 58:05 Enzo’s Recommendation: One Punch Man by ONE and Yusuke Murata 1:02:28 Samu’s Recommendation: Kekkaishi by Yellow Tanabe 1:03:44 Overview and final scores

This time around we finally tackle the age old fandom question: is the anime or the manga better? This episode we go through series where we prefer the source material as well as the adaptation, including some controversial hot takes you’re not likely to hear anywhere else. As is often the case, not all of them do we agree on. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction - setting the scene with our experience and views on anime vs manga 2:36 Manga > Anime - we preferred the source material 3:07 Recent WSJ adaptations: Sakamoto Days and Chainsaw Man, The Promised Neverland 7:36 Erased, Ooku: the Inner Chambers, Wandering Son 14:52 Anime > Manga - the adaptation exceeding the source material 15:12 WITCH WATCH, Dandadan, Heavenly Delusion, Chihayafuru, Mob Psycho 100, Blood Blockade Battlefront, Teasing Master Takagi-san 19:44 The Elusive Samurai, Nichijou: My Ordinary Life, Attack on Titan 24:48 A Silent Voice - our biggest disagreement 32:14 Bleach - does Samu prefer the anime or manga? 33:31 Our controversial takes 33:50 Samu: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, The Flowers of Evil 40:09 Enzo: Fruits Basket, Usagi Drop 46:52 Conclusion - hot takes are the interesting ones!

We have a sports-heavy four serialisation round for Weekly Shonen Jump that’s just happened so take a listen to hear our takes on what gives us most optimism between baseball, long distance running, ping pong, and… demon hunting? A unique batch in many ways, with some potential chances of success among them. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction - a four serialisation round, with three sports titles 1:59 Check-in on the previous serialisation round: Nice Prison + Otr of the Flame 13:19 Series that ended: Super Psychic Policeman Chojo, Syd Craft: Love is a Mystery, Embers, Star of Beethoven 19:13 Harukaze Mound by Togo Goto and Kento Matsuura 35:57 Kaedegami by Jun Harukawa 52:25 Ekiden Bros by Daisuke Nono 1:04:46 Ping-Pong Peril by Yoshiharu Kataoka 1:12:35 First chapter ratings + predictions for its survivability