Michelle Explains Anime, Poorly

Michelle Explains Anime, Poorly

Hang out with us— or just me, I mean, as I recap seasonal anime episodes in painstaking detail. We’re going to go in order, so you don’t even need to know anything about whichever anime I’m following to enjoy it. Not that I think you’ll enjoy this. You better not. Or else. Seriously though, I hope I can add just a little bit of weirdness to your day.

Episodes

July 10, 2025 46 mins
Ernst is not pleased that Spearhead has been chosen for the suicide mission, and neither is Frederica.

I forget that prejudice is real for a few minutes, and also can't pronounce Nachzehrer.

Do you want to end up the same way, Shin?!: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com
Mark as Played
We finally find out what was in that letter, and it's not good.  

Spearhead becomes Spearhead again : (  

It's ok though, cos they have no family, so no one will be sad when they die : )  

You killed him, right Shin?: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com
Mark as Played
Shin gets a note that destroys him for some reason, and everyone in the Federacy attempts to fight off a large-scale Legion offensive.  

We finally see what's been going on in San Magnolia, and I say I'm proud of Lena at least three times (possibly more, I wasn't actually counting).  

It's time for you to be crushed, Lena: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com
Mark as Played
June 19, 2025 44 mins
We have a relatively calm episode, which is an ok change after the straight-up carnage of the last one. However, Shin's emotional state may be deteriorating, and the Federacy is vastly underestimating how dangerous the upcoming attack will be. That's fine though, cos Shin and Raiden don't think it's a good idea to tell them the reason why Shin knows they're wrong. 
 
Also, I mispronouce Grethe's name so many times that I couldn't eve...
Mark as Played
The Federacy seems pretty nice, they even made them a monument and everything. However, there's still all this weird racism going on, and they suck at fighting the Legion a lot.

Someone probably dies, and it's so gory that I was impressed.  

Shin doesn't seem like he's in the best place mentally.  

Why didn't you save him, Shin: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  
Mark as Played
June 5, 2025 46 mins
The Spearhead gang adjusts to their new life without fighting and a lot less racism. Nobody's really happy about it, though.  

Frederica is 10 and generally annoying.  

Shin has a nightmare at the library (not a nice dream).    

I'm dead. I still want to go home, Shin: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com
Mark as Played
May 29, 2025 55 mins
We start over from zero with Lena and a new group of processors. Nothing and everything has changed.
  
What happens to Spearhead, though? Nothing? Where is Shin's head? Still with his body or no?  
We mee
t some fun new characters (if you're into annoying kids, that is).  

Is it yours, Shin?: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com
Mark as Played
May 22, 2025 53 mins
Spearhead is low on food, fuel, and ammo. They spend the night at an abandoned school.  
Kurena eats her last after dinner dessert.  

Lena visits the barracks.  

If, one day, you make it to our final destination, would you please leave flowers?: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com
Mark as Played
May 15, 2025 60 mins
Spearhead Squadron has some quiet time in the wilderness, but Shin is acting very weird, and Raiden's noticed.

The gang visits the most depressing zoo imaginable.  

We see the world from Fido's perspective.  

Are you going to the other side of the water alone, Shin?: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  
Mark as Played
May 8, 2025 51 mins
Shin and Rei fight! Lena guilts Annette into helping Spearhead! Everyone cries! Yay!  

But what happens when the battle's over but you can't go home?  

We're going on ahead, Major: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  
Mark as Played
May 1, 2025 62 mins
Listen to me be super stressed as I try to record this right before an inspection!  
Lena's getting yelled at by just about everybody.  

We know why Shin wants to find his brother, but now we get to find out why Rei wants to find him. It's probably going to be horrifying, yay!  

I complain about Shin's scar.   

Please don't contact us again, Major: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  
Mark as Played
Hooray! It's finally time for the gang to tell Lena the really bad thing! It's probably going to really destroy her, but sometimes you gotta tell people the truth, right?  

Also, how's Spearhead going to do with the siege of the Legion base that everyone knows is a trap? Remember last season when Ash went somewhere knowing it was a trap? I hope it's not going to be like that.  

Will you remember us as well, Major?: michelle.a.eem@gma...
Mark as Played
I talk a little about the shows I'm watching during the spring season.  

We learn a little more about Shin and Rei's relationship and all of it is terrible. Lena remembers Rei fondly in a way that probably hurts Shin more than she can imagine.  

Some people probably die this episode, sorry.  

I slowly start to talk about my love for Shin while pretending I don't think you can notice.  

Was he smiling, Major?: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  
Mark as Played
April 10, 2025 51 mins
My computer's on the way out (no more keyboard, mouse, bluetooth, wifi...) so this might be a little more rambly than usual cos it's hard to edit without the appropriate tools. Sorry!  

We find out exactly how Shin's been "breaking" all these Handlers and it probably isn't what you're expecting.  

You're going to lose this war, Major: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  
Mark as Played
April 3, 2025 40 mins
How does Lena come back from being told she's been treating Spearhead Squadron like subhuman pigs?  

We see Shin break his calm demeanor for the first time and it's not when he's talking about how many comrades he's watched die.  

I try some things with the audio that you'll either love or hate (or have no real opinion about).

As long as you're inside the walls, you're not our equal, Handler One: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com
Mark as Played
Lena asks Spearhead Squadron about their pets. What's their cat's name (spoiler: I still don't know what to call it)?  

Daiya, Theo, and Haruto spy on the girls and Daiya asks about yobai.  

Theo finally says something and it's super mean (and accurate).  

"Sorry"? Sorry about what, Handler One?: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com
Mark as Played
March 20, 2025 49 mins
Lena is so well intentioned and naïve! It must be nice to have relatives in power so the military police will leave you alone when you say things that are directly against the county's ideology to a whole classroom of children.  

We also learn more about how Spearhead gets supplies, how they fight, and some of their names.  

You like to waste your time, huh, Handler One: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  
Mark as Played
March 13, 2025 64 mins
A bit about the show and its production followed by episode 1.  

We meet Lena and some folks in District 1. Then we get to know Shin and the Spearhead Squadron who have a habit of driving their Handlers literally insane. They seem nice though.  

Yeah, I bet they're nice.  

Say hello to the Reaper for me, Handler One: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com
Mark as Played
I sit down with my human friend Henrique Couto to get his thoughts on the anime, which I, for all intents and purposes, forced him to watch.    

In his own words: "TLDR: glad Ash is dead."   

Also, we start 86 on March 13th!   

Check out Henrique's podcast here

It's almost like they were paving concrete over the garden of Ash's spirit: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com
Mark as Played
February 13, 2025 67 mins
Blanca meets Ash for the first time.  

I get really upset about how Blanca and the world failed him (again) and talk about graffiti a bunch.  

Next week is a weird kind last episode thing and the next season starts on March 13th!  

The act of trying to hold control over a human being is not to be taken lightly, Monsieur: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.