Animated Wonders
Animated Wonders is an Explosion Network podcast celebrating animation in all its forms—from Japanese anime to Hollywood hits and overlooked international gems, we’re here to celebrate the stories that only animation can tell. Each episode dives deep into a single film, exploring its story, themes, cultural impact, and the artistry behind its animation.
Episodes
We discuss episodes 18 & 19 of Cowboy Bebop, which explore nostalgia and technology, and we learn about Spike’s love and deep passion for flying
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE #1 CREDITS:- Episode Number & Title: S01E18 - Speak Like a Child
- Original Air Date: October 29, 2001
- Director: Yoshiyuki T...
We discuss episodes 16 & 17 of Cowboy Bebop, in which Jet discovers a dark secret from his past and how he goes about getting revenge.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE #1 CREDITS:- Episode Number & Title: S01E16 - Black Dog Serenade
- Original Air Date: Octobeer 22, 2001
- Director: Ikurō Satō
We discuss episodes 14 & 15 of Cowboy Bebop, in which Faye discovers a dark secret of her past.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE #1 CREDITS:
- Episode Number & Title: S01E14 - Bohemian Rhapsody
- Original Air Date: October 15, 2001
- Director: Hirokazu Yamada
- Writer(s): Dai Satō
We discuss episodes 12 & 13, Jupiter Jazz part one and two, in which Faye disappears, and Spike believes he’s finally going to reconnect with Julia.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE #1 CREDITS:
- Episode Number & Title: S01E12 - Jupiter Jazz (Part 1)
- Original Air Date: October 8, 2001
- Director: Yoshi...
We discuss Forgotten Island, breaking down its themes of friendship and culture, as well as its animation style.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
SHOW DOT POINTS- The film focuses on a unique female friendship.
- Cultural heritage and mythology play a significant role.
- Animation styles are diverse and visually impressive. ...
We discuss episodes 10 & 11 of Cowboy Bebop, which explore Jet’s past more deeply, as well as a story that leaves Spike to save the crew from a nasty surprise on the ship.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE #1 CREDITS:
- Episode Number & Title: S01E10 - Ganymede Elegy
- Original Air Date: October 1, 2001
We discuss episodes 8 & 9 of Cowboy Bebop, which sees the hacker Edward join the team of Bebop.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE #1 CREDITS:
- Episode Number & Title: S01E08 - Waltz for Venus
- Original Air Date: December 24, 2001
- Director: Yoshiyuki Takei
- Writer(s): Michiko Yoko...
We discuss Cowboy Bebop episodes 6 & 7, where Spike meets a dangerous child who may have a secret, and V.T, a space truck hiding a secret.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE #1 CREDITS:
- Episode Number & Title: S01E06 - Sympathy for the Devil
- Original Air Date: December 17, 2001
- Director: Ikurō Satō <...
We discuss episodes 4 + 5 of Cowboy Bebop, in which we see Spike come face-to-face with Vicious, his old friend and now enemy, from when Spike was part of the Red Dragon Syndicate.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE #1 CREDITS:
- Episode Number & Title: S01E04 - Gateway Shuffle
- Original Air Date: September 10, 2001
- Read more
We discuss episodes 2 and 3 of Cowboy Bebop, which introduce Faye Valentine to the series.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
SHOW DOT POINTSEPISODE #1 CREDITS:
- Episode Number & Title: S01E012 - Stray Dog Strut
- Original Air Date: September 3, 2001
- Director: Ikurō Satō
- Writer(s): Michiko Y...
We kick off our new season focused on Cowboy Bebop by discussing the first episode of this seminal anime.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE #1 CREDITS:
- Episode Number & Title: S01E01 - Astroid Blues
- Original Air Date: September 3, 2001
- Studio: Sunrise
- Director: Yoshiyuki Ta...
We discuss the latest entry in the Despicable Me film universe, Minions & Monsters.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
SHOW DOT POINTS- This movie is one of the more enjoyable entries in the series.
- The big bad of the movie was microphones.
- The third act fizzles out with a random resolution.
- Read more
We wrap up our discussion of all the Toy Story films from Pixar/Disney by discussing the themes of all the films, animation quality, and which ones affected us the most.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
CREDITS- 🎵 Music: Kawaii Anime Pop, by Tak_Music Licensed from Audio Jungle
- 🎨 Artwork: Simon Blakcburn
- 📝 Show notes ...
The Despicable Me series continues its run with the fourth film, featuring Gru and company attempting to be in hiding.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
SHOW DOT POINTS- The film is highly forgettable and lacks substance.
- The character dynamics between Gru and Gru Jr. are the highlights.
- The pacing of the movie is off, making it feel unbalanced.
- Mike White's writing for this film raises q...
We discuss Toy Story 5, breaking down its themes, its focus on how it wants to address technology in our lives, and particularly, children's lives, and the overall quality of the film in comparison to the past four.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
SHOW DOT POINTS- Toy Story 5 introduces new themes around technology and play.
- The film has emotional ...
Minions: The Rise of Gru was not only delayed for several years because of COVID-19, but is also memorable for the 'gentle minions' trend.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
SHOW DOT POINTS- The film serves as both a sequel to 'Minions' and a prequel to 'Despicable Me'.
- Character dynamics between Gru and the Minions are central to the story.
- The film lacks the chaotic humour of the origina...
We discuss the spin-off film Lightyear, which may be the movie Andy watched to be introduced to the character in the Toy Story universe.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
SHOW DOT POINTS- The film aims to create a backstory for Buzz Lightyear.
- Themes of failure and teamwork are central to the story.
- The animation quality is praised, but the character designs are debated.
- Chris Evans' performance as Buzz Lig...
Gru meets his twin brother in the third Despicable Me film, and we head off on another wild adventure.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
SHOW DOT POINTS- Despicable Me 3 has a more sitcom-like feel compared to earlier films.
- The film explores themes of family expectations and hereditary traits.
- Dru, Gru's twin, is portrayed as less competent.
- The children play a diminished role in this in...
In this part of the Toy Story journey, we discuss several of the Toy Story Shorts.
- Lamp Life
- Hawaiian Vacation
- Small Fry
- Partysaurus Rex
- Toy Story of Terror!
- Toy Story That Time Forgot
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
SHOW DOT POINTS- The animated shorts provide a fun extension of the Toy Story universe.
- Each short has its unique charm and humour, appealing to both kids...
The Minions get their own film that introduces their largest world and the origin story before they meet Gru.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
SHOW DOT POINTS- The film leans heavily into Minions ' humour, appealing to kids.
- Themes include finding one's place in the world and toxic relationships.
- Minonese is a unique language combining various languages.
- The film was a box office success...
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