Baka Banter Anime Podcast
Baka Banter is a deep dive into the world of anime. Hosts Ionatan Kuperwajs and Ravi Pancholi break down the latest in anime through a critical lens, dish out their hottest takes, and sit down with guests from across the anime industry.
Episodes
Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this summer! They discuss a surprisingly deep season full of incredible productions, from the return of 'Oshi no Ko' and 'Monogatari' to romantic comedies like 'Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian' and 'Too Many Losing Heroines!' to adaptations that elevate their source material like 'Wistoria' and 'The Elusi...
Science fiction makes use of futuristic concepts in order to deliver prescient stories about humanity and the trajectory of society. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the history and development of science fiction both globally and in Japan. Then, they dive into three series that highlight the diversity of the genre, including explorations of the intersection between personal identity and technology in 'Serial Experiments Lain,' mem...
Ionatan and Ravi are back for another tournament arc, this time filling out a couple ship bracket! They discuss what aspects of romantic relationships in anime resonate with them and why shipping can be a contentious topic among many fandoms before debating which of the top 32 couples deserves to come out on top.
Production I.G is a prolific studio known for its extensive catalog of works in the science fiction and sports genres. Ionatan and Ravi discuss how roots at Tatsunoko Production combined with the unprecedented success of 'Ghost in the Shell' enabled a unique company structure compared to the rest of the industry. Then, they pick their top five Production I.G anime, from movies like 'Patlabor' and 'The End of Eva...
'Vinland Saga' is a modern classic that uses the historical setting of the Viking Age to tell a thought-provoking epic. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, breaking down each season in the anime adaptation of Makoto Yukimura's manga by discussing the meticulous crafting of the world, the wide variety of compelling characters, and how the narrative supports its central themes of redemption and pacifism.
Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this spring! They discuss how varied this anime season is, from studio changes for the 'KonoSuba' and 'Yuru Camp' sequels as well as the 'Spice and Wolf' remake to new series such as 'Kaiju No. 8' and 'Wind Breaker' to the return of Kyoto Animation's 'Hibike! Euphonium.'
Bones is synonymous with a high level of quality, whether that is showcased in action sequences in popular battle shounen or in bringing to life creative original works. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's founding by Sunrise staff members and how their early works like the 'Cowboy Bebop' movie and 'Fullmetal Alchemist' laid the foundation for future productions made with an international audience in mind. The...
Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Zach Logan, host and founder of The One Piece Podcast, to discuss anime podcasting. They cover the early days of the podcast and how it's grown over the past 15 years to now have a wide variety of guests, related podcasts, and even a documentary filmed in Japan. Then, they talk about what makes 'One Piece' such a beloved franchise, personal favorites from the series including characters an...
Mari Okada is one of the most prolific writers in the anime industry, known not only for screenplay and series composition roles but also for her work as a mangaka and director. Ionatan and Ravi discuss Mari Okada's personal story as told in her autobiography before giving some overarching thoughts on her extensive writing credits. Then, they explore how her two directed films, 'Maquia' and 'Maboroshi,' tackle t...
Ionatan and Ravi are joined by Aurélie Petit, a doctoral candidate in film studies at Concordia University, to discuss the intersection between technology, gender, and sexuality as it relates to anime. They break down her research on the history of animated pornography, how online anime communities have developed exclusionary practices towards women, and the role that artificial intelligence plays in the anime industry. Then, they ...
Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this winter! They discuss the popularity of 'Solo Leveling,' the combination of classic fantasy and cooking in 'Dungeon Meshi,' the continuation of their shoujo adventures with 'A Sign of Affection,' and why 'Metallic Rouge' has been such a disappointment.
Ionatan and Ravi prepare for the season of love with a Valentine's Day anime special! They begin by discussing their dislike of the consumerism surrounding Valentine's Day and giving some background on how the holiday is celebrated in Japan. Then, they pick their favorite anime episodes to watch this time of the year from series such as 'Toradora!' and 'Hyouka.'
Ionatan and Ravi take a look back at anime in 2023! They give their final thoughts on each season from the previous year, engage in their annual rant about the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, and pick their winners for each award category from best opening to anime of the year.
What makes for a particularly compelling anime movie? Ionatan and Ravi discuss how they approach critically watching films compared to television series before giving their personal recommendations for the best standalone movies that the medium has to offer. They cover a pair of Satoshi Kon works in 'Tokyo Godfathers' and 'Perfect Blue,' Mamoru Hosoda's heartfelt story of parenthood in 'Wolf Children,' a...
Ionatan and Ravi round out 2023 by answering listener questions from the mailbag. They discuss the differences between original works and manga adaptations, the best and worst casts in anime, their favorite first episodes in the medium, and much more! Then, they take a look back at the third year of the podcast.
Ionatan and Ravi discuss highlights from Ionatan's recent trip to Japan! They first cover Ravi's weekend at Anime NYC 2023, including spending time with the podcast community and attending panels for series like 'Lycoris Recoil' and 'Great Pretender.' Then, they break down the cultural experiences, food, and encounters with anime content from three incredible weeks visiting various cities throughout Japan.
CloverWorks is a relatively new studio that has established itself quickly within the anime industry over the past few years. Ionatan and Ravi discuss the studio's origins at A-1 Pictures and subsequent combination of co-productions, adaptations, and original works. Then, they pick their top five CloverWorks anime, from the massively successful 'Bocchi the Rock!' and 'Spy x Family' to high-quality productions li...
'Attack on Titan' is one of the most important anime franchises of the modern age, telling a dark fantasy epic that is responsible for bringing anime into global mainstream culture. Ionatan and Ravi dive deep into the series, breaking down each season in the anime adaptation of Hajime Isayama's manga from the Fall of Shiganshina to the War for Paradis. They discuss the characters and lore of the world, numerous twists i...
Ionatan and Ravi give their thoughts on every show they're watching this fall! They discuss a pair of anime of the year contenders in 'Frieren' and 'The Apothecary Diaries,' whether 'Spy x Family' needs constant plot progression and character development, and the visually stunning but otherwise lackluster 'Undead Unluck.'
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