The Wait For It Podcast

We dive into the world of park building games with a focus on Jurassic World Evolution 2, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and the crucial role of mods in enhancing gameplay.

• Comparing Jurassic World Evolution 1 (2018) and Evolution 2 (2021)
• The experience gap between console and PC gameplay due to mod support
• Evolution 2's simplified approach compared to other park builders like Planet Zoo and Prehi...

For this edition of International Feature, we dive into The First Slam Dunk, exploring how the 2022 anime film became the highest-grossing basketball movie of all time with nearly $300 million worldwide. They analyze the revolutionary animation style that blends 2D and 3D techniques while discussing whether it successfully welcomes newcomers to the franchise.

• Groundbreaking animation combining traditional 2D with CGI cre...

Perfect Blue, Satoshi Kon's 1997 directorial debut, stands as one of the most influential and psychologically complex anime films ever created, still inspiring filmmakers today with its disturbing yet masterful narrative about identity and fame. The film's ability to blur the lines between reality and delusion creates a viewing experience that continues to haunt viewers days after watching, making it a timeless psychologi...

The entertainment industry is constantly evolving, and May 2025 brought several significant developments that caught the attention of pop culture enthusiasts everywhere. From controversial pricing decisions to exciting casting announcements, there's much to unpack in this month's entertainment landscape.

• Randy Pitchford told fans "if you're a real fan, you'll find a way" to afford the $80 Bo...

Voice actress Roo Ryder shares her journey from athlete to anime star, revealing how she became the voice of Torako Koshi in "My Deer Friend Nokotan" and built her career in gaming, voice acting, and cosplay.

• Roo discusses her background as an athlete and how COVID led her to pursue voice acting professionally in 2022
• Her experience working as a party princess entertainer helped develop her character work...

We take a deep dive into the Assassin's Creed franchise with Andrew from Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers to examine its evolution from humble beginnings to global phenomenon. Together, we trace the journey from Altair's first adventure to the latest installment in feudal Japan.

• The first Assassin's Creed established a foundation despite repetitive gameplay and a bland protagonist
• Assassin's Cr...

We return to international cinema with 2024's Oscar winner for Best International Film, "I'm Still Here," a powerful true story about Brazil's military dictatorship and one family's devastating experience.

• Based on the true story of Eunice Paiva, whose husband disappeared during Brazil's military dictatorship in 1971
• Features an extraordinary performance from Fernanda Torres that ...

Travis Bickle, a lonely Vietnam War veteran working as a NYC taxi driver, descends into violent vigilantism as his mental state deteriorates and his disgust with urban decay intensifies. Martin Scorsese's legendary 1976 character study features an iconic performance by Robert De Niro that continues to influence cinema decades later.

• Robert De Niro's transformative performance as Travis Bickle remains the film&a...

Matthew Medney joins us to discuss GUNGNIR, his fresh publishing company blending punk rock spirit with Norse mythology to create bold, innovative sci-fi and fantasy narratives.

• Journey from music industry production management to publishing
• Creating a community-based publisher where readers discover new voices and follow favorite authors
• Every Gungnir book has its own unique artistic style – no house style

From 36,000 feet in the air to the depths of future dystopian worlds, Nicholas Keating-Casbarro shares the incredible journey of creating his sci-fi franchise, Vitalerium – Descent into the Void. We explore how a career in the medical field led to writing a sci-fi series about humanity's complex future 700 years from now.

• Writing a sci-fi novel during countless flight hours while working in medical devices
• Cre...

We go behind the music of Naruto: The Symphonic Experience with Heidi Joosten. This North American tour brings the iconic anime to life with a full orchestra performing to scenes from the first 220 episodes projected on a cinema screen.

• The show combines a live orchestra with favorite fight scenes and beloved music from the early Naruto series
• Audiences are encouraged to react, cheer, and engage with the performanc...

The hosts from the Super Bracket Bros Cinematic Universe return to discuss April's most interesting pop culture stories and compete in a lively Kahoot game. They explore scientific breakthroughs, gaming controversies, and exciting new entertainment projects with humor and insight.

• Return of the dire wolf after 10,000 years through gene editing by Colossal Biosciences
• Celebrity-funded de-extinction projects rai...

We deep dive into Slay the Spire, the roguelike deck-building game that surprised us with its addictive gameplay and endless replayability. This recommendation from our patron Stefan takes us far outside our comfort zone, yet proves to be one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences we've had.

• Exploring how Slay the Spire works as a roguelike deck-builder with procedural generation
• Discussing our initial hesit...

Mamoru Hosoda's "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" follows 17-year-old Makoto Konno who discovers she can literally leap backward through time, using her newfound ability to reshape her experiences and relationships with mixed results.

• Exploring Hosoda's distinct animation style that differs from Ghibli films while maintaining beautiful visuals
• Examining the relatable teenage friend group dynamic...

The guys review Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, a 2012 web series-turned-movie that follows military cadets who must team up with Master Chief when their academy is attacked by the Covenant.

• A tale of two halves, with the first portion focusing on cadet training that feels slow and uninspired
• The film dramatically improves once the Covenant attack begins around the midpoint
• Excellent atmospheric portrayal of the C...

Step into the electric atmosphere of Collective Con during these live interviews with the talents behind some of your favorite characters across film, television, anime, and video games. A huge thank you to the event organizers of Collective Con and the extraordinarily talented Jack Drain, who allowed us the opportunity to take part in these live interviews. We hope you enjoy this episode and we will see you at next year's eve...

Special guests Bridget Rulz and Vintage Macaroni from Retro AV Rewind join us for a lively discussion about the most interesting pop culture moments of March.

• Common Side Effects on HBO Max gets renewed for season 2 - a dark animated series about a mushroom that can cure anything
• The moral dilemma of possessing something with unlimited healing power: would you profit or share freely?
• Disney announces "No...

The world of voice acting often seems glamorous from the outside, but behind every character is a person with their own path, struggles, and triumphs. Professional voice actor Josh Portillo shares his journey from childhood influences to navigating the voice acting industry, balancing grief with career demands, and finding community in creative spaces.

• Started voice acting to support a friend before discovering his own p...

We dive into The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe, a meta-commentary game that challenges what a video game can be while providing a compelling experience about choice, predestination, and the relationship between player and creator.

• Plays like an interactive choose-your-own-adventure book with countless branching paths and endings
• Features a narrator who responds to player choices, creating a dynamic relationship betw...