Den of Otaku

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’ve still got Sakamoto fever leading up to the finale of Sakamoto Days Part 2! Den of Otaku examines why Part 2 is such an important turning point for the successful shonen series where it really begins to find its voice and take bigger risks. We break down Part 2's rewarding character development, its intensely versatile villains -- including the sadistic Slur -- and why the Death Row Prisoners Arc is Sakamoto Days firing on all cylinders. Plus, what Sakamoto Days’ future on Netflix might look like! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re continuing our celebration of Sakamoto Days in honor of Part 2's release by breaking down how the anime dubbing industry has evolved over the past decade and how a dub’s quality can make or break an anime’s reception. We also gets candid with Matthew Mercer and Vinnie Hacker, the voice actors responsible for Sakamoto Days’ Taro and Slur, as they dig deep into their characters and all things Sakamoto! Sakamoto Days Part 2 is streaming on Netflix on July 14th Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re busting out our garlic and standing in direct sunlight as we celebrate what’s arguably the most important vampire anime of all-time, Vampire Hunter D! In honor of Vampire Hunter D’s 40th anniversary, Den of Otaku provides a brief primer on anime’s vampire subgenre, Vampire Hunter D’s history and evolution, and its impressive legacy as a foundational vampire text. Plus, a very special Yoshiaki Kawajiri-centric installment of “The Big 3!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we’re joining ACROSS and fighting for city-wide domination as we obsess over early 2000s fringe comedy, Excel Saga! Den of Otaku discusses why Excel Saga is such a groundbreaking and boundary-pushing gag comedy series, its brilliant approach to adaptation and genre deconstruction, the unusual careers of Koshi Rikdo and Shinichi Watanabe’s unusual careers, and the controversy surrounding Excel Saga’s banned finale! Plus, a very special Excel Saga-themed installment of “The Big 3!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re doing a deep dive on the 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards! Den of Otaku breaks down this growing tradition and how the Crunchyroll Anime Awards have become such a global event and one of the biggest awards ceremonies in the industry. Den of Otaku discusses the Crunchyroll Anime Awards’ history, their astronomical growth, and why these awards have become such an important tool for fandom in an ever-evolving industry. Den of Otaku discusses the Anime Awards’ evolution and what may lie ahead on the horizon. Den of Otaku is also joined by Crunchyroll Chief Operating Officer, ​​Gita Rebbapragada, to get the inside scoop on the 2025 Anime Awards and Crunchyroll’s future. Plus, a special Crunchyroll Anime Awards-themed “The Big 3!” Place your vote for the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards between April 3 and 14th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re going all in on Taejun Pak and Kim Junghyun’s Viral Hit, from WEBTOON Unscrolled. We break down why Viral Hit is such an exciting and timely series, why it’s such a rich character study of a complex modern protagonist, and why it’s the perfect contemporary title that critiques and subverts society with eerie prescience. This Viral Hit deep dive will also deconstruct the title’s rampant popularity and why its many international adaptations are proof that it’s set to be one of the biggest hits of the 2020s. Plus, a special edition of “The Big 3” takes a lot at the connected world of Taejun Pak’s other hit WEBTOON titles, Lookism, My Life as a Loser, and Tales of Greed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re doing a deep dive into Shinichiro Watanabe’s overlooked and underrated, Space Dandy. We begin with a primer on Watanabe’s career and the anime that put him on the map and made Space Dandy possible. Den of Otaku unpacks why music is so important to all of Watanabe’s works and also touches upon his upcoming Adult Swim series, Lazarus. Den of Otaku’s Space Dandy deconstruction examines its unique approach to genre and anthology storytelling, its use of eclectic animation directors and designers, how it made simul-dub history, and what sort of legacy it’s left behind and if audiences have really seen the last of Space Dandy. Plus, a special joint edition of “Release the Hounds” and “The Big 3" looks at other Shinichiro Watanabe classics, Samurai Champloo, Terror in Resonance, and Carole and Tuesday. Stay dandy, fellow otaku! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re breaking down the many exciting anime feature films that are hitting cinemas in 2025, including The Colors Within, Ghost Cat Anzu, and Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-. Den of Otaku discusses the broader trends that these movies are pointing toward and how they’re likely to influence the upcoming cinematic anime slate. Plus, a new installment of “Release the Hounds” checks in on the exciting physical media releases that are being celebrated by Jujutsu Kaisen, Bubblegum Crisis, and Kiuzmonogatari -Koyomi Vamp-. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, Den of Geek’s official anime and Japanese pop culture discussion series, we’re breaking down Yuto Suzuki’s breakout shonen hit, Sakamoto Days! Den of Otaku discusses Suzuki’s impressive trajectory as a mangaka and the creative building blocks that helped make Sakamoto Days possible, the circumstances behind the series’ success, and why subversive assassin shonen series are having such a moment right now. Plus, an assassin and spy-themed “Big 3” shines a light on Princess Principal, Joker Game, and R.O.D. The TV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Den of Otaku, we’re traveling down the Yellow Brick Road and breaking down anime’s surprisingly intricate relationship with L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. Den of Otaku discusses why The Wizard of Oz is the prototypical isekai story, 1982's Wizard of Oz anime movie, the subsequent series and its wild localization history, and the radical Adventures of Space Oz reimagining. Den of Otaku also examines the unique trend of anime stage musicals and their growing popularity. Plus, a Gladiator II-themed “The Big 3” shines a light on Cestvs: The Roman Fighter, Hashire Melos!, and Thermae Romae Novae. This one is going to get you saying, “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Japan anymore…” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices