Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

Discusses all of the manga CODENAME: SAILOR V by Naoko Takeuchi. Before there was SAILOR MOON, there was CODENAME: SAILOR V. Or... maybe? Is that how the timeline lines up? Well, anyway. We're continuing our journey with the Sailor Guardians by discussing the prequel/sequel/???? to SAILOR MOON, which is all about Minako/Sailor Venus. Minako superfans Honey and Vixen explain how Usagi and Minako differ, why Sailor Venus is their favorite Sailor Guardian, and why everyone should be on Team Minako. Shojo & Tell host Ashley has to admit that Minako makes a lot more sense after reading this superhero gag manga. If you liked the silliness of the 1990s SAILOR MOON anime, then you should be reading CODENAME: SAILOR V! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

This episode discusses the second half of the SAILOR MOON manga by Naoko Takeuchi. We're back to talk about the Infinity, Dream, and Stars arcs of the beloved SAILOR MOON series. Now that all the Sailor Guardians are here, Shojo & Tell host Ashley and Anne LaRose, who runs the Shojo Power blog analyzing SAILOR MOON, reveal their vastly different favorite Guardians. As a n00b to SAILOR MOON, Ashley wonders what is even going on with the Sailor Stars. And why there's a creepy circus. And what the heck any of these villains really want. It doesn't really matter, because the Sailor Guardians kick ass, right? And Mamoru is Sailor Earth. Right. Fangirl ChatGPT agrees. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

This episode discusses the first half of the SAILOR MOON manga by Naoko Takeuchi. It's our 100th main episode(!!), so we finally suck it up and cover one of the biggest shojo series of all time: SAILOR MOON. To start off, Shojo & Tell host Ashley makes a shocking confession, which Anne LaRose, who runs the site Shojo Power dedicated to analyzing SAILOR MOON, takes in stride. From there, Ashley and Anne respond to listener feedback on what makes SAILOR MOON so beloved, rank their favorite Sailor Guardians, and explore how Takeuchi's series altered the course of magical girl stories. The story arcs discussed are the Dark Kingdom and Black Moon. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

A discussion about all three volumes of CLAMP SCHOOL DETECTIVES by CLAMP. We're rounding out the unofficial Clamp School trilogy with CLAMP SCHOOL DETECTIVES, which is actually a shojo series! Nokoru, Suoh, and Akira (from MAN OF MANY FACES) make up the elementary student council representatives at Clamp School, and they're determined to help any maiden in distress. Shojo and Tell host Ashley and her husband, Asher, discuss how Clamp School is a dystopian totalitarian state disguising itself as a utopia, what it does or does not get right about going to prestigious schools, and how the council would react if a girl asked for help with period cramps. Ashley insists multiple times that you don't need to read volume 2 of this manga. It's superfluous! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

A discussion about the two-volume series DUKLYON: CLAMP SCHOOL DEFENDERS by CLAMP. Another two-volume shonen gag manga from CLAMP, an even sillier and shorter Shojo & Tell episode than usual. The CLAMP School Defenders Kentarou Higashikunimaru and Takeshi Shukaido are trying to protect the institution from the Imonoyama Shopping District Association. From there, an alien romance commences. DUKLYON is strange, comedic, and a loving send up to tokusatsu shows. Most of this episode is just Asher and Ashley trying to say "Higashikunimaru" 10 times fast. (No, it's not. That's only part of the episode. We promise.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

A discussion about the two-volume series MAN OF MANY FACES by CLAMP. This is a two-volume gag manga about a gentleman thief who's in elementary school named Akira. He has two moms who look identical to each other. He's part of the Clamp School Detectives. He's in love with a kindergartener named Utako. It might be one of the best romantic relationships in any Clamp manga. Wait, what? Shojo and Tell host Ashley and her husband do their best to crack the case as to why this strange, should-be-problematic short series is actually endearing and wholesome. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

This episode discusses all seven volumes of ALICE 19TH by Yuu Watase. Sisters Alice Seno and Mayura Seno end up falling for the same handsome boy, Kyo, and their fight for his affection threatens to destroy the whole world. That's a bit of an oversimplification, but the general gist of Watase's ALICE 19TH. Chika and Giana from the podcast Shoujo Sundae join Shojo and Tell host Ashley to talk about the battle between the Lotis Masters and Maram Masters, where words are turned into magical but very deadly violence. We discuss the influences of September 11, 2001, on the story, Watase's efforts at diversity and inclusion, whether we consider Alice a magical girl or not, and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

This episode discusses all of TWINKLE STARS by Natsuki Takaya Welcome, hoejos, to the first Shojo and Tell episode of 2023, with special guest Colleen. We're here to discuss Natsuki Takaya's TWINKLE STARS, which is the only series Takaya has completed since she finished this little series called FRUITS BASKET. (That is, aside from Furuba spinoffs.) Prepare your tear ducts, because it dives just as hard — if not harder — into twisted family dynamics like Furuba. We answer burning listener questions like "which page made you cry the most?", marvel at the star imagery, and of course, make endless comparisons to FRUITS BASKET. Which Takaya series is better? You'll have to listen to find out. CONTENT WARNING: Suicide This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

This episode discusses all volumes of WOTAKOI by Fujita. Gather 'round, gamers, and let you freak flag fly, fujoshi: WOTAKOI is the lighthearted, reassuring read all otaku need. It follows six young adults as they navigate fandom and romance, to hilarious, heartwarming effect. Ellie from the Religiously Nerdy podcast joins to discuss our three main couples, answer a slew of listener questions, and generally identify aspects that make the series so relatable. (Ashley, unfortunately, relates a bit too much to Kabakura.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

Covers all 4 volumes of SKULL-FACE BOOKSELLER HONDA-SAN by Honda. Ever wanted to know what it's like to work in a bookstore? Well, your friendly neighborhood bookseller, Honda-san, has some funny stories to share and will teach you about wholesalers. Oh, and Honda's a skeleton. Of course. Honda relays many hijinks at their Kin*kuniya or B**k*ff in Tokyo, particularly in regards to foreign customers. The Ashes compare the anime and the manga, talk about issues surrounding book distribution and discovery, and name their favorites among Honda's coworkers. Here's a short episode for Halloween that has absolutely nothing to do with Halloween other than everyone's portrayed in a funny costume. Anyway, enjoy our rants about Rakuten Kobo! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

Discusses all eight volumes of MARMALADE BOY by Wataru Yoshizumi. MARMALADE BOY is a quintessential shojo that has it all: Swingers! Step-sibling romance! Student-teacher relationships! And it does it all in a fast-paced eight volumes. In this episode, Lucy from the CLAMPcast podcast and Shojo & Tell host Ashley answer a ton of listener questions, which cover topics ranging from MARMALADE BOY’s place in shojo history, our feelings about Meiko and Namura, how Miki and Yuu’s parents rank against other manga parents, what we hope for from Seven Seas’ upcoming rerelease of the manga, and much more. (Hint: We definitely hope for less sentences like “I love you, Yuu!”) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

This episode discusses all six volumes of ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND by Yuu Watase. The Ashes are back to do a compare and contrast between two shojo heavyweights, Yuu Watase and CLAMP. Last episode we covered CHOBITS even though it's a seinen series, partially because we're determined to read every CLAMP series, and partially because we knew ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND appears to have taken heavy inspiration from CHOBITS and shojo-ified it. We talk about how ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND handles sex and A.I. compared to CHOBITS, whether it's magical and dreamy that your boyfriend can be destroyed and have to go to the Apple Store, and are thankful that, at the very least, Riko is not a schmuck. (Although, she might be the high school female equivalent of a schmuck? You decide after hearing how she handled her love triangle between the figure, Night, and her best friend, Soshi.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

This episode discusses all eight volumes of CHOBITS by CLAMP. We're continuing our journey through CLAMP with their most provocative, perverted, and problematic series yet: The sci-fi series CHOBITS, where personal computers (persocoms) take the form of cute high school girls with cat ears. Hideki, peak schmuck boy, finds a free one in the trash, and he names her Chi, and then he may or may not fall in love with her, even though she behaves like a child. Talk about awkward. Asher and Ashley have A LOT of feelings about the moral implications of the relationships between humans and persocoms that are presented by each character arc, the way artificial intelligence and computer memory is discussed, and about the handling of the sexual topics. Look. CLAMP apparently isn't saying it's okay to marry Hatsune Miku. But your love of Hatsune Miku is real love. Ashley's still waiting for the "so what?" of it all. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

This episode discusses volumes 9–17 of LOVE COM by Aya Nakahara. We're back with a walkthrough of the highs and lows of the second half of LOVE COM, where we no longer see height. Height means nothing when it comes to true love. (Or... does it?) Anyway. Ashley and Loyola discuss the appearance of Kohori, how Otani and Risa broke up (!!) then got to back together (!!!), slept together (!!!!) but no not in that way, they haven't even kissed four times in a row yet (?!?!). We have one of the most heated shipping corners on this podcast so far, where Ashley insists that Haruka and Seiko are a couple and that Otani and Risa might be better off just friends. In conclusion: Nobu's still the best and Risa's brother, Takato, is hot. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

Discusses volumes 1–8 of LOVE COM by Aya Nakahara. Ashley and Loyola are here to discuss the first half of the romantic comedy LOVE COM, aka Lovely Complex, which is the romcom that all other romcoms should aspire to. We gush about how cute Risa and Otani are, the impeccable comedic timing, the emotional levity that hits home, and so much more. Loyola is subjected to Ashley making her take the quizzes at the end of volume 8, to hilarious results. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

Discusses all 9 volumes of THE STORY OF SAIUNKOKU, written by Sai Yukino and illustrated by Kairi Yura. ASHLEY: I'm like, 'I could have been a better person if I'd read [The Story of Saiunkoku] 10 years ago.' DEE: That's how we should have ended the no spoiler section! 'Read this manga, it will change your life.' In this episode, we're going to historical China for a semi-supernatural, extremely feminist manga adaptation of a light novel series. Dee, who makes the Josei Next Door blog and writes/edits for Anime Feminist, joins to discuss why this series never got its time in the spotlight in English like it deserves, why Shurei’s journey to fulfilling the seemingly impossible dream she has of becoming a civil servant is one of hope, and how Shurei's dad may just be the best dad in all of anime/manga, despite being a killer. We also, of course, talk about the gaggle of hot men in Shurei's life and her badass boss, Kochou. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

A discussion about the two-volume manga FLOWER IN A STORM by Shigeyoshi Takagi Wife and husband duo Ashley and Asher are back to talk about the short comedic manga Flower in a Storm. While neither would say they really loved the story of rich-boy Ran going after super-strong Riko, Ashley, at least, thinks it shows lots of promise from the author, and is a funny parody of mid-2000s shojo manga tropes. But the real standouts are the two unrelated short stories that are included. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

Covers the entire series of PLANET LADDER by Yuri Narushima. Wife and husband duo Ashley and Asher discuss the wild ride that is PLANET LADDER. They're not quite sure what happened, but they both know Bambi is the best. Also, there's a giant chicken. Surely you want to know more? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

A discussion of volumes 7–12 (the second half) of SHORTCAKE CAKE by Suu Morishita. Ashley and Olive are back to process what the heck happened in the back half of Morishita’s series. They discuss Rei and Riku's family drama, Riku and Ten and Chiaki’s relationship (how is Riku not canonically confirmed bi??), the use of tension in Morishita's works, and much, much more. Because so much happened in these six volumes, and the reader is definitely not prepared for all of them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com

This episode covers volumes 1–6 of SHORTCAKE CAKE by Suu Morishita. The duo that makes up Suu Morishita burst onto the English manga scene in recent years with SHORTCAKE CAKE and A SIGN OF AFFECTION. In this episode, Shojo & Tell host Ashley and manga reviewer Olive discuss what makes SCC a breath of fresh air, from Ten's kind frankness, to Chiaki's dorkiness, to Riku's fumbling sincerity. Then again, there's also Rei, who's been going Goblin Mode since before it was cool. Why?? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rsssrdsx4wof0dfeedssimplecastcom.substack.com