Covers all of Earthian by Yun Kouga.Anime Feminist writer Vrai Kaiser joins Shojo & Tell host Ashley to discuss this late 1980s boys' love hot mess of a manga. Earthian starts off as a sort of mashup between Pet Shop of Horrors and The Good Place and ends somewhere way, way off from that. Vrai and Ashley discuss all the religion that is (and isn't) happening with the Catholicsploitation, how sweet Chihaya and Kagetsuya's relationship actually is, how many of the ideas the series presents (but doesn't follow through with) are actually still startlingly relevant, and tons more (probably problematic) topics. The journey is surprising and delightful and horrifying all at the same time.REFERENCESYou can buy Earthian digitally from DMP (Yeah..... Yeah)Other Yun Kouga series mentioned:LovelessRiddle Story of Devil (Akuma no Riddle)Other manga series / creators mentioned:Pet Shop of HorrorsTokyo BabylonFakeBanana FishAngel Sanctuary // Kaori YukiNeon Genesis EvangelionMarsTramps Like UsVatican Miracle ExaminerMobile Suit Gundam 00Fushigi Yugi // Yuu WataseHeart of Thomas // Moto HagioKaze to Ki no UtaGravitationThe Tyrant Falls in LoveDevilmanWishJoJo's Bizarre AdventureLand of the LustrousMari OkadaKentaro MiuraJun MochizukiMisc.  references:The Good PlaceBechdel TestMetatronSeifukuShinzo AbeBeard (slang)Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesTower of BabelThe Three Laws of RoboticsSmallvilleCaitlin, Mercedez, and Vrai are all writers at Anime FeministOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USVrai on Twitter: @WriterVraiVrai on Anime FeministVrai's podcast,  Trash and TreasuresShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter: @AshMcD00

Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

Earthian (with Vrai Kaiser)

Covers volumes 8–14 of Waiting for Spring by Anashin.We’re back to talk about the second half of Waiting for Spring, aka, Girly Kuroko's Basketball. Kelly and Ashley discuss how Towa and Aya are in a philosophical fight over what strength is, how well-handled Ryuji and Nana's relationship is, and just what about Waiting for Spring makes it so special. Also a lot of complaining about Aya. He's 17. He doesn't know anything!Waiting for Spring is available from Kodansha.Kelly used to have a podcast called One Panel Later and was on for the House of the Sun episodesOther series mentioned:NarutoOne PieceBlue PeriodKuroko's BasketballOuran High School Host ClubSkip BeatDaytime Shooting StarAo Haru RideKimi ni TodokeOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USKelly on Twitter: @kellyquteKelly’s work on the defunct Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi and Fantasy blogShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter: @AshMcD00

Waiting for Spring Part 2 (with Kelly Quinn Chiu)

Covers volumes 1–7 of Waiting for Spring by Anashin.The wait is finally over! We're FINALLY talking about the basketball boys! Waiting for Spring is one of the most wholesome shojo series around and will have you smiling like a fool. Librarian Kelly and Shojo & Tell host Ashley discuss why Towa is the best, why Aya does not deserve to be in second place in the character poll (rude to Mitsuki and Ryuji), how you shouldn't write real-people fanfiction, and much more. It's basically Kuroko's Basketball, but shojo. What more could you want? Seiryo, fight!REFERENCESWaiting for Spring is available from Kodansha.Sara Linsley is the letterer of the series and a previous podcast guest!Kelly used to have a podcast called One Panel Later and was on for the House of the Sun episodesOther series mentioned:Kimi ni TodokeMy Hero AcademiaDemon SlayerNatsume's Book of FriendsHaikyu!!Princess JellyfishA Silent VoiceJapanese terms mentioned:FujoshiMeganeAfter by  Anna Todd  is Harry Styles real-people fanfic that was turned into a movie. We say HELL NO to this.Outro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USKelly on Twitter: @kellyquteKelly’s work on the defunct Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi and Fantasy blogShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter: @AshMcD00

Waiting for Spring Part 1 (with Kelly Quinn Chiu)

Covers volumes 8–13 of Ao Haru Ride by Io Sakisaka.One year after recording about the first half of Ao Haru Ride, we’re back on the bandwagon to talk about the ending. Shojo Beat Senior Editor Nancy and Shojo & Tell host Ashley talk about every single confession and rejection scene, consistently compare the series to WE WERE THERE, bring up one too many times that [SPOILERS] it’s annoying that Kou was hit by a car, and so much more. Like, get out of here, Kikuchi. Kou and Futaba forever.REFERENCESYou can find our first Ao Haru Ride episode hereAo Haru Ride is available from Viz Media's Shojo Beat lineOther works Nancy has edited:Vampire KnightIdol DreamsMaison Ikkoku Collector's EditionMy Love Mix-Up!Other Io Sakisaka works: Strobe Edge, Love Me, Love Me NotAo Haru Ride pays homage to We Were ThereOther manga mentioned:HorimiyaCLAMPMy Love Story!!Outro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USNancy runs the Shojo Beat Twitter: @shojobeatYou can ask questions and make licensing requests on Shojo Beat's Tumblr: officialshojobeatShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter: @AshMcD00The next episode will be about volumes 1 –7 of Waiting for Spring by Anashin.

Ao Haru Ride Pt. 2 (with Shojo Beat Senior Editor Nancy Thistlethwaite)

Covers all the short stories in Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution by Chiho SaitoFor the 20th anniversary of Revolutionary Girl Utena, we were gifted this volume of short stories (one for Touga and Saionji, another for Juri and Shiori, the final for Miki and Kozue) that function as a "sequel" of sorts to the Utena anime (not the manga). Anime scholar Rose Bridges comes back on the Shojo & Tell to talk about Utena without Utena (sort of?). Rose and Ashley debate which story of the three is the strongest, what it means for there to have been a revolution if the characters haven't really changed, and why the heck Nanami keeps getting so slighted.REFERENCESUtena: After the Revolution is available from Viz MediaYou can read Rose's review of the manga on Anime News Network herePick up a copy of Rose's book about the music of Cowboy BebopRose has an article coming out in MechademiaOhtori.nu is a great Utena resourceReferences:Legend of Galactic HeroesSarazanmaiOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USFollow Rose on Twitter @composeroseFollow the podcast on Twitter, Instagram, or TumblrFollow Ashley on Twitter @AshMcD00If you have any comments or questions, you can email shojoandtell@gmail.com

Utena: After the Revolution (with Rose Bridges)

Covers all 10 volumes of the original Pet Shop of Horrors series by Matsuri Akino.Welcome to Count D's pet shop, where you can find the rarest pets that will make your dreams come true — and might just murder you, too. Horror fan, Yen Press employee, and Manga Machination's co-host Morgana Santilli explains why this wish shop fantasyland appealed to her so much growing up, and what makes Akino's work so special. Morgana and Shojo & Tell host Ashley also discuss: What is Count D? Is he good, is he bad, is he amoral? What exactly is going down with him and Leon, anyway? There's a lot to unpack here, but the answer to all questions about favorites (characters, stories, pets) is Leon's brother, Chris. He's such a good boy!REFERENCESUnfortunately, Pet Shop of Horrors is out of print. You can find used copies on Thriftbooks and eBay (though they can be pricey).Series similar to Pet Shop of Horrors:Nightmare InspectorYokai Rental ShopPhantom Tales of NightxxxHolicOther media mentioned:Tomie by Junji ItoFruits BasketBleachSailor MoonAfter School NightmareYu Yu HakushoClaudineRose of VersaillesBanana FishHaruka: Beyond the Stream of TimeLegal DrugGravitationFushigi Yugi: Genbu KaidenDevilman CrybabyOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USMorgana on Twitter: @MorganaRhalinaMorgana's website: Manga MavenMorgana's manga podcast: Manga MachinationsShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter: @AshMcD00

Pet Shop of Horrors (with Morgana Santilli)

Covers all of Tokyo Mew Mew and Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode Reiko Yoshida and Mia Ikumi.In the early 2000s, this series about a team of five young girls infused with the DNA of rare animals fighting aliens bent on reclaiming the Earth became a phenomenon. Tokyo Mew Mew is supposed to get a new anime adaptation in the year 2021, so we decided to read the original magical girl series and its sequel.  Mew Mew superfan Mercedez Clewis expounds on why the series left such a lasting impact on her and the magical girl genre in general. Mercedez and Shojo & Tell host Ashley also discuss their favorite Mews, what is and isn't a magical girl series, how the aliens were kinda right though, how they prefer to eat strawberries, and so much more in this jam-packed episode.REFERENCESTokyo Mew Mew and Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode  are available from Kodansha Comics.There are two new sequel series to Tokyo Mew Mew: 2020 Re-Turn and Tokyo Mew Mew Au Lait (not Óle!!!)Other series/creators/characters mentioned:The Vision of EscaflowneCardcaptor SakuraSailor MoonMadoka MagicaPhantom Thief JeanneFushigi Yugi: Genbu KaidenRevolutionary Girl UtenaKill la KillAir GearYuu WataseGen UrobuchiIchigo Kurosaki (Bleach)Indigenous peoples of Japan:AinuOkinawanOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USMercedez on Twitter: @pixelatedlensesMercedez's work on: Anime Feminist, But Why Tho?Shojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter: @AshMcD00

Tokyo Mew Mew (with Mercedez Clewis)

A discussion about the manga adaptation of Socrates in Love by Kyoichi Katayama and Kazumi KazuiGet ready to cry at this one-volume melodrama about a teenage couple torn apart by a tragedy. Socrates in Love follows Sakutaro and Aki as they go from being friends to lovers, but have their happiness cut short through illness. Chaplain-in-training Asher Sofman and Shojo & Tell host Ashley discuss how love and death are intertwined, how people grapple with suffering and illness, and other such fun, cheery topics. Ashley makes extensive comparisons between Socrates in Love and Nicholas Sparks' A Walk to Remember, since they have similar plots and Sparks' novel is traditionally one of Ashley's favorite books. (Yes yes, we know.)REFERENCESSocrates in Love is currently out of print in English, but used copies can be easily found online.A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks contains many of the same plot elements as Socrates in Love.That time Nicholas Sparks compared himself to Ernest Hemingway.A Farewell to Arms and The Hunger Games round out Ashley's traditional list of top three books.Manga mentioned:All My Darling DaughtersWaiting for SpringAo Haru RideTokyo Mew MewPet Shop of HorrorsOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by Danosongs"Never stop digivolving" is the tagline of Podigious! A Digimon Podcast, which Asher and Ashley used to cohostCONTACT USAsher on Twitter: @asherdasheryShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter: @AshMcD00Next episode will be about Tokyo Mew Mew by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida

Socrates in Love (with Asher Sofman)

Covers All My Darling Daughters by Fumi YoshinagaThis one-volume manga about three generations of women in a family is masterfully told and extremely relatable. Shojo & Tell host Ashley and boytoy Asher discuss their favorite stories from this collection of five, dwell on the theme of love being a form of discrimination, and fret about how to avoid some of these parenting pitfalls when raising children.A content warning for the second story: There's an age-gap romance between a teacher and a student, and it escalates immediately.REFERENCESAll My Darling Daughters is available from Viz MediaFumi Yoshinaga is known for Ooku: The Inner ChambersOther media mentions:The Legend of KorraClaudineThe Rose of VersaillesPrincess TutuUtena: After the RevolutionAo Haru RideThermostat theory of politicsOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USAsher on Twitter: @asherdasheryShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter: @AshMcD00

All My Darling Daughters (with Asher Sofman)

Covers volumes 6–10 of After School Nightmare by Setona MizushiroWelcome back to discuss the second half of a manga that is full of twists and turns. This episode, cartoonist Mouna Toure and Shojo & Tell host Ashley have more questions than answers after that whirlwind of an ending. Like, was there ever a real Ai?? Were there two Mashiro Ichijos? No, seriously, _what was up with Sou and Ai_? Mouna and Ashley reprise certain topics, like intersex representation, in light of After School Nightmare's ending. This is a manga that needs an immediate reread.After School Nightmare is out of print. You can use BookFinder to find used copies.Other manga/anime mentioned:Kiss Him, Not MeBleachX-Day (another series by Setona Mizushiro)Neon Genesis EvangelionThe Vision of EscaflowneRevolutionary Girl UtenaFrom Eroica with LoveKill la KillYour NameTerms you should know:Beard (LGBTQ+)MeganeJoseimukeMisc:AO3Steven UniverseShe-RaPrincess magazineObey Me!After School Nightmare on TV TropesMouna is very into Hypnosis MicOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USYou can find Mouna on:FacebookTwitterInstagramTumblrPatreonWork for BlackLight Sugar PressShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter @AshMcD00Next episode will be about All My Darling Daughters by  Fumi Yoshinaga.

After School Nightmare Pt. 2 (with Mouna Toure)

Covers volumes 1–5 of After School Nightmare by Setona MizushiroWelcome to the most mysterious and frightening after school club you’ll ever join. Content warning for sexual assault and gender essentialism themes. This is a manga that isn't afraid to go to dark places, as its intersex main character, Mashiro Ichijo, grapples with his gender (he currently identifies as a "he") and fights his fellow classmates in a collective nightmare, hoping to graduate. Cartoonist Mouna Toure and Shojo & Tell host Ashley discuss what genre Setona Mizushiro’s series is (is it horror? is it drama? is it BL?), the representation of an intersex character, how they feel about the love triangle between Mashiro, Kureha, and Sou (Team Kureha!), and generally what the heck is even going on in this manga. Listen if you dare.REFERENCESAfter School Nightmare is out of print. You can use BookFinder to find used copies.Other manga/anime mentioned:Sailor MoonTokyo Mew MewShugo Chara!Free!Maid-Sama!Kitchen PrincessKimi ni TodokeLove ComX-Day (another series by Setona Mizushiro)Fruits BasketFrom Eroica with LoveOuran High School Host ClubTsubasa: Reservoir ChroniclePeach GirlRevolutionary Girl UtenaPrincess JellyfishFushigi Yugi: Genbu KaidenOther media with intersex characters we were aware of:Middlesex by Jeffrey EugenidesNone of the Above by  I.W. GregorioSteven UniverseCreators mentionedJunji ItoAsumiko NakamuraMouna is very into Hypnosis MicOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USYou can find Mouna on:FacebookTwitterInstagramTumblrPatreonWork for BlackLight Sugar PressShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter @AshMcD00Next episode will be about the second half of After School Nightmare (volumes 6–10).

After School Nightmare Pt. 1 (with Mouna Toure)

Covers volumes 7–12 of Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden by Yuu WataseCaitlin (OG Fushigi Yugi superfan), Sara Linsley (manga letterer extraordinaire), and Zahra Ymer (manga scholar in training), and Ashley (Shojo & Tell host) are back for the second half of Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden, aka The Better Fushigi Yugi (sorry, OG FY). This episode gets heavy: The primary topic is about accepting death (it's better if you know going in that priestess Takiko is going to die!). All four talk about the points at which they cried, and how much (not Soren!!), make fun of Efinluka's name (.... well, how would you pronounce it?), and ponder if Takiko and Uruki having sex while Uruki presents female would upset the god, Genbu. You will laugh, you will cry, and if we're lucky, you won't die.REFERENCESFushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden is available from Viz Media's Shojo Beat lineExcellent series Sara has lettered:Waiting for SpringSweat and SoapFushigi Yugi: Byakko SenkiThe Fable of the Dragon TyrantYou, too, can get wrecked looking at the Wikipedia page for tuberculosis Weathering With You tried to have its cake and eat it, too, when it came to sacrificeHas anyone read Arata: The Legend besides Ashley?Outro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USCaitlin on Twitter, her personal blog, Anime Feminist, and Anime News NetworkSara on Twitter and her personal websiteZahra on Twitter and Anime FeministShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter @AshMcD00Next episode will be about volumes 1-5 of After School Nightmare by Setona Mizushiro.

Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden Pt. 2 (with Caitlin, Sara, and Zahra)

Covers volumes 1–6 of Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden by Yuu WataseGenbu Kaiden is Shojo & Tell host Ashley's second-favorite manga (behind only the illustrious Maid-Sama!), and so, this episode has several special guests. Caitlin (OG Fushigi Yugi superfan), Sara Linsley (manga letterer extraordinaire), and Zahra Ymer (manga scholar in training), and Ashley discuss how the series compares to its predecessor, pick apart Watase's sidebar notes (she thinks she'd be Tomite if she were a boy?!), fawn over Uruki / Limdo and Takiko (okay, that's mostly Ashley), and discover that all the good guys in this manga are basically serial killers.REFERENCESFushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden is available from Viz Media's Shojo Beat lineExcellent series Sara has lettered:Waiting for SpringSweat and SoapFushigi Yugi: Byakko SenkiA Genbu character gets compared to Walter White from Breaking BadHatsui is inspired by MoominsThings that are most definitely shojo (note: sarcasm):Your Lie in AprilToradora!Random mentions:Code GeassAvatar: The Last AirbenderKuranosuke from Princess JellyfishTubbs from Neko AtsumeSwanOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USCaitlin on Twitter, her personal blog, Anime Feminist, and Anime News NetworkSara on Twitter and her personal websiteZahra on Twitter and Anime FeministShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter @AshMcD00Next episode will be about volumes 7-12 of Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden by Yuu Watase

Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden Pt. 1 (with Caitlin, Sara, and Zahra)

Covers all of Paradise Kiss by Ai Yazawa.Welcome to the world of high fashion (or at least, high drama). Paradise Kiss is one of those rare josei titles that got released in English, and it had a huge impact on this episode's special guests, Robin and Lucy (who host the podcast CLAMPcast in Wonderland). Ai Yazawa's work is relatable in many ways, and really inspired Shojo & Tell host Ashley to want to make some art after reading it. In the podcast, Robin, Lucy, and Ashley discuss the connection between creating art and creating life and how creators have limited control, the weight of expectations, the manga's amazing and frustrating LGBTQIA+ inclusions, how Paradise Kiss may or may not have influenced Akiko Higashimura's Princess Jellyfish, and much, much more. This episode is long, because we just love Isabella, Yukari, Miwako, Hiroyuki, Arashi, and even George, way too much.REFERENCESParadise Kiss is available from Vertical ComicsParadise Kiss also has an anime adaptation that's fairly faithful to the manga. It is not available on streaming services in North America.Paradise Kiss is a sequel to an earlier Yazawa manga.Princess Jellyfish feels like a direct response to Paradise KissWe're also got some shades of Tamaki from Ouran High School Host ClubOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USListen to Lucy and Robin's podcast all about CLAMP manga and anime called CLAMPcast in Wonderland! It's really good.CLAMPcast on Twitter @CLAMPcastpodLucy and Robin also make a podcast about writing called Write for Me, Write for YouFollow Robin on Instagram @thegorgonistCheck out Robin's illustrations and books!Follow Lucy on Twitter @LucyinBooklandShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter @AshMcD00Next episode will be about volumes 1-6 of Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden by Yu Watase

Paradise Kiss (with Lucy and Robin from CLAMPcast in Wonderland)

This is a review of Fushigi Yugi: Byakko Senki volume 1, a new series by Yuu Watase that's going to be released by Viz.Whether you've read the original Fushigi Yugi and Genbu Kaiden or not, you should be hype for the latest (and last) installment in Yuu Watase's beloved series. Byakko Senki is set slightly after Genbu Kaiden and follows Suzuno as she struggles with the sudden loss of her parents and being the destined priestess inside The Universe of the Four Gods. Fushigi Yugi has always been dark, but this first volume is the heaviest of the series yet. Shojo & Tell host Ashley and her boytoy Asher run through all the heavy events of this volume and about what they're excited to see in the future. (Which brother is Tatara?!?!)REFERENCESFushigi Yugi: Byakko Senki volume 1 is being released  by Viz Media's Shojo Beat line in August 2020. Please note that at this time, the series is on hiatus and no other volumes exist.Watase has come out as x-gender, which is a nonbinary gender. The Shojo Beat Tumblr says Watase's pronouns are still she/hers. (We sometimes used "they" in the podcast.)It's interesting to read this after having just covered Haruka: Beyond the Stream of TimeMentions:Previous Fushigi Yugi series (obviously; beware of spoilers!)Arata: The Legend, Watase's shonen seriesRedwallThe Melancholy of Haruhi SuzumiyaThe Chronicles of NarniaOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USAsher on Archive of Our Own: dasheryShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter: @AshMcD00

Preview Guide 5: Fushigi Yugi: Byakko Senki

A manga discussion podcast focusing on shojo (and josei!) series that make your heart go doki-doki. Covering classics like CLAMP’s “Cardcaptor Sakura” and Yuu Watase’s “Fushigi Yuugi” to newer favorites like Kazune Kawahara’s “My Love Story!!” and Hiro Fujiwara’s “Maid Sama!” Shojo & Tell host Ashley McDonnell discusses one series per episode with a rotating shojo superfan. (And sometimes, a shoujo superfan.) Shojo [or shoujo] manga: Japanese comics made for young women. A breath of fresh air after reading 72 volumes of “Naruto.” The underappreciated sibling of all those same-y never-ending shonen titles.

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Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

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