Spiraken Review Podcast

Xan tackles Übel Blatt by Etorouji Shiono
—a brutal seinen revenge saga often compared to Berserk. Does this Yen Press manga carve its own path, or does it live in the shadow of giants? We dissect its grim worldbuilding, relentless action, and moral ambiguity.
In This Episode:
Why Übel Blatt’s antihero Koinzell stands out
Latest manga releases worth your attention
Animazement 2025 Panel Announcements (May event)
*No episode 5/21* (Con prep mode activated!)
Support the Show:Keep us reviewing: Gofundme (Thanks to our donors!)
Engage With Us:
Subscribe: YouTube | Website
Follow @spiraken on X, Bluesky, Instagram
Join our Discord
Support on Patreon
Rate us: Apple Podcasts
Random Question:"What’s your favorite dark fantasy manga—and does it need a moral compass?"
#Spiraken #MangaReview #ÜbelBlatt #EtoroujiShiono #Seinen #DarkFantasy #BerserkComparisons #RevengeManga #YenPress
Music Credits:
"Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat)License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
WHERE TO FIND US
Bluesky: @spiraken.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/spirakenEmail: Spiraken@gmail.com | Xan: xan@spiraken.comPatreon: patreon.com/spirakenDiscord: tinyurl.com/spiradiscordX: x.com/spirakenYouTube: youtube.com/@spirakenTwitch: twitch.com/spirakenAmazon Store: amazon.com/shops/spiraken

Xan taste-tests Cooking With Wild Game by EDA,
a J-Novel Club isekai manga adaptation that blends fantasy survival with culinary adventure. Can this webnovel-turned-manga stand out in a crowded genre, or does it reheat tired tropes? We break down its flavors—both fresh and stale.
 
Discussion Includes:
How it compares to popular isekai/cooking manga
Panel announcements for Animazement 2025 (May event)
Latest manga releases worth your shelf space

In this episode, Xan explores Kingyo Used Books by Seimu Yoshizaki
—a heartwarming iyashikei anthology where a Tokyo used bookstore becomes a haven for manga lovers. Discover how this Viz Media Signature title celebrates manga’s power to heal, connect, and inspire through its vignettes of everyday life.

In this episode, Xan dissects The Climber—a profound sports manga adaptation of Jiro Nitta’s novel, with story by Toshio Nabeda and Hiroshi Takano, and striking art by Shin’ichi Sakamoto. This Viz Media Signature title explores the psychological extremes of solo mountain climbing, blending breathtaking visuals with existential tension.
Discussion Highlights:
Why this manga transcends typical sports narratives
How Sakamoto’s art amplifies the story’s isolation themes
Animazement 2025 Panel Announcements (May event details)
Support the Show:Help us continue creating content: Gofundme (Thank you, donors!)
Engage With Us:
Subscribe: YouTube | Website
Follow @spiraken on Twitter/X, Bluesky, Instagram
Join our Discord
Support on Patreon
Rate us: Apple Podcasts
Random Question:"What’s your personal ‘mountain’—an obstacle or goal that consumes you?"
#Spiraken #MangaReview #TheClimber #Seinen #SportsManga #ShinichiSakamoto #JiroNitta #VizMediaSignature #PsychologicalManga #Isolation #Podcast
Music Credits:"Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat)License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
WHERE TO FIND US:Bluesky: @spiraken.bsky.socialInstagram: instagram.com/spirakenEmail: Spiraken@gmail.com | Xan: xan@spiraken.comPatreon: patreon.com/spirakenDiscord: tinyurl.com/spiradiscordX: x.com/spirakenYouTube: youtube.com/@spirakenTwitch: twitch.com/spirakenAmazon Store: amazon.com/shops/spiraken

 In this powerful episode, Xan examines Real
- Takehiko Inoue's (Vagabond) brutally honest seinen manga about wheelchair basketball and overcoming physical/emotional trauma. How does this Viz Media-published series tackle disability with more nuance than typical sports narratives? We break down its unflinching realism and why it stands apart in Inoue's legendary career.
Support the channel: Keep Spiraken running via Gofundme (thanks to our donors!)
Engage with us:
Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@spiraken
Follow @spiraken on Twitter/X, Bluesky, Instagram Join our Discord
Support on Patreon Rate us on Apple Podcasts
Question of the Day: "Have you ever watched wheelchair basketball?" Share your experiences below!
#Spiraken #MangaReview #RealManga #TakehikoInoue #Seinen #SportsManga #DisabilityRepresentation #WheelchairBasketball #VizMedia #WheelOfManga
Music Credits: "Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat) License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
WHERE TO FIND US:
Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/spiraken.bsky.social
Instagram: instagram.com/spiraken
Email: Spiraken@gmail.com | Xan: xan@spiraken.com
Patreon: patreon.com/spiraken
Discord: tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
X: x.com/spiraken
YouTube: youtube.com/@spiraken
Twitch: twitch.com/spiraken
Amazon Store: amazon.com/shops/spiraken

 In this episode, Xan explores Akihito Tsukushi's critically acclaimed Made in Abyss
- a haunting seinen manga that blends adorable character designs with disturbing body horror. Follow the journey of young explorers venturing into a mysterious chasm where beauty and terror intertwine. Is this Seven Seas Entertainment title worth reading despite its unsettling themes? Join us for a deep dive (pun absolutely intended) into one of manga's most unique dark fantasy worlds.
Support the channel: Keep Spiraken running by supporting our GoFundMe: tinyurl.com/spiraken Special thanks to our anonymous donors!
Connect with us:
Subscribe to our YouTube: youtube.com/@spiraken
Follow @spiraken on Twitter/X, Bluesky, and Instagram Join our Discord community
Support us on Patreon Rate us on Apple Podcasts
Question of the Day: "How far would you descend into the Abyss?" Share your answer in the comments!
#Spiraken #MangaReview #MadeInAbyss #AkihitoTsukushi #SeinenManga #DarkFantasy #HorrorManga #SevenSeas #WheelOfManga #MangaRecommendations
Music Credits: "Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat) License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
WHERE TO FIND US:
Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/spiraken.bsky.social
Instagram: instagram.com/spiraken
Email: Spiraken@gmail.com | Xan: xan@spiraken.com
Patreon: patreon.com/spiraken
Discord: tinyurl.com/spiradiscord X
: x.com/spiraken YouTube: youtube.com/@spiraken
Twitch: twitch.com/spiraken
Amazon Store: amazon.com/shops/spiraken

In this episode, Xan dives into Gachiakuta by Kei Urana
—a brutal, high-octane shonen manga about a "Cleaner" navigating a dystopian wasteland.
How does it stack up against classics like Battle Angel Alita and Dorohedoro? Is it the next big action series? Let’s break it down!
📢 Gofundme Update:
We’re raised enough to fix our spiraken laptop! Hurray! Thanks to our amazing supporters! Help us continue creating at tinyurl.com/spiraken. Shoutout to our anonymous donors—you’re legends!
🚀 Engage With Us!
Subscribe to YouTube.com/@spiraken & hit the bell
🔔 Follow @spiraken on Twitter/X, Bluesky, & Instagram
Join our Discord for manga chats: tinyurl.com/spiradiscord
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/spiraken
Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/helpxan
🎶 Featured Music: "Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat) License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
💀 Random Question of the Day: "Could YOU survive the Pit?" Let us know in the comments!
🏷️ #Tags (For Maximum Reach!): #Gachiakuta #KeiUrana #ShonenManga #ActionManga #DystopianManga #Kodansha #MangaReview #Spiraken #WheelOfManga #BattleAngelAlita #Dorohedoro #AnimePodcast #MangaRecommendations

 Xan tackles Hikari-Man
—Hideo Yamamoto’s (Homunculus) twisted tale of electromagnetically sensitive outcasts seeking vengeance. Is this brutal seinen sci-fi a cathartic triumph or a descent into madness?
Some Minor spoilers, and some raw analysis of Yamamoto’s signature darkness, plus updates on new manga releases you need to know.

Xan dives into Last Quarter, a haunting romance from Ai Yazawa (creator of Nana)
—blending supernatural mystery with her signature emotional depth. Does this hidden gem live up to her legendary status? No spoilers, just pure admiration for Yazawa’s art and storytelling magic. Plus, updates on the latest manga releases you won’t want to miss!
Support the channel:🔗 Gofundme | Patreon (Thanks to our anonymous donors!)
Subscribe & Follow:▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/@spiraken (Turn on notifications!)📱 Socials: @spiraken on Twitter/X, Bluesky, Instagram🎧 Rate us: Apple Podcasts | Join our Discord
Random Question:"Would ‘Last Quarter’ make an amazing OVA/OAA series?" Comment your pitch below!
🎶 Featured Music:"Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat)License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
🏷️ #Tags:#AiYazawa #LastQuarter #Nana #ShojoManga #VizMedia #ShojoBeat #MangaReview #Spiraken #SupernaturalRomance #MysteryManga #AnimeAdaptation #YazawaArt #MangaPodcast #wheelofmanga 
⚖️ Legal:This review is protected under Fair Use. "Spiraken" is owned by AD Villanueva (2007–present). All manga art/images are property of Ai Yazawa and Viz Media.

In this episode, Xan dives into Takahashi from the Bike Shop by Arare Matsumushi
 
- a critically acclaimed josei romance about an office worker falling for a blunt bicycle shop owner. Despite its unconventional art style, this Yen Press title has captured readers' hearts. But does the storytelling overcome its visual quirks? Join us as we explore what makes this slice-of-life manga work (or not)!