Spiraken Manga Review Ep 595: Spacewalking With You

Xan saddles up for Buffalo 5 Girls by Moyoco Anno—a short-lived but explosive josei manga about a band of women fleeing oppression on stolen motorcycles across the Wild West. Was this bold, feminist tale from the creator of Sugar Sugar Rune worth the ride despite its premature cancellation? We dive into its themes of freedom, sisterhood, and what could have been.
In This Episode:
Analyzing Moyoco Anno's unique take on female empowerment and rebellion.
Why this Azuki Manga series ended too soon and its lasting impact.
The latest manga releases you shouldn't miss.
Support the Show:Help keep our podcast riding: Gofundme
Engage With Us:
Subscribe! YouTube | Website
Follow @spiraken on X (Twitter), Bluesky, Instagram
Join the community on Discord
Support us on Patreon
Rate us on Apple Podcasts
Random Question of the Day:"What's a canceled or underrated manga you wish had gotten more chapters?"
#Spiraken #MangaReview #Buffalo5Girls #MoyocoAnno #Josei #WildWestManga #FemaleEmpowerment #AzukiManga
Music Credits:
"Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat)License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
WHERE TO FIND US
Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/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

 Appare Ranman! – Steampunk Madness Across the Wild West! 🏎️
Xan fires up the engine on Appare Ranman!, a wildly inventive steampunk racing manga from the minds of Appareacing (story) and Antonsiku (art). Follow the chaotic duo of a genius inventor and a stoic ronin as they compete in a cross-country race through a fantastical 1890s America. Is it as unhinged and fun as Wacky Races? Let's find out!
In This Episode:
Breaking down the unique alt-history world and its crazy inventions.
How the odd-couple dynamic drives the story.
The latest must-read manga releases.
Support the Show:Help keep our lights on and our engines running: Gofundme
Engage With Us:
Subscribe! YouTube | Website
Follow @spiraken on X (Twitter), Bluesky, Instagram
Join the community on Discord
Support us on Patreon
Rate us on Apple Podcasts
Random Question of the Day:"If you could join a cross-country race in any alt-history setting, what would it be and what would your vehicle be?"
#Spiraken #MangaReview #AppareRanman #Steampunk #RacingManga #AltHistory #YenPress #WackyRaces
Music Credits:
"Trendsetter" by Mood Maze (via Uppbeat)License code: YEPNB5COHX56JVES
WHERE TO FIND US
Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/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 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