Nostalgia, Plus Ultra Anime Podcast

Welcome back to the pod!!. This week is the second installment of the As Told by Zo Variety Special! This time, host Zo dives headfirst into a rapid-fire mix of pop culture, video games, anime, sci-fi, and Halloween season hype. Zo takes a critical look at Insomniac Games’ Wolverine, breaking down the concerns, creative choices, and issues surrounding one of Marvel’s most anticipated gaming projects. From there, it’s time for a crash course in the visual connection between 1980s and 1990s American science fiction and Japanese anime. Zo explores the shared aesthetics, themes, technology, character designs, and cinematic influences that helped define the look and feel of both eras. Zo also gets into the hype surrounding this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, discussing what makes the event such a massive pop-culture phenomenon and why horror fans keep coming back for more. Follow us on social media to keep up with The Homies and get updates on new episodes. And if you enjoyed the show, like, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you’ll know when the next episode drops.

Welcome back to the pod!! Today, The Homies dive into Summer Wars , Mamoru Hosoda’s beloved 2009 anime film that blends family drama, romance, comedy, technology, and high-stakes digital adventure into one unforgettable story. We visit the world of OZ, the film’s sprawling virtual network, and the Jinnouchi family as they face a digital crisis that threatens both their online world and reality itself. We discuss what makes Summer Wars such a memorable anime movie, from its themes of family and connection to its colorful animation, emotional storytelling, and surprisingly relevant take on technology and social media. Make sure to follow the pod on social media for more episodes, movie discussions, and anime deep dives. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. Your support helps more listeners discover Nostalgia, Plus Ultra.

Welcome back to the pod!! Today, The Homies take a closer look at one of Studio Ghibli’s most unconventional films: My Neighbors the Yamadas. We explore what makes this slice-of-life comedy so different from the typical Studio Ghibli experience, from its distinctive watercolor-inspired animation and family dynamics to its humor, heart, and everyday storytelling. The Homies are also ranking every Isao Takahata movie made under Studio Ghibli, comparing Grave of the Fireflies , Only Yesterday , Pom Poko , My Neighbors the Yamadas , and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya . Which Takahata masterpiece comes out on top? Which one deserves more recognition? And where does My Neighbors the Yamadas land on our ultimate Isao Takahata ranking? Join us as we revisit the movies that shaped our childhoods, challenged our expectations, and still hold up today. If you enjoyed the episode, follow us on all socials @nostalgiaplusultra, subscribe to the podcast, and leave us a like or review.

Welcome back to the Pod! Today, The Homies take a deep dive into Pom Poko , the 1994 Studio Ghibli film directed by Isao Takahata. Blending Japanese folklore, comedy, environmental themes, and heartfelt drama, Pom Poko follows a community of tanuki as they fight to protect their forest home from rapid urban development. We explore what makes Pom Poko such a unique entry in the Studio Ghibli catalog, from its shape-shifting tanuki and traditional Japanese mythology to its surprisingly mature themes of environmental destruction, cultural change, community, and nostalgia. We also discuss the movie’s distinctive animation style, humor, emotional moments, and how its message holds up for modern audiences. Make sure to follow the pod on social media, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe so you never miss an episode! #NostalgiaPlusUltra #PomPoko #StudioGhibli #IsaoTakahata #GhibliReview #AnimeReview #StudioGhibliMovies #AnimePodcast #MovieReview #JapaneseAnimation #NostalgiaPodcast

Welcome back to the pod!! Today, we revisit Studio Ghibli’s Only Yesterday, Isao Takahata’s beautifully understated coming-of-age film about memory, adulthood, nostalgia, and the complicated process of looking back at who we once were. We discuss what makes Only Yesterday such a unique Studio Ghibli movie, from its intimate story and richly detailed animation to its reflections on childhood, identity, growing up, and the choices that shape our adult lives. We also explore how the film uses nostalgia not simply to romanticize the past, but to help us understand the present. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with another Studio Ghibli fan and leave us a review to help more listeners discover the podcast.

Welcome back to the pod! The Homies are reviewing the Studio Ghibli masterpiece The Tale of Princess Kaguya . Based on the classic Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter . We dive into the film’s stunning hand-drawn animation, emotional storytelling, Japanese folklore, themes of identity and freedom, and the unique artistic vision of director Isao Takahata and soundtrack genius Joe Hisaishi. Listen, share the episode with a fellow Studio Ghibli fan, and subscribe or follow Nostalgia, Plus Ultra for more nostalgic movie reviews and pop-culture discussions. Follow the show on social media: @nostalgiaplusultra

On this episode of Nostalgia, Plus Ultra Anime Podcast, The Homies bridge the gap between Hollywood and anime with the ultimate crossover recommendation guide! Zo and Taylor break down popular movies and pair them with must-watch anime recommendations that capture the same energy, themes, and vibes. Then they flip the script by diving into beloved anime series and films and matching them with live-action and animated movie picks you didn't know you needed. Enjoyed the episode? Leave us a review! It helps more anime and movie fans find the show! Follow us on socials for more recommendations, behind-the-scenes content, and updates: @nostalgiaplusultra #AnimePodcast #AnimeRecommendations #MovieRecommendations #NostalgiaPlusUltra #AnimeVsMovies #OtakuCulture #AnimeCommunity

"Zo Rage" returns once again as the Homies talk about the preservation of physical media. This episode covers the issue surrounding GTA VI and its crazy price hike as well as Sony making the decision to get rid of all physical copies of games moving forward. The Homies also talk about the new Ghost in the Shell anime and discuss what makes it great! Make sure to follow us on all socials @nostalgiaplusultra and leave a review on the pod!!

The Homies are all together in person for the second time ever! This week, Taylor breaks down the complicated lore of Type-Moon's popular visual novel turned anime series Fate Stay/Night. Taylor goes through the muddy history of everything that leads up to the Holy Grail Wars while Zo explains that this show might have more in common with Fortnite than people think. Make sure to follow us on all socials @nostalgiaplusultra and leave a review so we can reach more people!!

Welcome back to the pod! Taylor and (mostly) Keilah have a good cry while giving their review of the Studio Ghibli movie Grave of the Fireflies. The pair give their analysis on the movie and discuss why this movie might have the WORST character in Ghibli's history. Make sure to follow us on socials @nostalgiaplusultra and make sure to like, share, and rate the pod!

Welcome back to the pod! In today's episode, The Homies give their (less-than-favorable) review of the Amazing Digital Circus' final episode. We break down what we thought went wrong and why we love the series in general. Make sure to follow us on socials @nostalgiaplusultra so you never miss an update! How do you feel about the final episode? Leave us a review and share this episode with your friends!

Today, The Homies bring Paulie Litt, a.k.a Spritle, from the cult classic movie Speed Racer. We get into his love of that movie as well as his own personal stories about his work in the industry. Follow us on socials @nostalgiaplusultra for clips and updates on future episodes! Also, make sure to like, share, and rate the podcast to help us reach more listeners!

In this episode, Keilah gives Taylor and Zo a crash course on the cute and hilarious world of Sanrio! Keilah gives the rundown on her favorite characters, the history behind the flagship names, and shows some love to some underrated characters. If you like the show, please share and leave a review! It helps push the pod to more people. Follow the socials @nostalgiaplusultra so you never miss an episode announcement.

Rev up your engines and dive headfirst into this high-octane episode of Nostalgia, Plus Ultra . This week, The Homies take a deep look at the 2008 Speed Racer movie, revisiting the visually groundbreaking cult classic after experiencing its recent IMAX re-release. From its bold Wachowski storytelling style to its ambitious CGI aesthetic, we explore why Speed Racer has earned a passionate fanbase over the years—and whether it was always ahead of its time. Later in the episode, Keilah shifts gears to talk about the daily Sanrio character voting event, sharing her favorite picks and making a case for who deserves the top spot. Be sure to follow the podcast on social media to stay updated on new episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming topics. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe so more listeners can join the conversation. If you enjoyed this episode, leaving a review helps support the show!

Step into the final chapter of our deep dive into Gorillaz mythology. In this episode, Zo wraps up the “Gorillaz Lore for Dummies” series, breaking down the events of Cracker Island and the limited story of The Mountain so far. Before that, The Homies discuss the hottest anime of the spring season. They share their most anticipated series, early impressions, and recommendations for what should be on your watchlist right now. Follow us on social media to stay updated on new episodes and content. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to the podcast, and take a moment to leave a review. It helps more listeners discover the show and supports what we do!

Taylor and Keilah were gone, so it's time for the As Told by Zo Solo Variety Special Episode!!!!!! In this episode, Zo breaks down several topics, including the hidden layers of the Digital Circus YouTube series, explores the surprising reveal of Fox in the upcoming Mario movie, and shares compelling theories about what the storyline of the live-action Zelda movie could look like. If you enjoy discussions about all things pop culture and anime, this episode is a must-listen. Be sure to like and share the episode with fellow fans, follow Nostalgia, Plus Ultra on social media for updates and bonus content, and leave a rating to help others discover the show!

Dive deeper into the animated, chaotic, and ever-evolving world of Gorillaz in Episode 3 of our ongoing series, Gorillaz Lore for Dummies, on Nostalgia, Plus Ultra. In this installment, we break down the complex narrative arcs and hidden storytelling behind the Humanz, The Now Now, and Song Machine. From the politically charged, apocalyptic party vibes of Humanz to the introspective journey of 2D in The Now Now, and the genre-bending collabs of Song Machine, we connect the dots between characters, timelines, and themes that both casual listeners and longtime fans may have missed. If you enjoy the episode, make sure to follow us on social media for updates, anime content, and more deep dives into pop culture. Don’t forget to like and share the podcast with fellow fans, and leave a review on your favorite platform to help us grow and keep the series going. Stay tuned for the next installment as we continue unraveling the Gorillaz universe!

In Part 2 of our deep dive into 2Kawai4Comfort , the underrated 2017 YouTube web series that captured the hearts of anime fans everywhere, we sit down with Luke from Rhino Stew Productions! Luke pulls back the curtain on the ideas and inspirations that shaped the series, the creative decisions that made it resonate with the anime community, and what it was really like to build something meaningful in the wild west of YouTube content creation. We get into the origin story, the world-building, the characters, and so much more. But we don't stop there. The conversation naturally evolves into a candid, no-holds-barred discussion about the state of nerd fandom in 2024, where the anime community has been, where it's going, and what's been gained (and lost) as geek culture has entered the mainstream. Hit that follow button so you never miss a new episode, and find us on all your favorite social media platforms. We want to connect with YOU, the fans who make this community worth celebrating. If this episode made you laugh, think, or feel that warm rush of nostalgia, share it with a fellow fan. And please take 30 seconds to leave us a rating and review!

In the second installment of our Gorillaz Lore for Dummies series, the Homies continue breaking down the wild, layered story behind one of music’s most iconic virtual bands: Gorillaz. After covering the origins and personalities of the band members in Part 1, this episode dives deep into the evolving narrative of the band itself. Starting with the era of Demon Dayz and following the story all the way to the mysterious and chaotic events of Plastic Beach. We explore the darker themes, major story beats, and behind-the-scenes lore that shaped this pivotal era in Gorillaz history, from Murdoc’s schemes and the band’s shifting dynamics to the environmental themes and worldbuilding that define the Plastic Beach storyline. If you enjoy the episode, make sure to follow the podcast and stay updated on future episodes. Don’t forget to like, share, and rate the show on your favorite podcast platform to help more fans discover the series. Also be sure to follow our social media channels for episode updates, anime discussions, and more deep dives into pop culture!

Welcome back to Nostalgia, Plus Ultra Anime Podcast ! In this episode, Zo is joined by his Dad for a cross-generational deep dive into Netflix’s Bet , the live-action adaptation of the hit anime Kakegurui . Does the high-stakes gambling drama capture the psychological intensity and chaotic energy of the original series, or does it fold under pressure? Then, Taylor and Zo shift gears to music and anime news. They review The Mountain , the latest album from Gorillaz, discussing standout tracks, production style, and how it ranks among the band’s previous releases. Next, they explore the powerful introduction of Hiromi Higuruma in Jujutsu Kaisen, unpacking his abilities, moral code, and impact on the events of the Culling Games. Finally, the hosts dive into the new season of Trigun Stargaze, analyzing character development, animation quality, and how this continuation expands the Trigun universe. Be sure to follow Nostalgia, Plus Ultra Anime Podcast on social media, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a 5-star rating and review. Like, share, and help us grow the NPU community.