Mangasplaining

Deb Aoki, David Brothers, Christopher Butcher, Chip Zdarsky

Curious about manga but don't know where to start? Well neither does comics writer/artist Chip Zdarsky! Join manga experts Deb Aoki, David Brothers, and Christopher Woodrow-Butcher, as they introduce the medium to Chip (and to you!) through some of its best and most important works. Every week a new volume of manga to re-discover, discuss, and enjoy! More info at Mangasplaining.com!

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Our Editor's Take

Manga fans and newcomers enjoy analysis, insights, and more with the podcast Mangasplaining. Each episode explores a specific series of this Japanese graphic novel universe. A conversational question-answer format entices fans of all levels. Three manga-expert hosts explore characters, art, themes, and stories. Plus, one non-expert host with many questions makes everyone feel at home in the world of Japanese comics and graphic novels.

Manga creatives Deb Aoki, David Brothers, and Christopher Woodrow-Butcher lead the show. Comic writer Chip Zdarsky, who is new to manga and curious, controls the pace. The four's journey through Mangasplaining is engaging and entertaining. Deb, David, and Christopher share their thoughts on shows and back them up. As critics and creatives, their analyses sometimes conflict. Deb is a manga critic and columnist. David is an editor and writer. Daniel is an icon manga retailer. Chip is ready to learn from them.

In one Mangasplaining episode, the hosts explore the series Solanin by Inio Asano. The team examines themes of young adulthood, change, desire, and purpose. They analyze the character arcs of Meiko and Taneda and the tragedy the two experience. The protagonists struggle with aimlessness after college. The hosts also talk about the original work and the artist's approach. They explore the series and live-action films.

Other episodes review the ethereal Children of the Sea by Daisuke Igarashi. Another examines My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness by Kabi Nagata. Also, the hosts discuss Natsuki Takaya's emotional storytelling in Fruits Basket.

The podcast started in 2021 and offers careful analysis and a diverse title list. Its engaging hosts express a cheerful mood and good humor. They encourage listener questions and feedback for an interactive community. New Mangasplaining episodes air two to three times per month and run one to two hours long.

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Episodes