This episode discusses all volumes (1-5) of Juline by Narumi Kakinouchi.When you think "shojo manga," you typically don't think "ninjas." But that's just a stereotype, and we're here to defy stereotypes. Shojo & Tell host Ashley and Megan DeYarman, of the sites Manga Test Drive and Renaissance Josei, talk about Juline, a manga series from animator Narumi Kakinouchi (of Vampire Princess Miyu fame). The titular Juline, along with other young female ninjas Bakuya and Seika (and inevitable male love interest Kio), are looking for male relatives and lovers who have disappeared. They encounter a mysterious foe in Black Pearl (also known as Tamayo, also known as Mei). Is Tamayo a woman or a man? Can Juline, Bakuya, and Seika undo the spell that's been put on their loved ones? Ashley and Megan dive into the art style (and unfortunate lack of lettering skills from Tokyopop), the gender representation, and the overall ~vibes~ of this strange little series.REFERENCESJuline is out of print. It was published by Tokyopop.There's a sequel called Shaolin SistersMegan has been on episodes for The Key to the Kingdom and The Full-Time Wife EscapistOther anime/manga mentioned:Revolutionary Girl UtenaSailor MoonSpace Runaway IdeonDr. SlumpUrusei YatsuraMacrossMegazone 23The Pilot's Love SongAldnoah.ZeroLupin the 3rd Part IV: The Italian AdventureApocalypse ZeroMagic Knight RayearthVampire Princess MiyuRyoko's Case FileNarutoTail of the MoonMaid-Sama!Gundam WingStu Levy is why everything is badArchive of Our OwnOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USFollow Megan on BlueSky @brainchild129.bsky.socialFollow Manga Test Drive on BlueSky @mangatestdrive.bsky.socialSupport Megan on PatreonVision Renaissance JoseiShojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and TwitterAshley on Bluesky

Juline Manga Discussion (with Megan DeYarman of Manga Test Drive)

We discuss the two shojo manga versions of Cowboy Bebop: Cowboy Bebop by Hajime Yatate [Sunrise staff] and Cowboy Bebop: Shooting Star by Cain KugaAsk an anime fan above the age of 30 what their favorite anime is, and chances are high they'll say Cowboy Bebop. The music, the animation, the mood — it's iconic. And then there are the two shojo manga iterations of Cowboy Bebop, which have largely been lost to the sands of time (and then, there's the Netflix live action version...). Shojo and Tell host Ashley and her husband, Asher, read both of these severely out of print manga adaptations, and discuss here. Topics of discussion include: Ed and gender, why the heck is Shooting Star the way it is, and why was it decided that this seinen anime needs not one, but two shojo manga adaptations?REFERENCESBoth Cowboy Bebop manga adaptations are out of print. They were previously published by Tokyopop.The Cowboy Bebop anime is still beloved by many who aren't the AshesThe Netflix live action version of Cowboy Bebop was funYoko Kanno's music is part of what makes the anime such a hitOther series mentioned:Outlaw StarNeon Genesis EvangelionNeon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic DaysDimension WBleachLegal DrugXGurren  LagannThe Vision of EscaflowneFushigi YugiMaid-Sama!Tech bros trying to colonize space: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard BransonOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USShojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and TwitterAshley on Bluesky

Cowboy Bebop Shojo Manga Discussion (with Asher Sofman)

This episode discusses all volumes (1-8) of The Vision of Escaflowne by Katsu AkiThe Vision of Escaflowne is the anime that got Shojo and Tell host Ashley into anime. It sparked one of only a handful of great obsessions in Ashley's life. It's probably the reason this podcast exists at all.Katsu Aki's shonen manga version of the story is..... not like the anime you know and love.It's explicitly billed as a shonen series, and it's all downhill from there. Instead of being a badass track and field star with short hair who saves Van and Allen more times than anyone in the series bothers to count, Hitomi is now a busty babe with glasses who's necessary to pilot the giant mech, Escaflowne. Prince Van is an annoying uncouth and unskilled swordsman. Sir Allen is a knight who is nothingness. Dilandau is — well okay, Dilandau is still a pretty crazy delight, honestly. But a different kind of crazy delight.The Ashes discuss what this iteration of ESCAFLOWNE has to offer in comparison to the beloved TV anime and the gritty movie adaptation of the series.REFERENCESUnfortunately (fortunately?), this manga is out of print. It was originally published in English by Tokyopop.The anime is available from FunimationAs is the movieThe shojo manga version has never been licensed in EnglishOther Escaflowne things"Memory of Fanelia" songANNcast movie episode from 2015Other series mentionedDigimonCardcaptor SakuraSailor MoonFushigi YugiCyborg 009EvangelionHot GimmickDarling in the FranxxSword Art OnlineDragon Ball Z (Master Roshi)BleachMagic Knight RayearthxxxHolicSpy x FamilyHunter x HunterCowboy BebopMisc. memtionsAvatar: The Last Airbender Fire NationThe Hunger GamesNeo Yokio  "Helena Saint Tessero is the plot."Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Shredder)Outro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USShojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and TwitterAshley on Bluesky

The Vision of Escaflowne (with Asher Sofman) [Shonen Exception #5]

Wondering if you should pick up Lord Hades' Ruthless Marriage by Ueji Yuho? Ashley and Asher discuss the first volume of this new manga published by Yen Press, in which Lord Hades has been shot by one of Eros' arrows and thus is fated to fall in love. But not without a lot of hijinks happening first, harem manga style.This is a short review of Lord Hades' Ruthless Marriage volume 1.REFERENCESLord Hades' Ruthless Marriage is available from Yen PressOther Greek mythology-inspired media we mentioned:Percy Jackson seriesCirce by Madeline MillerThe Song of Achilles by Madeline MillerNeon Gods by Katee RobertMisc mentionsRenji from BleachDisney's HerculesMorgana was a guest for the Pet Shop of Horrors episode, which you can listen to hereCONTACT USShojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, and Instagram

Preview Guide 6: Lord Hades' Ruthless Marriage

This episode discusses volumes 8–15 of Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts by Yu Tomofuji.Sariphi has gone from ritual sacrifice to acting queen, but she's still working to gain the respect of members of beastkind. In this episode about the back half of Tomofuji's series, Mackenzie from Mac Loves Manga and Shojo and Tell host Ashley break down the highlights. We get to talk more about our favorite hyena boy, Lante, and his heartwarming worldviews; crotchety Anubis and the amazing journey he went on (where he got stabbed at least twice); the power of Sariphi, particularly in the arc with Fenrir; plus, we finally find out why the king is partially human, and meet some of the best side characters who should definitely have their own series.Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts is available from Yen Press in EnglishThere's a spinoff that's not licensed yet, The White Rabbit and the Beast PrinceBe sure to check out Shoujo Sundae, Colleen's Manga Recs, and Basic BoiOther anime/manga mentionedVampire KnightOne PieceRequiem of the Rose KingMy Happy MarriageOokuTokyo GhoulDragon Ball ZHunter x HunterFullmetal AlchemistThe World is Still BeautifulDub actors lobbying for better payMad MaxAvengers: EndgameOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USMackenzie on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, TumblrMackenzie's YouTube channelShojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter

Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts Pt. 2 (with Mackenzie of Mac Loves Manga)

This episode discusses volumes 1–7 of Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts by Yu Tomofuji.Sariphi goes from ritual sacrifice to acting queen consort in the span of only a few volumes. The real problem? She's a human living among beastkind, hiding the secret of the part-human beast king while trying to win over the hearts and minds of people who look nothing like her. Tomofuji's series pushes boundaries, and Mackenzie from Mac Loves Manga is here to fully break them down. Mackenzie joins Shojo and Tell host Ashley to discuss the political intrigue of this series, how refreshing Sari is as a heroine, how endearing the tsundere boys Anubis and Lanteveldt are, and, as is only natural, make inevitable comparisons to Beastars and Zootopia.REFERENCESSacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts is available from Yen Press in EnglishBe sure to follow Shoujo Sundae and Colleen's Manga RecsOther anime/manga mentionedAlice 19thRomantic KillerYona of the DawnSkip Beat!Gakuen AliceTears of a LambSukeban DekaKill la KillBibliophile PrincessBleachNarutoMob Psycho 100BeastarsDemon SlayerOshi no KoTakane and HanaA Centaur's LifeMonster MusumeDarling in the FranxxNeon Genesis EvangelionOther media mentioned:Beauty and the BeastZootopiaBaltoThe Hunger GamesThe MatrixAnime Feminist review of Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts episode 1Hana to Yume magazineMackenzie's video on Romantic Killer/performative shojoOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USMackenzie on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, TumblrMackenzie's YouTube channelShojo & Tell on Bluesky, Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter,

Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts Pt. 1 (with Mackenzie of Mac Loves Manga)

Discusses all of the manga Codename: Sailor V by Naoko Takeuchi.Before there was Sailor Moon, there was Sailor V. Or... maybe? Is that how the timeline lines up? Well, anyway. We're continuing our journey with the Sailor Guardians by discussing the prequel/sequel/???? to Sailor Moon, which is all about Minako/Sailor Venus. Minako superfans Honey and Vixen explain how Usagi and Minako differ, why Sailor Venus is their favorite Sailor Guardian, and why everyone should be on Team Minako. Shojo & Tell host Ashley has to admit that Minako makes a lot more sense after reading this superhero gag manga. If you liked the silliness of the 1990s Sailor Moon anime, then you should be reading Sailor V!REFERENCESCodename: Sailor V is available from Kodansha ComicsBe sure to listen to our Sailor Moon episodes with Anne LaRoseThe one true Sailor Moon fansite, Tuxedo UnmaskedOther anime/manga mentionedBloom Into YouRevolutionary Girl UtenaHot GimmickDuklyonFruits BasketNichijouYona of the DawnPrincess JellyfishDragon Ball SuperDigimonSacrificial Princess and the King of BeastsCutie HoneyAstro BoyVideo games mentioned:Fantasy ZoneTwinBeeBreath of the Wild  / Tears of the KingdomSkyrimDragon QuestResident EvilListen to fellow manga podcast, Manga MavericksCheck out Kodansha's new manga streaming service, K MangaOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USFollow Honey on: Twitter, Instagram, and TwitchFollow Vixen on TwitterShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram

Codename: Sailor V (with Honey and Vixen)

This episode discusses the second half of the Sailor Moon manga by Naoko Takeuchi.We're back to talk about the Infinity, Dream, and Stars arcs of the beloved Sailor Moon series. Now that all the Sailor Guardians are here, Shojo & Tell host Ashley and Anne LaRose, who runs the Shojo Power blog analyzing Sailor Moon, reveal their vastly different favorite Guardians. As a n00b to the series, Ashley wonders what is even going on with the Sailor Stars. And why there's a creepy circus. And what the heck any of these villains really want. It doesn't really matter, because the Sailor Guardians kick ass, right? And Mamoru is Sailor Earth. Right. Fangirl ChatGPT agrees.REFERENCESSailor Moon is available from Kodansha ComicsThe 1992 anime is on HuluSailor Moon Crystal is on NetflixThe Sailor Moon Cosmos movie is coming out in the summer of 2023Other manga/anime mentioned:Codename: Sailor VWeathering with YouYour NameOne PieceFruits BasketAnime Feminist article on queernessHunter x HunterPrincess JellyfishAkiko HigashimuraCyborg 009Princess KnightYona of the DawnA Sign of AffectionOuran High School Host ClubBleachNarutoMadoka MagicaPretty CureLand of the LustrousTwin Star ExorcistsRumiko TakahashiTwo-Spirit peopleLindy WestLord of the FliesFifty Shades of GreyOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USAnne runs shojopower.comFind Shojo Power on: Twitter, Facebook, and InstagramShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram

Sailor Moon Pt. 2 (with Anne LaRose, creator of Shojo Power)

This episode discusses the first half of the Sailor Moon manga by Naoko Takeuchi.It's our 100th main episode(!!), so we finally suck it up and cover one of the biggest shojo series of all time: Sailor Moon. To start off, Shojo & Tell host Ashley makes a shocking confession, which Anne LaRose, who runs the site Shojo Power dedicated to analyzing Sailor Moon, takes in stride. From there, Ashley and Anne respond to listener feedback on what makes Sailor Moon so beloved, rank their favorite Sailor Guardians, share feelings about Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask's romance, and explore how Takeuchi's series altered the course of magical girl stories. The story arcs discussed are the Dark Kingdom and Black Moon.REFERENCESSailor Moon is available from Kodansha ComicsThe 1992 anime is on HuluSailor Moon Crystal is on NetflixThe Sailor Moon Cosmos movie is coming out in the summer of 2023Other manga/anime mentioned:Codename: Sailor VMaid-Sama!Fushigi YugiCardcaptor SakuraThe Vision of EscaflowneSaint SeiyaHunter x HunterTokyo Mew MewCreamy MamiAlice 19thFruits BasketNanaAmerican cartoons/comics mentioned:Powerpuff GirlsBatman: The Animated SeriesSpider-Man: The Animated SeriesTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesThe Real GhostbustersThe IncrediblesGen Z/Generation Alpha doesn't understand the concept of files on a desktopAlethea and Athena Nibley did the Eternal Editions/Naoko Takeuchi collection translationsOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USAnne runs shojopower.comFind Shojo Power on: Twitter, Facebook, and InstagramShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram

Sailor Moon Pt. 1 (with Anne LaRose, creator of Shojo Power)

A discussion about all three volumes of CLAMP School Detectives by CLAMP.We're rounding out the unofficial Clamp School trilogy with CLAMP School Detectives, which is actually a shojo series! Nokoru, Suoh, and Akira (from Man of Many Faces) make up the elementary student council representatives at Clamp School, and they're determined to help any maiden in distress. Shojo and Tell host Ashley and her husband, Asher, discuss how Clamp School is a dystopian totalitarian state disguising itself as a utopia, what it does or does not get right about going to prestigious schools, and how the council would react if a girl asked for help with period cramps. Ashley insists multiple times that you don't need to read volume 2 of this manga. It's superfluous!REFERENCESCLAMP School Detectives is available from Viz Media digitallyOther CLAMP manga mentioned:XLegend of Chun HyangMagic Knight RayearthMiyuki-chan in WonderlandThe One I LoveTokyo BabylonMan of Many FacesDuklyonTsubasaxxxHolicRG VedaLegal DrugCardcaptor SakuraChobitsAngelic LayerWishOther manga/anime mentioned:Ouran High School Host ClubBisco HatoriJoe from Cyborg 009Tai from DigimonNeo YokioDanganronpaPrincess JellyfishEscaflowne (shonen manga version)JoJo's Bizarre AdventureOther books mentionedInclusifyThe Hunger GamesFinnickThrone of GlassThe Poppy WarChinese spy balloonYou should probably just listen to the CLAMPcast in Wonderland episodes about this manga insteadOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USAsher on Archive of Our Own: @dasheryShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley's Tales of Xillia fanfic: Well SuitedJoin us next time for a discussion of the first half of Sailor Moon!

Clamp School Detectives (with Asher Sofman)

A discussion about the two-volume series Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders by CLAMP.Another two-volume shonen gag manga from CLAMP, an even sillier and shorter Shojo & Tell episode than usual. The CLAMP School Defenders Kentarou Higashikunimaru and Takeshi Shukaido are trying to protect the institution from the Imonoyama Shopping District Association. From there, an alien romance commences. Duklyon is strange, comedic, and a loving send up to  tokusatsu shows. Most of this episode is just Asher and Ashley trying to say "Higashikunimaru" 10 times fast. (No, it's not. That's only part of the episode. We promise.)REFERENCESDuklyon is available from Viz Media digitallyOther CLAMP manga mentioned:Man of Many FacesRG VedaClamp School DetectivesTsubasaCardcaptor SakuraChobitsTokyo BabylonXMagic Knight RayearthAngelic LayerWishLegend of Chun HyangShirahime-SyoOther manga/anime mentioned:Power RangersSSSS.GridmanSailor MoonSpace Patrol LulucoDilandau from EscaflowneYuu WataseYou should probably just listen to the CLAMPcast in Wonderland episode about this manga insteadOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USAsher on Archive of Our Own: @dasheryShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley's Tales of Xillia fanfic: Well Suited

Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders (with Asher Sofman) [Shonen Exception #4]

A discussion about the two-volume series Man of Many Faces by CLAMP.This is a two-volume gag manga about a gentleman thief who's in elementary school named Akira. He has two moms who look identical to each other. He's part of the Clamp School Detectives. He's in love with a kindergartener named Utako. It might be one of the best romantic relationships in any Clamp manga. Wait, what? Shojo and Tell host Ashley and her husband do their best to crack the case as to why this strange, should-be-problematic short series is actually endearing and wholesome.REFERENCESMan of Many Faces is available from Viz Media digitallyOther CLAMP manga mentioned:RG VedaClamp School DetectivesTsubasaCardcaptor SakuraChobitsTokyo BabylonMagic Knight RayearthAngelic LayerWishOther manga/anime mentioned:Bungo Stray DogsCowboy BebopYuYu HakushoFushigi YuugiD.N.AngelSailor MoonPersona 5Edogawa RanpoPretty WomanSome Like It HotBuzzfeed Quiz: You Know How Old You Are Literally, But How Old Are You Mentally?You should probably just listen to the CLAMPcast in Wonderland episodes about this manga insteadOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USAsher on Archive of Our Own: @dasheryShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley's Tales of Xillia fanfic: Well Suited

Man of Many Faces by CLAMP (with Asher Sofman) [Shonen Exception #3]

This episode discusses all seven volumes of Alice 19th by Yuu Watase.Sisters Alice Seno and Mayura Seno end up falling for the same handsome boy, Kyo, and their fight for his affection threatens to destroy the whole world. That's a bit of an oversimplification, but the general gist of Watase's Alice 19th. Chika and Giana from the podcast Shoujo Sundae join Shojo and Tell host Ashley to talk about the battle between the Lotis Masters and Maram Masters, where words are turned into magical but very deadly violence. We discuss the influences of September 11, 2001, on the story, Watase's efforts at diversity and inclusion, whether we consider Alice a magical girl or not, and more. REFERENCESAlice 19th is available from Viz Media's Shojo Beat lineOther Watase series mentioned:Absolute BoyfriendImadoki!Fushigi YuugiFushigi Yuugi: Genbu KaidenFushigi Yuugi: Byakko SenkiAppare Jipangu!CeresArataOther anime/manga series mentioned:Sailor MoonCardcaptor SakuraInuYashaAttack on TitanOuran High School Host ClubFruits BasketThe Vision of EscaflowneOther media mentioned:The Lord of the Rings (movies)Atlantis (movie)RRR"Synchronised Sinking" by The LucksmithsOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USShoujo Sundae on Twitter: @ShoujoSundaeChika on Twitter: @chikasupremeChika on Instagram: @chikasupremeGiana on Twitter: @Giana_Luna_Giana on Instagram: @giana_luna_Shojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley's Tales of Xillia fanfic: Well Suited

Alice 19th (with Chika and Giana from Shoujo Sundae)

This episode discusses all of Twinkle Stars by Natsuki TakayaWelcome, hoejos, to the first Shojo and Tell episode of 2023, with special guest Colleen. We're here to discuss Natsuki Takaya's TWINKLE STARS, which is the only series Takaya has completed since she finished this little series called Fruits Basket. (That is, aside from Furuba spinoffs.) Prepare your tear ducts, because it dives just as hard — if not harder — into twisted family dynamics like Furuba. We answer burning listener questions like "which page made you cry the most?", marvel at the star imagery, and of course, make endless comparisons to Fruits Basket. Which Takaya series is better? You'll have to listen to find out.CONTENT WARNING: SuicideREFERENCESTwinkle Stars is available from Yen PressWe make frequent comparisons to Takaya's other series, Fruits Basket, which we previously covered:FB episode 1FB episode 2FB episode 3Other series mentioned:Kimi ni TodokeBasaraKodochaAn example of the servant/high school student dynamic: A Girl and Her Guard DogOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USColleen on Twitter: @manga_nostalgicColleen on YouTube: @ColleensMangaRecsColleen on TikTok: @colleensmangarecsShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley's Tales of Xillia fanfic: Well Suited

Twinkle Stars (with Colleen from Colleen's Manga Recs)

This episode discusses all volumes of Wotakoi by Fujita.Gather 'round, gamers, and let you freak flag fly, fujoshi: Wotakoi is the lighthearted, reassuring read all otaku need. It follows six young adults as they navigate fandom and romance, to hilarious, heartwarming effect. Ellie from the Religiously Nerdy podcast joins to discuss our three main couples, answer a slew of listener questions, and generally identify aspects that make the series so relatable. (Ashley, unfortunately, relates a bit too much to Kabakura.)REFERENCESWotakoi is available from KodanshaThe Wotakoi anime is available on Am*zon Pr!me (a service we do not endorse)Other manga mentioned:Sweat and SoapJoJo's Bizarre AdventureBleachDimension WTwin Star ExorcistsMaid-Sama!A Silent VoiceKill la KillMy Hero AcademiaCardcaptor Sakura: Clear CardSailor MoonInuYashaThe Vision of EscaflowneAnohana: The Flower We Saw That DayAngel BeatsFruits BasketOther anime/manga podcasts mentioned:Religiously NerdyManga MavericksShoujo SundaeThe Otaku Noobs PodcastGames mentioned:Fate/Grand OrderElden RingGranblue FantasyDead by DaylightTales of the AbyssTales of AriseTales of XilliaOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USEllie on Twitter: @themuslimblerdEllie on Instagram: @themuslimblerdReligiously Nerdy on Instagram: @religiouslynerdyReligious Nerdy on Twitter: @3muslimnerdsShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley's Tales of Xillia fanfic: Well Suited

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (with Ellie from Religiously Nerdy)

Covers all 4 volumes of Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san by Honda.Ever wanted to know what it's like to work in a bookstore? Well, your friendly neighborhood bookseller, Honda-san, has some funny stories to share and will teach you about wholesalers. Oh, and Honda's a skeleton. Of course. Honda relays many hijinks at their Kin*kuniya or B**k*ff in Tokyo, particularly in regards to foreign customers. The Ashes compare the anime and the manga, talk about issues surrounding book distribution and discovery, and name their favorites among Honda's coworkers. Here's a short episode for Halloween that has absolutely nothing to do with Halloween other than everyone's portrayed in a funny costume. Anyway, enjoy our rants about Rakuten Kobo!REFERENCESSkull-face Bookseller Honda-san is available from Yen PressThe K-Drama service we were thinking of is, ironically, Rakuten's VikiManga/authors mentioned:The Story of SaiunkokuThe Poe ClanOsamu TezukaBleachMy Hero AcademiaHorimiyaPixivBarnes and Noble's new strategy away from niche titlesDive deep into the confusing world of publishing sales  figuresOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USAsher on Archive of Our Own: @dasheryShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley's Tales of Xillia fanfic: Well Suited

Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san (with Asher Sofman)

Discusses all eight volumes of Marmalade Boy by Wataru Yoshizumi.Marmalade Boy is a quintessential shojo that has it all: Swingers! Step-sibling romance! Student-teacher relationships! And it does it all in a fast-paced eight volumes. In this episode, Lucy from the CLAMPcast podcast and Shojo & Tell host Ashley answer a ton of listener questions, which cover topics ranging from Marmalade Boy’s place in shojo history, our feelings about Meiko and Namura, how Miki and Yuu’s parents rank against other manga parents, what we hope for from Seven Seas’ upcoming rerelease of the manga, and much more. (Hint: We definitely hope for less sentences like “I love you, Yuu!”)REFERENCES (WIP! Full show notes TK!)Marmalade Boy is being rereleased by Seven SeasLucy was previously on the Paradise Kiss episodeOther manga/anime mentioned:Cowboy BebopTrigunFull MoonHorimiyaDragon Ball ZPokemon (you know what Pokemon is)Fushigi YugiThe Vision of EscaflowneCardcaptor SakuraCardcaptor Sakura: Clear CardFruits BasketOuran High School Host ClubPeach GirlMarsPlanet LadderWotakoiIo Sakisaka works: Ao Haru Ride, Strobe Edge, Love Me, Love Me NotMoto Hagio worksWaiting for SpringBanana FishCode GeassSailor MoonA Couple of CuckoosSword Art OnlineKodochaYA mentioned:Gossip GirlThe Hunger GamesSpeakThe Perks of Being a WallflowerThe OutsidersLife and Death: Twilight ReimaginedSome academic books about shojo that are available in English:International Perspectives on Shojo and Shojo MangaPassionate FriendshipStraight from the HeartSmile MagazineThe Manga Mavericks PodcastPsychology Today article: "The Rise of Lonely, Single Men"Outro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USListen to Lucy's podcast all about CLAMP manga and anime called CLAMPcast in Wonderland! It's really good.CLAMPcast on Twitter @CLAMPcastpodFollow Lucy on Twitter @LucyinBooklandFollow Lucy on TikTok @LucyinBooklandShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram

Marmalade Boy (with Lucy from CLAMPcast)

This episode discusses all six volumes of Absolute Boyfriend by Yuu Watase.The Ashes are back to do a compare and contrast between two shojo heavyweights, Yuu Watase and CLAMP. Last episode we covered Chobits even though it's a seinen series, partially because we're determined to read every CLAMP series, and partially because we knew Absolute Boyfriend appears to have taken heavy inspiration from Chobits and shojo-ified it. We talk about how Absolute Boyfriend handles sex and A.I. compared to Chobits, whether it's magical and dreamy that your boyfriend can be destroyed and have to go to the Apple Store, and are thankful that, at the very least, Riko is not a schmuck. (Although, she might be the high school female equivalent of a schmuck? You decide after hearing how she handled her love triangle between the figure, Night, and her best friend, Soshi.)REFERENCESAbsolute Boyfriend is available in English from Viz Media's Shojo Beat lineWhy do they keep making live action adaptations of this??Other Watase series mentioned:Fushigi YugiFushigi Yugi: Genbu KaidenFushigi Yugi: Byakko SenkiCeresArataSakura-GariOther CLAMP series mentioned:Legal DrugXCLAMP interview mentionedMisc. mentions:MeganeBoss BabyTwilightMagical GirlfriendNoragamiBioShockHatsune MikuIAOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USAsher on Archive of Our Own: @dasheryShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley's Tales of Xillia fanfic: Well Suited

Absolute Boyfriend (with Asher Sofman)

This episode discusses all eight volumes of Chobits by CLAMP.We're continuing our journey through CLAMP with their most provocative, perverted, and problematic series yet: The sci-fi series Chobits, where personal computers (persocoms) take the form of cute high school girls with cat ears. Hideki, peak schmuck boy, finds a free one in the trash, and he names her Chi, and then he may or may not fall in love with her, even though she behaves like a child. Talk about awkward. Asher and Ashley have A LOT of feelings about the moral implications of the relationships between humans and persocoms that are presented by each character arc, the way artificial intelligence and computer memory is discussed, and about the handling of the sexual topics. Look. CLAMP apparently isn't saying it's okay to marry Hatsune Miku. But your love of Hatsune Miku is real love. Ashley's still waiting for the "so what?" of it all.PLEASE NOTE: This episode is marked explicit due to being unable to avoid talking about lewd topics. Knowing that, Ashley also curses more than she ever has on this podcast. Proceed with caution!REFERENCESChobits is available in English from Kodansha ComicsThis episode is really just an advertisement for the podcasts CLAMPcast in Wonderland and Hot MoneyOther CLAMP series mentionedAngelic LayerMagic Knight RayearthCardcaptor SakuraOther series mentionedFruits BasketNarutoAbsolute BoyfriendMarmalade BoyBattlebots stuffJamison Go/SawBlazeTombstoneWitch DoctorSongs/artists mentionedYuri the Only One for Me by LeetStreet BoysOxytocin by Billie EilishSnow (Hey Oh) by Red Hot Chili PeppersLil Nas XHatsune MikuComputer stuff mentionedBBS (Bulletin Board System)DefraggingYouTube AI algorithm failuresTricking the Twitter/Microsoft chatbotThis ex-Google AI idiotThe Most Human HumanThree Laws of RoboticsOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USAsher on Archive of Our Own: @dasheryShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley's Tales of Xillia fanfic: Well Suited

Chobits (with Asher Sofman) [Seinen Exception #2]

This episode discusses volumes 9–17 of Love Com by Aya Nakahara.We're back with a walkthrough of the highs and lows of the second half of Love Com, where we no longer see height. Height means nothing when it comes to true love. (Or... does it?) Ashley and Loyola discuss the appearance of Kohori, how Otani and Risa broke up (!!) then got to back together (!!!) and slept together (!!!!) — but no not in that way, they haven't even kissed four times in a row yet (?!?!). We have one of the most heated shipping corners on this podcast so far, where Ashley insists that Haruka and Seiko are a couple and Otani and Risa might be better off just friends. In conclusion: Nobu's still the best and Risa's brother, Takato, is hot.REFERENCESThe Love Com manga is available digitally from Viz Media's Shojo Beat lineThe Love Com anime is available to stream on CrunchyrollOther episodes Loyola's been on:Arina Tanemura One-ShotsGirl Got GameMeruPuriOther anime/manga mentioned:The Vision of EscaflowneOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by DanosongsCONTACT USLoyola on Twitter: @loyolarankinShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley's Tales of Xillia fanfic: Well Suited

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