#42 Blue Water: The Secrets of Nadia (and Gainax)

#42 Blue Water: The Secrets of Nadia (and Gainax)

Author: OTTACK! PODCAST March 10, 2025 Duration: 37:37

In this episode we talk about the classic 1991 anime Fushigi no Umi no Nadia aka Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. From the secret politicking behind the scenes to the connections to other classics like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Neon Genesis Evangelion, find out lots more about this awesome show and its untoppable theme song!



0:00 Opening

 

02:24 Introduction to Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water

 

05:53 Character Analyses: Nadia and Jean

 

16:08 Behind the Scenes: Laputa: Castle in the Sky Similarities & Gainax’s Challenges 

 

20:59 What Happened to the Quality?! Lincoln Island, Africa, and the Infamous Episode 34

 

28:44 The Legacy of Nadia (and Its Connection to Neon Genesis Evangelion)

 

32:10 The GOAT of all Anime Theme Songs: “Blue Water” 

 

33:01 Word of the Day! ー”作画崩壊 / Sakuga Houkai” 

...........................................................................................

Join us to explore and dig deep into the world of anime and manga as well as the history and culture behind them through our distinct perspectives as a born-and-raised Japanese non-otaku and 30+ year American anime otaku! Get to know more about Japan and Japanese words from anime/manga at the end of each episode. 

Voice credit: Funako

◎Email: ⁠⁠⁠300am.ottack@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ 

◎2AM OTTACK! on Spotify:⁠ ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2WLLFsWAt2nenRMr06MfQ0⁠⁠⁠ 

◎2AM OTTACK! on Apple Podcasts:⁠ ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/2-00am-ottack/id1738706407⁠⁠⁠ 

◎3AMオタック! (日本語)on YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCICL0oVvIfTQ_T9FIyEMeAQ 

◎3AMオタック! (日本語) on Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3g0RUBdSIyycbujPMUHTAH?si=b496a00e609045e8⁠⁠ 

◎3AM オタック! (日本語)on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/3-00am-ottack/id1734521806⁠⁠ 

◎Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ottack_podcast/⁠⁠⁠ 

#anime #nadia #animereview


Ever find yourself deep in a rabbit hole about your favorite series, wondering about the real-world influences or the cultural nuances you might be missing? That’s the space where 2AM OTTACK!-Anime Manga Podcast- lives. Hosted by the OTTACK! PODCAST team, this show offers a unique conversational bridge between East and West. One host brings the grounded, everyday perspective of someone born and raised in Japan without an otaku background, while the other offers the passionate, deep-dive analysis of an American fan with over three decades of immersion. Together, they don’t just review shows or discuss plot points; they unpack the history and culture embedded within the frames and panels, providing context that enriches the viewing and reading experience. Each episode feels like a late-night chat between friends who happen to have incredibly complementary viewpoints, digging into themes, production backgrounds, and societal reflections. As a consistent bonus, they wrap up their discussions by highlighting specific Japanese words or cultural tidbits directly connected to that episode’s topic, offering listeners a genuine, practical link to Japan. It’s a podcast for anyone who loves anime and manga but craves a deeper, more thoughtful layer of understanding beyond the surface-level fandom, all delivered through a naturally engaging and personal dynamic.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

2AM OTTACK! - Anime Manga Podcast -
Podcast Episodes
#43 Orb: On the Movements of the Earth: Basically, I Was Right [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:58
In this episode we return to Orb: On the Movements of the Earth to marvel at how unexpectedly right Cisco was about the plot; define, explain, and explore the Greek terms introduced by the most recent episodes; introduce…
#41 The Apothecary Diaries: Mao? Mao. Mou? Nyan! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:30
In this episode we return to The Apothecary Diaries to discuss the second season, why having a conversation with Japanese people that includes Chinese names can be extremely difficult, notable challenges to patriarchy in…
#40  Orb: Pb + Milgram Experiment + Songwriting = Excellence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:54
In this episode, we talk more about Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, examining lead's use in plumbing (and the etymological connection there), the nature of evil and responsibility for state- or church-sanctioned viol…
#37 Medical Mystery Anime Ameku (MD: Doctor Detective) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:37
In this episode, we talk about the new anime Ameku Takao’s Detective Karte (aka Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective) and our reactions to it! What’s this show’s appeal? What do Okinawa and autism have to do with this? And why t…
#35 Animator in an Isekai: Zenshu! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:11
In this episode we talk about the brand-new, Japan-only anime series Zenshu and its first three episodes. Join us as we explore its title, plot, theme songs, and callbacks to famous earlier anime series! 01:53 Zenshu’s P…
#34 Sakamoto Daze! [Sakamoto Days - Episode 1&2] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:26
In this episode, we talk about the first two (thanks Japanese VPN!) episodes of Sakamoto Days, and introduce the characters, voice actors, and music! We also introduce not one, not two, but THREE words of the day! Learn…