278 - Retrospective Redux 2 - BLAME!

278 - Retrospective Redux 2 - BLAME!

Author: Manga Mac Crew January 20, 2020 Duration: 2:22:31
Manga Machinations
LeisureAnimationArtsBooksManga

This week we revisit the cyberpunk world of BLAME!. It's Morgana's first time reading a manga by Tsutomu Nihei and she has a lot to say about the impressive artwork and confusing story. How does returning to this sci-fi adventure hold up for the other hosts? Tune in to find out!!!

Remember to send us emails!
mangamachinations@gmail.com

Follow us on Twitter!
@mangamacpodcast

Check out our website!
https://mangamachinations.com

Check out our tumblr!
http://mangamachinations.tumblr.com

Join our Discord server and come talk to us!
http://discord.me/mangamac

Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 - Intro Song: "Megastructure" by Onogawa Hiroyuki from BLAME! Salvaged Disc, Opening, Introductions, Social Media
  • 00:01:40 - Whatchu Been Reading: Transition Song: Dragon Ball Z OST "Prologue", Seamus has decided to drop Requiem for a Rose King because of an unfortunate shojo troupe
  • 00:03:50 - After checking out Knights of Sidonia Seamus was disappointed by the fan service and audience surrogates
  • 00:07:53 - We discuss the risk aversion of the current manga industry
  • 00:12:23 - Darfox watched the French live-action adaptation of City Hunter called Nicky Larson and Cupid's Perfume
  • 00:17:44 - Darfox and dakazu saw Dragon Ball Super: Broly but Darfox was distracted by Goku's titty muscles
  • 00:27:01 - *SPOILERS* dakazu was happy to find out there was a new volume of The Full-Time Wife Escapist to read
  • 00:29:13 - Butakai Ouji to 100 Kai no Kiss starts off as a fun take The Swineherd fairytale with modern twists but becomes extremely problematic with it's treatment of the young princess
  • 00:37:35 - dakazu gives a quick rundown on the anime adaptations of In/Spectre, Smile Down the Runway, Dorohedoro
  • 00:41:18 - News: BEASTARS anime will be available on Netflix March 13th
  • 00:41:44 - Koyama Press started a monthly program of giving
  • 00:44:39 - Chiyahafuru creator Suetsugu has setup a 1 million yen grant to help vitalize the Karuta sport
  • 00:48:55 - Next Episode Preview and Rundown: Triple Dip where we read the first volume of three different BL manga, including: 10 Dance by Inouesatoh, I Hear the Sunspot by Yuki Fumino, and Classmates: Dou kyu sei by Asumiko Nakamura
  • 00:50:46 - Main Segment Retrospective Redux: BLAME!, Transition Song: "Cibo" by Onogawa Hiroyuki from BLAME! Salvaged Disc, we revisit Tsutomu Nihei's sci-fi series about a man traveling through an endless city structure
  • 00:51:17 - dakazu explains the basic plot of BLAME! and the various factions within the world
  • 00:55:51 - Morgana was confused by the story but appreciated Nihei's amazing artwork
  • 01:00:10 - Morgana and Darfox talk about how Cibo is pronounced in Italian and Spanish while dakazu questions to choice of using the name Kyrii
  • 01:02:31 - We discuss the change of tone in the story as Kyrii changes and how other characters change allegiances
  • 01:05:50 - Morgana noticed Nihei use of interchangeable female bodies
  • 01:12:26 - Revisiting BLAME! made Seamus connects the series to video games and literature while finding the core nature of Kyrii's character
  • 01:18:05 - Morgana questioned if the world was actually a digital reality or the far future while reading
  • 01:22:19 - Darfox explains how you can find anti-technology themes in BLAME!
  • 01:27:51 - We try to parse Kyrii's morality by examining his actions throughout the story
  • 01:34:15 - We rip on the BLAME! anime movie and talk about the experimental OVA shorts
  • 01:38:40 - We discuss Nihei's Marvel comic Snikt!
  • 01:40:46 - We talk about Nihei's background in architecture and how he applies that to his designs and action scenes
  • 01:44:23 - Darfox is disappointed after dakazu shares the origins of the silicon life from the prequel manga NOiSE
  • 01:51:01 - BLAME! Academy and So On is filled with hilarious parodies and an epilogue chapter about Pcell and Kyrii
  • 01:54:45 - We theorize about the happened in the ending
  • 02:03:01 - Morgana can see why Nihei's creative process starts with panel layouts
  • 02:06:12 - None of us know why Dhomochevsky placed that vial in that small room
  • 02:09:36 - Morgana was pleasantly surprised that there was no romantic relationship between Kyrii and Cibo
  • 02:12:14 - We share our final thoughts on the series
  • 02:20:41 - Next Week's Topic: 10 Dance & I Hear the Sunspot & Classmates: Do kyu sei, Social Media Rundown, Sign Off Song: "wish men" by sunbrain from Beet the Vandel Buster

Every Monday, the Manga Machinations podcast gathers for a conversation that feels like pulling up a chair with friends who are deeply passionate about comics from Japan. Hosted by dakazu, darfox8, Seamus2389, and Morgana Santilli, the discussions are less about the biggest mainstream hits and more about the hidden gems and foundational works that often fly under the radar. You’ll hear them introduce a wealth of unknown manga you’ve likely never encountered, alongside thoughtful, in-depth retrospective reviews of significant titles. These deep dives have covered works like the poignant comedy of 'Tokyo Tarareba Girls', the cyberpunk dystopia of 'BLAME!', and the legendary, epic scope of Tezuka Osamu's 'Phoenix'. The charm of this podcast lies in the hosts' genuine enthusiasm and varied perspectives, which can make a niche title sound like your next must-read. It’s a weekly exploration for anyone looking to move beyond the surface of manga, offering both discovery and a deeper appreciation for the art form’s vast landscape. For more from the Manga Mac Crew, you can visit their website or reach out via email.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 586

Official website RSS
instagramyoutubetwitchspotifypatreon
Manga Machinations
Podcast Episodes
583 - Buddha part 7 with Vicki Dalton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:12:06
Our friend Vicki Dalton is back to help us unravel the mix of Buddhism that Tezuka Osamu has presented in our final Buddha Retrospective! We also discuss modern shoujo recommendations, the Bad Guys, Before You Go Extinct…
582 - Movie Machinations 4 - Running on Karma [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:06
Join us as we take a wild ride on beefcake monks, contortionist killers, and karma with Running on Karma! Seamus presents us this eclectic movie that he claims is a better representation of Buddhism than our ongoing Osam…
580 - Buddha part 6 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:25
Morgana returns as we dive into non-romantic Josei recommendations, the Shogakukan Manga ONE controversy, Resident Evil Requiem, and much more! Then we continue our Retrospective on Osamu Tezuka's Buddha, which leads to…
579 - Twiple Dip 17 - MUJINA INTO THE DEEP 3+4+5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:47
Morgana is out so we check out 3 whole volumes of MUJINA INTO THE DEEP! It become clearer what Inio Asano is cooking with this series, but do we like the taste!? We also discuss The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On, One B…
578 - Buddha part 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:29
This week we continue our Buddha Retrospective! Will volume 5 change our minds about Osamu Tezuka's entertaining art, shallow storytelling, and treatment of female characters!? We also discuss Wake Up Dead Man, Trigun St…
576 - Buddha part 4 with Vicki Dalton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:43
We're joined by special guest and listener Vicki Dalton as we return to Osamu Tezuka's Buddha this week! We also discuss Vicki's manga & anime origins, From Far Away, Tease Me Harder, 100 Meters, JoJolion, and much, much…
575 - Manga Machinations Awards 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:57
We're posting our annual awards show a bit later than usual! Come join us as we dole out all our individual awards, and present our top lists for the past year of 2025!!! Send us emails! mangamachinations@gmail.com Follo…
574 - Darfox Dabbles 12 - MANGA Plus 8 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:50
Happy new year! With Seamus and Morgana out this week, we ask Darfox to check out more MANGA Plus titles! Including: Delinquent Gatcha, Maison and the Man-Eating Apartment, The Creepy and Freaky, Kurumizawa's Folly, Stri…

12345...59»