Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast

Author: Ashley McDonnell Language: English Episodes: 133
Host Ashley McDonnell invites you into a space dedicated entirely to the heartfelt, dramatic, and wonderfully complex world of shojo and josei manga in Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast. Each episode dives deep into a single series, from foundational classics that defined the genre to contemporary hits that are shaping its future. You’ll hear Ashley and a different guest-each a dedicated superfan-break down the stories, characters, and artistic choices that make these series resonate so powerfully. It’s less a formal review and more like the energetic, detailed conversations you’d have with a friend who loves these stories just as much as you do, full of personal insights and genuine enthusiasm. Whether you’re looking to revisit beloved titles like "Cardcaptor Sakura" or "Fushigi Yuugi" or discover newer joys such as "My Love Story!!," this podcast serves as both a celebration and a critical appreciation. The discussions capture that specific thrill of connection when a fictional world feels utterly real, making every episode a chance to geek out over the narratives that make your heart race. Tune in for thoughtful analysis, shared nostalgia, and a welcoming community built around a shared passion for these impactful stories.
Episodes
QQ Sweeper (with Laura from Heart of Manga) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:29
Covers all three volumes of QQ Sweeper by Kyousuke Motomi Spring is finally here! So Ashley and Laura prepare to start spring cleaning by first reading QQ Sweeper. Which is legit about sweeping. Like, with a broom. A pla…
Arina Tanemura One-Shots (with Loyola Rankin) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:02
Covers: I.O.N., Short-Tempered Melancholic and Other Stories, and Mistress Fortune, all by Arina Tanemura Put on your frilliest dress and lace up as Loyola and Ashley discuss a bunch of one-volume manga from the author o…
The Key to the Kingdom (with Megan DeYarman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:59
Covers all 6 volumes of THE KEY TO THE KINGDOM by Kyoko Shitou Megan and Ashley discuss a very underappreciated title published by the now-defunct CMX. Many comparisons to The Vision of Escaflowne are made as discussions…
Valentine’s Day Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:18
Roses are red Violets are blue Shojo is sweet Here are strange ships Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s a bonus episode where we asked various people to answer this question: If you could ship any characters across shojo seri…
Tokyo Tarareba Girls (with Amelia Cook) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:32
Covers all 9 volumes of TOKYO TARAREBA GIRLS by Akiko Higashimura This episode, Ashley and Amelia discuss a josei series for the first time on the podcast. What if, what if, we told you “Tokyo Tarareba Girls” is one of t…
Millennium Snow (with Caitlin Moore) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:06
Covers all of MILLENNIUM SNOW by Bisco Hatori In the 10 years between the publication of the second and third volume of “Millennium Snow,” Bisco Hatori went off and wrote this little-known manga called “Ouran High School…
MeruPuri (with Loyola Rankin) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:22
All four volumes of MERUPURI are discussed. Ashley and Loyola discuss a short manga from Matsuri Hino, the creator of Vampire Knight. It’s the first manga covered on the podcast that doesn’t have an anime adaptation, and…
Maid-sama! Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:46
Vol 10-18 of Maid-sama! (end of the series) Asher and Ashley are back to discuss the second half of Hiro Fujiwara’s modern masterpiece about Maid Latte. As promised, the Ashes discuss Maid-sama!’s portrayal of social cla…
Maid-sama! Part 1 (with Asher Sofman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:52
Covers: MAID-SAMA! Vol. 1-9 After doing two classic shojo series, we’re finally covering Ashley’s favorite manga of all time: Maid-sama! Yes, Ashley’s favorite manga is about working in a maid cafe. Asher and Ashley disc…
Cardcaptor Sakura Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:04:39
Jess and Ashley discuss Cardcaptor Sakura vol. 7-12, plus the first volume of the new CCS: Clear Card manga! There's a debate about the merits of passive versus active heroism, Ashley likes Ruby Moon while Jess crushes o…