The Story of Saiunkoku (with Dee of Josei Next Door)

The Story of Saiunkoku (with Dee of Josei Next Door)

Author: Ashley McDonnell July 5, 2022 Duration: 1:23:29
Discusses all 9 volumes of THE STORY OF SAIUNKOKU, written by Sai Yukino and illustrated by Kairi Yura. ASHLEY: I'm like, 'I could have been a better person if I'd read [The Story of Saiunkoku] 10 years ago.' DEE: That's how we should have ended the no spoiler section! 'Read this manga, it will change your life.' In this episode, we're going to historical China for a semi-supernatural, extremely feminist manga adaptation of a light novel series. Dee, who makes the Josei Next Door blog and writes/edits for Anime Feminist, joins to discuss why this series never got its time in the spotlight in English like it deserves, why Shurei’s journey to fulfilling the seemingly impossible dream she has of becoming a civil servant is one of hope, and how Shurei's dad may just be the best dad in all of anime/manga, despite being a killer. We also, of course, talk about the gaggle of hot men in Shurei's life and her badass boss, Kochou.

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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Shojo & Tell: A Manga Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Mars Manga Discussion (Pt. 1) [with Lucy of CLAMPcast in Wonderland] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:25
This episode discusses volumes 1-8 of MARS by Fuyumi Soryo. We continue our melodrama mood with the late 1990s/early 2000s series, MARS. Kira Aso is a quiet girl who loves to paint. Rei is a bad boy who loves to race mot…
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days (with Joshua McHugh) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:02
This episode discusses all of NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: ANGELIC DAYS (volumes 1-6) by Fumino Hayashi. Shinji, get in the robot! Shojo & Tell host Ashley and the guy previously known as Ashley's "CYBORG 009 buddy," Josh Mc…
Miyuki-chan in Wonderland and The One I Love (with Asher Sofman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:48
This episode discusses MIYUKI-CHAN IN WONDERLAND and THE ONE I LOVE by Clamp A short episode to discuss two short Clamp works. Shojo & Tell host Ashley and her husband/journey-through-all-of-Clamp-buddy Asher recognize t…
Legal Drug (with Asher Sofman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:18
Covers all three volumes of LEGAL DRUG by Clamp Get ready to get high. And horny. And gay. And paid. Okay, to be honest, we're not sure what the drug is, or that it's legal, but hey, we're here to talk about it anyway. S…
The Poe Clan (with Vrai Kaiser and Megan DeYarman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:24
Covers all of the original POE CLAN series by Moto Hagio It's time to talk about the gay vampires who built shojo manga. Year 24 author Moto Hagio, one of the most influential names in shojo, tells the tale of the Poe cl…
Juline Manga Discussion (with Megan DeYarman of Manga Test Drive) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:00
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 ho…
Cowboy Bebop Shojo Manga Discussion (with Asher Sofman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:54
We discuss the two shojo manga versions of Cowboy Bebop: COWBOY BEBOP by Hajime Yatate [Sunrise staff] and COWBOY BEBOP: SHOOTING STAR by Cain Kuga Ask an anime fan above the age of 30 what their favorite anime is, and c…
The Vision of Escaflowne (with Asher Sofman) [Shonen Exception #5] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:56
This episode discusses all volumes (1-8) of THE VISION OF ESCAFLOWNE by Katsu Aki THE 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…