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

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

Author: Ashley McDonnell December 13, 2023 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 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.

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
After School Nightmare Pt. 2 (with Mouna Toure) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:37
Covers volumes 6–10 of AFTER SCHOOL NIGHTMARE by Setona Mizushiro Welcome back to discuss the second half of a manga that is full of twists and turns. This episode, cartoonist Mouna Toure and Shojo & Tell host Ashley hav…
After School Nightmare Pt. 1 (with Mouna Toure) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:39
Covers volumes 1–5 of AFTER SCHOOL NIGHTMARE by Setona Mizushiro Welcome to the most mysterious and frightening after school club you’ll ever join. Content warning for sexual assault and gender essentialism themes. This…
Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden Pt. 2 (with Caitlin, Sara, and Zahra) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:12
Covers volumes 7–12 of FUSHIGI YUGI: GENBU KAIDEN by Yuu Watase Caitlin (OG FUSHIGI YUGI superfan), Sara Linsley (manga letterer extraordinaire), and Zahra Ymer (manga scholar in training), and Ashley (Shojo & Tell host)…
Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden Pt. 1 (with Caitlin, Sara, and Zahra) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:35
Covers volumes 1–6 of FUSHIGI YUGI: GENBU KAIDEN by Yuu Watase GENBU KAIDEN is Shojo & Tell host Ashley's second-favorite manga (behind only the illustrious MAID-SAMA), and so, this episode has several special guests. Ca…
Paradise Kiss (with Lucy and Robin from CLAMPcast in Wonderland) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:29:18
Covers all of PARADISE KISS by Ai Yazawa. Welcome to the world of high fashion (or at least, high drama). PARADISE KISS is one of those rare josei titles that got released in English, and it had a huge impact on this epi…
Preview Guide 5: Fushigi Yugi: Byakko Senki [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:47
This is a review of FUSHIGI YUGI: BYAKKO SENKI volume 1, a new series by Yuu Watase that's going to be released by Viz. Whether you've read the original FUSHIGI YUGI and GENBU KAIDEN or not, you should be hype for the la…
Haruka Pt. 2 (with Asher Sofman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:54
Covers volumes 10–17 of HARUKA: BEYOND THE STREAM OF TIME by Tohko Mizuno. We’re back to discuss the second half of HARUKA, a manga series based on one of the earliest otome game franchises. Suddenly, the story remembers…
Haruka Pt. 1 (with Asher Sofman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:45
Covers volumes 1–9 of HARUKA: BEYOND THE STREAM OF TIME by Tohko Mizuno. HARUKA was one of the first-ever otome games, and it launched a franchise that spun off into manga and anime adaptations as well. Though the series…
Fruits Basket Another (with Jacob Chapman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:01
Covers all three volumes of FRUITS BASKET ANOTHER by Natsuki Takaya Would you like to have another basket of fruit? Natsuki Takaya shows us what the kids of everyone from the original FRUITS BASKET cast are like in this…