Wake Up, Sleeping Beauty (with Asher Sofman)

Wake Up, Sleeping Beauty (with Asher Sofman)

Author: Ashley McDonnell November 28, 2018 Duration: 1:06:55
Covers WAKE UP, SLEEPING BEAUTY by Megumi Morino (all six volumes of the series) “I can't believe WAKE UP, SLEEPING BEAUTY single-handedly convinced me that manga was not a mistake.” “This is up there with ERASED and PRINCESS JELLYFISH for me as far as human relations go.” “I don't know if I'm going to be able to go back to manga after reading this manga, it was everything I ever wanted in a romance manga.” “This manga is much better than you would expect since nobody’s hyped it up — and we want to be the hype.” Quite simply, if you’re not reading Megumi Morino’s debut series, WAKE UP, SLEEPING BEAUTY, you are missing out. It’s easily the most underrated shojo manga of the year. It’s short and sweet and you should read it. If you want to find out a bit more before committing to the six volumes, give the beginning of this a listen. The story follows a girl who gets possessed by ghosts, and a boy who is afraid of ghosts but ends up falling in love with her. Except it’s so much more than that. The Ashes delve into who their favorite spirit is, and then explain why actually, everything about this ends up being your favorite. SHIZU AND TETSU AND HARU AND AKIRA AND LITERALLY EVERYONE ARE JUST TOO GOOD Y’ALL.

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
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (with Ellie from Religiously Nerdy) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:44
This episode discusses all volumes of WOTAKOI by Fujita. Gather 'round, gamers, and let you freak flag fly, fujoshi: WOTAKOI is the lighthearted, reassuring read all otaku need. It follows six young adults as they naviga…
Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san (with Asher Sofman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:55
Covers all 4 volumes of SKULL-FACE BOOKSELLER HONDA-SAN by Honda. Ever wanted to know what it's like to work in a bookstore? Well, your friendly neighborhood bookseller, Honda-san, has some funny stories to share and wil…
Marmalade Boy (with Lucy from CLAMPcast) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:12
Discusses all eight volumes of MARMALADE BOY by Wataru Yoshizumi. MARMALADE BOY is a quintessential shojo that has it all: Swingers! Step-sibling romance! Student-teacher relationships! And it does it all in a fast-paced…
Absolute Boyfriend (with Asher Sofman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:56
This episode discusses all six volumes of ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND by Yuu Watase. The Ashes are back to do a compare and contrast between two shojo heavyweights, Yuu Watase and CLAMP. Last episode we covered CHOBITS even thoug…
Chobits (with Asher Sofman) [Seinen Exception #2] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:10
This episode discusses all eight volumes of CHOBITS by CLAMP. We're continuing our journey through CLAMP with their most provocative, perverted, and problematic series yet: The sci-fi series CHOBITS, where personal compu…
Love Com (Lovely Complex) Pt. 2 (with Loyola Rankin) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:12
This episode discusses volumes 9–17 of LOVE COM by Aya Nakahara. We're back with a walkthrough of the highs and lows of the second half of LOVE COM, where we no longer see height. Height means nothing when it comes to tr…
Love Com (Lovely Complex) Pt. 1 (with Loyola Rankin) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:31
Discusses volumes 1–8 of LOVE COM by Aya Nakahara. Ashley and Loyola are here to discuss the first half of the romantic comedy LOVE COM, aka Lovely Complex, which is the romcom that all other romcoms should aspire to. We…
The Story of Saiunkoku (with Dee of Josei Next Door) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Flower in a Storm (with Asher Sofman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:10
A discussion about the two-volume manga FLOWER IN A STORM by Shigeyoshi Takagi Wife and husband duo Ashley and Asher are back to talk about the short comedic manga Flower in a Storm. While neither would say they really l…
Planet Ladder (with Asher Sofman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:55
Covers the entire series of PLANET LADDER by Yuri Narushima. Wife and husband duo Ashley and Asher discuss the wild ride that is PLANET LADDER. They're not quite sure what happened, but they both know Bambi is the best.…