The Mudai Manga and Book Club Podcast
@mudaimangabookclub.bsky.social
Read more things: a show on our favorite Japanese manga and light novels as well as what we're reading right now, whether brand new or long in the tooth.
Audio: https://mudaimangabookclub.podbean.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MudaiMangaBookClub
Audio: https://mudaimangabookclub.podbean.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MudaiMangaBookClub
Hey everyone, apologies, I've been sick this week too and am still working on the next episode. It will release either later this week or next. Thank you for your patience, and as a preview reminder, we'll be covering Frontier Lord Begins with Zero Subjects, vol 2 of the novels or 3&4 of the manga.
November 19, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Hey everyone, apologies, I've been sick this week too and am still working on the next episode. It will release either later this week or next. Thank you for your patience, and as a preview reminder, we'll be covering Frontier Lord Begins with Zero Subjects, vol 2 of the novels or 3&4 of the manga.
Hey everyone, between work travels and a few other things going on, we will not have a new episode this week for the podcast. We should be back with a new episode next week.
November 10, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Hey everyone, between work travels and a few other things going on, we will not have a new episode this week for the podcast. We should be back with a new episode next week.
This episode's review contains:
-Time Travel
-Rivals to Lovers
-Romantic hijinks between old war survivors
-Snooty nobles
-Overpowred one-upsmanship
-First aid training
-Running to die at someone's grave
-Mysterious circumstances
-Punching a dragon in the face
And it's amazing. ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶
-Time Travel
-Rivals to Lovers
-Romantic hijinks between old war survivors
-Snooty nobles
-Overpowred one-upsmanship
-First aid training
-Running to die at someone's grave
-Mysterious circumstances
-Punching a dragon in the face
And it's amazing. ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶
With Our Powers Combined in Holy Matrimony! - Episode 34 - The Hero and The Sage, Reincarnated and Engaged vol 1
Ok, you know that trope where the rivals from a series have their final battle to the death, and then they both cry and say, "Imagine if we had been on the same side, we could have been . . . friends?...
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November 5, 2025 at 1:17 PM
This episode's review contains:
-Time Travel
-Rivals to Lovers
-Romantic hijinks between old war survivors
-Snooty nobles
-Overpowred one-upsmanship
-First aid training
-Running to die at someone's grave
-Mysterious circumstances
-Punching a dragon in the face
And it's amazing. ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶
-Time Travel
-Rivals to Lovers
-Romantic hijinks between old war survivors
-Snooty nobles
-Overpowred one-upsmanship
-First aid training
-Running to die at someone's grave
-Mysterious circumstances
-Punching a dragon in the face
And it's amazing. ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶
A thousand years in the future or so . . . or, really, Wednesday, we will be covering the first book of The Hero and the Sage, Reincarnated and Engaged. Now, I realize it might be hard to guess what the series is about, but I think, if you try, you'll be able to guess it.
(´｡• ω •｡`) ♡
(´｡• ω •｡`) ♡
November 2, 2025 at 10:13 PM
A thousand years in the future or so . . . or, really, Wednesday, we will be covering the first book of The Hero and the Sage, Reincarnated and Engaged. Now, I realize it might be hard to guess what the series is about, but I think, if you try, you'll be able to guess it.
(´｡• ω •｡`) ♡
(´｡• ω •｡`) ♡
OOOooOOOooOoooh i don't know how to write spooky, but our Halloween special is all about 3 series for you to see that do know the spooks! Tom, Louie, and returning special guest Renata each have a comic for your terror enjoyment! Now available on Youtube.
Σ(°△°|||)
Σ(°△°|||)
SCARY MANGA REVIEW! | Mudai Manga Book Club 2025 Halloween Special!!
YouTube video by Mudai Manga Book Club
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 12:04 PM
OOOooOOOooOoooh i don't know how to write spooky, but our Halloween special is all about 3 series for you to see that do know the spooks! Tom, Louie, and returning special guest Renata each have a comic for your terror enjoyment! Now available on Youtube.
Σ(°△°|||)
Σ(°△°|||)
Oh, didn't we mention special guest Renata is back for the spooking? That's 3 series to recommend tomorrow. Are you prepared for terror? Tom isn't, but apparently nobody cares . . . also the Halloween episode was his idea so don't feel bad for him.
＼(º □ º l|l)/
(This one is probably tricky again)
＼(º □ º l|l)/
(This one is probably tricky again)
October 28, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Oh, didn't we mention special guest Renata is back for the spooking? That's 3 series to recommend tomorrow. Are you prepared for terror? Tom isn't, but apparently nobody cares . . . also the Halloween episode was his idea so don't feel bad for him.
＼(º □ º l|l)/
(This one is probably tricky again)
＼(º □ º l|l)/
(This one is probably tricky again)
For a preview of our second spooky series in our Halloween recommendation, which will release on Youtube and audio together, here's a sneak peek of Louie's choice. Care to guess which one before the release on Wednesday?
{{ (>_<) }}
(Yeah, this one I think you can guess.)
{{ (>_<) }}
(Yeah, this one I think you can guess.)
October 27, 2025 at 11:57 AM
For a preview of our second spooky series in our Halloween recommendation, which will release on Youtube and audio together, here's a sneak peek of Louie's choice. Care to guess which one before the release on Wednesday?
{{ (>_<) }}
(Yeah, this one I think you can guess.)
{{ (>_<) }}
(Yeah, this one I think you can guess.)
Guess what? Our Halloween special is this week, despite Tom's crippling dislike of spooks. Three horror series for you to enjoy this spooky week, releasing Wednesday, starting with possibly the only horror series Tom owns . . . care to guess?
(/ω＼)
(It's fine if you don't, we'll tell you Wednesday)
(/ω＼)
(It's fine if you don't, we'll tell you Wednesday)
October 26, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Guess what? Our Halloween special is this week, despite Tom's crippling dislike of spooks. Three horror series for you to enjoy this spooky week, releasing Wednesday, starting with possibly the only horror series Tom owns . . . care to guess?
(/ω＼)
(It's fine if you don't, we'll tell you Wednesday)
(/ω＼)
(It's fine if you don't, we'll tell you Wednesday)
If the previous arc was the meandering adventurers of a lazy elf girl with regrets, this episode we look at the second arc of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, where the Doom soundtrack kicks in. Rip and tear, says the blanket caterpillar, until it is done.
＼＼٩(๑`^´๑)۶／／
＼＼٩(๑`^´๑)۶／／
How Tough Can You Be if Your Name is Slayer? - Episode 33 -Frieren's Aura The Guillotine Arc
And so, the meandering trio of Frieren the Mage, Fern the apprentice mage, and Stark the cowardly warrior (or, cowarrior, if you will), enter into the next city to engage in a spot of brutal combat to...
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October 22, 2025 at 12:10 PM
If the previous arc was the meandering adventurers of a lazy elf girl with regrets, this episode we look at the second arc of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, where the Doom soundtrack kicks in. Rip and tear, says the blanket caterpillar, until it is done.
＼＼٩(๑`^´๑)۶／／
＼＼٩(๑`^´๑)۶／／
Grab the fanciest of hats and the fines paper and ink you have (for completely unrelated reasons, of course), as we look at the magical opening to Witch Hat Atelier, now available in Youtube form.
(ノ°∀°)ノ⌒･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*☆
(ノ°∀°)ノ⌒･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*☆
Witch Hat Atelier Arc 1-2-3 Review (Book 1-2) | Mudai Manga Book Club Episode 26
YouTube video by Mudai Manga Book Club
youtu.be
October 20, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Grab the fanciest of hats and the fines paper and ink you have (for completely unrelated reasons, of course), as we look at the magical opening to Witch Hat Atelier, now available in Youtube form.
(ノ°∀°)ノ⌒･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*☆
(ノ°∀°)ノ⌒･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*☆
Now that you are the most powerful person in the land . . . please sign this. And this. Oh, and this. Oh, and check this document too. Oh, and, the newest episode on How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom volume 1 is now available! . . . Also sign this one too.
__φ(＿ ＿*) Z z z
__φ(＿ ＿*) Z z z
Glory To Paperwork! - Episode 32 - How a Realist Hero Rebuilt a Kingdom
Get ready for your state sponsored census, as we dive into the first volume of How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom light novels (or, alternatively, the first two volumes of the manga). Literally, a...
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October 15, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Now that you are the most powerful person in the land . . . please sign this. And this. Oh, and this. Oh, and check this document too. Oh, and, the newest episode on How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom volume 1 is now available! . . . Also sign this one too.
__φ(＿ ＿*) Z z z
__φ(＿ ＿*) Z z z
New video version of the greatest crime fighting duo of a hard boiled Japanese cop and a dolphin. Yes it is amazing, though it is part two, so go check out episode 8 if you want to catch up on the first half. ᕙ(＠°▽°＠)ᕗ
Hard Boiled Cop and Dolphin Part 2 Review | Mudai Manga Book Club Episode 25
YouTube video by Mudai Manga Book Club
youtu.be
October 13, 2025 at 2:11 PM
New video version of the greatest crime fighting duo of a hard boiled Japanese cop and a dolphin. Yes it is amazing, though it is part two, so go check out episode 8 if you want to catch up on the first half. ᕙ(＠°▽°＠)ᕗ
Getting back on track this week with How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, vol 1 of the light novel (or 1 & 2 of the manga), the story of Machiavelli, paperwork, idol groups, cooking shows, and road construction!
....φ ....φ ....φ ....φ(︶▽︶)
....φ ....φ ....φ ....φ(︶▽︶)
October 12, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Getting back on track this week with How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, vol 1 of the light novel (or 1 & 2 of the manga), the story of Machiavelli, paperwork, idol groups, cooking shows, and road construction!
....φ ....φ ....φ ....φ(︶▽︶)
....φ ....φ ....φ ....φ(︶▽︶)
And we're back . . . with a small episode this week, with some more of our small topics; Louie tries to outwit Tom again with a side character guessing game, while Tom leads another genre spotlight discussion on "Shonen Battle" . . . which is a lot more expansive than it seems. (•ิ_•ิ)?
Side Characters and Shonen Battles - Episode 31.5
We're back, again, with another set of small topics; Louie starts us off with a new guessing game, and Tom definitely . . . answers? Sometimes? Can you name the series from the side characters? Then, ...
www.podbean.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM
And we're back . . . with a small episode this week, with some more of our small topics; Louie tries to outwit Tom again with a side character guessing game, while Tom leads another genre spotlight discussion on "Shonen Battle" . . . which is a lot more expansive than it seems. (•ิ_•ิ)?
Hey everyone, Tom here, there won't be an audio episode tomorrow. A couple of things have come up, and our next bonus episode also isn't ready; we will be back next Wednesday with a new audio episode, and we're getting prepared for a special episode coming up in a couple weeks too.
__φ(◎◎ヘ)
__φ(◎◎ヘ)
September 30, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Hey everyone, Tom here, there won't be an audio episode tomorrow. A couple of things have come up, and our next bonus episode also isn't ready; we will be back next Wednesday with a new audio episode, and we're getting prepared for a special episode coming up in a couple weeks too.
__φ(◎◎ヘ)
__φ(◎◎ヘ)
What does the folklore of Ireland, international black markets, magical battery sponge people, and the healing power of LOVE connect into? The Ancient Magus Bride, and our episode with visuals is now available on Youtube!
(ノ°∀°)ノ⌒･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*☆
(ノ°∀°)ノ⌒･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*☆
Ancient Magus' Bride Arc 1 Review | Mudai Manga Book Club Episode 24
YouTube video by Mudai Manga and Book Club
youtu.be
September 29, 2025 at 12:03 PM
What does the folklore of Ireland, international black markets, magical battery sponge people, and the healing power of LOVE connect into? The Ancient Magus Bride, and our episode with visuals is now available on Youtube!
(ノ°∀°)ノ⌒･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*☆
(ノ°∀°)ノ⌒･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*☆
From charcoal maker to fancy coat wearing demon slayer, today we cover just that, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, covering the Final Selection arc and the Kidnapper's Bog arc, covering chapters 1-13 (or volume 1 and part of volume 2).
＼(⌒▽⌒)
＼(⌒▽⌒)
Matching Uniforms Always Make You Stronger - Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Episode 31
In our never ending quest to bring you unique and original and unknown stories, we decide to go the complete opposite and talk about one of the biggest series of recent years and ever: Demon Slayer, s...
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September 24, 2025 at 12:29 PM
From charcoal maker to fancy coat wearing demon slayer, today we cover just that, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, covering the Final Selection arc and the Kidnapper's Bog arc, covering chapters 1-13 (or volume 1 and part of volume 2).
＼(⌒▽⌒)
＼(⌒▽⌒)
Why am I rummaging behind this basket? Did you not see page 53? No, it's not stealing if I -- Oh, hi, everyone, today we have another Youtube release for you with on I Picked Up This World's Strategy Guide, the full color manga about something you'll never guess from the title!
(⊃｡•́‿•̀｡)⊃━✿✿✿✿✿✿
(⊃｡•́‿•̀｡)⊃━✿✿✿✿✿✿
I Picked Up This World's Strategy Guide Volume 1 Review | Mudai Manga Book Club Episode 23
YouTube video by Mudai Manga and Book Club
youtu.be
September 22, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Why am I rummaging behind this basket? Did you not see page 53? No, it's not stealing if I -- Oh, hi, everyone, today we have another Youtube release for you with on I Picked Up This World's Strategy Guide, the full color manga about something you'll never guess from the title!
(⊃｡•́‿•̀｡)⊃━✿✿✿✿✿✿
(⊃｡•́‿•̀｡)⊃━✿✿✿✿✿✿
Oh boy, got something small and little known coming up this week, as we look at the first two arcs of Demon Slayer, covering chapters 1-13. Look forward to it next Wednesday, releasing once the sun has risen once again.
(ಠ o ಠ)¤=[]:::::>
(ಠ o ಠ)¤=[]:::::>
September 21, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Oh boy, got something small and little known coming up this week, as we look at the first two arcs of Demon Slayer, covering chapters 1-13. Look forward to it next Wednesday, releasing once the sun has risen once again.
(ಠ o ಠ)¤=[]:::::>
(ಠ o ಠ)¤=[]:::::>
This week, we take our time to bring back some of our old, small segments for another grab bag episode, this time with the returning Name that Isekai Game and our newest list of 7 Amazing Rivals. (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡
A Prodigious Pile of Ponderable Popics -- Episode 30
Our small topic episode returns with two of our old segments; Tom returns to the hotseat with the Name That Isekai game, and it goes every which way you could expect. We also have the return of our li...
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September 17, 2025 at 12:08 PM
This week, we take our time to bring back some of our old, small segments for another grab bag episode, this time with the returning Name that Isekai Game and our newest list of 7 Amazing Rivals. (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡
Yes, there is a tinker, a tailor, and a soldier, but they're all spies. The Youtube version of episode 22, covering the first two arcs of Mission: Yozakura Family is now available!
┬┴┬┴┤･ω･)ﾉ
┬┴┬┴┤･ω･)ﾉ
Mission: Yozakura Family Arc 1 & 2 Review (Vol 1 & 2ish) | Mudai Manga Book Club Episode 22
YouTube video by Mudai Manga and Book Club
youtu.be
September 15, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Yes, there is a tinker, a tailor, and a soldier, but they're all spies. The Youtube version of episode 22, covering the first two arcs of Mission: Yozakura Family is now available!
┬┴┬┴┤･ω･)ﾉ
┬┴┬┴┤･ω･)ﾉ
What does Jason Sta*ham, eyeballs Pac Man the 16th century Japanese portrait artist, and proper public toilet etiquette have to do with each other? Daemons of the Shadow Realm, of course, which we cover the first two volumes of in our newest episode! [ ᴼᴼ ▽ ᴼᴼ ]
Pearly Whites Send You to the Pearly Gates - Episode 29 - Daemons of the Shadow Realm
And so, born on opposite sides of the equinox, in a specific village in the mountains of Japan, Yuru and his sister Asa get to have one of the most powerful abilities: Isekai time travel . . . oh, wai...
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September 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM
What does Jason Sta*ham, eyeballs Pac Man the 16th century Japanese portrait artist, and proper public toilet etiquette have to do with each other? Daemons of the Shadow Realm, of course, which we cover the first two volumes of in our newest episode! [ ᴼᴼ ▽ ᴼᴼ ]
Watch out, there's a Daemon out there! Well, two of them. This week, we cover volumes one and two of Hiromu Arakawa's newest series, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, a sleek and entertaining series that knows the exact pace to run at. And giant bitey mouths. Yay. ( ˘▽˘)
September 7, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Watch out, there's a Daemon out there! Well, two of them. This week, we cover volumes one and two of Hiromu Arakawa's newest series, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, a sleek and entertaining series that knows the exact pace to run at. And giant bitey mouths. Yay. ( ˘▽˘)
Katanas! Revenge! Moody, quiet protagonists! But mostly katanas! Special guest Renata (last seen on ep 7.5) joins us for a broad strokes discussion of Kagurabachi, as well as some time spent talking about Marriage Toxin and The Summer Hikaru Died. (´｡• ω •｡`)
Lock In - Episode 28.5 - Kagurabachi et. al.
No, really, lock in, bro. (Unfortunately the part of the recording where we made this joke for five straight minutes got lost). Renata joins us again for another episode, and we take a wide angled vie...
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September 3, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Katanas! Revenge! Moody, quiet protagonists! But mostly katanas! Special guest Renata (last seen on ep 7.5) joins us for a broad strokes discussion of Kagurabachi, as well as some time spent talking about Marriage Toxin and The Summer Hikaru Died. (´｡• ω •｡`)
And the next Youtube version is out now; a bit of a short episode, but Tom and Louie discuss the five series that are best at summing them up: series that changed, directed, and inspired them over the years. (╯✧▽✧)╯
Pick Your 5 Anime/Manga/Light Novel | Mudai Manga Book Club Episode 21.5
YouTube video by Mudai Manga and Book Club
youtu.be
September 2, 2025 at 12:18 PM
And the next Youtube version is out now; a bit of a short episode, but Tom and Louie discuss the five series that are best at summing them up: series that changed, directed, and inspired them over the years. (╯✧▽✧)╯