Gateway to Anime
Film, TV & Pop Culture
About
Ever wanted to get into anime but didn’t know where to start? Gateway to Anime is a podcast where anime megafans Sam, Charlie and Graeme guide you through the wild and wonderful world of anime. From current releases to classics this podcast is for anime fans both veteran and new.
Episodes
- Episode 124 - Berserk
The podcast Gateway to Anime discusses the Berserk series, highlighting what makes it iconic and exploring its dark themes. This episode was sponsored by Sugo Toys.
- Episode 123 - Spring 2026 Re:Zero, Witch Hat Atelier, Dorohedoro & More
Gateway to Anime previews the Spring 2026 anime season, highlighting new and returning series such as Re:Zero, Witch Hat Atelier, and Dorohedoro. The hosts anticipate a strong season following the winter lineup.
- Episode 122 - Is Frieren a Masterpiece?
In this episode of Gateway to Anime, host and guest Gerald Lilywhite delve into the anime Frieren, discussing what makes it feel different and refreshing to the fandom.
- Episode 121 - Vampire Hunter D: A Gothic Horror Masterpiece
This episode of Gateway to Anime discusses Vampire Hunter D, highlighting its fusion of gothic vampire themes with a post-apocalyptic setting. Special guest Dr. Jason Jones joins the conversation.
- Episode 120 - 2025 Anime Year In-Review
In this episode, the hosts review anime from 2025 across several categories, including best animation, best movie, and most disappointing series. They also identify their most anticipated anime releases for 2026.
- Episode 119 - Winter 2026 Anime Season Recommendations
This episode of Gateway to Anime discusses recommendations for the Winter 2026 anime season, highlighting returning favorites and new series after the Fall season.
- Episode 118 - Jujutsu Kaisen is back
Gateway to Anime welcomes Jujutsu Kaisen fan Seamus to discuss the Shibuya Arc and the Culling Games. The conversation occurs around the release of the movie Jujutsu Kaisen Execution and the upcoming season 3.
- Episode 117 - Anime Inspiring Music | Featuring Blanco | Demon Slayer, Naruto & more!
In episode 117 of Gateway to Anime, London-based music artist Blanco joins the show to discuss how anime, including Demon Slayer and Naruto, has influenced his music. They explore references in his songs like "Shippuden" and "Akaza," and h…
- Episode 116 - Chainsaw Man: From Reservoir Dogs to Sharknado
This episode explores the influences behind the Chainsaw Man series and its overall impact on the anime industry in the context of the release of Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc.
- Episode 115 - JoJo's Bizarre Adventure with Kaleb I.A
In episode 115 of Gateway to Anime, hosts Sam and Charlie, joined by YouTuber Kaleb I.A., explore JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. They delve into the anime's art style, history, adaptations, and distinctive poses, aiming to encourage the hosts t…
- Episode 114 - The Complicated Legacy of My Hero Academia
This episode examines the complicated legacy of My Hero Academia, tracing its journey from a promising shonen series to navigating fandom controversies, genre saturation, and the rise of darker anime, while acknowledging its continued popu…
- Episode 113 - Fall 2025 Anime Season Recommendations
The Gateway to Anime podcast discusses recommendations for the Fall 2025 anime season. The hosts share what they are excited to watch as the new season approaches.
- Episode 112 - The Underappreciated Brilliance of Demon Slayer with Gerald Lillywhite
In anticipation of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1, hosts Charlie and Sam are joined by Gerald Lillywhite to discuss the anime Demon Slayer. Lillywhite shares why the series ranks in his top 10 anime of all time.
- Episode 111 - Why Naruto is Still King With Alex Williams
This episode of Gateway to Anime features guest Alex Williams discussing Naruto
- Episode 110 - Why Should We Watch One Piece? With Tristan Field
Tristan Field discusses the anime phenomenon One Piece on Gateway to Anime, highlighting Eiichiro Oda's world-building as reasons to watch.
- Episode 109 - The Craft of Cosplay with Dr Emerald King
Sam speaks with Dr Emerald King, a literary scholar and cosplayer from the University of Tasmania, about the world of cosplay. Dr King shares her experience as a volunteer translator for the World Cosplay Summit finals and her background i…
- Episode 108 - Summer 2025 Anime Season Hype-Up | Dandadan, Kaiju #8, Gachiakuta & More
Hosts Charlie, Graeme, and Sam preview the upcoming Summer 2025 anime season. They discuss returning series such as Dandadan, Kaiju #8, and My Dress Up Darling, as well as new shows that have generated interest.
- Episode 107 - J-Pop & Idol Anime | Featuring Sly Ip
This episode of Gateway to Anime discusses the integral role of J-Pop and idols in the anime genre, referencing popular examples like Oshi no Ko and Hatsune Miku. It delves into the history, compares the J-Pop scene with K-Pop, and offers…
- Episode 106 - Best Anime of Spring 2025 - To Be Hero X, Witch Watch & more
The Gateway to Anime team shares their opinions on the Spring 2025 anime season, discussing favorite shows, disappointments, and new trends.
- Episode 105 - Mecha & Robots in Anime - Live at ACMI Melbourne
This episode discusses how anime has explored themes of technology, robots, and mecha for decades, reflecting societal changes. It covers topics ranging from giant mecha battles to philosophical questions about digital identity, drawing on…
- Episode 104 - The Underrated Crime Thriller Masterpiece - Naoki Urasawa's Monster
The Gateway to Anime podcast discusses Naoki Urasawa
- Episode 103 - Science in Anime
This episode discusses anime's frequent warnings about the perils of unchecked scientific progress, focusing on robots, mecha, and the implications of AI art mirroring Studio Ghibli's style.
- Episode 102 - Spring 2025 Anime Season Hype-Up
In this episode of Gateway to Anime, the hosts discuss the upcoming Spring 2025 anime season. Sam expresses excitement for Watanabe's Lazarus and Moonrise, while Charlie anticipates several new shows and Graeme looks forward to Gundam.
- Episode 101 - Best Anime of Winter 2025 - Sakamoto Days, Solo Leveling & more!
Sam, Charlie, and Graeme from Gateway to Anime review the Winter 2025 anime season, noting disappointment and discussing Sakamoto Days, Solo Leveling, and other series.
- Episode 100 - Getting into Gundam with Mobile Suit Breakdown
Gateway to Anime discusses the Gundam franchise with Mobile Suit Breakdown experts Thom and Nina, exploring its history, impact on anime and mecha, and the Gunpla model kit phenomenon. The episode also touches on the upcoming series "Mobil…
- Episode 99 - Best (& Worst) Anime Couples
This episode of Gateway to Anime explores various anime couples, categorizing them as good, bad, ridiculous, or toxic, in anticipation of Valentine's Day. The hosts also play a matching game, pairing random anime characters to discuss thei…
- Episode 98 - Hobby Anime - Laid-Back Camp, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Blue Period & More
On Gateway to Anime, Dr Alex Henderson joins the show to discuss anime centered around hobbies such as camping, cooking, sewing, and painting. The episode explores the diversity within this genre, inviting listeners to consider if their ow…
- Episode 97 - Rating Our Recommendations - Featuring Alex Williams
In episode 97 of Gateway to Anime, guest Alex Williams rates the podcast's previous anime recommendations. The discussion includes popular anime that underwhelmed and new suggestions for anime novices, concluding with an anime quiz.
- Episode 96 - 2025 Winter Anime Season Hype-Up | Sakamoto Days, Solo Levelling, Apothecary Diaries and More!
Sam, Charlie, and Graeme preview the 2025 winter anime season, discussing upcoming shows including Sakamoto Days, Solo Levelling, and Apothecary Diaries. The hosts thank listeners for the year and look forward to returning in 2025.
- Episode 95 - 2025 Gateway to Anime Awards - The Best of 2025 Anime Voted By You!
This episode reveals the winners of the Gateway to Anime Awards for the best anime of 2024. The results were determined by audience votes cast via polls on Instagram and YouTube.
- Episode 94 - Why is Dandadan So Good? - Deep Dive Into Science Saru
This episode of Gateway to Anime discusses the Dandadan anime adaptation by Science Saru, detailing the source material and the studio's creative execution. It includes a segment on Masaaki Yuasa's career.
- Episode 93 - Is Bleach Underrated?
This episode of Gateway to Anime discusses the anime series Bleach, arguing that it deserves more attention, particularly with the ongoing Thousand Year Blood War arc. The hosts are joined by Luke from the Sleepy Bloc podcast.
- Episode 92 - Fall Anime 2024 Mid Season Check In - Orb, Dadadan, Ranma 1/2 & more!
The Gateway to Anime podcast discusses the Fall 2024 anime season, highlighting favorites including Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, Dadadan, and a Ranma ½ remake. The episode also notes quality concerns with Uzumaki and Blue Lock.
- Episode 91 - Defending Boruto - Featuring Alex Williams
Alex Williams appears on Gateway to Anime to debate the merits of the Naruto sequel, Boruto. Graeme has read the manga, and the hosts aim to explain what Boruto entails.
- Episode 90 - Anime Protagonists - Edward Elric, Yuji Itadori, Naruto and Many More
The hosts discuss qualities that make for compelling or poor anime protagonists. They analyze various shonen and shojo archetypes, including characters like Edward Elric, Yuji Itadori, Naruto, and Kagayama from Mob Psycho.
- Episode 89 - Fall Anime Season Hype-Up - Re:Zero, Dandadan, Uzumaki & More
Gateway to Anime episode 89 reviews the past summer anime season and looks ahead to the fall season, discussing returning series like Re:Zero and new shows like Dandadan and Uzumaki.
- Episode 88 - Osamu Tezuka: Manga vs Anime with Andrew Levins
Andrew Levins joins Sam and Charlie to discuss the history and legacy of Osamu Tezuka, the creator of Astro Boy. The episode includes a debate on whether manga is better than anime.
- Episode 87 - Anime Villains - Shogo Makishimi, Johan Liebert, Madara Uchiha & More
Gateway to Anime episode 87 features Sam, Charlie, and Graeme discussing anime villains. They cover characters from misunderstood to evil, analyzing what makes them compelling or lacking.
- Episode 86 - Anime Tournament and Exam Arcs - Naruto, Hunter x Hunter & more
Gateway to Anime episode 86 focuses on the recurring Tournament and Exam Arc trope in anime, discussing popular examples from shows such as Naruto and Hunter x Hunter.
- Episode 85 - Sam & Gray's Mid Year Anime Review - Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, Frieren & More
Sam and Gray review the year in anime, discussing shows like Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Frieren. They also cover their experiences at the Smash! anime convention and industry trends.
- Episode 84 - The Unique Storytelling of Studio Ghibli with Gerald Lillywhite
Writer Gerald Lillywhite joins Charlie and Sam to discuss Hayao Miyazaki's distinctive narrative style and favorite Studio Ghibli films.
- Episode 83 - Summer Anime 2024 Season Hype-Up - Tower of God, Oshi no Ko, Fairy Tale & More
In Episode 83 of Gateway to Anime, hosts Sam and Charlie share their top anime recommendations for the Summer 2024 season. They discuss anticipated shows including second seasons of Tower of God and Oshi No Ko, a DC comic crossover, a Harr…
- Episode 82 - Spring Anime 2024 Season Check-in - Wind Breaker, Demon Slayer And More
The Gateway to Anime podcast crew discusses the Spring 2024 anime season. Topics include major series like Kaiju #8, Demon Slayer, and Delicious in Dungeon, alongside other notable shows such as Windbreaker and Go Go Loser Ranger! The host…
- Episode 81 - Manhwa - Tower of God, Lookism, Solo Leveling & More
In episode 81 of Gateway to Anime, hosts Charlie and Graeme discuss South Korean Manhwa that have been adapted into anime. They provide recommendations for titles like Tower of God, Lookism, and Solo Leveling, and explore the differences b…
- Episode 80 - Anime Conventions - Featuring special guest announcement for SMASH! 2024
Episode 80 of Gateway to Anime covers personal experiences with anime conventions globally and announces a special guest for SMASH! 2024.
- Episode 79 - LGBTQIA+ Anime - Revolutionary Girl Utena, Yuri on Ice & Land of the Lustrous
Dr. Alex Henderson, editor of Anime Feminist, discusses LGBTQIA+ representation in anime, focusing on the series Revolutionary Girl Utena, Yuri on Ice, and Land of the Lustrous.
- Episode 78 - Spring Anime 2024 Hype Up & Winter Wrap Up - Demon Slayer, Frieren & more
In this episode, Gateway to Anime discusses the upcoming Spring 2024 anime season and reviews the recently concluded Winter season, highlighting popular and less successful series.
- Episode 77 - Kaiju & Anime | Kaiju No. 8, Evangelion, Attack on Titan & More
This episode of Gateway to Anime examines the Kaiju genre's influence on anime, referencing popular series such as Kaiju No. 8, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Attack on Titan. The discussion is prompted by recent successes in the Godzilla fi…
- Episode 76 - Avatar: The Last Airbender Live Action
Gateway to Anime reviews the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and discusses its live-action adaptation. The episode considers the show's anime influences and fanbase, as well as Netflix's approach to live-action adaptations.
- Episode 75 - Anime Voice Actors - Kenjiro Tsuda, Matthew Mercer & more
Episode 75 of Gateway to Anime focuses on voice actors in the anime industry, highlighting performers like Kenjiro Tsuda and Matthew Mercer. The hosts discuss their favourite voice actors and the impact these performers have on beloved ani…