This week on the podcast, we’re diving into From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman—a new fantasy anime streaming on Amazon Prime. It’s not your average isekai, but it does play with familiar tropes in unexpected ways. We follow Beryl Garnet, a soft-spoken swordsman in his 30s who’s unknowingly trained an entire generation of elite warriors. As old students return and secrets unravel, the show offers a fresh spin on the mentor archetype, but not without some stumbles.

Alex breaks down what makes this series worth watching—like its rare focus on an older protagonist and grounded combat style—and where it falls flat, including stiff CGI, awkward English dialogue, and rushed emotional beats. We also compare it to other genre-bending anime like Kaiju No. 8 and The Executioner and Her Way of Life.

Is Country Bumpkin a hidden gem or just another mid-season miss? Let’s talk about it.

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This week, we're diving headfirst into the absolute visual feast that is Redline! This 2009 anime film, directed by Takeshi Koike, isn't just a movie; it's an experience. Imagine hyper-stylized, high-octane, interplanetary racing where every frame is a work of art.

Follow Sweet JP, a charismatic and reckless racer with a love for old-school cars and an aversion to using weapons or dirty tricks, as he navigates underworld connections that sometimes force his hand. He competes in a series of high-stakes races across the galaxy with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the legendary Redline, the most dangerous and prestigious race in the universe. This race only happens every five years and is notorious for being held on hostile planets, with this year's event set on RoboWorld, a militarized planet whose government has outlawed the race and threatens to annihilate any participants who dare enter, naturally adding to the excitement.

If you're looking for high-octane action, a heartwarming romance, or simply one of the most beautifully animated films ever made, Redline delivers in spades. Its incredible soundtrack, which even blends character theme songs to indicate on-screen action and character relationships, enhances the experience. It's available for free on Tubi and Plex, so there's no excuse not to experience this absolute gem. Trust me, your eyes (and ears!) will thank you.

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Hey everyone, it's Alex here and welcome to another episode of Bento Radio! Thanks for listening.

In this episode, we dive into the fantasy action anime, Inuyasha. Set across two time periods—modern-day Japan and the Sengoku, Warring States period of feudal Japan—this iconic series blends historical intrigue with supernatural adventure.

What’s the Story?

• The story follows Kagome Higurashi, a 15-year-old girl from present-day Tokyo, who is transported to the past after falling into a well at her family’s shrine.
• In the past, she meets Inuyasha, a half-demon (Hanyo), sealed to a sacred tree.
• Kagome soon learns she is the reincarnation of a powerful priestess, Kikyo, and possesses the mystical Shikon Jewel (Shikon no Tama)—a mystical artifact with the power to grant immense power to those who possess it.
• After the jewel is accidentally shattered, its shards scatter across the land, and Kagome teams up with Inuyasha to recover them.

Engagement & Updates:

• If you like the show, be sure to like it and leave a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode when it comes out every Thursday!
• If you want to hear from me in between episodes, you can check me out over on Blue Sky Instagram. I've also got a YouTube channel, although I'm not doing anything with it currently. I've also got a webcomic coming out over on Webtoons. The links to all of that are in the description of the podcast proper, so go check it out.

Stay Connected:

Until next time, I have been Alex, and this has been Bento Radio.

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