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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In this episode of Bento Radio, we unpack the wild, time-traveling world of Tokyo Revengers—a series that’s more than just gang fights and high-stakes drama. We follow Takemichi Hanagaki as he’s thrust 12 years into the past with one goal: save his childhood love and rewrite fate. But beneath the punches and plot twists lies a deeper exploration of Japan’s youth, social exclusion, and the cultural roots of gang life.

We break down how the series uses time travel to explore trauma, redemption, and the ripple effects of choice. Then we zoom out—connecting the show to real Japanese subcultures like the Bosozoku biker gangs and Tsukiban girl gangs, and drawing parallels to anime like Great Teacher Onizuka, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Tenjo Tenge.

Join us as we explore:

• The psychology of second chances
• The rise and fall of Japan’s gang culture
• How tattoos, social class, and misfit identity shape the narrative
• And why Tokyo Revengers resonates so strongly with a generation that feels left behind

If you love anime that hits hard and makes you think, this one’s for you.

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That's right, you heard it! You can NOW WATCH this podcast over on YouTube! If you're seeing my glorious (and slightly experimental) avatar right now, HELLO! 👋 If you're listening to the audio, no worries, the OG feed ain't going anywhere. Links to everything will be in the descriptions, so you can catch the vibes wherever you prefer!

Why the video, you ask?

• Visuals for a Visual Medium: Anime is pretty, right? So, let's get some visuals up in here!
• Dodging Copyright Ninjas: YouTube can be a minefield with copyright strikes, even with fair use. This new format with my cool AI-generated (and sometimes personally designed!) avatar and backgrounds is my creative workaround.
• Still Experimenting: The look, the avatar (yeah, I ditched the rope, wasn't feeling it), the backgrounds – it's all a work in progress! I'm tweaking things to make it awesome, so bear with me and let me know what you think! My AI assistant, Synopsis, even gets her own cool setup for trailers!

So, if you've always wanted a YouTube way to hang with the show, IT'S HERE! New listeners, dive into the back catalog to catch up!

Alright, enough announcements! Let's dive into the ANIME that's been on my mind! This week, we're talking about a seriously underrated gem from last season (Winter 2024, to be exact!) that you MIGHT have missed...

Yo, let me tell you, this show, Magilumiere Co. Ltd., is something special. My lovely AI assistant, iSynopsis, dropped the plot lowdown, but here's the gist:

Our girl Kana Sakuragi is fresh outta college, deep in the job-hunting trenches. She stumbles into a monster attack (these baddies are called "Phantoms," btw, born from negative vibes), helps a pro magical girl, and BAM! Gets offered a job at a private magical girl company, Magilumiere Co. Ltd. The series then follows Kana learning the ropes, bonding with her quirky-but-awesome colleagues (especially her skilled partner Koshigaya), and tackling both monster battles AND corporate headaches. Think magical girl action meets The Office, but way cooler.

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Welcome back, anime fans and cinephiles! In this episode of Bento Radio, Alex explores the notorious 2009 live-action adaptation, Dragon Ball Evolution. The episode opens with a reminder to catch up on previous episodes—especially the ones on Speed Racer and Ghost in the Shell—and teases the official start of Season 2, which will bring the podcast to more platforms, including a YouTube version where you can watch past episodes.

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Welcome back, Speed Racer fans and anime lovers! In today’s episode of Bento Radio hosted by Alex, we dive into the vibrant and unconventional world of the 2008 film "Speed Racer" directed by the Wachowski sisters. Get ready for an in-depth exploration as we break down the film’s high-octane action, visually striking style, and its layered commentary on legacy, artistry, and the commercialization of racing culture.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the 2017 live-action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell, a film that sparked intense debate and widespread controversy from the moment it was announced. We explore how the movie attempts to reimagine the iconic anime for a Western audience, the complexities of its casting choices—especially the backlash surrounding Scarlett Johansson’s role—and whether the film succeeds in capturing the philosophical and cyberpunk essence of the original. Join us as we dissect the visual style, narrative structure, and cultural implications of this polarizing adaptation.

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