Backlog Dialogues

We dive back in to Manga discussions for today's minilog, reviewing Tatsuki Fujimoto's Grindhouse-esque Shounen character study, Chainsaw Man! Continuing the theme of 'protagonists that kinda suck', we are covering the character growth of Denji, Id-driven loon and chainsaw monster. As we look over the Public Safety arc, we dig in to just why he works as an anti-hero, as well as which devils give us the jibblies....

The final godcast of the question arcs marks a turning point. For the last time, we go through an all cast review, as Shion stages a rebellion, which can only be countered by the dumbest antics imaginable. John goes through the interesting choices of adaptation made by the manga (including some rather unfortunate ones) and even has praise for the anime for once. And as always, for those who have seen all truths, the spoiler discussion awaits...

We reach the climax of Himatsubushi. Akasaka, fresh off his fight with the kidnappers, is prevented from contacting his wife by Rika, acting even stranger than before. She tells him a vision of the already decided future, and looks to him to see what he might say. How will Akasaka respond? What secrets still remain in Hinamizawa? What should have happened differently? The Question Arcs conclude, when the Higurashi cry...

It's time for an action packed week in Higurashi, as Akasaka shows off his manga protagonist level skills at Mahjong and teams up with Ooishi to take the fight to some kidnappers! We discuss cops, protest tactics, the existence of a tiny Mion acting as a Capo, and figure out exactly why Ooishi is so hung up on the serial murder case in the future. Also, we call in Pete again to investigate another mysterious box. For fun!

Let's start the shortest arc by stretching things out! Lots of stuff is different this time. We follow Public Safety Officer Akasaka Mamoru as he investigates a kidnapping undercover out in the sticks and meets a mysterious girl with a penchant for cute noises and not so cute personality shifts. Can Akasaka find the truth when an entire village is against him?

This time, we cover the 2001 Playstation 2 classic horror game, Silent Hill 2! Our inner demons haunt us as we discuss a game that we didn't even have an occasion to play until this podcast. We discuss James Sunderland as he takes multiple possible paths through spooky maybe hell dimension Silent Hill, dig in to themes of guilt and self punishment, and jump in to more than a few holes as we play the game the way it was meant to be played and not whatever the fuck is going on with the upcoming remake. Is there a good ending? Is James just... bad?

The all cast review sessions are starting to get silly, as the discussions about what's going on gives way to silliness and the promise of a new protagonist going forward! Thank goodness, it was almost getting to be too unbearable to be Keiichi anymore. Then, John gushes over his favorite manga adaptation and unleashes an incredible amount of rage upon the hack job the anime does with this material. And as always, a special gift awaits those who have seen to the end of the story....

Reality is coming undone and weird things are happening. Did Keiichi murder someone last night, or did he spend the festival with his friends like they say he did? Has he somehow gained the ability to kill others with his brain? Can he save Satoko from her cruel fate once and for all? Or is it all for nothing? Once more, the tragedy comes to its head, and this time, the curse spreads farther than any thought possible.

Keiichi tells us in great detail how smart he is as he plans the perfect murder. His descent to being a creature of the night progresses, and he begins to cross paths with other demons...
Bang Bang Keiichi's silver hammer came down upon his head
Bang Bang Keiichi's silver hammer made sure that he was dead...

The extent of Satoko's situation is laid bare: her abusive uncle has returned, and the club is powerless to do anything. But that's not going to keep Keiichi from trying, as he shouts at his friends, begins to make terrible kidnapping plans, talks to Miyo about her interests, implies that his friend is behind all the murders in the village, and shows us just how far out his galaxy brain can go.