Akira Slide Podcast

Nas - Untitled (A "Whaddya Think of That?" Conversation)

We're talking about music again and learning about one of Jallah's favorite hip hop artists, Nas. Jallah explains what Nas was trying to accomplish in 2008 when releasing this semi-untitled record in the world. We cover topics like black culture, my initial thoughts on this album, and the idea of pinning black artists against each other (Michael Jackson vs. Prince). I hope this episode reminds you of better times and fills you with hope for a brighter future. 
 
00:00 - “I Shatner’d myself…”
01:35 - Jallah talks his personal history listening to Nas
19:00 - Michael’s Initial thoughts on Nas’s “Untitled” record
25:57 - Nas never wanted the beat to outshine what he had to say.
41:50 - Pitting Black artists against each other.
48:20 - Black Culture, making lemons out of Lemonade
53:22 - A Bittersweet Optimism
 
Episode edited by Michael D. Rowland
 
Intro/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg
 
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @dermot.mn

Power Outage! Flop or Flip: Superman (2025) vs. Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025!) (Challengers...?)

00:00 -  The Akira Slide Curse (RIP Hulk Hogan) + Reality TV Discourse
07:12 - Political Akira Slide Talk = Coming Soon??? (The Great Gomah)
09:52 - The Great (Gomah) Jallah Power Outage…
17:19 - Superman (2025)
40:40 - Michael: “I’m really excited for ‘Challengers…’”
42:32 - Fantastic Four (2025)
59:34 - Michael’s Favorite Superheroes + Killing Joke animated version gripes
 
Episode edited by Michael D. Rowland
 
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @dermot.mn
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg

Ippo-Pa-Looza: The Akira Slide Boys Chat About "Hajime No Ippo: New Challenger " (2009)

Much metaphorical ink has been spilled by the two of us regarding the Hajime No Ippo introductory series, "The Fighting!" When given a platform to focus on the sequel series, it becomes clear that we both have some complicated thoughts on these 26 episodes. But after a rewatch, we're both finding ourselves defending and even championing what the series does well- particularly the final fight between two hawks. Join us for a wide-ranging and joyful discussion about our favorite boxing series that focuses most of its energy on someone who's not the supposed "main" character. 
 
00:00 - Does Jack Black like Hajime No Ippo: New Challenger?
01:48 - “Wine About It” New Co-Host, Goodbye Maya
03:28 - Maya can ball, tho!
05:44 - Michael met Chris Sabat once in the 2000s. I’m serious…
06:55 - Michael also spoke to Bruce Faulconer once on the phone. I mean this…
15:28 - Someone’s moving…!!!!
17:19 - Jallah: Are you a virgin?
21:02 - “New Challenger” Series
23:40 - “New Challenger” Animation and Artwork
30:55 - “New Challenger” Soundtrack
33:30 - If “The Fighting” is a Bible, “New Challenger” is a pamphlet
39:00 - Why “New Challenger” feels more like a “Traditional Anime/Man”
42:01 - Jallah: Ippo is the low point of “New Challenger”
44:57 - Arnie “Crocodile” Gregory vs. Ichiro Miyata
48:02 - The difficulties of translating an anime for subtitles
52:13 - Bryan Hawk: An Ambiguous Design
55:05 - Michael’s pitch: Takamura vs. Bryan Hawk could have (and should have) been a Movie!
56:54 - end of spoiler for Rising
01:00:14 - Ippo vs. Hammer Nao? Sure!
01:05:01 - Amazing hawk tuah reference
01:05:47 - Bryan Hawk vs. Mamoru Takamura: a Shonen Superpowered Classic
01:22:58 - Ippo vs. Some Random Guy before the Takamura/Hawk showdown
01:27:21 - Takamura’s pre-hawk behavior: Does this harm the incredible arc?
01:32:46 - The Fight Begins!
01:37:33 - Brief Interruption: Michael (Dummy) had to move his car. Amusement Park discussion
01:39:48 - Back to the Hawks…
01:46:50 - Ippo’s Over-attachment to the Dempsey Roll technique
01:49:23 - Red-Eyed Bryan Hawk: A True Monster
01:51:23 - New Forms Unlocked… the final moments of Hawk vs. Takamura
 
"Who put Michael Jackson in the freezer?" meme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNKjVssqLiY
 
Episode edited by Michael D. Rowland
 
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @dermot.mn
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg
 
 

Jolly and Rowlex's TV Talk (Severance, HIMYM) plus Jim Jones vs. Nas

We're back with a non-anime episode with a special focus on TV shows and music! Jallah's getting into "Severance" on Apple+ and also brings us up to speed on a little trash talk by Jim Jones directed at future Akira Slide subject Nas. I'm just talkin' about a 1996 Metallica album that few people like and offering tiny little tangents here and there! It's a really fun time.
 
00:00 - Ippo-Pa-Looza Shoutout: Next week it’s “Rising” time!
01:43 - Rocky and other vintage trilogies
05:18 - “So, are you Chinese or Japanese?” King of the Hill gag
8:24 - Jallah’s new show alert: “Severance”
21:05 - The one time Michael had Apple+: “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters…”
22:03 - Godzilla (2014) vs. Cranimal - Michael’s general thoughts on Godzilla (2014)
24:50 - TV Discourse - “Give it a few episodes!!!”(Game of Thrones)
26:40 - Lord of the Strings
28:57 - Future Akira Slide Plans: Hunter X Hunter plus update on Ippo Video Game
29:48 - Michael Hates Netflix Subtitles
33:03 - Video Games (Mario) chat
37:04 - If you like Flies, skip this…
37:30 - Jallah’s dadly door Comments
39:10 - Sugarcube - Michael’s nickname in high school
39:30 - Kool-Aid
42:27 - The Millenial Childhood Diet + Hot Dog news
44:18 - Disappointing TV finales (How I Met Your Mother, Game of Thrones)
54:15 - TV Talk with Jolly and Rowlex (no anime!) - The cream always rises to the top w/ Macho Man Randy Savage and Always Sunny in Philadelphia
01:00:33 - Metallica - Load deluxe box set
01:17:47 - Fireworks! (yip-yip-yip)
01:18:51 - new Haim record = good!
01:19:33 - New Frank Ocean - Channel Orange vinyl = good!
01:24:53 - Brian Wilson: Rest in Peace to the Legend
01:29:07 - Jim Jones vs. Nas
01:38:21 - Farewell, until next week!! (4.2 controversy…)
 
Episode edited by Michael D. Rowland
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg
 
Follow us on Instragm and TikTok: @dermot.mn

Ippo-Pa-Looza 2: The Greatest Fight in Anime History? ("Mashiba vs. Kimura" 2003 OVA)

Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs Kimura (2003) is an OVA that takes place after the main series 'The Fighting' and it's my current favorite anime fight. It's a story about an underdog locking in and putting everything he can into one final clash before retirement. This story is an inspiration and a reminder that there are no losers when you try your absolute best to go to your limits and beyond.
 
00:00 Mashiba vs. Kimura
04:33 - The Risks of making Kimura a Protagonist
04:56 - Commentary by the Side-Characters
05:53 - Ippo & His New Jacket!
08:15 - Miyata Fights are Sidequests Now… + Mashiba’s Tactics
11:34 - The Trainers on Ippo
12:34 - Bap Beep Beep
13:44 - Hajime No Kimura: No Weak Points!
14:58 - Hajime No Biden: Corn-Pop’s Counterattack
16:03 - Kimura’s Challenge & Triumph
18:06 - A Lack of Belief From Friends…
20:35 - Hajime No Streamer: Support Smash!
25:40 - Mashiba vs. Kimura: The Fighter’s Backgrounds
29:25 - A Wavering Confidence
30:22 - Kimura: I’m Going to Retire
31:15 - The Greatest Stare-Down
32:45 - Kimura’s Four-Pronged Plan
36:45 - Mashiba’s Fear of Losing + Kimura’s Clinch-Dodge
40:19 - Artstyle Evoluton
41:38 - An Exchange of Punches
42:25 - Flying Mouth Guard… But Whose Is It?
43: 25 - The Grand Finale
46:28 - Kimura’s Textbook Boxing Style + Sugarfish Technique
47:50 - Only 3 CM :’(
48:53 - Takamura’s the Petulant Toddler
51:30 - Kimura’s Un-Retirement
53:55 - Mashiba Vs. Kimura: Final Thoughts + Michael’s Top 5
01:00:40 - Were We too Hard on ‘Champion Road’?
 
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @dermot.mn
 
Episode edited by Michael D. Rowland
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg
 
 

FLOP OR FLIP: 28 Years Later (Spoilers) + Bizarre YouTube Obsessions (winnie the pooh & mickey mouse horror, papa john psyops, and a Tiny Chef)

00:00 - The Boys Play a Videogame… While Podcasting
03:04 - Some Akira Slide fans hate Hajime No Ippo…
03:59 - “Let It Happen” - Ichiro Miyata edit
07:10 - Google Lens Translations Scare Michael
08:51 - “28 YEARS Later” Review
16:00 - Akira Slide Film Discussion Criticism Addressed
17:54 - 28 Years Later: The Return
25:38 - It’s Like Raditz (Obligatory Dragonball Content)
31:04 - “When I look at him I just see Knuckles…” hypothetical foolishness
34:14 - Bad CGI = Goop
35:38 - Jallah: “Can I tell you something stupid?” - A TMNT TALE
37:50 - Frightening Anthropomorphic Animals… (TMNT, Big Bird)
38:50 - Inconsistent Ages in Children’s Media
40:14 - Zombie Dong
42:13 - The Ending Disappointment - Spoilers Begin
53:49 - Michael’s Rating… Is it a FLIP?
54:44 - The Ratings Scandal: The Gaslighting
57:09 - Benson Boone: Akira Slide Fan?!?!
58:48 - Brief Mukbang Chat
01:00:59 - Benson Boone: Akira Slide Fan?!?! (2)
01:02:37 - Pitchfork: Judge Not… (A new story by Mike Jallah and Michael Rowland)
01:10:38 - The Power Rangers Rant by Linkara
01:13:10 - “Flop or Flip” is Sweeping the Nation
01:14:30 - Silly YouTube Videos Michael’s Watching
01:14:53 - Tiny Chef and his Cancelation
01:22:35 - Jallah’s Next Century Theory / Pop-Up Alert
01:31:25 - ACMOfficial - Weekly horror shorts: Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh
01:42:39 - Doughtoli and Doughjoe Papa John’s
01:49:26 - Mike Jallah’s Thoughts on YouTube
01:53:07 - Jallah’s Message to Television Executives (Missing ‘Noggin’ TV Channel)
01:56:11 - “Say That Again?” Fantastic Four Ending
 
Ichiro Miyata “Let It Happen” edit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec2Wg8mZ4sA
 
Edited by Michael D. Rowland
 
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @dermot.mn
 
 

Ippo-Pa-Looza introduction + Hajime No Ippo: Champion Road mini-review [Part 1]

Hey Sliders! We're going to be talking about Ippo's post-The Fighting period. There's a lot to cover and we want to make sure each era gets its flowers, so each distinct project will be getting its own episode. The Ippo series will be bi-weekly and a miscellaneous/potpourri episode will come out between these reviews. Please check this episode out even if you're no Ippo hardcore fan, because our passion for the series might just inspire you to check it out. 
 
00:00 - Whitney Houston, is that you?!
02:55 - Jallah’s Job Search, Sus vs. Sos
05:45 - Michael’s Worst Recurring Gag
07:05 - Michael Listened to “Akira Slide” Recreationally…
09:10 - Ippopalooza! A Two-Part Hajime No Ippo Special
10:18 - First Detour: Horror Blind-Spots
11:59 - Back to Ippo… (We’ve Lost Our Dub Ippo Impressions)
13:25 - Overall Hajime No Ippo: The Fighting Thoughts
27:20 - How “Hajime No IPPO” changed Michael’s mindset
28:30 - Apologies to Jaleel White, Our Favorite Sonic
34:09 - The Post-“The Fighting” Period
35:09 - The Meaningless Ippo TV Special Canon
38:05  - Sendo vs. Jallah: His Complex Feelings on Ippo’s Main Rival
41:25 - Ippo vs. Miyata: Does Anyone Care About This?
43:57: Hajime No Ippo: Champion Road
 
Episode edited by Michael D. Rowland
 
Opening/Closing Music by Stu Rosenberg
 
Follow us on Instagram/TikTok: @dermot.mn

DAN DA DAN: "Evil Eye" Theatrical Experience (Season 2, Episodes 1-3 Spoilers)

00:00 Da Da Dan: Evil Eye Discussion/Review
50:50 - Michael’s media-enjoyment being ruined by “mini-spoilers” #deathbyathousandcuts
51:47 - Jack Black mini-discussion (Minecraft, Mario)
53:47 - Michael Felt Bad, Sat in Car
57:48 - Which Character do We Think We Are in HAJIME NO IPPO? :) (brief Weezer detour, sorry for this)
 
Episode edited by Michael D. Rowland
 
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @dermot.mn
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg

Mike Woke: An Hour of 2025 Film Talk & the Theatrical Experience of "Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye" (No Spoilers, Pt. 1)

00:00 - We’re Goin’ Gray!
02:58 - Follow us on Instagram: @Dermot.mn
04:59 - K*ll Tony, Bill Burr
07:00 - “I saw this new woke”08:45 - Pet Sounds ep Post-Show Discussion / Mike Woke
13:33 - Michael’s seen a lotta Movies! “Final Destination: Bloodlines”
19:04 - “Friendship” (starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd)
23:51 - “Hereditary” and “Rosemary’s Baby" detour
29:08 - “Bring Her Back”
32:56 - Mental Health Stories We Tell Ourselves
35:40 - Mike Woke (2)
36:49 - Going to Events More
41:05 - Preamble for “Dan Da Dan: The Evil Eye” + Will Smith Detour + Dirty Sodas discussion
48:37 - The Giant Drink
51:22 - “Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye” review is about to begin...
 
Episode edited by Michael D. Rowland 
 
Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @dermot.mn
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg

Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (A "Whaddya Think of That?" Conversation)

0:00 - Going to Anime Wallpaper websites
3:55 - The show begins in, well, earnest!
4:27 - Hajime No Ippo: The Fighting Soundtrack Discussion
5:36 - Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (Attempted Intro)
5:55 - Prince Rogers Nelson discussion
14:49 - Beach Boys Course-Correction (Kokomo)
15:41 - Weezer - Keep Fishin’ quick chat
17:11 - Whaddya Think of That: Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966)
32:09 - Mike Love Discussion
35:17 - Back to the “Pet Sounds”
39:28 - Switching From Historical to Musical Discussion
42:00 - Kanye West - Graduation detour
52:41 - One Piece detour
56:35 - Beach Boys Power-Scaling (silly, not serious)
57:55 - No more Anime!
01:02:15 - Critical Reception
01:03:35 - Beach Boys - “Smile”  chat
01:09:10 - Jallah’s favorite “Pet Sounds” tracks
01:11:37 - Michael’s “Gravy” Theory
01:12:30 - Why Brian Wilson was Michael’s favorite singer in the Beach Boys in 1966
01:13:11 - “God Only Knows” lyrics
01:14:51 - The “Pet Sounds” Influence on Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo
01:18:00 - The Instrumentals
01:18:57 - “Sloop John B” - A classic reimagining
01:20:04 - Final Thoughts on the Record & Music Listening
01:24:52 - Listening to Music for the upcoming Nas ep.
01:27:54 - “The Charlie Brown Dictionary” - 8 Volume Set by Charles Schulz
01:34:25 - Godzilla Over-Licensing and our separate money philosophies
01:45:15 - Final Wrap-Up
 
Episode edited by Michael D. Rowland
 
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @dermot.mn
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg