Akira Slide Podcast

This episode includes the following:
- My sincere apology for mispronouncing Kotaro's name in our discussion of "Kotaro Lives Alone" last week.
- A life update re: my getting back into running and my dog's upcoming surgery.
- Jallah's recent struggles with his patience levels.
- A continuing discussion on Hajime No Ippo and how it conveys getting into a hobby, crafting boxing and personal strategy, and how it illustrates the path to healthy personal growth.
- Jujutsu Kaisen, and my initial thoughts on the first two episodes.
- Concerns about the 2nd season of Dan Da Dan, unfairly relating it to “One Punch Man,” ”Heroes,” and “Glee.”
- Blue Giant, a jazz-musician odyssey streaming now on Netflix and how to become sorta good at something.
- JPEGMAFIA’s recent album “I Lay Down my Life For You,” “All My Heroes are Cornballs,” and his production work in general.
- Poppy’s new Metal record, Negative Spaces and my history as a fan of her music and my experience seeing her and her band live. 
- Elon Musk joke.
 
Thank you.
 
CHECK OUT OUR FAVORITE NEW MUSIC OF 2025 HERE:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ffJsebXh2t6w6bJCkDlvB?si=19de87809835472e
 
Episode edited by Michael D Rowland.
 
Opening/Closing music created by Stu Rosenberg.
 
Follow us on Instagram: @dermot.akiraslide

We’ve created our wackiest, longest episode ever. First, I give Jallah the brutal news that Hajime No Ippo was removed from Crunchyroll… but it’s still on Netflix so it’s all good! And while I may be a subby, Ippo's dub may be growing on me. While I’ve been a bad anime fan, Jallah is getting into Netflix Original “Kotato Lives Alone,” a story about a 4 year old boy who rents an apartment and his neighbors become his friends and makeshift guardians.  We also talk about  the Domino’s ‘Viral Pizza,’ Jenette McCurdy’s book “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” some of my favorite albums from 2025, and a special spotlight on the incredible new album “Mayhem” by Lady Gaga. Let's get Slidin' folks!
 
Links We Discussed:
 
CHECK OUT OUR FAVORITE NEW MUSIC OF 2025 HERE: 
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ffJsebXh2t6w6bJCkDlvB?si=19de87809835472e
 
 
"Squid Game” Translation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jy3Hz39CnU&t=330s&pp=ygUWU3F1aWQgZ2FtZSB0cmFuc2xhdGlvbg%3D%3D
 
Tai Lopez Real Estate Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_nZN_15jBo&pp=ygUVY3VyYiB5b3VyIHJlYWwgZXN0YXRl
 
Lady Gaga ASMR video for W Magazine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4M_XYC7qro
 
Men With the Pot: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfxzr4iHJ1ZFq7KT8bwfiBw
 
FutureCanoe cooking channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF3jMqkgvFRb6KBbSfsFFtQ
 
Colors YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@COLORSxSTUDIOS
 
Edited by Michael D Rowland.
 
Follow us on Instagram: @dermot.akiraslide
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg

Hi gang! This episode starts out heavy with a chat about "Happenstance vs. Coincidence" and the recent Buying Boycott that took place on social media. But it's not long before Jallah and I get to chatting about the series finale of Dragon Ball Daima. We craft an alternate ending, explain why Majin Kuu is the Goku of the demon realm, share some gripes, and explain why episode 19 is one of our favorite things in Dragon Ball. Try not to tear up at the end, I dare ya. Rest in peace, Akira Toriyama. 
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg.
 
Edited by Michael D. Rowland.
 
Follow us on Instagram: @dermot.akiraslide

Hey y'all. I've been reading Nikaidou Hell Golf, a recent manga from Nobuyuki Fukumoto, the creator of the much-loved Kaiji and Akagi gambling mangas. Jallah & I talk about this series, Fukumoto's potential inspiration for all his gambling mangas. Then, we get into a new interview with Akio Iyoku, the producer of Dragon Ball Daima, and the interesting production details revealed therein which explains the downsides of this anime. The entree of the episode is a review of Episode 18, which contains a brand-new... old... form for our friend Son Goku. Thanks for slidin!
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg.
 
Follow us on Instagram: @dermot.akiraslide
 
Edited by Michael D. Rowland.

This episode starts off immediately on shaky ground with a precursory Star Wars discussion. We move on quickly to something even sadder: the recent episodes of Dragon Ball Daima, a show that left us feeling so much promise and joy. But I suppose a modern Dragon Ball story will always be a gamble... speaking of gambles, KAIJI! Kaiji is an anime series about a young man in severe debt who gets entrapped in the seedy world of undergound gambling. The show's art style is unique, the pathos is deeply textured, and the suffering is legendary even in Hell. It's definitely on my (Michael's) list of favorite shows of all-time. Join us for a Spoiler-Free discussion of the show this week!
 
Opening/Closing music by by Stu Rosenberg.
 
Follow us on Instagram: @dermot.akiraslide
 
Edited by Michael D. Rowland.

Today's episode is a special one- our first no-anime episode of the Akira Slide Podcast. Wow. We debut a new segment, "Flop or Flip" which is where we discuss new films we've seen and try to guess whether we liked them or not. This week, I saw Sonic 3 and Jallah saw Longlegs. Did we like these movies (flip over them, if you will) or did we not like them (or did we... flop over them)?
At the time this ep was recorded, Kendrick Lamar had just delivered a conversation-starting Half-Time Performance. Listen to today's episode to hear our day-of impressions. 
 
"Sonic 3" Spoilers Stop at 18:49
 
"Longlegs" Spoilers Stop at 39:20
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg.
 
Follow us on Instagram: @dermot.akiraslide
 
Edited by Michael D. Rowland.

Hey kids, Michael here! This week's episode we thought we'd talk about something new - our coverage of "Dragon Ball Daima" continues with episodes 13-14 where we grapple with disappointment as it's becoming clear the show's vision and our hopes for it are not aligned. But Michael holds onto hope, cope, and the belief that Goku can defeat anything - even clumsy writing. The *centerpiece* is our discussion of the entire first season of "Dan Da Dan." This show honors the past, lights a beautiful path for the future, and Jallah and I both loved the show. But despite being confident, emotionally powerful, and beautiful the first season is not without its growing pains. Let's slide into it!
 
(Spoiler discussion begins at 53:08)
 
("Dan Da Dan" discussion ends at 01:40:17)
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg.
 
Follow us on Instagram: @dermot.akiraslide
 
Edited by Michael D. Rowland.
 

This ep is a real corker. We begin with a revelation: My and Jallah’s perception of the Akira Slide podcast audience’s preference for subs vs. dubs. We finally got a chance to talk about Jallah's latest hyperfixation - Hajime No Ippo (2000). It's a boxing anime that will inspire you whether you're an athlete or not and we both have a lot to say about it. But before we get to it, we chat abou the latest (at the time of recording) Dragon Ball Daima episodes which offer a double-serving of lil' Vegeta and his new hairdo. I mean, transformation.   
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg.
 
Edited by Michael D. Rowland.
 
Follow us on Instagram: @dermot.akiraslide
 

Welcome back! We finish the year and our lists strong as I get a chance to talk about why 2024 Pop Music belonged to women. Jallah also gets to chat about seeing a once-in-a-lifetime event at the Kendrick Lamar Pop-Out Show in Los Angeles. Most importantly, we both show how much we've learned and grown from 2024 and why (for one of us) they had to recently undergo a Rocky/Hajime No Ippo style training arc. Thanks for listening and keep tuned, because 2025 is going to be slidetastic. Love y'all!
Follow us on Instagram: @dermot.akiraslide
Topics Covered:
Michael: “Look Back” film written by Tatsuki Fujimoto, Screenplay by Kiyotaka Oshiyama
Michael: “The Dangers in My Heart” manga by Norio Sakurai
Jallah: Schoolboy Q - Blueslides
Jallah: “Dave the Diver” video game
Michael: Completed writing an LP for the first time since 2013 / playing his first show since 2016.
Michael: “I Will Teach You to be Rich” / “Money for Couples” podcast by Ramit Seithi
Michael: Allie X - “GIrl With No Face” album
Jallah: A trip to Los Angeles to see Kendrick Lamar’s “Pop-Out” show
Michael: Charli XCX - Brat and Ariana Grande - Eternal Sunshine
Michael:  “DANDADAN” anime written by Yukinobu Tatsu, Directed by Fuga Yamashiro
 
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg.
 
Edited by Michael D. Rowland.
 
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @akiraslidepodcast

As Jallah and I recorded this episode on New Year's Eve Eve, we felt the desire to wax nostalgic and remember our favorite things from a huge year. These lists include personal news as well as Films, Music, and YouTube Clips. You'll have to listen to find out which one of us paid off all his consumer debt, who had a meaningful trip to the MN Zoo and where the Akira Slide podcast slides on the Kendrick vs. Drake battle. To be continued in Part Two... 
 
Jallah: Kendrick & Drake Beef.
"Interstellar" (2014) film Re-Release.
Diving into the world of the "Berserk" manga by Kentauro Miura. 
A Trip to the Minnesota Zoo.
The Hajime No Ippo anime.
Song: “Naima” by John Coltrane on Saxophone
The Ramsey Show clips on YouTube, the "Total Money Makeover" book.
Michael: A momentous trip to Los Angeles...
Paying off all consumer debt.
Jallah: Godzilla Minus One (2023) film Re-Release
 
Edited by Michael D. Rowland.
Opening/Closing music by Stu Rosenberg.
 
Follow us on Instagram: @dermot.akiraslide