60 - Magus of the Library by Mitsu Izumi

60 - Magus of the Library by Mitsu Izumi

We’re discussing one of Enzo’s favourite manga this episode (Magus of the Library by by Mitsu Izumi) one that he’s shouted out multiple times in the past, and now we get to delve into this dense series and all it has to discuss: racism, sexism, environmentalism, and plenty more topics in a high fantasy setting, about an optimistic young boy who loves the power of stories and sets out on the journey to become a librarian, with all the trials that come with it. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction - Enzo’s latest recommendation for Samu to read 4:54 An incredibly dense, dialogue- and idea-heavy fantasy series 6:19 “Too woke” critique - a series heavy on commentary on history and present day 11:16 Theo Fumis - the adorable young book-loving boy who wishes to be a Kafna 15:28 The all-knowing narrator, a story-within-a-story, and the love of storytelling 18:42 The worldbuilding and language influences 23:12 The recurring Fumis surname? 24:36 Spoiler discussion begins 24:43 The role racism plays in Magus of the Library 33:02 Knowledge is power, censorship, and misinformation - does it ever feel too modern? 39:05 Our highlights of the Kafna exam and life as as apprentices 51:27 Sophie Schwimm as a device and a character 55:54 Sedona and the book with no name - is she a mentor? Rival? Villain? 1:01:43 The Third Act (The Liaisons Office) section of the story now 1:07:42 Why hasn’t it gotten an anime yet? 1:10:07 Tei’s character and her importance within the narrative + Aya shoutout 1:12:40 Enzo’s Recommendation: A Bride Story (Otoyomegatari) by Mori Kaoru 1:15:21 Samu’s Recommendation: Yu Yu Hakusho (Chapter Black) by Yoshihiro Togashi 1:16:23 Comparisons to Witch Hat Atelier 1:19:02 Final overview + ratings

59 - Bleach (Lost Agent) by Tite Kubo

We’re onto the Lost Agent (aka Fullbring) arc of Bleach now; one with a sour reputation in the eyes of plenty of fans of the series, but this concise and more focused arc has a lot to delve into with regards to Ichigo’s character, some impactful twists, and how it shakes up the status quo of the manga until now. Listen to find out where this ranks for us amongst the bigger, flashier arcs that came before it. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction - the arc for Ichigo to get his powers back 2:27 The (negative) impact of this arc and its reputation with fans 6:18 Was Kubo himself fatigued with the Arrancar arc? 10:48 Is this a mirroring of the first arc of the series or something completely different? 13:06 The most Ichigo-centric arc so far where he’s at his lowest in every sense 19:58 Fullbring and Fullbringers - our thoughts and standouts 24:47 This being “Chad’s arc” - did it live up to that? 28:25 Full psychological thriller once Tsukishima enters the scene 34:47 Orihime’s prominence in this arc - highlighting some standout moments 36:45 The big reveal: Ginjo’s betrayal and his reasonable position against Soul Society 47:46 Rukia’s return! Ichigo gets his powers back! The shinigami are here! Ginjo’s tragic end! 57:31 Samu’s Recommendation: Yu Yu Hakusho (Chapter Black) by Yoshihiro Togashi 59:10 Enzo’s Recommendation: Soul Eater by Atsushi Ohkubo 1:02:05 Final overview + ratings

58 - Fool Night by Kasumi Yasuda

Just like last time, we’re recommending each other our highest regarded ongoing series we think need more appreciated. This time Samu’s pick for Enzo is Fool Night by Kasumi Yasuda - a dystopian sci-fi story where clouds have prevented the sun from shining through and humans have adapted in horrifying ways to sustain life. Plenty of bleak, heavy themes ensue and we both get into what’s trying to be said in with this visually striking series is exploring.  Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction - Samu’s most underappreciated ongoing manga pick 7:38 A mixture of multiple genres: dystopian, political drama, thriller, body horror, black comedy 10:40 It presents truths of what’s happening and doesn’t push an agenda/message 12:10 Early volumes focusing on more self-contained stories to establish this world 14:58 Our differing journeys with the artwork and its presentation 20:44 The upcoming anime and our hopes/expectations 22:23 Spoiler discussion begins 22:28 Akira’s gender revelation - becoming one of Enzo’s favourite characters 26:45 Standouts to the various bleak and dark storylines throughout the series without easy answers 35:20 Pro- and Anti-Transfloration argument and the politics around it 40:54 Dr. Kudai, Antartica, Central - the scale of the story expanding 44:54 Our disconnect with the latest long-running story arc in the second half of the series 49:52 The series could have been a short think piece but is becoming something larger 52:32 Samu’s Recommendation: Heavenly Delusion by Masakazu Ishiguro 56:22 Enzo’s Recommendation: Chainsaw Man Tatsuki Fujimoto 58:45 Final overview + ratings

57 - Touge Oni: Primal Gods in Ancient Times by Kenji Tsurubuchi

It’s Enzo’s time to recommend a series, and it was his pick for the most underappreciated ongoing manga from earlier this year: Touge Oni - a historical fantasy series with big ideas, a strong trio at its core, and strong Mizukami comparisons. Will Samu love it near as much as Enzo does? Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction - one of Enzo’s favourite ongoing titles 1:35 Harta magazine: a wonderful source for great seinen manga 3:17 How the sausage is made (behind the scenes snippet) 4:57 Overview and first impressions of Touge Oni and its relationship with time 15:05 Miyo and Zenki’s relationship and their mirroring journeys of their goals 18:50 The challenge of following a slow-releasing series 23:17 Mizukami’s recommendation - classic fantasy all-rounder 24:49 Spoiler discussion begins 24:55 Our feelings on Zenki - an Oni on the quest to get rid of his horns +  29:36 Miyo’s goal of finding the truth of the world 34:57 Ozono’s goal and Miyo’s theory about his identity 41:35 Early standouts moments of Miyo and Zenki’s relationship 43:24 Our highlights from Trio being separated and predictions 52:12 When the focus shifts to the gods and Izumo 54:36 Susanoo no Mikoto - him joining the group, his video game duel 59:17 The belief in the goodness and decency of human beings 1:00:52 Azuma no Miya and the power of misinformation in politics 1:02:50 Samu’s recommendation: The Elusive Samurai by Yusei Matsui 1:04:39 Enzo’s recommendation: Sengoku Youko by Mizukami Satoshi 1:06:15 Final overview + ratings Other links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45e4SKPssSbuRNZ8lVMACN [https://open.spotify.com/show/45e4SKPssSbuRNZ8lVMACN] Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-taste-is-better-than-yours/id1746194902 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-taste-is-better-than-yours/id1746194902] Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/a9ed3ea9-1728-40e3-949f-4cddfb13dde1/my-taste-is-better-than-yours [https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/a9ed3ea9-1728-40e3-949f-4cddfb13dde1/my-taste-is-better-than-yours]  Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1746194902 [https://overcast.fm/itunes1746194902] Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/z70w36ls [https://pca.st/z70w36ls]

56 - Understanding the Shonen Manga Magazines

We’ve talked about plenty of shonen manga throughout our episodes, so we felt it made sense to finally breakdown the many magazines in which they come from: their histories, identities, and our favourites from each publication. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction - understanding the full picture of shonen manga 1:59 Breaking down the magazine publication system 6:26 Weekly Shonen Jump - the biggest name in the manga industry 19:01 Weekly Shonen Magazine - the alpha male that used to be the top dog  27:06 Weekly Shonen Sunday - veterans, baseball, and fantasies 39:06 Weekly Shonen Champion - the rising star/dark horse that doesn’t conform 46:15 Jump SQ. and Saikyo Jump 48:57 Bessatsu Shonen Magazine, Monthly Shonen Magazine, Monthly Shonen Sirius 52:15 Gessan, Shonen Sunday S 54:25 Square Enix: Monthly Shonen Gangan, GFantasy, Gangan Joker 1:00:25 Web publication - print vs digital transparency