New Year, New Anime: Kicking Off 2026 with Hope

Study Hacks for Learning Japanese + What We're Watching!

Welcome back to another episode of the OtakuMode Podcast! This time, we've got a surprise. That's right, we're trying out video podcasting. Let us know what you think or what changes you'd like to see in the comments! Topics: Anime We're Watching Binging Watching vs. Weekly Watching Learning Japanese from Anime and Japanese Drama

TOM Staff Interview: Massiel from Translation Team

We take a look behind the scenes at Tokyo Otaku Mode's translation department with our co-worker, Massiel. She gives her take on localization, translation, the in's and out's of the job, and more for this special interview. Hayley and Adrian hope you'll enjoy it, and they're looking forward to introducing more guest interviews in the future! 00:00:01 - Introduction 00:01:09 - Massiel's Background Experience 00:03:02 - Translation Journey and Challenges 00:12:51 - Translation Process at TOM 00:15:54 - Discussion on AI in Translation 00:18:48 - Lettering and Its Importance 00:26:51 - Massiel's Favorite Manga and Anime 00:29:03 - Character Preferences 00:39:48 - Closing Remarks and Announcements

Celebrating Pokémon Day: A Nostalgic Journey

Welcome back to the Otaku Mode podcast, and for this episode it's all about taking a trip down memory lane as we celebrate Pokémon Day. Plus, find out how Adrian and Hayley first got into anime!

New Year, New Anime: Kicking Off 2026 with Hope

We're back, it's 2026, and a new anime season is fully in swing. We go over our New Year's breaks, ask ourselves if we even like anime anymore, and we examine the common plot trends and themes within current anime. Question this week Do you read the manga or watch the anime first? Quote of the week"When the world's on fire, just watch anime." Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the New Year 02:08 New Year Traditions 08:29 Current Anime Season Highlights 14:18 Anime vs. Manga: Preferences and Experiences 21:41 The Challenge of Finding Unique Anime 30:20 Goals for 2026 Otaku Mode, anime podcast, New Year, anime trends, manga vs anime, Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece, isekai, anime recommendations, pop culture

Treat Yourself: Japan's Obsession with Limited Timed Merch

From exclusive collab cafes to seasonal items, we break down why they’re so sought after. In this episode, we explore everything from the rise of Halloween celebrations, to the allure of limited-edition merchandise. Join Adrian and Hayley as they share their experiences and insights into Japanese subculture. #LimitedEdition #AnimeMerch #JapanExclusive #Collectibles #OtakuCulture #Podcast