This week, LaNeysha and Kate dive deep into the themes of the Netflix Original anime: Japan Sinks 2020. Based on the 1973 novel, Japan Sinks by Sakyo Komatsu. From Science Saru, the studio behind Devilman Crybaby, this is a disaster anime that takes the genre to a whole new level. In the series, an ordinary family is put to the test as a series of massive earthquakes throw Japan into total mayhem, and leads the country to sink. From director Masaaki Yuasa, the series delivers gutwrenching moments that keep its audience on their toes and doesn’t allow them to distress over the course of the 10 episodes.
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In this episode, the women of Did You Have To? tackle the tragedy of the series, and how each character uses that trauma to propel themselves forward. This opens up a conversation about giving up, failing, and how both women were taught to keep fighting. Additionally, they discuss the tropes the series leans into as well as the ones that it subverts. And they do this while investigating the larger themes of gender and xenophobia. Let us know your thoughts on Twitter.
Today in Weeb
- More Shonen Jump Anime adaptations: Act Age (this was recorded before today’s news involving the mangaka), Jujustu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man
- WEBTOONS x Crunchyroll and the new originals being made and breaking the traditional Shonen cycle
- Aggretsuku Season 3
- Atsuko streetwear – y’all we have been spending too much money, but here we are.
Manga Trash is now up on the But Why Tho? A Geek Community Patreon. There, you can listen to a mini-episode where LaNeysha and Kate talk about trashy manga they’re reading. You can listen to the first episode for free. Help support us and listen to us talk about smutty manga at the same time.
