Today, Cocoa☆Disaster fights through harsh climates and harsher schedules in order to finally bring the the Anime of the Year Awards for 2018! For such a strong year of anime, we couldn't possibly do it justice with just two hosts, so we also had to bring back Jordan in order to talk through all of 2018's highlights. With everyone discussing their picks and sharing opinions, the show ended up being a bit long, but I think that only goes to show how much we had to say! So sit back, relax, and enjoy our final hurrah for 2018!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
2:30 - The Official Unofficial Awards
15:27 - Best OP of 2018
47:48 - Best ED of 2018
1:15:11 - Biggest Surprise of 2018
1:50:05 - Biggest Disappointment of 2018
2:18:07 - Best Production of 2018
2:39:56 - Worst Anime of 2018
2:55:39 - Best Prestige Anime of 2018
3:16:54 - Best Light Anime of 2018
3:33:16 - Fanmail and Correspondence of 2018
3:38:04 - Outro/Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

In the Revue Spotlight (Anime Awards 2018)

Today, Cocoa☆Disaster closes out its seasonal coverage of 2018 with a look back at the fall season! While none of these shows were perfect, many of them were earnest and had strong messages behind them that helped us fall in love with them. There were also some real dumb as hell action shows that we couldn't look away from! The final season of 2018 was a fun one, and we're here to count down everything we watched, as well as some exciting news involving Netflix's Death Note, One Piece, and more!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
1:34 - The News
13:53 - Golden Kamuy Season 2
17:52 - Banana Fish
26:38 - Skull-Faced Bookseller Honda-san
30:30 - Mr. Tonegawa Middle Management Blues
37:37 - Today's Menu for the Emiya Family
43:31 - Iroduku: The World in Colors
49:34 - SSSS.Gridman
54:56 - The Girl in Twilight
1:02:55 - Conception the Animation
1:06:43 - Professor Layton: Kat's Mystery-Solving Files
1:07:03 - Release the Spyce
1:08:45 - Ace Attorney Season 2
1:14:38 - Thunderbolt Fantasy Season 2
1:21:29 - JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind
1:30:50 - Double Decker! Doug & Kirill
1:39:30 - Fanmail
1:49:02 - Outro and Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Normal American Boy Apple Bieber (Fall 2018 Season Review)

Today, Cocoa☆Disaster rings in the new year with another season preview! With the winter season fast approaching, it's time to make tally of what needs to be seen, what needs to be watched for, and what needs to be avoided. So come on in, take off your coat, and shake off the snow as we talk through all of the shows that are opening 2019!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
1:33 - The News
16:11 - The Summer Leftovers
21:27 - Our A-List
29:43 - Our B-List
37:23 - Our C-List
44:34 - Our D-List
55:40 - Our Poopoo Garbage List
58:52 - Concluding Thoughts on the Upcoming Season
1:00:01 - Fanmail
1:02:15 - Outro and Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Mom Psychic 200 (Winter 2019 Season Preview)

Today, real life friend of the show heptameride (@heptameride on Twitter) takes me to the court in order to discuss Masaaki Yuasa's 2014 adaptation of Ping Pong! A relatively unknown series to Western anime fans, Ping Pong strikes a good balance between directorial style and capturing the aesthetic of the original manga in order to create a fascinating and exhilarating story about heroes, friendship and table tennis. Let's make it a match, here on Cocoa☆Disaster!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
3:46 - Background for Ping Pong
15:53 - Summary
1:41:21 - Discussion: How Ping Pong Differs from Popular Shonen Sports Narratives
1:50:57 - Discussion: The Concept of the "Hero"
1:56:02 - Discussion: The Cost of Success
2:01:01 - Discussion: The Relationship Between Peco and Smile
2:04:26 - Discussion: Ping Pong and the Pro Smash Bros. Scene
2:07:16 - Discussion: Is Ping Pong a Coming of Age Narrative?
2:09:54 - Fanmail
2:20:37 - Outro/Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Matching "Who Saved Who" Bumper Stickers (Ping Pong the Animation | Single Serving)

Today, we're joined by phantom of the night Hobo (@Hobotron2000 on Twitter) for a hair-raising look into the 2000 film Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust! Based on a long-running novel series, Bloodlust adapts the third adventure of the mysterious dhampir D and does a good job at setting a spooky, unsettling tone throughout its runtime! It's got strong action scenes and surprisingly good character development for such a sparse script, and the two of us were more than happy to dig deeper into this seemingly forgotten cult classic from a different era of anime!
So join us as we carefully navigate through the haunting tale of Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, here on Cocoa☆Disaster!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
5:04 - Background for Vampire Hunter D (series)
10:29 - Background for Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
17:28 - Summary
43:39 - Discussion: Vampire Hunter D's Use of Genre
52:25 - Discussion: Vampire Hunter D as a Travelling Mercenary Narrative
57:11 - Discussion: The Production, The Action of Bloodlust
1:08:41 - Discussion: The Character Relationships
1:23:14 - Discussion: The Horror of Vampire Hunter D
1:33:50 - Closing Thoughts
1:42:04 - Fanmail
1:59:13 - Outro/Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Dhampir 2000 (Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust | Single Serving)

Today on Cocoa☆Disaster, anime is the one thing we're reminiscing about from the summer! While the season wasn't looking as hot as the weather was, by the end we came a way with a number of big surprises, some fun distractions and only a couple of duds. So join us as we talk our way through the latest season of anime, discuss the most millennial anime characters, and more!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
1:59 - The News
8:34 - Planet With
18:21 - Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight
25:20 - Hanebado!
31:20 - Professor Layton: Kat's Mystery Solving Files
35:15 - Cells at Work!
41:08 - Gundam Build Divers
44:25 - Harukana Receive
46:18 - Asobi Asobase
49:49 - Mr. Tonegawa Middle Management Blues
59:31 - Grand Blue Dreaming
1:00:26 - Chio's School Road
1:02:30 - Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
1:07:56 - Banana Fish
1:16:58 - My Hero Academia 3rd Season
1:25:36 - Lupin III Part 5
1:42:45 - Concluding Thoughts on the Summer Season
1:45:47 - Fanmail
1:49:42 - Outro
1:52:01 - Announcement of Next Single Servings
1:53:11 - Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

#dabwatch2018 (Summer 2018 Season Review)

Today, the leaves are changing and you know what that means: it's time once again for new anime to arrive! Xain and I join up to talk about this transitionary season of anime, and there's plenty to look forward to, including the next arc of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure! Let's rattle down the entire Fall season on this episode of Cocoa☆Disaster!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
1:39 - The News
18:09 - The Summer Leftovers
23:58 - Our A-List
35:45 - Our B-List
47:37 - Our C-List
57:03 - Our D-List
1:11:57 - Our Poopoo Garbage List
1:13:22 - Concluding Thoughts on the Upcoming Season
1:15:09 - Outro and Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Good Luck, Skeleton (Fall 2018 Season Preview)

Today, Jay (@TheJayOfSpade on Twitter) and FutureFriend (@FutureFriendLP on Twitter) rejoin the cast to discuss the oft-belied but fondly remembered Speed Racer movie from 2008! While the Wachowskis may have produced a flop that failed to impress in its time, more recently articles and discussions have popped up in defense of this movie, saying it was ahead of its time and worth a re-examine. And with no one asking for it, we decided to include our own opinions on the topic as well, with three pairs of fresh eyes diving into the anime and the movie! Does it hold up to modern standards? Does it have to? Did we get the weak shit off our track? Find out in a mile-a-minute episode of Cocoa☆Disaster!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
5:09 - Background for Speed Racer (1967)
16:06 - Background for Speed Racer (2008)
23:43 - Summary
47:20 - Discussion: What Defines "Speed Racer"?
51:36 - Discussion: Does the Movie Capture "Speed Racer"?
1:00:14 - Discussion: Does Speed Racer Succeed at Its Goals?
1:09:34 - Discussion: What Has Changed to the Narrative Around the Speed Racer Movie?
1:17:13 - Discussion: The Other Failed Speed Racer Movies
1:31:26 - Fanmail
1:52:55 - Closing Thoughts
1:56:09 - Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Chimp My Ride (Speed Racer 2008 | Single Serving)

Today, qb (@queuebae on Twitter) once again adds his voice to a special Single Serving episode of Cocoa☆Disaster! This time, we're talking about Eccentric Family from 2013, as well as its 2017 sequel. Join us as we explore a fantastical version of Kyoto where tanuki roam among men, tengu fly the skies and nothing is ever boring! It's a very interesting and fascinating show that doesn't get a lot of attention, so the hope with this episode is to spread awareness of Eccentric Family and all of the elements that make it so special!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
3:11 - Background
8:26 - Summary
47:48 - Discussion: The Atmosphere
57:56 - Discussion: The Power Struggles
1:12:33 - Discussion: Family
1:21:39 - Discussion: The Trans-Species Narrative
1:29:53 - Discussion: Tanuki Weaknesses
1:36:01 - Discussion: Catchphrases
1:40:55 - Discussion: The Connection to Morimi's Other Works
1:44:26 - Discussion: Does the Frog Deserve Fried Chicken?
1:46:54 - Discussion: The Food Chain
1:53:51 - Discussion: The Trick Magister Position
1:57:08 - Discussion: In-Depth Character Analysis
2:13:36 - Conclusion
2:20:14 - Fanmail
2:32:50 - Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Eat the Rich (Eccentric Family 1&2 | Single Serving)

Today on Cocoa☆Disaster, we're barreling through the Spring season! We watched a lot of shows and have a lot of opinions on them, and hopefully we can discuss all of that before Fall comes along! Very few dropped shows among our list, there were plenty of fun surprises, earnest stories and wacky comedy beats that we couldn't help but love. Join us as we recap just a bit of the stuffed Spring season!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
1:20 - The News
8:12 - Megalo Box
17:25 - Food Wars! Season 3
21:15 - My Hero Academia Third Season
30:08 - Caligula
36:42 - Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
42:20 - Record of Grancrest War
46:14 - Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These
55:34 - Golden Kamuy
1:02:18 - Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
1:10:31 - Darling in the FranXX
1:17:09 - Gundam Build Divers
1:21:49 - Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Arc
1:25:39 - Layton's Mystery Detective Agency: Kat's Mystery-Solving Files
1:32:26 - Lupin III Part 5
1:43:42 - Tada Can't Fall in Love
1:45:44 - Hinamatsuri
1:49:17 - Today's Menu at Emiya Family
1:52:00 - Uma Musume: Pretty Derby
2:03:40 - Closing Thoughts
2:06:20 - Fanmail
2:17:20 - Outro
2:18:20 - Announcement of Next Single Servings
2:19:28 - Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

That Old-School Anime Feel (Spring 2018 Season Review)

Today, Cocoa☆Disaster cools off this summer with a lukewarm season! It's sad to say, but the content for this season of anime seems awfully light. However, that can't stop us! Xain and I are here to try and suss out what might be worth checking out. We also discuss video game releases, new toys on the horizon, and have a little fun in a breezy preview episode!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
2:35 - The News
22:57 - The Spring Leftovers
34:37 - Our A-List
43:44 - Our B-List
49:00 - Our C-List
56:33 - Our D-List
1:05:14 - Our Poopoo Garbage List
1:08:36 - Concluding Thoughts on the Upcoming Season
1:10:31 - Fanmail
1:13:20 - Outro and Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Planet With, Season Without (Summer 2018 Season Preview)

Today, DeviousVacuum joins the show to discuss the positively sexy 2017 psychological thriller Kakegurui! A very extreme adaptation of a relatively popular young adult manga, Kakegurui is a dive into insanity in regards to gambling and what it truly means to bet everything. Amidst its fanservice and sexuality, there's a surprising amount of heart in the way that the series builds its world and characters, and the things it wants to say come through strong thanks to good, albeit very direct theming. It's time to roll the dice on this episode of Cocoa☆Disaster!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
3:50 - Background
10:48 - Summary
1:56:32 - Discussion: Kakegurui as a Fanservice Show
2:00:23 - Discussion: How the Gambles Inform Us About the Characters and the World
2:07:40 - Discussion: The Themes of the Show
2:18:25 - Discussion: How Kakegurui Mixes its Psychology and Sexuality
2:33:08 - Discussion: Who to Root For When the Characters Are All Villains
2:36:14 - Discussion: The Adaptation Differences (Manga, Anime, J-Drama)
2:52:03 - Conclusion
2:55:53 - Fanmail
3:16:05 - Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

All In, Everyone Folds (Kakegurui | Single Serving)

Today, it's time to look back on the first season of the year and see what it might be able to tell us about the rest of 2018! Xain and I came out of winter with a lot of good and interesting shows to talk about, even if there were a few clunkers along the way. As we discuss last season's bounty we also take a bit of time to talk about video games, the Babymetal graphic novel, and some hot ideas for a Universal cinematic universe! All this and more on the winter review episode of Cocoa☆Disaster!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
1:51 - The News
10:25 - The Ancient Magus' Bride
28:00 - Record of Grancrest War
35:16 - Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Arc
43:13 - Darling in the FranXX
58:07 - Fate/Extra Last Encore
1:06:32 - Pop Team Epic
1:20:28 - Laid-Back Camp
1:24:11 - Teasing Master Tagaki
1:26:11 - Mitsuboshi Colors
1:28:55 - Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens
1:32:17 - Violet Evergarden
1:37:38 - March Comes in Like a Lion 2nd Season
1:54:34 - Garo: Vanishing Line
1:58:30 - Today's Menu for the Emiya Family
2:01:30 - Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
2:11:34 - Quick Recap on Winter Season
2:13:33 - Fanmail
2:23:22 - Outro
2:26:31 - Announcement of Next Single Servings
2:27:38 - Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

"Please Be Good, and Please Don’t Be Horny" (Winter 2018 Season Review)

Today, Cocoa☆Disaster puts on lighter clothes and get together to prepare for the spring season of anime! There's a surprising amount on our plates, with plenty of shows based on popular franchises on the horizon and a few interesting original series as well. Among our predictions we also talk about some big anniversary announcements, anime dabs and more!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
2:20 - The News
24:35 - Our Leftovers
34:00 - Our A-List
52:31 - Our B-List
1:04:54 - Our C-List
1:18:26 - Our D-List
1:30:38 - Our Poopoo Garbage List
1:34:45 - Our Quick Thoughts on Spring Season
1:36:39 - Fanmail
1:43:37 - Outro and Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Them Wild Sons of Guns They Loved Horses (Spring 2018 Season Preview)

Today, Sid joins us on Cocoa☆Disaster to discuss the 2007 tie-in to a popular franchise, Devil May Cry the Animated Series! Made in conjunction with DMC4 as a way to get fans excited for the upcoming game, Devil May Cry the Animated Series awkwardly tries to plant itself within the series timeline as well as do its own thing, and clumsily fails to accomplish either goal. What is it that makes this particular video game conversion so disappointing, and what could've been done to fix it? Is there anything worthwhile hidden within the series, and did the hosts still find ways to have fun while watching Devil May Cry? All this and more, today!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
3:07 - Background on the Devil May Cry Game Series
8:21 - Background on Devil May Cry the Animated Series
18:25 - Summary
1:37:55 - Summary Wrap-Up
1:38:49 - Discussion: Dante, the Character
1:49:23 - The Canonical Status of the Series
2:06:59 - Fan vs Newcomer Interpretations
2:16:11 - What These Stories Are Missing
2:26:56 - Our Favorite Scenarios from the Series
2:40:57 - Fanmail
3:02:31 - Outro/Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Stylish Rank Dull (Devil May Cry | Single Serving)

Today, Cocoa☆Disaster comes together to finally close the book on 2017 with a full analysis of all the shows we watched this year, and which we think are the most memorable! For good or for bad, we discuss the things that stuck with us in 2017, and what makes them so special to us. Despite our very different tastes, we make a single consensus right at the end of the show! So let's raise a glass to 2017, and look on to 2018 for a new and exciting year in anime!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
2:30 - The Official Unofficial Awards
21:21 - Best OP of 2017
37:56 - Best ED of 2017
50:48 - Biggest Surprise of 2017
1:11:09 - Biggest Disappointment of 2017
1:27:34 - Best Production of 2017
1:43:24 - Worst Anime of 2017
1:54:03 - Best Prestige Anime of 2017
2:14:21 - Best Light Anime of 2017
2:29:34 - Fanmail and Correspondence of 2017
2:37:30 - Outro/Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Land of the Illustrious Awards (Anime Awards 2017)

Today, Chorps and Xain gather together one more time to finish their seasonal coverage of 2017 with their Fall season review! Both of us have watched a lot of anime, and many different anime at that, and we're here to report that the season was good, with a lot of surprises! Amidst our excited talk about anime, we discuss big anime announcements, the end of Anime Strike, and our most embarrassing watches. All this and more on a new episode of Cocoa☆Disaster!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
1:46 - The News
18:18 - The Ancient Magus' Bride
35:25 - Food Wars: The Third Plate
42:47 - Just Because!
49:40 - Fate/Apocrypha
57:51 - Children of the Whales
1:07:14 - Garo: Vanishing Line
1:13:55 - Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond
1:20:59 - Juni Taisen: Zodiac War
1:29:15 - March Comes In Like a Lion 2nd Season
1:42:58 - Land of the Lustrous
1:52:30 - Anime-Gataris
2:00:06 - URAHARA
2:07:01 - Two Car
2:08:50 - Welcome to the Ballroom
2:11:04 - Kino's Journey - The Beautiful World
2:13:47 - Girls' Last Tour
2:22:28 - Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
2:33:46 - Closing Thoughts on the Season
2:36:28 - Fanmail
2:44:59 - Announcements of Upcoming Episodes/Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

This World Will Soon Be Engulfed In Anime (Fall 2017 Season Review)

Today on Cocoa☆Disaster, Chorps and Xain are ready to ring in the new year, of anime that is! As 2017 winds down and we start to finalize our AotY lists, it's time for us to look at the first selection of 2018 shows. While there aren't as many shows airing this season, it seems like there are plenty of shows in different genres that we're excited to check out! Amongst our anime predictions we also talk upcoming anime movies, the hottest anime apps, and some exciting game announcements! Join us for our first step into the new year of anime!

Timestamps:
0:50 - Introduction
1:47 - The News
26:15 - The Fall Leftovers
40:48 - Our A-List
57:16 - Our B-List
1:06:55 - Our C-List
1:13:36 - Our D-List
1:30:39 - Our Poopoo Garbage List
1:35:24 - General Thoughts on the Upcoming Season
1:36:28 - Our "We Forgot to List These" List
1:38:20 - Continuing General Thoughts
1:39:05 - Fanmail
1:50:49 - Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

Looking Forward to All the Stuff That I'm Interested In (Winter 2018 Season Preview)

Today, Jay (@TheJayOfSpade on Twitter) and FutureFriend (@FutureFriendLP on Twitter) join me to talk about two sides of the same coin: the earliest and latest movie adaptations of Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell! The first is often held up as one of the finest pieces of animation, and the second was largely lambasted for, among other things, not being able to live up to the original movie. But is this ire justified? Is there something still worth looking at in the Hollywood Ghost in the Shell, or is it best left forgotten like so many other attempts to bring anime to Hollywood? We discuss all this and more in a very special episode of Cocoa☆Disaster!

Timestamps:
0:51 - Introduction
4:26 - Background for Ghost in the Shell (1995)
14:09 - Background for Ghost in the Shell (2017)
21:13 - Summary
51:52 - General Thoughts/Opinions on the Two Movies
1:13:54 - Discussion: The Americanization
1:24:32 - Discussion: The Major's Character
1:37:52 - Discussion: The Themes
1:52:11 - Discussion: The Replicated Scenes
2:13:24 - Discussion: The Twist
2:22:29 - Fanmail and Conclusion
2:48:43 - Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

The Major Component (Ghost in the Shell 1995 vs 2017 | Single Serving)

Today, I'm joined by Jay (@TheJayOfSpade on Twitter) and Hobo (@Hobotron2000 on Twitter) for a deep dive on one of anime's biggest revivals, Lupin III Part IV! Released in 2015, 30 years after Part III, Lupin III finds our heroes in Italy, stealing national monuments and uncovering nefarious plots. We take time to discuss what we loved about this series, the ways it builds on its legacy, and how it helps to expand the cast and open itself up for new development and exploration going forward. All the love is in our hands, here on Cocoa☆Disaster!

Timestamps:
0:51 - Introduction
6:42 - Background
16:18 - Summary
2:05:16 - Summary Wrap-Up
2:06:49 - Discussion: Lupin III (2015) as a Revival
2:14:46 - Discussion: Our Favorite Heists
2:27:25 - Discussion: The Cast, 30 Years Later
2:38:24 - Discussion: Libertas and Character Motivation
2:45:31 - Discussion: The Italian Identity
2:51:44 - Discussion: Lupin and Nix's Animalistic Tendencies
2:55:54 - Fanmail
3:10:40 - Conclusion
3:15:47 - Send-Off

Intro by BeamSplashX (twitter.com/BeamSplashX)

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